CraigB

Morning All, Quick question for all you hybrid drivers... After I start the car on a cold morning, I don't seem to get the full "hybrid experience" until after about 30 seconds of driving. The Hybrid system has beeped and the green Hybrid light is on, but I only get power and torque from the engine, nothing from the batteries. Then after about 30 seconds I get a shove of power and torque as they kick in. I presume it's something to do with temperature? This never happened in the summer months, but it really noticeable on cold days (today it's 1 degree). Anyone else get this, or is it time for a quick trip to the local dealer? Thanks Craig

Hi, Yes! I thought it was just me! The heating gets progressively colder the longer the journey So I start a typical 2 hour journey with it set to 22, after two 2 hours I have it on 25 to maintain the temperature. I haven't done anything about it yet. It will be interesting to see what people's repssonses are. Cheers Craig

Hi, I like that!, was it expensive? (and do you the part number by any chance?) Thanks Craig

Afternoon All, My IS300H is currently in my local Lexus dealer having a new rear bumper fitted (after a small rear ending!). Whilst it's in there I thought I'd ask the dealer to update the premium nav firmware to the latest version as the current version is a bit pants. It's currently on the latest publically available version ( Version D ). There's a few forum posts regarding versions which are available to the dealers only. Does anyone know what the latest version is I should be asking for? Thanks Craig

Hi, I've gone through the same logic as you recently...Fancied a IS300H but couldn't afford the £30K asking price so started shopping around. My local Lexus dealer (Bristol) has a few in stock , but they were £24k+, I saw those SE models on Motorpoint and was very tempted to go and have a look. However I found Lexus Carlisle had an IS300h SE+Premium NAV + Sensors cheaper than Motorpoint...A few phone calls later and a very long drive and it's now mine. I'd recommend them giving them a call, it was worth it ($$$) , Ask for Derek Fulton. Sensors = a must , visibility isn't great and neither is my judgement. They integrate quite nicely into the display, so I'd recommend looking for a car with factory fitted ones and not be tempted to fit aftermarket ones. Premium NAV = Average, But I'd be quite annoyed if I'd paid £2k for it. Car = Fantastic! Hope that helps Craig

Afternoon All, I've got an IS200 (2001) with tyres that constantly lose pressure, i'm losing about 10psi per week at the mo on one of the wheels and about 5psi on the others. I'm pretty sure it's down to corrosion on the wheels specifically around the value fittings. They look a bit tatty anyway. I've spoken to my local dealer (Lexus Bristol) who can swap the wheels for £100 all in (per wheel!) which isn't bad, but thats £400 to do them all. However..about 100 yards away from the Lexus Dealer is 'My Alloys' ( http://www.myalloys.co.uk ). I just wondered if anyone had used them , and if they did would they recommend them again? or is there someone else in the Bristol area who you would recommend. Thanks Craig

I had the same dilema recently..and decided that it was worth going back to the Lexus dealer after all. http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/lexuscare/service-your-lexus/fixed-price-promise.aspx £250 for discs and pads on the front. Had a nice coffee and full valet and a health check whilst I was there for free. More expensive than most other options, but only by £20/£30 , but worth it for genuine parts and decent service. Ended up going back and having 2 new tyres too, apparently canvas showing IS a problem on front tyres...and the Lexus dealer was cheaper than anything local or online! Can't complain at that! CB

Good point!, I'd forgotten about that . Any idea if W.I.M have a base near Bristol? Thanks CB

I had to replace all 4 tyres on my 2001 IS200SE last month too. It was in for a service at Lexus Bristol and they picked up that the fronts were down to the canvas on the inner section (oops) and the rears were down to less than 3mm in some places. There was no way I was going to pay main dealer prices for a commodity item like tyres..however...Lexus Bristol guaranteed to beat any price I could find (online,local, kwikfit etc) which amazed me!. So now I have 4 Nexen tyres on , fully fitted for £120 a pair. And the car had the usual wash and vac, whilst I drooled over a new IS250 or maybe a CT200 and drank coffee. I could of had Pirelli, Goodyear, or some of the other premium range, but for the type of driving I do I couldn't justify the extra cost. Hope that helps someone. CB

Afternoon All, I think the coilpacks on my 2001 IS200 are about to go..When i started the car this morning it was a bit 'lumpy' ,mis firing and lacked power until it warmed up after which it was fine. It's done 68k so I guess it was inevitable. So...i don't have any diagnostic equipment , is there any way of working out which coil packs need replacing (i understand they go in pairs). If I can't work it out it's a trip to Lexus Bristol to get it sorted. Cheers all Craig

