Jimmywales

Could be the rear headlight levelling sensor as suggested. The sensor is fitted to a mounting plate just above the suspension arm inside the NSR wheel. The plate is quite thin and mine had simply cracked and snapped off leaving the sensor sitting on top of the suspension arm supported by the cable. I didn't have a warning light on the dashboard as you'd expect until I started fiddling with it. The replacement unit (sensor and mounting bracket) was about £300 from Lexus so I just took mine to a local garage and they welded the mounting bracket back together, which cost me a couple of pounds and the problem was fixed.

Hi Jimmy, it is the headlamp leveling devise, mine broke off just like yours and Lexus do not supply just the bracket but want about £250? for the complete unit, I removed mine and took it to the local tractor repair shop who spot welded the bracket together for £2, he said it was the 1st Lexus he had repaired all week! no more bother but I was puzzled why the dash light did not show when it broke, in fact only came on when I re fitted it but went out after some lube and adjustment. Regards Tony Tony, Many thanks for your response. Looks like something I'll get welded. I've had no warning light either, but I assume it'll be the same as you and as soon as it's re-fitted something will show up! Seems mad they don't just do a replacement bracket/mounting plate. Cheers Jimmy

Hi, I've been noticing a strange noise coming from my '04 IS200 which I thought was coming from NSF and was brake calliper related. I then thought my exhaust was starting to blow and when I was underneath at the rear I noticed that an electrical connector (not sure what for) was dangling down. It seems the fixing plate which is bolted to the suspension arm has broken off leaving the connector hanging. It seems as though there are two bolts holding the plate to the suspension which can easily be removed and a new plate put in so you can then re-attach the electrical connector to it. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?app=galleryℑ=6767 I wonder if anyone can (1) tell me what this is? and (2) tell me what the part no. is for the backing plate so I can replace this broken one? Thanks. Jimmy

Interesting to read your experience. I had a OSF bearing replaced by main dealer on my '04 IS at about 62k miles. Within 3k miles it failed MOT on excessive play on the same bearing. Took it back to the dealer who said that the bearings had collapsed inside the unit and that it must have been a faulty one as they hadn't seen that happen very often - replaced it at no charge. They said the bearing comes as a sealed unit so you just replace the whole lot. I've now noticed a light kind of scraping sound like the pad gently swishing over the disc when driving (noticeable at low/town speeds when windows are down and the sound bounces back off walls/buildings) so I'm wondering whether I have a similar issue of caliper sticking and a warped disc as sounds as though pad only catches part of the disc when its rotating?

I had exactly the same dilemma a year ago with my 2004 car with 50K on the clock. I understood from reading on here that the belt change was amended by Lexus from 6yrs/100k to 6ys/60K. Whether this is right or not the car was still 6 yrs old and I chose to get the work done rather than having it on my mind. The main dealer did the service, belt & tensioner change (not water pump) and mot for around £640 if I remember correctly. I'd just get the best price you can and get the work done (£1000 seems a bit steep, even for a main dealer).

Wayne, The bearing seems to come as a sealed unit - I think it was around £150 - £170 for parts & labour at the main dealer. The original invoice is in the car and I'm at work at the moment so can't check for definite. J

I had new wheel bearings fitted by my main dealer 3000 miles ago and my car just failed its mot on excessive play. I took it back to the dealer who is replacing them at no charge today and said it must just have been a faulty unit - I understand it's a sealed unit (hence the price). I wondered whether anyone else has had any similar problems?

I had Dunlop's on mine when I bought it, but I couldn't get any to replace them when the time came so I'm now running on Bridgestone Potenza's. Not the cheapest, but you get plenty miles out of them and I think they were original equipment along with the Dunlops when these cars were new.

I've been on the hunt for a touch up stick for a couple of stone chips on my 2004 LE. The paint is Kodiak Sky and I think the paint code is 1D2. I contacted my local lexus dealer to see if I could get some paint and they told me Lexus don't do this colour anymore so I'd have to go elsewhere and find someone to make me up a pot. I wonder whether anyone here can advise where I might be able to get it or recommend somewhere/one that might be able to make me up a small pot which will acurately match the official lexus colour? Thanks in advance.

Interesting question - I had an unreliable 2001 LR Freelander TD4 and also changed jobs (which meant I could get the train to work). I decided that I wanted something comfortable, reliable and wasn't worried about fuel consumption. After looking at Civic's, Focus ST's, A4's TT's, 3 series etc I knew wanted something a bit different when I spotted a two 2004 200's at a Lexus Main Dealer both in LE spec, one auto and one manual. I got there the auto had been sold that morning and a guy had just taken the manual for a test drive, but had gone away to check his insurance premiums. I jumped in and got a decent enough trade in. Haven't looked back since, although would love a bit more power. I've had it about two years and other than normal consumables I haven't had any problems (fingers crossed). Even the original CD changer is working as it should!

