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I agree that £185 is a lot for a timing kit, not sure what the Lexus price is. I know Japarts charge around £120 for the genuine Lexus cambelt set. I supplied both engine oil and spark plugs for my service and it still cost an arm and a leg, I wonder if they up the prices because of it being a Lexus, or is that just me being cynical As for people in my area being happy to pay these prices.... what is the alternative? Cars need servicing and that's that, they've got us by the short and curlies I'm afraid. Haven't really got the time or inclination to travel halfway up the country even if it does work out cheaper. Also as it happens the garage that quoted me do MOTs so it must be worth their while surely?

Well that's now three indies all quoting within a couple of hundred pounds of each other, still waiting for a fourth to reply. Seems like the London effect to me although I see your from this area too. I did have a few extras done such as aircon regas, diff oil and brake fluid replacement. Must admit it does seem a lot of money though....

Lexus now say it should be done at 60k miles or 6 yrs, whichever comes first. Whether you have it done now depends on what its going in for. If its anything that involves removing the cambelt, eg water pump replacement, then I would say yes have it done now . If the car has reached 60k or 6 yrs same applies. You can get an idea of cost from the above post.

Here are a couple of quotes from garages in the The Good Garage Scheme taken totally at random that are within a 10 mile radius of where I live. I asked for the full 60k service plus brake fluid change and replacing of the spark plugs on my IS200. I also asked for the cambelt, tensioner and idler to be changed. I would guess the parts are probably Lexus ones. Sorry but can't get to the £300 or so you quoted... Garage 1 60,000 mile service 4 hours Labour - £277.60+ Oil Filter - £7.30+ Air Filter - £19.25+ 6 Spark Plugs @ 9.19 each - £55.14+ Pollen Filter - £15.48+ 4.1 litres of 5w30 - £36.08+ Solvents - £3.95+ Screen wash - £1.20+ Sumpwasher - £1.05+ Engine Flush - £9.49+ Fuel Additive - £9.49+ Brake Fluid - £12.00+ Anti-Freeze - £22.50+ You also replace the timing belt with the tensioners at 60,000 miles as you are aware :- 2.5 hours Labour - £173.50+ Timing Belt kit with tensioners - £185.53+ Sub Total - £829.56 Inc VAT - £953.99 Garage 2 The approximate charge for a service on your Lexus IS200 SE will be £350.00 plus vat. The brake fluid change will be £31.50 plus vat and the air conditioning recharge will be £85.00 plus vat. The timing belt change, tensioner and idler will be approximately £287.85 plus vat Total inc VAT - £865 approx

If only I could find a good independent garage in the London area that charges £37.50/hr I'd be very pleased, unfortunately that is very unlikely. As for paying nearly £1000 for the work I had done..... no I wasn't happy but, rightly or wrongly, I am very wary as to who I let loose on my car. I can only go on others recommendations and the independent I used have a good reputation hence the reason I used them. Not sure about your comment regarding the brake pads. Where safety is concerned if my pads only had 3000 miles left I think I'd prefer to get them changed there and then rather than wait until I hear the telltale signs of metal against metal! But that's just me I guess...

Can you perhaps give us an idea of the service you had done and the rough cost so we can do some comparisons?

Had my 60k service couple of months ago at JEM and would recommend them. Take a look at THIS thread for some more info about it.

Just had my diff oil changed, my garage used Shell Spirax 80W-90 so sounds like your tech is correct

Good advice... I had the waterpump replaced at 30,000 miles by Lexus because it started leaking but it's def worth getting it changed when the cambelt is done. I agree re independants, the one I went to is called JEM and is run by ex mechanics from the JEMCA dealership so they have a lot of experience on Jap cars including Lexus. Their other company is Japarts which are also well known and well priced for spares.

I used a local independent garage last August for my IS200 60,000 mile service, MOT and cam belt change. They also replaced the spark plugs, brake fluid, auto transmission fluid, diff oil and recharged the aircon system. In all it came to just under £1000 which is a fair bit cheaper than Lexus dealers were quoting. I supplied the spark plugs (available on ebay) and 5 litres of fully synthetic engine oil to keep the cost down a bit. Hope this helps

I used Jem in August for my 60,000 mile service, MOT and cam belt change. They also replaced the spark plugs, brake fluid, transmission oil, rear axle oil and recharged the aircon system. In all it came to just under £1000 which is a fair bit cheaper than Lexus dealers were quoting. They also give a 10% discount for LOC Gold members. They supplied me with a Suzuki Swift courtesy car (they are now a Suzuki dealership) which I had for 2 days while they did the work. I cannot fault their workmanship either, the car is running fine so if your car needs servicing I would say try them, I don't think you'll be disappointed. :) Use this link HERE to go to Jem's Lexus page for a quote

Check with your dealer - most IS200's didn't have one and there is some variation with year and model. The service history doesn't help; dealers are not above charging to change one when it isn't there! Really? You surprise me..

Could you pm me with the info too please! Nearly locked the keys in the boot earlier this week when out shopping Thanks

No wonder they were only £2.20, can't really see the point and I'm sorry but the colour is awful! Do they actually serve any useful purpose or they just for show?

UK service schedule doesn't require the oil to be changed at all, just checked for level. Not sure about South Africa though, might well be different.

Thanks Steviewevie, was a 50/50 choice so was bound to get it wrong! Have now sorted it.

Just got a replacement pollen filter for my IS200 from Puravent. I removed the old one and it has an arrow with 'UP' written next to it so it's obvious which way it fits into the tray. The new filter has an arrow on the side showing the direction the air should flow through it. It isn't obvious to me which way the airflow goes, is it upwards from the fan unit or downwards? Any help appreciated. Thanks

If they are doing a non standard service did you ask if they will the still stamp your service book?

Thanks for that, I didn't know they gave discounts.

I'm hoping to supply spark plugs and engine oil for my 60k service, haven't spoken to JEMS yet but assume they'll be ok with that. Will get them to supply and fit new cambelt, tensioner and idler.

Still loadsa money.. I hadn't realised that JEMS price for the cambelt change didn't include the tensioner and idler. I think it's worth getting them both changed in any case tbh. If you do use JEMS I'd be interested to know what you thought of them as I'm planning to use them in August for my 60k service and cambelt change. Got car back from JEM servicing and timing belt change - needed tensioner and idler replacing as well. Car running a lot better - possible better mpg. They also returned the car washed inside and out. Glad you got your car done ok, i take it you were pleased with Jem's service?

Underneath the dash on the driver's side, by your feet. thanks

just wondering, where is the OBD connector on the is200?

do they last a long time as £40 or so seems a lot for a set of wipers!

just measured mine, 19" passenger side, 22" drivers side as shown in the sellers ebay ad