Kremmen

I was gutted because I was looking forward to one circa March 2008.

And that Ian is the problem with the IS250 Auto - there is no 'hand'brake. It's a foot operated parking brake and from my experience of it when I got a loaner was that it is a real pain. I cannot see how you could perform a safe hill start with it. It's no wonder you sit behind people in Merc's and the like that also have this feature because it is just too awkward to use in day to day driving. I was continually having to twist round anti-clockwise in the seat sufficiently enough to get my foot on the pedal when it was in the 'off' position. On more than one occasion I banged my left knee up against the underside of the steering wheel. It may sound stupid but that feature is the main reason why I will not be going IS250 in 2 years time. The tight for space in the garage is only minor.

That comment about garage space is my concern as well. My next car must be less or equal to : L - 4525 (which eliminates the IS250) W - 1770 (which eliminates the IS250) H - 1460 I'm hoping the BS rumours are correct otherwise it's possibly Honda Civic EX for me :o

Fairy liquid contains salt which scratches the surface. Some Meguiars ScratchX will probably help

In my experience freezing at bootup only to be followed by a successful boot is usually down to something trying to contact the net on immediate usage. On my system I tracked culprits down to having Norton LiveUpdate switched to auto update and Acronis Privacy Expert (since removed). Anything like that ?

I'm also still interested as I may have my bonnet and front bumper repainted in the summer. Since the M25 roadworks have finished I have not noticed any new stone chips appearing :) Let me know the price and satisfaction level when finished.

Not been down the Uxbridge road for years, Church Road junction, is that the one that used to be Barclay Auto's ? I only zoom up and down the Hayes By Pass during the week.

Now had you of blown the electric companies 60 Amp fuse then that would have been an achievement. As long as everyones OK though.

I'm also Hayes Middx but never seen an IS250 yet (apart from the loaner)

FYI - Lexus Guildford quoted me £700 which was felt excessive. That was for bonnet, bumper and part of both front wings (flashed).

If I knew that my Lexus dealer offered a LOC discount I would join tomorrow but unfortunately discount locations appear to be secret :(

My 3 year or 30K service plan in Jan 2004 was £470. I'm still wondering if I can extend that later this year when my 30K service is completed ?

As part of this Lexus National Service Centre can we assume that they will ring round your nearest Lexus dealers and have the prices to hand for each ? It does seem that there is some disparity in standard service prices and they could do the legwork.

Just got the article in question It's "Just 3G" Teach me to stop speed reading :)

Not too sure, the article stated "3G" as if it was the company name although as you say that is the technology. Will check

I would consider the TomTom One. The blurb does indicate that some windscreens can interfere with the signal but the 'One' uses the latest Sirf technology and you would be surprised where I have collected a satisfactory signal : In my brick garage, in the car, with all doors shut. In my lounge, well away from the window. It just seems to collect the signal almost anywhere. The above is also not a case of the unit having already been powered up and therefore retaining the last signal but being switched on from cold with no info. Superb bit of kit, apart from the lead that connects the unit to the ciggy lighter, that could do with being one of the curly wurly jobs.

3G have just appeared in this months Which? magazine. They have a deal that if you retain your first 6 months worth of bills they will refund 50%, sounds good so far. The catch is that they require 7 bills to prove the 6 month coverage. The deal also states that the cashback will not occur if you leave the claim till you are into month 7. Therefore you need to be a time traveller to claim your cashback within the T&C's of the deal. Which? have attempted to get a response from 3G but they were "unavailble for comment" or just ignoring the request. In other words, the 6 month refund/cashback is impossible to claim - be warned !

My service plan for the first 3 services was only £470. Wonder if I can buy another 2 years ?

Don't know how many clicks as I always press the button Mine doesn't travel far though, never use it when parking, just plonk it in "P" unless on a gradient which is rare which is probably why the cable hasn't stretched.

My service was booked via a cold call from the 'Lexus Service Centre'. They pointed out that as I was due for service in about a month and the appointments were getting a bit thin, "do I want to book in advance", which I did, and it all went OK. I think I would agree to the service then call the dealer to confirm.

When mine was brand new there was absolutely no vibration at all. Then I got a puncture (offside rear) that required a new tyre. This was done and balanced at a Lexus main dealer and I found that I had very slight vibration at about 60mph, that as others have found, you can drive through. I have had all mine balanced by an expert which revealed that 3 out of the 4 were incorrect (including the new one) and have been re-balanced. However, I still have slight vibration at 60mph that is not vibrating the steering wheel but you can feel in the general handling of the car. This points me to the car and not the wheels themselves. Maybe wear and tear in the bearings ? My car went into Lexus for it's 20K service a few weeks ago and I haven't a clue what they did but the vibration (very very slight and I'm being pedantic) is now at just under 70mph and again can be driven through. Theory 2 : I always check my pressures cold and I set to 35psi as per professional advice since 33psi was wearing the edges more than the centre. When I had mine balanced I had to drive 15 miles and the wheels & tyres were warm/hot. The pressures were adjusted to 35psi and the balance occurred. The following morning when the tyres were cold my pressures were down to 31psi so I upped them back to 35psi. The theory being that 33psi cold was wearing the edges so I guessed that 35psi cold must be the answer. With the 4psi difference does this now mean that I am running hot at 39psi ? If so will that affect the balance at those temperatures ? Out of curiosity are F1 tyres balanced cold or hot ? Strange !

The car should easily reverse into most garages. My last car had elephant ears mirrors and the trick was to reverse up as far as practical and also getting the car in line. I think my old Citroen C5 was a silmilar size to the IS250 ? Then press the switch so that the mirrors fold in, then reverse a small amount so that the mirrors are clear of the door and then press the button again to open the mirrors for final manoevering. I also find reversing in a lot easier because you can see the garage wall in relation to the nearside of the car. By doing this I can park the car with the rear bumper left side and opened mirror housing both within one inch of my garage wall (and I have never hit it).

When you say "Don't ask" is that referring to : 1) How did that happen ? 2) Is there still someone in there ? 3) Is it repairable ?

Absolutely, otherwise next month, technically it will be one year old. Dealers have trouble shifting in December and will try all manner of ploys.

Be interesting to do the same with CDR's that have been 'labelled'.