elmarko

Yes, cut off the rear mufflers and simply welded Magnaflows and tips in place ie. all pipes are stock. Did this because I was super keen not to end up with something too loud and totally un-Lexus like. Given the result it just shows how much noise the stock rear mufflers cancel out. Sounds and prob is a bit ghetto for a Lexus but was a very cost effective way of getting sound down low which you don't get with just an intake. Sound is great about 90% of the time except under conditions as described. I'm actually in Melb. Sadly we don't yet have the IS owner's fraternity you Sydney boys seem to be enjoying at the moment - would love to hook up with owners in Melbourne if anyone interested.

LEX51S would be keen to hear how you go with your exhaust. I've just added some Magnaflow universal cans with 4" tips and this setup is borderline for noise some of the time - really just under load (eg. up hill from a stop) in either 1st or 2nd and between 2500-2900 rpm. Outside of these conditions and with the F Sport intake the sound is pretty handy - has certainly impressed work buddies I've had along for rides occasionally. Was the crossover in the midpipe recommended by an exhaust shop? Would be keen to do the same but at $400 would want to be sure it would actually knock the rough edges off.

dis-lex-sic keen to know what you thought of the interior changes. The silver trim bits seem a bit Honda Accord Euro from the photos - how does the treatment come together in the flesh? Have read on my.IS that the F-Sport buckets have microfibre inserts with the leather and one US 2011 F Sport owner said this was in fact the most disappointing aspect of the car. Were you able to tell if it is in fact Alacantara - first seen on the 1st gen sports models? Having had this trim I think it could work but 'microfibre' sounds a bit low rent for a car costing 80K. Full leather would be the go I would think but maybe Lexus is trying to differentiate from the IS F?

The PPE vid on youtube indicates a pretty impressive muscle car roar with their headers on board - albeit from an IS350. With sports intake and Magnaflows already fitted to mine I'd be a little concerned the end result could be just a little too raucous. Still, an extra 10-15 HP seems so right for this car and if installation could be had for less than $500 the $$$s don't seem too frigthening either.

Saw your post on CL re. PPE headers for sale so not surprised to see you post a reply to this topic. $300 install via Castlehill Exhaust sounds a little cheap but I gather Cevu has been happy since. More to follow I hope.

Given the amounts members have clearly invested in their vehicles I'm a little surprised there has been so little discussion on header installs here in Oz. From what I read on Club Lexus, headers deliver by far the best 'HP gain' bang for your buck and that should mean something to IS250 owners (obviously 2nd gen IS owners here in Oz). I'm sure I remember at least one ALOC member having Mazzuri headers installed but understand these are no longer being manufactured (though possibly available 2nd hand). Posts on Club Lexus indicate a number of companies are currently manufacturing systems for the IS250 - some of these can currently be purchased on eBay (eg. Megan) but PPE ceramic headers from PPE Engineering out of the US have recently caught my eye. Suffice to say I am keen to see if we can open up the channels a bit on this topic. I would be really interested to hear from those who have headers currently installed on their IS250 and those who have done some research on the topic. Particularly interested in the following: * Cost/degree of difficulty to install - how many 'shops' could have a crack at this locally. * Performance improvements - before and after dynos would be nice but seat of your pants accounts also very welcome * Any negatives ie. significantly increased NVH, engine management warning lights * Views/Experineces on how this mod affects your warranty With the AUD currently so strong, now might be the right time for us to look at a group buy of the best hardware (PPE or other) out of the US if enough were keen. Anyway, looking forward to your replies.

The F-Sport (blue example) looking more like an IS F and that's not a bad thing. Not convinced on the underside scalloping of the front bar though but I like the fog surrounds. Additionally "LEXUS" badge gone from trunk -hooray! Want to do this mod but badge holes in the panel make for an additional challenge. Also, looks like "F-Sport" fender badges are part of the package. Already available from Sewell for those with F-Sports and keen.

My 6 month old F-Sport recently started throwing up a range a odd rattles, squeaks and slight cracking/flexing noises from the centre console/stack and also roof lining it seems. Rattles most prominent on B grade roads but the cracking/flexing noises apparent when entering driveways at an angle. Would agree dry seals create a lot of rattle problems. I had a rattle from the centre vents investigated a couple of months ago and was told they replaced all internal vent clips to rectify. Whilst this seemed to fix that problem I think it's true once they pull these things apart they never go back together the same way and ultimately trying to fix things may lead to more problems. Classic catch 22. Would also say that big wheels, low profile rubber and stiff suspension will always equal rattles - even in a Lexus. Guess that's the beauty of owning one of these things - Lexus never seem happy until you are. Have had the entirely opposite experience in other marques - know for a fact Subaru only give you 12 months to point these issues out and have them fixed under warranty.

:o An absolute steal at this price FrankyX and worth every cent IMO. Thank God I didn't go over the top on the exhaust.

$320 AU + $100 AU for genuine F-Sport intake - not the eBay sellers I'm looking at. More like $500 + $220 AU. O was pretty convinced I couldn't land it here much cheaper off eBay but happy to be proven wrong. I would concede the intake is over priced considering other perfectly good options (JoeZ, Takeda) but remember you are also getting a redesigned lower intake box and performance filter in the price. The F-Sport badge on the tube also looks mighty good lurking beneath the engine cover!!

