RedBookKeeper

Guys.

Is this meet going to be mainly IS owners? I've just trawled the posts and looks like its 95% IS or are they just stock-pics? Any LS owners going?

Wasn't there supposed to be a meeting in Nottinghamshire for Lexus Owners Club members this Bank Holiday weekend? If so, anyone have details please?

Thanks everyone for your advice; decision made and 'qoutes-in-the-post'!

I know two people who have used the wheel specialist in Leeds (Google it). I have seen their work up close and it is superb. Apparently if you speak to John and maybe mention that you have seen their work on Briskoda they might start knocking money off ;) Don't bother with after market wheels they all look rubbish quite frankly.

Will. Thanks for your advice, I have just replied to 'Iain' above and decided that this is the sensible route to go down. I shall indeed have a 'google' for Briskoda and locate them; get some prices etc. I suppose it'll be all about storing the car, removing the wheels, stripping the tyres, etc and all again in reverse. Time consuming I suppose. Its the quality that's important to me more than anything. Regards Geoff

It's a dilemma, to replace, or refurbish your wheels, I farted about for weeks, trying to source alternative new wheels for my '98 LS400, either too expensive-or worried the damn things wouldn't fit the hubs ( high offset factor -big front caliper clearance problem you are aware of yourself, no doubt!) a guy a few miles away from me, has a wheel refurb franchise, charged me £80 a wheel, they were in a real mess, I can tell you, I even got the spare done. and they turned-out brilliant, should have gone down the refurb road in the first place! you must have your pick of these people to do this where you are shurely? There are lots of them around my area down here in Milton Keynes, good luck anyway, Iain.

Iain. Thanks for your advice. I think compounded with the general consensus on here I shall scrap the idea of buying new and indeed have them refurbished. To be absolutely honest, they aren't bad, just a little bubbling on two wheels and one lost some of its paint, the other being virtually perfect. Judging by the others advice, it seems the logical route. I shall research some prices locally; as you say, there is plenty of competition, but quality is the important factor of course. I'm having the bodywork re-polished in Carnuba wax by Swiss and it'll look showroom condition again by summer. I don't use the car enough to be honest, spends months in the garage unused; years at one point! Thank you again Iain. Regards Geoff

Prices on this link are reasonable and you will also be able to find out what the latest map available for your system is. i.e. the latest available for my GS is the 2009/2010 update, there were none done since for my satnav version.

http://www.lexus-mapupdates.eu/Home/Index

Thank you very much Mr Tigerfish, I have taken a look at the website and I will try my best to get as close as I can in update. Many thanks, very useful information. Have a good weekend.

Looking for the latest DVD base-map update for my 2002 LS430; last updated in 2009 with the 2007 update disc. Does anyone have a 2011 map for sale or later? Dealer price is too expensive.

Thanks.

I'm debating with myself whether to have my current wheels refurbished, or buy a new set; any guidlines guys?

This is the second set replacing my original set which were replaced FOC by Lexus due to general corosion. It seems to be an epidemic with Lexus wheels. I've seen a new LS600h-SEL with bad wheels already.

Any clues as to an excellent restorer locally in South Yorkshire would be helpful as well.

The 'click' that you refer to is when the laser cannot locate onto the CD, its the same with laptops/PC's etc. The unfortunate problem is that its usually the tracking device within the laser has come to the end of its life and will require changing. Lexus units in the older vehicles where manufactured by Pioneer and I would suggest rather than book into Lexus, you take it to a Car Audio specialist for less money or a free diagnosis! They can retro-fit a different multichanger into the boot and maybe still use the header unit. The GPS if fitted should be located under the floor in the boot well and is seperate to the audio CD. I haven't owned an IS, but have driven many since produced. I hope this may give you a new line of enquiries.

Interested to read about the use of Tesco fuel. I have long since thought the refinement of they're fuel was poor, filling up at a local Shell station at the same price seems to have improved my economy by 2mpg. I drive a Lexus LS430

Anybody else discovered this?

I am interested to know about re-chipping my vehicle for economy and any constructive comments; UK only please.