sineda31

Hi, thanks for the replies guys. Honestly, the exact same thing always happens to me - I park miles away in the car park and someone needs to park right next to me when the whole parking lot is empty. Now I know why people with expensive cars park sideways or on two lanes, it's because of the idiots who can't drive. I have decided that I'll part with this car for the time being. My next car needs to be an IS-F, so better start saving up!

Hi guys. Long time no see. Last time I posted something here was because I had some weird screeching noise coming from the right side of my car. The noise is long gone, I suspect it was due to my new Mintex discs which were possibly rubbing on the back plate. I kind of ignored it because three garages including Lexus in Leicester didn't know what it was. The noise just seized to exist after a month of driving. So my review is as follows. I've had the car since April 2014 and already covered 9k miles in it. The IS200 build quality is amazing; there are no faults with the car and it drives like new - touch wood. The car feels very premium, mind you my 2005 SE model has all the extras installed: 6 speed manual transmission, satnav, sunroof, leather heated seats, all electric (even the boot), limited edition gun metal grey rims, etc. The car doesn't eat any oil which is good, however because it is quite heavy and has 6 cylinders it eats quite a lot of petrol, then again if you're worried about fuel then this isn't a car for you - and c'mon, the engine note is music to my ears. I do feel that it's underpowered as 157bhp isn't enough for me to overtake someone without having to panic all the time. I think that it could have been perfect without an extra cylinder, with higher gear ratios on the manual gearbox and at least 200 horses onboard. Its traction control is beyond amazing, it thinks for you and corrects you very well. I have reached its highest speeds... Will not mention what speed but it was very-very close to the end, and it didn't feel scary at all, the car felt very solid on the road with the premium Pirelli tires. Now the sad part. My Lex has been damaged by idiots (as seen in pics) who shouldn't be allowed to drive on the roads. It is so bad that I had to buy a dash cam so that I could catch the b*****ds who hit and run - this happened several times; it's disgusting to come back to your car and see the damage on it which was anything from leaving a dint in the supermarket, to driving off and scraping my bumper real nicely. Another sad news is that I will need to downgrade myself to a small car as my wife needs to learn how to drive and we'll be buying her a car and myself one; this means saying goodbye to my IS200 as I can't afford to keep three cars in the family. I will be very sad saying goodbye, as the car was amazing and I am not sure how I'll cope with something of less luxury. One negative thing to note is that the IS200 is very hard to sell. People want to pay you below its market value and everyone seems to be afraid of petrol.

So took it to Leicester's Lexus for a diagnostics (£47 + VAT) at 8am today, to pick it up by 12pm. Call them at 12pm and they haven't even started the diagnostics... Nice beginning! Then after my complaint, their mechanic called me to ask whether the rear discs were replaced and if they're genuine Lexus; I told the bloke that I've had the fronts changed but no clue about the rear ones as they were there when I bought it. So the mechanic suggested (sounded really unsure) that it may be the backplate that needs a good clean, but that would cost £157 + VAT. When I asked if he was sure it's the backplate, he said that it's the only thing that they think is causing the metal on metal noise and that backplate on the rear seems to be rusty. Then I asked him about the noise when turning left; he explained that one of the mechanics had a test drive and couldn't hear a thing... Oh here we go again! I clearly instructed them prior to giving my keys that you'd hear the weird rubbing sound if your windows are down during the left turns. He said: "ermmm, not sure if the windows were up or down, probably not, ermm but I think it's something to do with the Mintex discs...". The mechanic sounded hesitative, as if I was making it up. Nevertheless, they told me that if it the discs are not genuine Lexus, then they'd be bigger by a few milimiters (which I already knew, but wanted them to check it out and give me a firm answer), thus making such sounds. Anyways, told them to put it all together and I'd take it away, not looking forward to paying £157 + VAT to guys who don't really know what the problem is and who aren't following the instruction I gave them. First and last time I'm visiting the Lexus main dealer. Will pop round to some Lexus specialist in Nottingham and see what they say.

My IS200 was revived from being in hibernation for nearly 2 years. So during the awakening of my car I had to buy it new front pads, discs and calipers; and I also treated her for a the most expensive servicing that was available; where they change and flush everything. However, now every time I turn my car to the left it makes a very strange rubbing noise. Also when I drive below 20mph it makes a weird metal to metal scraping noise. I had a Volvo which scraped a lot during turns, but it was all sorted when I moved the disc guard back a bit away from the disc. On my Lexus it can't be the suspensions or bearings as they were checked during the major service; car was stripped out and put back together, furthermore I know how a bearing sounds when it's dying. It can't be the inner arch as my car is standard and not lowered. So the only thing left would be the inner lip needs trimming as it's rubbing against the disc and/or the handbrake is rubbing on the back plate. I decided Main Dealer in Leicester to have a look at it this time; upon calling them today, they immediately told me that it's 99% the lip needs trimming due to fitting non standard discs. What I don't understand, is why do is200's have this major problem with the lip scraping and needing trimming on many discs? Mine were only Mintex discs and pads, which are quiet popular with IS's...

