is250newbie

Sorry for the delay, but have been away. Delexus, on my car, the auto locking feature was activated when I got it. It is also documented in the manual along with a way of changeing the settings. I think that if you do not have this featureor the soft rear seat pockets then your car is an earlier build. The 4 DVD nav set only needs to be changed if you are driving to an area on another DVD. The DVD that I have in covers at least all of the UK, France and Spain and possibly a few other countries. You do not need a dealer to change the DVD (although it cannot be done while driving!). In the tool set, you will find 2 long metal rods. These are used to go into 2 holes in the clock panel. When depressed, this panel comes off easily and the nav DVD slot is behind it. I agree, a bit of a pain though. Bob

I had the first SLi version. Since then, Vaistech have released the SLi2 and of course the video version. I can't comment of the latter 2, but the Lexus dock is better than the Sli. It works faster, seems better integrated and the sound is better. No video though. Both work on playlists and both emulate a CD changer so no artists, albums, etc. Track names and playlist names are displaid on both. The Viastech allows you to go back to iPod control, the Lexus version does not (that I can see).Not bothered as I did not use this feature. I hope that helps. Bob

I haven't posted for ages (no longer an IS250 newbie!) but have just changed my old IS250 over to a new one so thought I would comment. My PCP contract is up in January so I have been searching for a replacement since October. Looked at all of the usual suspects and found them all lacking in at least one respect against the Lexus. BMW 320d - Great to drive, but not much else. However, if that is your main criteria you will not find better. For me though, you will get used to any car and its driving style. Once the novelty wears off, then you have to live with the rest of the car. I could not live with the rest of the BMW. Merc C class - Where to start?! Expensive, stupid vinyl (sorry - immitation leather) seats, expenisive, bland looks (to my eyes), really expensive. Its only advantage - its a Merc! Audi A4 - Very close - In fact if the new one was available, it may even have won, but overall, the Lexus is better than the current version. Ford Mondeo (yes really) - A really good car. Great to drive, well built, good equipment, OK looks, less common than a BMW 320. Only disadvantage - Its a Ford! (I know - this makes me a real snob, but I would imagine that this is a real problem for Ford who have basically designed a fantastic car) Also looked at Honda Accord and the Mazda 6. Both were good, but Lexus was better. So, for the first time ever, I have the same car back to back. Brand new shiny Black/Tan IS250 SE Auto MM with Lexuscare iPod Doc was delivered yesterday to replace similar Silver/Black version with Vaistech iPod dock. My first impressions are that the new one is tighter in build quality. Some minor changes (posted elsewhere I think) - Auto locking doors, soft rear seat pockets, 4 DVDs for the Nav system covering all of Europe in detail, slightly different texture for the steering wheel leather (yes....I am officially a saddo!). MLS also sounds sharper to me. I bought it through Broadspeed because my local Lexus dealer really could not be bothered to try and sell me anything. Never rung me back on numerous occasions, etc etc. Lexus dealers (or at least my one) would not last 5 minutes selling software! Very happy with Broadspeed and would definitely use them again. So, very happy with my new car, and, I am sure, will be for the entire 3 year contract, by which time there should be a brand new version I hope. BTW, even though Lexus never win road tests (BMW is king), they always score very highly in long term tests. It would appear that you DRIVE a BMW, but you OWN a Lexus. Bob

I had a similar thing recently, where someone crashed into the offside front of my 12 month old IS250. Basically, a pillock who wanted to turn left at a roundabout from the righthand lane when I was going straight on! £3500 of damage including the replacement of the entire offside front suspension and steering arms. It took 7 days and it has been returned in perfect condition. In fact, I would even say that it drives slightly better than before the accident. So as long as it is Lexus aproved you should have no trouble. They are perfectionists.

I bought this a few months ago from this site. It is the Viastech. Lexus fitted it for me for free when they were doing the rattles and it works perfectly. Good sound and good control. I use it all the time. Perhaps a bit expensive though.

I think you will find that the MM system is playing the CD layer of the SACD disc and NOT the full SACD mix. The Lexus MM system is compatible with DVD Audio but not with SACD.

So you will get mats to protect the mats to protect the carpet :-) hmmmm.......

Its not just the dealer discounts. I bought 2 flights to Florida in November from the Thomas Cook site and saved £60 per flight against the cheapest (including charters) that I could find anywhere else.

Mine is between 2&3 and then only above 75 mph (which of course I dont do). After Tango's fix I went and checked my door alignment, which looks perfect, so that is probably why. Regarding the A/C, in my experience of any climate control system, the general rule seems to be: If the inside/outside temp is hot, then the A/C blows cold air mostly through the face vents (because cold air falls). If the inside/outside temp is cold then the system blows hot air mostly through the lower vents (because hot air rises). My one seems to work this way and seems to be more intelligent than others that I have had. The sun sensor seems to work very well, giving you a blast of cold air through the face vents when the sun shines through the front window.

I have not been totally trouble free: I've had the seat belt sticking problem and the center dash rattle, both dealt with promptly by Lexus Woodford with a free replacement car if I needed it. And they fitted my iPod connector for free at the same time. However, the car is truely great and the after sales service has been second to none. I am a happy owner and get pleasure from the car every time I drive it. If I had been treated the way Jamboo has obviously been, it would have been a totally different experience. It shows how a sympathetic dealer can make all the difference. BTW Jamboo, contrary to what your service guy said, James tells me that he has video'd both the fault and the fix (for the center dash rattle) and that it has gone back to Lexus and is available to all. So your guy is speaking rubbish. So no car is perfect, but if you have a dealer that is prepared to work with you rather than against you, the experience can be positive rather than negative.

I think that it is more sophisticated than just volume control (at least on the MM system). It sounds like it alters the tone as well as the the volume. For instance, it increases the base when there is a lot of road noise. The effect is subtle and not always that noticable (as it should be), but the sound stays constant.

It didn't cost me anything because they fitted it at the same time as they fixed the dash rattle under warranty. Once you have access to the stereo it is very easy to fit. So, do you have the dash rattle? :winky:

Having said that I would not buy this http://www.mp3yourcar.com/ and cancelled it (I thought) it subsequently arrived by UPS 2 days later. Since my car was going in to get the dash rattle fixed (sterling job BTW, car just feels tighter without the rattle), Lexus Woodford said they would fit it for me. So, does it work? Yes......and no. Yes, you can get playlists and track names to display on the nav screen and use the random & rpt buttons to perform similar functions on the iPod. You can also use the track up & down buttons on the dash and steering wheel and switch between playlists using the disk buttons. iPod will also switch off when stereo or car does and pause when bluetooth phone rings and is constantly being charged. No because that is really all you can do. There is an iPod simple mode that allows you to use the dash and steering wheel track change buttons but everything else has to be controlled from the iPod with no display on the nav screen. So a mixed bag really. Would I reccommend it? I think it is a bit pricey and the sound is no better (and no worse) than connecting it through the standard aux socket. It really depends how much you want to control your iPod through the standard kit. Lexus have installed it really well including a small gromet in the center glovebox to surround the hole where the new lead comes in. Looks very proffessional and everything is hidden. Overall I am quite pleased with it and try not to think of the price too much. :)

Also you diesel guys will be saving £30 a year on road tax compared to us 250 guys so I suppose you have the last laugh......