swager

Hi All, Well she,s finally gone but will still get the chance to drive her as Indidnthe deal with my son. I did not go for the CT200 as the wife did not like the ride quality and opted for a BMW X1 with all the extras .Well what a balls up BMW made of the spec and the fight I have been in trying to sort out .to cut a long story short I am handing the car back today and have a loaner until the next correct spec X1 is delivered (4weeks) Will be returning to the brand next year as the 520 is due to be replaced ,so GS250 or if the new IS is launched happy days . Cheers Bonny

Well we had the CT on extended test drive and to cut a long story the wife did not like the ride quality and found the mouse control difficult to use plus the difference in power between the IS 250 and the CT is big .We also had a BMW X1 on extended test and she likes it so we have ordered the new update X1 that should be with early September . So junior will have to wait to get his grubby hands on her IS until then . When I was in the Lexus showroom Indinhave a quick look at the new GS and it's not a bad looking car ,will have to have a test drive in the New Year when the 520 is due to handed back . Cheers Swagger

Hi Mass, Totally agree with your thoughts and comments on the CT200 , it suits the wife as mainly town driving ,see likes the Lexus customer care and the fact that when you walk into our Lexus dealership they in my opinion generally think about you as a customer ,even though we have not replaced our 5 year old IS250 we still get treated the same . I could get a great deal on a BMW as we have several BMW on lease but as it’s the wife’s car she will not entertain the 1 or 3 series. Although given the chance she would like an Aston Martin Vantage. Each to their own when it comes to what car floats your boat .

Hi Guys, Just popped a quick post up on the IS250 forum page and commented on the fact that I was thinking about getting my hands on a new CT200 – wow I got some negative views back . We had a loaner for the day when my IS was in for service and to be honest it a very good car but totally different to the IS although the ride was not as good as I though it would be . What’s more important the wife liked it and said how smooth and easy it was to drive. Perhaps you guys can visit the IS page and comment! Cheers Swager

Hi Exiled It goes back a few years with me moaning about when you compare with say BMW . My IS needs new front pads and possibly disc every 20k plus it can burn oil between services . I think the front end is under engineered as my 520d auto as show on the I drive the fronts will not need changing until 56k and I do not need to look at the oil level between services 20k average . But as I have mentioned in the past I will always grap the Lexus Keys before the BMW. Cheers Swager

Hi Duke, Low miles ,only 40k really in good nick - full Lexus service history - really surprised that my 20 year old son wants it - street cred at last . Like the look of the 250c hope you enjoy . Last time I was in the Lexus showroom a sales guy said they were not taking any new orders for the IS as new model due out ? Cheers Swager

Hi All, Wells its time to move on as the IS is getting on a little bit !! as in previous posts I have had a few ups and downs with it but it never missed a beat and still drives like new . It’s the wife’s car and she still love’s it as I have been trying to persuade her to change it for the last few years . I still have the gripe that it was sold under false pretences as the cost of ownership in my mind is still very high . As we us my BMW 520 d auto most weekends (don’t buy one ) I think we will go for the CT200 as we had one when the IS was in for MOT and service . I still think that Lexus customer service /care is second to none having experienced BMW over the last 4 years they are head and shoulders over the competition. Well the good news is that the Lexus is staying in the family as my 20 year old son loves it and wants to buy it ,it should be good fun trying to trade in his Hyundai coupe for the CT200 !!!! cant wait to see the sales guy face . cheers swager

