VLM

:) I see there's no probs getting winter tyres for the 17". Maybe you guys can advise. I was driving in heavy rain the other night, standing water on the dual carriageway, frankly I was nervous at 70 as the admittedly worn front tyres were struggling to shift the water. My Volvo wouldn't have even noticed that on its 195 tyres. Add a Scottish winter's slush, grit, more salt than the sea, and those 18 inchers with their slippers on need to be tucked up in the garage under a warm blanket. Plus I need the car for work so can't messing with poor traction. I would normally put the winters on from end of October to early April. I'd get a decent set of tyres as really they're more important than the summer wear. You can then confidently enjoy the car. Cheers

How come I'm getting 35mpg? Last tank I did 489 miles and brimmed it with 62litres. So it's a 500 mile range if you're brave. Plus I'd describe my driving style as brisk... Maybe it's because I don't slow down for corners. In the 8 weeks I've had the car I've had 4 full fillups @ 35.4, 36.1, 35.0 and 35.2mpg, average mpg 35.47. Either BP or Shell fuel. However 95% of my driving is open road, with a couple of long trips in there. Car's on 18", new Goodyear Efficient grip on the back and some duffed Falkens on the front. Oil change was Castrol Edge 5W30. The previous owner said he got 28mpg. I budgeted for 30. So I'm happy.

Never driven a beemer...not my kind of badge. I did think of the Legacy Outback but they seemed pricey plus a bit big since I already have a V70. I reckon the seats are better in my Volvo though - I'd take that by preference for a long motorway drive. Otherwise I'm impressed by the thought, build quality and drive of the thing.

Great, I'll get it booked up later in October, and make sure they've got your settings. I presume I'll do everyone a favour if I free-off any nuts/bolts beforehand. That'll be the camber concentric washer thing, the track rod nuts, anything else? Do you need to adjust the rear as well normally?

16s it is then. Now to find some. I had winter tyres on my previous car (Honda Jazz). The best thing was outmanouvering BMWs on cold wet roundabouts. They couldn't catch it. Of course they soon sorted that problem on the straights... D

Tony, noobie here, I see you have a franchise partner in Edinburgh, would they be able to set mine up to your "standard" recommended settings? Mine's a standard IS200 with 18" wheels - I take it your standard settings make it less fidgety in the straight ahead and even out the tyre wear. Cheers D

Yep my suspension is rather clunky but it passed its MOT no problem. There's no play anywhere. If you bought it new you might complain but at 10 years I'm not bothered, though I do like to keep my cars in top condition. This one is unmarked except for a fair few chips on the front bumper, and it needs a good polish. The interior is the part leather / alcantara which I prefer to full leather. The sunroof is nice, always wanted one. The engine takes a bit of getting used to - by that I mean the torque actually increases with rpm. So the acceleration you get at 40 rises as your speed rises. The guy initially on your tail as you leave a 40 zone gets left in the distance. It seems strange to be in 6th at 30mph, the ratio is so close to 5th it seems a bit pointless. The engine is almost like a turbine - you just keep on winding it up, and the temptation on the motorway is to see how far it will go. Anyone tried? What got me into the Lexus is my other car, the Volvo V70. I bought that 3 years ago for £1200 and its the best car I've bought. Still worth £800 now. And a 5cyl engine with a lovely growl when you rev it. It made me realise you can get great cars for not much money if you pick carefully. The Lexus has the same solidity and simpleness. (The Lexus replaced a Honda Jazz - yeah a bit of a change I know - no comparison though I won't knock it as it did what it did well and at 50mpg. Just awful ride and steering).

Having recently got an IS200 with 18" wheels I'd like to get a set of winter wheels for it. Would 16" rims fit straight on the car which has the standard fit 18" Aero wheels? There seems plenty of space round the brakes. Or would you guys go for 17s as they are more commonplace? There are some 16" with part-worn winter tyres on ebay I see, 16" would ride the winter potholes better. They seem a bit pricey, and I'd rather buy my own tyres. Cheers

Hi there, I acquired an '03 IS200 a few weeks ago, it seems to have the TTE body kit and "aero" 18" alloys. Just 55kmiles, very nice drive. This is my first RWD, and the biggest wheels by a large margin (15" up till now), and my first 6cyl. The car rides very nicely even with the shallow rubber, corners amazingly and shrugs off mid corner bumps almost spookily. It's a bit crazy on rough back roads, what with twitching left and right and tramlining. I see there are alternative wheel alignment settings which I shall investigate. Front tyre wear is right on the inside edge which to my mind needs camber adjustment. First few tankfuls of fuel have given a consistent 35-36mpg so pleased with that - mainly open road driving. You seem to have to rev it to get it to go. It seems very low geared, 6th gear matches with 4th in my Volvo V70. 4th 5th and 6th are very close ratios - surely 6th could be a bit higher? I often skip a gear or two - 3rd straight to 6th for example. I do my own maintenance and so far it seems a nice straightforward car to work on - only done an oil change so far but will do all the fluids and the cambelt in due course. Cheers VLM