07'IS350

There is a product called Seafoam. IF you run it through the engine using the PCV system or sucking it through the vacume line that ataches to the master cylinder for the brakes it will elimnate the small. If it doesnt work the first time, do it a second and that will for sure get rid of the smell.

I did it on my girlfriends 2004 Ford Explore when it was having the problem and after the first can the smell was 90% gone and after the second can it was gone and is still done after 20,000 miles.

Just my suggestion.

The breaks were really easy to take apart and re-install. Just take your time and look them over. I considered the caliper paint, but in my opinion the brush on kind never looks as good as a good as quality powder coating. I considered painting them a different color, but it is my wifes car and wanted to keep the car very simple and clean looking.

thx guys for ur responses, I guess imma have to specify that I want the top of the line oil, do u guys recommend tat?

I only use fully synthetic in my lexus. If you are going to ask for the highest quality oil you better buy it elsewhere and just have to dealer do the oil change. From my experience the dealer charges twice as much for the oil as you can buy it a local parts store. There are many options available but all the studies i have read show that royal purle and Redline oil are the best, also remember even though it is synthetic oil and it takes longer to break down its not a bad idea to change your oil early. Personally i change mine every 3,000 miles, i figure if i spent 45,000 on a car i might as well maintain it really well!

What kind of oil do u use though? And also, is Eneos oil any good, which brand is best? I heard a lot of people using mobil 1 syn, and also do u know wat kind of oil the lexus dealership uses?

I use redline oil in my lexus, i have no burning problems and it runs great. Redline oil does cost more per quart though.

Some people might consider the oil i use and how often i change my oil it over kill but it does no damage and can only help the engine.

thx guys for ur responses, I guess imma have to specify that I want the top of the line oil, do u guys recommend tat?

I only use fully synthetic in my lexus. If you are going to ask for the highest quality oil you better buy it elsewhere and just have to dealer do the oil change. From my experience the dealer charges twice as much for the oil as you can buy it a local parts store. There are many options available but all the studies i have read show that royal purle and Redline oil are the best, also remember even though it is synthetic oil and it takes longer to break down its not a bad idea to change your oil early. Personally i change mine every 3,000 miles, i figure if i spent 45,000 on a car i might as well maintain it really well!

Suspension mods would impact any warranty claims related to suspension, and probably alignment (though the alignment warranty is only 12 months on a new IS). It obviously won't be relevant if you file a warranty claim on an engine or stereo problem or something though.

For intake/exhaust, assuming one is not in california where everything requires an EO number, you have a few options...

For intake I'd just spend $109 on a Joe Z intake pipe and call it day. Nothing else will add any more horsepower, and it'll just cost more, and suck hot air instead of cold.

For exhaust the Tanabe will be the quietest of the fully legal aftermarket systems... and it's very good build quality for around $550 shipped too...but any of the aftermarket systems that are only axle-back (ie don't touch either set of cats) should be "legal" as far as emissions goes... None of the axle-backs are likely to add more than 5-7 horsepower, there's only so much to gain with better axle-back plumbing.

+1 to that. There is a slight chance that lexus would try and void your warranty because you have an intake or exhaust but it would not hold up. If you really want to avoid all conflict wait 5 months for lexus's new intake and buy there HKS exhaust.

Awesome..I just wonder what kind of rediculous prices Lexus will try to charge for them and how they will stand up against other manufacturers...

...any ideas???

I was at SEMA this year for the product introduction lexus was very hesitant to say the prices, I am sure they will be expensive but they come with a full warranty and wont void your factory warranty.

You can buy the Lexus/HKS exhaust here:

http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2247

thx bartkat for the website, I'm gonna order sum parts, but does the HKS exhaust have any positive performance or is it more for the sound and looks?

To be honest with any exhaust you add you arent going to feel any reel power gains. The place where power is made is by removing restrictions, the greatest restrictions in our exahust are the cats and headers. Dont get me wrong you will pick up some power but dont buy your exahust purley based on that, find one where you like the looks and sound and go for it.

Lexus hasn't released there performance parts for the IS yet, they are due out in march. for performance parts they are going to be offering a new intake, and an exhaust which looks identical to the HKS exhaust they offer now. They will also be offering a full line of suspension parts such as springs, struts, swaybars and chasis braces

There are tons of options for intakes and exhausts. HKS makes two, the one offered by lexus and another, Borla and tanabe are a few a can think of off the top of my head.

For intakes, K&N makes one, as well as fujita and Jon makes an intake pipe.

If you search under google video there are hundreds of exhaust videos of the IS350.

Try searching the forums for some good intakes and exhausts.

If you can wait 5 months, lexus performance division is coming out with an entire line of products for both the IS250 and IS350. Some of the upgrades include, sway bars, lowering springs, performance struts, chasis braces, two big brake uprgrades, cluthces and a short shifter. It all looks like quality parts! try searching Lexus F performance parts under google.

Does anybody have the HKS exhaust that you can get from your dealer? And if you do, how does it sound, deep or high? Does it also pass emission laws etc..?

