swager

Hi jambo, spot on - dealerships dont seem to follow lexus service schedules, they also do not follow service charge rates as it seems that technicians (mechanics’) rates vary all over the country. As I said before its all down to cost of ownership and what Lexus have stated in their specification when launching any new model . hope your 20k service goes bettet than mine did . cheers swager

Hi jambo, spot on - dealerships dont seem to follow lexus service schedules, they also do not follow service charge rates as it seems that technicians (mechanics’) rates vary all over the country. As I said before its all down to cost of ownership and what Lexus have stated in their specification when launching any new model . hope your 20k service goes bettet than mine did . cheers swager

Hi Starkey, any news from Lexus Reading regarding the intermittent engine start up rattle as I have my IS booked into Bristol for oil used over 1000 miles and two VCS warnings and brake pedal going hard at top of travel making it difficult to depress to start (only on auto versions ). cheers swager

whats the 3 items u got there? thought the ow40 mobil was the engine oil? and whats the synthetic gear? is that for the engine oil? dont know whether to bother doing it or just using what dealer gives. need to find out what viscosity the oil they used for my 10k service. Yes its my own fault ,I was so pis-ed off with having to pay for front discs and pads I did not question ever item on the service bill- I think its either top up for transmission auto box or diff and the other is some kind of additive for the oil hmmm I wonder if this is as per lexus Schedule for 20k service or somthing stealerships make up . It looks like they think if you can afford a Lexus you pay with out question ????? cheers swager

Hi swamprat My IS250 is just under a year old, has less than 10k on the clock and has started the same thing - engine knock on cold start for about 1 second. Sounds nasty, then all sounds well until next time. Only seems to happen 1 in 5 or 6 start. Lexus garage couldnt repeat problem until I collected this morning and then it provided the engineer with the noice he needed. They say the dont know what is wrong but I dont want my car back until they've fixed it. I'll forward the US bulletin idea to them and see what they say. I'll let you know what happens. Starkey Hi Starkey, sorry to hear you have one of the same problems as I have - the dreaded intermittent engine rattle on start up - can you let me know where you get your Limo serviced so i can advise bristol to call them and compare notes .is it Lexus Reading cheers Swager

Hi All, Could not resist an more and just had to comment, Details of my last Lexus service . 20k service Bristol 1 full 20k service /2 years 161.5 2 semi synthetic engine oil 81.59 3 enviro charge 3.48 4 consumables 4.68 5 oil filter 8.3 6 battery remote 5.23 7 screen wash .89 8 brake fluid 8.92 9 filter .pollen 29.12 10 gasket drain plug .83 11 75w90 synthetic gear 13.56 12 mobile 0w 40 protectio 10.21 total inc vat = 385.76 plus front discs and pads this all comes back to cost of ownership ,read the official press launch doc from Lexus Improved ownership costs raise all-round value KEY POINTS Excellent cost of ownership benefits fundamental to new Lexus IS Class-leading insurance groups, from 12E Major gains in standard servicing, maintenance and repair labour time and costs Designed for ease of repair Exceptional residual values predicted by CAP Monitor – 47 per cent for IS 250 and 45 per cent for IS 250 SE after three years/60,000 miles If car-buying decisions depended on emotional factors alone, the new Lexus IS would prosper, with its distinctive dynamic styling, unmatched quality and exceptional driving performance. But most motorists have to take budget issues into consideration, too, and balance factors such as appearance and performance against the longer term impact of ownership on their finances. True to Lexus’s unmatched attention to detail, the IS makes substantial advances in cost of ownership benefits, setting class-leading standards and making the new car an even stronger proposition than the previous generation model. Lexus has achieved all-round improvements in efficiency in the standard programme of servicing and maintenance for the IS’s first 60,000 miles or three years. Compared to the previous generation model the contract servicing costs have been reduced by £288 (for models running on 17-inch tyres), while the cumulative length of time required to do the work has fallen by more than three hours to 5.1 hours. This has been achieved through a series of measures, including the adoption of longer-life or maintenance-free components. These include: Maintenance-free valve clearances Transmission oil that does not require changing during the vehicle’s lifetime Air filter life extended from 30,000 to 40,000 miles Engine coolant life extended from 30,000 to 100,000 miles Brake pad replacement scheduled at 30,000 for front and 40,000 for rear Engine uses mineral grade oil rather than expensive synthetic type Furthermore, the all-round strengths and appeal of the new IS are set to make it a wise buy in terms of its retained value. CAP Monitor has calculated a residual value of 47 per cent for the IS 250 and 45 per cent for the IS 250 SE, figures two per cent higher in each case than the equivalent BMW 3 Series model. ENDS Ref:051114N 39219/141105 interesting reading ,perhaps all Lexus UK dealerships/service managers should read it cheers swager

