Mr Vlad

Well there you go. A broken drive shaft. I think you're the first on here with such a problem, a very very very rare problem. Let us know how you get on after a replacement drive shaft has been fitted.

I've been using ZX1 for over 3 decades. You only use it once and that's when you first get the car. How long had you had the car before you added ZX1?

Did that happen in one day or over a few days? The trip mpg always changes after the car has been stationary for a prolonged time.

Since folk are posting about traction on snow. When I started at a fruit n veg wholesaler I was loaded with just 3 drops but 2 pallets of onions were put on over the rear wheels. I was going to Barnoldswick and was told without the onions I'd not make it up the hill. It worked. I got up that hill with ease, yes it was very snowy. Another example of weights and traction. The firm I worked for is a family firm and one of the brothers loaded my truck with 4 pallets of onions (I secured them as no-one ties down a load better than me). He drove a rear wheel drive sports car and no way would he get home to Glossop in it hence why he used my truck. I asked how he got on on the next day. Murdered it he said. So most definitely yes adding weight over the drive wheels will help a lot in snow.

Good point about your Independent garage John. A £90 saving is a £90 saving But that becomes less once breakdown recovery service like the AA for example. I'm on a service plan and have been for the past 2 years. Renewed with a 3 year plan. All include MOT loan car and breakdown recovery. So yes piece of mind that Lexus do the servicing. Yes labour rate much higher but factor in MOT loan car and breakdown then that labour rate isn't as bad as many believe it is.

Thought I'd post this as it just goes to show even Lexus service can get it wrong. On my cars last service last week they recommended the air con got re gassed. So I got it done. What I didn't notice because of one thing and another that the ruddy cold air that I remember the car could blast out wasn't ruddy cold. But because of the alternator issue I forgot about it. Anyway after the alternator issue got fixed whilst driving home I noticed a noise I'd not heard before. Didn't give it much thought. Travelling in really nice warm weather I did notice that when my AC was set to LO the air that came out was at best cool. Mmmmm I thought. Did Stockport mess up and forget to actually put new gas into the system. As for that new noise I heard earlier I thought there's something definitely not right. On the way back from Bowness whilst on the motorway that noise couldn't be heard with other noises elsewhere overpowering it. But when on normal roads that noise was most definitely there. At home I kind of experimented. With the AC on so was the noise. AC off then no noise. Oh the noise was like a fan. So back to Stockport today after phoning them and after nearly 2 hours I got my car back. Now it blows super ruddy cold air and no fan noise at any time. Seems when they first did the air con job the machine they used was faulty. Luckily no detrimental effects as there was some new gas in so nothing ran dry and the matter of only two days of use. Glad my hearing is still damn good otherwise after time the compressor would have gone for a dump. So it just goes to show even Lexus technical can get it wrong.

Tyres are a myriad of questions and answers and arguments. And that's a shame. I'd bet that a majority of car owners go off the recommendation of the tyre shop they go to. Me I buy branded tyres. Yes years ago I only ever bought part worn but branded. I can't remember what the cheap tyres on the front of my car But they're actually really really good. Yes Ford ST cars are fast and go round bends almost like on rails. If the dealer offered me a decent part ex then I'd have had the focus (some yeas back and the 2.0) as it impressed me a lot.

Alternator is on its way out buddy. Exactly the same happened to my is250 last week. New Alternator and the car is just great. And your car looks ace by the way.

I got just a bit less mog but I did do more mph than you nod nod wink wink. Yes we have ruddy good cars and V6.

WOW. Well I'm back from the worst Bowness break I've had in 18 years. As far as music goes I'm a headbanger. But what the ###k the room we stayed in. Converted atic. Banged my head don't know how many times. Think that's what made me ill aswell as getting a cold. But I digress. The drive back was back on the old route. Yes I broke the speed limits 75% of the time and the cars fuel economy was excellent. 36mpg. Well chuffed. I read a comment that the seat squab is too short and none adjustable like in some beemers. Yes I can fully see that. Glad I'm only 5'8" coz when we got out of the car after a solid 1hr45 drive we were as fresh feeling as a fresh thing. As for which car can out handle another? Well that's purely down to the driver. Now I like Ford's. I've had a few. But from that video how does one know it's a ST3? I couldn't tell. It could have been a ST2 or just a ST but it was a fiesta. The number after the letters is trim level and nothing to do with performance. Comparing one type of car to another. A good few years back I had a 240bhp 5 door hatchback. A Ford Mondeo titanium x sport. Once whilst going to a classic car show in Cheshire (not tatton) down a favourite road of mine the A34 I caught up to a ferrari. At lights he'd out drag me but he was utter bobbins round corners and I caught up to him in no time. I got peed off with him thinking what a #osser just coz you can afford it but you can drive it. So at a set of lights with a bend a few hundred yards ahead I drew along side him. I anticipated the lights perfectly and I got to the bend first and thatcwas it. He was out of my mirror within a minute. True story. I don't think I could drive a scooby to do it justice nowadays but I know someone who can tie one up in knots. Its purely down to the driver. I understand why folk get rid of their is250's. I felt close when my alternator went.

