MarkF

Well Whaddaya Know.......I rang to book the car in and was given the following information... The dealer has 2 other IS200's with similar problems and they are expecting to receive replacement manufactured boxes to replace the originals which have been built the wrong tolerances. These are expected in March and I am on the list for replacement when the boxes arrive. This should fix the sticky box when cold and the grinding gearchange that sometimes occurs.......Result. [suppose it would be too much to hope for different ratios to make 1st gear worth bothering with and 6th gear taller to drop the revs and save fuel on the motorway.]

I now have Dunlop on the rear and Bridgestones on the front. The alignment was done by 2 different independent tyre places. All the tyres are new (fitted Dec02). The dealer mentioned that there is a toe adjustment on the rear. I'm not sure if this is fairly unusual so could have been missed by a non-Lexus familiar tyre fitter. I went independent as it was much cheaper than a dealer but that may be my best option.

I have complained to my dealer about this and they have had the car in twice to do 2 mods to the car (6 days in total)....last time was about 6 weeks ago (4 days). They have a service bulletin about it (at Swindon). The box is now better but is still 'sticky' when cold, sometime 'gritty' but often very smooth. I am still not impressed and so I am booking it in again. I was told that if their last attempt didn't work they would push Lexus UK for a new box. Keep going back...hold the dealers to the hype.

I have been experiencing a general feeling of instability mostly at the rear of the car. The car becomes easily unsettled by poor road surfaces (even cats eyes sometimes). The problem is more noticeable when carrying loads (20-30 kg) in the boot. Under braking or hard acceleration the car wanders from side to side. I have replaced all 4 tyres and had 4 wheel alignments twice a few 000 miles apart. On both occasions large adjustments were required. The car still doesn't feel right and I need to know if this is an isolated problem or are others having similar problems.