rich1068

Reviving this one. The noise did return and seems worse. So I got in touch with Lexus again and they said they'd get a tech to go out with me though I could tell they were sceptical. Anyhoo, still haven't had time to call but did have time today to get a friend check it over on his lift. This is where I show my complete lack of spannering skill but there is movement in what appears to be some sort of short link on the NSF. It's vertical, about 6 inches long with a joint at each end and there's quite a bit of noisy play. There isn't one on the OSF and there appears to be only one on the rear too. Any idea what this part is actually called. My mate reckoned it could be something to do with the sport suspension ride height?

I like the Firebird but my goodness, that 3000GT!

Great list that. Photos of the American stuff and the 3000GT?

If I was looking to purchase new (and I can't remember the last time I did) it would be my first question. And then I suppose if the list price less eg £4k is the new baseline trying to get something more out of the salesman could be classed as sport. All nonsense anyway, leasing or 3rd party PCPs has to be preferred for most people. Let some big buyer negotiate the discounts for you. Afterall, they want your business. The distinct impression I get from most dealers is they couldn't care less either way. "If it appreciates, buy it. If it depreciates, lease it." Widely attributed to J Paul Getty but I think I'm going a bit off the original topic.

I think they all are so yes. But that's no bad thing if you can do away with all that "negotiating" nonsense. Since this new round of scrappage schemes started I have wondered what a dealer would say if you demanded your £4k or whatever off and had no car to scrap. If they're disposing of the vehicles as many are saying they will then surely they can offer the same discount to someone just walking in from the street. Smoke and mirrors. It's one of the reasons I lease.

Again, good for you. And without sounding too precious, especially as you're carrying children. The expense is always extremely painful but worth it for the peace of mind I think.

An update on this. Never bothered with the parking sensors, I've got used to it now plus brighter bulbs (LEDs). Re: the audio. In the end I purchased a GROM AUX unit. I decided against Bluetooth streaming because I find the audio compression painful. Could anyone enlighten me on the standard speaker/amp/sub(?) set up in the IS? Now I'm using a wired connection the sound is very impressive for factory fit. Well it is to me anyway. I bought some Alpine speakers for the front and I'm wondering whether to bother with them.

Apologies. Didn't realise that was the seal.

I've been using exactly the same set this week. Yes it does say don't shake but I've shaken it (didn't pay attention) and not shaken it. Makes no difference as far as I can tell. Step 7 won't scratch it as you're just using a damp foam pad and as Martin points out, in 17 you're just thinning the clearcoat. Whatever, I don't know why I bothered. I obviously have some sort of selective memory problem and touch ups always look appalling. I will be contacting a professional shortly.

Excellent stuff. And I assume you're putting a seal on the headlights to stop them clouding again?

LED reverse lights going in because I'm too cheap to fit parking sensors. I should say the difference is more noticeable irl.

I think the boys in blue are about as keen on this as your insurance company but yes, I used to do this with my BMWs. You didn't even have to use the spare key, just get in and start it then get out and lock it.

Don't think I'd sleep either.

I take it these are the systems where the key is in your pocket and as you grab the handle the door unlocks? I could never really see the point. I ordered this in 2011 on a BMW E91 thinking it would be pretty cool and for opening I suppose it is but to lock the car you had to touch a certain part of the handle. I found this to be a major step back, like using a key in the lock rather than just pressing a button on the fob as you walk away. Could just be me I guess.

lol. Your secret's safe with me. So long as you keep quiet about me putting all my mucky microfibres and rags in the washing machine.

Sorry, don't know why I said colour coded. I meant black to match the tyre. Whatever, I've never felt the urge to get any. Now, replace the alloys with cheap wheel trims on my wife's car? That I've considered

...driving up Junction Road, Hunters Bar about 5ish this evening. Could you turn off your full beam please?

I'll give you a shout in a year or two. My IS300 should have done about 70k by then

Colour coded I assume they'd look OK but many seem to choose the same colour as the paintwork I've also heard about them coming off and/or flat tyres as a consequence of the seal between the wheel and tyre breaking. I think if this is a once in a blue moon thing you might as well just put it down to experience.

SOMEONE RAN INTO THE BACK OF ME!! Luckily I was in the XC90. Barely noticeable damage to the Volvo, front end of the French thing that hit me (technical term) f####d.

Well done you for biting the bullet and getting new quality tyres on each corner.

And pictures. We'll need pictures!

Harsh first post there Stevolt In mid level saloon leasing-land I find Mercs are the cheapest (has the arse fallen out of the used Merc market yet?), then BMWs (usually keen pricing from Alphabet/BMW themselves) and then Audi.

Ah, we're all children.

Says the Toyota owner