GeeEss

Hi there, I have an 2003 IS300 that's been running Supra TT calipers / rotors for the last 7-8 years. The car is still running the 2JZ-GE but does have a couple of mods ( R154 & coil-overs). Anyhow; my insurer's premiums are starting to grate so I decided this might be a good time to re-aquaint myself with the fine print before looking around. Bottom line is - the brake situation has me worried. RMS Light Vehicle Modification Guide states quite clearly that non-standard calipers and/or rotors require Certification; which is a deal-killer as the brake test costs $1200-1500 plus; and that bird's never going to fly. That said, the Supra TT BBK is currently sold by quite a number of Lexus dealers in the USA, which would seem to imply this set-up is officially sanctioned. Told RMS about this & they said I would have to contact Lexus Australia & get that in writing. Good luck with that. . . For this reason I'd VERY interested to hear from anyone running a BBK who has filed an insurance claim (esp with Shannoins, Ryno or Enthusiast) and how that process went. I'm damned if I'm going to throw $$$ at my insurer every month knowing I will probably be shafted if I ever need to make a claim. As much as I love these brakes (and they ARE awesome); unless I receive a compelling reason to do otherwise; I will probably convert them back to stock for peace of mind.

Hi there, I am looking for a transmission tunnel cover plate < diagram + photo > from an IS200 or Altezza manual for an IS300 Auto > Manual swap. Despite still being listed as available my supplier in Japan has just advised that this part < 58261-53011 > is not currently available from Toyota. The equivalent pressing for the USDM IS300 5 Speed < 58261-53021 > is listed as discontinued so no luck there either. I've had no luck at all so far with Wreckers; apparently IS200 Manuals are now few / far between and in any case most send the body to the crushers once they've taken the parts off it. Can anyone help? (yes I know I could fab up a box but I'd much prefer to cut out / use the proper pressing...)

Thank you!!!

Tried to upload images at following URLs & got message; "you are not allowed to use that image extension in this community" http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/geeess1/media/IS300Suspension_4Sale_R.jpg.html http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/geeess1/media/IS300Dash4Sale_R.jpg.html

1 x Used set OEM Springs & Shocks $175 ono 2 X Used Front Rotors + Front Pads / Shims / Caliper Brackets $ 200 ONO < Less than 1000 km travelled prior to removal > 1 x Used Pair of Rear Floorpan Reinforcement Braces = $40 ONO 1 X New Pair of Rear Floorpan Reinforcement Braces = $80 ONO 1 x New LHS Upper A-arm/ Ball-joint Assembly = $250 ONO All above (used) parts in good / serviceable condition; removed due to suspension / brake upgrade. Location: Sutherland Shire, Sydney *moderator edit* [url=http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/geeess1/media/IS300Suspension_4Sale_R.jpg.html]

Oh, brilliant; what a card! I'm surprised you don't have your own show. . . .

I know the "fix the sticky-dash" thing has been done to death so I just have a simple question. . . Can anyone confirm whether a pre-facelift (1999-2001) dash will fit in a post facelift (i.e. 2001-2005) car; i.e. if there were any design (other than material/coating changes) on the dashboard component post facelift? I purchased a 5/2002 IS300 and surprise / surprise - the AirBag Cover is sticky + console area has been covered with carbon-fibre tape which looks really lame. The previous owner told me it was to cover damage made by his kids (i.e. kicking / scratching at it). I don't think I can be assed rubbing down / painting dash so am thinking of just replacing the unit with the pre-facelift part with the less sophisticated but much less troublesome painted finish. . .

OK. . .? So I take it people are generally happy to pay for a Lexus Dealer diagnosis? No matter, I've taken a punt and ordered an OBD scanner off eBay. . .

I'm getting a grinding / juddering coming from the RH-Rear of the car which I figure is an ABS related issue (because it doesn't happen with "Track-Off" activated. I swapped the ABS sensor assembly on the car with a spare assy. I had lying around and it still makes the grinding sound; so I figured the ABS ring / Reluctor / Tone ring etc might be damaged / dirty. I have checked the ABS Rotor and can't find anything wrong with that either; the ring is undamaged and only had minor dirt / grease on it which I cleaned - but I'm still getting that noise. My local Mechanic said that he doesn't have the Codes so I have to go to Lexus. Can anyone tell me what sort of costs are involved in this type of Diagnostic or whether I can source these Codes / do diagnosis myself?

I recently picked up an IS300. The car is crabbing, wandering and generally all over the shop handling-wise and has notice-able toe-in when braking hard. I'm fairly sure the suspension bushes need replacing & i have decided to completely replace all the Arms & Linkages; and if possible get harder compound rubber bushings; i.e. TRD units. I went to the Site < ww.trdparts.jp/english/list_altezza.html > and noticed that all the listed bushings are for the SXE10, GXE10 < IS200 > versions only. There is even a TRD Link set for the XE10 versions; which I'd jump on if it was IS300 compatible. Cross-referencing IS200 Vs IS300 in ToyoDIY I see that the part numbers for all the components listed in the TRD linkset are identical between IS200 / 300; so why are the TRD bushes & complete arms only listed for SXE10 / GXE10???? TRD also used to Offer a Sportivo Kit for the IS300 < now discontinued > but that included Springs / Shocks / Sway bars only; not uprated Arms / Bushings. Am I missing something? Is there another Site that lists TRD gear for the IS series cars? Is TRD my only option? I.e. do any other manufacturers make uprated rubber bushings for the IS300? Edit: I was advised by s/one on another Forum that FIGS in the USA make bushings for the IS300. I have had a look & they seem a quality product; only thing is they're Polyurethane and from experience* they can be a bit harsh sometimes (and yes I know it also depends on the Duro rating). * I have a street / track Corolla that I've put Superpro bushings on & I'm thinking of reverting to OEM at the back because of the amount of drumming / high frequency vibration being caused by shock loads through the control arms. I can sort of live with this in the Corolla but would not be prepared to live with it in a daily driven IS300. GS

