matt-c

Actually, if it's white smoke then you have serious issues. White smoke indicates water in the engine, which could be a head gasket failure (blue smoke is oil, black smoke is fuel). However, if you're just talking about condensation, which I think you all are, then you're fine. Part n parcel of a stainless steel exhaust.

I don't understand, why wouldn't you just buy 4 matching tyres?

Insightful as ever knobby. So where in that video is the backup of your claim that an S2000 is more obnoxious round a racetrack than an M3, RS4 or Porsche? Oh, that's right - there isn't any.... But alas, I can't have a "discussion" with someone as closed-minded and uninformed as yourself, and I won't be dragged into pulling another thread off topic by you're inability to refrain from making claims you cannot substantiate. Again.

Once again you've missed the point. YOU said that a Honda S2000 is more obnoxious round a track than an M3, Audi or Porsche. That is a claim to fact. You cannot substantiate that fact because you have never driven an S2000, M3, Audi, Porsche - or in fact ANY car - round a track. So it's a claim you have made, that you cannot backup with proof or experience. You then go on to say things about what Top Gear "gets you to see", but yet are basing your points on YouTube? Oh dear oh dear...

Ah. I see. So, yet another claim from you that you can't substantiate with either proof or experience?

I'm curious, knobby - tell me, when did you drive a Honda S2000, BMW M3, Audi RS4 and a Porsche round a racetrack?

I agree - I bought my Lexus because I wanted that quiet, refined and smooth ride. But quiet, refined and smooth doesn't make interesting television. Loud, obnoxious and brutal makes good television.

Loads of companies do winter tyres, and loads will be in the right size (for example, 225/40 18). I don't understand what you mean about "matching tread pattern front to rear" ?? You just go buy 4 winter tyres, in the correct size and weight handling, and have them fitted to your wheels (or a second set of wheels if you buy some)

I was speaking more generally than specifically at anyone in particular, Chris Lexus isn't really exciting, as a brand. They make lovely cars, hence why we drive them, but they aren't particularly exciting or inspiring. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, even VW and Ford, are known for making exciting an inspiring cars (the M3/M5, AMG Black, RS4/RS6, R32, RS/ST). Lexus have the LFA and the IS-F, but go out on the street and ask anyone to think of a performance BMW, and 99% will say M3 or M5. Ask them to name a performance Lexus and they'll scratch their head and look at you blankly. Lexus doesn't make good television. They're known for being quiet, refined, and smooth, not for being loud, obnoxious and brutal

I originally thought it would limit/reduce the power, but as others have said, all it seems to do is reduce the sensitivity of the throttle. Turn it on and drive along a road in 2nd, keeping the speed steady and turn it off - it will start accelerating, but then taper off to steady the speed. It's useful for parking, as it revs less easily. Works on snow too, keeps the throttle more controllable (if you have winter tyres of course ;) )

Of course it's an entertainment show - just one with a car theme. It hasn't been about "motoring journalism" for years and years; even the BBC class it as entertainment! This is why I don't understand why people moan about Top Gear - you watch it for the entertainment, and for the cars you'll likely never own, and the situations you'll likely never be in with them. You don't watch it if you can't decide between a Peugeot 307 or a Ford Mondeo. (Plus, TG, inc JC, were actually quite favourable about the LFA. But downright slated the SC430. And back in the day, James May, for Top Gear, was quite favourable about the IS200 too)

I didn't get charged anything for swapping the insurance from my previous car to my IS, other than the increased premium (which you'd expect going from a 1.4L Rover 200 to an IS worth 5 times as much). They just said that on the day I wanted the switch done, I'd be insured on both cars, and the next day I'd only be insured on the IS, and increased my monthly direct debits till the end of the contract to reflect the higher premium. Was very easy

Goodyear Eagle F1's, Bridgestone Potenza's, Pirelli P-Zero's, Yokohama Advan Sport's, Continental Sport Contact's, Falken ZE912's, amongst others. There are many many good tyres out there. Personally, I'm really happy with the Hankooks that came on my IS when I bought it (Ventus V12 Evo)

Those won't fit. If you've ever seen a Defender, those are huge! I'm stunned there aren't any on ebay - I thought these would be very common, and definitely the sort of thing you'd find on ebay! I have a couple from a set of Halfords locking wheel bolts (actually a set for a mk4 Escort), which are identical, fit and looks wise, to the Lexus ones, but sorry, I was keeping them incase I lost any of mine (or were stolen)

Don't think so

Wiper heater (in screen) was standard on SE and Sport, stainless steel exhaust was standard across the whole range (tip-trim was only fitted to Sport or the 300 IIRC, but you could probably buy them as an accessory, or its been fitted later) Don't think you could get an LSD as an option. Sport only feature on the 200 range.

Aftermarket bulbs go down to 3000k, most common being 4300, 5000 and 6000 (some places you can find 4500k). I put 5000's in mine, and they were way too blue. Asked a HID specialist who said they look more like 8000k, so changed for a set of his 5000's, which are much more white, but still not pure white. More reading up suggests you will always get a slight blue tint with 35w, and if you want pure white you want 5000k 55w. I may change mine to 4300k at some point

If there was a way to remove the yellow from the later projector fog lights I'd have a set, but the yellow looks awful (IMO)

I saw a blue IS with black wheels this morning. Tried to snap you a pic but it drove off. I don't like black wheels on anything, but black on blue wasn't the worst I'd seen...

Haha @ the boot pic! I was amazed with the load capabilities of the IS - I had 4x 17" wheels, with tyres on, PLUS 4x 17" tyres all in the car at the same time! (4x wheels w/tyres on the back seats, and 4x tyres only in the boot). Properly amazed! When (if) I bother to sand and paint mine, I'll just do them in silver again - I'm not a fan of black wheels, and it doesn't bother me if they are the same/similar to the summer wheels. I just think the standard silver looks best on the car (as it does on 99% of cars, IMO)

That's annoying, because the Grom has a passthrough connector built in, to allow the sat-nav or ext. cd changer to also use that port. Would have been just the ticket. As for BT mic, just run it up the A-Post trim and have it poke out at the top, where it meets the headlining.

I don't get this thread......

Which part are you talking about? The actual hinge? The bolt that secures it to the frame? Or the frame? You can get any of the parts from Lexus here in the UK, but you'll need to identify which part it is so someone can get you a part number, and thus a price

I use hot water (out the tap, not kettle) and have done for years and years and years. And I'm a windscreen fitter, so apparently I should know better? LOL For out and about, I have a bottle of Tesco brand spray on, but not the pressurised stuff. I've found the pressurised can stuff refreezes very quickly, so I just use the liquid stuff in the lever spray bottles, and works fine. Plus the IS has the most awesome heater I've ever had in a car, and warms up in the same time it takes to smoke a fag, which is about 2-3mins. Perfect!