Roger Bill

Hi Maj I've a June 2009 IS250SEI and, like the SEL you've seen, mine is the facelift version with indicators in the door mirrors and the DVD based navigation system. When I bought mine I also checked out the pre-facelift version but thought the newer centre console design was much better. Also I believe some useful improvements were made to the suspension and fixes for a couple of trim squeaks and rattles. As you say I think the HDD navigation system was introduced around December 2009 when a USB port was also added. Mine has 17" wheels and I also have a spare set of 16" wheels. There is a noticeable difference between these but I'm afraid I don't know how they'd compare with the 18" standard fitment on the SEL. Either because I've become accustomed to the ride or because the suspension has softened a little with age, I'm now happy with the ride comfort whereas at first I thought it was a little too hard for our potholed roads and my backache which was why I bought the 16" wheels. Overall I think the IS250 is a really great car. If you're prepared to travel around a little, according to the Lexus web site, there are quite a few alternatives available. When I was looking around for mine, I had short test drives in 3 alternatives (a pre facelift SE and SEL and a post facelift SEI). I chose the SEI partly because it felt a more comfortable ride and more solid car. Happy hunting! Best regards Roger

This site: http://www.2014is.com/ contains some Lexus USA marketing material. It covers their IS250 and IS350 models (RWD and AWD) but unfortunately not the IS300h as that isn't available in the USA. The 57 page Adobe Acrobat pdf includes interesting details on various design features, the new navigation system and comparisons with some competitive Audi, BMW and Mercedes cars.

Have just received an invitation to "Meet the New Lexus IS" from my local Lexus Centre. I'm looking forward to checking it out again on 19th July. Does anyone who has had a test drive have any information or thoughts they'd like to share?

http://www.clublexus.com/articles/news/turbo-lexus-for-the-future-yes.php http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-lexus-launching-turbo-four-engine-by-2015-381083.html#axzz2XX59lrfI If true, this could suggest the V6 engine in the new IS250 will just be a stop gap measure. The V6 is now quiet an old engine design and a more efficient 4 cylinder turbo engine would seem to make sense especially for the European market which is more sensitive to fuel consumption and emissions than the USA or Australia.

According to this http://blog.lexus.co.uk/2013/05/faq-your-lexus-is-questions-answered/ adaptive suspension will be available in the UK as a £750 option on the IS300h F Sport.

It seems the hybrid + CVT gearbox powertrain divides opinion and is generally disliked by motoring journalists. I’d strongly urge anyone interested to have a test drive to see if the IS300h suits their particular likes and dislikes. I’d be really interested to hear how others feel, especially owners of a 1st or 2nd gen IS. I’m 95% sure the IS300h is the next car for me; hopefully next year if finances allow. However, I’ll want to make sure with a longer test drive on normal and familiar roads to get a better comparison with my current IS250. Over the years I’ve been attracted by cars with engines and gearboxes that are quieter, smoother, more refined, etc. At the same time I like a reasonable amount of acceleration. The 8.4 seconds 0 to 62 mph time quoted for the IS300h is almost the same as my IS250 and, although the torque/acceleration curve feels different, I thought the amount of acceleration off the line and at overtaking speeds was fine. I’ve also driven 4 cylinder diesels from BMW and Mercedes and, although their performance is good (assuming you’ve got the right gear) even after all the recent improvements made to diesels I still think the noise, vibration and harshness doesn’t fit with an executive car image. If economy was my prime concern, I might consider a diesel whereas if performance was my key criteria then a large capacity or a turbo/supercharged petrol engine would be the thing either with a manual gearbox or a fast acting automatic. Horses for courses but for me the IS300h with it’s hybrid + CVT powertrain, interior quality, reliability of the brand and the excellent dealers seems to tick all the boxes and I don’t know of any alternative that comes close.

