Yalnif

Hi All, Been contemplating what to do after noticed car is blowing oil out the top breather on the rocker and dumps a load of oil out the exhaust when sat for a few days. on 147k miles which I didn't believe to be much for an IS200 nor did I expect these symptons for some time yet. Anyway, I had been wondering, rather than spend money repairing, why not 'upgrade', but from what I can see, unless you spend thousands on complicated conversions there isn't really much you can do? Like would an IS300 lump go in easy enough and work with the manual box etc? Am I missing something? I don't want to throw thousands at it but interested in making it a working project. I got £1000 to get me started but as this is needed weekly can't afford for it to be off the road for long periods of time, nor can I afford for the engine to give up on me. And no, I don't to just sell it and get something else, I like my car and would rather personalise/ customise it. :) Any advice appreciated Chris

That's the exhaust blown diffuser version.

I have a sub on OEM Head unit. Can get an Audiolead converter that takes signal from rear speaker wires and converts to RCA. I doubted this setup till I heard it.

plucking at straws but the motor that changes the flow of the air based on the setting you choose (windscreen, face, feet), could the flap it adjusts be jammed maybe or not stopping when it should?

Mine had exactly the same before I brought it off bro inlaw. Shims came loose on the N/S/R. had to replace the shim kit.

Hi mate. I had a e39 528i Sport. Miss it so much and would have it back at the drop of a hat. I also love the lexus though for all different reasons would be hard to choose between. running costs would boil down to the Lexus I recon. taken the lexus for a drive I presume?

Not sure about the IS but stock thatcham alarms do record said data. won't be exact like rear offside door but will say proximity/ motion sensor trigger, door/ boot/ bonnet switch sensor trigger. You will need to check but alot of boots use mercury sensors to activate the 'boot open' light etc. these can go faulty. again, I'm not sure about the IS. Hope that helps Chris

Water pump, Alternator, tensioner. Get a loooooooooooong screwdriver, with the engine running and noise apparent (get someone to sit with foot on throttle and hand away from horn if more revs needed), place pointy end(?) of screw driver on each ancillary and put ear to handle. the source of the noise will become obvious. Cheaper than buying specialised stethoscope same results. Chris Oh and for god sake don't get the screwdriver caught in a belt or pulley! it does happen! :D

If elbow grease not working try using a clay bar has worked for me in the past the a good coat of wax. could also try a non acidic wheel cleaner. tesco have got offers on the simmonz range at them moment thats pretty good for mild stuff.

This was all through the insurance company mate. When we rang to report the claim, they said do you require a courtesy car and we said yes as our car is mangled. They spoke to krispy kreme insurer to get admission of liability and called us back within 10 mins to say it would be with us the next day. This all came out the blue a little. everything was straight forward. cheques for the write off came through really quick. no injuries and we weren't claiming for anytihng else then a few weeks after we thought all was ok we got a letter from krispy kreme insurance companies solicitors challenging the hire car charges our insurer are claiming. you'd like to think it shouldn't be our problem but it doesnt work like that. We were with Admiral. Not the greatest customer service etc but we figured cheap for a reason but after this never again. so un helpful it is untrue. leaving us to reclaim their money. The risk mitigator who came to see us is actually an ex senior Met cop who knows his stuff and is going through same thing after being knocked off his bike 18 months ago but rather than hire car his is for physio. Same issue, same process, different scenerio.

She was hit by a Krispy Kreme lorry. She's had her money for the total loss and I got my 2 boxes of complimentry dounuts all this hassle is over the hire car charges. :)

Great find! Explains why it was fine when I did it but not now :) Did seem like a bit of a loophole!

Tell me about it. It's all to do with the loss mitigation they hammer on about now. You are legally obliged whether the accident was your fault or not. This includes, in this instance the hire car. As the law states in this example; if you can afford to source your own hire car or use public transport you should, as hire cars through the insurance companies are ridiculously expensive (£3500 for 40 days for us). This should only be a last resort. so she has had to prove she couldn't afford to and we had to prove that her commute to work was not practical via public transport. Sorry bit of a post hack :) If for what ever reason you have interst in this I've got reams of solicitor/ barrister/ court paper work you are welcome to see :) And as for the original post, if as mentioned above the law has now changed, that answers that question. You will have to get a 2nd car for you and have her insure the Lex on her own. Still, I wouldn't recommend it. Chris

