plastic orange

To give another side of the coin, I phoned a supplier on Wednesday (Real Steel) for some bits for the Rover V8 engine in my Morris Minor, and was told (after a general chat about the weather) that I may not get parts as speedily as usual. To my surprise, they were there the next day. I put the cylinder heads in to a local engineering shop for a skim yesterday and will get them out on Monday. There are still folk out there giving service (Morris Minor parts invariably arrive next day btw). My experience with Lexus parts so far is mixed I have to say. Pete

When you get the genuine belt, there is a sticker supplied with it which you attach under the bonnet (fill in the mileage). If it's had a belt, it should be somewhere. My mate said that it wasn't a hard job, just the amount of stuff to dismantle before getting access. I've heard good reports about Blueprint stuff, but I erred on side of caution. Pete

I've just had mine done on my 99. It took my mate 8 hours (experienced mechanic), autodata say 3. See this thread: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=64127 Pete

I'm sure I spotted one on ebay recently. Pete

Try here: http://www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html I've bought quite a few tyres from them over the years - a good reliable service, but you have to find someone to fit them. Pete

I agree with you in general regarding the Scottish supply coming from Grangemouth to most Service stations up here, but if you fuel using shell V power - it smells different to other fuel - you can even smell it in the exhaust (when following a fellow biker who is using it). I tend to use it in my bike if I'm off to the local drag racing track - but the result is possibly just in the mind :D . I always used a higher grade of fuel in my Saab turbo, as the ECU calculated the octane rating and allowed more or less power accordingly by altering boost slightly. Pete

If they are so distressed by the British, then just emigrate to Afghanistan as quickly as possible, so we trouble them no longer. Sadly this will never happen as life is pretty sweet for them here. Pete

Alistair, it cost me £580 for the whole job, but it will be fine for another 7 years. I knew it wouldn't be cheap when I bought the car, but it's piece of mind for me. As you know, I like things to be right. However, the belt looked in very good nick, and would no doubt have lasted a lot longer - but water pump leak wouldn't. It is always a gamble with cars of an unknown quantity, so just be prepared for the worst to happen, and write it off at that point (you should have kept the Saab). A belt is around £50, but you have plenty spannering to get to it - plus antifreeze, auto trans fluid etc etc. Pete

Mine started fine after a 3 week stay in an airport car park. Are you sure your battery is ok? Pete

Hi, Use the programme on here to work out what you need. Pete http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html 235/40 x18 are very close. You can buy here: http://www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html

I got the Timing belt fitted today - work included Belt, water pump, hydraulic tensioner, 2 idlers, ancillary belt, thermostat and all gaskets. I also got new plugs and the grotty airfilter replaced (full Lexus history, so wasn't expecting it to be so bad) at the same time. My mate says it took him the full day (first one he's done, but he's got plenty experience of performance motors), and said that where other manufacturers use a couple of bolts to hold a component, Lexus use twice this. He said it was very straightforward, just time consuming stripping it out. He did find a leak starting in the water pump, so it was a well timed replacement. Incidentally, the old belt looked unworn anywhere. I'll post up part numbers used in a separate thread. Pete

Use this site to work out the wheel/tyre combo you need in order to keep same gearing http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html I have noticed that my Lexus speedo reads 75 at a true 70 (standard wheels/tyres), so don't go too far down on rolling circumference with your choice, or this will get worse. Ride will also deteriorate with low profile tyres, and some tramlining may occur. Nice wheels though. Pete

My son was reversed into in an Asda car park - driver said they'd pay damage, but after him giving her a few quotes, she reneged - so went through insurance - surprise surprise knock for knock. Insurance insisted on a repair costing £300 more than his highest estimate - he lost his no claims, but insurance company waived the excess :eerrrmm: . Insurance is really just a donation :megaangry: . Pete

Hi 225/55/17s are the tyres you need 235s are too big on a 55 profile. 225/55/17 gives the same rolling radius as the 225/60/16s fitted as standard. ta Mark I use this site for comparisons between wheel/tyre combinations. http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html A 235/55x17 gives a reading of 71.39 when speedo indicates 70. As the speedo currently over reads, then fitting this tyre combo should go some way to correct it - assuming there are no physical problems by using a higher profile. Pete

I've only had mine for 2 months, and the only thing I don't like is the ride quality. The car tramlines on irregular road surfaces, and twitches when i hit a pothole (it has a worn rear upper control arm bush which will be getting replaced, so it may be cured). It feels like the springing and damping have not been properly thought out - it is however considerably better when car is laden. I am considering replacing the 245/50 x17's with 235/55 x17's to see if this helps, and this should also solve the speedo accuracy because at present an indicated 75 is 70. It is not as bad in the snow as I had been led to believe - not been stuck at all so far unlike a merc 190E I had years ago - it couldn't even move off on the flat. Pete

Old parts uplifted yesterday, and new arrived today - pretty quick rectification of mistake, so good on them. I'm getting it all fitted next week, so will post up part numbers when everything verified as correct. Pete

I'm using mine at the moment in our lovely weather, and I want my Saab back :D Pete

Update on Timing kit, I spoke again with John from the parts department, and he is sending out all the correct components now. I decided to replace the hydraulic tensioner as well, so bill is another £50 over what I have already paid - they price matched with another quote I had. Hopefully all good now, and they did seem genuinely sorry for the hassle, so I'd use them again. I'll post up all the correct part numbers when I get the invoice (and check all correct). Pete

I've been in communication with supplier - here's an update: "Dear Mr Sinclair Please accept my sincere apologies, I don't know how we can make such a stupid error, but we have, and I can only apologise for that. We will of course arrange to have the incorrect parts collected and refund your payment, if that is your wish. We are at present having our parts catalogue electronically updated,( which will probably take an hour or so) as soon as it is available again we will prepare an estimate for the correct parts, and I will contact you to discuss your wishes. yours sincerely John Davidson Lexus Parts Direct" I'll let you know the outcome. Pete

Speaking to a few mates in the trade, they say they are always getting wrong parts despite giving all relevant information to suppliers - a sign of the times. Pete

Car still running fine, but my mate had a 'window' to fit it in on Monday. I was a bit suspicious when I saw the length of the timing belt, and when I opened the water pump box, it seemed too small for a V8 - it was. I'm not sure about tensioner and idler, thermostat, nor the fan belt - but I'd guess they are wrong too. The parts dept is closed today, so I'll find out on Monday. No wonder their price was good - but I won't be suckered in to paying more if they ask - I'd rather go elsewhere. This is despite them having Vin number, reg number, model and year. Pete