A little more detail is contained in the Canadian brochure: http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience/en/home/ebrochure/ebrochure.jsp?model=BE1D2V&year=2014#

Brochure for the USA market: http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=e0a79085f9323d512d045d9f88bd811e&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clublexus.com%2Fforums%2Fis-third-generation%2F697838-anyone-get-a-14-is-brochure-yet-2.html&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexus.com%2Flexus-share%2Fv2%2Fimg%2FPDF%2FLexus-IS-Brochure.pdf&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clublexus.com%2Fforums%2Fis-third-generation-249%2F&libId=381ea58f-937e-488a-8558-5fcada78a0ab&title=Anyone%20get%20a%20'14%20IS%20brochure%20yet%3F%20-%20Page%202%20-%20Club%20Lexus%20Forums&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexus.com%2Flexus-share%2Fv2%2F...S-Brochure.pdf&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_137219895307812

The full UK brochure for the 2013 IS is now available at http://www.digi-flips.com/digiflips/lx/l/a8484884/digi-flipbook.html The first pages are very similar to the preliminary brochure that was released a few weeks ago. On page 16 it states "the electric motor propels the IS300h up to around 40mph". I'm fairly sure this is a typo as 40kph is approx. 25mph which is the figure quoted for the GS450h and the CT200.

Hi, I had similar concerns when I first got my IS250SEI which, like yours, had 17" wheels. I bought a set of 16" wheels off a Lexus IS220D and found that the higher profile tyres provided a softer ride and, because the tyres are 205mm wide rather than 225 and 245 they're quieter, cheaper to replace and should be better in snow and ice. The downsides are, for some, 16" wheels don't look so good and there is some detrimental effect to road holding and stability which could be a concern for faster drivers. Having said all that I switched back to my 17" wheels when the 16" tyres had worn down near to the point of needing replacement. I now find the ride on 17" wheels is fine so maybe the springs or shock absorbers have soften with age or maybe after 4 years I'm more used to the feel of the car. Anyone want a set of 16" wheels going cheap to a good home? On a previous car I found a significant difference in both ride and noise when I changed from Dunlop SP to Michelin Primacy tyres. Experimenting with wheels and tyres would be a lot easier and cheaper than changing springs, shock absorbers, etc.

In one of his posts to another thread I think UpSideDown was right when he said: "Peronally I think Lexus should not offer F-sport package on 300h. Tehy should focus more on luxury and comfort. The main goal of 300h is the fuel economy not spoty driving." In so much of their marketing blurb Lexus insist on emphasising sporting aspirations rather than playing to their real strengths of quality, luxury, comfort, level of equipment, reliability and dealer service, etc. In doing so, the Lexus marketing guys do themselves no favours and open themselves up for the kind of negative comments contained in the AutoExpress review. The more positive comments in reviews then tend to get lost. For example, AutoExpress said "you can waft around town smoothly and quietly", "refinement at motorway speeds is excellent", "this is still very much a Lexus: comfy and quiet" and "quality is impeccable and handling has been improved". Also like UpSideDown, my impression was that the IS300h (non F Sport) suspension setup is a little softer than my current IS250SEI. In this I think AutoExpress are wrong in their comment that the "standard suspension is 20 per cent stiffer than before". I believe the press pack (see link in my first post in this thread) says the roll bars are 20% stiffer and that this allowed them to soften the spring rates. I guess the new GS style multi-link rear suspension might also help improve cornering and road holding while at the same time being able to provide a more compliant ride on rough roads.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-third-generation-249/ has some good reviews and opinions. Most relate to the new IS250 and 350 but there are also some good comments on the IS300h.

