swager

Hi S.P you will be back -maybe in 2011 when all Lexus cars will have hybrid drive and no diesels -thanks for all your interesting replies and views - always found you to be fair and to the point along with some interesting views on the subjest of cars .still cant see why you cant still pass on your advice to new owners or guys with problems but hay take care and enjoy your BMW .which one of the BMW forums are you on and under what name . cheers swager

Hi Gib, yes there is a fix ,mine was done on the 20k service for the rattle on start up at lexus Bristol and has been fine ever since ,I think Lexus reading have also fixed a 250 with the same problem. cheers swager

hi, Just had the intermittent rattle on start up fix done at 3 year service ,the IS250 auto sel is now 3 years old with some 25k on the clock and would agree with you that the lump can sound noisy during the warm up period .over the Christmas break I have put the BMW 320d auto M sport in the garage and left the Lexus out over night and it’s the most I have driven it for a long time .When starting up and driving from cold the engine in my opinion is hmmmm not as quiet as I think it should be ,the cold also shows up all the old interior rattle issues . taking the IS back in for the last of the warranty work and will mention it to the service manager and post his comments . cheers swager

Hi nick It’s a no brainer ,as with all cars its down to the individual and his or hers dislikes in a car and budget . Had a few test drives in the 220d and 220d sport when looking at a company car and after driving our (the wife’s IS250 auto sel for a year it was really chalk and cheese. The auto box is the dogs bol—cks and the mpg is not that bad ,the wife gets between 25-26 mpg on the collage run – stop start in rush hour and good A roads and motorway runs will average between 30 – 38mpg over with a best of 41mpg but it all depends on how big your right foot is .I also did not like the manual gear change position and also the clutch . Lexus customer care can be very good and in some case just as bad as the rest of them but as a overall package lexus are good . (hmmm wonder if Jambo is still reading ) good job I didnt go for the Jag as the company car - went for the BMW 320d auto sport 42-45 mpg anywhere and I do have a big right foot go or the IS250 auto with the MM cheers swager

i have the same problem lexus is clamimg its to do with the brakes but i think its to do with more than that its in the work shop will get it back soon i will let you know what they say it is hi , any news on this one as I have just had the IS 250 sel M.O.T and I forgot to mention I had the same noise ,flyed through the M.O.T so can understand what or where it is comming from . cheers swager

Yes you are right, but the examples you cite are of 'efficiency dynamic' vehicles from BMW that are specifically designed in this way - however taking a non-ED 320d you would find the mileage poor for a diesel in town only driving. You have very kindly illustrated my point that the case for hybrids is weak in comparison to similarly sized hybrids (not only in terms of emissions but handling and drive ability) as the BMW ED vehicles have pushed the bar of the traditional engined vehicles further against the hybrids. But we're not talking about ED diesels - we're talking about 'normal' engined diesels that will be inherently inefficient in town only driving. Try a RR Sport Diesel for example ;) I have come over to Lexus from BMW - I know my BMW products too mate ;) Ihpj, What I am talking about is modern engines and design coupled with innovation and also the way I think manufacturers will have to go to survive .The RX400h is a great vehicle and if you can adjust your style of driving will give impressive fuel consumption in urban driving conditions and IMO if Lexus would have developed a class leading diesel engine (not based on the IS220d)and fitted it into the RX400h wow it would be a class leader .Just as a matter of interest Ihpj have you ever driven a RX400h for any length of time ???? merry crimbo swager

Well I was suggesting that, in door-to-door town-in-town driving only, these types of short runs would not be conducive to a diesel engine giving best economy. Taxis tend to spend most of their time running once started. The 400h has moved the case for alternative fuel cars forwards, and shown what can be done. And I have acknowledged before that speaking from a BIK tax POV, the RX is unmatched in its class. But I am not a company car driver and have to put my hand into my own pocket to cover all costs when it comes to my car. So BIK holds no relevance to me - emissions are important to me as they determine what RFL I pay. With the way the RFL bands are structured currently, other diesel SUVs cost the same to tax as the 400h and do pretty much the same (if not better) job. As for diesel engine technology, the Germans are leading the way and Merc are licencing BMWs diesel engine technology for their uses. Hi Ihpj, last on on the issue of diesel engines,driving our new mini copper diesel and new 320D they both cut out in traffic when you stop and then start when press the clutch in - thus door to door stop start and still get very good m.p.g and both warm up very quickly from cold . cheers swager

