Eunos800

Or your bird's ponytail :D

In the audio screen irrespective of which type of disc is selected my choices are always identical. I can select "sound" and get simple controls of bass/treble/mid...and fade L/R and F/Rear. I can select "DSP" (presumably digital signal processing) and switch 2 items only "auto speed levelling" on/off, "surround" on /off. When you say "multi channel option on screen" what exactly do you mean? Am I missing a menu or something? Incidentally I thought all SACDs had 2 layers as it were....normal stereo, and uncompressed S/A - this is indeed why they should all be playable in any CD/DVD deck? My Dark Side disc is around 2 years old.

You may well be right newbie....still sounds excellent though, with clearly defined channel seperation, and it does actually "play" as opposed to refusing to recognize the format as with other types of music code / format EG: I dont believe anyone has yet found a way to get the ML system in these cars to recognize/ play a DVD of mp3 /wmas? Just checked my SACDs in the car and it just plays in stereo as there is no available multi channel option on the screen. Still sounds good. Infinity............ How do you mean...no available multi channel option on the screen ????

Lexus GB ( gill want ) got back to me in two days Followed the repairs all the wqay through and offered some compensation for the hassle i am happy with that Have had much worse form Mercedes alan Then you have obviously charmed her far better than me 3 weeks to respond, bland content, and unreturned call to her secretary 4 days ago who claimed "Gill was in a meeting" Letter 5 days ago to Steve Settle still unanswered....Pooh !

You may well be right newbie....still sounds excellent though, with clearly defined channel seperation, and it does actually "play" as opposed to refusing to recognize the format as with other types of music code / format EG: I dont believe anyone has yet found a way to get the ML system in these cars to recognize/ play a DVD of mp3 /wmas?

Isn't SACD and DVD audio roughly the same thing? And what is the actual difference between a CD and DVD audio besides the 5.1 encoding and extra capacity? I thought CD was uncompressed audio too? :duh: Now im not sure if it does play SACD as i think that is a Sony/Philips driven format. I have one or two SACD's in my collection so i will try them in the morning. SACD and DVD audio are similar but encoded differently not all DVD players will play SACD but all will play DVD audio. All of the SACD's i have are recordd in a format called Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Both DVD and SACD are multi channel audio. I think DVD video is the VHS to Sonys SACD/DSD Betamax. Its probably better sonically but nobody wants it. All CD/DVD/MP3/WMA/CDA etc. audio formats are compressed to differing degrees to reduce the stream rate from the source and get more on a disk or whatever its stored on. uncompressed audio is exactly what is says it is uncompressed so takes up far more room on a disk than normal CDA and is sonically massively superior to CDA or MP3 you here all of the music and all the harmonics not just loud notes that blot out the high frequencies. With uncompressed audio you may only get 3 or 4 3 minute songs on a standard 700mb disk. Infinity........... Just checked SACD in my Sony laptop and it wont play. As far as I am aware SACD is not supported in all DVD players, however DVD-A is, providing the player is quite new, so The DVD player in the IS250 should play DVD-A. If anyone gets the chance, maybe they could test SACD and post the results. As stated in my earlier post, my SACD of dark side of the moon plays fine in my MM system. It plays fine on my PJ based home cinema system too, but that is because my DVD player is compatible with both DVD audio and SACD ( Denon DVD 2200 )

Hi Jamboo...you have persuaded me to post again :D As I say, the car is lovely....and growing on me daily. Yes I have creamed her with soft maguirs gold, and while we are on the subject, indeed the wife does a fine massage :winky: As seems obvious from latest posts on this thread, "service" varies both from dealer to dealer , and of course, in the mind of the customer. Having 30 years experience in a customer service driven Industry, with a turnover of billions, and millions of customers a day, I can only recall and compare the action / re-action that I or my senior management have invoked during situations of customer complaints, to that of the complacent attitude experienced from Lexus. Despite the fact that the highest retail price point of any single item of stock from our stores was approximately £6, and the average was £1.56, complaints that found their way as far as head office, addressed to operations manager, or MD etc were treated with the utmost concern, and often involved lengthy and thorough investigation into line management's involvment. In some cases, area management made personal visits to customer's homes, often during unsociable hours, with bouqets of flowers and the like - our mission statement - although containing some inevitable corporate bull****, was clear and genuine when referring to the customer being King. NOTHING was more important than earning AND retaining customer loyalty. I am not a professional complainer, just someone who expects the same sort of treatment that I was trained to deliver in a people business. To wait 3 weeks for a pathetic, robotic style letter from lexus GB in response to some genuine and important matters of concern is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Unreturned phone messages, lying and general evasion of the issue by corporate staff, compounds the experience, and Lexus had better wake up after its glittering corporate parties, and realise that it makes mistakes and ultimately these will cost it dearly...... A La Mercedes Benz.

