rap03

Yep. Keep taking it back until it is fixed.

This has been a very interesting discussion. I have been a Toyota/Lexus for the past 30 years and have felt that the cars have always been good, sound purchases that have lasted me for years with good re-sale. My previous Lexus was an IS200 which I had for 4 years and had NO problems with and always got service and after sales response from the dealership and hence now moved onto the IS250. As with all of us, it is a ***** load on money for the new model and we all expect gold plated finish for this sort of money, but unfortunately, they are mechanical beasts. I too have had problems like others with seat belts recalls, handbrake adjustments, squeaky seat replaced and a major rattle in the dash finally fixed but only to produce a smaller vibrating noise in the dash. After all, they did have to take the dash apart to fix the speaker rattle noise. This all being said, I have just had a week away where I covered around 3,000Ks (just under 2,000Miles) and the car was a pleasure to drive. Crusie control set and sat there in comfort most of the time. Would have been even better had it had Active Cruise Control but only available on the Autos. Currently running it on 98 Octane (when I can get it) and car seems to be now performing fabulously. Also achieve 7.5 litres/100Ks (nearly 38MPG) after take fill ups and on the open highways. I found the road noise not there on certain roads and it was very quiet inside the car without any engine or gearbox nosie. Obviously this changes depending on the road surface. All up, I have been somewhat disappointed that the problems that have been there and the dealership has given good service to try and rectify the issues, as well as lend me a RX350 to drive while the IS was being attended to. But after dealing with these problems, all they respond with is sorry and we hope that all goes well from here on and send me away with small amount of chocolates. So, for me, this is the best car value around with the looks, finish and extras which you pay heaps for on the other big 3. Lexus here do there best to keep you satisfied (in most cases) and after hearing from friends with BMs, mercs and Audis, they all have there problems and poor dealership after sales service at times as well. I am very satisfied with the purchase even given the faults and will keep working with Lexus until they are all resolved to my satisfaction. p.s. watch out if they adjust the handbrakes too much. if you experience a vibrating feeling at higher speeds after doing this, it has been adjusted too much and should be taken striaght back to the dealership for adjustment. This happened to me and they have heard of cases (not the IS250) where the rear brakes have locked up and caused an accident. p.s.s. As for the water dripping down, yes, this is very annouying and very poor design, but just have to keep the baby out of the rain.

Hi tubster. Yep. get the same problem over bumpy roads. Have only had the car back a couple of weeks and been away on trip. It is due for it's first service in a couple of weeks so will get them to look at it again.

Ivan. I had a squeaky seat. They tried to fix it twice and still squeaked. So I told them to replace it and they did. New seat, no squeaks. There have been a few other threads here where people have had the same issue and I think at least a couple haev had the seats replaced. I too have a rattle in the dash (centre speaker area). Update yesterday from the dealer was after two days working on it they now know what it is but can't get to it (I think from taking the centre Sat Nav system, etc out) so they are going to take out the dash or some part of it to get to the rattle. More on that issue tomorrow, maybe. Unfortunately it won't be 3 strikes and it's out and a new car!

Hi Infinity. Major dilemma. When I was ordering mine, I wanted a Blue one, but was told it could be 4 months wait. They had a silver one in the showroom with all the other features I wanted, so I say yes to the Silver one. Should have held out for the Blue and maybe had no rattle or other problems. Anyway, will be hard to wait for another 3-4 months after waiting 3 months and now driving a VAN :duh: . Is 1,200 expensive in the UK for 18" wheels and rubber?, that's about $750-$800AU per corner which sounds rather expensive. Try offering 600 for the 18s. They may do a deal. Also, I know you have only just posted this, but surprised no one has offered to make a swap/deal with you. There have been a few posts about LOC members wanting 18" wheels and couldn't get them. Good luck.

