hai.. plan to buy IS250 dari used car.. berbaloikah dari segi nak jaga. share pengalaman sapa yg pernah pakai.. tq

Cari IS250 yang ada facelift from 2010 year above. Below that some model safety feature tak complete, some even dont have VSC button. The rest is almost the same maintenance as Mark-X same V6 engine and gearbox.

just need to spend some for all wear & tear parts.
engine wise, 2.5 v6 with 204hp, do expect the FC kinda in high side.

v6 engine is smooth, just that the FC is killing your wallet.

How bad is the FC? Any figures?

Not really true. If car in healthy condition, can still get around 10km/ltr real average with ron 95 if driven smoothly. On highway cruise can get 11-12km/ltr.

It's a good car, very reliable. I personally own a Mark X which is basically the same, just cheaper, coz I don't care too much about the extra luxury but if you do then the IS250 should suite you.

How's the Mark X maintenance cost?

Very reasonable, nothing much to repair also.

same workshop can repair is250 kan... ?

how do I knw facelift ? VSC yg full spec ke atau semua model?

basically, the headlight got drl..bumper a bit different. unless the owner convert the car. but safest chocie, ask for manufacturing year.

Not to mention road tax RM880..
But if buying it cheap at the first place, sort of offsetting the roadtax cost

I suppose the V6 4GR-FSE is a direct injection engine... have you done any carbon cleaning?

even combined FC also less than 11km/l. the city driving of 2.5 v6 engine really drank some fuel. but again, the engine is pretty smooth with a 6 gear auto. i know one guy bought this car and one of his complaint is the FC. rest is ok.

TS should buy this car if price is good.

This post has been edited by ayamxxx: Jan 7 2020, 10:54 AM


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Yes of course.

Yes, have done a few times, usually once every 30-40k km.

Depends on driving style also. Many just cannot drive smoothly enough to get better FC.

Using spray?
Also how easy is it to source parts for the V6 engine? I am thinking of taking an IS250, need to scout for good workshops with reasonable priced parts..

This post has been edited by twincharger07: Jan 7 2020, 12:41 PM

good info sharing gaiss.. kipidap🤘🤘

How do you do carbon cleaning? Walnut blasting?

any specialty workshop or recommended workshop required?

Bro, any particular year you are looking for?
the XE30 is newer but still cost a lot in the used market and quantity is limited... I guess the XE30 was launch during the time when BMW F30 has gone turbocharging and attracted a lot of buyers to buy German brand

In Malaysia, German brand is always more popular compare to Lexus.. I think until today Lexus still cant beat BMW & Merc sales due to stiff pricing to start off and less aftermarket support. I were in dilemma in purchasing IS250 before, when i go and ask for spare parts availability and even half-cut area the thing shock me is that BMW got more spare parts availability to support compare to Lexus parts..

Lexus do not assemble else where other than Japan and north America.. Lexus in Msia are imported directly from Japan, and they are more expensive but the quality is top notch as they are assembled by Japanese. I have great respect for Japanese worker (I used to work in Japan many yrs ago). Japanese produce goods with customer in mind while others are with profit in mind, thus you see a lot of cut corners in other European brand

The popular models of Merc n BMW are CKD thus parts are abundance. Having said that, Lexus parts are built to last and the German parts are less reliable and need more "backup" instead.. heh..

This post has been edited by twincharger07: Jan 7 2020, 06:05 PM

Once tried the chemical spray, doesn't seem to do much. Twice did the traditional method where the shop opened the intake then manually scrape out the carbon with help of cleaners. Haven't tried walnut, maybe next time.

Parts are still easy to get for both new and half cut. Can join the IS250 and Mark X FB Clubs for lots of info.

Where did you do it and how much?

Thanks...
I am still thinking XE20 or XE30... XE20 for sure still number of them on the road, but I don't see many XE30..

Actually depends on the model you are comparing. If all german parts are less reliable why the latest Supra got the BMW engine & gearbox in it?

I did at Multiplex Auto, forgot how much but not cheap, maybe around rm300 now.

I'm more to XE20.. affordable.. XE30.. potong kepala..hahahhaa

Yup depending on models... Not quite sure does their plastic hose and sensors also source from BMW..
I am sure Toyota has scrutinize all the parts in their ZF gb and B58 engine..
However it is how BMW put them together which is different how Toyota does it..

Well the latest Supra is still too new to be proven reliable.

Your car is a low mileage car? you seem to do the "manual scraping" method quite often, every 30k km?

I dont think Toyota will risk their brand reputation for something un-reliable. FYI, BMW straight-6 is quite problem free compare to those 4-cylinder turbocharge engine. When you own both german & japanese rides in your family you will know each got their own advantage.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 8 2020, 09:38 AM

Already 150+k km now. I did every 40k km so far, maybe missed once to more than 50k also.

A lot of parts will be replaced by high-temp resistant plastic due to cost, weight & process time is less. Cars are not made to last over 10 years nowadays due to a lot of country are regulating emission standards of new cars more strictly yearly and car manufacturer need to come out updates or new models to meet these countries. You have to either live with it, or just stay-on with your old car.
FYI, even newer Toyota & Honda engine also got a lot of plastic hose nowadays. Just ask those road-side mechanic how many of them help change aftermarket metal hose after it is done.

