starkey444

Update for the cyclist out there... I went for the Saris Bones 2 bike carrier in the end. Very compact. Fits neatly in the boot by swivelling the single arm flat. Fits on boot with 6 straps - two rubber feet sit on bumber, and single arm sits on top of boot near rear window. When all 6 straps pulled tight, the rack is VERY sturdy. I've only tried it with one bike but there is very little movement. Only two issues to mention - 1) the reg plate is obscured so best to attach an extra plate or light board. 2) Lights/indicators are slightly obscured so questionable about whether you'd get away without that light board..... which then raises the need to get a lighting socket fitted for the lightboard. Also, worth investing in some bungee ball cords (also known as tarpaulin cords) - great for stopping the wheels spinning and securing the lighboard! I can upload a photo or two of the rack on the car plus bike-on-rack-on-car if anyone is interested?

Hi all, I'm planning to put a bike carrier on my IS250. I can't afford a towbar option. And I'm not happy about lifting a bike up onto roofbars. So my final option is a trunk carrier. Just wondering if anyone has fitted a boot carrier such as the Saris Bones 2 ? Mostly it'll be used for a single, lightweight (ish) Kona mountain bike (hardtail, not full sus.) Assuming there are no problems with a rack such as this, my next issue is the light board - I'm guessing the bike will obscure the stop lights (and definately the Reg plate) so I'll need to add a light/reg plate board. Question is - where do I plug the lights in? Is there an easy way of wiring up a plug for the light board? Or will I need to get a towbar company (eg Witter) to wire into the car electrics for me? Advice will be very much appreciated.

I need to replace two rear tyres on my IS250. I've been pricing up Bridgstone RE050's (but they wore down much quick than the Dunlop P9000s which are on the front), Toyo T1R's (which I hear give good grip but are soft so dont last long), Falken 452's (mixed reviews), Goodyear F1 Assymetric (good handling but soft?) and Dunlop Sport Maxx (not bad). Then I came across the Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres. Whilst they dont look as good as some of the Assymetrics, they are meant to last a long time without adversely affecting performance. Has anyone had any experience with these EfficientGrip tyres? Are they any good (noisy/quiet? rim protector? wear well?) I do mixed driving and I rate my style half way between Sunday-afternoon-grandad and two-wheel-cornering-boy-racer, so I won't be punishing my tyres with anything extreme. Any thoughts much appreciated on these EfficientGrips before I splash out?

Grrrr...:tsktsk: Put my IS250 in for its 40k today at Reading. Got a phone call at lunchtime to say my front disks are close to limit and should be replaced within 2k. Cost is £430 including pads! Is this a joke - its a 2007 model and I don't brake hard. Surely I should be getting way more than 40k. Are there any decent non-Lexus disks anyones recommends should I fail to get these replaced under warranty? Chris

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I must admit I didnt take it off road, but if it wallowed around like it does on-road then I think it's safest kept on tarmac. I know what you mean about feeling like a VIP - the high ride height gives you a false feeling of self-importance, until you see another RX pass by and you don't look at them like they're 'lord of the manor' - brings you back down to earth. Weird thing is, the opposite happens when you move from RX to IS250 - for the first day or so it felt like I was driving a lotus or a go-kart - so low off the ground compared to the RX. Almost felt like someone had lowered the springs. All forgotten though once I'd done 20 miles. As for heated toilet seat - YUCK! Nothing worse than using the cubicle at work just after someone else has read the Daily Mail cover to cover - give me an ice-cold toilet seat any day - just seems more hygienic somehow - illogical, maybe, and subjective - just like the IS250 vs RX400H debate

