Wicksy

After 4 years away from Lexus I am now returning and have ordered an Ultra Blue IS300h F Sport - as a present Evoque owner I can't wait to get back to the customer care that Lexus are renowned for - Land Rover are a complete joke and it is a pity that their couldn't care less attitude doesn't match up with how good their cars actually are. I know I am taking a risk without a test drive but I've been sold on the virtues of the hybrid F Sport. Delivery is expected mid July.

:D I had no rattle issues at all but my car 250 Sport went into Newcastle last Friday for the seatbelt job - came back still without problems and £20's worth of petrol and a bottle of champers :) Thumbs up for Lexus Newcastle!

Hi Just noticed that the metallic trim which seats the cup holder and heated seat dials is heavily "tarnished" :duh: - it just seems to have appeared out of nowhere - I can only assume that it has happened whilst parked up in strong sunshine - I haven't spilt anything on it or used any abrasive cleaners. I'll be asking Lexus Newcastle to replace it under warranty when she goes in for the seatbelt recall. Anyone else have this problem?

Hi all Got a friend who is getting a squeeling noise from his front wheel - looks like one of the bearings has gone - Its a 1999 IS200 Sport - he feels he can do the job himself but does not know where to source the parts - any help from you guys will be much appreciated. :duh:

The new IS appears to be taking a right battering on here - I feel genuinely sorry for owners who are having problems but I think we need to redress the balance - and hopefully at the same time find out whether it is a quality control problem at the factory. If you have a rattle/squeak free new IS register it here and lets see how things balance out: I know it is early days but here goes: My model: IS250 Sport, 1200 miles, bought from Lexus Newcastle in March - NO PROBLEMS AND ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED (so far!)

Hi Jamboo - I definitely think we have made the right choice with Mesa - I've already given mine the CarSparkle treatment as recommended by yourself - has come up a treat. In my opinion the colour options for the new IS contain too many "silvers" - the only really bold colour available is the Mesa Red - I know Red isn't everyone's cup of tea but I genuinely think that it shows off the curves of the 250 better than any other paint job. :D

Here are a few pics - I hope!: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/SWC111/Picture015.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/SWC111/Picture012.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/SWC111/Picture019.jpg

Picked up my 250 Sport in Messa Red yesterday from Lexus Newcastle - can't believe the difference to the 200 - I honestly cannot pick fault with it - its shod with 18in Dunlops and the ride is no worse than on the LE that I traded in - it has moved the game on immeasurably. :D Dealer told me that it is getting increasingly difficult to source the cars - it is being a massive success in America and that is Lexus number one customer so naturally they are trying to keep up with demand over there which causes a knock on effect over here. I did manage to get a 1000 discount on mine when ordered 6 weeks ago but he says there will be no more discounts whatsoever and that because they are unable to keep up with supply Lexus are going to pull their advertising campaign off TV earlier than expected. He also sold his demonstrator with 3,000 miles for £500 above list price - he reckons this is going to become more common because of the present shortage - good news for depreciation I suppose for those of us who are lucky enough to have our 250's now.

Jamboo, I am going the carsparkle route - thanks for the info - I'm expecting a March delivery on my 250 Sport - would I need to use the carlack68 even if the car is brand new or can I get away with just using the Carnuba wax? Mr Morse is spot on... My bro' inlaw spent £356 on the Supaguard, and in a year it was "sheeting" water. I started a thread on the car detailing and care part of the forum last week or so. I took Mr Morse's and Mr Singh's advice. In the end I bought the Klasse product (sold as carlack68 all in one here in the UK) and a tub of P21S Carnuba Wax. Total cost £34 odd quid from www.carsparkle.co.uk incl delivery...Ordered at 1430 on Friday, delivered at 0810 Saturday! Washed and Chamoised the car. Applied one coat of the Carlack68, took approx 1.5hrs, to the wifes Honda Jazz (which was in a state, believe me...only been Turtle waxed thrice in 3 years, and never "sealed"!). There's no point in applying 2 coats, as it just takes it all off. The Carlack removes anything you've previously applied, but is non abrasive. I was surprised at how easily it went on and came off (you have to let it "haze" or cure for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 45). Allowed 24 hours for the Acrylic to set in and then gave the car one coat of carnuba wax... Only word of warning is to note that Carnuba takes ages to set. The instructions say you can wipe off immediately, but it's like beezwax, just gets pushed around... So - Get your self some clean old towels, and a couple of clean/new Microfibres.. old towels to take off as mush as poss, then a final buff with Microfibre. I typically let it stay on the panels for 30 minutes befire starting to remove. Goes on easy and comes off easy... The car looks stunning, most of the "swirls" gone too (it's dark Metallic green...), and I cannot believe what a good job was done!! I reckon this will last ages, and from 500ml of Carlack, I could do my new IS and my Bro in laws Merc S class... The Carnuba will last for at least 10-20 applications... PS - you can "layer" multiple carnuba applications to get depth of shine. That's the plan - next 3 washes will be followed by a Carnuba waxing regime... Oh yes, buy something nice for the missus with the money you've saved....