I've just replaced my two rears with Bridgestone RE040's to match the fronts, bit pricey but they're usually good for 30k miles and have a nice big rubber strip around them to protect the alloys from kerbing. I now have four matching tyres - had the fronts done about 8 months ago and the car handles really well. I looked at loads of different brands before settling for the original fit Bridgestone's, they're worth the premium in my opinion.

I paid just over £600 for a full 60K service, inc plugs, belt and tensioner change plus an mot at Lexus Aberdeen for my 04 IS200. Seemed very reasonable, but I think you have to barter a bit with these guys because originally they quoted me £850. I've found that it's always worth asking to speak directly to the service manager for the best prices. From what the other members are saying these service plans seem like a good way to reduce the servicing costs in the longer term though. I might look into it myself.

In reference to the above discussions and to a separate post regarding excessive quotes for the 60K/6yr service I tried Toyota Aberdeen (who are owned by the same group that owns Lexus Aberdeen). They were extremely reluctant to carry out the service and told me that they could only do it on Christmas Eve if I wanted it done. They told me I should try Lexus as 'they're very good' and their labour rate isn't actually that much different to Toyota. I pointed out that the labour rate at Lexus Aberdeen was £97.00/hour to which she responded that it wasn't really that much different to toyota's £66.00/hour! I ended up negotiating with Lexus Aberdeen and managed to get them down from £850.00 to £580.00 for the major 60K service, belt and tensioner change. This also includes new plugs as well so I'm content with that and it's all booked in. I assume there'll be others out there who think I'm paying over the odds, but for the peace of mind and maintaining the full history I'm prepared to stump up the cash on an okay deal. They also did me a good deal on a couple of new Bridgstone's not so long ago - I think I paid £102.00 per tyre fully fitted and balanced.

I just phoned Lexus Aberdeen to get my 2004 IS200 serviced. It's only got 55K on the clock but is due 1 year service (I don't do many miles) so I thought I'd get the 60K service over and done with. Anyway - here's the painful bit. They quoted me £400.00 inc parts, labour and VAT - I thought that was okay but then I asked if it included the belt change - it doesn't and they want another £450.00 for that and more if I want the tensioner done as well!!! So They're talking £850.00+ and I need it MOT'd as well. Where's the Christmas spirit! Anyone know of a good alternative in the Aberdeen/ Aberdeenshire area? Cheers J

That's why these guys should be reported right away, and their Franchise revoked. They've got a real brass neck doing cr@p jobs like that. Col.... After all that think I'll stay well away from ChipsAway! I've decided to save my pennies for the meantime and get the pro's to do a proper job. J

Well here's the first instalment... It was dropped off in the dark last night but running my hand over it seemed to feel fine. It was darkish and raining when I set off for work so I went out for a good look at lunch time. I WAS HORRIFIED! :tsktsk: The vertical wall of the bumper had what looked like white water staining on it. Th horizontal section had standing water on it and it had bubbled up like the orange peel effect you get when you get incompatible paints. Anyway, come home time, I went to the car and it was fine!!! Feels slightly soft to the touch and there is what feels like over spray under the bumper. They're coming to take a look at it but did say on the phone that it can happen when it gets rained on soon after the work is done. My neighbour had a simlar effect on his where there was some standing water so this looks to be the norm??? The touch up of the stone chips on the bonnet is not great but is better than I could do with a touch up pen. To be fair, they did say that this would be the case. The car is backed right up to the house to protect it from further rain so we'll see how it goes.....I am not easy to please! Updates in a day or two Malc Doesn't sound too good...keep us updated.

Cheers for the responses guys. I think I'll get a couple of photos taken tonight and get in touch with ChipsAway and see if they can do anything. Braindead - I'd be interested to know how you get on and what sort of job they do for you.

This is my first post on here and I hoped it'd be under happier circumstances but..... I've got a 2004 LE in Kodiak Sky, taking it out at the windy weekend I got hit by a falling tree branch. It's left a scratch down the nearside rear corner, down and rear light cluster and left a fifty pence sized 'ding' and paint chip (in the centre of the ding) on my bootlid above the number plate. The car was in otherwise mint condition until this happened so I want it fixed but that obviously depends on cost! My question to anyone who might be able to help is: Are there any good bodyshops who could fix this at a reasonable cost in the Aberdeen area and is having Kodiak Sky paint going to make a potential respray more expensive? I've been using the Lexus Dealer in Aberdeen for general maintenance etc up until now but I fear they may be too expensive and will probably just punt it out to a bodyshop anyway before charging me extra for the courtesy.