Scarlet Pimpernell

No - my problem is that I was promised the first test drive at Leic Lexus early this week (IS220d). Whilst I know the car is there (I secretly saw it on Monday!), and it is cleaned and ready to go, I have heard nothing. So, either it c**p and they want to hold onto my deposit longer, or they want to run it in and hope it gets quieter and the gear changes improve, or they are just too busy trying to get new buyers into it first (knowing I've already parted with my deposit and I am now at the bottom of the list). Either way, they have not kept to their promise, and I am getting :tsktsk: off and angry . I am giving them until Saturday morning...after which I will go and buy an Audi A4 again!

Scott, funnily enough I was promised the first test drive by Lexus Leic this week. This is because I have ordered one without actually having driven one, and the dealer did agree that I would get my money back if I was not pleased enough... So...on Monday, I went along to the delership, and guess what? The IS220d SE/MM, in Caspian was standing there, cleaned and ready to go... No one has called me yet...so I assume they are far too busy selling to new buyers...or it's c**p and they want to hang on to my deposit longer... I made the conscious decision not to call them proactively. If their Cust Service is all it's cracked up to be, then I will get a call by COP today...else I will ask for my money back...

Cheers chaps, I have looked at the web site and when you click on the "IS" link it definately states DVD Video and DVD Audio... Tony - will be interesting to see what you get back...

Hell yes! ← Definately complain. The interior of the IS is fantastic, but there are some plastics that will get a bit scratchy over time, so to keep it smarter for longer get it sorted. Even if you don't want them butchering about again, at least tell them they have damaged it...

Mobile phone masts cause this too. I went to a Merc garage in Coventry, walked upto my car with the salesman for a PEX approval, and the *&*!X*&/* watched me for minutes getting all red and flustered, claiming "it was alright earlier...honest..." and then he pipes up about the mast next door...! Didn't like the Merc anyway...

Does anyone know yet? Dealers can still not comment...

...so I wonder if it's synthetic, semi or mineral. I saw some hoohaa about how much cheaper the new IS is to service 'cos it uses mineral oils... 5w30 sounds like Semi, and the dealer stated that the new IS will be on a par in terms of cost for servicing, every 10,000 miles... My Audi A4 has extended intervals, and I have to say that in 3+ years, 46000 miles, 2 services (at 22k and 41k!), the engine is decidely growly, especially when cold...I am not a fan of infrequent oil changes, fully synthetic or not.

Well done mate, I can't see how any logically sound person would spend their dosh on anything else... You'd even give a Castle Main XXXX to get the new IS...

I have test driven everything in this category before deciding to go for the Lexus, and I was not a Lexus fan until my test drive! Guys, believe me - I drove the 3 series SE and an IS250 SE back to back, and I have to say the BMW was totally uninspiring to look at, be in and drive. When driven hard, it did give you a sense of "connectivity to the road" that the IS just misses, but like I say, it's only when you drive it really hard...It's so minor, that you will rarely notice it. It was as plain and boring as you can get. Typically dull german engineering and aesthetics - if you don't believe me go and drive one. The 320d engine was smooth however...and even when you revved it's pants off, it was OK. The ride was harsh (on standard run flat 16"), jittery, and my 2002 Audi A4 (on 16") which rides much better is more inspring to drive (which again always comes second to the BMW in journo tests, who say it's dull). The Lexus (and I have never owned a Lexus before) IS250 was inspiring, exciting, fantastic to drive. It handles well, and yes there is definately some road noise, but it actually sounds quite good...and if you drive the base IS, the road noise issue is not there. I have also driven a base auto, and it was fab (currently what I have ordered - base IS220d with MM). That IS auto is the best available... In the past Toyota has been accused of "over styling", but this IS is just plain gorgeous, and anyone who see's one in the flesh will be impressed. I dunno what sooped up versions of the beemers the journo's drive, but they ain't the ones we poor bods drive, that is for sure. I reckon they must be paid... I am looking forward to my IS220d test drive this week. Chris Holmes has promised me a drive this week (Leic Lexus), so I am expecting a call...I know their car has arrived 'cos I saw it there (In beautiful Caspian) at the weekend, when I took my cousin for a snoop...he wants one too now! The next issue is about the Diesel engine - everyone who has driven one so far (except journo's) say it is fantastic... I have driven over 100k miles in 4 years in different diesels and have tested everything upto £30k budgeted cars, including Honda Accord, MB C/E Class (the worst 4 Cyl Diesel I have ever com across), Jag, BeeEm etc etc etc, and whilst I am no anorak on diesel engines, I think I now know what is good and what is not....so this week I feel like a kid who's about to get his first ever Scalextric race!!

the only thing that gets me about the standard trim is the quality of the cloth - too thin and shiny in the middle facings/squabs (though it looks good), might not wear well...

