lambobaby1218

Guys, I need some help. Last weekend some dumb-!Removed! movers parked extremely close to my new IS; could only walk sideways between the vehicles. Short story is they put a paint chip on the rear pillar, drivers side, about half way between the roof and where the rear panel has it’s crease. It is about the length on the nail on my pinkie finger and maybe about a third of the width. My dealer’s body shop looked at it and put on some touch up paint, then clear coat, then water sanded it. It doesn’t feel too smooth and is still noticeable, enough too irritate me. They also noticed a very minor dent, which after talking with a few sources, is deemed too small to be able to have anything done with it. If the average guy walked by, they likely wouldn’t notice this blemish but since I know it’s there it still bothers me. The other option is to paint the area. The dealer explained that this would mean the rear panel, the rear door and the roof line from A to C pillar would need to be re-painted in order to have the paint blend in (in addition to the tail lights, rear door and bumper being removed). Thus the integrity of the factor paint over a large area has been violated not to mention that the gaps/seams on the removed panels will never be like it was done at the factory.

Note that the moving company has agreed to pay for all repairs.

So my questions is: Do I re-paint or do I leave it as is (touched up by the dealer)? Although I want a “good as new” look, my feeling is to leave as is and not re-paint, thereby leaving the factory finish intact.

Your thoughts and sorry if I’m sounding a bit anal about a small “ding”

My opinion, I say do not repaint it. I know it's irritating (I've been there!), but do as I did, and deal with it the way it is!! lol. Otherwise, you risk having it look like you've been in an accident or something.

12 Months or 10,000 Miles

Replace engine oil and oil filter

Measure thickness of front brake pads and rotors (GS 430, IS)

Replace air conditioner filter (GS 300, GS 430, IS 350, LS 430, SC)

Re-torque axle shaft flange bolts (all models except ES)2

Rotate tires (all models except IS with different size front and rear tires)

Visually inspect brake pads and rotors

Road-test vehicle

Inspect the following:

____Axle shaft boots ____Nuts and bolts on chassis

____Ball joints and dust covers ____Steering linkage and boots

____Engine air filter

You can buy your own filters at some place like http://www.irontoad.com/ and change the A/C filter yourself and the engine air filter when needed.

Take your oil filter to a local garage that does oil changes. There are lots of independents that will do this. I pay about $28 to a locally owned oil change place.

Tires can't be rotated.

That leaves a few other inspections which would probably be good to have Lexus do, but cost much less with you taking care of the rest of it.

See also:

Price Of Oil Change By The Dealer

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=32378

Thank you for your advices...

I just noticed you are in Los Angeles. I've heard good reports on service and prices at Luxury MotorWorks

http://www.luxurymotorworks.com/

227 West Chestnut Ave

Monrovia, CA 91016.

OOOOOhhhh, that's right around the corner from me!!!

Are those specialized tires or something?? I've had my originals since new, and I have 25,000 miles now....

Oh one more thing I thought of, I got the dealer to throw in a set of tires at cost (they did not even argue) I hear the origionals only last about 15K miles, and just looking at them they are expensive, if you have a spot to put them I would get them in the deal.

Thank you for the input chughtaijr. Really appreciate it. Thinking of pulling the trigger this weekend.

Can anyone else share their input?

I called the service dept., the guy told me it's not normal. He say it's normal to have a little squeaky sound in the morning but not grinding sound throughout the day. I'm bringing it in next thursday...

Well yea, I am not talking about grinding. This thread is about the squeaking sound that comes stock on Is250's and is from the high performance brake pad dust.

Anyone change there pads and eliminate the problem? What other solutions? Do u just live with it?

I forgot when I was at the dealer last week to ask about the brakes........as I am reminded while my brakes are making their little high-pitched noises........So, no, haven't changed anything yet..........just living with it for right now.....

Thanks for the reply...

Actually my grandkids are quite small...one is 7 the other will be 3 this month so the space won't be an issue. Guess I'm wondering about the car after the "new-car smell" is gone. Do you like it as much as you did when you bought it? Any problem areas to be aware of? I've heard nothing but good things about Lexus but I want to get the scoop from guys that actually live with one.

Yes, I really do still enjoy my car. However, I wouldn't mind trading up to the 350, from hearing everyone talk about how much better it is!!! lol.

