rincewind

Mine's had this since I got the car at 1 year old 6 years ago. There's s*d all you can do about it. Lexus changed the shocks twice on mine (under warrantee) but it still does it. Annoying but I've got used to it now. I even changed the top mount in case it was that. Perhaps after market shocks may be a different design?

PCV - where's/what is that. Mine could probably do with a clean by the sound of it, never been done yet.

Anyone got a link to where I can buy a tool to remove the oil filter? Otherwise it looks a p*g of a job.

Ta much, I'll try that when I get the replacement. Must admit, I love the Grom Ipod adapter. Paired with the stock (but excellent) stereo in the IS200, sounds fantastic.

Can you explain a bit more?

I've recently had the Grom. Ipod wise, unbeatable. Doddle to fit and sounds absolutely superb - full control from the iPod. However, I've recently bought the BTX bluetooth add on and that's not been such a success. It refuses to automatically bond with any phone at all, and you have to manually bond it on startup. Not only that, once every couple of weeks it won't connect at all and I have to go through the whole initial bonding process again. One more gripe, sometimes when I use it the iPod screen shows a large tick and the only way to get rid of it to regain control of the iPod is by unplugging it and reconnecting the plug - not ideal when driving. It's since totally packed up with a loud buzzing through the speakers. I've been in touch with Grom and they have admitted trhat some users do get problems but they've not been able to establish why. To give them thier dues, they said send it back for a replacement, which i have just done and am awaiting the replacement. All personal experience of course and it was the BTX 2, not the newer BTX 3 unit. So, Grom Ipod = brill, BTX Bluetooth = not so brill. Paul

If you turn on the air con and it's hot the system will switch to recirculation - mine does this, always has. Once it senses that the interior temp is manageable it will switch back to pulling in air from the otside. On the subject of air con, I'm about to get mine re gassed by a mobile company tomorrow (Friday). At 8 years old the temperature was not as cold as it once was. Update: Air con man ahs been and gone http://www.wechillanycar.com. Now get 5 degrees in the car - cold as a fridge! After 8 years there was still two thirds of the refrigerant left and no other problems. £50 to do and I'm a happy man.

Anyone any views on Kwik Fit and their air con service? Mine needs doing (IS200). I'm in Epping, Essex.

Just like the 'Snow' button on my manual IS200 - does feck all. Actually, it does extend the throttle response but to no avail.

IS200 will average mid 20's mpg urban and not much over 30 on a run at 80+ - had mine 7 years and it's always been around those figures. Gonna get a GS450h next, one of the new shape soon to be released. Mate of mine manages Lexus Sidcup and he was flown to Spain a couple of weeks ago to give one a blast - he wouldn't shut up about it, every bit as good as an F10 5 series he reconed and as quick as a 535D.

One alternative is to use an iPod instead - I haven't put a CD in for years. £60 for a Grom Audio iPod adaptor, invisible fit behind head unit and 12,000 tracks at my fingertips and it also charges the iPod. And sounds fantastic Providing you have an iPod, of course.

As said above, wheel alignment can cause these symptoms. Have it laser aligned - it'll feel like a different car. I get mine done every year or so. It'll also highlight any worn wheel alignment components in the process.

Lexus dealers last month = £69 for battery for IS200. Sorry eddieblock

Cheers all. I will remove it and give it a good service. I doesn't do it all the time, so I'm not going to rush out there now - 7 inches of snow! Providing it doesn't get any worse, I'll wait until it's warmer methinks. It's the first thing to give any trouble in my six years of ownership (and it's only a small issue really)! The I'll give it a good detail so it looks like it did last year: https://picasaweb.google.com/113189127403597154594/IS200#

I think the engaging cog on the starter motor is not fully disengaging from the flywheel as I can hear it fighting a bit with it just as the engine starts. Anyone had this?

Platinum.

I've got the Grom unit - can't praise it enough, allows full control of iPod AND you can also get a Bluetooth add on now - no more earpieces whilst on the phone. Yes, I know it's about £50 but it's a half hour to fit it with the suppied plug straight in to the back of the head unit.

Big known issue. Lexus would change them under 3 years old under warantee, but after that, tough. However, they must feel guilty as they will part ex IS200 wheels for £65 including fitting. I replaced all mine earlier this year and TBH for that sort of money it totally transforms the car. See my car here: My car £260 for the lot and it's like new again. Keep them clean, give them a good protective coat of wheel polish and if you get a stone chip touch it up straight away with clear laquer.

Sc430- blimey! I've decided to keep my IS200 for a couple more years and then get a year old GS450h - one of the new ones that go on sale next year, probably the new GS-F Sport. Lexus have finally hit the mark with the looks of this new GS, IMO.

Hi, I've had a 54 plate IS200 for 6 years now - very happy. Mine's now done 81k and honestly feels as fresh as the day I got it at one year old and 10k. The wheels will probably be the 5 spoke ones, which have a habit of corroding BUT are only £65 exchange each at a lexus dealer (that includes fitting). Water pumps can go, and at anything over 70k the brake discs should probably have been changed. The timing belt MUST be changed at 60k or 6 years. Watch out for clutch judder due to the dual mass flywheel - most do it to some extent, mine only does it slightly and not very often. Gearbox whine in the lower gears is a known issue and mine also has this but only to a minor degree. There is also a known issue with a knock on the offside front suspension leg(there's a thread on her about it) which can be difficult to resolve. Apart from that, they are pretty much rock solid and leave BMW's, Merc's etc trailing for robustness. Paintwork on mine is still factory fresh - I gave it a good detial a few months ago and here's the result: My car Get one with full Lexus SH if at all possible, there are quite a few low mileage ones around when I last looked.

I know people on the BMW forums who use something like this: trickle charger There are a number of different variants output wise and they do the trick if the car is left standing for a while.

Lexus Woodford will do refurb swaps for £65 each wheel - includes fitting. Had all of mine replaced a couple of months ago. Compare that to £331 PER WHEEL for my missus VW Golf Match!!

Front geometry is prone to going out of alignment on these (as it can with all cars over time). Mine's a 54 plate and in six years of ownership, I've the 4 wheel geometry done only once, and never had prematurely worn tyres -I get at least 20k from the fronts. That said, it's about due to be done again as I recently had a complete set of new wheels and two new front tyres and it now has a slight tug to the left, and doesn't feel as 'planted' as it used to. Drive it carefully and there shouldn't be a problem.

And mine, not loud but just noticeable in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, but mostly in 2nd. Never got any worse in 70k of motoring so not particularly bothered. I'm going to change the box oil for REDLINE Synthetic Manual Transmission 90 MT90 soon, but I don't think it will get rid of the slight whine. At 80k though it's about due anyway. Best thing I spent my money on on the car was a Grom iPod adapter - spend yours on that and don't worry about the gearbox, just turn the sounds up!

When the belt is replaced they come in a kit with the tensioners/pulleys, and should therefore all be replaced at the same time. It amazes me that two main dealers can be so far apart in pricing. They need to talk to one another. Alternately, you could talk to Lexus UK and ask the same question. I think they need to give you an answer.