I have the F-Sport Pack and managed to pick up an F-Sport Intake from Lexus of Chatswood for about $700 shipped to Melbourne. Luckily they had one left in stock but did say they have imported these and other F-Sport parts from the US when the exchange rate has been kind. The dealer I purchased the car from was good enough to install for me FOC but in reality it is something most could tackle with success in 30 mins or so. Having owned an 06 Sports for three years without this mod I would highly recommend - the induction growl above 3500 really gives the car a bit more personality. I also recently just replaced the rear stock resonators with straight through Magnaflows with 4" stainless steel tips ($650 installed) after endlessly researching branded axle-back options available out of the US. The shipping charges on these systems are pretty frightening and IMHO not worth it given minimal power gains. I was also concerned about drone which does appear to be a problem with all systems. This Magnaflows gives you a deeper and louder exhaust note lower in the rev range but must admit are pretty much drowned out by the intake higher up. Drone? Coming from a WRX you'd probably laugh at a Lexus driver's definition of drone but the tall gearing does result in a small amount under load when in higher gears. Driving with the paddles does help alleviate/almost eliminate this. All up, very happy with this combination.

Lots of BMW styling cues inside which could be viewed as a not so bad thing. Might look better in the metal with bigger rims but overall hasn't lived up to the hype generated by the concept.

Should make it easier(may be even cheaper) to do ilv1004s' 4 pot 350 brake upgrade on our 250s :D Add another mod to the list.

I currently have the F-Sport intake installed and whilst this piece of kit is a revelation in terms of the sound it pumps out I feel the noise coming out the rear is still a disappointment with the stock exhaust setup and the stock tips just look crap. I have researched all the branded catback options (eg. Tanabe, HKS) available out of the US and whilst appealing due to the fact they are generally bolt on, the shipping charges are absolute robbery. I really like the look and sound of the Joe Z PTS True Dual setup but think I'd be remortgaging the house to have one landed here. Hopefully someone can help me with the following questions: * What's the cheapest way to land a branded cat back system? A guy at L-Tuned quoted me almost as much as the cost of the exhaust to ship to AUS!! Shipping charges from Ebay vendors seem similarly prohibitve. * Has any one had any experience getting a local custom exhaust fitted? An exhaust shop I visited today suggested simply going with twin Magnaflow straight thru resonators at the rear with 4" tips - anyone done this mod? * Has anyone deleted the resonator on their IS250? Happy with the result? The vids on Youtube suggest the result is a little on the 'raspy' side. I'm in Melbourne so any local exhaust shop recommendations would be appreciated.

Clearly not the only one that finds this generic 'parts bin' beeper a disappointing effort from Lexus. I think the sound comes from under the plastic cover that sits at the base of the windscreen but it's harder to pin point than you might think! Car going in soonish for investigation of a dash rattle so will be brave enough to lay this additional request on the service guys then and see what they say.

OK - given the lack of replies looks like its over to the service guys next time it's in though not due until Jan'11. Could someone else enquire sooner? Just heard another Aurion pull up outside our place tonight and remind me exactly of what I was talking about in my original post!!

No doubt the 3.5 litre would be a revelation next to the 2.5 litre but... Late 2010 is a long time to wait and you can bet it won't be cheap at least in the first six months after release. That means (for some) this might be a viable purchase mid 2011 - the model will definitely look and feel long in the tooth by then. I also wonder if we might also be a little disappointed by the handling characteristics with the heavier donk especially as we've become so accustomed to some pretty sweet dynamics with the 250. I know the improvements delivered via F-Sport sways and suspension mods are much greater on the 350 vs the 250 - the 250 seems to have a much better stock setup. Then again... maybe I'm simply justifying my recent F Sport purchase.

This might sound pathetic but every time I lock/unlock my IS I am reminded of it's TOYOTA origins given the Aurion has exactly the same beeping noise. Has anyone successfully disabled this beep? I guess some might argue it acts as a handy audible locator when you can't remember where you parked but these occasions are so rare I could happily live without it. Besides if you're really stuck the 'panic' button on the fob that activates the horn could do the same job.

Thanks. I guess the IS F clear indicator with the MY'09 up reverse indicator would be even more interesting to see - picturing this in my head I think it will look crook but you never know with these mods until you see them in the flesh. Anyone had recent experience with the red IS F LED units being offered on eBay at the moment? Reading earlier posts sounds like these units aren't as 'plug and play' as the seller suggests and require a resistor to keep the on board systems happy. Any feedback on the quality/fitment? Keen for this mod but non-genuine stuff on a car of this order doesn't seem quite right for mine. Takes me a long way back to my '81 VH Commodore days when I installed OEM VK mirrors and front indicators just to get the look I was after. Why on earth does Lexus still insist on fiting amber indicator lenses on the IS

FrankyX where did you pick up the IS F tail lights from? I have a 2010 model and am considering redouts but not sure the L-Finesse style reverse indicator will look better/any good going down this path so really I'm looking at a full swap - not just the quarter panel component. Are your units LEDs? Thanks.

That's why you buy an is250 ;)

Had these in Melbourne for a few years now - and they have multiplied like rabits since being introduced . Ahh... technology.

I'd be interested in the tanabe exhaust

Had one of the sales guys at Lexus of Blackburn indicate they had received a product alert on this model a few weeks ago. He indicated it would be here before the end of the year and quoted circa $90K for the privilege :o . From what I've read online - it's all cosmetic given the more substantial mods (exhaust, suspension) appear to be posing ADR challenges for Lexus AUS. Maybe that's just cover for maxxing the margins on this new lease of life for the IS - the asking sounds mighty ambitious if that is indeed the case. Lexus AUS need want to make a convincing argument to HQ for the RHD 350 and fast or I will be definitely be looking to the Euro competition in the coming months.