lofty

Hi m8 Lexus most certainly DO recognise this trait/fault. I had a 200se for about 3 years (sold it last year - but still drop in on here now and again) Firstly let me say that I loved the car, BUT, when I paid the thick end of 20k the last thing I expected was a clunky gearchange! It is easy to over exaggerate the problem, as it becomes a bit like chinese water torture. Every time you change up from 1st to 2nd its there. Not a CRUNCH, but an annoying little bit of resistance, and a unnerving metal on metal "noise". Mine had the "notchy" 1st to 2nd. I complained several times. The first time I complained I got a "technicians report" stating that the gearbox was fine. Eventually they agreed to change the gearbox oil for a "stiffer"one. This did improve things slightly, but still not to my satisfaction. Eventually I spoke to a really switched on mechanic at another dealership, and he showed me a copy of a document which he told me all Lexus dealers had been issued with. There were a large group of chassis numbers between "xxxxxx" and "yyyyyy" that Lexus would do something about IF the customer pestered them for long enough (or words to that effect). The course of action was 1) put stiffer gear oil in 2) strip and replace gearbox bits as necessary.(wouldnt replace gearbox - too costly) In fairness, option 2 was offered to me, but I really didnt want the hassle of having the gearbox on a nearly new motor being fiddled about with. Especially as the mechanic said he could offer me no guarantee that the notchiness would disappear even after a strip and rebuild. What also put me off was the fact that he said his team had never done this in an IS200 ! Having said all that, I noticed the notchiness on EVERY IS200 I ever drove. Including the ones supposedly out of the chassis range that the dealer showed me. Also, it NEVER got any worse over all the time I had it. But, don't be fobbed off ! Regards Lofty

Hi all Well, I've sold my immaculate "X" plate 200 SE this morning. Still only 28,200 miles on the clock! :o Still can't get over how little it was worth.... I can't tell you what I'm getting next, as you will all laugh!! Thanks for all the info over the last three years. Its been fun. Cheers Lofty. ps I may be back when the new IS comes out......... :winky:

Fuzzyfelt Hi mate Just for your peace of mind, I've had mine just over three years, and It's always had the slightly notchy 1st to 2nd, and to a lesser extent 2nd to 3rd. It's always worse when cold. I logged my concerns with Lexus from day one. Their answer was to replace the gearbox oil.!! Anyway, it has never got any worse, and is exactly the same now as it was three years ago. Cheers Lofty.

Hi Steve I've got a 200 SE "X"plate 2000 (pre isofix) and after trying a load of seats, ended up buying the Renaissance. It fits perfectly and very securely. ps. I wouldn't go to H******s to buy a bottle of screenwash! Hope that helps Lofty.

Perfect opportunity to go......Royal Sapphire :D

he.he.he This is a fun, if a bit "off" topic. :D Here's my two penneth. OK. I love my IS. I also really like a few high end beemers, and if I had the money then I'd definately have one.(330i,M3) But let's be honest here. What is the comparable beemer to the IS200 SE? It's a BM 318i. Oh dear. This is where it all goes horribly wrong for all those in the "beemer camp" IS200 SE a shade under 20,800 o.t.r. 318i £20,950 So, that doesn't look too bad 'till you check out the additions you'd have to make to the beemer to bring it up to the IS spec. Leather £1500 17" Alloys £1500 6 disc changer £250 'Leccy sunroof £895 Colour coded door handles!!!! £95 .....the list goes on. To spec the beemer up to the IS level would cost way in excess of 25 grand. Im not wanting to slate the beemers, just making a point. You can't compare a IS to (say) a 330i. They are in different ball parks. The BMW optional extras list goes on forever. Money, money, money. I always found the Lexus "optional extras" catalogue amusing........ 1) Sat Nav. ........errr, and that's it. EVERYTHING is STANDARD :D Finally, BM 318i or IS200SE.......its a bit of a no brainer, don't you think? Cheers Lofty.

Dont panic Mr.Mainwaring, we're quite safe. As aido says, "T2" is their reference code. The IS200 DEFINITELY has a Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser. Cheers Lofty.

I'm too late, but you can have the link anyway! link to IS200 cat1 Go to page 14. It's a Talm001 (for anyone who's interested! ) Cheers Lofty

Hi I don't think that sounds bad, at all. The average miles for that age will be about 50,000 and the sat nav is a real plus.(Sport - bonus!) The colour is ace. I was looking for an aztec fire or royal sapphire when I got mine. The blue came up first. Be sure to give it a good checking, as it is out of Lexus warranty.(things like corroded alloys, stereo etc. - you'll find all the things to look for on here) Get it bought. :D Cheers Lofty

They are just jealous little tit heads, who will never aspire to such a great motor, so the next best thing for them is to destroy it. Mindless trailer-trash council scum. Hope you get it sorted soon,m8. Cheers Lofty

Hmmm.... If I had to have one for 1 week only, then RX-8. Fun, fun, fun. .......However, to live with day in day out, week after week, then the IS200-definately. With the price of fuel rising as it is, I may chop my IS in for a Fabia Diesel. :o ....well, maybe next year. :D Cheers Lofty.

