Lexus IS 300

fredmcmurray

Your treadwear rating should be on the side of the tire. You can never rely on milage to determine when to replace tires, there are too many variables that can drastically affect wear. The penny test is to stick a penny in the threads with the top of Lincoln's head toward the center of the wheel. If the thread reaches Lincoln's hair you are OK. If not, it's time to replace.
There are also usually threadware bars. These are strips runnings across the thread that become more apparent as the thread wears down. You want to replace your tires before it is down to those.

wale_bate1

Treadwear rating: If your IS is wearing the same Potenza paws mine is, the rating is 140. To get anything over 15K miles out of them, I'd bet you'd probably have to drive straightline only at about 35mph!

Look for the little arrows on the side of the tread. Those should show where the wear indicators are, per Fred's advice. If they're visible and even with the height of the tread blocks, time to look for new rubber.

My little mule suffered an unfortunate blow yesterday in Fresno. Pulled out of a parking lot only to get nailed on the driver's side of the front bumper. All my fault too. Never caused an accident in my life, and haven't been hit since 1978, when a cheerleader from the local HS rear-ended my Dad's Olds.

If I hadn't put the bra on for the trip down the bug-infested I-5, the whole front clip would have fallen off. As it is, I'm looking at new front clip, grille, driver's front quarter-panel, radiator supports and crossmember, and some misc. items. Thank the Lord nobody was even slightly injured, and the car is running and handling and riding as if nothing happened.

Kinda pissed about it, though. At myself, that is... [-(

nyccarguy

Glad to hear nobody was hurt. However, don't be suprised if yuo find out that some internals under the hood are damaged and have to be replaced as well. I rear ended a Hyundai in the Saab I was leasing (it was my 1st accident in 10 years of driving) in bumper to bumper traffic. At first I inspected the damage as needing possibly a new bumper and grille. It turned out to be that, 2 new headlights, a new radiator, new AC condensor...$5,000 later and I'm still shocked. Same thing happened to my Dad. He rear ended a Jeep Liberty in his Infiniti QX4. We figured he needed a new bumper, quarter panel, grill, headlight assembly, and radiator (maybe $5,000-$6000 worth of damage). It cost almost $13,000 to fix his truck.

I hope you don't have the same misfortunes as we did. But like you said, nobody got hurt and that's what's important.

superman5

thank you for your help, surprisingly, i drove about 23k already on these tires and treads are still good (done by penny test, thank you) , did you guys change to same tires? better ones? cheaper ones?

jmess

If you got 23K out of the Bridgestone RE040s and still pass the penny test you have done well. The wear rating for the 040s is 140. I always liked the 040s but there are some tires out there that perform as well or better and should last a little longer. The two that I have read the best press about are the Bridgestone S-03s and the new Goodyear F1s. The Michelin Pilots do well also but tend to cost more.

I just replaced my wheels and tires with the new Goodyear F1 GS-D3s on some lighter forged wheels. The F1s have a wear rating of 280 and are a little cheaper than the S-03s. The F1s feel better in the dry and are definetly better in the wet than the 040s.

Going with 17x8 wheels and 225s F1s on all 4 corners made a nice improvement to the handling of my SX. The car turns in better with less understeer and is easier to control as you lay on the throttle. I really love the steering feel provided by the IS and my new setup just enhances it.

Ride quality has changed a little though, you tend to hear and feel more of the expansion strips on the roads between 20-50 MPH. I am not getting pounded but I have given up a little bit of low speed ride quality for better handling at all speeds. The tire noise with the F1 is a different pitch/tone than the 040s but not any louder.

fredmcmurray

Has any body heard anything about the L-Tuned steering ECU for the IS? I'm assuming it remaps the assist level to provide even less assist (more feel). If that is what it does, I would be very interested.

wale_bate1

23K and still rolling? And these are Potenza RE040? Either I'm impressed, or you're not having near enough fun with the car!

jmess: Same paws all the way around, eh? And new rims? Which rims did you go with?

I have heard no unkind words regarding Kumho Ecstas, and quite a bit of praise from a wide variety of vehicle owners. The price makes them intriguing, but also makes one a bit leary, if you know what I mean.

I have always had excellent result from Bridgestone/Firestone product, and I hesitate to change brands, but other than the S-03, the Ecsta has my attention...

