lexuspalma

I have just bought a kit for the car and am looking for a new grill to go with it. Any guys here know of any places to buy one. Prefer one thats debadged thats better lookning than the standard.

Also have been experimenting with refurbing my alloys. They came up quite well with sanding out the cuts and scratches from scuffing the curbs. Then had an idea with wet and drying the rims then compounding them with a polishing wheel. It came out amazing. Just like a mirror all round the outer rim. Just have to do the rest this week and respray the inner parts. Not sure what colour though. Any ideas? The car is silver with the standard 5 spoke alloys.

Thanks in advance

Well after lots of searching I have finally bought some new parts for my is200.

My gearbox has been playing up and decided to buy a recon from the Uk as a new one from lexus spain was 7500 Euros with a clutch. Way too much for anyone. Found one for 250 quid with 45000 miles on the clock plus a mint steering wheel as mine is looking very worse for wear.

Also ordered a new Exedy clutch.

I was pondering on buying a bodykit for the car and ordered a JDL kit off eBay. Made an offer and got it for 550 Euros, alot less than from the main manufacturers which is 898 Euros plus shipping.

Everything has just arrived and the car is in the shop having the mechanical side done, should get it back tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Will take the kit to a mate of mine to be fitted properly and will have it strengthened so it can take the knocks and scrapes from those idiot drivers over here.

Still havn't found any wheels that would look good and at a decent price.

Anyone have any recomendations? Looking for 18s maybe 19s if they're at the right price.

Will post pics once the body kit is being prepared.

Thanks for any comments

Ryan

I got in the car today and everything was fine. Then there was a big rainstorm and when I got back in the car. I noticed the security light was on. I have never noticed that before. Then as I was driving some more lights came on , the oil light the hand brake light and the one with a picture of the car with the rear lights. Got home and checked the fuse and relay box and heard a relay ticking. It was the EFI relay.

Is this the problem? As soon as i took it out and put it back in it reset itself.

Also the rev counter stop working.

I hope its not the ECU going down.

Any ideas as soon as possible would be great as I need the car for work and running the family around.

Thanks in advance

Just got back from the mechanics. We went for a test drive and he realised the problem. He did say that with the work involved changing the bearing it would be cheaper to buy a recon gearbox from the UK. He quoted 220 quid for the time to take the old one out and fit the new one. Alot cheaper than I thought. I'm thinking of replacing the fly wheel and clutch so that everything is new and have no more whining and clunking..

He also said there wouldn't be a problem in setting the car up so there's another bonus.

All I've go to do now is find the company with the best quote and has the best reputation.

i would go phone the factors and get a solid flywheel as the duel mass is very expensive £600 approx..

all you need to do is grease the ball the fork sits on(box out)

i have done a clutch and fly wheel change on one of these in less than 1.5 hours very easy to do

Thanks for the advice. Will sort everything out by th end of the month. Will keep you guys updated

Just got back from the mechanics. We went for a test drive and he realised the problem. He did say that with the work involved changing the bearing it would be cheaper to buy a recon gearbox from the UK. He quoted 220 quid for the time to take the old one out and fit the new one. Alot cheaper than I thought. I'm thinking of replacing the fly wheel and clutch so that everything is new and have no more whining and clunking..

He also said there wouldn't be a problem in setting the car up so there's another bonus.

All I've go to do now is find the company with the best quote and has the best reputation.

My gear box has been whining for a while now but so far have had no problems till recently. The gears are starting to clunk more when changing and there is a clicking sound when I dab the throttle or changing gear. It does sound like its coming from the box or could it be something else?

Also. My clutch is squeeking like crazy when i put it in and out. I read on here that I need to grease up the clutch cylinder to stop the noise. I've have done this twice now using different kinds of grease and it lasts about a day then the squeek comes back. Is there a special grease to use like copper grease?

With my gearbox I was thinking of changing it. I have been on thw web and have received quotes for recon boxes. Around 250 quid. Is this a good deal. Also has anyone done this before and how reliable are the recon boxes.

