true blue

Hi just checked the Laser catalogue ,they list 2 tools for lexus oil filter housings ;5160 for prius corolla avensis and 4880 for is250 both 64 m/m but I can't see them making 2 tools for the same job . Let us know how it goes dave

Thanks Linas P the the light lenses seem perfect , I will try brighter bulbs .

Hi I have not physically seen this version,but I seem to remember from previous posts that the 'castle ' type spigot is not as deep as the Laser tool and can climb out of the recesses when the cap is really tight .Just give it a try you have the part numbers for a tool that does work if it fails Good luck Dave

Hi thanks for posting this update on bulbs . I was currently looking at updating the dipped beam D4S as I am not particularly impressed with the dipped lights but I find main beam OK Are you saying the standard dipped bulb is 4200 ,if so I will replace them with the 6000 you have used Dave

Hi, I don't want to rain on your parade but if you read the full description it is for the PLASTIC filler cap and the lexus is250 is not mentioned .In view of previous problems members have reported trying to remove the housing you may damage the housing or tool .I have removed a few of these and they can be very tight .My advice would be to puchase a more substantial tool either LASER 4880 or SEALEY VS 7112 , Get the car as high as you can with safety; for added leverage use a long bar 'there is a hex on the tool as well as the 3/8 drive so you can use a larger 1/2 drive socket Dave

Well done ; looks good ,I'm sure you will enjoy it ,it pays to shop around as the right car is out there ; Give it a good check over when you collect it including the advisories from the recent MOT rear brake pads and rear tyres ; Dave

Hi ,I agree with what Steve has written ,this car is big and heavy but will perform if you need to ' make progress' .The roof should not rattle ,the chassis on this car has been strengthened to prevent flexing ; mine is as quiet as a saloon version .I see you state you need 4 seats ,my opinion is that the rear seats are minimal and the roof storage in the boot takes up a lot of room not leaving much for luggage ,is there less room in the Audi ? . Apart from this restriction they are brilliant cars , Dave

Hi interesting reading your experiences on this topic , I,m glad the programme is progressing but I received the letter from Lexus recall on 21 July 2016 . I have just rung the freephone recall line for an update and the reply is the passenger airbag parts for my vehicle are still not available !!! . Dave

Hi ,I use redline from Opie oils Fuchs titan sintopoid also listed great service with a discount Dave

Congratulations on your choice , ( I'm biased ) as I have the 2011 SEL version ! I also like the two tone interior ,as mine is black and seems a little dark if the roof is up .These cars are great long distance tourers , for our last 2 summer holidays we have gone touring round France ,smooth ,silent and the fuel consumption is very good for a v6 . I think the roof takes up a lot of boot space but as there are now only 2 of us we can cope ; Go topless whenever possible Dave

Absolutely stunning motor ,looks brilliant in that colour combination , thanks for the link to the detailing ; Not for me ! 1 I could not take it out of the garage if it was raining 2 It would cost me my licence Enjoy Dave

Hi that really is an upgrade ! a great car in a great colour ( I,m biased as my IS250C is that colour ) but I think your wheel colour is a much better contrast than the silver I have ;Enjoy Dave

Hi this is truly a great trip ,I completed it in april this year with a group of MX5 owners .The information we received was that it is now getting very popular in the main summer months which makes progress slow over some single track sections , also accomodation can be difficult in some areas .Want a great testing run ? a couple of years ago we did the old Route des Grande Alpes from Annecy down to Menton on the Italian border , very challenging and exciting check it out Dave

Hi ,just gone through all this deliberation on tyres, in the end I have fitted goodyear F1 asymmetric 3 all round ( 18 in wheels ) ,I fitted these prior to the start of our month holiday in France and have only covered a few hundred miles ,we are currently in Brittany so the miles will quickly increase .I have found them a big improvement on the dunlop sports on the car since I bought it ,very quiet on the motorway ,smooth and sure footed wet or dry ,and I know new tyres always feel great but I am sure the braking has improved .There was still 4 m/m left on the dunlops but I had lost confidence in the wet grip and when accelerating hard down a slip road onto the motorway the traction light would regularly light up in the wet ( wheel alignment checked OK ) They were 6 years old and quite hard so that would not help ,no problems at all now so we will see as time passes Dave