So then, front Mintex discs and pads were fitted, along with front caliper that became seized. MOT has been passed too. Been driving it for two weeks now and damn!!! It feels good!!! One thing though, every time I turn my car to the left, it makes a weird rubbing noise. I have read a lot on here and people say that it can be either the lip that needs trimming, the arch or in the worst case the bearing. I have ran it through full service at Kwik-Fit and they haven't found anything wrong with the car, they've stripped its brakes and checked all measurements (that's what they said). I did say to the guy that there is a noise when turning left, he said he didn't hear anything. Of course you wouldn't, because you'd hear it if your windows are down only. Hmmmm, I wonder what it is... The other problem, is CD Error1 but that'll get fixed once I clean the lens. Any suggestions? I doubt it's the bearing, as it'd be a loud noise and I'd hear it with windows closed.

I wouldn't bother asking anyone to share a pirated version. Just wanted to ask if it was possible. Yes my Lexus has a DVD based Sat-Nav. Thanks for replying.

If you want to advertise on The LOC you need to become a gold member. I understand. So is it possible to copy Lexus Sat-Nav CD for your own back up purposes then? Or are they specially designed so your ordinary CD-Rewriter wouldn't be capable of rewriting it...? I remember a mate of mine was talking about them being dual layered CDs or something along those lines.

I was wondering if people ever shared their Sat-Nav CD's here, or is it banned on this forum without being a gold member? I knew a lot of people who shared their updated maps on Volvo and Audi forums. Something tells me that it's somehow impossible to do so on Lexus as I've never found an answer on this forum.

Has anyone on here tried these folks? I'll be ringing them on Monday: http://www.toyotarepairs.net

Not sure why she quoted me so much then. Will call again next week and confirm here.

Hi guys. New member here. I'm usually quiet reluctant to start new topics, however I thought I needed to post this up as I feel confused. I've been browsing on the forums for a few days checking posts regarding the main dealer service and how each town's dealer (being franchise or not) has its own price range, etc; people said that Nottingham turned out to be the cheapest place as they quoted and/or charged in the region of £240. Decided to give it a try today, so called Lexus (Derby Road) of Nottingham. Advised the servicing department that I have an 05' plate IS200 and that it has 50k on the clock. The lady quoted me £420 saying it needs a full interim service. I asked whether it's interim or full, to which she replied, it's the 50k service. I'm new to Lexus so didn't know if she was right or wrong (sounded wrong to be, but hey). Then I asked what's included and turns out it doesn't even include a set of spark plugs. Bargain!! Any idea where I can service the car and/or any reputable service place around Nottingham area? Thanks in advance folks!

Started with a 2004 (first provisional license learner car) Rover City Rover. Then it's as follows: 2003 Citroen Saxo 1.6 VTR 2002 Peugeot 307 1.6 LX 2004 Saab 9-5 2.2 Tid Vector Sport 2006 Volvo s40 1.6 S 2005 Lexus IS 200 Se Manual

where u based though ← Chris, Any chance of a price for front disks and pads? Been quoted £401.52 And £214 for 1 front shocker. Does this sound fair? Andy Based in Crewe and prepaaired to travel Kwik-Fit quoted me £410 (I failed an MOT) for 1x front right disc, pads and caliper. I bought Mintex two discs and new front pads for £72 on eBay and 1x caliper for £79.99. Will get it fitted soon.

Thanks a lot for warm welcome guys! I'm extremely jolly to start driving it asap. Will need to check eBay for the kit, as it seems like one of the best places to buy good parts for the car. Now, I'm heading to browsing on some help :)

Hello folks! I'm new around here. Got an '05 Lexus IS200 SE 6 speed manual with every available factory option installed. Only covered 50k miles. Had no faults back when I bought it and was inspected by an AA engineer upon purchasing. No service history, but it didn't put me off. Had some small scratches around the car that will be polished off without a problem. This Lexus was supposed to be my weekend ride since I already had an '06 Volvo S40 1.6 S. Therefore, my Lexus was garaged without use for a year; I had no time what so ever to do anything to this baby. Three weeks ago, my daily car reached 90k and I thought it was about time to sell it. Slowly started to work on the Lexus by buying it a new battery and starting it for the first time in a year; started from the first time without a problem. Booked it for an MOT and sold my Volvo. It failed on front O/S driver side brakes, needs new caliper, disc and pads. Kwik-Fit quoted me £420 with the MOT. I thought, forget that, so bought 2x front Mintex discs and pads for £72. Going to fit it next week along with a caliper, decided to buy 1x since the other one is mint. Been driving it from home to the MOT centre, forgot how amazing the 6 cylinder sounds! Other than the brakes, the car is spot on. Due to not having any service history, I think it's best for me to change the timing belt and water pump; along with a full service history, new plugs. Anything else to watch out for? Thanks in advance.