It came equiped on my car when I ordered it. The exhaust has a very deep tone that is best compared to a Nissan 350z or Infiniti G35, maybe a little deeper than those two. The exhaust it great quality, fits perfect and doesnt drone but has a nice deep tone.

The exhaust doesnt affect emissions sense it is just mufflers and not cats.

I constantly get 21 MPG in the city and I have a very heavy right foot. I mean more than 3/4 throtle at every stop.

I think this is the interior color of my car.

Im signed up to drive one at 10:30 on november 1st!

I also really like the Lexus 19'' rims, but they are to expensive for what you get. Check out some good companies like I-forged, HRE, and you can also check www.tirerack.com and see what they offer! With TireRack you can also see what the wheel looks like on your car.

I cant speak from perosnal expierience on the IS, but a quality exhaust and intake always help with any cars performance. As far as suspension wise, there is a company who makes coilovers, and chassis stiffening components.

That is all I can suggest.

Borla, Tanabe and HKS are just a few of the exhaust companies.

K&N and I think Fajita make an intake.

That is a really bad scratch. Looks to me like it needs to be repainted. Personally I think getting a new piece painted and installed would be the best option especially on a car as nice/expensive as the IS.

If you really dont want to get it painted, I suppose you could get it wet sanded, buffed, and detailed by a profeshional detailer in your area... But with a scratch that bad, it probably wont be gone just hidden/less obvious.

Manufacturer of Brakes:

Finished Products! Sorry for the poor quality had to use a buddies camera.

Rear Caliper:

Front Caliper: The scratches are just a reflection off the trash can

Rear Caliper Brackets:

Guys,

After about 3,000 miles my brakes were going from a flat black to a faded, chalky black. I decided I wanted to get them to look better than stock.

My solution was to get the calipers powder coated gloss black. So far everything has gone exactly as I hoped. It was easy to get both the front and rear calipers off, and just as easy to disassemble the calipers.

Currently the car is still apart but I just got the calipers back from the powder coater. I’m going to upgrade to a DOT4 break fluid when I reinstall everything on Thursday. I will make sure to post more pictures of the car when it is completed.

Thanks,

Joe

Here are the pictures! They start from begining to end. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them.

Front Rotor:

Front Caliper and Pads:

Bottom of Front Caliper:

Front Caliper Piston:

Back of Front Caliper:

Driver Side Front Caliper:

Rear Brake Assembly, Suspension and HKS Exhaust:

Front Suspension:

Rear Caliper Assembly:

Rear Caliper Pads:

If you are going to upgrade the stereo get the GPS and then upgrade from there. The base stereo in my opinion looks very unrefined, and not matter what you do you wont find a double din GPS head unit that will fit as nicely. I have talked to a couple audio shops and building a top of the line stereo in the IS (adding to the factory GPS unit) would cost about $3-4 grand. That includes:

- dynomat covering the trunk, trunk lid and all doors.

- Component speakers in all doors (3 speakers in the front doors and 2 in the rear).

- 10'' sub in the rear with custom enclosure in trunk.

- Amp with custom rack in corner of the trunk.

- All the misc. hardware to tie it into the factory navigation unit.

If you are looking to upgrade the suspension, wheels and tires just buy an IS350 without the X-package and add a body kit, 19'' wheels and a set of springs.

hey, is that with the Ground FX kit? nice car btw.

No, the X-package does add a different front lip though.

The second post is a good idea, you should wait 5-10 seconds to let all of the fluids circulate. It wont hurt your engine if you start driving when it is cold, just make sure not to mash the gas. The oil that is in your engine is designed to be run at operating temperature. With my car, I wait about 30 seconds before any driving, but usually I like to let it warm up.

Hey guys,

Sorry for the delayed response, I have been really busy at work. To answer all of your questions about the wheels, they are the stock X-Package wheels, I wouldnt suggest buying them as they are $1200 a piece from the lexus dealer. I found that out the hard way... To make the wheels shinny I used a product called wheel wax, I also use a glaze on the wheels.

I can get pictures up with the tint and the front clear bra mask. It is 30% tint all around.

Heys guys,

I picked up the car on friday and have already put 450 miles on it. It drives great, is quick and is just all around awesome!

On monday it is going to the tint shop for tint and clear bra, a K&N intake is in the mail. And I think I am going to add some chassis stiffening and handling parts.

Upgraded exhaust made by HKS, its not to loud but has a great sound.

I was taught to change your oil at 500 miles and then every 3000. When I picked up my IS350 two days ago the Dealership told me that i was not supposed to change my oil for 5,000 miles, because of special adatives in the oil. Something about not changing my oil for the first 5,000 miles scares me.

Has anyone else been told this? Would it hurt the engine if I didnt follow there steps?

Thanks,

Joe

I just took delievery of my new IS. I was wondering if Lexus included the cord to connect my IPod to the AUX input, or if I have to go buy one.

If I do have to buy one where should i do that? Or does it come with my new car?

Thanks,

Joe