Thanks matey....I know your right - but I just feel "conned" - their after sales service is just as good / bad as all the blomin rest, and they have lost my vote. I really hoped that this would be my last expensive car purchase, and it would last me until my driving days are over....but somehow , I doubt it now. I feel the germans are a comin....again !

I had a call from the dealer yesterday, to say that I could have the car almost immediately if I would accept a black instead of grey interior. My first preference was for black - my wife preferred grey - we have decided to make the change so should now have the car much sooner. Incidentally, my preference for a dark coloured interior trim was prompted by noticing the amount of reflection on the rear window from the light tan interior of the test car. Ah well....then you have moved the goal posts :D I too could have done something similar, but we stuck out for our first colourchoice, - anyhow, enjoy the car, and welcome to the LOC :D

Dark side of the moon on SACD ( just as good as DVD audio ) and plays fine in my MM...awesome Other 5 slots are taken up with Pulse DVD video disc 1 and 2 Sting - ten sommoners tales DVD audio Tubular bells - DVD audio home done compilation of mp3s ..sound remarkably good actually The best so far has been video disc 2 of Pulse, played LOUD at 2am up the great orme on a starry black night with the moon roof open :D

NO they do not listen. Well they don't hear anyway....... I have written 3 letters now to Lexus GB, and the last one took 3 weeks to the day to solicit a response, which was to say the least pathetic in content. I for one am a very unhappy bunny with Lexus. The car is finally beginning to please me, although still several stupid niggles with it....most well documented here over the last few months - but the overall apathy and poor sense of urgency following after sales is merely typical of most customer service /retail organisations. They dont give a stuff. They have my hard earned money, and now they dont care less what I think. That is just my experience of course, and sure they win JD power surveys etc, everyone has different standards and expectations, but me - I AINT HAPPY. I shall probably stop any further postings on this site, as I fear my comments are all likely to be negative in future, and I dont want to spoil the experience for others....bye......

Nice review matey. Glad you enjoyed the holiday - and also that the car is finally beginning to deliver your expectations. I had a very poor and bland response to my letter to lexus GB regarding my experiences, ( 3 weeks and 1 day to even get a response from Gill Want ), and I am currently awaiting a response from Steve Settle himself. Gill's letter actually proves that my dealer ( wont name names here ) is actually lying to Lexus GB about my situation ) Overall, I am now enjoying my car very much - but lexus customer care is poor. Obviously JD power "customers" dont seem to agree, but I can only speak as I find. I remain disillusioned with them, and have stated so in 3 letters to date. Sorry Jamboo, didnt mean to hi-jack your thrread with my unhappiness but as your my matey, I know you wont beat me up about it :winky:

Well in my less than satisfactory experience with my purchase, the delivery date slipped twice, and I ended up waiting over 8 months from date of order/deposit. I wish you better luck / more honest dealer. My :tsktsk: dealer tells lies...and I HAVE the proof.

Jim says....."Can you point me to the thread, would probably only be intrested on long jorneys with kids" As I said in an earlier post to your thread, this software hack is NOT for the DVDplayer, so why the reference to Kids and Long Journeys ??

I think this is just for the sat nav side of things...IE to be able to enter other destinations in whilst on the move and so on, I dont think it alters the DVD playing side of things....

I reckon you are probably OK. The no-load V of a decent fully charged 12v PB battery is around 13.8 - 14.2V depending on its quality and age etc. The alternator may well be putting out 14V - but this will appear "damped down" as it were by the battery itself taking in charge. I wouldnt worry too much...my Kit car sits around unused for daysweeks, and in winter 6 months - and the battery shows way less than 14v off load, but still works fine. I have just started using a very low rate ( 200m/a ) trickle charger which I connect permanently ( Yes alright....except when driving clever clogs :D ) and these are available pretty cheaply these days and are a good idea.