Well I'm in Bowness on windermere and I've been coming here for years. This time I followed my cars satnav which took me off jnc 35 (normally I come off jnc 36) and I thought what the heck. The A5074 is now one of my favourite roads. Why? Who needs a roller coaster ride? If I was in a 3 series beemer no way would I have gone faster or felt safer. No Way. My is250 and I (not so much the better half's lol) felt as one and took everyone of those bends with consummate ease. The car handled sublime. Even an unexpected hump in the road where the car left the ground didn't upset the car. Basically what I'm saying is I don't care a diddly squat what younger car owners say. The is250 is one helluva muva ₩€¥$☆r great handling car. After this trip today that's changed my mind totally about my car. Its even better than I've ever thought. So why sell it? One needs an @##£%g good reason too or the owner is scared of just how good it is.

Excellent post Ahmed. Looks a very intensive job to do but worth the effort. Looks standard too which is bob on 👍

Oh how good it was to view Blue Peter of old. Eeeeeeh they don't make 'em like they used to. Great then @rap now.

Yes that would be a very excellent addition to the Lexus range. Stunning looker and in that colour too.

Yes it could be awkward on a none level drive. I only use a 3 ton trolley jack and a brick under a front wheel with no issues but my drive is flat.

I suppose alternators last a short time or a long time. I'd fall in the short time as I suspect the original owner did. I do short trios to work. Last job was 5am start. This job now 2am start. So I do half my driving in the dark. Plus I always have the air con on and my music. So it's far enough to say short journeys kill electric items sooner than long journeys. Sean to do brakes on a car is one of the very easiest jobs. Look on YouTube and replace your brakes yourself. You'll have a good feeling after you've done it.

It's surprising how some estate versions look better than their sedan brothers. I'll just state 2. Ford mondeo titanium x sport estate (mk4.5) and the VW Passat. 2 glorious looking cars.

I took my car to Stockport Lexus today and picked up a UX250h. Ruddy good car. Got a call from them not long after I got to Bridlington and was told alternator knackered. 88k old 2007 car. @hit happens. I've been lucky with my cars and this is the 2nd car that's needed a new alternator. Loving the UX and I'd defo get one if I could afford it.

Mmmmm so you don't think you can throw a wagon/estate car round bends eh? Think super touring cars and the Volvo estate that beat everything on the track so much so it was banned a year later. Just a point.

Lucas. I tried to get through to a reconditioner just a few miles away but no joy. Plus car rental isn't as good value as it used to be from what I've found. Yes I'm paying top dollar but it's not that much dearer than alternatives.

Thanks Sean but I need a car for tomorrow and buying online isn't an option unfortunately. Its just one of those things. Pay nowt for years then BANG pay lots one year. My car is simply worth it. Nothing out there comes close for the money.

Well another VSC error could be a faulty alternator. Confirmed today mine is shot. Going back to Stockport Lexus as they have them, I've tried a few places but none have them or can find them as they say must be a back order. Price for alternator actually cheaper than places ive tried but 3 hours labour. It has to be done. My car is worth it. £800 is a stinger but of 28 cars I've had this is only the 2nd time I've needed an alternator so it's not that bad. They lending me a car too which I need as I'm off to the east coast for a few days tomorrow. The new battery I bought was down to 11.7v and it doesn't change when the car starts.

I've been using the additive for over 20 years on every car I've had. In diesel it makes a noticeable difference. In petrol not quite as much. Drive ability and fuel economy benefits.

Fill up with super unleaded and add Millers Oils petrol eco max octane booster. As tesco say every little helps.

I was a little taken a back by the price of the wheel alignment but there again I had no idea of how much it would cost elsewhere. Yes aircon gas, my bad. I was told over the phone after I asked about the rear diff oil change. I asked for that late May when they phoned me about the cars service and MOT. I asked for them to get back to me with a quote but none given. So within the phone call I mentioned no quote given and he replied don't worry we won't charge you. So overall very happy.