When my IS250 was dropped into Lexus Reading for an extended stay to have its 2nd engine rebuild (rattle on startup), I was offered the chance to drive a 400H for a month, partly as a goodwill gesture for having the engine knock problem recur. A far more expensive motor and more powerful too so I thought I'd be really reluctant to hand it back. One month of driving the RX400H and I can safely say that I'm so pleased to be back in my IS250. Not that the 400H is a bad car. Far from it. Bags more space inside. Some nice gadgets like automatic rear boot opener, dipping wing mirrors on reverse. Powerful too and a nice high ride height. So why do I prefer the IS250? Well, handling for one. Laying down that power on a motor with a high centre of gravity and tyres as big as tractor tyres meant that the 400H 'wriggled' and swayed slightly on accelerating hard and never felt quite as taught on cornering. Then theres the engine noise. A big engine which seems to have a variable gearbox , it never sounds as if it is changing gear. Just one of those things I couldnt get used to after a month of driving it. Like a beefy, grunty milkfloat engine - thats the only way I can describe it. And with all the usual Lexus gadgets, where were the cooled seats when I needed them on an uncharacteristically hot British day? And how anyone could put up with the car auto-locking after a few seconds, expecially when the 400H is key-operated, I dont know - yes I could have taken it back to Lexus to have this option over-ridden, but hardly seemed worth it. I certainly didnt appreciate how much I enjoy the keyless entry of the IS250 until I had to go back to using a key. Small thing, maybe, but its these small things that add up to a relaxing driving experience. And thats why I and glad to return back to the IS250 - relaxation. Such a quiet car to drive, with power there when you need it and handling thats just right for my style of laid-back driving. This is all very subjective and personal taste plays a massive part. The RX400H is not a bad car at all. But having driven one for a month, I'm now reminded why I bought my IS250 in the first place. Maybe next time, they'll lend me an IS-F? Well, how can I compare it with my IS250 if they dont let me have one for a month? :-)

I had a metallic blue IS200 from 2000-2007 and whilst I loved the car, the three biggest let-downs were the fuel consumption, flaking alloys and the awful paintwork. Even when it was only a year old, the amount of stonchips on the front end were astonishing. I'd never seen a car chip so easily (and I dont do lots of motorway driving or racing through gravel!) I talked to Lexus on a couple of occassions and even had the paint thickness tested by the Bracknell dealer, but they said it was all up to spec. Eventually traded it in for an IS250 about 18 months ago (couldnt be bothered to argue with private buyers about the state of the paintwork) and I must admit the IS250 is (so far) looking in far better condition after 18 months than the IS200 ever did.

Finally got my IS250 back on Friday after a month in the dealers. Have been driving around over the weekend and all seems fine. No leaks, drives well and most important no rattle on startup. Lets hope it stays that way. Lexus Reading also put a full tank of petrol in and gave a car a decent valet including polishing it. And they're ordering a new set of alloys - I still can't believe Lexus havent cracked the corrosion issue with their rims - they've had this problem since I had my first IS200 nearly 9 years ago! Anyway, biggest issue I have is about the warranty for the engine rattle. If this really is the 5th iteration of a fix, then I can't be confident the rattle won't return after my IS has run out of warranty. Looks like Lexus GB might be coming up with something on that score - will find out later this week and will post here when I find out.

Hmmm, found a worrying thread on this problem on the US forums where a number of people have had the problem re-occur just like mine. One guy had it re-occur after 20 months. This poses a serious question about warranty. Mine has re-occured one year after the first fix, luckily I'm still in warranty. But what happens if I get my car back this week and it is fine for 20 months after which it re-occurs (out of warranty), who pays? I'll be talking to Lexus Reading today about warranty extension. The US Lexus forums also note that they are on the 5th revision of the fix which doesn't inspire confidence that they've actually nailed it yet. Here's the link (its 31 pages long!!) http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-second-...threads-31.html

Hey nicnac, sounds like they've really looked after you well. I get my car back later this week after the second engine rebuild. I'd be interested to see if Lexus Reading bother to change my scuffed alloys too? Just wondering why you needed the steering rack and rear calipers changed? Was there a problem? Is it something I need to worry about? I presume your car is a 2007 model or thereabouts?

