manny

As has been posted, Check VSC indicates a fault has been logged and stored to memory.

My IS250 actually logged a couple of faults late last year - as I'm a 3 hour return trip to my Lexus dealer and the local Toyota dealer didn't want to help pulling codes, I decided to spend $20 and buy myself an ODB II Bluetooth scanner on eBay to check the fault codes myself.

I bought one of these http://www.ebay.com....#ht_1972wt_1163 for $20 which plugs into the ODB port above the pedals and with some free software (Torque) on my Android phone easily retrieved the DTC codes (P0051 and P0158) to worked out that one of my O2 sensors was failing. It also easily allowed me to reset the Check VSC light and clear the code and deal with the fault on my next service with some peace of mind.

Hi Manny,

I'm interested in your experience (or anyone else's) with these brake pads ...

If I was buying a set now, I would buy them direct from Japan through Amayama for ~ $185 delivered

http://www.amayama.c...9353030&cur=AUD

I know that mine are going to require replacement at the next service ... and aside from the constant problem that I have with dust (the wheels are dirty after a couple of days of driving, and filthy after two weeks) ... the dust also creates squealing in the brakes, so I'm keen to get something that solves the problem.

How have you found the replacement Lexus pads..? My dealer (Lexus of Brighton) told me that sometimes they can't get products like these brake pads: they didn't check to confirm whether this was the case, but rather made a comment when I raised the issue of alternative pads to resolve the dust/squealing problems.

And just to be sure, it is part number 04465-53030 that you've ordered/fitted..?

Cheers,

David

Hi David

I'm very happy with these pads and I'm surprised they don't come as standard to avoid the dust issue.

I prefer the marginally firmer and more progressive pedal feel with these pads over the original dusty ones.

04465-53030 is the correct part number.

cheers

Screen capture from my PC based workshop manual

And a link to the Electronic Parts CD online showing the the boot lid and nearby parts

http://www.toyodiy.c...5.html?hl=64401

The external garnish on the bootlid needs to come off to get to them according to the service manual

Does anyone know a cheaper method to getting OEM low dust pads, $580 postage from Sewells seems a bit much..

I split postage cost with Atlantis when we bought a set each but we didn't use Sewells' expensive Fedex express international courier - we relied only on their US domestic postage to a 3rd party who then sent it to us via relatively cheap USPS.

If I was buying a set now, I would buy them direct from Japan through Amayama for ~ $185 delivered

http://www.amayama.com/search/?q=04465%E2%80%9353030&cur=AUD

I've bought a few other OEM IS250 parts through Amayama recently and can highly recommend them - cheaper and sometimes quicker than ordering through a local Lexus dealer.

Ordered from http://lexus.sewellparts.com/

Covered here http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9576&st=15&p=33380entry33380

Cut-off lines for US sourced headlamps are for LHD vehicles meaning you'll blind oncoming traffic in Australia/RHD markets

The Kluger is known as the Toyota Highlander in Thailand as well as most countries outside Australia.

On prior Toyota and Lexus ECUs (like the Z30 Soarers) all that was required was removing the EFI fuse for 30+ seconds to reset the ECU.

The benefit to this method over disconnecting the battery was that stuff like radio, mirror, seats etc memory presets are retained and you avoid having to reset power window limits etc.

Being able to reset it quickly without any tools was another bonus as it was something that was performed by some on a weekly basis....

Oh, so you CAN access the tie down hooks?? Sweet!!

Correct

I've an OEM one in my boot and I have to say it was a very worthwhile purchase for our IS.

With a young family, I don't need to stress about damp or sandy towels, clothing or toys being thrown in the boot and likewise if I need to transport building supplies or car parts I don't need to worry too much - any mess is easily wiped up or hosed off and the fabric underneath remains pristine.

It has raised cutouts for the tie down hooks, so that flexibility is maintained and access to anything underneath is quick and easy.

The sweetener was that I picked it up on eBay second hand for $50 in as new condition, so I didn't even pay the local Lexus tax to appreciate it.

I ordered a pair through Toyota originally for an Oz delivered Camry with part number 81230-47010 ; other than being clear they are exactly the same as the '06 IS250 lenses, come with new bulbs and are only $32 each.

My IS250 always sufferd from the heavy front brake dust issue so I followed the US TSIB BR006-06 "Alternative Front Brake Pads" and replaced them with the low dust US OEM pads with part number 04465–53030.

No more excessive dust - not only do my front wheels look like my rear wheels even after a month without washing but the pedal feel is better imho.

TSIB L-BR002-06 Brake pads

There are actually a number of different Lexus OEM filter part numbers covering both superseded numbers as well as the different market and customer options for the 2IS range ie pollen/carbon/deodorant/particle filters.

If you want a pollen filter instead to match your noted 87139-07010 OEM part number, here's an even cheaper aftermarket option listed as compatible with late model Camry/Corolla/Yaris/RAV4

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cabin-Pollen-Filter-Toyota-Camry-Corolla-Yaris-RAV4-/260787708757?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cb828a355

Regardless, I linked to an aftermarket filter marketed by FSA Australia as an alternative for the IS250 with part number CA-1112 which also happens to be the part for a late model LandCruiser available through a reseller at a substantial saving over OEM.

A far as suitability is concerned, it is exactly the same size as the OEM one, of identical material and construction and fit was perfect taking no more than 5 minutes to replace when I did it recently.

In considering how dirty the replaced OEM one was, I will be inspecting and replacing it a lot more frequently as well.

Same in-cabin filter appears to be used in a 2007 Land Cruiser - only $19.80 at Brett's Truck...

http://www.brettstruck.com.au/p/1206091/ca1112-cabin-air-filter-toyota-v8-turbo-diesel-landcrusier-2007--87139-06080.html

There is an approved factory towbar option available from Lexus with a detachable hitch.

