kenfoxy

I would also consider the cost of changing against IS200 fuel economy. You know you have a very reliable car which is depreciating at a snail's pace and is in Band K. I agree with the comments re the excellence of German diesels but beware the dreaded run flats on BMW's. They cost £200 a pop and the ride is awful.

Some dealers ask you to arrange your own temporary cover through your insurance. Mine doesn't charge extra.

Lexus started off with 100,000 miles, then reduced it to 60,000 miles. I can't remember where I saw it but a belt with 80,000 miles was a sorry specimen. It was half the original width and ragged. You definitely wouldn't drive anywhere with it. Basically if you have done 60,000 (6 years) and you intend to keep the car you might as well get it done now. If you intend to sell it sooner rather than later you will need to get it done.

First time I have read this thread. Surely a warning light comes on if the fluid level has dropped. Am I missing something?

Make a note of your coolant level with the engine cold. Go out for a run, 10 miles. Make sure the heater works and confirm that the temp guage reads normal. Leave it to go cold and recheck coolant level. If it is the same, then no problem. If it has gone down then there is a leak. Recheck when cold over a few days. Sounds as if the radiator cap was your problem. Cheap fix.

Might be an idea to ask one of those radiator replacement firms to look at it. There is not much they don't know about cooling systems and the problems with particular models. If the worst comes to the worst and you need a radiator replacement they can fit a recon unit for less than main dealers. Radiators are often common to a number of vehicles. My son needed a replacement for his Civic. Cost him £80, parts, labour and fresh coolant.

I agree. The consequential loss of letting other garages do it is too great. £1,000 is probably an underestimate. For this job you need a proper Lexus warranty on it. They not only do the job, they fix a sticker to the cam cover for future buyers. It will be one of the first questions you will be asked when you come to sell.

Would agree there even without taking the lower price into account. The Sessantas on my 6MPS are better than the Toyos, possible because the Toyo sidewalls don't like a heavy car. Quieter, ride better and turn in well. Similar price to Toyos. Trouble is that tyres do behave differently on different cars, and we all like different things.

Personally I would check out the Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas on the various review sites.

Looks superb. Just shows what can be done with those alloys if they have been kerbed. Shouldn't put anyone off buying used if the wheels are bad. For £120 you get better than new wheels. Some buyers would have paid £500 extra for that when buying new.

See the recommendations from Opie. http://www.opieoils.co.uk/product-finder/car/engine-oil/lexus/2001/is/PETROL/is/16124/product-finder-2.aspx

IS300 sounds like good value, especially with the "low" VED rating.

Yes, I would think so. Basically, a dealership knows you exist.

Had an invite to one in June. Appreciating there is no such thing as a free lunch, what is the catch. Anybody had experiences.

.... and clock.

I stupidly scraped the nearside bumper corner of my IS200 against the pebbledashed wall of my house. It left deep scrapes. I called one of those local mobile bodywork repair guys in. He repaired it for £82 inc vat and it took him 1.25 hours. It didn't involve a complete respray of the bumper and it looks brilliant. Aparently plastic is much easier to deal with than metal. I would get a couple of quotes from those mobile guys, particularly one recommended to you in your area. Best of luck.

I had the same problem a couple of years ago with my IS200. Bought some Wynn's Airco fresh on the net, followed the instructions for a clean with the panel filter removed (more thorough) and refitted the filter. Result - no more smell. As you are sensitive to pollen etc, I would replace the filter at the same time if it looks dusty etc. Don't know about costs but you might save something if you get it from the same supplier.

Mine is standard apart from K&N filter and don't have to try very hard to get 35mpg + on 200 mile runs. Around town, 25mpg. I think that the IS200 engine is at peak efficiency at motorway speeds. Too much throttle below 3000rpm is a big waste if you go by that mpg thingy.

I agree. The only way to evaluate anything is by comparing quality against cost. Never perception. With cars and car components there is a wealth of information out there, especially the interweb. I've noticed that a lot of people spend a lot of time reading car forum sites for information before buying a car. I think they are spot on and are a marketing man/woman's worst nightmare. Those people hate the truth getting out. Not wanting to denegrate Mercedes in particular but we have all seen several Top Gears were they have spent 10 minutes going into rapture over a new model only to add that it broke down twice whilst it was in their hands. No problems with the reasonably priced "non presige" car.

I put the address and phone number on your earlier thread. Best of luck. People do travel to these guys because of their reputation.

wiperblade.co.uk basic flat blade replacements are brilliant and cheap. They don't list them for the IS250/220 but give them a call.

I don't agree with the police attitude of predicting the outcome of a potential prosecution and making a judgement about an arrest. The police can arrest someone and detain them for some time without charge. I think a couple of days in a police cell (whilst investigations are made)for some of the little ***** might leave an impression. Today I hear about a son who defends his mother from a knife wielding thug. Because the thug died in the fight, the police decide to prosecute the son for murder. Fortunately the case was eventually dropped. Can you imagine what the son must have gone through? What is going on?

Picked this up from another thread on this site. Think they may be a tad cheaper than Lexus. Other members may well comment Charlesworth Motors Ltd 7, Marple Rd, Charlesworth, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 5EY Tel: 01457 864416

I've had Bridgestones, Pirellis and Wanlis on our IS200 over the years. All three tyres have been terrible on the rear of an IS200 under wet conditions. In fact if I had not been brought up on bad RWD, I could have killed myself by now. My next tyres on the back will be the best wet weather tyres I can afford. HOWEVER, as far as the front is concerned, I cannot see any difference between the three. Because the Wanlis are supposed to be so awful I have tried to get the front to break away by yanking on the steering on an empty wet roundabout - no problems.

I wife owns a 9 year old IS200 with the original alloys. Whilst each one has been kerbed, there is no blistering whatsoever. So Lexus CAN make alloys that don't rot if they want to. Maybe cost has something to do with it. I've got a Mazda 6. Whilst they haven't blistered, they do seem to get burnt by hot brake dust. (tiny black specs that are a swine to get off). I note that this problem afflicts the ISF side skirts as well. Could be that manufacturers test mechanicals and electrics to destruction and wheels and side skirts are overlooked.