Same situ for me (though IS220d - love the environment too much).. You get 17" alloys and seating pack (Leather, ventilated and electric)... I am now likely to upgrade mine to SE with MM, and I think it's worth it. remember to check drivethedeal.co.uk and quote that price...they will match it!! You may be able to have the lot for not a lot more...! I ordered a base for January, but could not guarantee a date so I have put mine back to March.

lease keep us upto speed on how you get on....I have a 250 arrivng in March, and fancy some of this :) ← My 220d was arriving in January....but now it's arriving in March as the dealer could not guarantee a date... It'll be fun seeing ther faces when I take this in next week!! I have to say though, people on this forum know much more about the cars then the people selling them - an industry wide problem!

I believe that it can have a catastrophic effect if it is wrong. I am not an expert in this field, but am using as much of my logic here...bear with me! You only have to look at the tyre tread, and how it is made. For example, some tyres have a "V" type pattern (Dunlop SP Sport), which is supposed to be better in the wet, and the tyre manufacturers have allegedly made a tyre that works at it most efficient with the pattern in a certain direction... Now what if you turn the tread the other way, how does it perform? Who knows...especially if all of the other tyres are "facing" in a different direction...? Where tyres have "straight" patterns, sometimes the width of each "line" in the tread is different across the tyre e.g. more rubber towards the outer shoulder, sometime a different pattern in each line. If the tyre was fitted the wrong way round, there could be less rubber towards the outer shoulder where the tyre will take the greatest amount of force during cornering. I would not play this game and get it sorted immediately - have to agree with Mr. RAC and spOck!!

Thanks for this - it's excellent! Now I'm printing this off, circling what I want, and will hand it over to the dealer for a laugh...

Does anyone know if the new IS can have the Central Locking configured so that 1) when you approach the car and pull the inside of the handle only the drivers door unlocks (or press the "unlock" on the remote once and only drivers door, twice and all unlock) and/or 2) when you drive off the doors auto lock (most cars this happens after a speed of 15kmh or 10mph) This is a very significant security feature (for me at least) which on 2 occasions has either not allowed "predators" into the boot of my car (no doubt looking for Laptop...), or into the rear of my Audi A4 (both on visits into London when the car was new)...Maybe the latter could have been a car jacking attempt! On the Audi, this was configured for me by the dealer after I bought the car. I asked 2 salesman (errr actually one was a woman...sorry Sally ) when I ordered my IS, but they did not know, and did not think so...strange when the car normally scores 100% in security tests (albeit ones where they try and break into a locked Lexus). PS - afte thought - on the 3 series you can configure all of this and much more through the car's idrive. However, this depends on 2 things: 1) You have to order SatNav (Business or Prof) 2) You have to have a navigation system which teaches you how to navigate the idrive (get it - joke... 'cos it's so complicated...!)

Couldn't agree more...I'm testing the 220d next week. Can't wait... HNY 2U2! (texting spk)

When I was a lad, my Dad's Cortina Mk1 had a dash mounted pump to spray water onto the windscreen...so things move on...but I hope the system is worth the extra £2kodd, and I suppose you only need it once and be able to live to tell the tale... That Autoblog article mentions that the metal building structure would affect the brake assist on that S Class... I wonder what would happen if you were in the middle lane of the M6 listening to your Ipod through the MLS, a Mercedes Sprinter van in each lane either side, a railway bridge overhead and you needed that brake assist system (Merc or Lexus)...oh yes, and there's a Mondeo behind you with the rep driving whilst on his hand held mobile phone eating a doughut...OK, you might live... I'm sure my point is a stupid one...but I agree, I think relying on Technology is one thing...and proving these things in a Lab enviroment is another... I watched the Merc thing on the telly, and I was eating a doughnut at the time...it went everywhere...I was cleaning the lounge for days afterwards...

I have to agree although I am still going to have one but I must admit since the launch I have only seen one on the road, not including demonstrators. Are they really selling that well? ← I doubt they're selling that well...I don't think anyone has got the cash, but I expext a few more on the roads in March... Also, as it came out in nov, I suspect loads are baing made for March delivery...January should see a few more on the road...but I think it's the same everywhere... Can't sell my Audi at all...

