Scarlet Pimpernell

That's an amazing idea...I must try that with my carlack too... Roll on summer

Absolutely awesome... My wife just looked at this. Couple of things come to her mind: The grass is growing from the waist line...what's below? Now you need a dead body across your behind - that'll complete the picture.... Well wicked though - it's fabulous!

It's pobably 12 months since delivery or the last oil change...that' the servicing schedule - 12 months or 10k, whichver coms first. I would say get it changed (to keep the arranty intact).

As Nate73 says, it is intresting that the "BAD" coms down to the same issues...let's hope you learn to live with that easily as the shine wears off... It's all about helping Lexus get closer to perfection...

wheres the vents for? the two middle ones? or the ones on the sides by driver/passenger doors? By the doors....

I too got mid 30's without trying in a 250 Auto. It is great on a run, and on mine the AC has only been on once or twice this winter (to help demist the windows in rain). It makes no difference with the diesel. Glad your happy mate.

Mine has an apetite for oil - and it goes through phases. I would say it averages out to about 3 litres of oil over 12 months, and it goes through episodes of guzzling and then episods of calm.... I mentioned this to my dealer last year and thy eren't too worried, probably meaning that it is expected. I've never seen any smoke haze in the mirror though - I definitely did get that with my Audi and Pug's. The smoke can be one of 2 things - Black Sooty stuff - i.e. diesel Blue/White smoke - i.e. oil Though the car has a "down turned exhaust pipe" it's not supposd to smoke as far as I know. It's part of the emissions control and the fact that the car has a Cat and particulate filter (or so I believe) you really shouldn't get any smoke.... PS - you do see some cars on the motorways puff up smoke when changing gears. I don't know whether it's valves guides or piston rings - but one of them causes it... As dgman says - I'd take it in....

Ditto - no smoke How much Oil do you get through?

OK - spoke to my dealer. Basically, the system will "clean" itself regularly as Matus has stated, but not when you thrash it, take it on the motorway etc. It is ECU controlled and will do it regularly and/or when necessary regardless of where you are. It should be un-noticeable to the driver and there was no suggestion that will hammer the fuel, though I supose the mapping will b changed to burn diffrently which could go either way!!! As far as Supermarket fuel is concerned - Dealers are great at telling you what you want to hear most of the time, that's how they make business! It states no where that you shouldn't use it and I have found over 2 years of drivig this car that it actually makes not a jots difference what you put in. I even tried that super fuel stuff. It made me feel better for 4 fillups and then realised I was not getting any more MPG at all... Despite all sorts of Bloggs and their comments on the winding worldly web, there is no evidence that it is of inferior quality - just anecdote. The handbook states that you can use 6th from 75mph, not 90 or a ton! They tell you that so you don't complain when your teeth fall out at 70 in 6th gear! PS - I've also been told that getting 38-42 is regarded as the upper levels of normal, though one or 2 are getting mid 40's. I used to...but not anymore...the last time I saw mid 40's, the car had 10000 or so miles on the odometer (from memory). I've agreed with my dealer that I will contact them regularly as ther are patchs, mods and upgrades constantly being developed. It seems that the dealers too must be getting sick of this...I know I would be if I was in their position... I have been told that there is nothing else lft that they could do to mine. I've got to bear with it... PPS - as far as the memory learning stuff is concernd, I can't believe it. I only have on driing style. It' the same one I was born with...and mine has gradually got worse, even with ECU flashing.The current situation is: Town only = 29-32mpg Mixed = 35=37.5 Motorway only (i.e. fillup within 0.5miles of the motorway, no traffic, stick to speed limits, no traffic holdups, includes SPEC's at 50mph for a while, and >200 miles) = 40.5mpg...

Jamboo, You may have just stumbled upon the answer to all the mpg problems!!! Just use the bike instead - best answer to your fuel consumption wowes I only use that carrier once. The blasted thing scratched the boot lid (ever so slightly) (CORRECTION) ...the rubber pads on the contact surfaces of the carrier scratched the boot lid (ever so slightly) >....so it's never been used since!