it's_a_doozy. I have bought and used the boot mounted carrier, but have been very carefull when I have used it. Only with 2 bikes. Lexus now have the towbars available, but not here "downunder". They haven't had it certified yet. When they do, I wil be getting a towbar and put my towbar bike carrier on. Only issue with these carriers and the towbar is, that the towbars look like they are the same as for the IS200/300 and the "bull horn" all-in-one type and hence no towbar ball. What I had done on my IS200 was to have a small plate (about 2.5"x2.5") welded onto the "bull horn" so I could attach the bike carrier. This worked well. Could still attach a trailer if needed. Just have to have the plate welded low enough on the "bull horn" so the trailer coupling fits over the ball and not sit on the plate. I don't like the roof mount systems as you can forget there there and cause lots of damage if you hit a low level roof/overhang/whatever. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

it's_a_doozy. What exactly was the problem with the rattle around the centre console speaker? I am putting mine back in yet again on Wednesday when the Lexus rep will be at the dealership to try and sort out the noise/rattle. Seems like the local guys had no :tsktsk: idea, after 2 attemps. They have tried putting some sort of insulation around the wiring, I believe. This is so annoying!

Hi Ivan. Yep. Had it in twice to fix the squeak in the drivers seat and when it happened the 3rd time, I said, 3 strikes and it's out. Took a few weeks, but they got in a new seat. All ok now, but has only been 2 weeks. Still got other rattles they don't know how to fix, down here.

Hi all. I know there have been parts in the lots of strings about the noises, but can anybody tell me exactly what they have found to be the problem with the rattle in the centre of the dash around the central speaker,,,and if so, what was required to fix it. I am having an issue with the local dealer who has tried once to put some "insulation" around it (???), but didn't work and noise was back within two days, now they are trying the same thing again and telling me to wait until their expert comes back from Japan.

Well. Finally got the car back late on Friday afternoon after being in the dealership for 5 days. The seat squeak has been fixed with a new seat. The rattle in the dash, well, they put some sort of insulation around it, but guess what, after a day of driving, it is back, but not as bad and at this stage when going over some larger bumps. Will monitor further. Wind noise on driver's side was supposidly fixed with replacing a rubber seal, well, don't think it has made much difference. And the reason it was in for 5 days was the seatbelt recall. They kept being sent seat belt packages with two of the same side seatbelts, but then late on Friday afternoon discovered that a pack for another car had a left and right and so it was decided to use on my car. The only issue, dare I say, I don't believe they had time for a test drive and hence I now have a rattle in the pillar when going over bumps. Arrrrrrrggggggggggggg.

Not many replies here. I would have thought there were more new IS owners using phones. Anybody else?

Jamboo. Yes, the ride is really good. Up higher and view is great. It's an auto, so has a great feel and good torque, so quick off the mark. The seats feel more comfortable than the IS. Haven't testing the breaking to that extreme. The cornering is not as good as the IS, but that is expected. As my wife is only 5 foot tall, she actually prefers getting in & out of the RX over the IS. She wants to keep the RX. Dealership said they have to stop using the RX as a loan car, everybody wants to keep them. :D Overall, a great car, and one I would get if I want to give up my mid life sport crisis and go back to a 4WD. Also, they cost about another $10-15K Aussie over the IS I got. P.S. We were robbed in the World Cup!

Roonaldo. Good to hear that things were fixed and car back. Mine is in today to have: Front driver's seat replaced due to squeaks, Rattles looked at in centre of dash around speaker, Seatbelt recall/replacement. So, hope it all comes back without marks, more rattles, etc. Only good point is they have lent me a RX350 to drive while the IS250 is being fixed. :D

Hi all. Just doing a survey on those that have the new system with Bluetooth. Who has got their phones to work. What make and model phone is it. Who hasn't got it to work and what make and model of phone. It's something to do with the Bluetooth versions. I am still investigating.

Hmmm........Interesting. I am fairly sure the wigly lines light is for traction control. It will cut power as well. I haven't seen any lights come on or heard any beeping sounds when I have noticed the braking. It seems to only happen or the bend when I break first (some slow gits in front of me). If I take the bend at the same speed and I don't use the break, then the car just continues as normal. Will try again today and see if any lights show up on the dash.

Hi all. Just wanted to know if anybody else is experiencing this. When I break (slighty) into a bend (around 30 degrees +) in the road, it feels like the Vehicle Stabily/Swere Control (VSC) kicks in and I can still feel the car breaking after I have taken my foot off the break. I am usually doing speeds around 60 to 80kph (35-50MPH) when this happens.

