UzziWozzi

Hiya,

Just to keep you updated, my car is driving in it's normal state now! I think it just took time for the tyres to wear in or something. But all is good. :)

Hi Steve, not too sure if the car is doing that, but will see how it drives back home today.

Checked my front tyres, they were a little low but not drastic. Will see how it goes.

Mike B, that's exactly what I needed to hear! I thought it would just take a little time for "adjustment" but whoever I ask are a little miffed that new tyres could be causing an issue. I'll let it settle (will do 1,000 miles in a few weeks, already done 400).

I just have to not worry about the little quirky things the car does, like over taking the slower cars feels a little odd.. like there is a force going against where I want to go when I'm driving fast. Local motoring is totally fine so I'll see how things go.

If it continues after a month, I'll get the alignment done.

Steve... how do I know if the car is tram lining? (have no idea what that is!)

Hi,

I had exactly the same problem with my IS200 when I replaced my rear tyres a couple of years ago.

I'd already replaced the fronts previously with the original fitment, Dunlop SP9000. Dunlop used to make a version of the SP9000 specifically for the IS200, marked with the suffix L (for Lexus). I've been told that these had strengthened side walls. These were what I specified and had fitted on the front. Unfortunately when I came to replace the back ones about a year later the L version was no longer available so I had to go with the standard version.

After fitting these on the back I experienced the exact same symptoms as you. To try to get around this I swapped the backs with the fronts. This did alleviate the problem to a degree but it was never back to how it handled originally.

I hope that helps, Dave.

by the way where did you get your tyres from? I used etyres.

I used etyres too :( Oh nuts, I really should have done my research before getting them replaced. .Is it worth getting the wheels aligned? It felt so dangerous to drive, I really didn't like it, want my car back!

Hiya,

Thanks for the reply. It has been a while since I checked my front tyres so maybe they are under-inflated... will check it out tomorrow morning (if i'm not snowed in!)

Cheers.

Hiya,

I've had to replace my rear tyres, replaced with brand new Dunlop SP9000 by a mobile service. Since the fitting, driving isn't as it should be. When I'm on the motorway, it's like I can just feel the road more and going around corners (around 70-80mph), the car doesn't feel as steady, like I have to be more aware with driving. Like there was more of a pull and any movement of the steering wheel causes a sharp movement.. whereas before there wasn't an issue.

I thought it was a wheel balance issue, Lexus balanced all 4 wheels (free of charge, cleaned the car too!) My front two tyres were replaced in Sept 08 and still have a decent tread. .. should I have replaced these too?

Has anyone experienced this after replacing tyres? It's a bit hard to explain the exact sensation when driving, but feels like car would get out of control if I do drive fast on the motorway. . . could it be that my tyres that I had replaced (were just about legal), was softer and didn't feel the road much? Is this how a IS200 should drive?

Any pointers will help.

Many thanks.

Uzzi

Just to give an update, I managed to get a cheaper quote, 580 with Privilege. . saved over 100 quid.

well im about to pay £1300 with swinton thats with the engine swap, 39 0,NC as i was on the wifes ins when i took the car of the road to do the engine swap,

I'm 28, female,6 years NCB, had accident in Jan 08 (bumper scratch, other guy was jumping up and down like a yo yo!) and got my renewal... £680!!!! I can't get any cheaper online... oh dear...

LOL, it is an auto. Will get it checked out.

Hiya,

Deciding on if I should upgrade my stero unit at the moment. I've got a quote to get a kenwood dnx-5240, without the sat nav, blue tooth and ipod connector, inc fitting for £840.

Has anyone got this model? Is it recommended? ... Link to a site with spec: http://www.satellitenavigation.org.uk/sat-...lite-navigator/

What do you think price wise?

Many thanks. :)

Hiya,

I just tested it and it's 5 clicks. I'll go through the forums to see what can be done. :) Cheers

I've noticed something funny with my car... not sure if it's always been like that so here I go with my explaination:

My usual routine, start the car, pop the car in reverse, handbrake down and drive.

Lately... when I put the car in reverse... it moves... even with the handbrake on!

Now my question is

1) is this normal?

2) Should I put the handbrake off when I start the car?

