HighlandJohn

Having read the foregoing, hopefully my 2008 model will carry on for many miles yet [currently on 78k]. #fingerscrossed

Another little upgrade. I replaced the courtesy/puddle light with LEDs - a very poor pic. Not sure about them, they're a bit 'bling' and the jury's still out. It's only a 5-minute job to swap them back, so time will tell....

Cheaper too....

Can you feed a small-bore plastic pipe down into the lens, then push against the corpse and suck on your end? Might need several attempts though..... Good luck with it.

Got a chance to apply the Duxback today, first time since the planets aligned. Really impressed with the result(s) - like night & day, really. I'm amazed at what the cleaner fluid removed from the lens, I've no idea what the liquid is but I didn't expect them to be this manky..... I might overcoat with Rain-X which I have to see if it helps shed road grime - worthwhile do you think?

Last update. Struts fitted today, took all of 10 minutes to do, maybe helped by the fact the sun's been beating down all day. Lid is much easier to lift from being 'released' but still needs a bit of 'oomph' to pull over-centre to close - but at least it's no longer a guillotine. Well pleased with the results!

No neighbours with petrol garden tools you could borrow a gallon from until you're on the move next?

Replacement struts arrived from SGS this morning. They're about 18mm shorted than the originals but I'd don't expect that to be a problem once fitted. Won't get to the job for a good few days as I've done in my back and the forecast's for rain for the rest of the week.

Standing water the culprit? Gutted to read that , but as long as you're OK the car can be replaced.

Just to update, I've just ordered the IS300 ones from SGS as per advice here. Should be here in a day or two. I removed one strut from the car easily enough but the other seemed more difficult for some reason - could be access as it was the offside [driver's] one and being left-handed I was twisted like a corkscrew. One piece of advise to others tackling this job.....don't disconnect both struts without propping the lid open or it'll descent like the wrath of God on your head...and, it's heavy! Thanks again for all the help, lads.

Thanks Vlad, much appreciated. I must have entered inadequate search criteria..... Thanks also to all who responded. I'll have a look at the SGS ones. Some seem to lift the lid fully, others only unlatch it. The reference in one video to Kia Sorento ones is interesting, they're rated at 290Nm so shouldn't be too 'energetic' in the opening/lifting operation. Mhhhh, watch this space.....

Hi, can anyone recommend a source for replacement gas struts for the boot lid of a 250 as captioned. I've done a forum search but can't seem to find the info I'm after (possible wrong search criteria though....). Mine don't raise the lid when operating the opening function, either by the remote, of the in-cabin button. It unlocks the boot, but doesn't raise the lid which I've discovered is quite heavy. Searching online gives a bewildering range of possibilities of all strengths/lengths. YouTube gives instructional videos which seem quite straightforward but reports seem to indicate that the structs with the high(er) Nm specs can prevent the shut lines matching - I don't want ones which'll 'fling' the lid open at Mach 1. Seems that around the 185Nm mark do the job adequately, but as I've no idea what the Lexus replacements are rated at, nor how expensive they'd be (inc 'Lexus tax') it's difficult to decide. Any advice/links gratefully received.

@Razor61 Just to update, I checked the nearest ECP branch but none in stock, so have ordered the Duxback from Amazon. Hopefully, by the time it arrives it'll have stopped raining.....

@Razor61 Many thanks for that, it certainly looks like an impressive result. I'll pop in ECP next time I'm in town and get some. The only experience I have of wet-sanding was with the e60 which had 'got away from me' and required something drastic. Went from this.... to this.... Given that they were c £1,000 [Adaptive Xenons] a side to replace them new, I had nothing to lose. Appreciate your taking the time to help with this.

I'd never heard of this treatment so had to Google it. The write-ups seem to say it's intended for glass [w/screen + windows]? Not doubting your experience for a second, but in the past I've had to wet-sand acrylic units to achieve real clarify. If it works on plastic lenses, I'd probably give it a go on the 250.

I've done a search but couldn't find anything relevant, so forgive me if I've missed something. In my last car I fitted a dash-cam and ran the cable down behind the A-pillar trim, making for a neat installation. I'm reluctant to start pulling the plastic trim out of the Lexus [just in case something snaps/breaks as the plastic cover looks to be very tight to the screen.....], and my proposed solution is to run the cable along the top of the screen, then down close to the A-pillar. To secure it I have small, clear plastic clips into which the cable will fit and hopefully be unobtrusive. Anyone got a better fix? Pics would be good to show results., if available, Any advice/help will be greatly appreciated.

Don't feel that you need to make excuses for a Numpty....

Before I joined the marque I had cover on my e60 with Greenflag included in my insurance. I only had occasion to use them once when I had a flat on my way to a hospital appointment. Totally useless, no response to my call for assistance, phone rang for ages.... Subsequently, I switched to RAC by virtue of an offer on a price-comparison website - £50 for the complete package inc HomeStart. I've had to call on two occasions, one for a broken spring and the other a battery which died suddenly [as they seem to now? ]. Being up near the moon we tend to get 'contracted garages' and not an RAC/AA van, but they arrived quickly and sorted things efficiently. Renewal's just come in at £64+ shrapnel so done for another 12 months!

Welcome to what appears to be an excellent resource from another Newbie.

^^ Apologies for brain fade, it's been a hot & busy few days and I got 'confused'......😳

His Member profile says "Berkshire".

Does it have any smell if/when rubbed on fingers?

On the subject of insurance, I've just performed the 'dance of discount', checking all the prices comparison sites, calling other insurers etc. Renewal on my policy is due on 3rd July. Last year's premium with the AA for my old e60 530i SE manual was c £189. They wanted £600+ for the IS250 SE-L auto, with no mods and 7000 miles p.a......."goodbye". 👉 All the others ranged from mid £400 to over £1,000....."goodbye" 👉 Ended with an online only Company called Nutshell who did fully comp owner only driving with a comp excess of £200 and £100 for windscreen. The Underwriters are Covea, part of one of the EUs biggest groups [inc Saga afaik] with mostly good reviews on claims history [which I'm not planning on exercising obviously. All policy docs inc Cert downloadable to your tablet/phone/pc etc. so proof to hand in the event of Plod getting nosey at the roadside. 👃 Also renewed RAC breakdown cover with fully package inc HomeStart etc gone up from £50 last year [an offer in conjunction with one of the comparison sites. So, all sorted and will be legal on renewal - even Conformed on ASKMID website too.

I have, on a different marque [but the principle's the same] fixed this by fitting a penny [or any flat one suitably sized] washer to cover the corroded area. A bit 'Heath Robinson' but it works.

Thanks Lads, I came from a succession of BMWs, the latest an e60 with virtually all the toys. It even had working indicators......👈👉 😁 I'd been looking for something like a 3 series, but anecdotal reports seemed to claim a decline in reliability and, in particular, poor Dealers poor service levels. Shame, but there you go. Here's a few pics from the sales ad, looked to have everything I'd need/want so I went for it. Hope you like.