Lexus IS200-flat tyres

cath28

Hi all,

I need some help!
I bought a Lexus IS200 just under three months ago from a dealer. 2002, 135,000k miles, 4K. When i first went to test drive it there was a flat tyre as the dealer drove it out of the lot.. he said it was because it had been sitting there for a while, I drove it, liked it and bought it despite high milage as price was ok.
The next evening after I brought it home there was another flat(different wheel), brought it back, dealer checked for slow puncture-none he said..

A couple of weeks later I went to cork, left the car in dublin, when I came back another flat, again different wheel. Dealer changed valves he said.

A week later- 2 flat tyres (again different wheels, but at this stage I'm confused as the spare has been out and in so many times). Called dealer again, got AA out to sort it, dealer said he would get all wheels checked, came back and said he got tyre specialist to check and could find no problem.
Was away for a week after and when I got back had two very low tyres- one 10psi the other 20, one 30 and one 36. I hadnt even driven it since the last time at dealer.
I'm going nuts! Someone mentioned something called tyre creep with low profile alloys but I cant find anything on it..
There was only a three month warranty and i get the feeling the dealer is fobbing me off (who is away till the 4th jan when the warenty is up!). I called him and he said he would sort it out when he was back even if the waranty is up.
ALSO, now the windows (except drivers) wont open or close all of a sudden and I'm still waiting for him to get discs for sat nav.

Can i get him to take it back and buy another car from him with the same money? ( I've hardly driven it except around town).. Its just been hassel all the way..
And what is happening with the wheels, I mean I cant realistically have 5 slow punctures can I?
Any sugestions gratefully appreciated,
Cath

Lurching

Are you sure someone around your area hasn't been randomly letting air out of your tyres?
Its really at the dealers own discretion whether or not he'll swap it. Sounds like hes been quite reasonable so far.
Its extra effort on his part and he may only do it if your putting more money his way.

cath28

Cheers for the reply, but I really think it cant be someone doing it on purpose, (unless theres some mad stalker following me around, yeiks!) though I did wonder for a bit..
The car was left in my sisters place the first time I went to cork and got back after the weekend to a flat..(in her driveway in v quiet estate, miles from where it is normally),
And remember there was a flat the first time I went to test drive the car.. And one a couple of hours after i first got it home.. ( how would said stalker know I even had bought a car, not to mind what car was mine??!)

In work theres a private supervised carpark.. At home, its on the street, but right outside my window in a 'good' area..

Plus, I really cant see someone giving me a 'nearly' flat (say like today with one wheel 10psi) AND then replacing the valve caps after they were done??

Has anyone had this problem with low profile alloys in any other cars? Really, I cant be expected to fill the tyres every 5 days can i??

Lurching

cath28 wrote: »

Has anyone had this problem with low profile alloys in any other cars? Really, I cant be expected to fill the tyres every 5 days can i??

Ive never had any trouble with low profile tyres losing pressure on any of my cars. Is there much life left in the tyres?

Neilw

Are any of the alloys damaged? A flat or dent in the rim could cause air to leak.

If not, bite the bullet and bring the car to a tyre centre, get them to remove and refit all 4 tyres and replace the valves. They should be able to check for leaks once this is done.

Jesh1

cath28 wrote: »

Hi all,

I need some help!
I bought a Lexus IS200 just under three months ago from a dealer. 2002, 135,000k miles, 4K. When i first went to test drive it there was a flat tyre as the dealer drove it out of the lot.. he said it was because it had been sitting there for a while, I drove it, liked it and bought it despite high milage as price was ok.
The next evening after I brought it home there was another flat(different wheel), brought it back, dealer checked for slow puncture-none he said..

Any sugestions gratefully appreciated,
Cath

This prob sounds quite odd....I have a is200 aswell, When i replaced four tyres the tyre fitter flaked the paint of the inside of one of the alloys. The flaked paint was removed and the tyre refitted.
Sounds like some cowboy damaged the alloys when fitting new tyres

orobica

If your wheels are genuine they are now 7years old, chances are they are either buckled or corroded. I have come across this problem many times with older is200, The corrosion in the alloys is a lot more comon with inported cars. Best bet is to go to a reliable tyre bay and get the "rims" checked not the tyres.If they are corroded or buckled they can be repaired. Hope this helps.

colm_mcm

Your window problem sounds like the window lock is on. Small square button beside central locking on door.

mickdw

Worst case- new set of wheels & tyres. Not mega money.

alexmcred

If the car was sitting around for a long time without being driven it could be that the tyres have perished and have micro cracks in them

dylbert

Campbells Garage - Authorised Merchant wrote: »

If your wheels are genuine they are now 7years old, chances are they are either buckled or corroded. I have come across this problem many times with older is200, The corrosion in the alloys is a lot more comon with inported cars. Best bet is to go to a reliable tyre bay and get the "rims" checked not the tyres.If they are corroded or buckled they can be repaired. Hope this helps.

Yep, is200 wheels are renowned for corroding, allot of people get them refurbed.

YouTookMyName

alexmcred wrote: »

If the car was sitting around for a long time without being driven it could be that the tyres have perished and have micro cracks in them

+1 sounds like perishing to me too.

cath28

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions!
The tyres seem fine, I had a friend check them before i bought and he thought they were fine, as did the AA man.. I checked the rims earlier and they looked ok, but I will bring them to be checked.. Thanks Mark from cambells garrage, I'll take you up on that offer!
Colm MacM, Thanks, you were right, I did find that button that I didnt know was there.. and hey presto, windows work! You saved me an awful lot of embarassment going back to the garage with that 'problem'!!
Lurching... As I said.. the tyres look fine, but this story of micro cracks? Well, I think I'll just have to get them checked independantly..
Still, although 4 grand isnt alot for a car... Its alot to have to earn, and I would have thought when I bought a car from a dealer, I wouldnt have to have this hassel in the first three months. Thats why I went to a dealer and not private sale in the first place( which would have been cheeper..)
Still, much appreciation to all of you who took the time to read and reply to this post.. I'll let you know how it goes,
C

cath28

I think so, all seem to think they look fine ( mate and AA man, and MHO!)

Might need a generous lash of bead seal. To be honest I wouldn't expect the dealer to do too mucn for you.

ISfitz

I wish i saw this sooner guys! I can tell you i had exactly the same issue. The problem is the Alloys! Ask you tyre fitting guys about it and they will clean down the inside of the Alloy and put this black tar like resin on the inside. You will never again have an issue. Just remember to do this every time you change a tyre. BTW: I went around for about 12 months inflating tyres about every 4 to 5 days! It was very annoying!:o