MeOfLeeds

Ha ha... Shouldn't laugh really, happened to me just before I got rid of my Lexus. Fortunately it was day time so I just phoned my dealer on my mobile and the service manager gave me instructions. Two lessons learned: 1. Change the battery before it goes completely flat 2. Read the manual on how to get in/started if the electronic entry won't work

Yep - used to happen, usually in 5th when doing about 85-90mph on the flat. Felt like it was struggling to get the juice through, as though it was running out of diesel. Had the car just over 3yrs and happened in the last 5-6 months of ownership so never bothered to get it looked at as it was a leased vehicle (yeah, selfish I know).

As others have said, it is definitely mechanical damage and I would put good money on it being human intervention. A few years ago we woke up to find that some mindless w :tsktsk: r had stood on the bonnet of my wife's car whilst parked on our drive, kicking and smashing the windscreen. There was also a dent in the wing (not unlike yours) which appeared to be caused by this ***** standing on the bonnet and back-heeling the wing. I doubt you'll get a sympathetic ear at your local dealer as it is obviously something outside of their responsibility.

Having just swapped out of a 220d and into a BMW 320d, I wouldn't say the ride is awful - firm yes - but they're know for that. Fortunately mine's a company car so the cost of tyres isn't an issue. There are pro's and con's to every car purchase, but if you are buying purely on economy, the Beemer beats the Lexus hands down. If you want toys and comfy surroundings whilst you drive, the Lexus is the one to have. You have to compromise on something... If it was a personal purchase, I'd go for the 250 petrol everytime - had a few whilst mine was being serviced, the complete dog's B's.

Well, I've had the Beemer (320d SE touring business edition - in Tasman with oyster leather) for a couple of weeks now and yes, it's certainly different to the Lexus. In all honesty, it is a much better drive; more lively, responsive and the engine is a magnitude better than the 220d. Okay, it hasn't got as many toys but a car is for driving and it does that admirably...

I bet that shut line between the offside doors is at minimum tolerance...

Good to see that the air freshener survived as well

I've not got a date yet - hopefully 1st April otherwise I'll have to extend the contract by another month. One thing that has p :tsktsk: d me off has been the buying process. The Lexus deal was a breeze 3 years ago and that is one of the main reasons I chose them. A few weeks ago, I went back to the BMW dealer that hacked me off 3 years ago when I ended up with the Lexus. On that occasion I felt they treated me like dirt. I'd organised a test drive and turned up but the sales guy said he was a bit tied up so could I rearrange it and then trotted off to talk someone who was looking at a high spec 5 series. So I vowed never again, however I thought they might not be so arrogant this time. But yep, they are. I'm still waiting for the sales guy to phone me back two weeks after he said he'd organise a test drive in a two-litre diesel - he claims there aren't any in his dealership. What? Probably the biggest selling "business" vehicle on BMW's books? I've phone him twice, but he hasn't returned my calls. Unbelievable. So I've gone to another dealer that's miles away - an independent one - and the sales guy and business finance chap have been (so far) perfect. However, if they start dicking me around like the other dealer, I'll cancel my order and take my business elsewhere.

The only addition, other than metallic paint, is the automatic wipers/headlights option. I asked what the difference was between Bus and Pro sat nav and the sales guy said he didn't think it was worth the extra. In all honesty I'm not a great sat nav fan. I can drive to within a mile or two of just about anywhere in the UK without consulting a map so I generally just use the sat nav for the very last bit. When I first got the Lexus, I used to programme all my journeys just so the traffic information kept me up to date - but in reality it never worked out that way as the information was either too old or you got it too late (just as you passed the last exit off a motorway before the jam!). Plus, the Lexus sat nav has tried to send me on some very circuitous journeys which I knew were completely wrong. I'm not going to diss the Lexus, because generally I've loved having the car. But over recent weeks it has become an absolute pig first thing on a (cold) morning or when I leave work at night. You have to rev the bollocks off it to get it to go before dumping the clutch and it is really sluggish for a couple of miles - I've even had to resort to ramming it back into 1st because 2nd just hasn't got the pick up, especially going round roundabouts.