wow so I am not the only one and the guy in AZ with the dreaded intermittent engine start up rattle - question - do you burn any oil and what is the reaction from your Lexus dealer - as for the back end droop ,it could be a doggy shock absorber leaking /broken coil spring - as for the creeks and groans /interior rattles well we all live with them - both cars you are looking at look great on the road but after owning two 4x4 they will be totally diffrent in every way to you IS but I bet the Honda will have great build quality !!!!!! cheers swager

Hi Swamprat, Know just how you feel –very frustrating as I have the same problem and the same issue with my dealer and lexus U.K customer care although my last conversation with my dealer the service manager has indicated he could strip the engine down but might not find the fault as he can not replicate it when they had the car in for its 20k (rip off). My take on it is that if lexus U.S IS 250 has this problem and as all engines come from the same supply in Japan then in theory the engines in UK cars could have the same problem ,but you try to get Lexus uk to agree to any issues or faults with Lexus worldwide – if they have had no reports in the uk no action will be taken ie engine rattle on start up – excessive brake dust - if enough of us in the uk complained Lexus uk would have to act and offer the same fix as the US. although I have been told we have totally different driving styles as per drivers in the US. Question – do you burn any oil- as the condition get worse on my IS as my oil level drops .At this moment in time lexus have put in semi synthetic oil after the 20k (rip off) as they think thicker oil will help the rattle and the amount of oil I burn (no comment) Best of luck with Lexus Az as I think you will get the same response as me – as stated in previous rants I will be selling the IS soon but just pray it don’t happen when the car is being valued (and it will not be valued at a Lexus outlet) Sorry I can’t suggest any ways of getting Lexus to agree that there is a problem and action the US fix and am totally p-s-ed off with a car that cost me 30k and rattles on start up burns nearly 3 lts of oil in 10k – I have to replace the front disc and pads every 19k and creeks and groans when the weather gets cold but looks a million dollars and drives very well. Best of luck Swager

Hi all , I know we all bang on about the issues we have with our problems and also how pleased we are with Lexus but putting that aside has anyone road tested the new jag and compared against the IS 220D and new BMW 320 D . cheers swager

I wouldn't worry too much about a slight lip on the edge of your discs - if you run your finger around most cars' discs you will find the same. I sold my first IS250 Auto with 33k on the clock, it had new pads at 20k but the discs were still fine - and autos are traditionally harder on pads than manuals. I'd be extremely surprised if your needed new discs before 40k at least. There is a TSB regarding brake dust in the States. Some owners were complaining about excessive brake dust (although I must admit I've found my Lexus to be much the same as every other new car I've had recently in this respect), so Lexus agreed to fit harder pads to the vehicles of those who complained. Of course harder pads means reduced braking performance and increased wear on discs but you can't have it all ways. People complaining about brakes is a subject that has frequently come up in conversation with my missus who works for Audi Aftersales. She has people coming in complaining of excessive dust, squeaking, brake disc replacement costs etc. Basically, it comes down to new formulations of brake pad designed to cut out the use of asbestos in their manufacture. The extra dust and wear is a cost we have to pay for the health of her mechanics - it's also means that brake discs are now considered to be a consumable wear item rather than something you largely ignored until much higher mileages (the extra weight of modern vehicles and the higher amounts of braking energy to be dissapated probably adds to this problem as well - we all want to be able to brake a 2 tonne car from 80mph to 0 in about 40 feet!). your comment starting that you would be suprised that I had to have them replaced is spot on as the wife drives it like a saint ,also you comments regarding pad life on mordern cars - well my 320d M sport auto is saying on the onboard info that the pads need changing in 31k and i dont drive it like a saint and it stops on a sixpence perhaps lexus need some help in the braking department with their choice of materials . cheers swager

Hi Jambo, no had to pay for the new discs and pads and no offer of 3 ltrs of top up oil !!!!! for the next 9k . cheers swager

