Lexus Nerd

... want it to be legal without rubbing. The car is stock btw!

Here's some information I learned after visiting the Website for Transport and Main Roads, Queensland. The last line will be interesting to anyone who has considered using IS F wheels on an IS 250/IS 350.

• Although each state determines what modifications are allowed on vehicles registered in that state, light vehicle modifications are generally guided by the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP). Section LS deals with tyres, rims, suspension and steering.
• There are certain basic modifications allowed without certification, provided that the vehicle continues to meet Australian Design Rules, "the in-service provisions of the [Australian Vehicle Standards Rules] and rules found within the NCOP.

I will paraphrase some of the key rules here - for more information, refer to the NCOP:

• No scrubbing allowed. When testing for scrubbing on a 5-seater sedan, you must load it with 415 kg of weight.
• The diameter of the tyre must not be more than 15 mm larger "than that of any tyre designated by the vehicle manufacturer for that model." Stock IS F tyres would be much too large at the front, even if your IS 250 manual/tyre placard suggested sizes for 18" wheels as used on IS 250 Sports/F Sport. However, the CL recommendation of 225/35R19 and 255/35R19 would be OK.
• There are rules regarding maximum increase in tyre width and diameter, but not aspect ratio. But aspect ratio is a function of diameter and width anyway. As long as you meet diameter and width requirements, and the aspect ratio of the fronts don't differ to the rears by any more than 10, you're fine. In short, using 225/35 instead of 225/40 at the front is OK.
• "When converting a passenger car’s wheels and tyres to those fitted to a manufacturer’s variant or high performance version of that model, the matching suspension components such as springs, shock absorbers and sway bars from the high performance model must also be used." This might suggest that an IS 250 fitted with IS F wheels must also be fitted with IS F suspension. You could argue that this rule doesn't apply, since you're only fitting "IS F wheels", and only two out of four "IS F tyres". But I'm not a lawyer, and I'm not going to offer legal advice on this matter. :-)

Stock size is 225/40R19 front, 255/35R19 rear.

Perhaps some of the F owners may be able to advise on other possible sizes ...?

I've managed to get a few screen shots from a "test drive" of the new Lexus Enform.

Let's first look at the app. After downloading it (in my case, the iOS version from iTunes), the user is required to sign up, entering their personal details as well as some vehicle details (licence plate number and part of the VIN). After agreeing to a lengthy set of terms and conditions (no unexpected surprises, IMO), the app is ready for use.

The user interface of the app doesn't have to be used very much, if you're just interested in Enform features such as Fuel Finder and Weather. The in-car nav system simply uses your phone as a means of connecting to the Internet. The Destination Download feature, however, lets you use your phone somewhere away from your car to find a desired location, and then set up the phone to plot that destination in the nav system once you're in your car. That will save a few minutes of idling and using that pesky Remote Touch interface to enter an address.

Here, I've entered "Sydney City Lexus" and a number of destinations appear. There's a small number of matches to Enform's address book, so I can just click on the markers and find out which location I'm really interested in.

It's not without its shortcomings. Type in something as seemingly unambiguous as "Westfield Chatswood", and look how many markers appear in such a small space! Which "Westfield Chatswood" do I really want?

Fortunately, there's a list view:

The saved destination is automatically uploaded to the vehicle when you switch on the nav system and the smartphone is nearby. There's no interaction required on the phone at this time - in fact, true to Lexus safety design, you can't do anything with the Enform app:

Now, let's look at the nav system console. What's the weather like today?

And the forecast for this week - the temperatures and brief forecasts are identical to what you'd see on the official Bureau of Meterorology Website:

Fuel Finder is a great in-car adaptation of the MotorMouth Website. Here's the cheapest locations in the local area for 98-octane unleaded fuel:

I'll update this forum further after I have a closer look at Enform.

There's a number of limitations to the USB MP3 playback feature. Here's just some of them. Check out our Navigation System Owner's Manual for more details:

Playable bit rates
MP3 files for USB memory:
MPEG 1 AUDIO LAYER 2, 3—32 to 320 kbps
MPEG 2 AUDIO LAYER 2, 3—32 to 160 kbps
MPEG 2.5—32 to 160 kbps

USB memory—It is possible to play up to 999 folders, 255 files per folder or 65,025 files in device. (So you may get some strange results if you have more than 255 MP3's in the root folder of the USB memory stick.)

