Jay6

Don't fancy an IS300, as its an auto.

Do want to get the newest car possible within my budget. I am leaning towards a MK4 golf V5, seem reasonable priced and like the look of the interior nice place to be in.

Hi Guys,

Last year due to an accident lost the IS200 that I owned for 3 years trouble free motoring, since then be car sharing with my dad but back in the market for a car now.

Obviously this is a Lexus forum just wanted opinions. Must be capable to seat 4, reliable and not to thirsty like the Lexus (although i only do 5k year in miles) max budget is 3.5k

MK4 Golf (1.8T or V5) – seen some good ones for 2.5k on 2002

E46 318I or 325iSE saloon

Saab 9-3 (Not that keen but looks good in black the newest car seen 2004 models in budget)

Honda Accord 2003 2.0 sport

Do not fancy another IS200 although have noticed they have come down in prices

Any recommendations guys from the above or something else you might recommend

Thanks

Jay

I would be very much interested, Sparkystav can you pelase add me to list to

Ormi,

This is fantastic and very helpful. I plan to do the service next weekend thank you with a trolley jack, so hopefully will not be too difficult.

Ps love your lexus, looks really Good

Jay

Hi Guys,

I have decided to service the Lexus by myself (with a friends help). Car has done 95,000 miles and I need to change the engine oil, Oil filter, Diff oil and was pondering changing the gearbox oil as I do not think this has ever been done.

Are there any step by step guides on doing this? in particular the diff oil and the gearbox oil, I will be using trolley jack on my driveway. Will I need a pump to refill the diff and gearbox oil?

Any advice would be very helpful, (sorry did try searching could not find anything)

Thanks

Jay

Hi Guys,

Is it true that Lexus made a mini disk version of the stero player? So were there currently have the tape player that is were the mini disk player should be? If this is correct, were can I get one. Dont want to buy it from Lexus as it would cost a small fortune.

Thanks

Jay

Problem solved, reset the ECU by taking out the EFI fuse and the ETCs fuse , warning lights now vanished :)

Hi guys I replaced my cigarette lighter fuse today, didn’t have a spare one so taken a 15amp fuse from the bonnet to replace it with. The location was the ETCs fuse.

Bought a new fuse from the shop to replace the one I had taken from the bonnet. Well cigarette lighter works but now the TRC light constantly flashes and the malfunction Indicator lamp is on. Have I messed something up? Please help guys on how i can get rid of this

Thanks

Jay

Hi All,

I have a 2001 IS200 sport, some pikey has stolen my drivers side wing mirror.

Can someone please advise whether the glass is Auto anti glare or not?

Also any ideas where I can get the glass from, rang a few breakers (London) but none seem to have any and Lexus are charging a small fortune.(70.00+ vat, 215 +vat for anti glare)

Thx

Jay

Hi Guys ,

Drove the car this morning and the problems seems to have disappeared. Very strange. I was thinking of changing the gearbox oil as since I have had the car I don't think its every been done, would this be beneficial and improve the gear change?

I was thinking something like redline 75w90??

Hi All,

Was driving yesterday I noticed I could not change to fifth from 6th gear. There was a blockage, I just could not shift into 6 gear. All the other gears were fine. Changing from 1st all the way to fifth was no problem but fifth to 6th was just stuckm it was if the gear was blocked.

Does this mean my gearbox has gone? I stayed in fifth and have not driven my car since. Plan to drive it this evening.

Any ideas on what the issue could be… cost £

Thanks

Jay

Hi guys,

I used a bit of G3 cutting compound and have tried polishing over it numerous times but I think i have made it worse now.The paint work has dulled were the bird has done its do, its so evident on the bonnet, its like 5 different splats.

Are there any specialists in the london area that could bring the paint work back to its former shine via wet and dry and buffing it up with a machine polish. How much money am i looking at to do the whole bonnet?

Hi Guys,

Been away for a week and found that my car had loads of bird Sh?t on the front bonnet ( 5 different splats). Got some soapy water and tried to remove it. Noticed the paint work has dulled and you can clearly see the pattern of the sh?t all over the front bonnet, looks absoutley horrible.

I have tried polish but it hasnt had any effect, the car is black and the paint work has dulled and there are signs of liitle cracks. Im so gutted. Is there any way to remove this, or do i need a full bonnet respray??

Jay

Thanks Parthiban for the pic, thats a great help, i can store my ipod in the glove box too and know one would be te wiser.

Also I have seen other units for sale that convert the original head unit but none seem to be cheaper then the Grom Audio.