Im getting 19 MPG in the City and I drive a IS 250!! What the hell!! I dont drive like a maniac!! Its at 400 miles right now, come on Gas mileage!! Geez...

I'm getting the 28 mpg driving highway, but SoCal highways, so a lot of stop and go...........

You can't rotate tires on a RWD IS250 because the rear tires are wider than the fronts.

Yes, the price is way too high for basically an oil change. That's why I always go to Bill's Express Lube and pay $28 for top brand oil and I supply the filter. You should be able to find a reliable place to do oil changes and they usually do it while you wait, so no loaner needed.

Not sure about repairing tire sidewalls as that was a "no no" back in the day. With as much highway driving as you do, you might want to double check that. At any rate a replacement tire would be in the $200-250 range, so Lexus is way high on that too.

Tire repair info:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tec...e.jsp?techid=77

Thanks again, as always, for the info! My hubby had told me that he didn't think you could rotate the tires on my car for that very reason....

I haven't yet bought a Lexus but am seriously considering the IS350.

I'm a former Corvette owner that wants similar performance and handling for 4 people. Seemed like such a waste to have it sitting in the garage when we'd take the grandkids/other friends somewhere for a ride. Soooo...I've been looking. I've already checked out the Infinti G35 and it's a sweet handling car for sure...seems to be a bit light on the acceleration though. How does the IS305 compare to that?

Are there some things you wished you'd known before you bought your Lexus? I'm trying to gather a lot of information before plunking down the 40K.

Thanks for your help...

I have a 250, so can't help you out there. But with the car itself, if you want 4 people to fit into it, comfortably, I'd say this car isn't good for you. Only because I've had people complaining (including myself, to be honest) that the back seat is small. If you want to put your grandkids in there, and they're younger, or you're just going for a short ride, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

I actually like the smallness of my car, but when I put one of my best friend (6'2") back there and drive for an hour, he gets cramped and I feel his knees in my back the entire time........

I'm at 10,300... 19.2 for Overall average... Only had my girl for 6 months.... Lets just say I'm glad fuel prices are going down..

I have 14k miles 8 months and average 19.3 mpg, I guess thats the average for big city IS350 drivers. (19-20)

Yeah, I was going to say, seems to be a big difference between the 250 and the 350....

Okay. So once I get my car back from being fixed after the valet messed it up, I had to take it in for its service. So I just got my car back for an oil change, at 25,000 miles. The checklist says they're supposed to rotate tires, and I know it didn't happen. The one tire that I had fixed with the scuff is still on the front driver's side. They charged me $159 for the oil change, basically. Also, I had the VSC light on, and a check engine light on. Which, of course, both of them went off instantly as soon as the service tech got in the car....go figure!

And get this: I was called last night, saying the reason why the VSC was on, was because I had a nail in the sidewall of my back tire, and it couldn't be repaired, needed to be replaced, and it would cost me $369 for it. I said, no, thanks, I'll take care of it myself. I drove it to an independent tire shop near where I live, after picking it up, and after 45 mins., was charged $12.65 for repairing the tire.......

Come on, what is the stealership doing?????? I'm about ready to go to Grease Monkey and have them do my oil changes now......although, the loaner car is a nice service........so just wanted to share my experience with ya'll........

Got it fixed!! Looks purty good, but I didn't take any pics. I have it back exactly one day, and now it needs its 25,000 service. The indicator has already come on. So guess it's going into the dealership this afternoon...... :cries: I missed it!!!!

Eh, thats what its for. Damage can be repaired.

Exactly. And as of Monday, it will be repaired. I've been debating whether to leave it. But I can't stand seeing those two dings on the back bumper........I should take pics before and after and then post them.....

Im at about 8700 miles on a is250. I don't drive agressive, but I believe I started hearing the hissing of the brakes from about 3-4000 miles of driving. Is this common, or should I have this checked out? I am pretty sure I still ahve lot of brake pad left. Hmm....

I noticed my brakes making their little noises about 3,000 miles ago. I'm at about 25,000. I figured I'd get them checked at the next service.......

Maybe need a beater car to drive in Beverly Hills.

