Sundance

Just posted the towbar in the 'Buy & Sell Parts & Accessories' Forum.

Declan ... thanks for giving Alan a nudge. Alan ... I shall indeed shortly be advertising the tow bar that I've just removed from my IS250.

UPDATE ... yet another U-turn (and no, I don't work for the Government 🙄 ). The appendage was removed yesterday and I'm happy to sell it so will shortly post it on 'Buy & Sell Parts & Accessories' unless I hear from anyone in the meantime. And in answer to questions raised ... (1) No welding required, 4x bolts to existing chassis members; (2) No, it's not necessary to drop exhaust boxes to fit/remove; I've also spoken to Witter who confirm that this item is currently 'out of stock' and they have no idea if they are going to get any more. 🤔

I'm new to Lexus. Was recommended by a mate in the trade to bid for mine at auction. It's auto but no satnav, sunroof or Mark Levinson but otherwise a generous spec with just 29k on the clock. I've had it serviced to find nothing wrong at all (bar one cracked tyre) so it's clearly been used sparingly and well looked after, probably garaged. Purchased for £4.5k plus auction fee but of course 'caveat emptor' big time. Fortunately I think my mate found a good 'un for me and am thus far very pleased. There are a variety of threads on here carrying advice about recurring issues and things to look out for, most of which you're clearly already aware judging by your opening couple of sentences. Good hunting.

I'm sure you know very well that RWD gives better overall handling and arguably improved fuel economy whereas FWD affords the driver much better traction in slippery conditions ... and it's nice to have the choice don't you think? 🤔 Although to get a proper answer to your question you might wish to pose it to car manufacturers. Historically I guess that cost might have been near the top of their reasons but in more modern times maybe less so. 🙂 All I'm suggesting is that when I'm in a RWD vehicle with summer tyres in snowy conditions my choices are (1) don't go out or (2) drive carefully with the added option of snow socks or chains to assist if conditions get difficult. 😉

As has been written, down here in the South snow is now so infrequent that I cannot see how the additional cost of fitting winter tyres can be justified, or even cross-climates, all-season or all-weather tyres for that matter, whatever the differences in branding might be. 🤔 Good quality standard (summer?) tyres should be fine in all weathers providing you're sensible. After all, before winter tyres arrived we did learn how to modify our driving styles in wet, cold, ice or snow, preferably not venturing out at all in the more serious conditions. That said, now that my car is RWD whereas my previous was FWD I shall probably invest in a reliable pair of snow socks, or maybe even chains, for the rare occasion that I might get caught out. 🙂 Of course in many European Countries the fitting of winter tyres is obligatory so when you buy a car you automatically include two sets of rubber and have to store the set that's not in use ... at a cost naturally. But in the UK? ... no ... especially not south of Watford! 😉

Well, as declared elsewhere on the Forum I've recently bought an (06) IS250 with just 29k on the clock. Since my purchase it's been put through a comprehensive check and a service. Oil was remarkably clean, filters weren't bad, suspension, brakes, water pump etc all cleared as fine, so I guess it's been well looked after and probably garaged too. The only requirement is two tyres that are showing signs of age-related cracking. ☺️ So yes, maybe age is more of a factor to some than mileage but I chose not to rule out a low mileage vehicle despite that fact that it too didn't appear to have had a full service or an oil change for over 6 years! 🤔 Horses for courses I'd say ... but only if the price is right and there are no obvious defects. 😉 PS ... I did check that it had been used inbetween MOT's rather than sitting idle for long periods, that would have made me think twice. 🤨

Being new to this Forum (and having time on my hands, oddly! 🙄) I've been scanning IS250 threads ... as you do! I had to have a little chuckle when reading this thread as my recent purchase failed it's MOT back in Feb for two reasons ... (1) "Front tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle (5.2.3(b))". (2) "Rear tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle (5.2.3(b))". Mine are 17" with 245/45s on the rear and 225/45s on the front. So I guess that the previous owner, or his representative 🤔 , somehow got them mixed up ... doesn't really bear thinking about in my mind. Incidentally the 18" recommendation seems to be 255/40 and 225/40 respectively if that's any help to anyone. 😉

I've just invested in a couple of Bridgestone Turanza T005's for the rear. Have read that the Turanza is considered a touring tyre and the Potenza is for performance. Not entirely sure what the difference actually is as they both seem to boast good grip and handling. On previous cars I've sworn by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric's so it will be interesting to see if I notice any difference. 🤔