Mine has now been in the Reading Dealership for over two weeks having a second rebuild. I believe mine was the first in the UK to be done and I've been told that as a result of sending my faulty part to Japan for analysis, they redesigned it again, which they give as the reason why my problem re-occured after a year. Clearly I'm not impressed with two engine rebuilds before my car is even two years old. At least the Reading dealership gave me a RX400 Hybrid as a replacement car. Yes its bigger and more powerful, but it is top heavy round corners. Nice for a couple of weeks but I want my IS250 back. Apparently, the engine is back together and will be tested fully tomorrow. I think I have a good case to have the warranty extended for the engine, I mean, who knows whether any damage has been done and whether there will be any long term issues? After all, I thought it was fixed first time round but a year later the problem re-occured. So I'm not being palmed off until I have an extended warranty. Not sure whether to ask for another full 3 years o nthe engine!! I'll update once I get my car back later this week.

My rattle problem has re-occured. I had my engine rebuilt last April. Has been fine since. But problem has now re-occured one year on. See thread at Starkeys engine rattle

Bad news..... If you've read this thread you'll know that my IS250 was probably the first in the UK to be fixed (they used mine as a guinea pig to document the process as part of the engine needed to be ripped apart and rebuilt). The car has been running fine for nearly a year. BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOW RE-OCCURRED. The tell-tale rattle first re-appeared last week. Then the beginning of this week, and then again this morning. I have booked it into Lexus Reading in a weeks time for diagnosis, but I'm convinced it is the same problem (1-2 second rattle on turnover, usually cold start in the morning, intermittent, perhaps once every 5-10 starts) Just wondering what Lexus will do now. Another engine rebuild? If it is the same problem, then I am really concerned about whether it will happen for a third time AFTER the warranty has run out? Assuming it is the same problem, I'll be pushing Lexus to warranty the fix for a further 3 years using the argument that if it has re-occured after a year, then it will possibly re-occur. Has anyone else had the problem fixed only for it to re-occur? Or, like last time, am I the first in the UK again??

Quick update Its now August - 4 months on and the car is running fine. Chris

Hi have a quick read of starkey444 post on april 9th 2008 ,he had his fixed at lexus reading - mine still has the problem - and get worse as the oil level drops . bristol has tried to sort it out but insist they have to replicate the rattle beore they can touch it . it is so intermittent but as Starkey says his is fixed so if yours is the same noise as his your lexus dealership should sort it out ,as for me I have given up and will sell soon . cheers swager Hi all, Indeed, Reading Lexus did a fab job with my car - they did the rebuild as detailed in my last post... http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...rt=#entry530229 Its now 2 months later and I can report that the problem has not re-occurred and that the engine is starting and running perfectly. My suggestion - get your dealer to speak to the Reading branch - I'm sure they've now posted the fix around all UK dealers (the American Tech doc was slightly different I believe) but if you can get your dealer to do what Reading did to my car then you'll be happy. Regards Starkey444

any news on your fix cheers swager Guys At last, after 4 weeks I finally got my IS250 back today!! Here's what I could find out from the dealer (Reading). It appears my car is the first in the UK to be ripped apart, so Lexus GB took a keen interest as they've had reports of the same problem in other branches (Wolverhampton, Bristol and another in Reading were just 3 they mentioned). Although they followed the Tech Bulletin I sent them, it appears that my UK cars engine layout was very slightly different so they had to take it apart further than the bulletin suggested to get some of the bits out. Also, when putting back together, they also found that they needed to order more new parts to be compatible with the other new bits (dont ask me which bits - I didnt ask them). The upshot is that they now have a UK specific bulletin which can be communicated to other branches. So if you car is doing the same and your dealer isnt sure what to do - get them to cal the Reading branch. I've only had the car back an hour and so far so good - always a bit worrying when they have to do such a major engine dismantle. But all seems fine so far (touching wood). They want it back in next week just to check for leaks etc. I must say that the Reading Dealership have been great. They never quibbled anything, just got on with it. They gave me an identical replacement car so I didnt miss my own. Plus they gave it a damn good wash and filled it with petrol when I collected. I cant fault their customer service (which is why I went Lexus again with this new car anyway). Good luck with your own rattles. I'll post here if I get any further noises! Regards Chris