Thanks

for any replies

1) the squeeking is coming from the ball that the clutch fork sits on mate

2)leave the box alone no point in changing if theirs sod all wrong with it(make sure theirs something wrong with it first)

3)release bearing could be whining also sounds like your clutch is worn thats why its clunking and the clicking could be the dues mass flywheel coming to the end of its life....

Hey Ormi

Thanks for the advice.

Is there anything I can do with the ball that sits on the clutch fork?

How easy is it to change the release bearing. It whines from 1st to 4th and in 6th.

Also would you suggest to buy original clutch and mass flywheel or buy aftermarket parts.

I'm taking the car to a mechanic that my mates recomended. Hopefully he will sort out the problems and let me supply the parts. Will be a lot cheaper. He will also set up the car properly with the set up sent by WIM.

Fingers crossed. It all goes well. Can't live without the car!

My gear box has been whining for a while now but so far have had no problems till recently. The gears are starting to clunk more when changing and there is a clicking sound when I dab the throttle or changing gear. It does sound like its coming from the box or could it be something else?

Also. My clutch is squeeking like crazy when i put it in and out. I read on here that I need to grease up the clutch cylinder to stop the noise. I've have done this twice now using different kinds of grease and it lasts about a day then the squeek comes back. Is there a special grease to use like copper grease?

With my gearbox I was thinking of changing it. I have been on thw web and have received quotes for recon boxes. Around 250 quid. Is this a good deal. Also has anyone done this before and how reliable are the recon boxes.

Thanks

for any replies

Its very difficult to find one here as there aren't that many on the road . Also prices here for any part is a lot more than in the UK. I think I will go ahead and buy the new body kit but have my mate reinforce it so it can take the knocks. Was thinking of fitting micro security cams front and back so then at least I will get the number plate of the git who does it the next time.

Went down the beach today with the family. I had parked my is200 on a steep hill but left enough space front and back so the other cars could get out easy. Came back and some stupid idiot had rammed the rear bumper.Its dropped by half an inch and looks like its come off its clips plus the paints all cracked and chipped off now. AAAARGH!

How easy is it to remove and straighten everything up again? The front bumper's the same but that happened last year.

I'm sick of the other drivers here in Mallorca. They all seem to think you have to use the bumpers to park. With no consideration of what damage they do.

I was ghoing to buy a new body kit for the car but am now having second thoughts as it will get trashed very quickly.

Any info on repairing the bent clips and straightening the bumpers would be really appreciated.

Hey Ejan

Love the wheels you have. What are they?

Thanks for your replies. I think I will take the car to lexus and see if they can have a look at the aircon unit to see if there is a problem. When I'm cruising on the motorway you can feel the system sap the power when the compressor kicks in.

Will keep you guys updated of the results.

Thanks again

Hey mate , bought same exhaust system last year. Its still looks good but had to polish up the bung as it dis colours after a while. I would suggest to drive around for a while without the bung and see if you like the sound as it does get pretty loud when its up to temperature especially at 3000 revs. It does sound good with the vents open just a tad quieter.

Have fun.

Now that the summer has really set in over here and the temp is on average 35C the old aircon is being used. I normally dont use it and have the windows open but lately its a necessity.

The car runs fine but you can really see a drop in revs when the system kicks in and feel the loss of power when putting your foot down.

Anyone think there could be a problem with my aircon system or is it the norm? I havn't had the gas checked for a while though.

Also i noticed a slight drop when driving with my lights on and the stereo playing. Its not alot just a few revs but is there something available so that i wont suffer with any power loss on the engine?

Thanks

as title says... i have started to drive my car with the TRC OFF on a regular basis now for 2 weeks and i find the car more exciting to drive and also at the same time it is more economic for me somehow.

i dont drive with the trc off in the wet tho because i'd rather be on the safe side in the wet. lol

Always drive with it off since I bought the car 3 years ago after an episode in the rain where the trc didn't kick in fast enough and nearly span me into a truck. Got more control of the car whith it off especially here in Mallorca where the roads turn into skid pans when it rains. Lots of fun on a quiet street but demolition derby in the city with the spanish drivers. HAHA!