Hi Guys, Long time no post but thought I would give you a heads up on life with the IS250 SE-L AUTO after nearly 5 years of ownership. To put it in a nutshell 10 out of 10 after just having the brake safety recall done at Bristol Lexus and half a tank of gas and a bottle of very expensive looking booze and a super wash and brush up I can not find a lot wrong with it . The car still drives like new and everything still works . The wife drives it day in day out and will not pert with the keys ,not even to replace it with a new IS or maybe the new CT200 . 27 mpg average in town driving conditions 35 mpg A road/motorway 0 oil consumption over a year 8-10k ,this is a major improvement as the mileage has increased Lexus Bristol customer care and service – 100% Enjoy your cars guys even if it costs us £6 a gallon *!~#!!x Swager

interesting thoughts on BMW and Merc's - had the IS for nearly 4 years now and its cost me a packet in service charges compared to my 320d M sport auto over 3 years plus all the 220 d owners could not have voted in the JD survey . as for Lexus not advertising I think they are suffering from lack of sales as their product range is so small and some what dated . I even think that many Lexus centres will merge with toyota centres because of lack off new car sales as I was suprised that a very good lexus sales guy has moved to the compertition . swager

Set the correct seat and mirror positions, and then with the car on Park, hold down the Set button and press the number 1, 2 or 3 (which ever number you would like) and you should hear a beep to confirm that it has stored to memory and then set your key fob memory to auto set your set position when you open door !!!

rock and roll - what a tool- hmm P11d bet the tax man loves you -what type of business are you in - i bet its not manufacturing . enjoy the car Swager

Hi, its the same old story with lexus and the design of the IS 250 -the disc's are under engineered for the size of the car ,I had a right rant at lexus customer care when my 55 plate hit 18k some 3 years ago .in the end I was refunded the cost of the disc . had the rear disc's and pads replaced under a recall but they do tend to replace when thay see a lip on the disc but dont state what the min thickness is before the disc should be replaced. Just got to compare my BMW 320 M sport auto - 41k on the clock after 34 months of trouble free driving service costs to date £500 plus 4 tyres and the on board info tells me the front disc still have 7k and rear 14k to go before replacing . IS still running well and still great to drive - its just the cost of ownership is a right pain but its going so well (thats until I wheel it in for its next service ££££££) will keep it for another year as the wife loves it . cheers swager

had this out with Lexus customer some time ago and had a standard manufacture reply - the IS 250 can burn (use ) up to a litre of oil per 600 miles ,I was shocked as like most of the cars I have owned do not need topping up between services .learnt to live with it over thr last few years but always worry that the engine will not last .

Hi Join the club - have had 2 sets of front disc and pads fitted with just over 38k on the clock - had a big moan to lexus customer care on the first set and after a long rant had a refund for the cost of the front disc - the rears were changed under a recall and that was lucky as they told me that they would need changing after the last service .I have given up on the quality of the disc and pads that lexus use and they must know that they are undersize for a heavy 2500 cc auto ,like you I have a BMW 320d M sport auto and the on board comp tells me that after some 37k from new all I have had done is 2 oil changes and a brake fluid change - the front pads have another 13k before changing and rear 9k .and 4 new tyres last service on the lexus cost me £2200 included 4 new tyres -front worn on inner and Lexus launch the IS in 2005 stating cost of ownership was down on the IS 200. blah blah cheers swager

dont know about you thoughts on BMW high maintenance had the 320d auto sport from new some 2 years and have covered 36k and total service costs to date is some £395 - had the IS250 auto se-l for 3 years with 35k on the clock and between it must have cost me some £1000 plus having said that I always grab the IS keys if I get the chance .

hmmmm it still looks good but if after your warranty runs out your Speedo and rev counter start the ratchet sound on start up then this entertaining start up procedure will cost you some 1500 quid to replace .Just had mine replaced under extended warranty and mileage now set to zero. cheers swager

Hi Tinka, got the best of both worlds - run a BMW320dMsport auto on a 57 plate and a IS250 auto se-l on a 55 plate not alot in it .Its down to your likes and wants .The IS is one good looking tool with lots of toys but has high running costs - the Beama is fast great to drive -Idrive and bluetooth great and running costs zipo compared to the Lexus . IS gets between 25-28 mpg BMW no matter how I drive it I always get 45 plus mpg What keys do I grab on a Sunday morning hmmm its always the IS cheers swager