Wicksy: Was it the AutoExpress review where you read the “whining CVT gearbox” comment? If so, the comments questioning the fairness of the review: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lexus/is might also help to set your mind at rest. I’m also well past the boy racer stage and, therefore, maybe our requirements for a car have more in common than those of a young motoring journalist. I’m now tending to place more trust in the opinions of owners and potential owners than motoring journalists. In the coming months I’ll be very interested to hear how you and other early owners get on and I’d be very surprised if many are disappointed with the IS300h. My priorities are reliability, quietness, comfort, quality, etc. Like Exiled in four years and 30000 miles I’ve had no trouble at all with my Lexus IS250SEI whereas my brother’s Mercedes C250D has already needed lots of work and replacement parts under warranty.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to drive around the Milbrook alpine hill route and banked high speed bowl in the IS300h (both F Sport and standard) and the new IS250. Comparing it with the IS250SEI auto I’ve had for 4 years I’m really impressed by all the improvements in the new model. When funds permit, hopefully next year, I certainly intend buying an IS300h. There’s already loads of information about the new IS on the internet e.g. www.lexus.co.uk http://media.toyota.co.uk/product_info/2013-is/ http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/explore/ and http://www.lexus.eu/car-models/is/is-300h/index.tmex so, rather than repeat those details, I’ll just offer a few personal opinions. NB The cars were left hand drive, non-UK spec and I was told they were pre-production samples in which some items of trim were not quite up to final standard. Before driving it I was concerned the new IS would be more like the CT200h than the GS450h. In fact I think it’s better than both. For example, the brakes are more progressive and the ride is much better than the CT200h whereas cornering in the new IS is more agile and not so much like the limo style of the GS450h. However, as I’ve only had a brief test drive in a GS450h, this might not be a fair comparison especially as the GS is a bigger car than I need or like. I think I’ll choose an IS300h Premier with the 17” wheel option. The ride in the F Sport version is a little too firm for me but I didn’t try the AVS which I believe will only be an F Sport option. I wonder if, by not offering some form of adjustable suspension on the Premier IS like on the Premier GS, Lexus are missing an opportunity to provide an even more compliant and softer ride alternative . I don’t understand why the motoring press are giving the CVT gearbox such poor reviews. Surely the holy grail of automatic gearbox design is to achieve smooth, imperceptible changes and to provide the optimum gear ratio for any given acceleration and load requirement. I think the IS300h largely achieves this. Maybe motoring journalists think the jerk caused by an automatic gearbox kicking down a gear is a necessary indication of fast acceleration! In normal driving conditions the IS300h is quiet and smooth especially compared with the similarly priced four cylinder diesel engined alternatives. However, the active sound control system seems a missed opportunity; it would be much more fun if you could choose sound tracks from cars like the Lexus LFA The new Sonic Titanium (known as Atomic Silver in the US) colour looks great and better in the metal than in most of the pictures I’ve seen. The interior quality, style and equipment levels are substantially better than those austere and bland interior designs found in the usual suspects in this market segment. I think many Lexus owners will find the new IS to be a fantastic car and it should attract lots of others to the brand. PS I’m just a satisfied owner of a Lexus and I have no other connection with Lexus nor have I received any payment or reward for posting these comments. Best regards Roger

As a temporary fix working from the boot I simply folded the rubber flap and tucked it into plastic grill. If my memory serves me correctly I think I could only get at the one on the nearside as the offside flap was obstructed by a box of electronics. This temporary fix helped but it didn't fully cure the problem. However, this was 18 months ago when I'd first got the car; now I've got used to the noise and I no longer notice it much. Also when my car was in for a service the IS loan car I had was exactly the same so presumably it's a 'feature'. I guess these very minor noises are only noticeable because the car is generally so quiet. Fortunately, unlike some on this forum, I've only had the very occasional creak from the windscreen in cold weather and I've had none of the other squeaks and rattles that mainly seem to affect the earlier cars. Generally I'm very pleased with my IS250 and I can't think of any similar car I'd rather have at this time.

Hi After raising this question http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=62034 I did find some info I think on a USA web site but unfortunately it wasn't much use and I can't remember where I found the info. You could try searching http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_2006_LEXUS_IS250~350_GSE21L-AETLHA_6403.html https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_page&SMENC=ISO-8859-1&SMLOCALE=US-EN&SMAUTHREASON=0&SMAGENTNAME=%24SM%24mT%252bGLraBu9CwUVnZg4mEDzB2kysT90hgbwsWgdZzNOc%253d&TARGET=%24SM%24https%3A%2F%2Ftechinfo.toyota https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info/my-lexus/resources/owners-manual-search.do http://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/ http://www.lexustsb.com/ http://www.l-tunedparts.com/index.php What's your reason for asking? Best regards Roger

Exiled: No offence taken, but it's one of those noises which, once noticed, you can't get out of your mind. As I've previously said, the problem with modern cars like the Lexus is that they're generally so quiet even the smallest noise can become irritating; a marked contrast to my first car which was a clapped out Ford Anglia which came with the "benefit" of considerable background noise, vibration, harshness, unreliability, lack of acceleration, etc! Minor irritations are a disadvantage to be faced during the early months with a new car until the pain of having parted with a lump of hard earned cash has faded!