Here's the latest... Lexus Reading have had my car for a week now and are doing the top-end engine rebuild to replace a faulty pulley. They have called in Lexus GB as this problem has been seen on a number of others cars. Now they know what it is, my car has the dubious honour of being the guinea pig - the mechanics are doing the job very slowly and taking photographs of it as they do the job as a record. I don't mind them taking their time if it means other people get a good service when this problem is diagnosed on their car. I'm hoping to get it back Monday wit the problem fixed so I'll post an update when I get it back. Regards Chris

Hi Starkey, any news from Lexus Reading regarding the intermittent engine start up rattle as I have my IS booked into Bristol for oil used over 1000 miles and two VCS warnings and brake pedal going hard at top of travel making it difficult to depress to start (only on auto versions ). cheers swager Hi Swager I sent the Tech Bulletin to the Reading dealer. They confirmed last Thursday that they believe my proble is the same - so they have ordered the parts and will hopefully be fixing it tomorrow. Not sure I like the idea of my engine being rebuilt when the car is only a year old, but if it comes back working ok then I cant complain. Will let you know the outcome. Starkey

Hi Swager Yep, will post the progress here. I have left my car at the Reading dealer. I will be letting them know abuot the US Notice tomorrow to see if they have seen it. Without being too presumptive, it sounds very much like my car has the same bug as identified in the notice. Given that it is an engine rebuild, I'm looking forward to seeing how they react! Will keep you posted Starkey

Hi swamprat My IS250 is just under a year old, has less than 10k on the clock and has started the same thing - engine knock on cold start for about 1 second. Sounds nasty, then all sounds well until next time. Only seems to happen 1 in 5 or 6 start. Lexus garage couldnt repeat problem until I collected this morning and then it provided the engineer with the noice he needed. They say the dont know what is wrong but I dont want my car back until they've fixed it. I'll forward the US bulletin idea to them and see what they say. I'll let you know what happens. Starkey

Does Jani use Microvel though? According to the website Jamboo listed, Microvel doesnt get very wet or hold grit. Hurrah for Microvel then. :P

Anyone got any views on these textile (ie not bristles) car washes that promise a 'scratch-free' soft wash? Sure, I prefer to wash by hand for all the usual reasons, but I was interested in how the traditional carwashes are fighting back against the increases in 'superstore car-park' hand washes. I wouldn't let a superstore car wash attendant near my lovely new IS250. One all my trips to Sainsbury and Asda, I've never seen them rinse out the sponges or jetwash the grit off first - its gotta be a bad deal for shiny paintwork. But near where I live, they've upgraded the auto-carwash to a 'Scratch-free, Microvel soft textile' wash where they manually jetwash the car first before it goes through the rollers. Now, call me cynical, but I've always thought that carwashes are bad for the paintwork, but is the advertising on these new 'scratch-free' ones to be believed or is this yet another marketing ploy? Would anyone trust them?

Spot on Steve I said I'd but the car on condition it was faultless - which meant that the dealer needed to get rid of the rattle behind the dash - I understand this is a common problem on these cars? Well they got rid of the rattle but looks like they didnt re-assemble the bits properly. But as you say - all fixed now. Cheers Chris

Steve Yep, it is auto and have tried park and neutral. And have tried more than one DVD. So I probably agree with Jamboo - dodgy sensor maybe. Cheers Chris Are you pressing the "picture" button on the MM display once you have selected the slot with the DVD in? Sorry if this seems like an obvious thing to do, but just checking :) Thanks for your replies guys Mystery over. Car went into dealer yesterday and they found a cable had come loose behind the screen. Simple fix - all OK now. Can't fault Reading dealership yet, they are being VERY helpful in fixing the little niggles I had when I reveived the car last week - for example, a couple of scuffs on the air vent above the nav screen - they just put a new one in - and a scuff on the door pillar trim - again- just fitted a new one. No questions asked. May the good service continue!! Regards Chris