I do not doubt that in town (and town only) the 400h is able to return 30MPG - in fact that would be better than a diesel as this is not an ideal use for a diesel. However point #3 does hold a novelty value no doubt - silent running. But that is precisely what it is, a novelty. Which leads onto point #4 that, as the 400h runs in, it is possible to run it on battery for those sorts of speeds, but you cannot accelerate when running batteries on that limit and the moment you touch the accelerator, you will engage the engine, which would also be the case if you hit even a slight incline - and how long can you survive on battery power? As for the diesel prejudice, I cannot quite understand that, as modern diesels are every bit as clean and [more] efficient than the days old gone belches of black smoke. Long distance running, a diesel outperforms the 400h with some ease. Because when you're doing the 70MPH+ cruises, you're running on your petrol only engine. hmmmm Despite its impressive performance, the emissions and fuel consumption of the RX 400h are lower than those of an equivalent engine-sized SUV. When running on electric power alone, there are no emissions at all, and in the combined cycle CO2 emissions are only 192g/km. Fuel consumption is 34.9mpg in the combined cycle making the RX 400h a true class-beater Model: X5 xDrive 30d SE OTR Price: £40,100 Fuel: Diesel BIK (%): 33% CO2 (g/km): 214 Combined fuel consumption (mpg): 34.9 Performance (hp): 235 0-62mph (secs): 8.1 cant quiet get your comment on the fact that diesels are not ideal for city /town driving - most taxi's are still diesel rest my case as it is a step forward into developing alternative mods of transport / wonder what your thoughts would be on Hydrogen-fueled car or perhaps the 400h should have a B.M.W diesel engine fitted and now back to the IS forum cheers swager

Hi Guys , well interesting reading - yes I am part off the 99% and after driving a RX300 se-l for 1 year would take the 400h every time - because 1 driving in Bristol RX300 average 18-20mpg RX400h 30 mpg 2 great gearbox 3 the look of suprise in Tesco's car park as you creep up behind shoppers . 4 could get the 400h we had to run on battery up to 40-43 mph . 5 out of the mouths of babes (the kids ) very environmentally friendly and not using smelly dirty diesel. 6 and I just loved it. interesting no comments on the 4x4 stigma . cheers dude marry xmas swager

Hi All, Just a quick line to let you guys who own RX400h know I can now understand why this is such a good car .I had one on loan for 5 days when my IS250 auto sel was in for service and various warranty issues.Did mixed driving city- motorway and got a return of some 31mpg and most of this was on cold days .Had a RX300 SEL some 2.5 years ago and really miss the ride quality ,really tempted to trade up but the wife still thinks there is a stigma againt 4X4.s and the dreaded credit crunch (hmmmmmmm) what do women know anyway ??? Yes in opinion this one great vehicle . Cheers Swager

mixed thoughts on this one ,when you move up from the run of the mill car to what you thought was the best in customer care and quality manufacture going you beging to think you have done the wrong thing ,thats if you have problems and the way Lexus respond.Had the IS 250 sel auto for 2.5 years now and to be honest it has not missed a beat and never let the wife down .althought cost of ownership is higher then I thought it would be with services cost high in comparison to BMW.Well it must be a good car as the wife wants to keep it after it comes out of Lexus today after 1 engine start up rattle fix 2 CD's not ejecting 3 wing mirrors not dipping when reversing 3 rattles 4 corrosion on all wheels 5 first M.O.T had a new rx 400h as loaner and wow what a car - hmmm lexus are tryinh hard to get me to part with more cash .30mpg intown driving . cheers swager

had front disc and pads fitted at 20k service £210.had a rant at Lexus customer care stating that I do not think I should have to replace the discs at 20k and after several emails got a full refund on the discs (as a good will gesture) hmmmmmm. cheers swager

Hi, as you must have surfed through the various post on the IS it can get difficult to get it right in your head is this a good car ,well after 2.5 years of ownership here goes 1 creaks and rattles - most sorted but dependant on weather (hot or cold) 2 fabric seats - hmm not my cup of tea - looked at a 220d sport with this - not impressed 3 cost of ownership. the IS was designed and developed with this is mind - service costs ok - dependant on your local stealership.Its when they start charging you for discs that have worn out at 19k (although I got a full refund from Lexus GB)- their choice of oil. blah blah 10k service £180 20k £1200 inc 3 tyres. plus front discs and pads. 4 black - yes I have black - its ok but you have to work at it and it looks the nuts when clean - Lexus Bristol used to run the Sat wash club - but it was abused and it is no more . 5 water gets in every time you open a door or boot when it rains 6 yes I think I would buy one again(thats changed from 6 months ago ) after 10 months New BMW 320d M sport Auto things to watch out for - can use engine oil - intermittent engine rattle on start up - front disc life - mm cd problems -wheel corrosion-blah blah blah cheers swager

