Is250 Se

[Jezzer]

Hi,

New to the forum and looking at an IS250SE auto with MM. Am I going to regret not spending the 2k extra for an SE-L (doesn't seem like a lot extra for my cash) and what sort of discount can I expect to get?

Thanks.

[mack]

Welcome,

it seems like a lot of money i agree but it depends on your need for Sat Nav which is most of the cost ,will you really use it everyday ? do you travel up and down the country ? also you dont really see the benefits at resale.good luck anyway.

[Wallace]

I got quotes for my new one off the internet and then took the prices to the dealer to see if they could match them. The i called Lexus Nottingham and spoke to Matt!

[Tango]

Hi,

New to the forum and looking at an IS250SE auto with MM. Am I going to regret not spending the 2k extra for an SE-L (doesn't seem like a lot extra for my cash) and what sort of discount can I expect to get?

Thanks.

The 'L' pack gives you, in addition to the 'SE':-

• HID headlights with I-AFS (intelligent-Adaptive Front Lighting System...it sets itself each time you start the car and reacts with the steering to 'see' around bends)
  
• Parking assist sensors, front and rear
  
• Rain sensing wipers
  
• electrically adjustable steering column with pre-set memory positions
  
• Electrochromatic rear view mirror (auto dim)
  
• Wood trim
  
• Electric rear window blind (may have been dropped on new models?)
  
• Memory for front seats, steering column and door mirrors
  

Guess I could live without the rear blind, auto dim rear view mirror and wood trim, but would miss the rest.

[gti1]

Hi,

New to the forum and looking at an IS250SE auto with MM. Am I going to regret not spending the 2k extra for an SE-L (doesn't seem like a lot extra for my cash) and what sort of discount can I expect to get?

Thanks.

The 'L' pack gives you, in addition to the 'SE':-

• HID headlights with I-AFS (intelligent-Adaptive Front Lighting System...it sets itself each time you start the car and reacts with the steering to 'see' around bends)
  
• Parking assist sensors, front and rear
  
• Rain sensing wipers
  
• electrically adjustable steering column with pre-set memory positions
  
• Electrochromatic rear view mirror (auto dim)
  
• Wood trim
  
• Electric rear window blind (may have been dropped on new models?)
  
• Memory for front seats, steering column and door mirrors
  

Guess I could live without the rear blind, auto dim rear view mirror and wood trim, but would miss the rest.

I have just got my 220d se-l today and I can say that the cabin feels a lot more special with the se-l trim. I did test drive a se model for a day and difference is worth the extra imho. They way the steering wheel almost greets you when you get in. The wood trim gives the cabin a warmer feel. The Parking sensors are great. Just used the rain sensing wipers all day and that just makes one thing less to worry about whilst driving. The rear sun blind is still in my 08 reg car. Also the outside mirrors angle down when you engage reverse...a nice touch. The word Lexus on the door sill also ligts up when the doors are opened. I am still getting to grips with the car but so far i love it

[Tango]

I have just got my 220d se-l today and I can say that the cabin feels a lot more special with the se-l trim. I did test drive a se model for a day and difference is worth the extra imho. They way the steering wheel almost greets you when you get in. The wood trim gives the cabin a warmer feel. The Parking sensors are great. Just used the rain sensing wipers all day and that just makes one thing less to worry about whilst driving. The rear sun blind is still in my 08 reg car. Also the outside mirrors angle down when you engage reverse...a nice touch. The word Lexus on the door sill also ligts up when the doors are opened. I am still getting to grips with the car but so far i love it

Glad you are liking it gti1! I work in Sunbury quite often (that Company in Chertsey Road) so I'll keep an eye open for you...what colour?? Will be there next Tuesday.

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Check out www.drivethedeal.co.uk - just register as Mickey Mouse. You'll get £000's off!! Just use the quote to haggle with your local....

[Jezzer]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

[dgman]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

our local dealer offered ps but it was expensive,i would get it done by a specialist and save the money,after all the dealer will use a mobile specialist.

[Sagitar]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

I bought the MM version and I thought the price was high, but I don't regret buying it. If however the various components of the pack had been available separately I would not have chosen to have all of them.

Whether you consider the pack worth while is such a personal matter, that I don't see how I can advise you. It is not difficult to compare the "with" and "without" specs and it's then up to you to decide on the value to you.

The things that I value (or not as the case may be) are.

The rear view camera and sensors are a boon (I'm old and need every assistance I can get . . . . :P )

The hands-free Blue-tooth telephone system - it works better than any other that I have ever used.

The DVD player (and its sound quality) - I often have to hang about waiting for someone else and it provides great entertainment if you are stuck in the car. I have Phantom of the Opera loaded at present.

The sound system is excellent, but I like to listen to Radio 4 when I drive and a system of this quality is probably OTT for my needs.

