maneesh

But engine, gearbox wise, no faults that are prevelent on higher milages cars? Anything that should have been done, timingbelt? cheers allan Look here Buying advice link The search tool can be a wonderful friend to us on the forum

Look out for a tired suspension. Drive several models with different mileages before comparing. Not all used cars are equal.

Shuja, I don't see what the confusion is about. Unless your car has been modified, it's got a 4 speed autobox, and it's got a top speed of 143mph. Sure, it might be showing 155mph or thereabouts on the speedometer (even my mk2 GS used to show 153mph on the speedo), but there is NO way a standard GS300 can do a TRUE 155mph.

Yes - I have upgraded to magnetic sump plugs (on both the engine and gearbox). You would indeed have problems if you have pieces of metal floating around your engine, but the rationale behind the magnetic plugs is to draw down the tiny metallic particles that MAY exist in older, worn engines. The ones I got for the ATR have very strong magnets, so I'm impressed.

Lexus have the IS220d, and BMW seem to be bringing out better and better diesels every month. Are Lexus missing out on a trick by focusing on hybrid technology and uncompetitive diesel technology? Article below is from here Alpina D3 biturbo The Alpina D3 may come straight from modern day Bavaria, but part of the inspiration could easily have come from Norfolk. The company seems to have gone down the Lotus weight-saving route to improve both performance and economy. The press release covering the coupé is peppered with references to the concept of ‘added lightness’ to achieve performance. Meanwhile the D3’s engine comes from the excellent BMW 123D and isn’t currently available in any of the main 3-Series range. In Alpina guise, the 4-cylinder twin turbo diesel powerplant’s output rises to from 201 to 214bhp. A revised cooling system ensures it’s capable of withstanding prolonged enthusiastic use and the ECU-work is said to virtually eliminate turbo lag. All this results in a car capable of over 150mph and 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds. What’s more impressive, however, is the fact that it also returns a claimed 52.3mpg (combined) and emits just 143g/km of CO2. Interestingly, these figures trump the BMW 330D, which costs over £2,000 more. Despite this, Alpina says the D3 isn’t really about straight-line performance. Revisions to the suspension, along with the new lighter 19” alloys and conventional tyres (in place of the BMW’s run-flats) are intended to produce not just sharper handling, but also a significantly improved ride. A program of weight reduction has seen fifteen kilos shaved from the wheels, exhaust, seating and air conditioning system of the donor 3-Series. Being an Alpina it also guarantees exclusivity – less than 100 are expected to be sold this year – and each one will offer a far greater degree of customisation than its BMW cousins. Perhaps sir would like a full leather dual-colour interior? No problem. Would you prefer an alternative shade of stitching on steering wheel or floor mats edged with more hide? It can be arranged… The possibilities are endless, but naturally all are cost options. The D3 with a manual gearbox costs £32,950 and the auto version costs £34,540

Run flats are now increasingly common on BMW models as standard fitment. We all know that run flats make for a very harsh ride (when compared to ride on regular tyres). The models that don't have runflats, are the expensive, luxury models such as 750, M5 and M6. AFAIK, models such as the 330, 545, 645, and 650 are on runflats. Vyker's new 330 has them, and he said the ride is harsh over any bump. Congrats on the 5 series. The previous E39 model was hailed as the "world's best car" when it came out (best as in it's overall blend of space, refinement, handling, ride, build, performance and value for money). The E60 seems to be better than the E39 by all accounts.

I used clay bar on my 1992 LS when I had it, and it definitely made a difference prior to polishing. No side effects of using it. However, I don't know "when" Lexus switched to water based paints, which are softer than the older paints. HTH.