I agree that only high-margin vehicles should be manufactured in Australia, but there also has to be a significant world market to allow their export. I assume that, if there is a reasonable market in the Middle East for a medium/large sedan such as the Camry, then there should also be a sizeable market for the Lexus ES. When one also considers that there are now few choices for locally-made prestige cars for the fleet market (Statesman and Fairlane are no longer made, and Caprice will soon be dead), the Lexus ES is the most likely choice for a high-margin vehicle made in Australia by Toyota.

If I was in the market for a luxury car without sporty pretensions then, yes, I'd buy an Australian-made Lexus ES. I couldn't help but feel, however, that some of the Lexus legend would be missing. Yes, I'm sure the Altona factory would have engineers with decades of experience, but are they worthy of being called Lexus takumi? Can their fingers feel the difference between the front and rear sides of a sheet of paper? And could they fold origami in one hand?

There has already been a number of releases of the infotainment system firmware between the release of the first cars in May, and the last release before the Enform update for Australia. On my system, I do see some lag while syncing with my smartphone, but it's fairly good after that. It's only rebooted once during driving, but that's little different to the two other Toyota/Lexus vehicles I've owned in the past eight years.

The Enform software for Australia is built by an Australian intelligent transport systems software and services company. There was a full two-week delay between the Android app release and the iOS app release, suggesting that Apple had some issues with the design of the smartphone app. As an enterprise software developer, I suspect a few possible reasons for the initial delay of around three months (this is only speculation):

• Complexity of a solution that requires sourcing services from a number of providers, including Google, MotorMouth, Bureau of Meteorology, Sensis, HERE (Nokia/Navteq - maps provider) and a call centre provider for Destination Assist and Enform Concierge
• Developer's apparent inexperience in building telematics software involving a smartphone app
• Frequent updates to the underlying infotainment firmware platform (i.e., the software giving grief to CL members) requiring re-work and re-testing by the Australian developer

Enform is finally available for iOS on iTunes!

I'll try and download it, update my firmware and provide a review as soon I can.

Is this a Lexus CLONE ??

It's a current-model Toyota Crown.

One thing I've noticed about the robustness of the interior plastic on the door and dash compared to my old evo is that in the IS, it appears to stain a lot easier. Both are black but in the IS it would appear that if I scrape my elbow on the door trim, or push the door open with the side of my knee, it leaves a white mark, like dry skin. Is it just me and I should carry a pump bottle of moisturiser in the car or it happens to others too?

Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer will fix it. Carry it in your boot with a terry towel or microfibre cloth. You can also use it to clean your nav system's LCD (or any LCD in your home).

At the time I bought my first Lexus, my reasons included:

• My admiration of Lexus models since the LS400 champagne glass ad which was first shown in Australia in 1990. That was followed by subsequent drooling moments: the appearance of the GS 300 at Sydney Airport in 1997, the rear of the first-generation IS, the 2IS "Move as One" ads and the LFA exhaust teaser billboards in 2010 which reassured, "Yes, it's a Lexus."
• Mercedes-Benz seemed too pretentious. I was also influenced by earlier C-Class sedans which, with their black plastic door handles, screamed, "Built to a price."
• Aversion to being given the label usually reserved for BMW buyers.
• My preference for "understated elegance".
• Ignorance of Audi as a luxury brand: I genuinely thought Audi was just another try-hard prestige brand, like Peugeot and Renault.

Since buying my first Lexus and joining the Club, I have discovered other reasons for sticking with Lexus; but they're the reasons why I bought Lexus in the first place.

The earlier E92s are probably the best compact executives BMW ever made, with all reviewers banging on about "communicative steering". With the switch to electric power steering, the switch to a grille built more for pedestrian safety reasons than for beauty, and the retention of an outdated interior, the best 3 Series may be a thing of the past. And need I mention reliability and maintenance? I keep on reading about how smooth the BMW inline-six engine is but, almost every time I pass by one, I feel it's in dire need of a service.

Welcome, texinalex. The New Members Introductions forum is for new members to introduce themselves. I've moved your query to the GS300 Club forum.