Yeah at least should be reasonably reliable but I'm just saying better wait and see before using the new Supra as example of reliability.

Sure they have their own plus and minuses but based on most studies/surveys, Toyota and Lexus usually still tops the ranking for reliability and German cars not so much yet, even Mercs seem to have become less reliable maybe even worse than BMW. I don't dare buy German cars yet coz don't have enough money. Only can afford old Japanese cars, not even new ones too.

This post has been edited by 6UE5T: Jan 8 2020, 12:06 PM

Seems older Toyota Lexus are better... heh

In term of reliability yes, but environment & safety will be on the downside.. Got pro & con also for both new & old rides.. Newer rides mostly need to meet certain safety & emission standard so you still got some advantage for newer cars.. Just think that the money save from fuel can be compensate into spare parts..

Well.... the older Lexus might be thirsty and need some refurbishment, but the 2nd price is low to start with so that kinna offset it..
Safety wise i think basic active and passive system are there, just lack of those advance radar sensing stuff...Lesser electronics, less things to go wrong

Some ppl have the passion of fixing and refurbishing older cars, while most just want hassle free and pay the price for a new car

Hi bro. Do you feel any difference after getting rid of those carbon deposits?

Also what opinion do you have on Caltex techron concentrate plus?

Not much difference to be honest, just slightly better response.

Never tried Techron but it supposedly good coz it contains the PEA active ingredient which is the only cleaner that can work in the hot environment inside engines. I instead use Gumout Fuel System Cleaner which also contains the same, buy at ACE at rm16+. Other choices that contain that ingredient are 3M and STP Fuel System Cleaners (not fuel injector cleaners ya).

Do you think using the Gumout Fuel System Cleaner you mentioned is enough to clean out the carbon deposit, or do you think a more thorough cleaning like walnut blasting is still necessary?

Fuel system cleaner if pour in the fuel tank can only help clean the injector and internal combustion carbon a little.. But regarding valve carbon deposit wont be any impact if the engine is direct injection.. There is a way to clean is to spray the valve cleaner direct into the intake while the engine is running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LOqO1iMmWw

NATES INTERACTIVE AUTO uploaded a lot of valve cleaning brands he tested using this method in Youtube. Is kinda risky but is the lowest cost for valve cleaning.

No, not enough because for GDI engine, the fuel doesn't pass thru the intake! So this fuel cleaners only cleans everything else but not the intake valves.

Good info, thanks mate

is250 manage to tried with 1 used car.. superb handling..

what type of absorber IS using ?

Ok laa.. If want to talk about best handling in class is still behind the German ultimate driving machine..
But still consider one of the best around due to sportier set up and large sport rim..

If got chance try to test drive the older Toyota/Lexus Altezza/RS200 (BEAMS + 6-speed manual) is even more better in term of agility & fun to drive factor compare to XE20/30 later IS250 & above..

The XE30 handled better than the F30, but the latest G20 is another step forward.

Lexus IS is an excellent car, underrated.

But too pricey in Malaysia

This post has been edited by jamespaul: Jan 15 2020, 11:51 AM

Kayaba electronic damper.

u check the price for the absorber ?

Around rm700-800/pc if not mistaken.

Hi, can comment of certain garages able to recondition the old absorber as brand new.

Price about 50-60% cheaper vs buy new absorber. Just that dont know if it is reliable

i think recon absorber is better for used car dealer

Used car dealer will go for the cheapest route. Mostly parts is from half-cut area or cheap oem/imiatation parts... If really no choice only go for re-con or absorber fix.. I have most of my rides fixed by local absorber specialist (TKA Motorsport), no issue until today and even more better due to customization to suit the requirement of the driver..

For stock electronic dampers I think better not recondition. If normal or adjustable then can try places like DPuncak in Puncak Jalil.

If you buy this car,

1. Go to workshop ask them to clean your intake valves.
They will remove intake manifold, depending if they not using walnut then use chemicals to soak the valves, slowly dilute the carbon build up, then scrape away.

2. Replace fuel filter (will get clogged if never change before)
3. Do engine flush
4. Pour in Gumout so that it can clean the injectors.

The question is how often are you expected to do:
Item 1: Every 5 years or 90,000km?
Item 2: Every 180,000 km?
Item 3: I dont think this is required anymore? in today's engines, if one uses synthetics?
Item 4: Once every 10,000 km?

if you want to have new car feeling


1. my engine is direct injection, NA
i seen other ppl same car as mine open up at 30,000km already caked up with carbon at intake valves.
If you have turbo or frequently pedal hard your carbon build up will be more as gas escape through PCV.

Suggest to add oil catch can after you do chemical/walnut blast.
to maintain it just spray throttle body cleaner everytime service at 10,000km.

- mine do the same as above, but i spray at smaller interval (5,000km), just small amount because just want to maintain good throttle response. now i use threebond foam
maybe sensors got dirty, at 5,000km engine will only pull if i step hard.


2. fuel filter better every 100,000km replace it.