Matus - all this stuff about DCAT cleaning itself...where did you read that? The dealer has never ever explained this to me, and I hope it wasn't on the Toyota forum or other Lexus or car forum. If the DCAT system gets dirty in town and needs a "blast" on the motorway to clean it, then anyone wanting to use this car mainly in town has a major poblem...the car will choke up. I have been told that the recent fixes on my car mean that it will not "dirty" up again - and no conditions or limitations were stipulated. This is a permanent fix - but no one from Lexus has yet told me what you have mentioned. I have a call out to my dealer - when they return the call I will ask.

Jump on the bike while it's on the rack and pedal. Leave the car in neutral, Ignittion on ACC2. If it moves forwards as you pedal, then it's a hybrid... BTW - I too have a boot/bumper type rack which is raised. One things for sure - no matter what bike rack you get, your drag will increase and MPG will suffer. The roof ones look as though they will create least drag as the bike hits the air head on...

Swager - cheers. Mine cost £291 all in for the 20k, which was approx £50 cheaper than they quoted to me over the phone. So I'm a happy bunny. Even at that price ther were things like windscreen washer fluid etc on there. The brakes are OK - nothing to report...so I assume they will last > 10k more. Car is smoother around town - no question. The stuff they did has made a huge "urban" impovement in trms of NVH, though overall Noise is definitly going up I think as the miles pile on...and the car is approx 5% better on a run in term of MPG - though at 5% it's too close to "error" to be absolutely sure. Anyway, I'm resigned to the fact now that this is as good as it will ver get. One thing though - they ordered 2 new vents for the dash...I'm still waiting and will chase them today.

Exactly my experience too

I mentioned earlier in the thread - the new courtesy car I had (220 Base model) gave me 42mpg. What I didn't mention was, the gearbox was a lot smoother, and it felt as tho 1st had a lot more urgency. Mentioned that to the dealer but fell on deaf ears! They may well have ironed out some of the issues on the new ones. Don't forget that the complaints on here are justified, but equally there are others on here with nothing but praise for the 220d. You're doing the right thing by having one for the day away from the sales rep. What could they have ironed out? All the mods and bits are on mine...I am getting 29-32mpg in town, and on a run on Sunday (earlier than planne) I got 40.5mpg. That's a hanful of MPG better than I got before the latest fix - 210 mile round trip - both at quiet times (we got home at 0400hrs), included M1 50mph bits where the road repairs/lane widens are... I never went above 73mph, used 5th and 6th sensibly... I don't want this to become another "are they really that bad", so please, lets all just these things up with our own dealers!! Some cars are fin, others aren't. Priod. End of. Next topic!

Nice one Phil - lovely report!!

Check out www.drivethedeal.co.uk - just register as Mickey Mouse. You'll get £000's off!! Just use the quote to haggle with your local....

Emma works in the Service Reception - you want Martin Moore

I would have thought that any dealer plainly saying "NO", especially when the car is under warranty, is in breach of some certain rules somewhere along the line. I don't think Trading standards would look at it kindly...Afterall, they must get paid to fix cars under a warranty by LGB, so I can't see their problem (unless it's become personal ot there is a mod on the car that is now invalidating your warranty for a given component....). What I would suggest is that you call Leicester 0116 2688500 and speak directly to the Service manager. They are actually quite good. Even with all the issues on my car, they always treat me with utter respect and are very friendly and helpful... Leave your car there go and go take a walk down Belgrave Road - have some nice Chilly Chips at a shop there...

I read this test too, and as stated above, they test spec was a bit flawed

:D I always smile

There are some older posts on this... Unless the post '57 cars have changed, you could only ever play DVD Audio (commercially available) on the MLS, but not DVD crammed with MP3. So basically, a Jukebox DVD Disc made using Roxio will work, but dragging and dropping MP3's onto a DVD-+R will not work. The only problem is that Nannies keep making it difficult when you play the Roxio converted discs. For example, when you switch the engine off and on, it goes back to the first song/menue every time. If you have a Menu, it disappears when you drive off... It is like playing a DVD, difference being there is no video. It sort of works but has a few compromises which make it a waste of time IMHO. I've gone back to playing CD's...though the iPod integration kit looks very tempting

Have you tried your House insurance? BTW - hope you're well matey!

Coded looks awesome...

Runj it too low and your tyre life, consumption etc is affected. Like most - I run it at 35Fr and 38rr - though after the service it came back 40Fr and 44Rr - my teeth nearly fell out how hard the ride was!