Abbas

I was hit in the rear whilst my IS was stationary parked at my home one morning. Cracked the paint on the boot and put it and out of shape along with a dent in the boot lid. Caused damage to the boot lid trim and put the back end out of alignment. Really gutted! I asked Lexus Cambridge to repair my car and started my insurance claim.

Now almost Three months later...

Okay got car back from Hilton Coachworks (Lexus Cambridge bodyshop) late last week, they said the rear panel was in the estimate but then they realised it was no longer needed and forgot to take it out the bill.

The boot trim that was on the bill was forgotten to be put on was the best reason I got for that but It has been fitted now. ( I was called before the car was sent in the 2nd time to confirm what trim was needed).

2nd attempt at the car was unsatisfactory after looking at it, I would describe it as a rushed job. boot trim not put back properly...

Biggest problem boot has water leaking in to both sides of the car. I was told this would be corrected and the vehicle would not leave till its repaired and tested!

Something I am not sure about I found that the rubber seal that goes all the way around the boot top edge is loose, not sure if that should be like that?

I today gave them a 3rd chance to get my car put right, really am disappointed as I had such faith in Lexus repairing my car. The reason I used them was because I wanted the best for my IS.

I have been very patient in this and really hope the 3rd attempt will be the last attempt as its so annoying loosing your car all the time and having to make endless calls.

Hi,

Had an experience of a body shop invoicing for repairs that were not done and parts charged for that were not fitted! All this has been inspected and reported back to them through an independant engineer. (they got caught out basically, pics taken etc..)

They are willing to rectify all but I still feel as if they have got away with it.

Anyone know how serious this is and if I could stop them from doing it to the next customer?

Many thanks

60 Litres gets me 350 - 400 miles depending how I drive... I am not 100% but it seems like I get a few more using V-Power fuel.

I use V-Power the engines feels and runs smoother and I do get a little extra miles per tank.

Looks stunning man... I love the way a black IS looks simply amazing.

I am looking into purchasing some Amsoil 5w - 30 fully synthetic oil, it seems to be rated well in all the reviews i have read so far. Need to start looking at the oil filter next...

I'm a big Amsoil fan too!! B) During a service, the local Lexus dealership poured that Shell Helix into mine (only 32k on the clock then), which was ok for the next 12k miles or so but then I noticed the engine note changed a lot during normal driving, especially during tick over. Sounded as if the oil had broken down and wasn't providing enough lubrication. I did a bit of research and came up with Amsoil too. Settled on 5-30w ASL and I'm stunned by the difference. Sounds even better now than when I first got the car (only 2k on it then)

Got the Amsoil from link

There's a lot of hype about this stuff including the "million mile new york taxi test" using sealed sumps for control! link to the story here

I have ordered mine from Opie Oils £54 should arrive in the next couple of days, picking up the oil filter and sump washer tomorrow from Toyota. I was hoping that the oil change will improve the engine note especially on tick over when cold and make the engine smoother.

By the sounds of your post it is not gonna disappoint...

Hi Guys,

I'm going to change oil in my IS and I was wandering if someone knows which Motul oil is the best for IS200 engine?

Thanks

Hi, I recently started a "what oil" topic. I went for amsoil 5w 30 100% synthetic in the end but one member recommended Motul 8100 Emax Ester based fully synthetic 5w-30....

Take a look http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...rt=#entry580102.

What's wrong with going to a tyre depot and getting one of their oil and filter changes for under £30? Fully synthetic at that. Genuine question, so genuine answers only please B)

I don't think under £30 will get me the sort of oil and filter change I am after. The tyre depot would only have a small selection of oils compared to what you would have if you purchased your own, on the net maybe? Secondly I don't think I would trust a local tyre depot to do it.

My last oil change was at my local garage I asked him what oil he will use and he replied " whatever is recommended for the vehicle" after the service I checked the paperwork he had used 10W 40 (value of £14). This is not recommend in the manual and looks like they have used some cheap oil too.

I am looking into purchasing some Amsoil 5w - 30 fully synthetic oil, it seems to be rated well in all the reviews i have read so far. Need to start looking at the oil filter next...

I think I will go fully synthetic 5W 30 or 40 just got to choose a brand now...

High Mileage Oil

Try this link.........Here...

Thanks I have contacted them for advice...

Great just the sort of answer i needed, what sort of mileage do you have

Mines only done 41k, maybe Shell Helix is not the right oil for your car...

Could try a Lexus dealer for advice perhaps?

You know what that's not a bad idea at all...

most probably change for parking, etc? :-) wondering...

I do both keep some coins for parking and have the cigg lighter on top, you can just about close the lid...

Recently bought an exhaust tip from a member on here for a fairly resonable price of £30 inc delivery as shown below.

After a good 20 minute here and there throughout the day with some old metal polish i found in my garage, bit of cloth and elbow grease, i got it looking like this.

Slight pitting on the underside, but it's fine as thats the end facing downwards and you won't be able to see it unless you have the car jacked up.

The top side is perfect!

Never expected it to come out so well. I didn't bother to clean the inside as it will be completely covered by my existing exhaust anyway. Well chuffed lol

Wow that is pretty impressive, you got me thinking of about doing the same!

Just had my car serviced at a Lexus dealer and they have used Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil. Bit pricey though at £16 a litre but looking at other forums it seems to be a popular choice.