Don't like the sound of that! I've had my 250 SE-L from new in December 2005 and it doesn't burn any oil (that is measurable on the dip stick) between annual services. Come to think of it my 2001 X plate IS 200 Sport doesn't either, and that's got around 90K on the clock. In fact like most Lexus, the oil on the dipstick always looks like it was just poured in, whenever I check it. :) Hi tango, yes totally agree with you but have lost the battle with Lexus on this one ,they say you can burn up to a liter of oil every 1000 miles .I have to top up every 5k . cheers swager

Hi Dude, welcome to L.O.C- good first post and you will soon get hitched into this site - and yes it is very usefull and full of good and bad comments regarding the IS250 range.From my point of veiw I have had the IS250 se-l auto for some 3 years now and I know I have moaned and groaned about it but it has never once let the wife down and always fired up first go.My only gripe with the IS was the cost of ownership and I know they say if you cant afford to run it dont buy it .From its launch Lexus published facts that dont live in the real world -the auto goes through front discs and pads like its going out of fashion - every 10 to 15k pads and every 15 to 20 k discs and can burn oil between services -compare that to my 57 B.M.W 320D M sport auto over 27k its cost a total of 180 quid in service charges and the on board comp shows that the pads will run until 40k .To cut a long story short would I buy another IS250 - you bet I would -it still looks great when clean and goes like new ( I have changed my mind over the last 12 months ) and the wife loves it .Lexus will and do look after their customes although it sounds that this depends wher you live in the U.K . have a ball in your new car . cheers Swager

had the power steering replaced and one new rear caliper along with both new pads and disc's - result as the rear pads and possibily the disc's replaced at the next service .I had noticed that the brakes were not as sharp as they should be over the last few months ( comparing it to my B.M.W 320M sport auto) but now the IS feels good under braking . The bad news from this is that I have been told that the front pads and disc' will need replacing at the next service ,could this wear be effected with the lack of rear breaking force - 31 k on the clock -the front pads and disc's were replaced at the 20k service (the disc's were replaced free of charged after a a fight with Lexus customer care). anyway not moaning as good service from Lexus Bristol - had a look and drool over the ISF in the showroom - wow what a goog looking tool . cheers Swager

Hi , I get a clunking at lower speeds and braking at the same time ,car goes in next week for the steering and brake recall (and a fight for a few more warranty claims ) but I think its the front brake pads moving in the calipers ,the pads and front discs were changed at 20k service so I will have to wait and see what service say. just off topic -interesting conversation with on of the sales guy I know - latest 220d is now vey good most sold getting 45-50 mpg and not to many problems although gearbox is still not the best -Lex will drop it and go all hyybrid- new A3 hybrid due out in 2011- new RX450h very good with low co 's and benfit in kind loading - currnent 400h selling for 34k fully loaded. cheers swager

Hi Paulandlouise got the same problem as you ,I was waiting to see if I was going to get the steering recall before I ask Lexus Bristol to check .I will try to get the car in next week and will let you know their findings. cheers Bonny

Hi Dude, Had our IS250 sel-mm auto almost 3 years now ,the car has never let us down as it’s the wife’s car and it needs to be safe and reliable and easy to drive .She loves it and will not part with it .and all the on the se-l goodies are a blast . The down sides in my opinion are : 1 cost of ownership – car designed to drive service cost down, front disc’s and pads replaced at 20k service.between 15-18k out of a set of front tyres 2 its been in for warranty work on rattles,CD MM replaced ,all four wheels replaced ,rattle at start up ,wing mirror replaced ,burns more oil then I though it should, fuel lead recall, and now steering rake and brake recall to come ,also its just started to have the dreaded dial ratchet rattle on start up and I don’t think the start up endine rattle has been cured. 3 breaks and steering are not as good as I would have hoped (comparing it to my 08 BMW 320d auto sport) It’s a good car but I would make sure you get on with some manufactures warranty or get Lexus used car extended warranty (some £600 quid per year) as this is car is and will be a technical challenge for most mechanics’. Cheers Swager

Hi Ian, yes had passenger mirror replace with intermittent fault - it was getting stuck facing down when reverse selected and then adjust from the door controls ,then it would free up and work etc etc it was replaced without question under warranty cheers swager