Silversalmon

Sadly 400 miles away from me! Aaaargh

new discs look surprisingly good. I'm interested in the flaking lacquer problem, if its just the lacquer, how much do they charge per wheel, i have a lacquer problem on mine but the wheels are ok with no corrosion? TIA Ed in Glasgow

Guys, i have recently fitted £500 of Bridgestone Ruber to my 2005 Lexus IS300 Sportcross and had the alignment done at a highly recommended garage in Glasgow. I am too many hundreds of miles from Tony Bones and the only garage in scotland affiliated to WIM didn't have a clue about the Lexus issues when i spoke to them. Can anyone tell if these settings are ok, i don't want to find baldy tyres in a few thousand miles - There's a hell of a recession on in my house and my missus already thinks the car is a total extravagance. If it comes down to it i don't want to have to choose....... Thanks if anyone has any opinions. Ed in Glasgow

Just back from south west of of france, 2500 miles in total in my IS300 Auto and for those worried re fuel i got 550 miles from each tank using Cruise control and 65 - 70mph generally. Car was a delight, very comfortable, used no oil, some screenwash was only additive other than fuel. No problems from Gendarmerie with my sat Nav. I actually enjoyed ny drive. Would love the Swiss trip mind you, i think the alpine Roads would be a blast.

Don't suppose anyone knows of anywhere who does good quality work in the Glasgow area? TIA Ed

Remove the air filters incl the pollen filters and hoover out the dead ,leaves, this is what is making the noise, hard to believe but it is a well known problem in the IS range I understand. At least it's an easy fix!

I use Ritek for DVD at home and CD in my 2005 IS300 Sportcross and have had no problems whatsoever. I believe Ritek get a good name for media. Worth a try.

The new Glasgow Lexus branch did my 60K service incl Timing Belt Change for £580. The spark plugs are pricey but last 60K miles i believe. the service was good and they picked it up and dropped it off which was a nice touch.I did it to preserve the Lexus history but am sure it could be done by any competent garage. Arnold Clark are offering 3 years servicing for £244 which i think i will take them up on. You email them on central.service@arnoldclark.co.uk quoting "Lexus Treat" The price for a 2 year plan is 194.50. MOTs are half price at £27.43. I have been there before and thought they knew their stuff. Ed, also in Glasgow.

I HATE the unnecessary use of rear fogs though was once stopped for having front fogs on by Police who gave me a £30 fine. I was really ****** off as i hadn't ever used them before, i think they may have been checked for my MOT the previous day! I fail to see how front fogs can dazzle anyone given the spread and height they are at. But agree with floggit in principal especially with use of mobiles.

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Suspect not as mine don't illuminate either.

Have just read on the IS300 spec sheet I have self levelling headlights, how would that work given i have raised the nose of the car by 30mm, would it sense it needs to change by 30mm? Sorry if this is a stupid question. Ed

I think Tony Bones at WIM would struggle with the camber a bit....

Hi there, just restored my front suspension to normal factory height and buggered if the snow didn't come and ruin my plans for driving the car! Was wondering if the headlights will need to be adjusted, and if so how? Any thoughts out there. Thanks in anticipation Ed

After agonising over the front lowered suspension i am delighted to stem the tide and my Sportcross is back to factory height at the front. It drives more like my style though it doesn't have that point and shoot performance i had with the Konis and lowered springs. Speed bumps are much less of a nightmare. Now need to get the alignment sorted. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and especially Jim Napier who sold me his original front set up. Great forum guys.

I will try to remember to see if there is any potential ipod transmitter in range the next time it happens, a very interesting observation?

Hi Guys, don't know if this is common or not, not a real ballbreaker but....every few minutes when i am listening to the radio there is a en electronic disturbance and some other station plays for a fraction of a second. It's a 2005 IS300 sportcross. No other errors such as the ERR3 code thank god but it is quite annoying. Does anyone know anything about this problem. Doesnt appear to be related to bumps or potholes as ive heard it when stationary! Thanks for any thoughts. Ed

Have you set the KONIs to the correct damping force (mismatch between spring and damper; is always a nightmare)? i do not know how to adjust them, in the meantime i have bought the original shocks and springs from Jimxs, i will get them fitted next week. At least i will get my ride height back to normal which is the most important thing. Thanks for pointing it out though. Ed

i have a 2005 is300 sportcross with lowered front suspension and i hate it - speed bumps round here are a nightmare. Would your front suspension fit my car? The previous owner fitted konis. the lexus garage want £700 to change back, this could be the answere? Ed in Glasgow ejobrien@talktalk.net

Today I went to Lexus Glasgow, they want £900 for springs and shocks, former Lexus (Arnold Clark) tell me to try new springs, the best advice came from Robert at the local Kwik Fit, he advised me to leave it all as it is, the Konis are set to firm (Which suits me as the handling is great. In his opinion the ride height was fine and he felt estate cars are usually lower at the front to cope with a full rear end. This is the zero cost option, it is apparently safe, it certainly feels planted on the road. Thanks for the input guys. Guess I'm just starting to get used to my car after 5 years in a Honda CRV! Thanks for the koni link - Why didn't i look - Doh!

Guys, i am in a pickle here. I recently bought an IS300 Sportcross, 2005 model. It sits lower at the front than it should and in a brief phone call to the previous owner he mentions he hit the kerb in icy conditions. His local garage sorted it out and i see new KONI shocks at the front. When i first got the car Arnold clark Lexus said it needed new springs (£418), last week i had a £1K bill for timing belt new discs and pads up front, rear pads, all fluids changed at my request. They said the springs are original but the shox are too low? I phoned the local kwik fit and he said shox don't affect height at all but i will need new springs?? Also, if the fronts are changed the rears will need changed. I don't believe that but hey, i am int he dark, any clues anyone, i am keen to get the ride height back to factory settings, i would imagine it is a 30mm drop up front. I will need to get WIM to do a decent alignment but not till i get the height sorted first. Thanks for any replies, i am a little lost her. Thanks Ed, in Glasgow if anyone has any recommendations

I am trying to reheighten my IS300 Sportcross, the previous owner fitted Konis at the front and the speedbumps round here are a nightmare, i see i can get KYB for £140 delivered, would a garage charge much to fit them? I'm in Glasgow if anyone can recommend anyone. Thanks and sorry for hijacking this post. Ed

Why did i buy an IS? Hmm, i have driven Hondas for years now after a very patchy experience with a passat, don't believe the myth of german engineering. I had been thinking about a 2.4 Accord Exec as i heard the engine was good and one day i saw a Sportcross and was intrigued. The more i read the more i wanted one. I have just bought a 3.0litre sportcross (because it was automatic) and have just taken early retirement so mileage will not be big so the mpg shouldnt be an issue. Best damn car i have ever had, or will ever have probably. Bulletproof engineering, a very creamy 6 cylinder, another first, and the essential autobox. Previously had a CRV which is a fabulous car but so big everyone wanted to use it for trips to the dump, first choice for friends on fishing trips etc. EG it was always my car getting used. I'm now having some selfish time and i had quite forgotten just how much fun driving can be. It's damn quick and handling is superb. I'm a wee bit concerned re RWD and may get some instruction. Oh, and i haven't seen another one in weeks, feels kinda special.

I had a PArrot MK9100 fitted, twas £300 but is fabulous, i leave my old ipod in the car loaded with 16gb so never stuck for tunes. Also damn good hands free unit and install was excellent, Beaver Car audio in Glasgow. Lets you keep the original radio and head unit, which frankly sound great. An option