Right or wrong I have done this (Albeit for a 1 off 'emergency') however the insurer (admiral) said that I was ok to drive the car if it was taxed and MOT'd. It would be covered 3rd Party all the time I was sat in it. Soon as I get out, it becomes uninsured soon as I step out at which point it becomes illegal unless it is off the road i.e. your drive. This was 2 years ago and at the time I asked them to confirm and put in writting for fear of being pulled and friends car being crushed (She had no insurance at the time). Perhaps ask the same and give specifics (even if blagging using similar story to when you got caught before) and ask them to put in writting. I would not advise it though. Only take 1 mistake by you and/ or a '3rd party' and it will get very messy. Even fully legitimate accidents are a pain in the backside now as more and more companies just pass the claims off to solicitors and loss mitigators who's job it is keep payout to the absolute minimum. In your case, if something were to happen, you'd be up the creak without a paddle. My missus just had to provide 4 months bank/ credit card statements to prove she couldn't afford a hire car out of her own pocket before going to the insurance when she was hit by a 3rd party of whom admitted liability anyway. With regards to the other option of having another car on which you would have the F/C policy to have the drive others TP only, sorry to be a spoil sport mate, but dont do it. This addition on your policy is meant for 1 offs and you can blag all you like if something happens but they will make your life hell. Give your previous, they wont be so nice. Chris

haha bit random Dave :D also, what is this WIM geometry setup all about?

thanks guys. Not too fussed about painting the calipers happy with the OEM look. When I eventually get the 18's I might be temped to stick some black paint on them :)

Morning! Names Chris and I currently reside in Crawley near Gatwick Airport. Been browsing the site for months now but thought I'd wait till I got my Lexus to introduce myself. Like I say, just got a new car so thought would be good opertunity to join up on here and get involved! Not found a 'Readers Rides' as such and will take the slapped wrists if Admin tells me otherwise.. Had circa 30 cars in 13 years and have just made my latest purchase which I've been waiting for since February!.. Soo.. My long awaited arrival of the Lexus happened on Saturday! IS200 Sport (2000), 145,000 on the clock. Delivery.. 1st things 1st, new grill and a 5 hour detail (Exterior only). Has been washed and polished regularly all its life but still amazing how much a good clay session gets off and it also now uber smooth! So far plans are; Aero Bumper and Wheels like so it looks like this; Then new rear shocks panel filter front and rear strut brace Amp and sub (stock system is awesome but i'd like a bit more deep/ low bass) Do more research into what I can do without going ott! Not going to go crazy but would like to make a few tweeks without spending £££. I've seen someone else mention IS300 cat back system, removing inards of pre cats but not sure what benefit that gives? Any suggestions welcome?!?! Look forward to speaking with you all soon. Chris

I was searching same question as want to fit spacers so will be watching this with interest :D Chris

If you are getting the same size yes. When you send off your wheels for refurb, you dont actually get yours back you get a set already done hense how they get round the system of not doing like for like where requested. Can't say its not a case of its who you know but I'm told its a common thing. In my case Im going from Sport 17's to Aero 18's so have had to buy bigger tyres.

Hi All, I pick up my standard X plate IS200 sport on Saturday so spent last 3 days getting quotes. In the end went through Adrian Flux. 29, 9 years NCB protected, No Accidents, No points live near Gatwick Airport. £410 Fully Comp. Bit disapointed to be honests. I was paying that on my BWM 528i Sport 4 years ago. I've been told having kids is now taken into consideration and bumps it up a fair bit. I hadnt had to declare my kids until trying to insure the Lexus so must be pretty new only went through this with my last car in December. Ho hum I'm sure it'll be worth it :) Chris

Hi ya, If you go to Lexus, you can order a re furbed set of the 18" and in return send back your old Lexus wheels. I'm doing exactly that in that Im getting them for about £75ish a corner (Family discount) and will be sending them my 17s. The 18s are prone to buckling. For example, if you look at the photo of the wheel in that ebay add, on the part between the spokes where the valve is you can see its flat instead of round (if that makes sense). Possibly real reason he's getting rid? Chris

sounds a bit like a wet fart though :( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFnqSNyhYGE&feature=player_embedded