Scarlet Pimpernell

That definitely helps with a smelly system , not a leaky system Or you can just leave the car idling with full heat on recirc for 30 minutes and all vents open - which works too

Well there you go... had I kept my IS, I probably would have taken to Lexus for the last service - just to make sure all recalls etc were applie to it - then it would have been an indy or Sturgess Toyota for Yr4 onwards... Being winter it's hard to test for full functionality (such as cooling efficiency), but AC thing is a bit of waste of time. Unless the AC has been playing up there really is no need. If there was a leak you might have known about it by now. Best thing to do is fog the inside of the windows up (watched Top Gear yesterday where JC took "Danielle" into the back of the Phaeton for a cuppa!!!!) and start the car/AC - it the screen clears within a few seconds it's working fine...and they're hardly likely to find anything wrong with it - other than re-gas it... The MOT thing - get them to price match it...£35-40 is normally the going rate... PS - a lot of Indies will check and recharge an AC on any car for around £45 - so you could get it don by an Indy and take it in to Lexus if anything is sus...

The only thing to bear in mind is the OBD type stuff - it's likely that only Lexus will have the full diagnostics - this becomes quite important when you consider that this is the last service as the Warranty will expire... Our local Nissan dealer services Toyota's in Leicester as they used to sell Toyota's (I bought mine from them when they sold both Lexus and Toyota - admittedly several years ago). So I think most garages (especially Toyota) will be more than up to the job... The other thing to remember is that most garage service "Stamps" don't even state whether it's Lexus or not - they just say "Sytner" for example...just the receipt might have the logo - but how many of us let the receipts go with the car???? So does it really matter nowadays? Legally I don't think they can penalise you for not having a car serviced by a Lexus garage (though always try it on at PEX time). If the car is running perfectly and you think it doesn't need any warranty work, try a good indy, or even your local Toyota garage...I'm sure that they will do it. What I find surprising is that your local dealer is not honouring certain expectations (such as a Courtesy car regardless of day, servicing on a Saturday etc) - lets face it they ain't gonna give a discount 'cos they don't have a courtesy car...not in this current credit crunched climate...

Which is where we go full circle. Dealership issues are largely down to the management and human attitudes and since most Lexus garages are owned by large franchises, the lowest acceptable standard becomes the norm... My initial meeting with the DP resolved most of my early concerns and it broke the ice. Like you say - being firm and complaining properly yields better results...

You are right - not everyone has bad service. I was always courteous and professional with my dealership, even hen they lost my cheque for £6500 (having found it themselves later)! However, as pointed out above it comes down to human factors... but then no one should really have to suffer anything short of excellent service - - remember guys - we pay them anything between £75 and £125 per hour for fixing and servicing and many more thousands when buying!! For that I certainly have high expectations...and wouldn't begrudge anyone having a go 'cos the service was shoddy... And yes - if someone was paying me £100 per hour I'd give them excellent service....and if I made a pigs ear out of it, I'd expected to be shouted at!

Just wait till you've driven it... B) Seriously - you'll get a good feel and you'll know that the decision you mak is the right one. It's very different to a 5er, but very competent and well made overall. The 2.0tdi (I think it's like the 2.0TFSi) has the Variable Vane Turbo system, which means very littl lag - the turbo vanes automatically adjust to give just the right amount of ooooomph whatever the engine load and speed and it works...it makes for a good spread of power and torque.

Was under the impression that the narrower the width of the tyre the better for snow as you've got more weight over that one particular area, so therefore a car with say a 6 inch wide tread would perform much better than the same tyre with a 9 inch width tread? Hence why cars with wide rear tyres are useless in the snow? Definitely agree with letting the pressure down though in the snow :) That is what I meant - wider tyres make it worse. Ever seen a Rally car in snow? They have them studded narrow space savers on!!!! For an auto, I would say leave it in the lowest gear and be vry gentle with that right foot...it sometimes (not everytime) helps to keep the handbrake on slightly when you take off on RWD - especially in a manual with a too "sharp" or "worn" clutch....then remember to release it once moving!!

