Roger Bill

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2013/09/04/lexus-august-2013-sales-report/ Gives figures for the USA where they get the IS250 & 350 but not the 300h although the Lexus ES and IS300h share the same powertrain. I think it's too soon since the launch of the new IS to read much into the figures. http://www.smmt.co.uk/2013/09/august-new-car-registrations-rev-up-ahead-of-september-plate-change/ just gives UK sales figures by manufacturer. I think I have seen more detailed figures for individual models but I'm afraid I can't remember where.

The IS brochure quotes different mpg and CO2 figures for the three different wheel sizes but no difference for the F Sport/ non-F Sport models. Mpg figures for 16"/17"/18" wheels are 65.7/64.2/60.1 and CO2 figures are 99/103/109. I'd guess these differences are mainly caused by the different tyre widths: 205mm for 16" wheels, 225 for 17" and 225 front/255 rear for 18". A simple calc (225 +255) / 2 gives an average tyre width of 240mm for 18" wheels which is 6.7% greater than the 225mm 17" tyres, almost exactly the same as the 6.8% difference between 60.1 and 64.2mpg! Obviously these government mpg figures aren't achievable in normal driving but I think do provide a rough relative yardstick for comparing different cars and specifications. However, David found an even bigger difference in the mpgs of the Luxury and his F Sport so maybe the more sporty settings encourage more enthusiastic use of the loud pedal!!

Hi Wicksy, This is a very long shot but I had a rattle in this area on a previous car (Honda Accord) which turned out to be some rubbish rattling around in the air vent hose. It sounded like something completely different and I only tracked it down by fiddling with all the climate controls. Also if the IS300h cabin filter is in the glove box like the 2nd gen IS, as it only takes a minute, it might be worth taking it out to check it and the fan (on the 2nd IS you need to carefully follow the instructions to avoid damaging the mechanism). This will probably be a complete red herring so please let us know what the dealer identifies as the problem and cure.

Hi Tel, I believe it gives access to Lexus Connected Services, see the links to YouTube videos I posted in: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83604-lexus-connected-services-new-is/?hl=%2Bconnected+%2Bservices The Connected Traffic and Parking information look the most useful. In the UK this system is run by INRIX see http://newsroom.toyo...n-service&mid=1 This Portal Introduction video mentions that an app store will be introduced in January 2014 which could be interesting:

Hi Tel, Many thanks for the info. According to http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM53758U/pdf/sec_05-05.pdf I would have thought home produced CDRs and CDRWs should play, providing they've been finalised, etc. just as they do in the 2nd gen IS.

http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info/my-lexus/resources/owners-manual-search.do These manuals are for the USA market and include options like Enform which we don't get here in the UK. However, as I'm hoping to get an IS300h early next year it was interesting to have a quick scan through a couple of the sections. For example, the Voice Command System looks a lot better than the one in my 2009 IS250 which I generally don't use. If the new voice system is significantly better, does it provide a solution for those who find the remote touch knob a little slow and cumbersome?

Hi David, I think Bluetooth is intended to provide simple connection setup but as a means of communication it does have limitations, for example, for best audio quality a wired or WiFi connection is often recommended. Also see http://www.diffen.com/difference/Bluetooth_vs_Wifi To avoid the inconvenience of a wired connection and, if you don't mind the thought of buying a SIM card with a data contract, the £350 Lexus Hotspot option might be worth investigating. If you do decide to go down this route I'd be interested to hear how you get on.

My understanding is that Lexus Connected Services is the nearest equivalent here in the UK: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83604-lexus-connected-services-new-is/ Unfortunately it seems to offer a more limited set of functions than http://www.lexus.com/enform/

Ian, Here's another USA magazine article which places the IS350 ahead of the BMW335i: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-third-generation/708414-road-and-track-october-2013-is-vs-ats-vs-3-vs-q50-winner.html

Hi Rob, I'm really heartened by your comment that the low speed ride in the IS300h is noticeably better than your Jaguar XF. I've always found Jaguars to be among the best in terms of ride comfort. If the IS300h exceeds that standard, Lexus must have made significant improvements over my 2nd generation IS in which I find the ride just a little on the firm side. Hope you enjoy your new Lexus and I look forward to your update.

Hi Rob, Was it this video you were thinking of? Have you got your IS300h yet and, if so, how do you find it in comparison to your Jaguar?

It seems snow is difficult in any car fitted with wide wheels and summer tyres. "Full Winter Tyres on a two wheel drive car are generally more effective on snow and ice than summer tyres on a four wheel drive vehicle" according to this article: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts-and-accessories/2010-11/winter-tyres/ Not sure whether this helps with your decision but please let us know your thoughts after back-to-back test driving the Audi & IS300h.

Hi Derv, There's been a few comments on the www.clublexus.com forum which might be useful, for example, http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-third-generation/702255-laggy-audio-system.html Hope you get this sorted ASAP and that it doesn't spoil your enjoyment of what seems a truly great car. Please let us know how you get on with this issue and generally with your new car.