OK; no problem. . .

Hi there, I have until now < just bought a Lexus IS300 last week > made only sporadic visits to this Site. I got on this evening as I wanted to sell the set of IS250/350 LF1 18" rims/tyres currently worn by my car & revert the car to its original rims. The system will not let me post in Buy & Sell; I get a "You cannot start new topic" > message. I tried contacting Site Admin / Moderators but can't even locate the main board page let alone the "Moderating Team" link at the base of that page. Assistance would be very welcome. . . . . Regards George

Yes I am. Let me explain. . . Just because a car is importable under Sevs doesn't mean someone can just import it; it has to undergo various tests to ensure it complies with ADR's. This will typically cost a Compliance workshop about 40-50K depending on the car. This is quite a risk for a Workshop and I thought they may be more inclined to Comply the car if say 50% of the cost of Compliance was borne by the owners of the 1st batch imported; of course I would be prepared to put my own money up; but they aren't going to comply a vehicle just because 1 person (i.e. myself) is keen on it; they need to feel that there would be enough potential interest in the car for them to go through the hassle; i.e. it would need to be a valid commercial proposition. Quite frankly I am suprised at the lack of enthusiasm for this; they are really cool looking cars; much better looking than the ungainly Stageas and too-futuristic Caldina's that HAVE been complied & imported; I would think there would be more interest in the GITA; given the sheetmetal recognition due to the popularity of the IS sedan variant. The car is quite popular in the USA where they had a 3L with a Getrag 5Speed and really popular in New Zealand. I think a major factor behind the car not being marketed here (apart from the complacency of Toyota Australia) is that Aussie buyers aren't into performance wagons, only thinking of wagons as SUVs; and Lexus IS series buyers are too hung up on the executive sedan cache of the cars (carefully cultivated by Toyota) to countenance a wagon variant, especially when it carries the Toyota nameplate they are sold under in Japan. Personally I don't give a damn about badges - It's a damn good car whatever its called. Anyway; If there was anything else I was REALLY interested in I wouldn't have left this message in the first place. Cheers George ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you serious??? I think you'll need to put your own money down. Or better still just buy something else.

Hi Guys, I've posted this in the New Members & General Lexus discussion forum; so far the silence has been deafening. . . Lets see how I go here. I just registered a couple of days ago; I'm sure I'm not the first person thats broached this topic but here I go anyway. . . I am trying to organise compliance for the Altezza GITA 3.0L. (AWD model just misses out on HP/Tonne limit) I have spoken to a couple of importers who say there is no real legal (i.e. SEVS)reason this hasn't yet happened, as this variant was never sold in AUS/has unique sheet metal; the main hurdle is finding a RAWS workshop that thinks this would be commercially viable and that is willing to undertake Compliance (small matter of $40-50K for this). I would like to see how many of your members would be interested in putting down $2.5K / EA (would need minimum 10 ppl) to spread the risk with the Workshop. Having visited NZ and travelled in / driven one I would dearly like to be able to purchase one of these cars and can't for the life of me see why these would be any less likley to sell than many of the wierd and obscure vehicles that ARE complied. I am sure there are many over-35's out there who wouldn't be seen dead in a Caldina and would like a wagon with more gravitas, who would be interested in trying to get this over the line. . . Note: Due to cost of meeting emission laws only pre-1/2004 vehicles would be viable... I would welcome your comments.

Hi Guys, I've just joined this evening and I'm sure I'm not the first person thats broached this topic but here I go anyway. . . I am trying to organise compliance for the Altezza GITA 3.0L. (AWD model just misses out on HP/Tonne limit) I have spoken to a couple of importers who say there is no real legal (i.e. SEVS)reason this hasn't yet happened, as this variant was never sold in AUS/has unique sheet metal; the main hurdle is finding a RAWS workshop that thinks this would be commercially viable and that is willing to undertake Compliance (small matter of $40-50K for this). I would like to see how many of your members would be interested in putting down $2.5K / EA (would need minimum 10 ppl) to spread the risk with the Workshop. Having visited NZ and travelled in / driven one I would dearly like to be able to purchase one of these cars and can't for the life of me see why these would be any less likley to sell than many of the wierd and obscure vehicles that ARE complied. I am sure there are many over-35's out there who wouldn't be seen dead in a Caldina and would like a wagon with more gravitas, who would be interested in trying to get this over the line. . . Note: Due to cost of meeting emission laws only pre-1/2004 vehicles would be viable... I would welcome your comments.