agalbraith

I'm getting about 28mpg.. which is still amazing me. That works out to be around 330 miles between fillups, which is essentially the same as my last IS. Considering my last IS was a 200 (as opposed to a 300) and had been run in.... not that I'm complaining, obviously :D I don't need to thrash the 300 as much admittedly, but I certainly don't hang about.

Congratulations, and welcome to the club! :P Sounds like they're faulty - call your dealer, and book them in for replacement under warranty. Are you sure it's the rear speakers? I have a similar fault on the front pasenger tweeter (the jobby behind the grill by the mirror) and Lexus told me "ah, we've had a couple of those before". The stereo in the new IS models (the one with the CD at the top) doesn't sound as bass heavy as the one in older models, but is still pretty good. I listen to a variety of music, from bass heavy dance stuff through to opera and classical at fairly painful volumes, and only get distortion from that one faulty tweeter. What age / model / colour did you go for? Regards, Alistair (btw, you know what you need to go with you nice new Lex? A nice sticker or three. www.goldmembers.co.uk. You'll save a fortune on add on goodies and servicing too!)

What price are you being quoted? I spoke to Lexus last week, also enquiring about a new DVD (the most recent release is Jan 2001). I was told that a new one was "imminent" and would be around 180 quid. I suspect that the dealer just assumed that the price is the same as the current CD updates for the older CD based nav systems though.

Depending on your interpretation, ADSL modems that have an ethernet port are called ADSL routers. There are quite a few around, with a fairly varied feature set. I just ordered one from www.solwise.co.uk, but www.dslsource.co.uk is apparently another good vendor. If you're going to share the connection using your own hub/switch, you just need to look for anything that supports "NAT". Many have a built in hub/switch, which makes life much easier. www.adslguide.org has several reviews, and some more detail on what's available. They start from around the same price as an ADSL USB modem (60 quid ish) and go up to several hundred. I tend to get over excited when it comes to things with wires and twinkly lights, so have attempted to restrain myself on detail. If anyone wants more - just shout :P

...or you can get a PCI modem, that you can install inside your PC, which will circumvent the USB problem. It will probably be marginally faster than using a USB modem too ;)

Sounds like an excellent plan. I'm currently scheduled to be in the office next Tuesday (21st Jan) if that works for you guys? As for the "Atrium" and its "Cafe" - I wouldn't get too excited Claire. Baked potato and panini is about your lot. It beats McDonalds though, I was getting a little bored (and rotund!) on that... There's a fab pub out towards Sainsburys that does about 150 different types of sandwiches.... that's worth a trip. And think how many traffic lights we can race through! (although, it's far more fun to charge down the service roads that cunningly run alongside the A4, with no traffic lights or speed cameras to spoil the fun!!)

Ahah.... I do indeed park on the dark side I'm enjoying the exclusivity of Lexus, and if I park on "your side" too often, it lowers the tone <laugh> Amongst all the nondescript BMWs, Volvos, Jags and Saabs on the dark side, my IS stands out nicely ;) I also work from home and/or client sites a lot - it takes hours to drive to the office (I live just outside Northampton) so I am a fairly rare sight. However, to answer your question - I also work on the 1st floor, for Primus. Where are your offices? Ours are located above the quality cafe effort, overlooking the atrium. Shame I'm not in today, or I would have popped round and said "Hi". Although, one could argue that if I weren't "working from home" today, I wouldn't have had time to read the forum as much Alistair

We got away with it by persuading management that it was a valuable work tool. Not that they really cared hugely to start with :) It comes as standard in XP, and it's also so easy to ahem *accidentally* install ;)

Thanks - it's probably mine, I usually sneak out of the office around 16:30 ;) I work in the same Regus building as you, javadude (why do you park in the middle of that huge empty carpark? Have you managed to get an illicit pass for the back door?!?) I'll keep an eye out for you too Claire... filthy blue ISs unite! :D The Observatory is a bit of a pain to get at. Only worth the hassle if you need a biggish shop - otherwise Maidenhead or The Bishops Centre (I think?!) out towards Sainsburys tend to be less hassle just for lunch.

I was very disappointed, Claire. I was shopping in the lovely Observatory yesterday, and even left my car parked next to Javadude's earlier in the week, and no flyer I will have to get around to putting the sticker in the back of mine though!

I tried the Parrot bluetooth carkit in my 99 IS200. It did mute the stereo (using the mute cable on the old series head unit) and worked fine with the Nav system. However, it seems impossible to connect the output to the stereo speakers (mainly because they use a separate power amp) so you have to use an aux speaker. The sound quality was fairly awful - if you turned it up loud enough to hear, it fried the speakers and left the caller with a bad echo. Any quieter, and you couldn't hear it at all. Fabulous idea, and probably good if you can use the car speakers - but otherwise not so great. I bought the Ericsson HBH-30 bluetooth headset, and it's fantastic. I use it all the time with my phone (whether in the car or not) and charge it overnight. The ericsson power connectors are all the same, so I can either charge the headset or the phone using a single 12v cable in the car. It's a bit of a pain putting the headset in your ear when the phone rings, but you get used to it. Call quality is hugely better, and you aren't left with a sore throat from shouting. Needless to say, I haven't bothered with a car kit at all in the new car. The only downside? People tend to think you're marginally insane when on a call in a public place - the telltale wire for a normal handsfree just isn't there... Manufacturers are starting to fit bluetooth in the car head units now - Saab and BMW offer this option already. This has to be the way to go.... it's just a shame you have to buy a Saab or a BMW to do it ;)