Hi Tinka Running both a IS250 sel auto over the last 2.5 years and a new BMW 320d M sport auto together I can comment on both but to cut a long rant down the IS 250 is one great car with a few minor flaws .with cost of ownership and you can live with the difference in fuel consumption - my IS averages between 26-32 around town and will get as high as 38-40 on a run where as the BMW always hit 40+ around town and 50-55 on a run and not hanging about .IMO the BMW has it on the drive if you want to push along plus good bluetooth and sat nav you can use on the move and the IS is – well I feel good in it and it just floats along .after running both side by side for the last 11 months ( yes I know its petrol verses diesel ) I seem to pick up the Lexus keys over the weekend and although there are many rants on the lexus on this site I have not got a good response from BMW when I have had major problems with the BMW from new . cheers swager

well it a close call.after dealing with lexus over the last 3 years to date and dealing with BMW over the last 11 months there is not alot in it IMO with Lexus just shaving it on the customer care side and i always feel like the customer when i walk into my local Lexus dealer but feel like a stranger in the BMW dealership even after buying 3 cars from them over the last 12 months .as for the product - there both well engineered leaving out the debate on the IS220d but all manufactures have quality problems no matter how good quality control is during bulid .Lexus always try but do not alway get there and it seems you have to fight BMW to get a result.But i feel they will all have to look at their dealships in the light of the credit crunch and we will all see improvements with them being more customer focused . cheers swager

good luck with the new limo and your dealership, if cost of ownership is not one of your thoughts on owning a IS250 auto then its a great car with a few flaws - as in previous posts Lexus has dropped a few boll-ocks in their design ie the brakes - between 20k you will have to replace both front discs and pads if you do alot of town driving ,you may have to top up youe engine oil every 2-3k - no built in phone docking system -watch out for tyre wear and problems with cd auto changer - intermittent engin rattle on start up . plus points great looking car - good engin and great autobox - fair mpg - great *****-pit to drive in -lots of toys -head turner - and yes your dealership should look after you but you may have to make your point if you get problems . cheers swager

Hi Tango, will pass on the costs if Bristol take me to court over the missing drain plug gasket, cheers Swager

Hi Starkey, good news for you ,mine is still the same but as we have been using the beema more then the IS I have not really thought about it .I have covered some 4k from the 20k service and its started to happen more often although I have not checked the oil level i suspect that it has dropped .Will get in touch with Lexus Service soon to try to resolve the problem as I think I will keep the IS another year as the wife likes it and will have to extend the guaranty. cheers swager

Hi Jambo -wow you will be missed as I have been wondering where you were ie won the lottery - robbed a bank etc. or even that your IS 220 d was running ok ??? great choice in limo - I have been able to compare LEX V BMW over the last 11 months and to date the BMW has not missed a beat and has been no where near the BMW service dept - so you will not be disapointed in your new purchase - still got the IS 250 and have started looking - so thanks for doing the leg work for me and will be looking into a 5 series myself take care swager

Hi have a quick read of starkey444 post on april 9th 2008 ,he had his fixed at lexus reading - mine still has the problem - and get worse as the oil level drops . bristol has tried to sort it out but insist they have to replicate the rattle beore they can touch it . it is so intermittent but as Starkey says his is fixed so if yours is the same noise as his your lexus dealership should sort it out ,as for me I have given up and will sell soon . cheers swager

I mentioned it on this forum in January this year: I believe the fuel line recall is still pending with VOSA as I cannot bring up any recall for the IS250 in 2007 on their site. Apparently it's a problem in the cold bending of the fuel lines during manufacture that has caused the lines to suffer from age related cracking in some instances (I know my car falls within the manufacturing period ). Still haven't heard anything from Lexus, which is a bit worrying as it's a potential safety issue. Quite a few in the States have been recalled and rectified. had it done last month when in for 20k service .

I have had a few rants to Lexus UK customer care regarding this issue with no luck other then a promised refund on the front discs fitted at 20k service . Their take on this subject is that although the US has a fix we drive differently in Europe so do not need it, also because they have had little or no complaints regarding brake dust they can not act . So if we all complained about it in numbers they would have to respond. Cheers Swager

any news on your fix cheers swager

had mine done on Friday as lexus Bristol had the IS in for oil usage check - VCS alarms- drivers side windscreen wiper problems (its their 4th attempt to get it right and they have failed again) said they had now recived the replacment parts for the recall and as they had it in would do it - they have greased my palm with a nice bottle of champers and a first class wash and brush up cheers swager

Hi starkey, great news on your limo!!!!! had mine into bristol for various - could not detect start up rattle as I feared ,asked them to call lexus reading for advise on the problem but main guy dealing with it was not available - lets hope lexus uk agree its a problem and issue a fix. cheers swager