I had a ride in this last night. A very nice ride, and not just your regular 330Ci. I could see the grin on your face as you enjoyed the extra torque.. It's funny how many people slag off the 3 series, but have never driven one or been in one. GruppeM CAI, and an Eismann exhaust are your first two upgrades I bet...

if you are ever passing through west London, you are welcome to try my obd ii cable and laptop, to see what kind of info you are getting

Cheers for the straight answer! I knew we could see eye to eye eventually

You're considering selling your IS and buying what instead may I ask? What is the value of your time? For example, the time and effort involved with selling your IS (advertising, valeting, tidying up, depreciation) and then buying a replacement vehicle (going to see vehicles, test drives, altering insurance policy, new car is an unknown quantity etc). Think about it. Panic for the sake of a couple of hundred quid a year, and possibly incur much greater costs via the sale of your current car and purchase of a replacement vehicle. Just looking at it logically.

A lot of Supra TTs out there with 500bhp+ that are "reliable" as daily drivers.

Source: BBC Website :o :o Haha - that's hilarious. I can just imagine all the affluent people buying 800bhp M5s only to spend most of their time stuck in traffic in city centres. Cars are loaded with gizmos and kit these days, becoming very heavy, and they need crap loads of power to remain quicker than the pack. It's a shame really, as any racing driver will tell you the way to go faster is to take weight off the car!

By the look of things, the IS F sales are very slow,and that means they not going to come in great numbers which also kills the chance of a mad GS,I just wish they would make it,I know i want one,anyway i will be speaking to dealers ,and we'll see.All these fab cars head stright for the U.S and the U.K gets all the base models,which is'nt right,and even pay more for it.I think if Lexus want take over the market place,they should take risks,and show what they realy can do :winky: Give us cars that make us Why should Lexus (or any car maker) put the UK as a premier market for their luxury cars in terms of sales growth and actual units sold? Yeah, a lot of the nicer models head for the US since that's a HUGE market for luxury cars in terms of global sales. Now most premium car brands are looking at China's market, as the luxury car market is growing at a phenomenal rate, certainly faster than established Western markets. Let's see now, China is now the world's 2nd biggest car market (and will overtake the US market by 2020), sales of ordinary cars are growing by 15%, and the sales growth for the high end cars is around 30% a year. Hmmmm, release a whole load of high end models in the UK or focus your resources and develop models for the US and China? I think you could start a petition. Find people who want to pay money for a GS460, and demonstrate there is demand. Take it to Lexus GB and see what they say.

Have you considered putting this question in writing to Lexus GB? They may be able to give you a definitive answer.

Haha - I can just picture your face round the ring if you were driving one of these.

See here..I think it's cool that they can DO that in a relatively mainstream car..but surely you'd prefer something more exotic with all that power? To those of you who would not like to read about any other brands apart from Lexus, please look away from the screen NOW! 700bhp Audi RS6

Not that simple Mike IMHO. Just because you are quoted for a years cover and you pay monthly does not mean that you have to maintain the cover for the whole year. Are you saying that if you sell your car the day after took out insurance that you would have pay the premium for the rest of the year? Technically, you have a 14 day cooling off period after taking out the policy, in which you can cancel. However, a "reasonable" fee can be applied by the insurer if you do this. It could be 10 quid, it could be 50 quid, it could even be much more. There is no guideline amount set by the FSA. Now if you you cancel the policy after the cooling off period (because you have sold your car), the refunding of the premium will be detailed in the cancellation section within the T&Cs of that particular policy with that particular insurer. Most insurers will reserve the right to apply an administration charge (varies) from the pro-rata amount to be refunded, whilst other insurers WILL NOT refund any money after cancellation. "You have a statutory right under Financial Services Authority rules to cancel your policy within 14 after the later of the date of purchase of the contract or the day of which you receive your policy documentation." - FSA Rules. I suggest we all read the small print in our policies this weekend, and post up on here so we can compare how insurers would treat you in the event of a write off/cancellation. Better to do that, than to speculate.