Hi All, just to keep you up to date with my on going fight with Lexus customer care - its still rolling on,it took nearly 10 days to respond and just as I feared : front brake and discs replaced after 19k - it all down to my wifes driving style (unlike their design and marketing stating cost of ownership down - disc pads replaced around 30k let alone the discs ) 3 ltrs used in 8.5 k miles - lexus state you can use 1 ltr per in every 1k ( very green) start up rattle - no reports in the uk or advise from Lexus Europe/Japan on a fix for uk models (unlike USA) brake pad dust - no reports of problems in the uk .(unlike USA) good luck if you get any of these issues with your limos time to move on and as lexus have a habbit of upgrading their models after 3 years (re RX 300/RX350) and used prices drop like a stone . cheers swager

Other then quality issues I have with my IS250 auto sel mm I was faced with the same dilemma 4 months ago, go for the BMW 320 d sport auto or another IS250 auto as my second car and then trade in the wifes IS 250 in the summer and go for another IS 250 auto as the wife really likes it . Hmmmmmmm after some thought and the problems that we can all get with cars went for the BMW and to date a very good car ,will trade the IS 250 in very soon and because if the amount of oil I am burning and a serious intermittent start up rattle I will not be buying another Lexus .( still waiting for a response from Lexus customer care ) If you get a good one then it’s the dogs do das and I love all the toys and ride and when you slip it into sport mode it can be a serious licence looser with a great bark coming from that V six engine. All in all you pay your money and takes your chance with all manufactures it all depends on how they respond when you have a problem with their product. Cheers Swager

Hi all , Any of you guys tried to get a response out of Lexus customer care, as I have tried for the last two weeks without success. Referance my issues 20k service oil brakes blah blah tried this one Lexus@tgb.toyota.co.uk and no reply Can any of you please confirm the best contact email address or telephone numbers. Thanks swager

Gentlemen your attention please Got the car back yesterday with a total bill of some £1200 Inc vat, this includes for 20k service 1 2 new front tyres uneven wear 2 1 new rear 3 tracking 4 20k service using semi syn oil 5 2 new front disc 6 new front pads 7 air con system service Warranty work dash out /drives door panel out cure rattles – adjust driver’s wiper blade. Hmmmmmmmm happy new year to me from Lexus Bristol In a nutshell front tyre my fault – front disc my wife’s style of driving or previous owner had worn a lot out of the discs after just 5k .oil usage is within Lexus tolerance 600 miles per ltr. Have checked the telemetry on the BMW 320 d sport auto and it states I have some 31k before I need to change the pads let alone the discs and not a drop of oil burn since new with some 5 k covered. Engine rattle on start up - use semi syn oil as its still under Lexus recommendations as the viscosity is thicker thus it will stay put in the areas it is not blah blah blah. On a 32k motor car with 19.5 k on the clock. Had enough of this crap so will make written representation to dealer principle Bristol and Lexus customer services but deep down I know I will get no where other then giving me some satisfaction in having a good laugh at their replies . After spending some 60k with Lexus Bristol I wrongly though I would get more help from them. So to conclude, good bye gentlemen it a great forum but in my opinion far to many issues with quality I will be trading in very soon and sorry to say after 4 months of ownership it looks like a BMW. Cheers guys and once again thanks for all your support and comments

2 litres since last March, 8500 miles travelled, gets wose as I get closer to servicing Hi Jambo, are you not concerned by the amount of oil you are using in a modern (green) engine, also totally agree with your comments on the cost of ownership maybe most of the 250/220 on the road are company cars so the cots are hidden. cheers swager

Neither of you read the TSIB then as it's for the IS250.... Quote : 2006 – 2007 model year IS 250 vehicles equipped with the 4GR-FSE engine and produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below. etc: It then gives VIN numbers for both the TMK and Tahara IS250 production facilities in Japan...where ALL IS 250's are made. i.e. not just those destined for the US. It's a similar issue I had with the same service manager when I gave him a copy of the TSIB for the brake pads producing excessive dust. In the US the 250 was added to the TSIB which originally only applied to the IS350 so customers complaining of excessive dust could have ceramic pads fitted under warranty (along with new discs if necessary). The Bristol Service Manager said he would look into it...last I heard of it, but my pads are still producing excessive dust. ...and what's happened to the TSIB/recall on the fuel lines??? sorry thought the TSIB was for 350 and you are corect there is one for the 250,have not checked vin number yet but mine is a 2005 although its a dec reg it could fall into this area .you are spot on with the amount of dust generated by the front brakes - why do you think this Lexus TSIBs are not actioned in the UK, because as soon as I mention the brake issue I know Bristol will say its only for the USA.Thanks for info will challange Bristol service on both counts today hen I collect the car , I will also enquire the TSIB regarding the fuel line .I have contacted Lexus uk but have had no responce to date . cheers swager

