Dilbert D

I use a bucket for washing (always wash top down !) then rinse with a watering can. It has occured to me that the watering can could be filled from a water butt in the garden if the water butt has a lid and is kept clean (maybe some sort of muslin cloth filter could be dropped onto the top of the watering can when filling to filter out any dirt which does not sink?). This is what I am considering at the moment since I am considering going onto a water meter to save cash.

Opinions differ regarding whether the MPG figure improves with Optimax and I do not want to get into that arguement, but one thing to remember is that Optimax has two benefits, one is the octane improvement which could improve MPG, the other is the fact that it has the additives to clean the engine continually to a degree never achieved before. If you have ever seen the build up on the exhaust valve stems of an old (non Lexus !) high mileage engine you will want some petrol which cleans as you drive ! This is the major reason why Shell push Optimax. I think the extra 100 pounds a year is worth it for the clean(er) engine !

The baddies have been seen in a black IS200 SE on 'The Bill' a couple of times. I have also seen a black Skyline a couple of times !

1 mpg = 282.481 Litre/100km = 2.82481 Litre/km (For UK gallon) 1 mpg = 235.215 Litre/100km = 2.35215 Litre/km (For US gallon)

It is possible that both bulb filaments have failed at the same time. I know it sounds unusual but it happened to me once in my old Scimitar. Both bulbs had failed at the same time. It is possible the the surge created by the failure of one can knock out the other one. Try changing one of them before pulling the car wiring to bits ! I think my dual failure may have occured after a spell of driving on a section of heavily cobbled street a few days earlier so if you have been on cobbles somewhere recently I would definitely suspect a bulb !

The increased depth plate can be fitted to rear no problem and is perfectly legal (as long as the text and spacing is legal). Sixe is 520 x 152 mm. I got mine recently from www.demonplates.com. They have a good website and you can design your own on the screen, display it, then order. The plate then arrives exactly as per your design the next day or two. No documentation is required either as the company is Ireland based.

I just bought my 99 IS200SE last May with 69K on the clock, 7.5K. Perfect example. I got it from Stephen Billau & Sons in Darlington. They specialise in top end motors and always have a few IS200's in and the cars are usually very good. Check them out, they have a website. http://www.sbillau.co.uk Should not be to far from you and worth a trip on Saturday !

1999 'T' plate, 73000

Just had the exact same problem with my IS last week. The fix is simple, the coolant level is slightly low in the radiator probably not by very much but it does need topping up. Mine did this because the expansion tank was dry so coolant could not be sucked back into the radiator as it cooled. Simply remove the radiator cap (when cool !) and top the radiator up with coolant, replace cap, then check that coolant can be seen to be half way up the expansion tank by looking at the window in the back (check owners manual for the location of this). When hot the radiator can push coolant into the expansion tank so it needs to be able to suck it back in when it cools. Check the little thin hose from the side of the radiator cap to the bottom of the expansion tank as this can cause the same problem if it is split, perished or loose ! :winky:

Don't bother driving in Manhattan, it is mental and you cannot park anywhere anyhow. I have stayed in the Holiday Inn downtown (Chinatown) and it is a lot cheaper than the bigger hotels, not too far from Little Italy either. Times Square is a short tube ride away :winky:

I think it was a new Excel and it looked a bit like a noble.

I recently bought mine, 99 T plate 69000 on the clock, everything perfect with refurbished wheels, 7.5K. I would say your should be nearer 8.5K for a private sale, I reckon you could get 9K for that mileage with FLSH if the wheels were done. The dealer I bought mine off had some other cars similar mileage and year to yours for around 9.5K.

Just a snippet of info I read in a magazine last week. I cannot remember which magazine I was reading but I seem to remember an article about a new Lotus GT model possibly being released soon and the suggested engine was the new Lexus 3.5 V6 tuned up to around 300 Bhp, I do not know how accurate this is ... food for thought ! :D

I have had the same problem with my 99 IS200 SE. When I bought the car I could only lock and unlock with the key manually, none of my 3 key fobs worked electrically yet the batteries were ok. The car remembers the code in the key fobs but sometimes the car forgets the key fob codes. The car security system simply needs to be reprogrammed with the key fob codes again. The procedure to do this has been posted on this site many times and worked fine for me when I tried it and now all 3 of my key fobs are working again. The procedure simply involves locking and unlocking the drivers door with the lock button and turning the ignition on and off in a particular sequence. Do a search for the alarm programming procedure and do this, it only takes 10 minutes. If you take the car to Lexus dealer this is what they will do anyhow but they will no doubt charge you many 10's of pounds for the privelige. If you get the procedure and do it yourself you can repeat this again in the future if it happens again. :winky:

99 T Reg, 70500 Miles

Dirty - Xtina Aguilera - The Gold Club, Atlanta Girls, Girls, Girls - Motley Crue - Practically a theme tune at Tattletale in Atlanta, the bar even gets a mention in the lyrics (.. rockin in Atlanta at Tattletale ...) !! :winky:

I have just purchased a 99 IS200SE and I have the same problem. It returns to approximate centre but needs fine adjustment to real centre line, if the wheel is turned very slightly it seems to stay in that position as if the steering joints are slightly sticky or something. Suggestions appreciated also ..

I have just programmed my key fobs to get the alarm and double locking working so I have been playing around with the locks an stuff. As far as I can tell from the manual, for mine at least a 99 T plate, locking with the key fob once locks all the doors and sets the alarm, pressing the lock button twice disarms the radar sensors indicated by 5 flashes of the indicators. However, locking the doors without the electronics by locking the doors with the lock button then locking the drivers door with the manual key does not set the alarm. More importantly it does not set the double locking feature is your car has the double locking so the doors are not deadlocked ! The normal door lock will be locked however. The best way to lock the car is electronically so you should try to get to the bottom of your false alarms. :winky:

Hi there, Just got my IS200 SE 2 weeks ago and I am venturing onto the site for the first time. My car is a 99 reg Kensington green SE with 69K on the clock, 7.5K paid which represents an awful lot of car for the money. Lovely condition with new wheels. Firstly can I thank the guys offering knowledge on the Alarm code programming procedure. None of my key fobs worked electronically when I got the car but the procedure posted in the past definitely works (the lock and unlock 5 times and shake it all about stuff !). Now all 3 keys are working. Also, the notes on plug changes were extremely useful since the 'sales service' the garage gave it did not include plugs so a set of IK20's were duly installed without problem along with new air filter. I have always done all of my own servicing wherever possible so all info on the site is very valuable, especially with the lack of the obligatory Haynes manual ! I will of course post all useful info I can get hold of. Catch Ya later.