LexIS200Sport

wow... please do post some pics when you are done! :)

Having identified that your car has LSD fitted, I guess the next question to ask would be "does the LSD still work properly?" I still need to do a bit more reading on how the Torsen LSD works, but a clutch-pack LSD (as fitted in my Nissan Skyline), as well as a viscous LSD, typically work great up to about 100,000km, and then gradually lose their ability to "limit the slip" - so to speak. The keyword here is typically - as always, the lifespan of the LSD depends heavily on usage, on how well the diff is sized for the vehicle, etc etc... The aging mechanism is usually wearing of the clutch (in a clutch pack LSD), or degradation of the fluid (in a viscous LSD). So I'm curious as to what it is in a Torsen LSD...

Hi Panya, I think it is safe to assume that you do have an LSD fitted to your car :) Apart from the fact that yours is an IS300, and your VIN plate suggests that you have LSD fitted, the only other way to be sure is to actually take the diff apart and have a look at the internals.

Not true ... lol SportCross IS300 come only in Auto Saloon IS300 come in Auto or Manual (5sp) versions The 5-spd manual IS300 was never offered in the UK though, either in sedan or estate form. It was, however, available in the USA (go figure!)

Right, I had a look at the VIN plate in the engine bay, and this is what I see: So, I guess it is safe to assume that my car has a LSD (well, it is an IS200 Sport, but I thought it was worth double-checking :) ) While swapping over to the winter tyres today, I had the chance to jack up the rear axle and give the wheel a spin. This is what I noticed, when the gear is neutral: And this is with the gear in position: Potentially the most useless test ever conducted on a Lexus, but there we go! :P

This link from out_law_jap_club shows you how to easily identify if an LSD is fitted to your IS200: http://bit.ly/1103l1t I suspect it should be the same for the IS300, based on what I read briefly on this link: http://bit.ly/eYNSeu

This exact thing happened to me in a car park in Barcelona... the one next to the central coach station to be exact. Basically, I parked the car, picked up my bags, pushed the button on the key... and nothing! I brought a spare key along and it wouldn't work either! The central-locking on the car still worked tough, so I just locked it manually using the key barrel on the door, as I was about to catch a coach to Madrid. When I returned to the car three days later, I tried unlocking it once again using the buttons on the key... and again, there was no response. After driving out of the car park, and stopping by at one of the services along the highway, guess what, it worked this time!! And it has continued to work ever since... go figure

Assuming the IS200 Sport is equipped with a Torsen LSD, based on this link someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is normal for a Torsen-type LSD. I'm swapping over my winter tyres tomorrow so will give the wheel a spin and let you know! that is true for a clutch pack-type LSD, as was fitted to my Nissan Skyline. I can vouch for this one, as I have jacked up the rear axle on that car, and it was almost impossible to spin the wheel with the gear in position! will check with my car and revert! :)

can I pick and choose? I'd like the IS250's engine + automatic 'box inside an IS200 please

Really? Does the card stick out a little when you slot it in, or does it go in completely? Didn't think anyone would want to leave a payment card sticking out in plain sight

can vouch for JEM, they look after my IS200 along with my BMW and Nissan and have been spot on with the service and pricing.

done :)

noob question... what is the credit card sized slit above the wing mirror controls for?

nice panoramic shot, panya!

+1 :)

Hey guys, sorry to have pulled out at the very last minute. Hope you have a great day and please do post some pics!

Nice one! Where did you get the replacement bulbs from? Were they the same colour as the originals?

Well said, Tigerfish. If I may add, Tony Bones himself recommends winter tyres for our cars. Head over to the WIM forums if you don't believe me. Mods, can I suggest that this thread is locked? It appears to have been blown way out of proportion. I am sure the original poster has got the answer that he needs :)

pics!! :)

Nice car!! Quick question: what is that small control-like thing by the gear lever?

Yup, I use them for my IS200 as well as my other cars, and I highly recommend them. No issues at all. Well worth the drive from Milton Keynes in my case :)

Alright, just to break the tension a little bit... if anyone was doubting the IS200's performance on icy roads, who's better to put it to rest than the Russians?? I bet that car had winter tyres on too!! :P

I've had my IS200 Sport through the last 2 winters, the former which was particularly snow-heavy (and fun, if I may add :P) I've got a set of four Continental winter tyres (see my sig below), and I highly recommend them for driving in snow. These tyres have never let me down, they are grippy enough that I very rarely have the traction control light flashing at me when I take off from standstill (sensibly, of course). I guess the proof is in the pudding. The tyre size is 205/55/R16 and rated at 91H. They are mounted onto a set of 16" wheels, sourced from the IS220D.

+1 :)

And some more pics during last winter :P