I bought some from http://www.matscar.co.uk/ and they were fine. Not quite as good as the original ones, but good enough. Cheap and fast delivery. CB

Thanks for all the replies...the conclusion is... Halfords wanted £99inc vat for a battery , youch! Kwikfit wanted £72 inc vat, better but still a lot of money for a water filled plastic box. Toyota told me to go away, they had no batteries which would work with a Lexus. Plonkers. so a quick call to the ever so nice people in Lexus Bristol and £62 later and I've got a new battery and a working Lexus again. And...the coffee in the dealership is excellent. The battery is a al branded Toyota so I'm sure the Toyota dealer would of had one to fit..oh well , their loss. Whilst I was there i couldn't help notice that IS250 are £5000 off list price. not bad eh. Merry Christmas all. Craig

Do you know what, I completly forgot about that battery meter thing in the middle of dash. I see it every day and never take any notice of it. Well today it proved quite useful, and the battery is indeed knackered. Off to Halfords to get a new one. Thanks everyone. CB

Evening all, I've just been out to start my car after a few days stood in the cold. The central locking worked, the dash has all the usual lights on, but when you try and turn it over there's a funny buzzing/clicking sound fromnder the bonnet. I would go and investigate but it's too cold tonight. Does it sound like the battery is knackered or something drastic? Thoughts? Cheers Craig

Evening all, I was just wondering, Was the is200/is300 engine used in any other cars? Does anyone know? CB

They've arrived! Forgot to mention, I also ordered a standard quality one for the Girlfriends car (Vauxhall Corsa).. The "Luxury" quality one is average quality, but it has a nice heel pad and 2 fixing holes, although (and I only looked quickly) it looks like my 2001 IS200 only has place to clip it down. It's not thick luxury carpet like i've seen in some Lexus, but its plenty good enough. The "Standard" quality one isn't great quality, but it still has 2 holes in to clamp it down , so it's better than the cheapy ones from Halfords which aren't great quality and have no holes. I would add though , I think they're good value. The Lexus one was £12 and the Vauxhall one was only £7.82. Delivery was £5.99 for both (fixed price delivery). Seems quite reasonable to me. Cheers CB

Hi Dave, I've ordered the Luxury drivers side matt and i'm waiting for delivery at the moment. I placed the order with them on the 2nd and I had an email yesterday to say it was despatched, so I'm expecting delivery before friday. Yes, They do have the holes and fixing clips to clamp the carpet down (a must!) . I'll let you know what the quality is like once I've received it! Cheers Craig

I've just found a website which sells the mats individually , so vpive ordered a driver side luxury mat only in black £13! Www.matscar.co.UK I'll wait and see what the quality and fit it like and let you all know. Cheers.

I think the cambelt needs changing every 6 years or 60,000 miles, so I think you're just about due. Better safe than Sorry!. You'll also get a free safety report and a wash and vac. And the coffee's quite good too ;-) Good luck. CB

I also had a quote from Lexus Bristol (Vicky from memory) recently for exactly the same work (cambelt, tensions, rings kit etc) and it was £270. they were very good and discount parts and labour (£80pphr) for cars over 5 years old. The parts which are sold as a kit were roughly (from memory) £129. I can't fault Lexus Bristol BTW, they were excellent. There is a risk that the water pump will need replacing, which is roughly £250 + fitting + vat I believe, so you may want to budget for that. I wouldn't buy the parts from eBay, I think a such a critical component which is relatively low value should be a genuine Lexus parts. If you save a £50 on parts and the belt snaps you'll be cursing. Good luck . CB

Evening All, I'm looking for a replacement front drivers floor mat as my original one has worn to hole where my heal is. I know I could pick up a new set from my local Lexus Dealer (Bristol), if i remortgage the house. Can any recommend somewhere where I can buy a decent equivalent? I know there are many different ones on eBay, are any specific brands/suppliers any good? Thanks All Craig. IS200 SE. Silver. Bog Standard. Love it.

Hi All, I'm just about to order a new IS200, but can't decide if the Sport is really worth a grand more than the SE for mainly cosmetic bits and bobs and... Regardless of which model I choose , which colour should I have / avoid? All comments, gratefully recieved... Cheers :D Craig.