Any advice or experiences with this?

Many thanks,

Uzzi

Usually fill up 50 litres and get 380 - motorway driving and local too. I've come to realise that the IS200 isn't an econmical car, if I wanted one, I'd go for a tiny Yaris for economy sake... but as you all know.. the IS 200 is a pleasure to drive. :)

That's no problems. Wear n tear parts.

Thanks for the info guys. I do know of a pretty good mechanic locally that used guys who used to work on Toyota and Lexus cars, so I'm sure that I know where to go to for any problems.

However, I keep thinking it's less than £2 a day to have it fully covered... mmmm.... You guys are the best with giving real honest answers so I'll take your word for it.

I love my car so much that I think I'd want to cover it as a precautionary measure, but if the majority of posts say nay, then nay it will be :)

Hiya,

Very happy with my car so far, it's dealer warranty is going to run out in a few weeks time. I've got a renewal for £680 for the next year, can spread it over 10 months so the price isn't a problem... but is it worth it?

I know that it includes RAC cover, that's over £100, I guess it'll be peace of mind rather than anything really.. wanted to know what your thoughts were?

I've got an 04 IS 200.

It's had a few problems in the past - replaced Battery, water pump replaced and key fob Battery replaced by the garage... just this morning I couldn't get the darn thing to start, may be the starter motor or Battery again... considering these problems in the past, do you think it's worth the extra bucks onto of the road tax, mot, insurance and sky rocketing fuel costs at the moment?

Many thanks,

Uzzi

No damage so far, but had a foodie accident last week, ketchup on the hand brake, coke on the seat and an entire cup of salty wedges on the backseat.. that was only after I had lifted a "no food ban" in my car. Needless to say, the ban is now in place again. :)

Spend the extra and get a unit that is a decent brand IMO.

Although £400 fully fitted is a good price if it includes the extras needed to make it work in an IS200, especially if your car has sat-nav.

We discussed a JVC model which was a double din, so was a 7" screen on it's own. The two had great specs but one branded and the other not.

Can your recommend any ones that I should look for instead?

Hey,

So I went to my local car audio specalist and he recommended the Pyle PLTS78UBT for my car (IS 200), looks like it has the works.

Have a quote to get the job done for £400, which isn't bad at all. Wanted to know if anyone else has got this unit in and what their experiences are?

I'm a little miffed with how it's going to get done as the original unit looks like a double din unit, will ask the guy again and ask him to show me exactly what he intends to do!

Uzzi

Been experimenting with different fuels, looks like V-Power is performing pretty good, have got 385 from full tank mixed travelling. Testing normal unleaded to see if that makes any difference at all in performance, bro said I shouldn't bother with V-Power...

Wow that is pretty amazing!! I'm sure that the car is fab on a total motorway journey rather than a mixed one.. coming up to 160 on half a tank... not good! :duh:

Hey guys, have a quick question. The lexus garage called me again to chase me up on taking up their offer on servicing over the next 3 years. He explained that the cam belt needs to be changed every 5 years.

The car has done about 15K, so would it matter if I didn't change the belt until I've done some real mileage (currently doing 1,000 miles every 6 weeks, so I'll be using me car well).

As always, will take on your advice :)

First proper re-fuelling, about 55litres got me around 364miles (have mixed travel, motorway and local). That was using BP ultimate.

I've tanked up the same amount using V Power (Shell), reaching up to half the tank and have only done 164 (slaps head). Not sure what's going on but realised there's no point complaining about the costs/mpg cos it is a Lexus :) Far as I'm concerned, I have a sweet ride to and from work

Hey there,

I've got a service quote to cover 3 services for my Lexus for £1,200 interest free from my local lexus dealer. Is that a fair deal? It is due it's 5th year service in June, I'd like to have the car yearly serviced but have no idea with extra parts, costs etc. The deal that the dealers has given me will cover any extra bits and bobs needed on the car.

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks again, there's a workshop just down the road which do all this type of stuff so thought I'd cut out all my own labour on this. :)

Wow, Wozza your pictures are amazing!

As a ball park figure, how much should it cost me to get an install of a dvd/tv player in the car??