That is fascinating! I do recall though the pre facelift SE did have the wiper warmers - was it the "new" SE? As far as the Audi is concerned Haf, the 3.0TDi 6 Cyl is a different animal to the 2.0TDi 4 Cyl Audi engine - try it though - you won't stop smiling!! It flies like the proverbial and is a good lesson in what a powerful diesel Auto feels like! The torque is very good, and the range in which you see the power is nicely spread...as a result the 2 cars may feel quite different... It won't be terribly economical though - I drove the A4 (old model) with the 3.0l diesel, and it was hovering around 24mpg after a quick test drive blast... don't know if the A5 one is the newer beastie...there is a more economical one now in the A6 (better CO2 too). I would go for the Audi Nav and the reversing camera (believe me - sensors do not make up for a picture), but basic Bluetooth (which should give you almost Lexus like functionality)... You won't need Bose, but if (like me) you listen to a lot of radio 5 live, then DAB is advisable...it makes the most of the multiple speaker system in the Audi...but it's £300 odd!! The music interface might be an option too.... PS - forgot to mntion - I tested the 2.7 S Line ear;ier this year - it had the Sat nav. I seem to recall that whilst it's not touch screen the Sat nav was good. The seats, suspension and build Quality are all very good (though on or 2 of the switches had too much lateral movement - such as the stereo on-off button etc) - I somehow think you're gonna be in a big dilemma once you drive that 3.0tdi. Take them up on it....

....or take out 10PSI from the tyres - makes a huge difference - especially when braking - Tyre width doesn't help one iota either - the snow just gets compacted into the grooves and the effectively become slicks... By reducing the pressure the tyre becomes "flexible" and more likely to tract

Depreciation is worked out on the basic list price only - extras add a small amount - e.g. MM adds £750 to the used price of a IS... Well the simple fact is that NO ONE would really ever spec up a car to the level a Lexus is if they had to pay for the bits - you have to admit that several of the extra's are bling - and to be honest it's one the reasons I bought a Lexus - I was positively wowed by the fanned seats etc for a simple price. So it's not realistic to ask enyone to spec up a car to that level - 'cos not many people would... Then there is the "alternative" view - a Mondeo Titanium X gives you almost as much kit, as does a Honda Accord. Dare I say it - even the new Avensis TSpirit is close - so it's not necessarily about extras - which is why in a road test by the journo's these things are ignored. It makes the Lexus fab Value - no one will deny it - but those "alternative" cars are even better value!! I agree that very few people would ever spec up a car to Lexus levels because of cost or just not feasible. I was thinking of those popular "extras" that people have got used to over many years that BMW/AUDI want extra money for. I 2006 I was thinking of a BMW 325i SE and even with considerable retraint needed £2K extra to bring it up. A few years ago someone told me that there is no such thing as a standard spec BMW, and even if there was you wouldn't get the expected trade in because they would be difficult to shift. Absolutely right - things like leather and satnav, may be a decent sound system and CD changer can alone add £4k to the list price. At resale time, it's worth a fraction of it and like you say makes it easier to shift - so if it's your own cash and you want a car with a badge, a Lexus makes more sense as a new car, or a german one with no options (!). If it's a German car, you really ought to consider a nearly new one, a demo with basic options etc... Either way, with the Credit crunch on, those with Company cars and PCP's are probably the winners...where they have a guaranteed future value. PS - Haf - whatever you do, you're safe in the knowledge that you don't have the depreciation factor to worry about - best situation to be in... Why can they not get you a loaner A5 until March??