The F series is brand extension! They want a range topping uber hot car, so the rep driving his IS220d feels some affinity with the IS-F. "It's got the same door handles as the IS-F!!!", he may boast when making the link between his IS220d and the IS-F. The net effect is that clever marketing of the IS-F pushes sales across the entire IS range up and up, just in the same way the M3, RS4 and C63 AMG have done it. That's what Lexus HOPE. Whether it happens is another story, especially here in Europe, where car buyers are badge snobs. This article below is a fascinating read, and for those of you that are not fanatical maniacs about the Lexus brand, you might actually enjoy the points raised. For those of you who believe that no other brand of car exists apart from Lexus, reading is optional. :shutit: Lexus F series brand extension might not work out P.S I'd like to see them make a LS-F! Now that would be fun to witness..

To address the OP, it's all dependent on the contract. If the T&C of the insurance YOU signed up to state that the full premium must be paid, even if the car is written off, you are obliged to pay. If a 3rd party was involved in the accident, and it was their fault, you could well seek the remainder of the premium as an uninsured loss from the other insurance company. This would be free to do if you have legal expenses cover, otherwise it would be costly to do. Regarding the point about insuring the car for a set amount. When you are asked how much the car is worth when taking out cover, that is NOT the value you will get back if it's written off. I don't know what use that question is, but you will only get a specific amount back at write off if you get the insurance for an "agreed" value, which will mean a higher premium. Again, it's not available for every single policy. The value assigned at write off is typically the book price or trade price. Insurance companies always try and fob you off with a lowish amount, and most people just allow this practice to continue. Parkers etc are not very accurate at all, if you feel the amount is too low, go look at autotrader and see how much it would REALLY cost to buy a car in similar condition to yours following the total loss. Send those examples back, and the insurer will probably send out an additional cheque to raise the offer. I did that when the LS400 was written off, and got almost double what they originally offered me. A warning to anyone taking out new insurance, don't just be tempted by the cheapest price - all policies are NOT equal. Read the T&Cs before handing over your money! Some (e.g Elephant) KEEP your premium even if you cancel the policy because you have sold the car.

I don't know if it's the same in the IS, but the mk2 GS has got a pretty tiny front lower chassis brace from the factory. I replaced that one with an aluminum one which was stiffer and larger, and I added the rear lower chassis brace too. It did make the chassis stiffer when pushing the car on a corner (I also had upper braces, front and rear). However, bear in mind, that making the chassis stiffer will transfer forces when cornering to the weakest link in the suspension, which usually happens to be the bushes/balljoints. They can wear out quicker if the car is made much stiffer from stock. HTH.

It's a general post about the technological achievements in the new 7 series which happens to be in the same segment as the LS460, and as such, is a direct rival. I posted it to show what BMW are doing with their luxury cars to make them better, and perhaps it might generate an interesting discussion as to what Lexus might do to catch up, given that the article refers to the forthcoming 7 series as the new benchmark in the segment. AFAIK, there are plenty of threads on this site where folks have posted comparisons of Lexus models with models from other marques, and it's provided an interesting read on many occasions.

I think only selected parts of the exhaust system on LS and GS models are made of stainless steel.

Interesting developments in the luxury car sector! "Dynamic Driving Control (DDC) systems. DDC, operated via a button in the centre console, sets the car up in Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+ modes, remapping the threshold for the stability and traction control intervention, the suspension damping, throttle pedal response, gear changes and steering assistance." The fact that they have put so many parts of the car together under one button is remarkable. The new 740i will actually be a 3.0 litre twin turbo six making 326bhp (which sounds almost spot on to the Supra TT engine). Interesting how they are going to a turbocharged six cylinder engine in a 7 series when luxury cars are usually found with V8s. I wonder how customers will feel knowing their 7 series is turbocharged. What do you guys think?? "The 740i we've driven already has got to be sufficiently quick, however: it'll do 155mph and 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, yet returning 28.5mpg and 232g/km of carbon dioxide. The 730d returns an even more impressive 39.2mpg and 192g/km". New 7 series

not sure about tools, but change all the tensioners and idle pulleys etc. water pump seems a good thing to do.