The DVD based GPS I have very mixed feelings about. The convenience of a built in system is great, but the system itself does not compare well with after-market systems that I have used. It is better on motorways than on minor roads - motorway information is very good, but some of its route choices on minor roads are just plain perverse and inevitably, its road information is always out-of-date to some extent. It does not have a full post code input system - you have to add the final details of house number etc and plenty of the places that I go to do not have those kind of details in their address. Try looking for a farm on an un-named and un-numbered country lane. It will not take a speed camera data-base file. It will not memorise and retain a planned route. I really do wish that Lexus would use a hard drive/memory-card based system that would allow regular updating by download and data-base file inputs. I have got so fed-up of it for rural routes that I have bought a TomTom that I use when I have to find a remote country site or plan a complex multi-stop route. I knew all of this before I bought the Lexus, having checked carefully and if it had been possible to buy the parts of the MM package separately, I would not have taken the GPS.

[Tango]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

I bought the MM version and I thought the price was high, but I don't regret buying it. If however the various components of the pack had been available separately I would not have chosen to have all of them.

Sagitar...The original question didn't concern the MM pack as the car being considered is an SE WITH MM. The question referred to opinion on whether the additional features of the SE-L were worth the money.....

[Sagitar]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

I bought the MM version and I thought the price was high, but I don't regret buying it. If however the various components of the pack had been available separately I would not have chosen to have all of them.

Sagitar...The original question didn't concern the MM pack as the car being considered is an SE WITH MM. The question referred to opinion on whether the additional features of the SE-L were worth the money.....

Apologies - I didn't read the whole thread - and I am very old you know . . . . .

[GaryC]

The DVD player (and its sound quality)

Proper DVD player with the Multimedia pack ? You play DVD films or just the sound ? Sorry daft question I know.

Electric rear blinds on SE-L. That's a new one on me.

[GaryC]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

Jezzer,

I'd be very interested to know how the IS compares to the 5 series. Which 5 series have you got ? The E39 or E90 ?

Which engine ? If you have owned a 5 series and driven (and liked) the IS then it must be a very good car.

[Mincey]

Electric rear blinds on SE-L. That's a new one on me.

I've got one on mine....

[nicnac]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

jezzer,My opinion is you wont regret it as I went for the MM package inthe SE .It a great car.My only niggle is the steering is a little sharp at speed .

[Parthiban]

I'd be very interested to know how the IS compares to the 5 series. Which 5 series have you got ? The E39 or E90 ?

Which engine ? If you have owned a 5 series and driven (and liked) the IS then it must be a very good car.

I've test driven an E90 545i before, and I've got to say that the 5 series and the IS are two very different machines. The 5 is very impressive to drive, but I found the ride far too tiresome - even on relatively smooth roads, it was still bumping around and never settled. In comparison, the IS is much more serene, the engine sound is much quieter, and the lack of any form of wind noise is actually quite freaky. The IS is still a competent drive, and I prefer the compromise between comfort and dynamic ability.

Everyone has different tastes though, so you've really got to drive both to know for sure which one is right for you.

[Jezzer]

Hmmm - given that I'm looking to change from a 5-series BMW, I don't have a number of those things anyway (it's a BMW isn't it!). I like the electric steering wheel and memory seats but, IMHO, it's not enough. The key thing I think is that I have the MM pack. Does anyone know if you can fit rear parking sensors as a dealer fit option?

Are there any 250 SE auto MM owners who want to give an opinion on their car? :D

Jezzer,

I'd be very interested to know how the IS compares to the 5 series. Which 5 series have you got ? The E39 or E90 ?

Which engine ? If you have owned a 5 series and driven (and liked) the IS then it must be a very good car.

Errr... actually I had an E60 - the current 5-series. Nice car (I had a 525d auto), quick, horrible run flats (get the pressure wrong and they tramline like mad on motorways) infuriating iDrive (apart from the fact it just talked to my phone, got the phone book with no fussing which is better than the MM system). I'm currently getting better mpg out of a 250 (believe that if you will!) and I have a sound system (the Mark Levinson system) that just blows it away. Incidentally, the ML system is much better than a Porsche Bose system too :)

[gti1]

I have just got my 220d se-l today and I can say that the cabin feels a lot more special with the se-l trim. I did test drive a se model for a day and difference is worth the extra imho. They way the steering wheel almost greets you when you get in. The wood trim gives the cabin a warmer feel. The Parking sensors are great. Just used the rain sensing wipers all day and that just makes one thing less to worry about whilst driving. The rear sun blind is still in my 08 reg car. Also the outside mirrors angle down when you engage reverse...a nice touch. The word Lexus on the door sill also ligts up when the doors are opened. I am still getting to grips with the car but so far i love it

Glad you are liking it gti1! I work in Sunbury quite often (that Company in Chertsey Road) so I'll keep an eye open for you...what colour?? Will be there next Tuesday.

Tango I must apoligise!! I was going through this thread this morning and I saw your reply and suggestion to meet in Sunbury. For sure let me know when you are in the area again and we can hook up.