Chris_H

That's exactly the problem I have. I shall talk to them about it next time I'm there.

The bolster on my drivers seat is wearing really badly. I think I may have to have a word with Lexus, because after 11K miles, it shouldn't be so badly worn. I don't even wear a jacket when driving so can't imagine it's caused by rough clothing. However, on the plus side, no baggy seat!!

Another pic:

I can testify that these cars are pretty bad in snow. I stupidly tried to get somewhere at 0600 one Saturday just after 4" of snow, and had to be towed back. Even in snow mode, it was useless on any incline. Here's the evidence with my mate in his one day old Landy towing me back.

I went and picked mine up from Lexus today after they'd had it for two days to sort the wheels out. They have refurb'd all four to what appears to be a very high standard. I was hoping they'd replace with new, but having seen the standard of the refurb, I'm not unhappy. I will ensure they are now kept clean. This isn't too difficult for me as I don't go far anyway and as I don't work, I have plenty of time to do these things. I'll keep my eye out for paintwork damage on the door seals. I don't have any as yet.

I'm in Telscombe Cliffs.

Thanks. I saw this car at the festival of speed. Didn't think it looked particularly special, but hopefully the production one will!

A few more pictures:-

You cheeky young whippersnapper!!!!

The guy who bought the M3 was a trader from Lincoln. I picked him up from the station in the IS-F and he liked it a lot. I think I scared him a bit when I floored it on a straight bit!! I've no idea what they'll be worth in 18 months. I'm surprised I was able to buy one five months old for £39K. That represents 26% depreciation in five months!! I imagine that after a hit that size, the rate of depreciation will decline, but it's anyone's guess by how much.

I did buy it from a Lexus dealer, and it seems they contract their valeting out to a Polish guy. I explained all of the points I mentioned above, plus the fact that there were loads of tar spots I had to remove. I'm not too bothered about the cleanliness aspect, as I enjoyed cleaning it and sorting these things out. The wheels however are a different matter. The dealership say they will get back to me at the end of the week about resolving it. They assure me they will sort it out and I have no doubt they will. I think they are going to try and recover the cost from the valet. I don't find the ride too bumpy at all. In fact, I'd say it's far softer than the M3 for my old bones!! I'm just waiting for the buyer to arrive for the M3. He's not seen it yet in the flesh but is on a train from 220 miles away clutching a bank draft!!

I am very happy with it! I've ploughed through the two instruction manuals. All in all, about 800 pages. The English translation is a bit suspect in places. Everyone who's seen it up to now have preferred it to the M3. My neighbour thinks the M3 looks very dated compared to the Lexus, which I'd suppose it would as it's the previous model. I spent a few hours cleaning it yesterday as it was not valeted properly when I picked it up. There was chocolate in the passenger seat perforations, a small blue paint scrape on the rear bumper and quite a few tar spots. I have sorted all of that out. However, I'm not happy with the wheels. The n/s rear has been kerbed and the two fronts have been 'cleaned' with an abrasive scourer of some sort and removed the shine from the inside rims between the struts and left them with a flat scratched effect. I'm waiting for a call back from Lexus to discuss.

....and here she is!!

Thanks for the info guys. I wasn't aware of the prepaid servicing. Is it much cheaper? I was offered the tyre and wheel insurance and the time of purchase but not having a puncture for as long as I can remember, and not being a person who kerbs wheels, I couldn't see it was of much value. I see that quite a few IS-F owners are not in the first flush of youth. I'm now 56 so am actually looking quite young in amongst you lot.