agalbraith

A friend of mine has a 325 compact, with satnav and many other shiny toys. My (completely impartial) observations :) - The BMW is markedly smaller, esp. the back seat - The boot is smaller, but the flexibility of the hatch is way better than the IS. The ski-hatch is usable, but if you want big practicality, buy the sportcross. - The BMW satnav system isn't a patch on the Lexus one. Except that you can change options on the move. - You do have an option of a TV on the compact. (Although it only works when stationary) - BMW have copied the tail lights of the IS... so they're the same on both :P - The 325 manual is faster than the IS300 auto, but not by much. - The heated seats on the 325 are way better (they have thermostatic control) - The IS has loads more standard toys - The IS has a slightly less claustrophobic interior - They both have about the same carpark kudos (at worst, it's Alan Partridge vs the "not quite a BMW" image) - The jury is out on the looks of the compact Sounds like an IS300 sportcross is just the thing ;)

You're right. Mark is the service manager :) Oh well..... either way, they didn't call back, so have gone with another company.... Not that I'm bitter, obviously <G>

There does seem to be a trend here - maybe they changed it? 99 series cars, open all the way 00 series, some 01 don't 02 series open 2/3rds of the way I think the only way to solve the problem is suggest that the dealer sit in the boot, ready to push the lid up when you want to scare that old woman in Sainsbury's car park. Not that I would do such a thing.... but it is very funny :P

I did try Lexus Reading, and they never called me back. When I chased them, I was told that they were trying to find a local installer to do it. Admittedly I spoke to Paul - Mike is the Service Manager, isn't he? LOC to the rescue :)

On a motorway run I'll easily get 350 miles out of my IS300, with the aircon running (and not being *entirely* slow!) Best yet was 380 miles between fillup and warning light, which was a steady 70 all the way... Worst has been 220 miles, which was all short trips around town. I can't say I've noticed much of a difference between Optimax and standard unleaded though...

IIRC correctly, the satnav mute/attenuate uses a specific connection on the amp ECU. Whereas, the phone mute (used to be) a cable that came out of the back of the stereo itself. There has been a great deal of dicussion over the new style stereo unit (CD at the top) as to whether this has a mute cable or not. I've yet to find out - but the old one definately did ;)

OK. I've been trawling these posts for a while, and these are the conclusions - You CAN have the phone kit both mute the stereo, AND use the car's speakers - This works on ALL IS models, including those with the amp (anything but the early S types) and satnav - Despite my best efforts, I've only found one dealer nationally who knows how to do this I have an Ericsson phone, and my kit is being fitted on Tuesday next week (grrr... installer failed to pitch last week, but see my "only national installer" comment). Mattj, who found these folk, has a nokia kit. They don't offer gold discount (yet!) but the lovely Liz at Security World is very helpful. If you contact them, tell them you're from LOC, and we'll get some discount yet!

I drove one when I was changing in my IS at Christmas. They look promising, and a couple of guys at work have 9-3 convertibles, and rave about them. Despite the fact that I could have had all the toys I wanted and still pay several thousand less than the IS300.... it was possibly one of the most boring cars I've ever driven. It's all personal taste though - otherwise everyone would be driving the same thing. If the motoring mags had their way, it'd be a nice BM 3 series too :( A

When I picked up my new IS at Christmas, I noticed that the boot only opened about 1/2 way, whereas the old one opened all the way. I mentioned this to the dealer, and he said "Yes, this has been done deliberately. This way, the boot is still shielded from rain when it opens, and you can open it the rest of the way if you need to. It's easy to adjust if you want" I may get mine adjusted at the next service....

The fact that it's labelled "Version 1, 2002" is a little disheartening - but it's got all the roads on it that were missing from my last disc. The M1 J15 interchange in Northampton was only finished a couple of months back, and it's accurate - so I think we can safely ignore the date on the software ;)

I used to use my laptop, and IPAQ, and my T68i. I still use the laptop, but it synchs with the P800. 1. No profiles, but has silent mode, headset mode, car kit mode, and normal mode. I've never needed anything else. Apparently profiles are due in an imminent firmware update (which existing users can get) 2. I got my screen protector from expansys. They're about 20 quid for three, but a lot less hassle than a scratched screen. 3. The alarms do follow the phone volume, and if the phone is off they don't ring. However, if you put the phone on "flight mode" (so the phone and bluetooth shut down, and it's safe to use in flight) the alarms will ring, and it uses less battery power. Certainly no major criticisms. As long as you don't get too excited about being a pro photographer with that camera ;)