3. no matter synthetics or not will build sludge, just takes how long only.
maybe once a year flush will do.

4. once a year will do, if added oil catch can and got spray little throttle body cleaning foam

This post has been edited by AllnGap: Jan 16 2020, 08:09 AM

gulp.. harga tahun bila ..🙈

IS250 with OCT.. ada tempat ke dalam enjin bay.. semua penuh.. 😭

owner tak service ker ??

Harga sekarang.

Saw a white IS250 up close in kajang yesterday... Interior still intact, very well kept interior.. made 2008, registered 2013, asking rm68000.. kinna steep in my opinion..

This post has been edited by twincharger07: Jan 18 2020, 11:45 AM

I mean OCT ada tempat ke nak letak coz enjin bay penuh

sg chua kajang ke.. seen that too.. niceee

super steep, should be in 45k range.
68k can get mazda6 2014 model d

cari tempat screw. saiz macam tin air minuman je. tak lah besar sangat

2008 is250 I think cannot get below 50k if good condition.

I think better get the bad condition one then refurbish it.
Rewrap leather seats, change bumper, rewrap dashboard.

Since it's 12 year old car those things are soon to be on its way to fail as well

Yup... Sg chua punya...

That s a BMW Z4 Coupe. Toyota tumpang chassis make the coupe version So BMW saves some money and proceed with their regular Z4 convertible. The car to me is Zupr4. It is still a BMW no matter how you see it. Toyota never wanted to make sports models anymore la. Look at the half ass product that is the GT86. That is all Subaru. Clueless fans has been telling them to bring back MR2/ MRS and Celica. Guess what? If they bring back, The MR2 is going to be a Lotus and the Celica is going to be a Megane.

The company that tell you not economical to build a Supra just recently made a go faster version of Yaris. A YARIS!!! BALLS!!!!

GT86 a lot of enthusiasts still can accept that Toyota does got collaboration in term of technology transfer, design & drivetrain.
It is the only Boxer engine with Toyota D-4S (dual injection) system & 6-speed automatic/manual combine in market and RWD.
That why the GT86/BRZ boxer engine above got listed both Subaru & Toyota name on it.
If mostly Subaru design they will only go for AWD, CVT and ugly design due to their nature.

Compare to Supra.. The chassis, engine & automatic gearbox are all BMW.. Only the exterior & interior design is from Toyota..

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 19 2020, 09:41 PM

Actually, most of the Interior design are BMW as well... the i-drive system, digital dash, gearknob, etc..... some of this might not be from Z4 by from other models like G20 3-series..
The only thing that are not BMW are the exterior and tuning..

btw.. how much harga hafkat is250 for XE20.. & any recommended area to source..

I have been scouting for an XE30 IS250 F-Sport and the one thing that is concerning me is the AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension) fitted in the F-Sport package.
Anyone knows how long it can last? (I presume ~7yrs / 100k km)..
Any after market for Lexus AVS?
for standard ones I am sure they are plentiful outside..

This post has been edited by twincharger07: May 10 2020, 04:04 PM

Hello mate, F-sport model are pretty rare, the price is also more exp than luxury model, but for most cases, a luxury model can handle pretty well around corners even without the AVS. So, a luxury model can be your choice too!

Been owning gen-1 mark X for 2 yrs, then switched to luxury spec xe30, love the way the car handles!

p/s: xe30 lux/f-sport stock form can be bit stiffer than xe20 due to upgraded chassis and sus tuning

Happy hunting!

Thanks mate.. yes, I heard the Luxury spec is good enough
A few are put on sale in the used market now

IS250 XE30 is an excellent car. I managed to drive all 4 main cars within the segment (w204, F30, B8 and S60). I find that IS was the most well made and has the best handling.

Is it stiff? Yes, but it handles.

Space wise, the F30 is larger

Xe30 better handling than F30?? Which F30 was that?

Thanks...
What FC are you getting so far?
Just want to know how many liters of engine oil for the V6?

Thanks mate..

6ltr for the 4GR-FSE engine.

F30 328i

Town use only around 8km/l
Highway only around 12km/l

6.5L of engine oil

I assume it's the normal version, not the MSport?

Should be able to get a bit better FC than that. What's your best full tank distance when the fuel warning light comes on?

6.5l is a bit over, ideally only about 6.2-6.3l but for me I just put 6l enough and easy so no need to have spare 0.5l lying around.

328i non-M Sport. F30 was launched without M Sport initially

Perhaps, your town use includes more flowing traffic. I stay in KL.

Last time I stayed very near KLCC also, everyday jam, can still get 10-11km/ltr real average. If full highway can get 13+km/ltr, all on ron 95 only.

I see... ok, pretty much like my expectation around 10km/L for mix used between town and highway.
Have you identify any good workshop for servicing and fixing, especially those specialize in Lexus or JDM?

The next question is the parts availability (although we know Lexus is a reliable car, but in case), how many of these parts are shared with other Lexus or Toyota model.
I know one hardcore owner who own an LS purchase the parts from US and ship them in, cheaper than from Japan.

Enjoy your ride..

This post has been edited by twincharger07: Oct 22 2020, 02:26 PM