You have strange logic 'cos I haven't said that at all... My comments were in response to the question asked by Kenfoxy -

yet another one of your toothless tiger comments,are you and exiled one in the same person,if it smells like like fish it usually is. Whatever... PS - you know full well how many remap after remap, EGR valves, 5th Injector after 5th injector. Try ignoring it if you will, but the Lexus experience has tumbled, and I congratulate the poster of this thread in trying to get it discussed, rather than brushed under some carpet somewhere...I doubt that any other Lexus (IS220d) has ever had so many issues where even the dealers are perplexed...I actually worked with my dealr to get the car right and posted my findings subjectively here, rather than constantly looking through Lexus tinted specs... Please don't make accusation like the one above, or picking up on every word and trying to make an issue. It's quite tedious. There really is no point in making it personal. This is some one elses thread - start your own one if you want... PPS - sure I don't have a Lexus anymore, but I would if they got the basics rights again, and I have always been a Toyota follower ever since my Dad had a 1969 Toyota Corona, then a Cressida in 1979, then my Corolla in 1990 (best Toyota ever) and Carina E in 1996. They were fantastic cars, and yes I do want both Toyota and Lexus to get it right again - these forums really help. I'm not loyal to any brand, which is why hop around, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't ever have one again...

Depreciation is worked out on the basic list price only - extras add a small amount - e.g. MM adds £750 to the used price of a IS... Well the simple fact is that NO ONE would really ever spec up a car to the level a Lexus is if they had to pay for the bits - you have to admit that several of the extra's are bling - and to be honest it's one the reasons I bought a Lexus - I was positively wowed by the fanned seats etc for a simple price. So it's not realistic to ask enyone to spec up a car to that level - 'cos not many people would... Then there is the "alternative" view - a Mondeo Titanium X gives you almost as much kit, as does a Honda Accord. Dare I say it - even the new Avensis TSpirit is close - so it's not necessarily about extras - which is why in a road test by the journo's these things are ignored. It makes the Lexus fab Value - no one will deny it - but those "alternative" cars are even better value!!

I was told that the base Bluetooth is enough (on an A6) an provide all the functionality you need plus a connector for the cradle in the armrest (which you don't have to use - same as Beemers).

Mine was £155 for the 10k service and I think they are the same as the 30k svce (i.e. no additional attention)...

They don't advertise it per say, but the dealers don't half tell you about it when your shopping for a car! Walk into a Lexus showroom as a noob, and just hear them clatter on about high reliability and low depreciation... The facts are that the JD Power survey in the states set the bar in the early 90's - but that's in a country where the first reliable Luxury car maker was Toyota (re-invented as Lexus) - so it was bound to beat GM, most Germans and Ford from a reliability perspective...especially as it had every option as standard... Don't forget guys - Lexus was invented for the USA where the big market is, not Europe - we just happen to get them here...it's one of the reasons why Lexus Petrol (non H) engines aren't terribly good on fuel or CO2 (tho' they will have to change that now)...' as Uncle SAM don't care...

The need for Winter tyres cannot be wholly replaced by a 4x4! I've been a passenger in a Freelander II just 2 days ago in the snow - and that's right - both me and the driver were passengers when he braked! Even from a standing start it was woeful really...but was able to slither past most cars up a hill. The problem is that the tyres are not up to the job, and with an RX, it probably weighs so much that there would be too much momentum anyway... Something with diff-locks might help, but even in the F'lander hill decent made no difference. It was bloomin' dangerous on ice and braking is just a joke...

Another thread that has been desimated Anyway - back on topic - the new A5 Cab looks fantastic - Haf - how about one of them???

Looks like the GS and IS have the same recalls.....

I have to say the stuff I've heard about alloys cracking is quite alarming though........seeing as they weren't replacing them when they were corroding, can't see why they'd replace cracked ones as that clearly has to be caused by an external factor like a pothole or something......... It's not just BMW alloys suffering - it's a known problem for many marques who run ultra low prof's. Cracking alloys are I think down to 3 things: Over inflated runflats Taking the kerb when parking up Potholes The first 2 could imply "misuse" - Remember - run flats have a very hard sidewall and over inflating them makes it worse... The engine management stuff only appears to have affected certain cars - 320i petrols - we have one in the family without an issue (AND YES IT DOES GIVE 50+ MPG ON A RUN). Ultimately, Haf won't be worried by this - 'cos he ain't buying it - the lease company is!! Let him make his choice accordingly...lets just stick to answering his question... my intention is to share my learnings to give the man fair warning of what he could potentially be buying.the issue with cracked alloys on bmw cars is ongoing and as yet is unresolved.i for one would not want to risk my familys safety.one could mistake yourself for a bmw spokesperson with your post. Whatever - I thought I'd just state a fact...the wheel thing is on going - check out the Evo forums and Astra club's - similar issues...and a car mag (Auto something or other) had an article a few years ago about another make - can't remember which...BMW are worse currently due to RFT's and in the states they sue everyone for anything...hence the court action... A quick question though...did you stop driving your Lexus when you found out about the steering recall???? Could have been dangerous that one....