BTW, this rental car is gonna drive me nuts. Funny, but when I'm on the road, a base GM FWD sedan doesn't phase me in least, and some of the mid-levels (Regal GS) are even comfortable. But in local, familiar surroundings? Aaaaaaargh!

It's been three days, and I really miss my car!! [-(

jmess

Wale,

I went with some silver Volk GT-C. I have mixed emotions about how they look on the car. In some ways I wish I would have done a special order from Japan to get custom black centers. At the time I didn't want to wait 60 days. The quality of the Volk wheels is exceptional though; for the price it should be.

http://www.upgrademotoring.com/wheels/Gt-c.jpg

I was leaning heavily toward the S-03s but went with the new kid on the block after reading some good reviews. I am very happy with the Goodyear F1s; they were built in Germany.

From my view point until Kumho and others meet or exceed the performance (from handling to noise) of the better tires on the market, like the S-03s or F1s, I am going with the better tires even if they do cost more money. I would rather save money somewhere else.

fredmcmurray

Very nice. Volk makes some very high quality wheels. Now they are supplying the 350Z track edition with their wheels (under the Ray's Engineering, rather than the Volk, name). Not sure if that is the first original equipment use.

wale_bate1

Pretty hip, jmess. Very nice looking. Did it allow you to drop a pound or two?

I find myself drawn to the Gram Lights Challenge for some reason.

I hear you on the tires, which is why I express some small doubt about jumping. But the Kumho rumors are pervasive, and the savings rather substantial. Anywho, I don't have to worry about it until next year at least, so plenty of time for research!

fredmcmurray

Gram Lights Challenge? There's a Volk Challenge that is one of my favorite wheels but is out of my price range and the Ray's Gram Light, which isn't nearly as nice looking but fairly light weight and inexpensive. There's also a Gram Light Pro which is a two piece forged wheel that is very light and not too expensive. All three have the correct number of spokes.

wale_bate1

Well, it's on that web site under Gram Lights 57F and it says "Challenge". It's got the right number of spokes (5) and it's over 600 clams, which puts it at least $400 over what I could spend without divorce proceedings...

I'll stick with stock! Saw an ad for a supercharger, though...

fredmcmurray

I see the confusion. The Challenge is to the right of the Gram Light 57F. That is a different wheel that they just haven't posted a picture of yet. The Volk Racing Challenge is this one: http://www.upgrademotoring.com/wheels/challenge.htm

A supercharger kit? Where? I've seen turbo kits from toyomoto ($10.5K - ouch) and powerhouse racing (not released yet) but no superchargers.

wale_bate1

Yeah, that's the one. D'oh!

Here's a link: http://www.lextasy.com/storeb/agora.cgi?cart_id=36690.20980*z97rH- 5&p_id=311&xm=on&ppinc=search2

Yesterday, they were showing in install in a GS300.

Here's one for dips only: http://www.lextasy.com/storeb/agora.cgi?cart_id=36690.20980*zl3G0- 0&p_id=1148&xm=on&ppinc=search2

What moak puts non-functional "roll" bars in a car?

This I rather like, though:


Gets rid of the funky Lexus grille pattern and logo in one fell swoop, and matches the pattern of the fascia grille.

Did you find any info on the power steering control?

fredmcmurray

$4K is not too bad though it doesn't give any power numbers. I'd guess they'd run about 5 psi and get about 25% increase. They also don't mention it but I would think that the larger injectors and E-manage would require a few hours of dyno time to set up.
I'm surprised they call that thing a roll cage. Convenient place to mount the entertainment system screens though.
Haven't heard anything on the steering ECU. I suppose I could venture into is300.net or club lexus and ask the teenagers.
Maybe I should actually buy an IS300 at some point.

wale_bate1

$8409.60

jmess

Upgrading the sway bars and tire/wheels have improved the responsiveness of the steering quite a bit in my car. Alignment issues can mess up steering feel though, my car was delivered with a camber and toe out problem that took me a while to figure out. Lexus fixed it. I always swear I am going to take every new car I get and have the alignment checked right away. I have had several new cars where it wasn't right including this one.

