asharb123

I'm sure you are right, but if you'd met the mechanics the previous owner (my uncle and his son) used on the car you would feel as unsure as I do about their abilities. I think you have a valid point re the tyres. Previous IS 200's that I've owned have all had good brand tyres, manly Dunlop's and I never experienced this type of noise with those cars. My current car is the only one I've owned with cheap tyres (Autogrip). I was in a friends IS who had better tyres than my car and his car felt smoother and had no noise. Our cars are both the same year and from the same dealership from new. His has covered more miles, just felt better.

My car already had new shock absorbers (KYB) fitted when I bought it, but I question the quality of the work done by the garage. I was thinking of replacing the top mounts. One step at a time......

Hi, I know nothing about bulbs and have always replaced like for like. However I've seen there are now better quality bulbs on the market that can give a brighter light and a longer range. As mentioned I have no experience of these. I don't want to do anything complicated, just replace the bulbs and keep things legal. I'm just looking for some advice and recommendations if other members have changed theirs and did they experience the claims that were made of better night time vision and was it worth making the change. Thanks

Nice car Chris, love the colour, same colour as my first IS. It looks really good especially the wheels. Handy you working for a Toyota, dealership, I barely get the time to clean my car.

Wow, they look really nice. How did you get the lines so straight around the switch edges? Will it stick to anything like the door lock surround?

Ha ha. The roads are not much better here in Essex. The main thing as you've rightly said is that the car is mechanically sound and safe.

I had a strange feeling that you may end up with this conclusion, as I've been through this with my car. I have been to a few different garages to see if maybe one of them could find the answer. None of them did. My mechanic said that my car is mechanically fine and it was really up to me on how much money I wanted to throw at it. Otherwise just live with it. The problem is that it happens when the car is moving which is something you can not replicate on a ramp. It's one of those situations where your car is making a strange sound all week and as soon as you take it to the garage for it to be checked it stops. Regardless of how hard you try to make it happen again it doesn't while the mechanic is in the car and as soon as you get home it starts again.

I know exactly what you mean. My car is the same.

Hi Tonyt, I had my car up on a ramp (not hanging on its suspension) and it was being shaken by the ramp, but we could not get it to make the noise. In my car it only happens when its moving and going over bumps. Its just annoying. I / we all will be interested to know what you find.

Apologieses for the late reply. I've bought some upper ball joints, which worked for another Lexus memeber, so thought I'd give that a try, but I've not had the opportunity to do anything about it. I doubt I'll do it this month as I've just taxed the car and have insurance to sort out as well. As per BarneyTT, I had the slide pins replaced in my calipers and the pads reset as they were missing the shims which got rid of the grinding sound and the clunking. The shock absorbers on my car had already been replaced when I bought the car I don't think the the top mounts were. I've also need to get the dent in the wing repaired and an oil service. As soon as I have any news I'll let you all know.

AUFC, nice looking car. What's the Sport Cross like to live with, granted you've not had it long. I have the saloon and have thought about changing to the Sport Cross. However I want an auto and I think the Sport Cross only came as an auto in the 3 litre version, which is even juicier than the 200. Happy to be corrected.

Wow, I just can't stop thinking what is that stuff doing to my teeth if it can a headlight look like that, lol. I'll try Pete's option of Brasso as well.

Hi J, sorry to hear about the clip. There is nothing more annoying when something like that happens. I had a similar problem with a previous IS I had tinted. The side panel on the rear pillar, was not fitted properly as the window tint guys had lost some of the clips. Lexus were really good they refitted the panel with new clips for free . Best of luck.

Thanks Pete. What do you use on the plastics? What is the toothpaste trick? Never heard of that?

Congratulations on your house. The IS is a car that is hard to stay away from. I've owned a few and keep coming back to them and look at any IS I see on the road. I really like looking at cars like yours as they unique and appreciate the time that's gone into keeping them that way.

J - You've done an amazing job on your car and watching your journey is a pleasure from a fellow IS owner. Everything in its own time. You know what needs to be done and the costs involved especially when you have additional shipping costs to take into consideration. I'm in the same position. I have clonking sound from the front suspension and need will change the upper ball joints to see if that cures the problem. Mine also needs a minor service. Then I'll sort out the dent. Keep the pic's coming as we all enjoy what you are doing. Pete your car is in great shape looks superb. Like you say as the owner we know what little imperfections there are and notice them more. It looks great and you take the time to go that extra mile. I can't believe you cleaned the back box and your engine bay looks like you could eat dinner off it.

Thanks Chris I will check that out. By the way the car looks great.

HoodRich, have you thought about the sports grill? I think that would look really cool on your car, especially in your colour. I knew what you mean about the Minister of Finance, I have one of those as well ha ha. She who must be obeyed....... Cars and women are alike when they are going well they're great, but when they play up its a nightmare. Only difference is the car doesn't answer back lol.

Pete, looking good. Can you come and do mine lol.... I have a lovely dent in the driverside front wing, scratched bonnet and bumper due the lovely storms back in December. Part of roof blew off. Doesn't matter how hard I polish, it aint buffing out, ha ha. Irony is that this time last year I had the passenger side wing and bumper repaired where someone had hit the car in a car park. You guessed it they did not leave any details. So frustrating when I see your cars how close I was to get mine to your standards and this dent has set me back. Quick question, what is the difference between polish & wax? Which order should you use them?

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I will use those in future.

Hi, I normally lock my car using the remote. However the other day the kids were in the car, so I thought I'd lock it using the key. Should all doors lock using the key? On my car it only locked the drivers door. Thanks

Hi Rory, you still have the IS. Great looking car you have. Ash

It could be a number of different things. I had the same problem and replaced the following (but these needed to be changed and were not changed due to the noise but identified as a result of it. If that makes sense?) Lower ball joints (these had play), track rod ends (the rubber had split), front drop links (rubber had split), anti roll bar bushes and lower control arms. My mechanic put grease in the lower control arm bushes I think to keep them supple and stop them from cracking. Creaking has stopped. The problem is you can't identify where the noise is coming from when it is up in the air on a ramp. It could be a number of things and a common problem with the IS. I now just have clonking noise from the front driverside everytime I go over a bump. I'll change the upper bushes when I have the cash. But that may not fix it either. It was something that worked for another member. My mechanic said my car is sound, it was upto me how much money I wanted to spend on it and whether I can live with it.

No worries. It will be worth the wait when you get those 18's. What grill do you have on your car as you've shown side pic's not the front?

Hoodrich, car is looking ace!!! All needs are the alloys for the finishing touch.