rashdown

Here in the UK (talking about the south here, not scotland where they seem to get as much as you) we only get snow for at most a week a year, if that. No one spends £600 on a set of wheels that they are only going to use for one week a year. If you got any news stories from the UK over with you guys last year you would see that the whole of the uk comes to a standstill after the slightest dusting of snow. At one point there was an eight hour traffic jam on the m1 cos no one could drive in it. So snow tyres are not a valid suggestion in the UK, due to the lack of snow. I guess the only option for us is as new tyres as we can get, load up the boot and traction off snow on. I just put a 4.5 stone sub in my boot, wonder what that will do to my handling? ← I'm having this problem too. I'm trying to figure out ht ebest solution for a new set of tyres (not much to go on all 4 ) I've been thinking of the Mich Pilot Primacy on the current alloys, but these are still calssified as a "summer" tyre. As we seem to more rain than snow (and more rain than sun :tsktsk: )Surly this isn't the best option. I really want ot get the Mich MXM4 (you can get them in the US, but not "supported" in Europe) which are an "All Season" tyre, and used on all of the performance marques over there (good traction, low noise, etc). I don't want to get the same Bridgestones as I'm fed up with pressing the "snow" button at the first sign of humidity! So, really, I have a question for people: What would you guys suggest as replacement tyres for "All Season" driving? As an alternative, any one got a Part# for some steels for the IS200? Lexus don't know, and are trying to get me to buy s new set of alloys!!! Cheers

Hey Monster Mat! I know it's a while since you posted this, but did you manage to get anwhere with the P/N for a set of 16" or 17" steels? I'm wanting to get a set of Winter tyres (after a nasty situation on a Swiss road where I had to release the wheel of my new IS200 and let it spin like a record!!! Even with chains on the rears! Wasn't a nice feeling, I can tell you! I'd only had the car a few weeks. No damage, though, :D ) I called up a few Lexus dealers here in the UK and asked about steels, and they say "there aren't any". My response was "well, busses and 18 wheelers have steels, so why no for a lexus?" It's getting to the point where I'll just buy a set of 5 winter tyres and when the time comes, pop into my local tyre dealer, and aske them to switch with teh original tyres. But a set of steels would be a whole lot better!!! Any advice would be good, and if anyone else can tell me where I can get some would be appreciated. Cheers

Top Tips!!! :zee: When I first read your post I thought you said vinagrette! That's an expensiving dressing at CHF40!!! Have got the chains (RUD) thanks. Hopefully wont have to use them untill the last minute when I loose my car in a massive 3000000000000000 meter snow drift right at the place of my hotel in Zermatt. i.e. TONNS OF POWDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) :D What is it with the Euro driving regs and us brits going over!? I you randomly stopped a local (France, Germany, anywhere), and looked inside his/her car, I'd bet my left gonad they don't have a warning triangle inside the car!!! I bet the car manufactures have got in bed again with the euro governments to say that "any car with right hand drive needs to have these special things added when driving through our country: blah blah blah blah...." I mean they don't even drive on the right side of the road :tsktsk: JUST KIDDING!!! Thanks again for you tips, though.

Do you mean TTE ? ← Maybe!!! I was excited after drivng the car, and the keys are close onthe keyboard

Thanks for that.

Hi Everyone! Just picked up my 1st Lexus (IS200) and after a little bit of over the weekend and seeing the tip of what it can do (obviously no more that 70mph ocipher ) I don't think I'll ever get in another car, let alone drive another. The only bad thing about it is that there seems to be a rather noticable "GAP" in the engine compartment! After a little investigation, it just so happens that TTR supply a nice little compressor and installing it doesn't invalidate stuff... Looks like it's bread and water for me for a while!!! Anyway. You lot all know how good these things are so I don't need to sing to the converted. I have one question though: The nice sales man at Currie motors threw in loads of accessories and stuff (he's a mate really, and got them for notalotreally ) I've found where to put the first-aid kit, but am having a little trouble finding a suitable, PERMANENT, location to but the Fire Extinguisher. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. Note: Driving down to Switzerland in mid-December and may just have to take a detour to "Long EX-Race Track in Germany" to find out a little bit more about the car - SHH Don't tell my insurance company :winky: Thanks in advance.