Hi Japthree, do you remember who came first? cos after of 7 years of enjoyable Lexus, I'm thinking of the A4 mainly due to price and the option of having quattro. Having tested the 300h premier wasn't that convince, will try the 300h f sport and the A4 back to back next Thursday. BMW 320D was 1st with 5*, Audi A4 2.0 TDI SE Technik was 2nd with 4* and Lexus IS300h SE was 3rd also with 4*. I'd be interested to hear how you think the A4 and IS300h compare. How much impact does the Quattro option have on weight, performance and fuel economy?

Having had an IS250 for over 4 years and short back-to-back test drives in the IS300h and BMW320d, I was interested to read the Auto Express group test. The most striking difference I noticed during my test drives was the noise and vibration in the BMW compared with the serene silence of the IS300h. Also over the past four years I've had no hint of a problem with my IS250 and I've been very happy with the local Lexus dealer's service and prices whereas a couple of colleagues have suffered a number of problems with their BMWs. Auto Express note both of these issues but obviously they must prioritise the criteria for choosing a car differently to me. For them handling is more important whereas I value a comfortable ride more highly especially after the only enjoyably twisty road I regularly drive acquired a 40mph speed limit and camera.

Hi Charles, Excellent choice of colour, it looks great in sunlight. I'm hoping to get a red IS300h early next year. I choose silver when I got my 2009 IS250 because it seemed the best for not showing small scratches and chips. I see Lexus uses self-healing paint on the IS300h so I'd be very interested to hear how you find the red stands up to the inevitable everyday minor stone chips, etc.

Ian, many thanks for the update. Really great to get feedback from owners. Also the video reviews linked in this post are pleasingly positive: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-third-generation/707434-motortrend-is350-fsport-1st-test.html I've been reading about the Toyota & Lexus hybrid technology (e.g. http://www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car6.htm) and I'm getting more and more convinced that hybrid drive and the CVT gearbox is a significant step forward and probably the best comprise until something like hydrogen fuels cells become a viable alternative.

Here's a couple of reviews from Aus and one from USA: http://www.motoring.com.au/reviews/2013/medium-passenger/lexus/is300h/lexus-is-300h-2013-road-test-38192 http://www.carshowroom.com.au/newcars/reviews/3912/2013_Lexus_IS_Review_and_First_Drive http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/lexus_is_2014 It's great to hear that Tel and the others lucky enough to have already got their IS300hs are all very positive and haven't yet hit any problems or had cause for complaint.

That's great, on page 30 in the August 2013 edition in What Car's first drive of the IS they said "Tue, the BMW [320d] is slightly easier on fuel, and we'd expect it to get closer to it's official figure than the Lexus in real-world driving". Also diesel is more expensive and the engines are less refined than the smooth and quiet IS300h. Also great is that the ride quality of the IS300h on 17" wheels isn't criticised in either of the full tests just published by What Car or Autocar whereas neither liked it in the IS2. Ride quality was my main concern when Lexus kept emphasising sporting prowess when they first announced the IS3.

http://www.lexus.eu/...ex#/Accessories It looks like the ash tray/small bin accessory is designed to fit in the arm rest cup holder. If not, I'm sure Lexus or someone else will soon start selling a small padded plug in black leather to fit the cup holders.

This quote from some blurb I have on the IS300h might help: "The new Drive Mode Select system features up to five switchable driving modes: Eco, Snow, Normal, Sport/Sport S and (on the IS 300h with optional AVS) Sport S+. Where specified, the Adaptive Variable Suspension system lets the driver fine tune vehicle ride with a choice of Normal or Sport S+ modes. A drive mode controller is used for selecting Eco, Normal Sport/Sport S and Sport S+, while adjacent switches are used for engaging EV and Snow modes ... Where Adaptive Variable Suspension is specified as an option on the IS 300h F Sport, Sport S+ mode combines the enhanced powertrain output of Sport/Sport S with co-ordinated control of the AVS and electric power steering to minimise body roll, sharpen handling and optimise steering feel to deliver sporting driving dynamics". There seem to be quite a few extra features included with the F Sport which aren't mentioned on the Lexus web site or their brochure. While this is great for lucky F Sport owners, the Premier model is by comparison looking over priced or does anyone know if it too has some undocumented extras?

When I bought my IS250SEI in 2009 I was offered a similar 3 year service plan which, although it seemed a good deal, I turned down in order to retain the flexibility to use different dealers for services. As it turned out the excellent Lexus Owners Club discount meant I also saved a useful amount of money.

All this talk of seat heaters reminded me of this Rolls Royce recall http://www.arfc.org/autos/rolls-royce/silver_seraph/recalls/000009194000082672000000322/recall.aspx and the amusing thought of wealthy Rolls Royce owners having their rears heated to "AN UNACCEPTABLY HIGH TEMPERATURE" and in "EXTREME CASES ... DAMAGE TO ANY OBJECT IN CONTACT WITH THE SEAT CUSHION."

Interesting that the IS300h sport Darren was lent had memory seats and electric steering wheel adjustment. Extra gadgets over that promised on the web site and brochure will be a welcome bonus for those opting for the F sport but it seems to erode the value of the higher priced Premier model or does this also have some undeclared extra goodies? In another thread Michael said the TPMS only has a high/low warning instead of auto location feature that gives pressure readings in each of the four tyres. Although this was a gadget I thought would be nice and useful, it's just a minor disappointment rather than a deal breaker.

My understanding is that these are just features on the Premier.