Geez these must be good judging by your address :winky:

I cant get my key in anywhere in my auto....despite the selector lever position

I think you will find it is far more than just the handbrakebeing on which disables it. I have tried driving mine ( footbrake style handbrake auto 250) with the brake just on, and the screen blanks out once the car reaches a certain speed - so I reckon there are speed / movement detectors also. I am sure there is a thread ( over on the US forum ) on how to crack it, but it involved fairly major dismantling /surgery - which I for one don't fancy doing on a brand new expensive car. It would almost certainly invalidate the warranty, and after really thinking about it, I actually believe that it is a good idea that you CANT watch the movie whilst moving. I know the argument for passengers...but I bet lots of money that nearly EVERYBODY would be slightly distracted occasionaly, and be almost certain to snatch a look at bits of the movie - including the driver So I have decided to live with it...besides there are other issues which annoy me far more regarding the nanniness of the damn MM system.

Thanks folks... I was looking too see if anyone had actually purchased and could recommend a particular brand, having already googled generally :D Anyhow, I went for these in the end - lifetime free replacement guarantee if they are nicked / lost / broken. Ordered 2 sets of colored chromies ( 1 for my Hawke ), and I reckon the price aint bad when discount is applied. Will let you know how they are when they arrive. http://spin-caps.com/

As seems to be the norm, someone has stolen one ( yes just one ? ) of my silver valve caps. The missus has removed the others b4 they get to them too. I think there was a post some time ago about a recommended supplier / ebayer of some secure type of replacement...thought it might be worth a go. I know ultimately the answer is to put boring plastic black ones on, but would like to try these others first. Anyone know the linky etc ? TYIA

Voice recognition - shut up !! OK, so I know I can go into Menu - Set-up - Vol, and select off...but that is not how I would like it set up. According to the manual, it is possible to setup so that voice prompts on a route only happen when you do NOT have the audio system on. Supposedely you set up as follows... Menu - Setup - page 3/3 "voice guide in all modes" - OFF However, I tried this today, and it still announced the prompts with audio on or off. radio / Cd it makes no difference. I have also tried various combinations of this setting coupled with the other one - "auto voice guidance" on /off and nothing I do seems to get it to work.Has anyone else setup this way, and if so, how ??

The Mazda RX-8 I traded in for the IS250 had electric steering, so not quite unique :) The steering was better on that, but the MPG was pants :( Barry I never knew that.... :)

Although I agreed with you about the drive feeling slightly "sterile" or detached...I have to say that as time and miles go by, I am getting to like the drive more and more. I think the unique electrically assisted steering has a lot to do with the feel.

Not sure what you mean by this, any club that did not let you know of any issues or problems would be a waste of space imho and would be run purely by sales and marketing people who would have you believe their nonsense! Again this is my opinion, however yes you are correct on the above statement which helps existing and potential buyers on issues that maybe useful to them prior to purchase etc. This is the Lexus owners club - not a Lexus fan club. Why is it hard to compare the cars ? I test drove all the usual suspects, and I do not see why it is harder to do comparisons of this situation, than comparing any other major purchase. Jamboo, this is bad news, especially as the salesman specifically told me that the IS would hold its value better than the 3 series I was gonna buy - perhaps I have a case for misrepresentation of facts I always knew that a new car would hurt my pocket, and had hoped that I would be keeping the Lexus for many many years, so did not worry too much. I think it reinforces my feelings that I will NEVER buy brand new again....just exactly what are the reasons for doing so ??? PS what happened to the Lakes trip matey? I am aware that this is a Lexus owners club and not a fan club. However I'm confused on exactly what you are trying to point out on that statement. Maybe you’re trying to identify that I am not a Lexus owner? If so, I can correct you on that and yes I am. So the salesmen lied to you about -no discount available for the car -the value will hold better than a 3series BMW? I was not implying that at all..merely that this forum is for both good and bad comments, which maintains balance, and if all we ever did was rave about the good points it would be a fan club :-)