UKPulse

If it helps - two Altezza's for sale over at http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk ...not a huge choice I guess :(

Both my current & previous IS's came with Bridgestones on from new.

Wow... those look the dog's b******s mate! Chrome caliper stickers eh? Is that chrome lettering on a clear background, or dark lettering on a chrome background?

I'm sure if you ask your local dealer, they'd probably oblige... for a fee ;) Looks like quite a straightforward job tho, why not give it a try? :) You can find the stickers for the calipers here, and you can look at the various colours for smooth Hammerite on their website.

Listened to mine on the way home from work - wound the window down and used E-SHift down thru the gears at a couple of junctions. Couldn't hear anything abnormal... Vince - nice bike mate, sounds like a serious track tool !

In the UK, there are currently four flavours of IS200, starting with the "basic" S model. You can find details at Lexus UK. Essentially the manual is a 6cyl in-line 2.0litre with 6-speed manual transmission, producing 153bhp & 144lb/ft of torque @ 4600rpm, and good for a 0-62 dash in 9.5sec. The "SE" model adds 17" alloys, leather/ecsaine seats, two extra speakers, headlamp washers, and electrically heated/adjusting seats. The "Sport" model also adds aluminium pedals, rear privacy glass (tints to you & me), limited slip diff, 15mm lower ride height, and boot lip spoiler. There's also a "SportCross" IS200, but for mods I would guess it's a non-starter? I would guess you'd want to go for the "Sport" as it has the slip diff & lower ride height. However, I'm a complete "IS mods virgin!" so I couldn't tell you about transferring your current mods. But there's loadsa guys here who are experts in such things, so I'm sure they'll be along to help you :) :) PS - Welcome to the UK! when are you moving over here?

Absolutely love it! My only real criticism of the '200SE Auto was that it was lacking in power... which the dealer agreed with me on, putting it down to the cars weight! (maybe he meant my weight?!) :o But after they lent me an IS300 for the day while I was having some warranty work done a couple of months ago, I was hooked! Aside from the engine being soooo much quieter, the switch-gear seems a lot more "solid" than it did on my IS200 did, but that might just be coz it's brand new, or because they've enhanced the build process. Still a real shame there's no steering-mounted controls for the stereo :( Can't wait 'til the car's run-in... ;)

Hmmm, think you're probably right there. Maybe best to paint the calipers asap when the car is new, before the infamous "Lexus Caliper Rot" sets in! :(

- Yes, calipers on my 2002 IS200SE started showing signs of deterioration last October, the car was just 9 months old at that point and had covered about 15K miles. By March, they were as bad as the picture above (and the alloys were actually a lot worse)! - Mentioned this to my local dealer in Feb. They advised that the alloys would be replaced under warranty, and that they'd approach Lexus about the calipers on my behalf. - Haven't pursued this as I've just p/x'ed the car for a '300 (yesterday!) However, I shall watch the calipers on the new car very closely, and report any signs of deterioration.

Haven't noticed any strange noises yet, but I've only done 150 miles in my so far :P I shall try it out tomorrow and listen carefully to see if I can reproduce your problem...

...if you're a cheapskate like me, 'borrow' one of those fine-nibbed pens from work that they use to write on overhead projector acetates. They write on CDs a treat - no need for labels :)

No problem here either... also got 6 CDRs in my changer right now. They're all "cheap" DuraBrand CDRs from ASDA, all recorded at 24x speed, and they all play/load/eject just fine :)

It's good to be able to give something 'tangible' back to the club & help things along :) Best £25 I ever spent on the Lexus! B)

No two ways about it - that's a gorgeous lookin car you got there!

Tread & pressures are all ok, but I'm still running the standard fit Potenza "RE040"s(??) that came with the car.... gawd, I must be driving like an old woman - that's 21K miles! Pick up the new '300 tomorrow, & I guess it'll come with the same tyres. But it sounds like changing them to Potenza "S03"s might be a wise move asap. Now what's this about brown bread? (Is that the stuff that looks like the old fashioned carpet underlay??) :D

If I have one criticism of the IS200/300 (ok then, apart from corroding alloys & thin paint ;) ) it's that tyre/road noise can become quite intrusive. :duh: Is it possible, or even practical to add any additional sound-proofing to the car?? If so, what materials can you use, and where abouts on the car? ...or is it just a case of turning the stereo up a bit?

After the really heavy rain down south a couple of months ago, my nearside headlamp misted up. Booked it in for the local dealer to have a look, and by the time it went in, the condensation had actually disappeared. Even so, they replaced the whole headlamp unit under warranty - no questions asked!! :)

Not been to Lexus Guildford myself, but have seen nothing but good reports about them here in the forums :)

That's one tasty motor! B) I've had to drop the 18" alloys from my order, errr slight budgeting problem - they're paying my bonus two months late!! So I'm gonna be very jealous ;)

Just take a look at the JD Powers results for reliability. Did a German car manufacturer come top? Errr, I don't think so... ;) Plus you try telling that to my mate - his 325i SE has been in the shop three times in the last month. Happy, he isn't! :P

From the outside it looks as sweet as any IS200. Drive it, you'll love it! :)

I've timed my 200SE Auto at a shade under 11s from 0-60, but it was very 'un-scientific'! Seems quick enough tho.... except when there's other cars around! I'm constantly reminded that every Ford Focus & Vauxhall Astra in the country can out-pace me, particularly in the mid-range (e.g. 50-70mph) but then it's a price you pay for one of the silkiest smooth rides around. :) Ok, ok, so I'm chopping it in for a '300 but the 200 Auto is still a lovely car B) Unfortunately I don't smoke a pipe, but I'd love to know where I can get some tartan slippers tho! :P

Correct that... got online quote from AXA on an IS300 for just £389...! Less than I currently pay on the IS200! Still, gonna give the DIG people a call tomorrow.

Agreed - Sainsbury's online quote was the cheapest for me... £543 on an IS300 (compared with £689 thru Direct Line). Yet to try the Gold Members quote. :)

Picking up a new IS300 on March 9th....