Heres the plug... So if anyone wants it as a 2nd car/for a mate etc, PM me...I can send over some pics and the full spec (One owner from new (me), 1.9TDI 130SE silver, Sony satnav, 6CD, Nokia, 46000 miles, FASH etc etc £2500 odd extra's in total. ← Probably a silly question but is it an automatic by any chance? ← No it's a manual 5 speed, the multitronic (CVT) type was not very good in the 1.9TDI when it came out in 2002...I can PM you some details if you want...?

The bottom line is that the trade guide will be a guide only and will not always take seasonal/economic slump/ all market conditions into account...at the end of the day a car is only worth what people are prepared to pay...and how many are "glutted" around the country... I tried several car traders/buyers myself, and they confirmed exactly what the Leicester Lexus told me...down to the nearest pound :yack: even though Leicester Lexus is part of the Sytner group (and they have 12 Audi dealerships too). I tried to force Lexus Leicester to give something more reasonable, stating that they were selling it to one of their own Audi dealerships etc...but the answer back was that there are loads of cars like mine available, and they see no reason to buy this one for more when they can get one for a lot less. In the end, I quoted "drivethedeal.co.uk" and managed to get a £1k reduction in the IS220d (base with MM and metallic)...so it's not too bad. If I had traded my car early in December I would have got £9675 and that was the best price (it ranged from £7950 upwards - a real b****y bargain)... However as it stands, I needed it for the whole of December and the early part of Jan for work...too much hassle and expense to hire cars etc. I thought it would be a doddle to sell it privately.... especially when the private ones in the condition mine is in (Immac) are all around the £10k-12k mark... The selling it privately has been a total disaster...£10750 = 20 odd calls, one genuine buyer, but has to sell his C220CDI coupe first (and who in their right mind wants one of those...?), and the rest were canvassers...! The predicted figure quoted in Dec for January for PX is £9000, March it would be closer to and less than £8500ish, but that's too far off to confirm, and that would have to wait until Feb for a price.... The beauty is that Lexus Leicester have been quite good overall...they have offered to take my car 7 weeks before mine arrives, pass it to the trade...the new year will have less travelling at the start, and I will make do with hire cars... The car industry is clearly in a dire shape, and even though my Audi is a very sellable entity no one is willing to pay reasonable money for it...a bad time to be selling, and no one's got cash anyway!! If the diesel is a bad one, I have been told I will get my deposit back...which is fantastic..confidence or what? Then I keep the Audi and wait for the new A4 in 2007 me thinks... Heres the plug... So if anyone wants it as a 2nd car/for a mate etc, PM me...I can send over some pics and the full spec (One owner from new (me), 02/52, 1.9TDI 130SE silver, Sony satnav, 6CD, Nokia, 46000 miles, FASH etc etc £2500 odd extra's in total.

Read the Irish Times article here regarding the IS220d...from November (only just seen it) http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/motoring/...3PAGE4LEAD.html Another mixed review praising the refinement (for a change), but still elluding to a narrow power band...

This is a good debate, and I agree with Steve on this one Saracen. On a previous thread Mole mentioned that there are 3 "value" changes through the year, which in my book is year end, March and September, and assuming that a car like this will typically lose £2-3k a year, most of that will be in March and Sept (i.e. when the reg chages). My Audi A4 (02/52) is dropping by £675 in value between December and January....and it's one car which holds it's value just about the best at the moment! My advice would be get them to give you the £300 (i.e. Supaguard value) as a cash discount OR failing that take it in January (afterall, If I recall, they have messed you about with delivery already), then get some proper polish...and DIY... Supaguard is overly hyped and not better than most "proper" polishes I have been told... There's lots of talk about how well these cars are selling, but I have actually not seen one in the flesh (other than at dealers) yet on the road. So either they are all gonna hit the streets in January....March...or they are not selling that well!

I was just walking up the stairs thinking...."...someone gonna say ML..." But I'm sure he had better things to do (like making the acoustics sound good with decent speakers and amps etc...).... Anyway, if anyone knows, please post. If I remember correctly the Old IS had a Panasonic system...

A question - does anyone know what "make" the new IS Multimedia is (please don't reply "Lexus")? Is it made by Alpine, Grundig, Sony, Panasonic, Clarion.....? I suspect it will be japanese manufactured (:doh:)...I have just checked www.videohelp.com, but could do with knowing who it's made by...

In a previous post I said that I would copy some of my MP3's onto a DVD for playback on a home DVD system and share the results. Well I have just done that, and guess what? My £26 Pacific DVD player (***** 5 star quality for the price, from ASDA) can play them!! Therefore, "me suspects" that the OS/DVD driver for the Multimedia system is configured not to allow MP3 over DVD, and I bet a hack will come out soon enough... So come on you clever techie types, do your thing ! It saves us having to buy an iPod!