johnno

Hi Rayanns, you may be correct. For your info, one of the reports said that the card coatings had taken some flexibility out of the rubber sensor seals and this causes the ultrasonic sensor to not operate correctly. No idea if this is right or not!!

I have exactly the same problem with a new UX250h. It first occurred one day last month and cleared itself after about 30 minutes driving. Then it started again one morning last as I left home and continued for two days during which it rained more or less continuously. I dried/cleaned all the sensors several times but it never cleared the fault. The dealer (Chester) kindly took it straight in and investigated when I called in to ask about it. All they were able to do was narrow it down to the front sensors and are reporting it to Lexus as a possible new model type fault. It definitely seems related to heavy rain but this week's episode started after it had just been standing out in the rain all night. I have searched on Google and there seem to be a few other examples on various models with this latest system. Some suggest that it might be due to the application of Supaguard or clear coat (mine does have Supaguard) to the sensors. It's fine at the moment but waiting for the next rainstorm to see what happens.

Sorry that you seem to have had a bad experience, but to redress the balance a little, I would say that my experience of Lexus Chester has been pretty well the opposite to yours. I have now bought 6 cars from Chester and always used then for servicing/repairs (not many of them needed!) and even tyres, as they stock compatible replacements at reasonable prices. I can recount several examples of how they have changed items without charging me and even removed parts from new cars because I would otherwise have to wait for parts to be ordered. I have turned up at the dealer on a Saturday afternoon with a battery drain problem when they immediately organised a courtesy car and when the problem was finally diagnosed they gave me the car back with 2 bottles of wine to apologise for the time it took to resolve the problem. I find that their technical knowledge of the cars is impressive and their staff are unfailingly courteous and helpful. I have had to challenge them over failings just twice during the past 14 years; one where they damaged a wheel whilst changing a tyre and another when they gave me an inappropriate courtesy car despite knowing that I always require an automatic. On both occasions they accepted immediately that they had failed to live up to their standards and did their best to make things right. They may not be perfect, but they are the best I have ever experienced. Only Honda and then Toyota come anywhere near in maintaining such a consistently high standard. As for BMW and most French cars, you should try them to see just how bad the customer experience can possibly be.

I had a 250C from 2010 until 2013 and it was a joy to own. Fast enough to enjoy a drive through country roads, use the paddles to change gear. Drove it with top down through France twice and everyone wanted to know what car it was. Mine was 100% reliable with no noises, so be careful about buying if it rattles.

It was the standard Lexus fitment to Advance models, certainly in 2013. It's a customised Tom Tom unit called Lexus CT move-on I think. Works fine and updates are available fromTomTom at a reasonable price.

There should be an SD card in the slot to the right of the screen, it holds the maps, traffic camera locations etc. Looks like you have an empty slot there.

Actually its true. I have bought the update two years running from Ebay (though different sellers) and they both updated the firmware version too. Appears to be the genuine card too!

I agree Mark. I was just pointing out that if it was true that you could lock and unlock the car if the keys were inside (and hence in the vicinity) then anyone pressing the button could do the same. Anyway it isn't true! The car won't let you lock them inside, I found out by accident!

Hmm.... If you can unlock it presumably anyone else can??

Very fair review. I bought mine in 2013 and am still in the honeymoon period! Never kept a car this long, but when I look for something to replace it, the (mostly German) opposition doesn't do anything for me. I have been on a racetrack but that was in a go kart and not a luxury family saloon. Motoring journalists have a free new toy to play with every week, along with subsidised meals, drinks and trips to exotic locations so don't take any notice of their superficial opinions. True quality becomes evident over time and in my experience of Lexus vehicles (6 so far), they have it in spades.

I have been a customer of Lexus Chester since 2004, through IS200, IS 300 Sportcross, RX400, ISC250, CT200 and IS300h. The dealership is far and away the best of the many I have encountered in over 45 years of motoring and I would include all the staff as none of them are anything less than friendly, enthusiastic & efficient and all go out of their way to look after us. Yes, I've had to complain once or twice over the 12 years but the response has always been immediate and entirely satisfactory. I can quote many examples of their outstanding service, like the first time I took my IS200 ( bought second hand) for a routine service. When I collected it I was informed that they had observed corrosion on the alloy wheels and had replaced them all under warranty. I had noticed only some minor black stains on a couple of the wheels but had not thought to report it. A week later I was astonished when I opened the boot and discovered that they had also replaced the (used) spare wheel as well! I would buy elsewhere if the standard isn't maintained but I see no signs of this at all.

If you scroll up/down on the right hand buttons while the dial is in the centre you can display a few different items. Range is one of them. Whatever you select is remembered next time you start up.

I had exactly the same problem with my previous IS250C. I took it to the dealer (Lexus Chester) and they managed to remove it completely. Service manager told me that they used jewellers rouge, whatever that is! Great result and they wouldn't even charge me for doing it.

I have also had lots of interest from other car owners, Porsche included,and it always attracts comments from ladies. BMW owners seem generally to be rather sniffy about it, though! I have owned mine for nearly 18 months and have only ever seen 3 others on the road. Roof is down whenever possible and did a trip to middle of France recently which was a joy. Only saw one Lexus car (an RX) all the time I was in France!