Parthiban,

When you fitted the I-pod in the glove box are there any visable wires on show, do you have any pics??

Hi All,

I have read the extensive thread about the Grom Audio and am very much interested in buying this piece of kit as well as an I-pod.

I like the idea of having the original stereo. However can you please post pics of where you have installed your I-pod. If I do buy the kit I don’t want any wires on display and would ideally like to hide the ipod in the ash tray if possible.

Other option, I also need to buy a Sat Nav (Garman approx £100.00) the cost of the Grom Audio and i- pod (2 hand) aprrox £110. Is it possible to buy a MP3 player with a Sat Nav for £250 or am I dreaming,

Any help would be much appreciated, definitely interested in seeing pics where you guys have installed your i-pods.

Thanks

Jay

To be honest I have been debating to sell my IS200 and get an RX8, they seem to be priced so well at the moment, £5 - £6.5k and can you decent a motor, that not to old 2003/04, in my opinion a great looking car.. but heard horror stories about MPG.

In regards to the other cars you listed I have driven a UK spec Supra Twin Turbo Auto... What a car, amense power and so smooth, however i am not to sure about the looks now.

If i was to choose probably be the RX8, purely down to the price there going for.

Hi All,

I fancy washing the engine bay as I have never done it since I have owned the car and it could do with a good clean.

I was planning just to hose it down and use a bit of car shampoo and let it dry itself.

However is there any risk to the engine parts? (I still want my car to start) Do I need to cover any parts before I tackle the job, will this have any negative effect on the engine.

Thanks

Jay

Interested, depending on price

Sorry to steel the the thread Lex 28 but have also got some questions regarding HIDs.

I am also using the standard lights and want to upgrade to HIDs.

1. Will this have any effect on the auto lights functionality (i.e will the lights still come on automatically)

2. You have side lights and the main headllights will you need a kit for both sets. (if so is not just worth to take the side lights outs, what the opnion on this as I hardly use them)

3. Will I still be able to control the beam level?

4. I want to get the colour closest to the factory xenos, (dont want them bright Blue and blind my fellow drivers) there is 4300k or 6000k which is better suited?

Thanks

Jay

Hi All,

After changing all my 4 tyres recently to Falken FK452 (Recommended by many on the forum) the cars grip and road handling was transformed. However when I did change to the Falken's I had noticed that my front tyres had excessive wear on the inner sides.

Like many others, I have read many topics on the forum concerning this matter and the resolution was to go to wheels in Motion and see Mr Tony Bones. Well On Saturday I made the trip to WIM and had the Geometry set up correctly.

The experience was fantastic and the service was great. Tony really is an expert in this field and explained the procedure and any questions I had, I can highly recommend his services. Also may I add the premises are first class, cleanest garage I have seen in a long time. :)

Well I have not driven the car much since Saturday but will definitely check whether road handling has improved and make sure I do not experience the uneven tyre wear.

All in all a great experience and I can highly recommend WIM services. I advise all to check there front tyres and make sure they are not experiencing excessive uneaven wear.

Jay

Steve/Wozza,

Thanks for the feedback guys I appreciate it. I will look into getting the McGard ones, I am only missing one at the moment on my front alloy so may take your offer up Steve.

Thanks

Hi All,

I was wondering whether any one had an original IS200 locking wheel nut, as i am missing one of these bolts for my front alloys. (alloys are original 17 inch 5 spoke wheels).

Thanks

Jay

Hi All,

The tax charges have been frozen it will not increase to the ridiculous amount of £400. However Lexus Owners will still face an increase.

It means owners of cars with CO2 emissions of 226g/km or higher that paid £185 this year, would see their road tax bill rise to £215 for 2009/10 and then to £245 for 2010/11. This is a slight increase, but is far better then the original plan of £400+.

All details can be found on the parkers website. Hope the links below help to clarify the new charges.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/Def...spx?deriv=16550

http://www.parkers.co.uk/news/News/Pre-Bud...-as-it-happens/

Thanks

Jay

hows things der matey just get a rocker cover gasket and change it yourself its a good few 10 bolts but its easy keep the area clean and dont let any dirt and water go into the head use a small bit of sealer and the new gasket or if ya want just put engine sealer and ur old gasket

Hi guys, thanks for all the quick responses much appreciated.

Lecky - I am afraid I am no good with spanner/etc so probably have to get the rocker cover & seals changed at my local garage.

Could this possibly wait till next month? or will this cause more problems If i dont rectify this asap. (only recognised this today due to changing the plugs. may have been like this for months)