We have a little truck we could use, but it's stick shift. Driving through L.A. at the end of a workday, with traffic, and a stick shift, is not my idea of a nice evening out. So we take my car.......

OOoh!!! Very nice!!!

A lot of times dealer's bpdy shops are crappy since they don't have to rely on referrals for their business. I never use dealer body shops.

I'm not going to the dealer's referral. They couldn't fit me into their convenient schedule, so I said screw it. This is somebody my husband had used before, and he's never had complaints. I understand he is painting the entire front bumper, but am not sure. I'll get more specifics later. This was just my husband calling me this morning with an estimate.....

As far as valet, Seinfeld's BO episode is hilarious. It's easy enough to park in Riverside, CA, without a valet. But when I'm downtown Beverly Hills for dinner, and they've taken away all the parking to build their stinking hotels, I don't want to walk 10 blocks just to park my car. Although, I just might start doing it! But we were running late, got to the reservation late, and that's why valet.....

This is why you shouldn't use automatic carwashes...

However, its entirely possible it happened before the wash and you just didnt notice it until you were looking at the freshly cleaned car.

As for the repair, what color is it? In order for it to look perfect the bumper cover will probably have to be replaced and painted. $800 or so.

Actully, I think it happened with the valet the night before the car wash.....

It's the white color (don't know the specific name of it). I have a second estimate of $600 to fix the bumper by taking it off, repainting it, and replacing it, fixing a wheel scuff, and repainting the front bumper from a fiasco a while ago where I went into a driveway too fast.....yes, I'm hard on cars. The first estimate was about the same, but didn't include painting the front bumper. It's about $500 to redo the back bumper.

I like 'em! I don't have Photoshop, so can't do the same.

Update: I called the company that my dealership recommended, and they will only LOOK at the car with an appointment, and, of course, they aren't available today. I'm taking it over to a friend of mine, who has done work on my other cars. I don't know why I didn't think of him before. I'll let you know how it turns out......

I just paid my registration for another year, so am keeping this little one. I've been through so much with it already that I decided to keep it for a little while longer (i.e., the new seatbelts on recall, windshield crack first week of ownership, rearview mirror replacement, recirc button not working). I only have 25,000 miles on it in one year (ONLY?) :P

Nice-looking car!! I like that package. I might have to check it out myself!!

Has anyone noticed if their IS350 has a little shake once awhile at the stop light or something? If you have your engine on D at a stop light for example, you may feel a very little subtle "jerk" or "shake" once awhile. It is very subtle, so you may have to pay attention to it. Is there anything wrong with my transmission? or is my engine miss firing sometime?

I've noticed my 250 doing that, as well. I just assumed it's the way the car idles.....

Is there a reason why a dealer charge $175 + tax for an oil change?!

I paid it once at 5000 miles for my IS350 but I don't want to do it again.

I could put synthetic oil somewhere else and still not even pay half of that!

Should I stay with the dealer for the oil change because of warranty issues or should I go somewhere else?

I hate the fact that they taking advantage of the situation.

$175 + tax for an oil change? :o :o :o :o :o :o

Synthetic or not.... WTF?!?!?!

That's insane.

Mobil 1 is only $6- a quart

Mobil 1 SuperSyn is only $6.50

Are their filters gold plated?

You can do it yourself for well under $60-

Keep receipts for filters and oil, warranty will be honored.

I think I paid around $100 for my oil change, but I could be wrong. I'd have to go back and check.

So will a lube-n-tune know how to turn off the annoying indicator that your oil needs to be changed if it's on???

I don't know if this is a NEW color, but here's my '07 IS250 in Smoky Granite Mica....

Nice color!

It's always nice when you have the first car and everyone stares!!! It's just when everyone else gets the same car, and now they're all over Southern California!!! Very nice-looking car!

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to check out the online company that Bartkat sent to me, and I will probably also take the car over to the dealer's suggestion and get an estimate. Bartkat, thanks again for the site.

When I told my husband about it, he told me it was most likely the valet, from the night before, that did the damage, and not the car wash. These valet people didn't even know what car I drove, and pulled up some SUV and looked at us like we were stupid, and said, "Isn't this your car?" Uh, no. I think I know what my car looks like. So sorry to put all the damage on the car wash when they most likely weren't the ones who did it!! lol.