No More Mark Levinson?

[F.A.]

Am i right in thinking that Lexus no longer offer the stereo as an upgrade on the MY11 IS cars? All I can see is the 13 speaker premium audio system which comes as standard on the SE-L models?

[Parthiban]

I hope that's an error, would be a crazy decision on Lexus' part if true.

[F.A.]

I hope that's an error, would be a crazy decision on Lexus' part if true.

Spoke to a dealer today and apparently the latest models had this option omitted to save cost. So you can now only specify the full navigation with the HDD but no Mark Levinson! Makes no sense!

[Parthiban]

I hope that's an error, would be a crazy decision on Lexus' part if true.

Spoke to a dealer today and apparently the latest models had this option omitted to save cost. So you can now only specify the full navigation with the HDD but no Mark Levinson! Makes no sense!

That is insane, how a high end luxury car can not have a premium audio option is ridiculous.

It's probably as the IS is nearing the end of its life, but the run out models should be loaded with more stuff not have stuff taken away!

[dave1]

That is insane, how a high end luxury car can not have a premium audio option is ridiculous.

It's probably as the IS is nearing the end of its life, but the run out models should be loaded with more stuff not have stuff taken away!

According to spec it HAS got a premium audio system with 13 speakers as per SE-Lmentioned by the OP.There are many premium audio systems apart from ML which, incidentally, has been owned by the Harman group for 9 or 10 years.

[Parthiban]

According to spec it HAS got a premium audio system with 13 speakers as per SE-Lmentioned by the OP.There are many premium audio systems apart from ML which, incidentally, has been owned by the Harman group for 9 or 10 years.

May be wrong on this but as far as I know the standard system on the IS is Pioneer - by no means a bad system but not really in the same league as the HK/B&O/etc systems available in the competitors (and obviously the ML system that they already offer, not even sure I understand how it reduces costs to remove a system that is already developed, still going into other cars on the production line, and you are charging the consumer extra for)

[nicnac]

Lexus seem to have lost the plot .........look at .the new GS450h design etc for 2012...looks like a kit car put together by a boy racer ...after market bling ..........has the headmans son taken over ...Lexus....RIP

[ColinBarber]

10 minutes ago, Tazzman600 said:

My 64 plate IS300H had the Mark Levinson system.

This is an old thread discussing the series II IS, not the current series III.