Great just the sort of answer i needed, what sort of mileage do you have as I have read lots about it not being a good idea to use fully synthetic oil in a high miliage engine as it can start leaks in places? I am not really convinced this is true and don't think 140k is high mileage for a Toyota engine but does leave some doubts in my head and I need to be sure..

Also I don't mind paying good money for engine protection and performance.

Anyone know of a good oil to use, research is giving me mixed answers so not sure on fully synthetic then there's the choice of grade?

Hi,

140k on the clock now, lots of short journeys living in a tiny city anywhere to anywhere in 10 mins. A lot of cold starts, i am looking for the best possible protection from my engine and performance. I guess thats what we all aim for.

Currently it has 10w 40 SJ/CG4 (according to the paperwork) done 6k with this oil. I am not convinced this is the best oil to use as it drives beuatifuly when its warm but poor when cold. It takes a while for the engine to warm up when its sat for a few hours.

Looking to change asap, there are no leaks within the engine and the colour of oil is always good when checked.

IS200 SE manual.

Any suggestions/opinions pls.

Then maybe in the future as the front tyres become worn I could replace them and rotate with the rears so the newer ones went to the back.

Always a good practice. If I buy a pair of tyres, they will go on the drive wheels, on any car.

All you need is an empty carpark and a set of good rear tryes can be made slick in 15 mins of smokey, noisy fun.

Lol actually I would rather have some fun out of them then see them go to waste, not a bad suggestion!

Changing boths rears is not a bad idea. (Again, do all four if you can stretch to it.)

Pirelli, Toyo, Goodyear all make very good ones. Personally, I like my Yokohamas, always have.

Are you on standard 17s? I'd quess around £300 for a pukka set all round, with any of the above. £150 a pair. (Never put tyres on the standard rims myself, so guessing here.)

Yep I am on standard 17's, I just can't justify changing all 4 tyres when the current ones are in very good condition. Changing the rears I guess wont be too bad as I would use one old one as a spare and the other would go to waste.

Then maybe in the future as the front tyres become worn I could replace them and rotate with the rears so the newer ones went to the back.

I think the first thing is, why is that one worn and the rest arent?

Maybe get that sorted first?

Secondly its not recommended that you have different tyres on the same axis, so possibly change them both, cause even if you get a new supersteel its gonna have more rubber than the won one.

Thanks for you opinon...

Well the worn tyre was spotted during a geo set up as it was out of shape, it had a slight bulge in one area, Probably not the best explanation but hope you get the idea.

Hmm you got me thinking about changing both now...

Thanks for your opinion 84stoney...

Yea I agree c would be the best option as the road noise is so high and there are a lot of better tyres I could get but will also hurt my wallet big time, shame that you can't part exchange tyres...

I will see what other replies I get but I think your answer with b (buy another Potenza) would be the best one for me.

Hi all,

I had 4 Federal Supersteel 595's on my IS200, the near side rear was worn in one area so it has been changed for the spare. The spare was a Bridgestone Potenza RE040, so now I have 3 SuperSteels and 1 Potenza on the car (worn supersteel as a spare).

I have had a look at reviews on both Tyres and none have a great score the Potenza being slighey higher. The pattern for both tyres is totally different and I am not even sure if I should continue driving around much longer like this.

The Federal supersteel 595

The Potenza RE040

Anyway my question is:

Would you...

A. Buy another Supersteel and swap for the Potenza (back to Supersteels all round).

B. Buy another Potenza (have 2 Supersteels at the front and 2 potenza's at the rear).

C. Change all four and get better tyres. (costly option)

D. Leave as it is.

E. Change the Potenza for a tyre with a smiliar pattern as the Supersteel.

F. Any other suggestions?

All tyres currently have plenty of thread left on them.

Many thanks...

Abbas

Thanks guys, yes it is a pre 2001 and I am glad to hear all your opinions. I never really gave it much thought but a mate of mine once commented on it and also Tony @ WIM left me thinking about it too when I went for my geo set up...

I can see if I had it lowered it would look better and have better handling but what would be the downside maybe loose ride comfort?

Hi all,

My wheel centre (from the L logo on the centre cap) to the wheel arch center measures 39cm... It looks a little high and is higher in comparison to the front.

This is how it looks:

Comparing front and rear:

Its a IS200 SE with 17" wheels and standard suspension.

Anyone with the same spec as above know what measurement they have or are willing to measure it please?

I just want to find out if mine needs attention, apart from the cosmetic effect what other effect it may have on the handling/ride i dont know?

Many thanks,

Abbas

My IS is not 100% stable and does not handle as well as I thought it would for a Lexus at high speeds. Its defo improved a lot after the geo set up by WIM but still at times I feels there is something wrong, like if I go over an imperfection on the road the car jumps and then slightly moves direction (can be dangerous overtaking on a bend). It also seems to wonder a little at times and I can feel something not quite right going on, its a lot worse when there is any wind.

If I compared the handling with my previous car, don't laugh Mazda 626... surprisingly the Mazda was a more stable at speeds and around bends. It had Michelins tyres all round though.

I currently have Federal Super Steels 595 x 3 and 1 Bridgestone Potenza at the near side rear. (SS595 had to be swapped for Potenza as it was worn) Maybe that's part of my problem I don't know?

I run 35psi all round.

I would certainaly reccommend a geo set up by WIM as that will improve things for sure.