Denis Ivanov

I thought we are talking about the 2nd gen IS which has a steering ECU, while the 1st gen doesn't and it is safe to install aftermarket Xenon. I don't know if you've opened a cheap Chinese HID ballast to see what's inside but by measuring the electronic emissions I can tell that they can easily fry the ECU in certain conditions. I don't know about the new slim ballasts which are "digital" but I never trusted the Chinese HIDs as their parameters vary in a very wide range. I don't mean to start an argument, but this is what caused the failure of the steering ECU in the videos above.

Allow me to disagree with you. The factory halogen lights are way better than on any other car I've ever driven and trust me I've driven a lot of cars. You can tell the difference between OEM and aftermarket HIDs from distance especially with that bluish light they emit although they are advertised as 4300 or 5000K.

I hope you've seen that video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn0B2lpzSlc The aftermarket HIDs can easily fry your steering ECU and God help you if it does.

Do you have the SAT Nav modded? Maybe this is the override button that lets you enter your destination while moving (this was not available until E11).

They said the same for the 220d but as you can see only few got that mileage.

I don't know about you guys but I will never put semi synthetic on a modern turbocharged engine. I even drive my 1995 Lada Samara with 10W60 full synthetic oil. Here is a scanned page regarding the turbo bearing lubrication from Maximum Boost by Corky Bell

They use semi on the petrol engines, not on the turbo diesel ones - at least here in Bulgaria they do (and I think this is the right approach). If they did put semi on your 220d you should complain about it. They can easily ****** up your engine.

Only fully synthetic if you don't want to ruin the turbocharger. Also I wouldn't recommend 5W50 for turbocharged engines. Turbocharged vehicles must use narrow miltiviscosity range (0W20, 5W30 and etc.)

Any oil with Mid/Low SAPS would do. The grade must be SAE 5W30 and should at least cover ACEA A3/B3/B4/C3 and API SM/CF/EC. I use Kuttenkeuler MB Tronic Plus Mid SAPS Synthetic-Engine Oil 5W30 Next time I will use Motul 8100 Eco Clean+

It must be the width. I would appreciate if somebody else have tried that and can tell for sure.

Then a spacer will do the work. No need to pay extra $2000 for a new set of rims :)

Are you sure about that? http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60695

Yes, the IS350 disks are bigger than the IS220d/IS250 thats why I want to go with that upgrade.

I have the OEM pads and disks. If I don't find a good deal for IS350 calipers until the summer I will go with the Mintex disks and pads as I've heard only good things about them.

What is wrong with the halogen lights? I am pretty happy with them. I gave up the idea of converting to genuine HID as it is very expensive and it doesn't worth it. There are few major problems with the Chinese HID conversion kits: The stated color temperature doesn't match - although it you buy 5000K bulbs they never match the actual color temperature and are always a bit bluish. If a light bulb happens to be defective and you have to replace it you will have to buy a pair of bulbs because if you replace only one you have to be very lucky to have the same color temp. There is a reason for Philips and Osram to be that expensive, right :) It is very hard to reach the back of the headlights and change the light bulbs. It is a pain in the a**. If you've ever done that you know what I mean. And again we come to the point where the Chinese xenon light bulbs are not very reliable and if you have to change a light bulb on the road you will be cursing the day you decided to convert to Chinese HID. The light output of the HID systems is highly reduced when your headlights are dirty. You will have to install the headlight washing system which is not cheap at all. If you have halogen lights you won't have the openings in the front bumper for the nozzles so you will have to change your front bumper as well. My advice is - keep the halogen, stay away from the Chinese HID. If you want to go for Xenon, save some money and buy second hand Xenon headlights with auto-leveling and AFS (around $300 each).

There is a special section for this question and that's been discussed already.

Guys, is't that a little bit off topic.

AllData I can also send you another repair manual I bought from ebay. Just PM me.

http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/e-spec.aspx http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/yokohama-db-super-e-spec-orange-oil-infused-tires-now-on-sale/

All IS220d have DPF (diesel particulate filter). Same happened to me yesterday, it was -2 degrees. I revved up over 3k for one kilometer and then no smoke at all. Just drive your car once a month on high rev (extra urban) so the DPF can clean itself. It is a very expensive part as it has platinum in it as well as the catalytic converter.

How about white or red?

Very good. But I have that mini charger and when I have a USB plugged in I cannot close the armrest without bnding the cable to the extreme. As my HTC has a 3.5 mm jack I just leave it in the armrest and connect it to the AUX jack. I suggest you use r-shaped 3.5 mm jack cable like this one, it is much easier to close the armrest and you won't have to bend the cable and risk damaging it:

Can you put headlight washers if you don't have them as an option? My lights are halogen and I don't have the washers. Has anyone done that before? Is it easy?

Because the Xenon systems have AFS and auto-leveling but no manual adjustment from the cockpit, only with the screws. The halogen systems don't have AFS and auto-leveling and you can control the level from the cockpit.

Sewell US (for RHD though) have them for $60 but I was wondering if I can find them here in Europe for LHD.