The GT-Cs I have weigh in at 18 lbs which isn't as light as some of the other forged wheels out there. You can get in the 12-15 lb range if you think you can dodge all the potholes.

nyccarguy

OUCH! Sorry man! Hope you get it fixed OK.

fredmcmurray

jmess - Yeah, Volks aren't always the lightest, but they are pretty sturdy. 18 lbs for a 17x8 inch wheel is not bad, though.
What do the stock wheels weigh?

wale_bate1

Laugh time:

I called the body shop to see if perhaps I could substitute the TRD grille for the Lexus one, since they're in there and all, and they said as long as it was a Toyota factory part there was no issue but cost, and the cost on the TRD grille is actually less than the Lexus grille.

Have y'all guessed the rub? Yup, the grille wasn't damaged, the pins just popped.

I swear, if I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning (on a little Lexus grille!)!

wale_bate1

Hey J!

I know it's only ten millimeters difference (five to either side), but do the 225s up front still look as nicely tailored as the 215s?

I don't know why the idea of the same rubber at all four corners appeals to me, but it does. Maybe it's the fact that you can rotate rubber and I can't! Must be an inferiority complex...

fredmcmurray

Why do you have different size tires front and back? I thought they were 215s all around from the factory.

fredmcmurray

Never mind. I didn't realize that the SportCross comes with 225s in back.

jmess

I think a 215 and the OEM 17x7 wheels weighs in at about 44 lbs I think you add 3 or 4 lbs for the stock 17x7.5 and 225. I been too lazy to pull off new wheel/tire and weigh it yet. I would expect 1 or 2 lbs less on the front probably 3 or 4 lbs less on the back. There is a very slight increase in tire exposure from the fenders (front and rear) but I think you would have to look pretty hard to notice it. I have the JDM (Japanese domestic market) body colored mudguards/flaps which help keep things a little cleaner when it rains.

For reference the SX wheel offsets are +50 front and +55 rear. The sedan is +50 on all 4. 225s are approx .4 inches wider than 215s and have a .2" bigger diameter (which means my car sits about 1/10th of an inch higher in front over stock if I got the math right)

Changing things can change handling at the limit:
wider tire in front = less push
wider wheel in front = less push
wider track in front = less push
go narrow and you get more push

narrow tire in back = less push
narrow wheel in back = less push
narrow track in back = less push
go wider and you get more push

raise the frontend = more push
drop rearend = more push

The sum of my wheel/tire change is less push than before. The car turns in much better with less tire sqealling. The rearend responds to the throttle more and you don't feel the tires sidewalls rolling over as much under load. With more grip, the skid control doesn't intrude as much; since it takes a higher cornering speed and/or a lot more throttle to get the rearend to start slipping.

The only down side is the increase in lateral grip highlights what is lacking with the stock shock valving. If you have ever noticed some slight bobbing around in response to changes in the road surface (bumps) at higher cornering loads you will know what I mean. Since I seldom drive the car that hard it isn't a major issue but as soon as the stock shocks show any signs of wear they will be replaced.

fredmcmurray

BTW, wale, I was thinking about your TRD grill. I have no problem with people doing whatever they please with their cars but there are some who might think that putting a TRD grill on if you haven't used any TRD performance products would smack of a white starchy food staple. Take that for what it's worth from a guy with dual 4.5 inch dia. tips on his Toyota.

wale_bate1

Steamed grain product, eh?

According to a few who've posted in here, it's already part of a far-eastern meal just plain stock!

I've abandonded the TRD grille idea in favor of a Millen grille instead. The TRD grille has a "carbon-fiber" lip on it, and the Millen's is painted to match:


Just pop off the Millen sig and it's almost a match for the existing lower grille.

That TRD acronym is questionable. Maybe they should've just gone with Toyota Unlimited Racing Development instead!

J: I like your strategy. Sounds like a well studied enhancement. If I weren't re-landscaping the back yard and facing remodels on two 25-year old bathrooms, I'd consider playing around a bit with my mule. For now, I'll just scheme out a way to get the grille without shattering the conubial bliss!

fredmcmurray

Those teenagers know their stuff. Turns out the recalibrated power steering ECU is for the GS, not the IS. It wasn't clear on the website on which I saw it.

wale_bate1

Ahhhh! Sounds like something the GS could use.

Wha' happened? Looks like we lost a couple posts?

wale_bate1

Here's yet another TRD option:


This one's painted and about $50 less than the Millen one. Again, just pop off the Altezza plaque and top and bottom match.

Me likely.

fredmcmurray

Why not leave the Altezza plaque and rebadge the rest of the car? The kids think it's really cool.

