dazed

That's deliberate and perfectly normal with any automatic, so don't worry. I'm really impressed with the economy too. My 250SE has been averaging 35mpg on my drive to and from work recently (80% motorway, 20% urban) - and that's despite some really cold starts.

It's on the dashboard, close to the windscreen on the right hand side of the car. It sounds like yours might be broken, or else there's are problem with the switch on your stalk. I have wondered occasionally whether there is a menu setting to control the sensitivity of the sensor. Yes there is, but it's a dealer only setting.

It's on the dashboard, close to the windscreen on the right hand side of the car. It sounds like yours might be broken, or else there's are problem with the switch on your stalk.

I hope not! I'd expect it to be continuously adjusting itself based on how you're driving.

I can configure the door locking on my IS250 SE using a combination of Shift level position (P and N) and pressing the driver's door lock switch for 5 seconds. It's all explained on pages 47 and 48 of the manual. The auto door locking feature when the car reaches about 12mph is now enabled by default on new ISs. I live out in the sticks and found it unecessary, so I disabled it.

I know Japanese reliability is legendary, but your faith in their technology has amazed even me!

That was probably Barrel Bob's Audi you were parked next to.

My bonnet catches have always been well greased which probably helps to limit corrosion. Perhaps you should apply some.

Sticking brake pads perhaps? Can you make the problem come and go by touching the brakes?

You can just about hear it in most situations. Obviously it's quite noticable while the engine is still cold, but once it's warmed up, other ambient noise (aircon, radio, wife, street noise, other traffic etc.) will determine how 'loud' you perceive the engine to be.

Take a look at the Petrol or Diesel? thread. I was initially interested in the 220d, but then drove the 250 auto. My mind was made up in an instant! The 250 auto has an amazing engine and gearbox. It's even pretty economical for a v6 2.5 litre auto.

Cheers Exiled. Glad to hear that my findings chimed with someone else. I did the test drives back to back and covered near identical routes. The MM option would really have been a bit of an indulgence in any case as I always know where I'm going and the basic audio system is good enough for my old ears! I also thought that the central arm rest made access to the 220d gear stick slightly awkward. I'm sure I'd have got used to it, but it did strike me as slightly less ergonomic than other cars I've driven recently. I suspect the 36mpg was better than most will achieve (particularly those who live in urban areas). But in my case , it's definitely better than the 32mpg that I currently average with my trusty old 2 litre auto Accord. I'm sold on the 250 auto and if necessary I'll wait a few months and save the extra money that I'll probably need. As they say, good things come to those who wait......

Back on topic. I've driven both (220d and 250 auto) and I'd pick the petrol everytime. IMHO they're poles apart - totally different cars really. The diesel is a competent performer (and probably won't let you down), but it isn't particularly refined or economical by modern standards. The gearbox is also pretty rough and slow to shift, especially the first couple of gears. The petrol on the otherhand is very refined and quiet. The auto gearbox is wonderfully smooth - you have a job to detect the gear shifts, partly because the engine is so quiet. It's also remarkably efficient for a V6 petrol auto - I was getting about 36mpg on a mix of driving with a slight bias towards dual carriageway cruising. As a private buyer I'd opt for the petrol (and sacrifice the MM option to keep the price under control!) without any hesitation. If I was adamant that I wanted to go down the diesel route I'd probably opt for a BMW 320d which IMHO has a more refined engine, slicker gearbox and better fuel economy.

Is this how BMW have managed to magically reduce their quoted CO2 emmissions by 20% or so this year? I thought it all sounded too good to be true.

I'm afraid that's unlikely. Changes to Level 3 reporting (how banks value their intangibles) at the end of this week is going to mean a wretched time for the markets for a good few months yet. I fear we've only seen the tip of this iceberg so far. My brother works in banking and securitising debt (selling it on to the markets) is nigh on impossible at the moment according to him. This is going to make personal loans and mortgages more expensive next year, even if interest rates come down. Sorry to wander off topic. Back on topic. I might be tempted to try and do a deal on a Lexus before the end of the month.

I occassionally browse the Lexus UK website to salivate at the nearly new cars and dream. However, today I've noticed quite a few cars that have a little asterisk on them inviting you to submit offers! Obviously, I'd expect to haggle in any case, but I was a little surprised to see it so openly encouraged for such a prestige marque. Is this a sign of harder times for dealers as the credit crunch tightens? I'm guessing that despite Lexus owners being better off than most people, most of their cars are still purchased on credit.

Oh dear, that's not good. Most DVDs I come across are dual layer. I'm not being funny or anything, but why would anyone actually want to play DVDs in a car (on the screen in the front console)? Am I missing something?

Any reasonably modern (last 5 years) should be able to play dual layer DVDs no problem. Hybrid CD/SACD wouldn't play unless the drive is SACD compatible and carries the SACD logo (highly likely in any car IMHO). Dual sided discs (very rare these days) should play, but of course you'll have to flip them over half way through (I can't imagine a car player would have two sets of lasers)

I can't speak for Lexus, but every automatic I've ever driven has always been a bit on the sluggish side when shifting up when cold, so yes, noticing the gear changes when cold is probably perfectly normal. Just out of interest, does the IS250 automatic have a conventional torque converter based transmission, or is it something fancier, like the DSG system. Just curious, as it seems to have remarkable performance AND economy for an automatic.

Yeah, I must admit I am wary of trip computers - I prefer to work it out myself. Initially it was reporting in the high 30s/low 40s, but once I got the revs down the figure rose rapidly. Of course, it meant more downshifting when I wanted power, and what with Lexus not having the quickest gear change, it was hard work. On the otherhand the Mark Levinson system was great and the seats excellent. The engine was also very quiet for a diesel once I was cruising in 5th and 6th and the general handling of the car felt very good. However, at tickover the engine was quite noisy and first and second gear a bit rough and clunky (although this improved as I got familiar it). As for the lottery, don't ask. I can't ever remember winning anything in my life. :D

Hi, this is my first post. I'm about to buy either a Lexus 220d SE or a BMW 320d SE. I guess I probably won't go far wrong whichever one I finally opt for. My head says BMW (cheaper running costs, good engine/gearbox), but my heart says Lexus (better spec, more exclusive, helpful dealers, Japanese reliability). I always used to aspire to a BMW, but just lately it seems like everyone and his dog has got one. Hopefully my heart will win the argument and I won't subsequently regret going down the Lexus route. BTW. My current car is a dull, but utterly reliable Honda Accord. 100K miles from new (2001) and apart from routine servicing, the only other expenses I've had are 4 new tyres and front brake pads at 60K miles and a new aircon radiator after a stone went through the original one. As you can probably tell, I don't drive cars particularly hard! I've heard a lot of complaints about fuel economy on the 220d. When I took one out for a test drive I managed to average 51mpg (trip computer) on a mix of roads around the Cambridge area. Not as good as certain other cars, but better than the official figures quoted by Lexus. I hope make other posts on this excellent forum in the future.