Still waiting for the seat to be replaced. Could be next week. The rattle around the centre dash speaker is getting more frequent and lined up to have it looked at next week as well. Combined with replacing the front seatbelts and looking into some wind noise, could be a long day or two at the service centre. They have lined up a RX350 for me as a loan car. We'll see if I get one.

Saracen. You didn't say where the car was parked. If it was a shopping centre of somewhere there may have been cameras, I would check with that organisation to see if they haev footage of when you were there. You may be able to get the little pr*cks. It is such a hollow feeling seeing something like that done to your car, and it is pure loutish behaviour. A swift kick up their ars*s wouldn't go astray if you could catch them. I would check with your dealership as they should have recommended repairers.

Thanks Noel. Thought I had seen something. Got the letter today. Doesn't say manufacture dates or models. States "We are contacting you to advise that on certain Lexus models, if the front seat belt retractors (driver and front passanger) are extended quickly with strong force, the internal components of the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may jam and the seat belt will not retract or extend any further. In this condition, the occupant may not be able to properly fasten the seatbelt." So booked in when I get my seat replaced.

Hi all. Not sure if I had seen any postings here, but just had a call from our Lexus Customer Service people down here (Australia) and there is a general recall to replace the seat belts in the 250. Not sure if all seat belts or just front, but waiting on my letter and arrange with dealership to have carried out.

Hi Jamboo. THis was the 3rd time, so yes, they have had their chances. Just contacted them about a towbar (see other forum listing) and they have ordered a new seat. Will keep you posted about match of colour etc. Re: Cold weather and affect on noises. Just starting to get some cool morning down here, so I hope the gremlims don't start appearing. I have a rattle now that is around the centre of the dash (around the centre speaker) that I get when going over bumpy roads. Will get it looked at as it seems to be getting worse even though I could end up with other issues if they have to take out the centre stereo system, etc. And how can any of you leave your new babies out in the cold overnight.... :D :D :D

Thanks Noel. Just contacted my local service department and they knew nothing about it for Australia, but will investigate. Sent them the link.

Matt. Interesting. The last thing I heard was that Lexus was not doing a towbar for the new IS. An after market dealer here in Brisbane said that it would void the warrenty. Must contact the dealership for an update. If you have any info on the towbar, can you send it to me. Thanks.

Thanks all for the comments and interesting to see that I am not the only one with this problem. I have given them (Lexus) a fair go to rectify the problem and they have not been successful. I am not going to let them have an upholsterer "have a go" at fixing this. I am not sure what he will have to do to get the cover off and back on, but I don't feel it would be a good thing. As for screaming loud, well, I have been quite patient till now and as this is my second Lexus, have not "held them to ransom" in the past over any of the work or issues. Mind you, the previous IS didn't have any of these issues, well, not mine anyway. As I have paid about 50% more for this IS over the previous one (a ***** load of money), then I am not settling for any "we'll have a go" attitudes. If it means a new seat (no matter what they say the cost is), then they have better get on their bike and get one. As for colour match, etc, I will make sure I get them to show me the new seat before they install it. Yep Jamboo, I would imagine they should have one in the demos, but I can't imagine them wanting to put a squeaky seat into the demos to show off to customers. I can wait until they get it shipped in from Japan. I can suss out the other noises that are cropping up/coming back while waiting.

Hi. I am just gaining info from my fellow owners on your opinion. I have had my 250 since late January and within the first month discovered I had a squeaky drivers seat (and Jamboo, I don't wear leather pants). I have had it back to the dealer twice already and each time the noise has gone away for about 2 to 3 days and returned, seemingly in a different spot and louder. I have received a call from the dealership with them wanting to take it to an upholsterer, to have it stripped back and all joints tightened and back together. They are a bit reluctant to get another seat out from Japan as it costs $5k-$7k (Aussie $s) and if it is wrong, the dealership has to wear it. I have said too :tsktsk: bad. This is practically a new car and started within the first month of ownership and I don't believe they could have the seat back in "new" condition after being stripped back. What are your views? Am I being difficult?