This week I saw two colors I have never seen before. I checked back and it looks like they were offered in the first year. One was called "Auburn" something. It was really sharp! Then there was a blue that was darker than the current IBP. I liked them both better than anything currently offered.

wale_bate1

Yeah, Intensa doesn't really do much for me either, though I've seen more than a few around. I'm not much of a blue fan to begin with, but if it's got to be blue, it should be a blue with a lot more authority and not so, well, ski-boat blue.

But that's just me.

jonnyrotten

What are your impressions of this particular model?

kvsm3

The colors u are referring to are auburn sky pearl and spectra blue mica. Both of these colors were offered only on the 2001 IS300.

rsr742002

I honestly do not a see a reason to modify the existing setup: it is tastefull and sharp.
The Lexus grill is perfect for me: Toyota Altezza
only comes with a 2 liter inline 6, so nothing to be envious about. The only thing I start to dislike is a clear lense design: I would settle more for a conventional style lense but no big deal. What I would love is a factory supercharged
model (IS-R anyone?).

The platform is flexible enough to accomodate another 50-85 horses. I'd say that would make it a car to salivate over. Imagine a 300HP IS. Who do I make my check payable to???

wale_bate1

Oh, I don't think there's anything "wrong" with the grille, I've just seen options I prefer personally. I'd like to be rid of the giant "L" in the middle of it, and I'd like the mesh to match that of the lower intake. That's about it.

You want more ponies? Here's a pic of an IS430 from last year on IS300net:
http://www.is300.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Media_Galler- y&file=index&do=showpic&pid=312
Maybe you could pull an engine swap!

My pony count is just fine, thank you very much. Oh, I could always use more, but not at the expense of any key characteristic of the current product!

rsr742002

I agree that a V-8 in the IS would be an overkill (too much weight) but a supercharger may add a few horses penalty free. Why not: the current version has more than adequate power but for fanatics like me, it may be a good boost to consider. Call it a SportDesign (for real) and price it $2,000 more.
Lexus simply can't stop at this point. To take care of Germans, it needs more manual-equipped models: give me an IS300 coupe (5-6 speed) maybe a GS430 sedan (6 speed) and call the whole manual gear box stable SportDesign or L-Tuned.

sailoverfuel

After visiting one dealership here in the NJ area I was told that it is very hard (or a possible 7 month wait) to get a IS 300 with Nav.

Dissapointing because as I look into other cars that compete "head on" most do give the alternative of NAV and possibly in stock. The G35...in stock--TSX...in stock (standard)-- Bimer 3...did a look up and takes days- Maxima 2004 (although not equal in detail and interiors quality) ...in stock.

The IS 300 looks nice although I do worry about getting one and then Lexus taking out a whole new model in 2005 or 2006 that will make mine look like nothing.

What do do???????

jmess

Contact Lexus and ask for the location of a dealer that can get you a car with Nav. The dealer wants to sell you a car they have on the lot.

wale_bate1

Bingo!

Sail: They can locate a NAV no problem. However, if you're looking for NAV without taking leather, you might have an issue.

When I was shopping, Escaine/no NAV was easy, and leather w/NAV was easy. Silver, black, blue and Graphite were also easy. Green, yellow, red and white were not.

im_brentwood

Not around here! In North Jersey we have had ONE in 2 years! There are NO Nav ISs scheduled for build in our region.

fredmcmurray

North Jersey? Around here? Our region? Did you move, brentwood?

rwcole

Hi everyone, I wanted to get your thoughts on the non-Lexus extended warranty through CNA. The Dealer (Carsdirect) is offering the 7 yr, 100k warranty for $1050. It covers everythings from engine to the CD player (with a deductible no higher than $100 depending on the issue). First question, what are your thoughts on this type of offering? I am buying the car and plan to have it for at least 5 years.

Also, as a side question, have any of you heard of Gap insurance? I guess it covers youif your car is stolen and covers the difference of what my insurance company will pay and what I will have to pay to cover the rest of the loan and replace the car. I've never heard of it.

Thanks a lot for your help!

sailoverfuel

Wale Bate- Funny u mentioned leather b/c I do have leather at the time and wood accent. Love my interiors...but I did like the non-leather interiors of the IS 300 over leather. I think this is the firs time I like the cheaoer option of anything better that the most expensive one. I like the IS 300 combination of leather/swead on the seats.