Yes, mine's on Orange. I'm happy with the Orange service, and usually manage to get a reasonable deal every 6 months or so on a new phone. I'm so happy with the phone, and taking into consideration the pain I had with previous bluetooth car kits, I'm going with a proper hardwired kit. For some reason dealers seem to claim that the parts are not yet available, but the Sony Ericsson eshop is selling the bits without a problem. I've ordered a leather console from dashmount, to avoid the unsightly no-drill bracket, but still not trash the interior of the car. One of the other members (Mattj) helpfully pointed me toward a dealer in Surrey that seems to have cracked wiring a phone kit in properly... and they're coming to the office to install everything on Monday ;) As for usage.... there isn't a GPS attachment as yet (they haven't been out long) but I have seen discussion of one. I use it as a PDA fairly regularly, and have bought a film screen protector to avoid scratches in my pocket (those lexus keys have pointy edges!). This means it's onto a winner already, as my IPAQ was too bulky to carry around anywhere other than my laptop bag, and why use the IPAQ over the laptop if you're in a meeting?

I think the batteries are only used when you undock the remote. If it doesn't work when you remove it, then they need changing ;) Sadly, the speed lockout still applies, so the passenger can't do anything you can't. You'll notice the little window underneath the remote when you remove it, and the IR window on the satnav screen itself. I believe that both are receptors for the control joystick. FYI - Lexus have changed the layout of this panel on DVD series systems, and the controls are fixed. They're not as easy to use, either :(

I have a P800, and I love it. I looked at the 3850, and found it really bulky. The P800 isn't a small phone, but the move from a T68i was really not all that upsetting. I certainly don't find myself wanting to change the SIMs around when I go out in the evening. The PDA functions are good, the phone is excellent (signal strength is way better than the T68i), it syncs well with the PC - can't complain. I even have my car kit install scheduled for Monday (which, despite having satnav and aux amp version of the stereo is going to go through the main speakers) which should round it off. If it helps - one of the other guys in my office saw mine, and bought a P800 himself on the way home from work. PM me if you want any further info ;) Regards Alistair

The gear change on my IS300 is *marginally* jerky for a couple of minutes while the engine warms up. After that, it's incredibly smooth. How old is your car? If it's a software fault, there'll be other cars made at the same time with the same problem. However, it's entirely reasonable that a software change will solve the problem. Is there any pattern to the 50% of the time when it jerks? (i.e. engine speed, accelerator position, engine temperature, loading (ascend/descend). Alistair

Very cool.... well worth the download :)

The new disc is definately out. I complained that my car was shipped with the old disc, when the new one was released at the end of September. The lexus contact centre have shipped a free disc to my dealer (Reading) for them to install. The contact centre were aware of the new DVD release.

My dealer just told me to drive my IS300 "as I would normally do so" from start. Admittedly I tend to drive like a bit of a t**t, so I did take it a little easier for the first thousand or so. Ask your dealer... it's their service and maintenance policy you're likely to be tied to ;) A friend of mine, who has close ties with a safe swedish car company, advises to be careful for the first 100 miles (in case anything large drops off) then just drive normally. If it's your first new car (as this was mine) it's impossible to not be extra careful to start with anyway! Enjoy, A

It sounds that, despite your DVD case, you may have the CD based nav system. It is Mark Hart I'm referring to - he's the Service Centre Manager, and has been very co-operative when I've spoken to him. A

It sounds a little mysterious. Do you have a button that says "DVD" on the top right of your main menu screen? (Accessed on an IS by pressing the "Dest" button). If so, push it - this should report the version of your disc. I've been speaking with Lexus Reading to try and get the updated disc for my car (which was shipped with the old disc, despite being delivered after the new one was released). I think they've got one or order now. The contact centre told me the disc for the IS DVD system is the same as the one in the SC, so I assume will be the same in the GS. Have you been speaking to Mark at Reading? A

I have a different brand, but similar system, fitted to my IS300. To be brutally frank, I'm a little disappointed. PROS - Completely invisible from outside and inside - Very clear parking sound - Picks up low kerbs, and tiny obstacles (including protuding sticks in bushes!) CONS - Useless in rain. The rain running down the bumper sets it off. - VERY short range (around 30cm and downwards) - Random beeps and chirps during parking makes it difficult to trust By all means try this model out.... if it's better than mine I'll take it back to the gold dealer I bought it from, and get mine swapped :) A

What ways do we know of of accessing the maintenance menus on the various systems? I don't think that discussion of this openly can be violating any warranty / law / friendly agreements with Lexus, surely?

I was under the impression that this could be altered through the maintenance menu too... but as to where to start.... I'd certainly add my voice to a petition to Lexus. I can see that they may potentially want us to sign a waiver (such that we can't sue them should we have an accident whilst adjusting the satnav in motion) A

That's the one! Thanks :D

Frank. 1. It's a proprietary format, and you can't download it. 2. Even if you could, we value our relationship with Lexus, so wouldn't discuss or condone it on here. I hate to be a bore... but that's just the way it goes. At least you haven't got the DVD system.... that one is a/ out of date b/ much more expensive to update :( A