Second-generation IS models in Australia (excluding IS F) have a black, wide but short number plate holder on the front bumper. I used Classic Euro plates on my white 2IS to cover the holder. I would have preferred not to use Euro-style plates on a Japanese car, but I preferred that over the incongruity of a half-exposed mounting bracket. In NSW, both the front and rear plates are 520 mm wide, which is the same width as the "Euro" size plates available from Personalised Plates Queensland.

Personally, I think the 520 mm plate looks like a perfect fit on the bootlid, and doesn't look like a tight squeeze. On your black IS, I think the "Euro Silver" or "Euro Gold" plates, with a black background, would look really nice. Others might argue you should steer well clear from Euro-style plates.

FINAL REMINDER

It's on tomorrow, and it promises to be the Club's biggest meet yet!

Saturday, Sydney City Lexus, Waterloo.

4:30 pm onwards, with a few words from our special guest from Lexus Australia and generous Lucky Door Prizes being drawn a little after 5 pm.

See page 1 of this thread for further details.

Yes I was looking for it in the App Store not long ago.

I'll make some calls tomorrow and find out about the IOS version.

I suspect the iOS version will take a few more days. Chances are, they were uploaded to both Google Play and App Store at the same time, but Apple has to vet every app before it's released to the public.

So my factory warranty ends in a bit over 2 weeks time. Who do I contact for extended warranty? Does anyone have any particularly person/contact that they would recommend? Email address would be appreciated. I'm in the Sydney metro area.

AFAIK, there's no point shopping around for the lowest price, as it's going to be the same price everywhere. So just contact your local Lexus dealer and ask for the Factory Approved Extended Warranty

Insurance.

The Enform app for Android now appears to be available for download on Google Play.

I'm still waiting for the iOS version to appear on iTunes.

I understand the in-car system will also need a firmware upgrade before it can use Enform.

I'm not sure how it works. Unfortunately, the manual doesn't say exactly how much air pressure needs to be lost before the alert appears. I'm yet to see the alert myself, but I've only had to pump 1-2 psi each time I've checked my tyres.

... an IS250 with the high oil usage problem, flawed internal deign, and a transmission which Is unserviceable, I've had enough and am finished with the brand!

WELCOME NEW MAZDA 6...got a good trade in.

So, you had a car with a defect that requires you to put in $25 of oil between 15,000 km services. And you replaced it with a car that requires logbook servicing twice as often. Okay ...

All third-generation IS models in Australia, including GSE31, are fitted with tyre pressure warning sensors. It is always active; it is not designed to be disabled.

There is a button located below the steering column that will initiate calibration of the tyre pressure monitor over the space of two minutes. The Owners Manual does not suggest that you need to press the button following delivery of the car; however, I prefer to over-inflate my tyres by 4-6 psi, and so I calibrated the monitor after the first time I pumped my tyres.

"ISF-350" wanted a 2014 build. If you don't mind a 2013 build, you could probably pick up a new IS within days, depending on the colour, grade and options you want.

The response form helps us figure out how much food we need to order. If you can RSVP by next Tuesday, 3 December, that would be much appreciated.

Moved to the 2nd/3rd Gen IS forum.

Today, at the Tokyo Motor Show, it was also revealed:

- The RC 300h and RC 350 are confirmed for release in Australia. (Although we already learned on this forum, earlier this month, that Australian Lexus dealers are taking orders!)
- Some final tweaks are required to the exterior design, particularly in the rear quarter panels. But, apart, from that, what you see in the above photos is what we'll see on the RC's release in the second half of 2014.

Still no word on the RC F; journos are however tipping a launch at the Detroit Motor Show, which starts on 18 January - allowing for the time difference, that's exactly 60 days from now. And if Lexus continues its habit of revealing pictures and information to the press just before a motor show launch, I predict we'll know a lot more about the RC F inside of seven weeks.

An RC F coupe convertible is also being considered, but is by no means confirmed.

Welcome, d3nn1s48. The New Members Introductions forums is for introducing yourself. I've moved your query to the GS Club forum.

The Web page has returned (http://www.lexus.com.au/enform), re-stating the scheduled release for "late 2013".

This 5 November news article suggests a release in December:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/road-test-review-lexus-is350-f-sport/2070780/