It integrates flawlessly with the factory bodywork and wiring and the lighting, flasher and warning circuits operate as well as they left the factory.

It's rated to 1500kg for braked or 560kg unbraked towing.

For those that are interested in the final outcome, I decided to go with Dom at Sydney City Lexus who offered me an additional 3 years or up to 150,000kms (from 63,000 currently) of Lexus Premium Care Extended Warranty including 3 years of additional National Roadside Assistance through Mondial for $1985 inc GST - this was less than what some dealers wanted for just 12 months of an Extended warranty...

A couple of notable dealers who came close to Sydney City Lexus pricing were Lexus of Canberra and Lexus of Chatswood - PM me for contacts/details if you are interested.

I found it does pay to shop around and urge them to revise their pricing to something more competitive as some dealers dropped over $500 on the 3 year warranty alone.

Of the 8 dealers I contacted, I note that I am yet to hear back from a couple as I tired of chasing them...

I'm still waiting for a few callbacks and few oustanding emails with updated quotes.

The Lexus roadside assistance appears to be a re-badged NRMA service, so you might save a few pennies purchasing that directly from them.

Well, that's what it looks like on the Encore card in my wallet.

The roadside assistance offered to me isn't an extension of the existing factory warranty Encore roadside assistance but rather a new service and has been split between NRMA (4) and Mondial (2) as the service providers.

The offered bundled roadside assistance has varied from $234 to $376 whereas basic NRMA roadside assistance for me would be ~$340 for 3 years or with Mondial ~$280 for 3 years, so it's pretty competitive bundled with the extended warranty.

Ultimately the benefits offered under the terms and conditions of service versus cost will dictate which option I take.

Lexus Australia apparently no longer offer the Extended Factory Warranty directly but rather direct customers to their preferred dealer.

Although the Extended Factory Warranty doesn't include the Encore privileges like roadside assistance, I've found that they are willing to package 3 years of additional roadside assistance in negotiations.

All my quotes have been based on a 3 year/150,000km extension but 1 or 2 years for 100,000 kms is also available even though they are not very cost effective in comparison.

Of the 6 quotes I've obtained so far for the 3 years/150,000km extension, pricing has varied from $1,620 to $2,360!

I've also been offered 3 years of roadside assistance packaged with the 3 years/150,000 km extension for $1,854.

A few more dealers to hear back from, so I'll update further but I'm eager to hear of anyone's experiences.

My IS250 runs out of factory warranty at the end of this month and I'm leaning towards taking up the Extended Warranty option that's available through Lexus dealers.

I've only owned it for a short time and purchased it with only 61,000kms and with a clean reliability record according to the first owner and Lexus records but as I plan to keep it for a few years, I'd like to mitigate the financial risk should something go wrong.

I'm seeking other owners experiences who have taken on extended warranties and possibly had cause to use it - your experiences both good and bad?

I called a couple of dealers on Friday afternoon and received a couple of varying quotes for the 3 year option - from $2240 to $2360; is this normal to vary even though they are apparently all underwritten by Lexus Insurance (AIOI)?

Any recommendations on how or where I can get the extended warranty cheaper?

thanks in advance

The VAIS MultiMediaLinQ can't do Bluetooth handsfree from what I can tell ??

I've been doing a bit of reading on the Flyaudio unit - seems very impressive feature-wise and an OEM-like fit and appearance.... but a few niggling bugs remain, is a substantial investment and has less than ideal manufacturer support based on the yank experiences.

Before ordering the unit, I commenced dialogue with Jay (jr@diceelectronics.com) at Dice Electronics to verify functionality, availability, pricing etc.

Jay confirmed "the Media Bridge will mute the iPod interface when making and receiving a call when you are in cd changer i.e.. Media Bridge Mode. The call comes in, your music will fade out and a ring tone will initiate, you press track up on your steering wheel or stereo and you answer the call (the number calling in will appear on the screen).......you use track down to hang up, music will again resume at the point that the call came in when you hang up or are hung up on. Call out feature would be initiated from the phone itself and or a voice activated calling system."

Jay verified a major shortcoming in the Media Bridge for my intended use - Bluetooth functionality is only active whilst the unit is in cdc mode/emulating a CD changer. Whislt the headunit is in radio mode / Aux in or just turned off, the Bluetooth functionality is disabled and you would have to use the mobile phone without hands free functionality which is a show stopper for me.

This may be adequate for others but for me, I'm back to just fitting a conventional Parrot Bluetooth handsfree kit and later fitting any available USB/ipod interface if the Aux In isn't up to it.

Welcome to the forum Manny. Looks like we have another ex Soarer member join us :)

Thanks for the welcome :)

i had a blue tooth on my old is250 that had no nav

motorolla sells a kit

Might be the OEM Motorola option I've come across in Euro install guides although it doesn't provide the iPod/USB functionality in the one box I was hoping for.

I might just take the plunge and try the Dice Electronics unit out.

Hi

I've recently purchased an '06 IS250 Prestige without NAV, so I'm looking at options to allow me some Bluetooth integration as well as USB/ipod audio capability.

I've been reading on here about the VAIS Tech recommendations (SL2i etc) for ipod and USB but would prefer to add Bluetooth functionality at the same time to avoid fitting a further additional "box".

I came across the Dice Electronics Mediabridge which specifically lists the IS250 as compatible and provides Bluetooth connections as well as ipod and USB inputs - wondering if anyone on here has or is using one and their experience with it?

I noticed it's on eBay for a very reasonable price as well.