In case anyone needs to find these, they can be seen once the two plastic trays in the rear corners of the boot are removed. The vents include rubber flap "valves" which, when the heater/air con fan is on a slow speed, do seem to cause a slight pulsing noise.

Many thanks both. Parthiban: My test yesterday morning was when the outside temperature gauge read 10C. I think I'll get it checked out before the weather gets any colder.

Hi all In comparison to my previous couple of cars, my IS250 auto seems to take a long time to reach full operating temperature. This morning I checked and found that from a cold start it took 7 miles of driving at an average of around 35mph before the temperature gauge reached it's normal operating temperature. Is this normal for the IS250 or should I have Lexus check the thermostat? Many thanks Roger

Hi Folver A few thoughts which might help: Here in the UK tyre wear on the inner edges has become a much bigger problem in recent years because we now have a lot more speed cushions. These only extend across part of the carriageway width and are designed to allow larger vehicles to straddle them without slowing down. However, when a car straddles them the inner tyre edges are subject to significantly increased strain, especially as the outer edges of speed cushions are often damaged. Damage to the inner edges of tyres often goes unnoticed and can be very dangerous. This plus the environmental disadvantages associated with shortened tyre life and increased fuel consumption are, in my view, good reasons why most speed cushions should be replaced by alternative speed reduction measures. Steering misalignment is another common cause of uneven tyre wear. Also, especially given the relatively small turning circle of the IS250, travelling at anything more than a few mph with the steering on full lock would cause the tyres to scrub and wear quickly. The Lexus recommended tyre pressures for the IS250 seem rather high. I’ve only had my IS250 for 3 months and so far have been using the recommended pressures. A few weeks ago I suffered a small back injury and so I’m intending experimenting with slightly lower pressures in the hope of achieving a slightly softer ride. If my back troubles don’t improve I might even consider switching from 17” to 16” wheels if these and the higher wall 205/55 tyres give a softer ride.

Whitey: Many thanks for that. I've just had a quick look but can't see any obvious airways inside the boot or inside the wheelarches around the rear wheels. I can't even see any obvious airways from the cabin into the boot. However, I haven't tried removing any of the trim which obscures all the interior surfaces of the boot. I guess another experiment would be to try opening the ski hatch to see if that affects the noise.

Exiled: I'm still very happy with my 250SEI auto with nav and have absolutely no regrets in making the choice I did. In terms of my particular requirements, I'm fairly confident nothing comes close because during the months I dithered over the decision, I checked out quite a few alternatives both new and second-hand. However, the choice of car is, to a large extent, down to personal preference. Do you have any particular points of concern?

Although the most recent of these comments is now over a year old, they might be of interest: http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/discussion/broadspeed-com/ However, the tactic used by Dazed promises to give the best result and is worth trying, even if you find you need to travel around a few Lexus dealers. According to http://www.am-online.com/NewCarSalesFigures/ Lexus new car sales are still down significantly and so the dealers should be willing to yield a little on price. Also if you have a part exchange you'll probably find the car brokers aren't really interested and, at best, will only offer a derisory trade-in price. I found http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/prices/# gave a reasonable indication of trade-in prices.

Hi all Does anyone know where fresh air exits from the passenger compartment? The reason for asking is that I can hear a slight pulsing noise and it feels like air pressure is building and then releasing. Switching the air con to recirculate or turning off the fan stops the noise. Therefore, I'm wondering if the fresh air outlets are blocked or if they're covered by a rubber flap or something with a spring that's a little too strong. I tried driving at high speed with both front windows open to see if that would clear any blockage. I've had a good look around the back window and parcel shelf where fresh air outlets are usually located but the only thing I've found in the boot are some slots under the parcel shelf which I think are behind the woofer and are just to improve the bass response on the audio system. I've also removed the air conditioning filter to check it's not blocked, although this is on the air inlet and so I didn't really think would be the problem. Although this is only a very, very minor irritation, if anyone has any thoughts I'd be grateful. Many thanks Roger