Manolo1

I had the fuel injection scrubbed of carbon buildup and purchased a new set of tires and the car drives like new. I took it on the highway and it was getting over 30 MPG (according to the computer, at least). It must have just been the combination of carbon build-up from the previous owner using 87 gas, the cruddy tires on the front, and brutal stop-and-go traffic in Chicago that was ruining my mileage. The dealer also replaced my brake pads because of the TSB for excessive dust.

another proof that "savings" in gas quality and octane are really non existent...

IS better value than BMW

CR rated all season tires in 18 inch as follows:

1 Dunlop SP Sport 5000

2 Continental ContiProContact

3 Yokohama Avid H4S

4 Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus

and UHP all season:

1 Falken ZE 912

2 Nitto Neo Gen ZR

3 Yokohama Advan S4

Looks the dealer was not wrong after all...

Not sure the IS has paxs lumbar support, does it?

Dunlops are not rubbish... perhaps that specific model, but there are plenty of others, some of which are OEM on ultra fast super exotic cars...

why haven't you considered the Infiniti G37 AWD?

Maybe they don't care as much about safety.

or they do not have the litigious mind Americans have...

well... even in a closed track you are courting danger at that speed in any car...

you are also courting danger on our expressways everyday... ;)

most especially when you pass old trucks going faster than they should...

yesterday I was lucky the tow truck that got a "lose chain" (??!!)(from the car it was transporting on the flat bed) around its right rear tires creating an immediate situation of "blocked rear right tires" with the corresponding lane switch, etc... was "only" 100 yards ahead of me because I was driving "slow" otherwise the story could have been completely different...

Well...

there are many cars that can go 150 MPH, in some your are risking your life and in others is just "a walk in the park"...

that is precisely what separates the good cars from the crappy ones...

I would like to think that our IS350 is in the former category...

and -of course- I am not using those crappy tires... right now I have Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 on my car. Allegedly the best ultra high performance tire available in the market today.

The IS350 comes equipped with Z rated tires so...I see no need to limit the top speed based on that factor... I am sure attorneys have a lot to do with it, who knows...

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

Most European fast sedans come with a limited top speed of 155 mph, which is a well known fact.

Based on Lexus' wish to compete head on with BMW (at least with the IS350) I was of the mistaken belief that they would have their cars limited in a similar way.

Obviously this is not the case.

Yes, I tested the top speed of my IS and found out it to be 144 mph (as per my GPS, not the speedometer).

And yes, it was tested under controlled conditions in a closed track.

Seems to me that it is and at a very low level. Any confirmation? <_<

Thanks

I have the PS2s. Perfect.

Non directional?

Not an issue either, as you can switch them by mounting them the other way and switching them to the other side.

My PS2s already have 13K miles and at 10K I thought about dismounting and remounting but observed the thread was identical in both sides, therefore I abandoned the idea.

In Florida a 10% ethanol mixture is mandatory...

you still need the fronts...

You cannot go wrong with Mobil1

Most probably you are driving on Arizona summer tires.

They simply don't work under 40 degrees, DON'T work!

Get a new set of winter tires and you'll be having a totally satisfactory experience.

hi everyone...now that I have my 2006 350, I am looking to buy an Ipod holder/charger...a GOOD one...any suggestions?

p.s.thanks smooth1 for the welcome!

eBay

smoked rear lights look cool but...

they make your car a lot less visible from behind...(at night of course!)

do you really want that trade off?

Do you really want to make your call less visible at night from the rear?

Doesn't sound like the right move to me...

The other day I was approaching a new Mitsu Lancer with smoked rear lights and I almost did not see him until I was just 20 yards behind...

smoked lights are cool during daytime and are a magnet for rear end collisions at night...

Just my 2 cents

$1200 for tires? Did you price out alternatives to the OEM tires? I blew a tire on a pothole and needed a new one--Bridgestone Potenza RE092. The dealer was CHEAPER than all independent shops, and cheaper than Tire Rack when factoring shipping. It's a shame because there are better cheaper alternatives to those tires.

The OEM tires for the IS250 are waaaay too much tire for that car... you can do much cheaper with $150 tires that are still very performing for 99% of drivers...

My dealer advertises front OR rear brake special as:

surface rotors, genuine Lexus brake pads for 269.95...

at 35K I see no need for new rotors...

Just had my 30K service performed in my IS350. Front brakes were required for a total cost around $700.

Special things the 30K included:

Change brake fluid

Change interior air filter

Top off all fluids

New car key battery

New windshield wiper inserts

I believe change transmission fluid (or differential) and then (besides the typical oil change) a myriad of inspections and the like...

The labor is 3 hours (plus 1 for the brakes) the parts are negligible (except the brakes) so make your own decision...

If long tread wear is important:

H-rated:

Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus

Goodyear Assurance TripleTred

Kumho Solus KH16

V-rated:

Michelin Pilot HX MXM4

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus

Others to consider if winter grip doesn't matter:

H-rated:

Continental ContiProContact

Michelin Pilot XGT H4

Bridgestone Potenza RE950

V-rated:

Yokohama Avid V4s

Falken Ziex ZE 512

Bridgestone Potenza RE950