Well, the decision has been made...... . . . . . It's a BMW 320d SE Touring (business edition). In the end, I just fancied a change and the Beemer ticks most of the boxes; it's obviously got more loading space and the split/fold rear seats will be a plus. I'll be getting the revised engine so it has a bit more umph (186 bhp I believe) and, more importantly for me, it's more of a drivers car than the IS. I'm really not that bothered about the rear facing camera but will probably miss the heated/ventilated seats! One question guys - will you lot let me out at junctions please???

I've still not forgiven the little :tsktsk: who allowed a luggage trolley to roll into the boot of my less than 1 week old car when I parked it at Leeds/Bradford airport - and that was three years ago!

Hi Guys - thanks for all the input. I'm not unhappy with my IS, but one of my main issues is that I live on a fairly busy main road and always reverse into my driveway so I can more easily pull out into traffic first thing on a morning. You really have to rev the bo****cks off it to get it to shift because you don't want to be pootling about with cars bearing down on you at 40mph and if you waited for a really long gap in the traffic you'd be there until rush hour is over. What this is doing to a very cold engine and clutch doesn't bear thinking about. Fuel economy, as most people will admit is pretty poor. With all the gizmo's running to keep me warm this past couple of weeks I'm struggling to get better than 28mpg - my Alfa 159 driving friend, brother in his Passat and others in various diesel cars laugh at me when I tell them. Plus 4 up going on holiday, you really notice the crap boot space and rear seat passengers have commented on how cramped it is in the back. The trouble is, when buying (or leasing in my case), you have to make compromises - I can get a poverty spec E-class Merc SE for cheaper than the Lexus, but of course you don't get all the toys. However, am I really bothered about a cool breeze up the old jacksie on a hot day, is the reversing camera really necessary? (I can impress my nephew with how close I can reverse to his car without hitting it) but if you can't reverse a car without all these aids, you shouldn't really be driving. It is without doubt the comfiest car I've ever driving: Glasgow and back in a morning, all the way from the tip of Cornwall to Leeds via Heathrow airport without any problems (other than having to fill 'er up) and pokey enough to enjoy on the road. I've sent my options to those that decide to see what they say. I'll need to place an order in the next week or so...

Well I've narrowed it down a bit: 1. Audi A6 Avant 2.0 SE 2. BMW 320d SE Touring 3. Merc C250cgi Elegance saloon OR 4. Lexus IS220d SE-I (MM) All work out at around the same money a month and include bluetooth & sat nav. I'm still struggling to make a decision...

Thanks!I've had a quote on an identically spec'd IS and it's forty quid a month cheaper than I'm paying now - though I've reduced my projected annual mileage a bit. However, I got a quote this morning from the Merc guy and they can get me into an E-class (pretty much the poverty model mind) for the same money and BMW are apparently doing a deal in the 320d SE - so I might just have to eat my words and go German. I work for a German company so that might go down quite well.

Overall, I'm really pleased with my 3 yr old IS220D SE (MM). It's never let me down (though it's a pig in the snow and a bit of a dog first thing of a cold morning) but the lease is nearly up and I'm casting around for alternatives. The Prius looks good on the tax front, but the inside looks like its been put together with the cheapest plastic they can find. Mondeo and Insignia, well let's not even go there. Mazda CX-7 looks good, but would be an increase in tax, however the top of the range 6 sports luxury is cheaper than the IS and better on the tax - but no integral sat-nav available. The car-park at my office is full of Audi's, which I guess is testament to their popularity but they're pretty dull. BMW's don't really do it for me. I'm under 50 so a Merc is probably out - plus when I visited the dealer today there are delivery problems because of dodgy injectors (as previously discussed on this forum). So we're back to the Lexus - the IS220D SEI comes with free MM if you order by the end of March...