ColinBarber

100,000 miles is a long time but that's what they last. Changing oil and filters before the schedule I agree with but unless there is a problem with the plugs then I don't see the point. My old Supra was 7 years old and 58,000miles when I sold it, still on the original Platinum plugs and running as good as ever. As the plugs hardly ever come out these days manufactures don't worry about them being easy to change, for example the throttle body may need to be removed to gain access to a couple of them. I don't know how easy it is on the IS200?

They are quite good. I had one in the GS demonstrator I had a few weeks ago. Normally my laptop bag gets thrown around in the boot but under the horizontal net it stayed put. About £40 for a bit of stretchy netting though

Am I missing something here, how often are you going to change plugs that last 100,000 miles and are the same as the ones already fitted to your car? The first GS MKIIs use Platinum plugs (last 60,000 miles) as I guess do the MKIs. Don't know when they changed to Iridium (1999 or 2000?). I think Iridium have always been fitted to the IS. Your service book will tell you, if you need plugs every 60,000miles then you have Platinum or 100,000miles for Iridium. I think there is also a sticker under the bonnet stating the plugs fitted, there is on the GS.

It should be possible to do an engine swap although it would be better to purchase an Altezza rather than an IS200, as this already uses the 3S-GE engine so there shouldn't be any engine mount problems. However if you have an Altezza then Blitz do a supercharger and a Turbo upgrade so it's not worth the effort in replacing the engine.

Are you using Lexus pads? Did the pad surface look shinny? Sometimes the pads don't come away from the disc and you get a light rubbing which puts a glaze on the pad. This can make them more noisy. Other than that I guess you could try a different make of pads, do EBC do pads for your model? I know there are people on the list that are using their pads on IS200s. I used their Green Stuff pads on my old Supra and thought they were rubbish compared to the Toyota ones but I think I should have used Red Stuff pads and they have also improved them since. http://www.ebcbrakes.com/

LSD has nothing to do with Traction control. It is a mechanical device, it doesn't start or stop working, you either have one or you don't. If you want to see if you have a LSD then jack up the rear of the car. Make sure the handbrake is off and it's not in gear. With a normal diff if you spin one wheel the other one will spin the other direction. You should also be able to stop one wheel spinning whilst still being able to spin the other. If you have a LSD when you spin one wheel the other will turn in the same direction. If you stop one wheel from turning you will not be able to turn the other one, not without a large amount of force.

Maybe not reduce the price but reduce the number of people willing to purchase it? I would not have brought my car if it didn't have Lexus history.

The UK Supra weighs more than a IS200 or 300. It's a big car. The IS300 uses the Supra non-turbo engine so it is partly designed for the engine. A UK Supra had electric windows, mirrors, CD player, electric seats, climate control, headlamp washers, power steering, 6-speed manual or 4 speed auto, remote central locking, CAT1 alarm. In fact the one thing it is missing is the sunroof and that's not there to improve handling, although your can get an import targa roof model. So I don't think you can say it doesn't have all the luxury, in fact the IS200 doesn't have leather interior which the Supra has. There are several Supras with 1000+bhp so trying to create the fastest one would not be a easy task plus it's all been done before, how many IS200's do you know with 700bhp?

That's not too bad a price. I thought they were double that. Maybe accessories and spares vary in price between dealers just like servicing costs?

Does it have the LSD or is that an option? Normally there are hundreds of options, unlike the UK where we get the choice of colour!

Idiot! The Proxes T1-S are standard fitment on TVR Tuscan S! Toyos are also standard fitment on Lexus ES300, RX300 and Toyota RAV4. They are not a budget tyre they are just good value for money compared to other manufactures.

The IS is very tame, cannot really be compared to a 200SX.

Not going to try and implement your own sequential system then? Your going to get one hell of a kick when those babies spool up

Thanks for sharing this fix with us. Can this be moved into the workshop area?

Mat, It's looking good, what turbos are you using and are you going for a complex sequential setup like on the Supra?

That's all you get in the US isn't it? :P Our lowest grade fuel (95RON) is better than your highest grade so I don't think that's the issue. I guess the plugs or the distributor.

Is this a new car? If so then the warranty will cover abnormal wear. If it's a used car then the warranty will not cover a worn clutch due to wear and tear. The clutch would have been worn before you purchased the warranty, and they don't fix problems that already exist nor replace items are just at the end of their life. However you may be able to make the dealer pay as it seems they sold you a car that is not acceptable.

Yes, all J-spec cars are limited to 180km/h which is around 112mph

Anybody see Pulling Power on ITV last night? They had the new RX on there showing the reversing camera. They gave it to a couple of people who couldn't park to save their lives and both managed to park without any problem using the system.

Depends how it was converted to mph. If the speed signal was reduced then the speed limiter is increased (to 180mph from 180km/h) However if a new speedo or face was installed then the restrictor will still be there at 112mph. TDi should be able to remove the limiter.

http://www.lexus.co.uk/news.php?page=artic...new_lexus_ls430

I think you spoke too soon. It's very slow again.

I am thinking of fitting parking sensors to my GS and like the idea of not having visible sensors. Anybody have any experience of the Electro-magnetic systems? I know they only give a warning whilst moving but I don't feel there is too big a risk of hitting anything whilst I'm stationary! What speed do you need to be moving for the sensor to work? http://www.parkingsensors.co.uk/taurus.htm

Don't have a wiring diagram for the IS200 but I would be very suprised if it didn't. Possible has more than one.

Indeed, I think white spirit or nail varnish remover will do the trick