I have to say the stuff I've heard about alloys cracking is quite alarming though........seeing as they weren't replacing them when they were corroding, can't see why they'd replace cracked ones as that clearly has to be caused by an external factor like a pothole or something......... It's not just BMW alloys suffering - it's a known problem for many marques who run ultra low prof's. Cracking alloys are I think down to 3 things: Over inflated runflats Taking the kerb when parking up Potholes The first 2 could imply "misuse" - Remember - run flats have a very hard sidewall and over inflating them makes it worse... The engine management stuff only appears to have affected certain cars - 320i petrols - we have one in the family without an issue (AND YES IT DOES GIVE 50+ MPG ON A RUN). Ultimately, Haf won't be worried by this - 'cos he ain't buying it - the lease company is!! Let him make his choice accordingly...lets just stick to answering his question...

They can't sell them, and won't sell them at the dealerships for less than a certain price, else the bottom will fall out of the dealerships!! Someones gotta pay for them sw4anky showrooms...and expenive B&O TV's and Coffeee...... Don't think I would ever go to a main dealer to buy a nearly new car ever again... The winners are those with PCP's.... BMW are sort of similar - they have 3 typs of cars they can sell fromm my experience: 1 - Forecourt (PEX's, cars bought in, demo's) 2 - Dealership network (from Franchise group (cars from 1 above from other dealers in group)) 3 - BMW "management" cars 3 above is where mine cam from - not available for any old dealership - only the largest ones. These are not cars which are Demo's, but are driven by BMW managers at HQ's etc and there are only a few dozen available and the reg numbers starts with a "Y"... Seems to me the Lexus ones on this post are like 3 above...

I now what you mean about BMW interiors, but they only feel cheap 'cos there is a lack of knobs and buttons. They are actually almost as good as Audi from a materials used perspective and robust enough...no hard shiny/metallic looking plastic anywhere, but you need to have wood trim to get the best look out of them...

Nice problem to have... ;-) TBH, the only things I miss are as follows: Reversing camera Sound system (Even the standard sound system in an Audi is very good) Both of which could be fixed easily and for approx £1500 on an Audi (on top of a an A4/5 with DVD Satnav). You won't miss the heated/vented seats (even in this weather as by the time they start to warm up your comfortable anyway), Elect seats without memory is a waste of time and just adds weight, keyless is OK but can be more problematic if someone nearby decides to get a new WIFI router etc and is totally non-essential after a while. You won't miss the touch screen on the Audi (or the new BMW media) - the systems are very intuitive, even more so than the Lexus touch screen...though slightly slower to navigate, but if you have Voice commands (especially in a BMW) they are much better than Lexus...and if you do have the Connected Drive and Google maps, it is a breeze to use. I have driven an A5 and can't recommend it enough if you like coupe's, but you should also consider a 3 Coupe - they are even better than the already excellent A5 to drive!! A 320i petrol Coupe Sport will beat the 220d in terms of MPG alone, and then when you add the fact that it's 12p a litre less to buy, it makes it really competitive... Good luck Haf PS - BMW do offer the Rear view camera as a dealer fit option. It won't be cheap, but I too thought it was daunting reversing such a big car at first. Now though, I have no real problem...the PDC is just about good enough...and the rear screen isn't as "letter boxy" as the IS's. But nothing beats a camera. I noticed that even Honda are making them available/standard on Satnav'd Accords