Consider yourself a VERY lucky man, and buy her a Fiesta Automatic! Cheers Lofty

Congratulations, mate! I've got a five month old daughter, and I never realised why people went on about how crap the IS's boot was until I tried getting all the associated "baby gear" in it! The boot size is fine, it's the gap you've got to get through! It's a right pain, so try before you buy. Also, I'll pass on a couple of nuggets i've picked up along the way. 1) Don't buy a three wheeler. (I know they look cool, 'cos I was going to get one) but one of me mates warned me about the lack of "carry space" (for the shopping and stuff) underneath. You may laugh now, but wait 'till you're coming out of Marks & Spencers looking cool, but having to carry all the bags, as there's only room for a pop can and a bag of crisps underneath! :D 2) You will be bombarded with advice. Don't listen to ANY of it.(except 1. above ) Cheers Lofty.

Ha.ha.ha Lexus are even using up the unused "kodiak" paint. (as well as the alloys and leather) Not so "LE" :D

Where's the dilemma? SPORT in Montrose Blue.........Mmmmmm, Montrose Blue. :D ...and imagine trying to clean those horrid alloys on the LE. :yack: Just my two-penneth. :P

The things people do to try and squeeze a few extra M.P.G. out of a Lex!

Great choice of spoiler m8. :D And, yes, it is true what they say about black being the second best colour! :winky:

I, personally, wouldn't take my wife's fiesta to Kwik fit, but hey, that's just my opinion. To answer your questions:- 1) Yes, I would put the new ones on the rears. 2) Have the tyres fitted at Lexus, unless you know a very good tyre fitter. The tyres (215/45/17) have a very narrow profile, and as such, are not the easiest of tyres to get on and off the rims. If you get a careless fitter, the rims can be easily damaged. Lexus are insured for this, and if they damage your rims, they will sort it. Try arguing that with the fast fit mechanic! Is it worth the risk for a few extra quid?

fmrl Wot colour you got?....not Royal Sapphire is it?, 'cos W Yorks 'aint big enuf' for the two of us :P Here's my two penneth. I love that type of spoiler. They're just that little bit different. IMHO better than the lip one on the sport. Also, it is a genuine lex part. Look under the right hand side.! (or if your boot lid is as shiny as it should be, look at the reflection of the underside of the spoiler!) Cheers Lofty.

Joking aside....If this is true, then it's pants! If I had bought an LE, I would expect it to be just that. A limited Edition. I personally prefer the 17" 5 spokes, but whatever floats yer boat. If I had bought an LE with it's promise of exclusivity, and then the wheels and interior rolled out over the range, I would be an unhappy chap!

He.he.he. The dealers are getting rid of all the surplus Alloy's & Leather interiors!!! But look on the bright side.......... ......You can get a decent colour!!!! :D It looks like the LE is about to go down the same road as the Ist gen. renault Clio Williams!

The next time you drive to work..... Count the BM's.... Count the IS's.... ...decision made?

A couple of things. Your premium WILL go up if you make a claim (even though you have prot. NCD). Insurance companies have a "double hit" when it comes to claims. Protected NCD is only half the story. If you don't have protected NCD then you will get two seperate sets of loading! It's the usual insurance rip off. The thing to do is go to somewhere like Dent Devils (or the like) and get a quote from them. Next, go to a good bodyshop and get two quotes. One for an insurance job, and another if you pay them cash.(they will usually quote cheaper if its not an "insurance job") Then you need to work out your next year's premium based on the loading you will receive if you make a claim. This can be difficult as your insurance company won't tell you what they're loading you as you have prot. NCD! In my experience, its usually between 6 and 10 percent. Also, don't forget that if you do make a claim, you'll have to disclose it to the insurance companies for the next three years.(and receive another two lots of loading!) It's usually cheaper in the long run to pay for little things like this yourself, and leave claiming for the really expensive jobs!

Last year some toe rag rammed (and I mean RAMMED) a shopping trolley into my front wing. It left a large dent, which crossed the styling line above the wheel arch. I used Dent Devils. They (did) charge £75.00+vat per panel. Obviously (like any other job) it depends on the bloke who does it, but the guy who did mine was fantastic. He took the ding out 100%. To say I was pleased with the work would be an understatement! I wouldn't like to think what that would have cost in a bodyshop. With yours, I dunno about the paint being broken, though.?

Do what I do.... ....Leave me IS safely tucked up in my nice warm garage, and take the wife's car! :D That's better than the snow button!