Anyway...if they have the NAV w/ leather only I would consider and make the jump.

How about the rumors..yadaah...yaddaa about the new model and the chances I may hate my 03 IS300 in 2 years due to a whole new style??????

See, this is why the G35 keeps jumping back into the equation. I am not crazy aboutb the interior panels but this could be improved w/ a decent wood accent job. The again, I can't forget about the TSX that I know will not change, and can afford with ALL goddies inside including the wood style steering whell.

As of today, I have taken the Max 04 out of the equation b/c of interior crapy, cheap plastic style (I currently have a Max 03 manual leather..the works and yes is fast but the next car has to be Auto - wife will start using it) So, since I will do Auto I may not focus on speed, torque, HP and may just look for nice upscale details luxury and a bit of kick such as the 200HP TSX, 215 HP IS300 or of course the G35/..............

fedlawman

The big problem with adding wood to the G35 interior is that the wood kits are flat, so they don't wrap around the edge of the console.

It will definitely look "tacked-on."

I have a thing for cockpits too and find the A4 and TSX to be the nicest, with the BMW 3 series a close second...

wale_bate1

Hail, stranger from afar! Yeah, what's with this Jersey thing? Nice to hear from you.

Regional issue with obtaining NAVs? Who'd have thunk? So, Sail, looks like you need to fly out here to sunny CA, take delivery and have a very hip road trip back to Jersey!

Here's that www.autofiend.com shot of the alleged upcoming IS:

I don't personally consider it an upgrade. Go to the site for the assumed specs, but the poop is that the inline six bows to a new V6.

I was supposed to get the mule back on Friday, but that switched to today. I am unable to adequately express the joy!

ppnff

I live in the Chicago area and as everyone knows, we have snow, lots of snow! I am replacing my Accord and have eyed the IS 300 since its release several years ago. Locally, the IS 300 seems to be equipped with 17" all season tires versus the high performance tires in other locations. Given the all season tires, rear wheel drive, traction control, rear limited slip differential, and VSC, can the IS 300 handle the snow, more or less, or am I just crazy? Thank you.

nyccarguy

With All Season Tires, the car will handle "decent" in the snow given all its electronic and mechanical nannies, but a dedicated set of winter tires would be a wiser choice, especially in Chicago.

ppnff

I live in the Chicago area and as everyone knows, we have snow, lots of snow! I am replacing my Accord and have eyed the IS 300 since its release several years ago. Locally, the IS 300 seems to be equipped with 17" all season tires versus the high performance tires in other locations. Given the all season tires, rear wheel drive, traction control, rear limited slip differential, and VSC, can the IS 300 handle the snow, more or less, or am I just crazy? Thank you.

sailoverfuel

I always wonder how tinted windows improve the look and overall shape of a car. Such as the picture posted by Wale.

A shame that sometimes tinted windows become a target for cops. Meaning that they call atention to the car and give it a young look.

I personally like them even when they are a bit too dark (...and I am 33). I do hesitate and make them a bit lighter to keep the family look.

The car above looks awesome. I am still amxious to see pictures of the future IS300.

sailoverfuel

I followed some of the suggestions in this forum and called Lexus directly to ask about the availability of Nav systems for the IS300.

According to them, the Lexus dealership Assoc. (or something along those lines) make regional decicions regarding some of the packages they offer. They informed me that this model does not offer Nav in my area.

Funny...because if you visit the Lexus Website, and/or review some of the vehcles marketing materials etc most pics do have the car with Nav System Interiors...teasing prospect costumers like me and them turning them off.

See, I think Nav is no longer an "out there request" with today's technology this should be an item offered by most cars over 25K. manufacturers need to figure out a way were the original screen is large enough for them to add a Nav system w/o having to change the whole layout. Large screens even without Nav systems are good safety features because they are easier to read.

The bottom line is that as it stands I may take the IS300 out of the equation as I shop around for my next car. As discussed and mentioned in several forums, there are several other models that offer this feature and compete "head on".

I do like the layout of the Nav system in the IS300. The controls are in b/w the seats as opposed to the dash so ounce you are familiar with the bottons the driver could operate it with minimal eye contact and easy access (instead of reaching up to the dash). A shame that they tease and not offer it.

Since I will be leasing, I do not consider a sel installed system or driving to a dealership way out there in another state.