ColinBarber

Normally the press just quote Lexus - annoying sometimes that they don't try and make an effort but in this case the author went off-script and got it completely wrong. The correct wording should have been: The IS 250 SR is designed to deliver some of the sporting allure of the IS F and IS 250 Sport at a high value price. Based on the entry-level IS 250, the new model is packed with features that have a combined customer value of more than £3,500, yet the price tag is less than £1,000 greater model-for-model. Official press release attached sporty-new-lexus-is-250-sr-turns-on-the-heat-for-summer.pdf

Has anybody been having problems with their Premium Nav gaining access to the portal to download traffic info etc? Occasionally I'll receive a failed to login message which normally clears itself after a day or by resetting the system. However other the last 7 to 10 days I've had a constant failure. I've tried resetting the system, re-entering my username/password, connected via bluetooth and wireless but it still fails. I can still log in to the website so I know my username/password is still working.

Minor difference, not enough to cover the extra cost of the fuel.

Apparently it isn't corrosion that causes the problem, and there certainly shouldn't be any corrosion if Toyota coolant is being used. The pipe joints at the cooler body, inside the rad, seem to fail. I'd say both apply. The cooler inside the radiator is in a controlled temperature environment. It helps get the transmission up to temperature quickly and maintains it at the designed temperature. An external cooler could potentially under cool in hot weather and over cool in cold weather. In this country we don't really have the have extremes of temperature that this would be such an issue, provided a cooler of the approximately correct size is used.

Yes that is correct, and what I was referring to. A two year Lexus warranty for the SC is £1,095. You can purchase that from a Lexus dealer for the sliver one if you wanted - they would just have to do an inspection to make sure everything is working at the start of the warranty to stop people taking out a warranty at the time of needing a repair. The only thing to consider is the warranty T&Cs insist you have your vehicle serviced at a Lexus dealer in accordance with the service schedule, in your case every 12 months.

the s300 doesn't use the same parts. The spring rates and damping need to be quite different on the hybrid due to the extra weight. We don't hear of as many issues with the 300 but there weren't many sold. Not sure of the reason, but the series III GS was designed/built around the time that Toyota started to reduce costs and took their eye off quality resulting in a drop in long term reliability.

it can yes, here is an example diagram: http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.com/images/parts/toyota/fullsize/164420.jpg

the ones you took off are non-standard.

It looks like it is all part of the switch. You may be able to pull off the rubber but it may have to be glued back on again. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-LEXUS-SCION-BACK-DOOR-OPENER-ASSY-OEM-84840-21010-/321597903030

They don't seem to fail until vehicle are at least 10 years old. Preventative maintenance may be the best advise, replace the cooler inside the radiator every 10 years to avoid the issue.

The actuators, whilst not sealed, are a self contained unit. A garage probably isn't going to attempt a repair, just replace it for a vast some of money. If WD40 doesn't work then you could try dismantling yourself to clean it up but that in itself is quite an undertaking as I believe the bumper needs to be removed to be able to gain access.

the same price? You can always purchase a 2 year warranty from Lexus for the low mileage one.

I don't think it was changed. It is a common design that Toyota use on most of their vehicles. The LS has always had this arrangement. Not sure why the early 430s seem to suffer more than older 400s. The GS430s seem fine too. Maybe the LS430 radiator is subject to more vibration, I believe it is the joints that fail rather than corrosion.

assuming it isn't just an old dried up leaf stuck in the blower it sounds like one of the air diversion motors is constantly running because the position sensor isn't working correctly so it is hunting for its position.

yes they do Mike. I think it's the same level that you use to put the seats down, you just pull it up and apply backwards pressure on the seat back.

Arguably one of the best in performance but any tyre in the ultra high performance category compromises on wear, noise and comfort. Really not suitable for an RX, but excellent on an IS F.

I found the Bridgestones to be reasonability hard wearing, but grip wasn't great and they were somewhat noisy. I used Continental Sport Contact 5 SUV on my 400h, much better all round expect I didn't keep the vehicle long enough to experience long term wear.

Unfortunately tyre sound ratings meaning nothing. The official measurement is taken 1m away at the side of the road on a smooth surface. UK road surfaces generate a lot more noise and a tyre that is quite on a smooth road doesn't mean it is quite on a different surface, compared to another tyre that has a worse rating. Some tyre manufactures are designing their tyres to avoid noise being thrown out where the microphone is, to get a good rating. Unfortunately it means the sound is typically directed into the wheel arch, making it noisier inside the vehicle :(

I thought there was a system in place to prevent that on the series II? Certain on the series I IS200 you can lock your keys in the boot.

I don't believe it is anything unique with Toyota vehicles. Most/all vehicles in this country use the 433 MHz unlicensed spectrum for remote locking. Anything transmitting strongly enough on that frequency can interfere with any vehicle. Here's an example where a Ford is affected: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9346846.Mysterious_force_locks_drivers_out_of_cars_at_filling_station/?ref=mr

The fuel injectors can be noise on that engine model, although that does seem a bit extreme. Worth making sure it the injectors and nothing more serious - ideally use a mechanic's stethoscope. If it is just one which is much louder then it may be worth getting it changed, if they are all noisy then probably not worth the expense if you can live with the noise.

Certainly some kind of interference, not common but a number of members have experienced similar over the years.

Isn't it Oct 2011 for the DRLs and instrument cluster? My early 2011 doesn't have these and I always thought it was just a few months later they brought them in. The latest update also put the Sport button on the steering wheel.If your 2011 vehicle didn't have these changes then it was one that was ordered before Oct 2010 and was in a showroom unregistered for a period of time. I've found the original press release, attached. 2011-lexus-is-f-majors-on-minor-changes.pdf

April 2010 provided a Torsen LSD, HDD Sat Nav, DAB radio and USB port on all vehicles. White leather interior and mesh-design alloys were both no-cost options. Oct 2010 provided Euro 5 compliant emissions, new shocks and springs to aid comfort, revised rear suspension geometry for improved stability, LED DRLs, slightly revised instrument cluster and some carbon fibre style trim details

The engine was modified in 2009 in an attempt to resolve the issue, it may have reduced the number of failures but people with 2009 and 2010 models have had head gasket failures. Obviously not all fail and there are preventative things you can do to reduce the risk. The new vehicle may even have already had a new engine fitted under warranty, worth checking with Lexus.