Endeavour

Just found some paperwork that includes two post-2014 Lexus Service Documentation Folders, neither of which indicate that a Service was carried out, but I do now have a record of a 'Visual Safety Report' in 2016 and an airbag recall in late 2017 with another 'Visual Safety Report'. 😃 I can also see that this car has spent most, if not all, of its life in Nottingham and has had a personalised/cherished registration for a while too. Any further detail would obviously break necessary confidentiality but if any Forum dweller recognises the scenario I would be very pleased to hear from them. 😉

Cheers Norm, will look into that too 👍

Cheers Paul, will look into that 👍

Today was Service day, first since Feb 2014 (apparently?) and just 11,542 miles ago ... and it's still under 30k. 😳 My mechanic was very impressed, thankfully the former keepers appear to have been looking after this one ... although 6+ years is a bit of a long Service gap! Unless of course the book wasn't stamped! 🤔 Oil and filters weren't that bad but obviously needed changing, also it passed the coolant quality test with flying colours. 😀 All brake pads are fairly new although front discs are a tad worn but still acceptable, rears are fine. Front tyres are also fairly new but rears need replacing as there's evidence of cracking ... through age rather than use I might add. So 2x Bridgestone Turanza's on order via Blackcircles to be fitted Saturday. 👏 As has been mentioned on another thread we have a Witter Detachable Swan Towbar fitted which, although colour matched, is a bit of an eyesore ... but I've decided to leave it there for the time being. 🧐 All in all a happy day for this new-to-Lexus owner ... just 17 days in. 👍

The car's been up on the ramp and we've established that it's a Witter detachable Swan towbar, clearly model specific, that has thankfully been professionally fitted ... so that's a relief in itself. 🙂 However, it's also confirmed that by removing it there will remain an unsightly bodywork 'gap' and as I can't justify either an odd-looking repair or a replacement bumper I've decided that, for the moment anyway, I'm going to leave the thing where it is and put up with the ugliness. 🙄 Sorry for the U-turn guys ... and having been online I can understand why you're so interested ... these things aren't cheap are they? 😳

Excellent visual tutorial Shahpor, thanks for the research 👍. Some DIY to look forward to when the weather improves ... probably next Spring! 😀

Interestingly, going back to this tilting-when-in-reverse business, I've just noticed on mine that the offside mirror tilts but the nearside doesn't?!? Another puzzle to be solved ... 🤔

According to my Handbook regarding 'mirror tilt when in reverse' on p44 it states "the function will not operate when the mirror select switch is in the neutral position (ie. between L and R)" ... and my model doesn't seem to have an 'auto-fold' function either.

Vicious

Aeronaut

So that's three of you interested now. Quite how I advertise or even act one-to-one confidentially on this site I have not yet discovered ... is there a PM facility for example? 🤔 Anyway, that's not immediate as sad to say the plan was to use my chum's ramps to investigate and possibly remove the mechanism this w/end but of course the lockdown has put paid to that. 🤨 Aside from needing to find out exactly what fittings are underneath I also suspect that part of the lower bodywork may have been tampered with in order to facilitate this towing apparatus. If this is to be the case then I shall not be a happy bunny as removing said item will reveal a 'gap' that may well detract so much from the intended lines of the rear bodywork that I might as well leave the ruddy thing where it is. 🙄 My mechanic has a pukka ramp so all will be revealed end of next week when the car goes in for a thorough check-over plus filters and oil change so we'll see (literally!). 🤞 So keep watching this space if you're still interested guys. 😉

Tonto

Indeed Vlad, worry not, for it will be going on ebay ... without the car attached! 😁 In fact once it's off I'll post it on here prior to ebaying it as someone like Dave might be interested. 😉 And no, I have no reversing camera, nor do I have a Nav screen so I'm not sure how I would view ... unless it could appear on the rear view mirror? 🤔 I think I just need to get used to the length when reversing, that'll probably do me. 😊

Geranial

I've only had the car a week and I have a slight annoyance. This detachable swan-neck appendage is something new to me and it ruins the lines of the car. It's not as if it even attempts to look attractive or' blend in', quite the opposite in fact. 🤨 Also, because the rears sensors are too high to pick out low kerbs I've already bashed it twice so I think it will be coming off ... before I really damage something! 🤭 Besides, I thought I'd read somewhere that Lexus don't recommend IS250's for towing, which is another good reason. Not sure what any previous owner might have used it for, it comes with 7-pin electrics so maybe a bike or jetski trailer ... neither of which I own or am likely to own! 😄 I feel a visit to ebay coming shortly. 😉