Thanks Normski I needed a set for the MX5 and have also ordered spares for the Lexus Good saving Dave

Hi James , as previously posted ,air bubbles will not be a problem , just suck up the new oil from the container and dispense through the filler hole . The diff casing with the plugs in is easy to see ,what I do to make life easier is jack up as high as I need ,put the approx amount of new oil in and then with a container underneath lower the car until level with the plug still out ,any excess will drain out giving the correct level . Jack up again and refit filler plug .Please use axle stands when working under a vehicle NOT a jack on its own Dave

Hi James ,I have done this job before ;2 tips I think will help ,always loosen the fill plug first as if you take the drain plug out and then find you cannot release the fill plug ,you have a problem ! ; you will find the job much easier if you use a large oil syringe fitted with a short length of plastic ( cheap off E bay) Dave

Hi Steve thanks for the info ;I have one already but it will be useful as I am trying to get my son in law to purchase one ;so some informative reading for him Dave

Hi I am mildly amused to find I am not the only senior to suffer a moment with the hand bake , I would not be too concerned about the efficiency (or lack of it ) on these brakes at MOT time . My information is that the efficiency required to pass is 0.25g g as in gravity or approx 18% for the handbrake ,This has not changed since 1960 ,s when it was tested with a Tapley meter on the floor of the car .Now it is tested on rollers , as long as both sides are balanced (no seizures ) and the pedal travel is adjusted correctly you should be fine Dave

Hi ,great car I'm sure you will enjoy it ,I think mine is the best car I have had , v6 makes it a great cruiser and comfortable with it Enjoy Dave

Hi Alan ,I have used both methods for oil removal ,because the oil capacity is approx 6.3 ltr and my drain tin is 6 ltr ,I find it easier to suck up about 5 litre then remove the plug to finish off ,as it is a lot easier to deal with a small amount of oil sloshing about under the car . Another approach which I use on my other car is a Fumoto valve which replaces the sump plug ,you can fit a short length of tube and drain into a container ,worth doing if you intend to keep the car a while and service it yourself . You can google details and prices from Fumoto web site Dave

Hi ,Surebet .I always keep a file with all receipts, check sheets ,MOT s for all work carried out on a car ,my findings are private buyers are usually very pleased to find proof of a well cared for car with documented mileage ,dealers try not to show too much enthusiasm ,but I have usually been able to get a satisfactory result ,although you never know the actual amoumt of difference . Recently I went with my daughter to p/ex a Mercedes which I had serviced for the last 6 years ,the dealer made a big deal of it being outside the franchise system ,but after the deal was concluded ,and I pressed him on this point ,he agreed it had cost us a reduction of £600 , I don't know what 6 Merc services cost but I'm sure we saved a fair bit of money Dave

Hi as stated the IS 250 is a straight forward car to service ; if you use the correct tools (eg oil filter removal tool ) all the manufactures schedule can be carried out .There are guides on the internet and you can buy time on the Lexus site to access their workshop sheets . I maintain my own cars and the cars of the family ( 7 in total ) .I am a retired old school engineer with 60 years experience with cars and motorcycles so I have an advantage in this respect ,but if you take your time and ensure you follow safe working practice ,it can be done .This probably seems daft to some people to be crawling under cars at 77 but the more I see of todays work by ' technicians ' the more I want to do the job properly myself . Because of the prolonged time laying on the drive doing clutches and exhausts ,I no longer do these jobs Dave

Hi ,Hasselblad I to am interested in any details on this; costing; and a picture if possible , I have tried to carry a wheel ,but as you say if a wheel is put in the well it is above the level of the pull out cover for the roof . This is not practical .We take a full size spare alloy when we go on the continent ,in a zip up nylon cover either on the back seat or behind the passenger seat . This works for us as we are retired and there are only 2 of us so we have plenty of space ,but it would not work for most people and a spare 18inch alloy is heavy to move around .This car is brilliant but I feel Lexus have missed a trick with the boot/roof folding arrangement and I feel the wheel well could have been made 1 1/2 ins deeper and solved this problem ,as it is this well is a waste of space Dave

Great ; glad to be of assistance ,looks like it was just a glitch especially as it started straight away after stalling , Take care Dave