Lexus IS 250 recent purchase

[mayweather12]

Mother has recently (Well I say recently, early 2012) bought a Lexus IS250 Auto, from Lexus, 06 reg, has all the bells and whistles, with the Mark Levinson premium audio system, sat nav screen with DVD player, heated and cooled seats etc.. Has been an excellent car so far, bar petrol a little step up from our old vehicle (Toyota Avensis). Feels great and runs smoothly, came with 1 year warranty from Lexus who have been brilliant, replaced battery when we came to service without even asking, just went ahead and did it.

Brought at 48k miles, currently at 61k, hope it lasts a fair few years, what can we expect to get out of this kind of car? - ALSO if anyone knows, any recommendations on tyres would be great.

Another quick query, how would i go about converting the current halogen bulbs to HID's, anyone know anywhere I can find a list of fitters or something along those lines?

Thanks

[crazy about cars]

mayweather12 said:

Another quick query, how would i go about converting the current halogen bulbs to HID's, anyone know anywhere I can find a list of fitters or something along those lines?

Thanks

Congrats on the purchase and does seem like a very well specced car. Regards to this question, I would advise not to bother converting to HIDs as this would most probably fail your next MOT (Google HIDs and MOT). Basically you will need washers and self levellers for HIDs.

I would recommend looking at upgraded bulbs such as the Ring 120% bulb : (random Google result) http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H7-Ring-XENON-Ult...

[mayweather12]

Apologies, double post.

[mayweather12]

crazy about cars said:

Congrats on the purchase and does seem like a very well specced car. Regards to this question, I would advise not to bother converting to HIDs as this would most probably fail your next MOT (Google HIDs and MOT). Basically you will need washers and self levellers for HIDs.

I would recommend looking at upgraded bulbs such as the Ring 120% bulb : (random Google result) http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H7-Ring-XENON-Ult...

Thanks very much for the reply, aah, I see. We currently have the Osram NightBreaker Plus installed, are these ring 120% the best in the class?

[crazy about cars]

mayweather12 said:

Thanks very much for the reply, aah, I see. We currently have the Osram NightBreaker Plus installed, are these ring 120% the best in the class?

I've got the previous version (+100%) on my Q7 and they certainly do the job. Noticeable brightness over OEM bulbs. I guess it also boils down to bulb type but have been reading positive reviews about the 120% so far!

[mayweather12]

crazy about cars said:

I've got the previous version (+100%) on my Q7 and they certainly do the job. Noticeable brightness over OEM bulbs. I guess it also boils down to bulb type but have been reading positive reviews about the 120% so far!

Nice, thanks for the heads up!....have they lasted long as apparently the Osram's don't last too long unfortunately!

[crazy about cars]

mayweather12 said:

Nice, thanks for the heads up!....have they lasted long as apparently the Osram's don't last too long unfortunately!

Yes, I've read the same about Osram Nightbreakers (non "Plus") that they tend to not last as long as the Ring alternative. My bulbs had been working faultlessly for 1+ year now although I'm really tempted to get the 120%...

[mayweather12]

crazy about cars said:

Yes, I've read the same about Osram Nightbreakers (non "Plus") that they tend to not last as long as the Ring alternative. My bulbs had been working faultlessly for 1+ year now although I'm really tempted to get the 120%...

Will deffo be upgrading my H3's to 120%'s then after the new year Thanks again for your help, is there out of interest a considerable difference between say 4300k/5000k HID's and the 120%'s ?

[crazy about cars]

mayweather12 said:

Will deffo be upgrading my H3's to 120%'s then after the new year Thanks again for your help, is there out of interest a considerable difference between say 4300k/5000k HID's and the 120%'s ?

The HIDs will have a "whiter" look to them compared to the 120%. However I would like to point out in the IS headlight unit the beam will be very scattered and will most probably cause annoyance to oncoming traffic. I would say most HID kits in non projector headlight units will look brighter but doesn't necessary mean they provide the best illumination.

I don't have the 120% but comparing between OEM and Ring Xenon Max (+100%) I noticed better beam penetration. Definitely inspires more confidence driving in dark unlit roads compared to OEM.

Personally if you are after better visibility I would definitely recommend upgraded bulbs such as the Ring Xenon Ultima

[mayweather12]

crazy about cars said:

The HIDs will have a "whiter" look to them compared to the 120%. However I would like to point out in the IS headlight unit the beam will be very scattered and will most probably cause annoyance to oncoming traffic. I would say most HID kits in non projector headlight units will look brighter but doesn't necessary mean they provide the best illumination.

I don't have the 120% but comparing between OEM and Ring Xenon Max (+100%) I noticed better beam penetration. Definitely inspires more confidence driving in dark unlit roads compared to OEM.

Personally if you are after better visibility I would definitely recommend upgraded bulbs such as the Ring Xenon Ultima

Thats great, yeah genuinely was just for visibility been on the motorway at night recently alot, and has been a concern, even with the Osram's, will try out the Ring Xenon Ultima's though, will get all 4 bulbs replaced in the new year.

[crazy about cars]

mayweather12 said:

Thats great, yeah genuinely was just for visibility been on the motorway at night recently alot, and has been a concern, even with the Osram's, will try out the Ring Xenon Ultima's though, will get all 4 bulbs replaced in the new year.

I've always got positive results from Ring Good luck!

[mayweather12]

crazy about cars said:

I've always got positive results from Ring Good luck!

Thanks again

[SirBlade]

mayweather12 said:

Brought at 48k miles, currently at 61k, hope it lasts a fair few years, what can we expect to get out of this kind of car? - ALSO if anyone knows, any recommendations on tyres would be great.

Put on an expensive set of all season tires, and the car will be drive able in Winter snow
Also, it will be less likely to over steer.