Picking up the Sport in Mesa Red on March 1 - I haven't seen the Sport model so am a bit worried about the ride quality seeing as most hacks complain about the ride on 17in rims I can only imagine that the bigger wheels on the Sport could be somewhat uncomfortable - anyone out there got/driven the Sport and can comment on this? - also what do you think of the all Alcantra interior? - I've ordered Lipari Beige (again, unseen) does it look any good? Thanks all. :duh:

Hi, I have had my Lexus now for 1 week, in Cadoxton Slate, perfect colour looks a dream. Thou as some posts have said, does show up the road muck, specially at the moment, with the raods being salted, but well worth it if you are a cleaning on a regular basis....any way what is the best colour not to show up road dirt..??? My opinion go for it you will not be dissappointed.... Bigplanet I would say Messa Red would be the best option for keeping clean - had a previous Lex in Aztec Fire which looked fantastic and was easy to clean - the Messa is very simiar to the Aztec Red so that is what I'ved ordered (Sport, March 1)

Ordered my Sport in Messa Red yesterday from Lexus Newcastle - could have had it next week but obviously would rather have it on March 1 - definitely no spoiler fitted even as an option in the UK. Managed to get £1,000 off list price - but this was offset by the ridiculous £11,000 trade in on my IS200 Le in mint condition (25,000 miles).

Hello all I'm about to visit the dealer with a view to ordering the 250 Sport - I'm trading in my 53 (2003) LE with 22,500 miles on the clock - it is truly in pristine condition - paintwork is unmarked - not even any stone chips! I would prefer to buy the 250 on line where you can get the biggest discounts but none of them appear to take a part ex - I reckon £12,700 is a fair price to ask for privately bearing in mind this model is on sale on Lexus forecourts for just under £15,000. Am I being realistic and do you think I could get a buyer for that price on AutoTrader? :duh: :duh: Thanks for your views

Just had a call from Lexus Newcastle informing me that they are expecting a Silver IS250 Sport model in the showroom in 2 weeks time - it is on order for a customer but he is willing to let me check it over to see what I think. I'm in two minds whether or not to go for the Sport model or the SE Auto with factory fitted 18in wheels. Salesman also told me that there is still a possibility that the Sport model WILL BE available with the auto option - here's hoping! :)

Hi everyone Hoping to do a deal on an IS250 Sport next month - can anyone tell me whether or not this model will be available with the auto box?

Just received info and brochure from Lexus Newcastle re IS250 - costs will be announced within the next 3 weeks - anyone heard any whispers as to the starting price? Also noticed on the spec sheet that the alloy wheels start at 16" up to 18" - does this mean we are going to have an entry level S model then SE, Sport etc. Anyone heard anything regarding the model line up?

:duh: I have same problem - had it checked at Lexus Newcastle who said that everything was fine - then took it to National Tyres who said that it is a "trait" of the car and that if the camber had been set up any other way it would probably have had an adverse effect on the handling. Suppose it is just something that we will have to live with!

Lex stopped using Aztec Fire when they updated the IS200 in 2001 - they now use Scarletti Red as the replacement colour - my first Lex was in Aztec Fire and I loved it - now have Black one which needs washing every other day! - still looks great though!

Thanks for all the advice chaps - it seems a lot easier than I first thought - my IS is black so I think I will go for Black Hammerite with Silver decals. Thanks to all again :)

Is there anything I need to know before painting my calipers - I intend buying some Hammerite (do I need to look for any particular kind?) - I have heard that you don't have to add hardeners or anything like that - just slap it on! Is this correct - can someone give me step by step instructions cos I'm a bit of a "bodgit" merchant who always thinks that the best way is the quickest!

Looks like I will be able to trade in my 2001 51 plate IS200SE (Black with gold badging and in immaculate condition with 20,000 miles) for a new 200SE this September. Anyone got any idea how much I should expect to be offered in PX? - I will probably do the deal with Lexus Newcastle.

Yes. I saw the same thing in AutoExpress 2 weeks ago (it was on the "Dealer Offers" panel at the back of the mag where the new car prices are - it wasn't repeated in this week's edition though - maybe AutoExpress got it wrong - wouldn't be the first time!

Read recently on the site that someone was quoted 349 quid for the 20000 mile service at Lexus Newcastle - mine is due shortly and I get the impression that is a bit on the steep side. Anyone had a recent 20000 mile service done cheaper? Also been getting wear on inside front of tyres and been told by National Tyres that it is a trait of the car and enhances the handling - nothing whatsover wrong with tracking etc. and I'll just have to live with it - anyone having similar excessive wear?

According to the Philips website (powerbulbs.com) you can get a pair of Bluevision Ultra bulbs which give the effect of 4000K HD and a "crisp blue light" for 24.50 per pair and the sidelight bulbs come free. Anyone know if they are any good and how easy are they to fit? - at first sight it seems too good to be true.