Mr Morse

Handbook says Manual 3.9L (with filter) 3.7L (without filter) Auto 3.8L (with filter) 3.6L (without filter) Mobil-1 is a good choice

Missed this in the replies. Sounds like a good idea to me. Castle Marina would have been a good venue as well, but I take it you move them around the midlands a bit each time? Either way would be good to have a 'mini meet'. Aye, I'd come along and say hi too if its in the Nott'm/Derby area... ← I'm up for it too (can't make week beginning 21/03 though)...

Having a set of -30mm Eibach's fitted tomorrow. And a K&N typhoon....

Bicarbonate of Soda (baking powder) is very good at removing dead things from your lights and paintwork. It's also non-abrasive.

Some of the alloy cleaners on the market contain hydrochoric acid (Wonder Wheels is one). This does a great job at cleaning the brake dust and other grime away but will damage the wheel especially if the outer layer has already been damaged (kerbing etc). If you use this stuff make sure it's well flushed, dry the wheel and then spray with a brake dust barrier wax and polish. Using a wax helps in cleaning the wheels next time.

Nope it's Antimony Quartz, also on a personal plate. However I was aorund on Derby Road last week. Most of the time further out of town, over towards Beeston. Tend to be driving around at weird hours as I work shifts, well weird in so far as not many people drive around at 05:30 :). ← Don't see many 300's in Antimony - I'll look out for you

Welcome! Is it in Astral black? Saw an IS300 on an 05 plate on Derby Road coming into town a couple of days ago. I'm in The Park - Astral Black IS300 full bodykit, personal plate (starts V1 ***), gold bages. Give me a wave if you see me! Mike

On a safety basis alone a sat nav is essential. In the old days I remember having the road atlas or A2Z on the passenger seat and constantly having to glance at it. Even worse in town. I cringe thinking about the number of times I narrowly avoided accidents. It's a no-brainer - go get one and make the road a safer place

if your car is still under warranty get the changed mate :D i am ← But is the same thing going to happen in another 15 months? I clean them on a regular basis and apply dust barrier wax once a month so it's not like I don't take any care.... ← yes mate, im on my second set this time am going to get them changed (new) and then sell them, i will get more for them as they will be new ← Sounds like a good move Gord. But I thought the warranty was 12 months? Am I screwed here? ← how old is your car ? warranty is 3yrs from new or 60,000 miles, my car will be 2yrs old in may :D ← Dec '03 so I'll pay them a visit on Monday...... :winky:

if your car is still under warranty get the changed mate :D i am ← But is the same thing going to happen in another 15 months? I clean them on a regular basis and apply dust barrier wax once a month so it's not like I don't take any care.... ← yes mate, im on my second set this time am going to get them changed (new) and then sell them, i will get more for them as they will be new ← Sounds like a good move Gord. But I thought the warranty was 12 months? Am I screwed here?

if your car is still under warranty get the changed mate :D i am ← But is the same thing going to happen in another 15 months? I clean them on a regular basis and apply dust barrier wax once a month so it's not like I don't take any care....

I am running 18 x 7.5J Lexus alloys that come with the bodykit. Only 15 months old but starting to look less than pristine. Are all Lexus alloys this bad? Was thinking of Blitz F1's. Does anyone have these on an Astral Black? Where is the cheapest place to get hold of them?

Try speeding.co.uk for the PIAA blades. They may not be cheap but they are much better than the OEM

I used the Merguires 3-stage system for the first time on my 14 month old IS300 this Sunday, it is truly an excellent product! The first application produced immediate results, bring back a rich, deep sheen to my Astral Black paintwork. I was almost ready to leave it there! The second application takes some effort, it helps to spray a little water from a misting bottle to help in bringing up the sheen of the polish. The final wax application comes up very easily and really does bring the paintwork back to an almost showroom condition. This was the first "total cleaning" my IS has had since new. It took around 8 hours (including washing) but was time well worth spent. I was an Autogym addict for years but now I am totally convinced by the Merguires product. I used some microfibre polishing cloths (approx £3.49) from B&Q to bring out the shine after each stage, they are excellent value for money. How often do I need to go through the 3-stage? Every six months or so?

Just done mine in Black Hammerite Smooth. Chrome stickers are coming.

have you had the car longer than 6 months? 'cos thats about how long it realistically lasts. its a good treatment while it lasts - car comes up sparkly clean really easy. ← I had it when I bought my new IS300 in Dec '03. Like Matt says, it lasts about 6 months. Money better spent on a professional valet.

I saw it at the store at Chilwell (between Long Eaton & Nottingham)

Noticed they just started stocking Merguires products at my local Halfords, same price as Speeding etc

I got one for sale mate, only had 200 miles on it before I had a performance system fitted. It's "as new" also on Ebay

I had the Blue Flame exhaust (cat back system) fitted yesterday and I'm very pleased with it: Size: Tailpipe is 100mm diameter, slightly tapered, extends out of the skirt approx 10mm at the top, 5mm at the bottom Quality: High grade stainless steel as opposed to mild steel of some systems. The quality of the welds are excellent. Sound: A deep bass-rich growl at lower revs increasing to a more baritone frequency as the motor is worked harder. The sound is not obtrusive at all although the difference between the Blue Flame and the standard system is obvious. Power: Hard to confirm without the Dyno but seemed to be torquier between 3-4,000 revs This was the first system Blue Flame had fitted to an IS300 and it took approx 3-1/2 hours including a test drive by Nigel and Dave which revelaled a slight "knock" that was sorted out in about 15 mins. I'm very tempted to go back and have the front end done now. Thanks to Nigel and Dave at Blue Flame Performance Engineering, they come highly recommended!

You over 40 too? Enya's nice for post-hangover Saturday & Sunday music but for me the Cowboy Junkies really does the trick - Margo Timmins has such a wonderful voice....

Some good stuff there mate, right up my street. How do you rate "System Has Failed", it was slated in the press? Personally I don't think it's that bad but nowhere near as good as "Peace..." "Rust" and "Killing". Saw them live couple of weeks ago and did a good gig. They are down to play Download in June. You off to see the Priest next month?

Many of the US vendors won't use anything but BidPay for non-US buyers. The basic fee is not too extortionate and you can pay extra for express delivery.

How do you connect up the iPod mate, with one of those cassette adaptors?

In my CD this week are: Shadows Fall - The War Within. Best of the NWOAHM bands by far. Should be touring the UK soon. And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart. The excellent new comeback album by the veteran Texas rockers. Scorpions - Unbreakable. Their best album since 1982'2 Blackout. Catch them on tour with Judas Priest next month. Kyuss - Blues for the Red Sun. More riffs than Black Sabbath's first four albums put together. The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute. Really wierd intelligent progressive rock, takes some time to get into and sounds different each time. The Quireboys - Masters of Rock. Greatest hits CD. Every song a real singalong ripsnorter about booze/girls/drugs/booze/booze. Saw Spike & the boys at Rock City last night, excellent gig.