ColinBarber

Just received this from Lexus I would recommend that anybody who has an IS300 + styling kit contact their dealer to arrange the fitting of some new washers.

I don't think they thought about mpg at all! It's not as if they went for power or flexibility either. How can a 2 litre engine with an auto box in a much smaller and lighter car have a worse urban mpg figure than a 4 litre unit in a LS400?

Probably dirty to conceal the corrosion or scuff marks

Dealers will always put on new wheels unless completly unmarked. Tyres need to be 4mm + for Lexus approved and they will put on OEM ones. 40k service is not that expensive, not when the dealer is getting parts at trade prices and their own people are doing the work. Lexus dealers have a large difference between trade-in and retail due to cost of service/wheels/tyres/respray etc. but they still make a good profit so try and knock them down. However be aware that there are alot of people who will pay the asking price so the dealer may just hold out. Leased/company cars. This is a difficult call, I know many people who abuse their company cars but then others treat them like their own. The IS is reliable so if it's got full history, which it will have from a dealer, and it comes with a one year warranty then you shouldn't have many problems.

Haven't tried this but I do know that Toyota/Lexus try and make it difficult for people to upgrade parts to make their cars look like newer models. You may find the wiring connector is slightly different or something. I think the newer instrument cluster surround requires some modifications before it will fit a pre 2000 model, as does the chrome gearshift trim. Normally people manage to get items to fit it just takes a little longer than a direct replacement. May be worth asking people at www.clublexus.com.

The IS is bad

Check the starter connections. Possibly the solenoid sticking slightly - worth cleaning that if you can get to it.

Was the £125 for the whole light? Is the lens available separatly on the IS? On the GS you can just get the lens for about £50.

A nice box is the Toyota one which links to the Sat Nav so it downshifts as you get to the bottom of a hill or you round a corner so there is no waiting for kick down. Only available in Japan at the moment. Hopefully will be available on the next GS or LS in the UK.

The IS300/GS300/GS430/LS430 have one of the best auto boxes available. Certainly one of the smoothest. The gearchange isn't as quick as some but then Lexus do not make their cars that way

My dealer recommended that I got this done elsewhere as they would be very expensive due to their high labour rates

If it is an e-shift then what happens when you have it set in 2nd at 20mph and then floor it? Response should be instant. I would imagine the delay you noticed is the auto box changing down a couple of gears.

They came out on Jan 1999 (T Reg).

Price seems about right for a Lexus dealer.

£55 labour per hour is good. That's what Toyota Guildford charge, Lexus Guildford however are around £80.

If it will cost that much then buy a 2 service pre-paid plan. For a used IS200 it will cost £460. If your going to pay £380 for one service it means you are only paying £80 for the other one. http://www.lexus.co.uk/owning.php?page=prepaid

They have been seen on prototype vehicles for years. Don't know why they are not in production yet? Improved economy, less wind noise etc. I guess car manufactures make too much money from their mirror spare parts!!

Get a one year old IS300 for the cost of a new IS200. Get the wheels, auto, engine, leather, HIDs etc etc.

Most dealerships should service it for you and they would carry standard service parts as they would be standard items. Some spare parts may take longer to get hold of as they are not used on UK vehicles but the dealer should be able to order them for you.

Are you sure only the whole mirror is available? I have had this a few times where dealers have said only the whole part is available and when I looked on the parts cd there were individual items available and I have gone back to the dealer with the part number and ordered it. Unfortunatly I don't have a Lexus parts CD only an old Toyota one so I cannot look. Does anybody have access to a Lexus parts CD?

No, I saw my MR2T the day the dealer got it and it was undersealed. All the other Toyota imports I have looked at have had underseal which looked the age of the vehicle and not having just been applied.

Are you sure about the Lexus models? All the MR2 and Supras I looked at had underseal which was not applied in the UK. Looked at an FTO once for a friend and it was just paint underneath. Seems Toyota underseal their cars and other manufactures don't.

What does the APR work out to be?

The saloon may have a bigger boot but it's not all usable. The boot hinges take up so much room (which is the same in the GS). I also think the 343l is with the boot liner in place so if you retract that you will have alot more space without having to fold the seats.

I've received an email from Lexus who have confirmed that the washers are removed when the styling kit is fitted. They are currently checking with their legal department about the legal requirement and should get back to me shortly.