I know it's a small thing but do you guys have any decent recommendations for screen wash, I've been looking into it and there are so many. I've been considering some of the more expensive rain repellent ones but I'm not sure if they are any good. If you guys can give me some suggestions then I'd appreciate it.

Also just paid my tax today and can't quite believe that I pay the same road tax as a Porsche Cayenne driver £245!!!

Thanks

Mark

Hey mate I use Rain-X windscreen washer additive. Works a treat. Stops the bugs sticking to the windscreen plus so much better in the rain. Have always used it and works really well.

Wow! thats a bit steep for car tax. Is that the normal in UK. Just paid mine here in Mallorca and it was 125 Euros.

good place to buy is HERE - good prices and fast delivery - i believe its usually advisable to change shocks in pairs

thanks m8 i see thats there KYB twin tube gas shocks i have heard these are good has any one got these if so which ones and i will buy a pair as you say do i need to have any allinment or tracking done after fitting ?? thanks again

I changed my front shocks to KYBs and find they are really good. A lot more reliable than the originals. Going to get the alignment done next week as tyres are showing some wear on the outside.

Had a knocking on the right front side for a while now. I changed the shocks to KYBs and the lower ball joints. And still the knocking was there.

We checked the whole system when we changed the discs and springs and suspected the upper ball joint.

Cost 200 Euros from Toyota ,luckily my mate helped me to fit the new one and so far the knocking has stopped. the feel of the car is so different and mjuch more responsive in corners.

I looked at the old ball joint and the seal had gone so making it really loose.

We'll see if my luck holds up!

Cheers guys will have a look and get designing the plans for the job. Hopefully will look pretty good at the end.

I presume that you only got the boing once and haven't had it again - if so then it was probably the spring re-seating itself. Maybe it wasn't seated properly when you changed it and it shifted slightly.

That would make a loud sound!

Or maybe now you have a small stone or something in the system somewhere?

I presume the shocks are all sealed so if you drive them through deep water that wouldn't affect them??

Hi Kev

Yes it was just the once and the car is still sitting nice and low. As far as I know the shocks are ok but they are the originals so there could be a problem. When I change the upper ball joint this week I will check the whole system.

Weather is glorious here now so going to get the car gleaming again.

Would buy one straight away. As long as it had improved power plant and tech. Love the design of the is200. Still looks better than most new cars you see today and will for a lot more years to come.

i think funtime phil did a similar thing with dashlights

Really? How did it look? Think it could look pretty cool at night. Will have a chat with an electronics guy I know on Monday to see how easy it is.

Does anyone have any info on how to disconnect/reconnect the Passenger seatbelt warning system? I bought an IS recently and the passenger seatbelt indicator in the centre console doesn't seem to be working... My immediate reaction is that maybe its simply been disconnected by the previous owner - and was hoping to look into that before starting down the more intensive troubleshooting that could involve taking apart the centre console unit to find out why the light is not illuminating..

Thanks in advance.

Have you checked the connections under the passenger seat or it could be the presure sensor in the seat that has gone.

LINK to the gearknob

MMMMM! Had a look. Looks cheap and crappy just like a Ford! Think that won't be happening in my car.

Will change LEDs in dash board though. Had an idea of seeing if I can get the speedo and rev counter to change colour as they go up . So from blue to red like the new Lexus supercar. Then match the rest of the dash lights to the blue.

No mate, doesn't have to be standard.

Thanks Tommy. Will see what the lovely Spanish MOT center says next week. They are always very strict and very unhappy with thier job.HAHA!

lmao - wait till you see the illuminated gearknob too

OH MY GOD! Now thats a typical Ford for you! HAHA!

Almost got mother in law a skull gear knob with flashing eyes for her mobility bike. Think she would like it? HEHE!