Bluey

Thanks mrbbqwer Much appreciated

What was the verdict mrbbqwer? Can you scan and upload the conclusions?

Thankfully I rarely have anyone in the back so not a consideration for me. Just buy the car, he'll learn to love it, especially if it's a 350 Bwahahahaha

If you get it with the moonroof, then you can open the slider to get the light in and gives the feeling of more room. I am 6 foot and have no issue with the space. Just put the seat right down and I find enough room.

Correct. My 06 SL dips only when the adjuster button is either left or right.

Love my moonroof...thinking of upgrading to 350

Anything more to report ldc, or still just as happy with the performance and dust issues?

Toyota Aurion. Noooooooooooo.......... That is not a drivers car. Sure it'll get you from A to B, and be reliable etc. But the toyota product has no soul. At least with the IS you get a far better drive experience when you want to push it, but the luxury calmness for the rest of the time. Id rather drive a local product, commodore or falcon, than an Aurion. Just my 2c worth. Another option is something from Subaru.

Thanks ldc

Hey ldc, what are your thoughts so far, straight out of the box? I have my car going in to have braking vibration (from speed and down hills) looked at on friday. May need new pads and/or rotors, but have only done 45K km

Looking at the Bendix site the 'General CT' look good as a dustless option, as well as being quiet and performing well. Looks too good to be true. Has anyone put a set of these on? Even if it means I don't have to clean my wheels twice a week it will be worthwhile.

Yep. $200 each for front slotted and $150 each for rear slotted. As long as you are getting quality pads (ie Bendix Ultimate or the newer general CT) they will be about $75 per corner. As I suggested, just make sure you know what is being fitted. No point having great rotors but crap pads. If you get the right combo then $900 is excellent value.

That's good value. Looking at the Bendix and DBA sites the rotors retail for $700 for the 4 slotted and four pads would be $300. $1000 all up. Then you have to install them. The $900 sounds very good, but I would make sure you are getting what you think you are getting.

Here's a link to a break-in method that is opposite to what most tell us. I used similar when I got my Subaru Liberty B4 8 years ago when I was able to get to country roads more easily. I never had a problem with the car through its 110,000 km, but I also never had the pistons out to check them. When I got the IS250 I kinda forgot about it as it spends most of it's time dribbling around the city. Anyway, it gets you thinking.... http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Black exterior harder to keep looking clean, but looks the best when it is. If you don't mind the weekly cleaning then get black.

Mine became erratic at moving up and down when selecting reverse. They were replaced under warranty, no questions asked.

Franky Try a quote on the Yokohama v550. Mine came in cheaper than the turanza's, and they are nice and quiet.

I always think it is better to tell them. That way they may not increase your premium, then again...., but at least they can't refuse a claim because they weren't told.

I was ready to sign up for a set of the Proxes but they couldn't get the rears for my car as there were none in Aus, apparently. You may have better luck with the 18" rims Oliver. I am VERY happy with my Yoko's and would thoroughly recommend putting these in your mix. They look very good on the rimms, have a good square sidewall and actually sit a little wider than the Dunlop sport Maxx that were OEM???

Fronts were cheaper at $320 for the 225/45/17

Finally got the tyres for the SL. Standard sizes of 225/45/17 front and 245/45/17 rear. Not an easy combination to find at a price I was prepared to pay, whilst keeping the same tyre all round. The tyres fitted are yokohama v550, and have been brilliant for the week I have had them on, about 100km. Lovely and quiet, which was my main consideration. Today I got to drive a freeway and was again very impressed with the quietness. The grip level has also been very good, although I haven't had a real sprited drive yet, just a few quick corners in isolation. Here's a link Yokohama v550

Allianz $860, Adelaide, after the original renewal came in for over $1100 and some negotiating was done. 3 yr old SL. over 40. ;)

Hi LLL I'm now looking at the Proxes 4 you have had. How did you feel about the noise level with this tyre? I figure the car isn't a sports performance vehicle and I bought it for it's luxury. Problem is that the 245/45/17 rears are not easy to come by without spending funny money on high end continentals etc, and they are usually heavy biased to grip levels, and less so toward lower noise. I was looking at the Toyo TEO plus but can't get the rear sizing.

How much were the Maxx TT's Phamish? If you don't mind me asking

Thanks cevu I was quoted $220 each F&B. Almost to good to be true, especially if they are anywhere near as good as replacement Dunlops which are about $400 each.