Hi, Yes thanks for support as I am getting more annoyed by the second, as you stated fully synth is the best and Lexus Bristol stated they always use it .as the car used fully synth from birth something has changed within the engine to burn that amount of oil and rattle on start up, although I can remember Lexus stating that the engine is designed to run on mineral oil to keep service cost down (that's because you have to have the discs and pads replaced after 20k). Somewhat lost the plot on this one as I am so angry with Lexus service .Can you guys please let me know if you have to top up engine oil in between services a.s.a.p as I think battle will commence on Monday as the car should be ready for collection and I need some ammo to fight with . Cheer Swager I've never had to top up between services. Have you checked out that Lexus TSIB I posted on rattles at start up??? Sorry for not replying but did forward copy to Lexus Bristol of the US fix but I was told that the engines in the good old U S of A were of a different spec and the rattle was on the IS 350 some two months ago. Cheers swager

Hi, Yes thanks for support as I am getting more annoyed by the second, as you stated fully synth is the best and Lexus Bristol stated they always use it .as the car used fully synth from birth something has changed within the engine to burn that amount of oil and rattle on start up, although I can remember Lexus stating that the engine is designed to run on mineral oil to keep service cost down (that’s because you have to have the discs and pads replaced after 20k). Somewhat lost the plot on this one as I am so angry with Lexus service .Can you guys please let me know if you have to top up engine oil in between services a.s.a.p as I think battle will commence on Monday as the car should be ready for collection and I need some ammo to fight with . Cheer Swager

My pads were replaced @ 30k and so were the discs. I think the pads were £82 and the discs were covered by the warranty (which was a little bit of good news!) My car will be due its 60k service in the next month or so, I think the pads will need changing & hopefully the disks will be covered! Hi all, Thanks for all your thoughts and comment Had a call back from service saying the car will not be ready until early next week because the dash has to come out to sort a rattle out – it goes from bad to worse. Can the guy who had his disc replaced under warranty let me know what Lexus centre changed them under warranty and why, because I still think that the discs should last longer then the pads as the discs should not be classed as a consumable? Cheers swager

Hi T7RY B great looking RX. the IS in for 20k service tomorrow and its used 2.5 ltr oil over 10k - lexus service have indicated that you can burn up to .5 ltr every 600 miles (as per owners handbook ) as I said it looks like another fight with Lexus - will let you know their comments after the service. cheers swager None of my Lexus have used any oil at all :D are you sure it not a 2 stroke yes I think it could be a two stroker (very green)- Lexus service are trying semi synthetic oil in place of fully synthetic.to say I am disapointed is a under statement .

Hi All, Not the best way to start the new year – IS 250 auto sel mm in for 20 k service – not good news 1 new front pads and discs ( its the wife’s car and she is not an aggressive driver) 2 new front tyres uneven wear 3 service are now trying semi synthetic oil in place of fully synthetic to try to stop this start up rattle I have and the fact that I have put 3 ltrs of oil in over 9.5k lexus techs say that the brakes discs have a lip on and the pads are 80% worn .In a previous post it was mentioned the Lexus Sheffield stated that discs were under warranty ?????/ could end up with a bill of £1000 for a 20k service .Hmmmmmmmm looks like its time to look at another brand as this is the second chance I have given Lexus .Have any of you guys used non franchised Lexus service outlets when still under manufactured warranty cheers swager

Hi T7RY B great looking RX. the IS in for 20k service tomorrow and its used 2.5 ltr oil over 10k - lexus service have indicated that you can burn up to .5 ltr every 600 miles (as per owners handbook ) as I said it looks like another fight with Lexus - will let you know their comments after the service. cheers swager

Hi dude , yes think I know where you are coming from - it will be a reason for the goverment to tax us more direct and in direct - so sell up your business and head for the sun .sea and s-x cheers swager

Hi to all and a happy new year, any of you guys and dolls who run their own business have any predictions on how the uk will fair in 2008 ,as it looks like we are talking ourselves into recession already. swager