IS200D

Good to hear its sorted, its amazing me that a significant yet easy to replace part is left to cause an issue.

I know its probably a silly question, but has a complete diagnosis shown its the head gasket. They say it looks like its the head gasket, but are they sure. When I saw coolant spray in my engine I thought the worst, only to find it was the coolant pump. If it is the head, then you may have a decent argument if the post sale mileage is pretty low. Good luck whatever the case.

Maybe its just me, but my problem is the way it slips into 1st when I want reverse and vica versa. Like with my Mercedes vito though, the way I see it is the more agricultural the part is, the less likely it is to break! To honest, last auto I drove was a mk2 cavalier in which the gearbox went, so still slightly wary of auto.

To be honest I didn't fancy hardwiring it as I'm planning on connecting to external Battery (astro E5) to avoid draining the cars Battery while the cams in motion sensor mode at airport car park

Going back to the dashcam cable....I just pushed it inside the roof and pillar trim on the windscreen edge. I found it surprisingly accommodating!

I agree, I Debated to myself whether I should continue with the Lexus service history as it had a full one. but glad I never paid £300 for them not to do half the job

I think it depends more on what you intend to do with the car.

If you plan to keep it longterm, I wouldn't worry about maintaining the Lexus history, just find a good independant. If you intend to keep it short term and want to be able to sell it easily, then full service history is important (with any additional work carried out by an a good independant).

Whatever you decide to do, a second opinion is always good, when getting any additional work done.

Its shocking, but I'm not surprised your filters like that.

I made the assumption my car's coolant had been replaced at its 100,000 mile service, only to be told it hadn't because the previous owner said he didn't want it replaced. Not sure what surprised me more, the customer not wanting it done, or Lexus not making it a mandatory part of the 100k service.

I've been using a product called long life polish for years (so long I dont even think its produced anymore, but I bought a big can of it, so I'll be ok for a few more years) and it gives brilliant results. But, as Mouser pointed out, the best results are from a clay preparation. I recently bought a farecla g3 clay mitt and the result on both my car and van where amazing.

The polish(couldn't find it anywhere else!)....http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/41922/valetpro-long-life-car-polish

The mitt........http://www.halfords.com/motoring/cleaning-products/detailing-products/farecla-g3-body-prep-clay-mitt

Sorry, but I haven't learnt how to post links properly yet!

I know you've probably sorted it out by now, but I paid £7.99 for 1 ltr from Lexus. I think I was quoted £40 for 5 ltrs, so basically the same per litre.

Hi Andy, yes that cracking noise is something Lexus just couldn't part with, mines a 2011 update and has it too!

If you do plan on leaving the centre cover on, just make sure you don't take it to a Halfords autocentre with it on, as its the one they seem to have most trouble with - if mine was flung across the engine like a frisbee it could have been positioned better.

I stopped a traffic officer and told him that I had found the imposter, but he said, "Sorry Sir, but I cannot help you. I suggest you call 101". Even the 101 operator was stunned, and asked for the officers badge number.

I bet that he was gutted he couldn't nick for you something, like a faulty rear light or something, after all their ANPR wasn't even telling him your car was stolen! Its bad enough a car being outside their radar, nonchalance upon being informed of its status is unforgivable in the current climate. I'd contact my M.P.

Looking on the bright side, you found the ringer before the ever useless plod, and cut short any future hassle

Hi Stu, apologies for not replying directly, after posting my progress in another thread!

To sum up, Halfords wrongly diagnosed a radiator leak, Lexus correctly diagnosed water pump leak. Lexus replaced water pump and I asked them to check a brakes squeal. Lexus said discs and pads needed replacing, so seller replaced them. Seller paid due to sale of goods act.

Cheers!

That's something I miss about my old car, the old electric sunroof. I've only seen one IS with a sunroof but looked oem. Should imagine any aftermarket job being prohibitively expensive hence the lack of replies.

Just to add to all those very handy links and videos, something like a Silverline Trim Remover (not sure if a direct link to a retailer is ok) is great for avoiding damage to your trim. Think I paid about £4.50 so well worth it.

As others have said, the dealer you bought the car from is responsible. Quote the sale of goods act and that the car wasn't fit for purpose. Not sure how things pan out retrospectively, as I'm sure you firstly need to give the dealer a chance to rectify the issue themselves. Worst case scenerio is they pay whatever it would cost for themselves to put it right.

They need a good long run and importantly, regularly get upto temperature.

And how many diesel cars get this sort of treatment? Lorrys & sales reps? :D

In fact it's gone so bad over recent years, that 50% of new car sales is diesel. Most owners absolutely clueless about how to drive and maintain a car with turbo diesel engine.

I fell into the ignorant catagory when I bought my is200d, thinking what have I done buying diesel after years of petrol cars. However, once I educated myself about how to drive it, on here and talking to people, now I think its great car. I can live with the occasional need to put ones foot to the floor - such as the other day when I clearly frustrated a bmw driver. Even mrs is200d didn't complain as usual, so that was a bonus!

P.s. Many thanks for your detailed guide Matus

I actually don't mind using Lexus, although I've yet to experience the customer service others (pariculary lexus themselves) rave about.

You're right about finding a decent mechanic, I just need to find one. You can have a well appointed garage, with all the right equipment and latest technology, but if the individual operating it is an imbecile its all pointless - hence me walking out of three halford autocentres and ending up at Lexus!

As for Spain, it was very enjoyable! Cheers!

Yes, it really is amazing how something so simple yet potentially dangerous could be overlooked. It'll be interesting to hear what the dealer says when I get back from sunny Spain! I now know I should have insisted only Lexus touches it like I did with the water pump!!

Lol, who knows. What I do know is they squeal like a pig, so they weren't checking the brakes!

I haven't got any answers unfortunately, but I know exactly what you mean. I've had Longlife stainless installed on 1 car and 2 vans where I asked for as quiet as possible and on each occasion I was disappointed. Its not too bad in my vito, but its definitely not as quiet as when I first bought it.

Really hope you find a solution, as my experience has made me think twice about stainless in spite of the massive savings.

More than likely the garage did not clean the discs before fitting or had a bit of oil on them that was not cleaned after fitting.

The discs come with a light oil film on them that stops them from rusting while on the shelf after manufacture its that that's probably not been cleaned off properly. Its not long lasting - with a few uses of the brakes it will clean off.

Thanks is200, interesting point - thats one of the downsides to letting non lexus mechanics working on your car I guess. Mind you I'm curious about how the '2 hour test drive' didnt pick up something like this - my dash cam shows it coming off the ramp at 3pm(it cut out just after they realised it was on) but I didnt get the keys till 5pm!

Many thanks for your quick response Colin.

I think you are probably right about it being something like the brakes settling in. When I drove it this morning it was like nothing was wrong with the brakes, with it being extremely responsive. I'll give the pedal a few pumps while stationary just to sure though.

Hi everyone, just had all my discs and pads (lexus parts) replaced by retailers own mechanics. As I knew already, and as as advised by the retailers, I took it easy on them to allow them to bed in.

However, on the way home I had an idiot pull out right in front of me, giving me no option other than to to brake sharply. Unfortunately, it was like I had no brakes and luckily managed to swerve around the car.

Up to and since then, the car is braking fine, in fact far better than before - so what caused the total lack of braking? Is it because they hadn't 'bedded in' properly, or is it something to do with the abs?

Any advise would be much appreciated before I contact the retailer.

Many thanks in advance.