bobc

Well it's month 35 and the final payment on my PCP for one IS250S-EL 07 is due, I then have until March 26 to buy a new car. Sadly I have been very disapointed with the Lexus brand or at least the 250 and the option to pay £14K to keep this 38K miles motor will not be taken up. Whilst it looks good and handles well it is in my opinion a very over rated model, rattles from day one (admitedly sorted by dealer) but returning, door mirror electrics tempramental and dreadfull road noise from tyres are enough to deter me from another IS. I looked at the GS but consider it over priced and the Hybrid option is of no interest to me so no luck there. I retire next year so will buy outright and back to Mercedes for a new E350 Avantgarde would seem the sensible choice, pretty boring I know but reliability and comfort are my concerns both of which have not been 100% for the last 35 months. Enjoy your motoring everyone but I'm off.

IS250SEL 07 now needs new front tyres (23K) currently Bridgstone 225/45/17W. I have been very disapointed with the level of road noise with this car since day one so would like any recommendatons as to suitable replacements. I have been offered Toyo tyres (£145 each)which I've never heard of and been told they are original Lexus equipment which I can not verify. So maybe someone with more knowledge than me (not difficult when it comes to cars!) can point me in the right direction. Thanks.

I changed from the OEM fitted Bridgestones to Toyo T1-R's on my IS250 (also changed from Bridgestones to Toyo Proxes Four on my IS200 Sport). Even though the Toyos are on 19" rims considerably wider/lower profile tyre and stiffer springs on the 250, the reduction in tyre noise is very noticable. The Proxes Four on the IS200 17" rims are also a lot quieter. Sorry I cannot comment specifically on the Toyo R32A, but my expectation would be an improvement on the Bridgestones for both grip and noise level. bobc ...You were unlucky with the rattles...my 250 SE-L remains as quiet as the proverbial...as a matter of interest do you have the Mark Levinson pack? Thanks for this information, I'm pleased to learn that I'm not the only one to consider the road noise levels to be so high. I don't have the Mark Levinson pack, the reason being that as I keep my cars for a short (ish) period the residual values remain very high, the addition of multi-media and sat nav systems would not have increased this value to a degree that would compensate for the initial outlay. The rattles appeared to come from the centre dashboard to start, then from the area (dashboard) directly infront of the driver and finaly the B pillar right by my ear. In fairness I think the Lexus dealer was well aware of these issues with other owners but obviously would not admit to it.

Happy new year to everyone. I have owned my 250 SEL Auto since May 07, Looks were the first attraction and a good sales pitch regarding quality/reliability were the main basis in my decision making as I only keep my cars for 24 months tops. Though mpg is excellent at an average 30, interior finish is good and yes I still think the car looks stunning, overall I have to say I have been disapointed with the car, the two main issues have been constant rattles from day one (why not sorted in the PDI?) and road noise. The rattles appear now to have been sorted but any advice for tyres? Currently running front and rear Potenza Front 225-45-R17 90W and Rear 245-45-R17 95W. I know it's very much down to individual personal perceptions but never have I experienced so much noise from tyres. Any ideas or suggestions?