Hmmm.... the confusion over the number of presses comes from the two types of alarm fitted. The earlier IS series cars used a (far more sensible) approach, where 1 press = alarm and deadlock (1 flash), and 2 presses = alarm without radar and deadlock (5 flashes) The newer series cars use a far more faffy technique - 1 press = alarm & lock (1 flash), 2 presses = deadlock (no flash). You have to mess about with the drivers door lock button to disable the interior radar. I would imagine, however, that the intrusion sensors will take several seconds to arm (many systems take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes before they work). How long did you wait after arming before trying the secret "arm waving" technique? Alistair

Well, it's been *alledged* that the new DVD satnav disc will be released imminently. However, it will cost around 180 quid, regardless of vehicle purchase date. It's also claimed that with the right codes, the ABSOLUTELY INFURIATING movement lockout on the nav system can be disabled. Would be interesting to find out more info on either point ;)

The Ibis hotel in Wellingborough is fairly close, not too offensive, and bargainously cheap. IIRC it's < 30 quid a night at the weekend, and is probably slightly better than the Premier Lodge at Brackmills. There's also a Marriott/Courtyard near the Premier Lodge, which is more luxurious, but that won't be so good a price ;) I only live 10 minutes away from the Aquadrome, so if I can offer any "local guidance" to anyone, just let me know. A

Hi I've read this topic somewhere.... but can't find it following a search. Sorry :( Can anyone advise as to the correct idle speed for the IS300 when cold? Mine idles at about 1750 - and is producing sufficient power to drag the car, even with the handbrake on full. I assume the handbrake needs adjusting too.... but is this right? Cheers A

I was having, ahem, "issues" with my Blue i, and my new S6 GPS just arrived. I didn't bother with the Radar/Laser detectors (my local police use Laser, and you don't have time to respond without a jammer) First impressions of S6 Neo over Blue i: PROS - Far superior screen - Louder volume - Clearer buttons - Builtin modem - Marginally better build quality CONS - Mounting bracket options not as good (blue i has adjustable angle) - No nice 50 quid finders fee for new cameras - Not as good a discount available Personally, I prefer the S6 Neo. I'll post a proper review, and some pics, when I've had chance to use it on the road! Gold member discount on the Blue i is fantastic (100 quid off list, and full fitting was included). I got the S6 Neo off Ebay, so can't comment on discount on that one. Alistair

Rodders_UK is, as ever, correct :P The IS200 has a 4 speed auto box. I would have used D for most driving, which allows the gearbox to use all four gears. Imagine fourth as fifth in a manual - it's fuel efficient, but has no "drag" (aka engine braking) when going down hill. I would use 3 when descending hills, driving with cruise control on in speed camera zones, and when needing maximum control over the car when approaching corners a little, ahem, "aggresively". I don't think I ever used "2" and "L" in the 2 years I had an IS200.... apart from boredom in traffic jams. They're for really steep hills, advanced driving in snow, and if you want to play... Otherwise... go with "D", and enjoy the fact that Lexus have made one more task that little bit easier ;) (PS - If you're an auto newbie, be careful with PARK (P). It actually has a mechanical lock on the transmission, which means it's always worth waiting for a FULL STOP before engaging it!)

OK - I've robbed this thread from another one (Double Locking) but I'm intrigued. There are two bumps on the dashboard of the IS, behind the main instrument cowl. I always assumed that one was the light sensor for the climate control, and the other the sensor the the auto-headlights. However, there seems to be suggestions that they are also: - Receiver for the remote fob - Auto dashlighting (separate from the headlights?) Does anyone have a definitive answer? Also, does anyone know where the: - Antenna for the RF locking/alarm remote - GPS antenna ...are? It's sad, I know, but I'm intrigued now Seasons greetings etc... A

Thanks :duh:

Hi All I've only just realised that I now have to press the "lock" button twice in order to double lock the car. My 99 IS200 used to double lock with just one press. As the second press doesn't respond with a lights flash, its often very easy to miss / forget. Does anyone know why Lexus did this? And whether the car can be set to double lock on the first press of the lock button? Have a great christmas :) :hohoho: Alistair

Maybe I can redeem myself... Q9 is Lettuce.

Q1 - Boxing :P D'oh! Really ought to spot that "hidden page 2" before responding ;)

Do you mean the old format nav? Don't get me wrong - it's very very cool too. Still way better than the systems many of the other manufacturers are fitting.... As for the tints, it depends on the body colour you're going for (and personal preference). The sport models already have rear tinted windows, so you may want to "even it up" with front and rear screen tints.... what colour/age are you going for? But you don't have to wait for the lex to arrive to join gold. You'll need the all important sticker pack to get your new car looking good... and I'd definately join before buying extras. I just bought the Origin Blue i speedtrap locator for mine. I used one of the many "Gold Discount" vendors - and got an amazing deal. It's 399.99 list, plus 50 quid professional fitting usually - I paid 299.99 all in which, even after the gold fee, means I'm already 125 quid up. Bargain!

I think we can all understand your excitement... I think I must have spent the last four weeks scrutinising the brochure looking for changes over my old IS200... good to know that there is at least one other slightly mad person out there! The nav system has changed, and is even better. The old system used a small removable remote in the centre tunnel, but the new one has larger fixed buttons. You even get a cup holder now, which is very exciting :P The screen is bigger, brighter, and solves the age old problem of being too dark to see if you turned your headlights on during the day. Loads of cool new features to play with... and the nice lady now tries to pronounce the road names too! Have you got a delivery date for yours yet?

If you do go for the windows... you can get a much better deal than 350 quid by "going gold" and getting a nice discount :) Go Gold!