Pete-r

Is there a list of affected models?

I have a 10 plate IS250 so not likely to be a priority for a recall

Sorry also forgot, while the car was being fixed they asked me to sign a new handover and new exchange document with new dates.

I asked why and was told because they had begun the process of repatriating the car, against my wishes and without my knowledge.

They have now ‘lost’ the original handover sheet which contains my personal information, and are asking me to sign new versions for what they call audit purposes which are wrongly dated and blank. When I pointed out that could be considered fraud and that I’m a chartered auditor the phone went a little quiet...

Morning all, I stayed off here until I had a proper update but after a rather bitter wrangle and some crossed wires my car has been fixed.

after the original disagreement over the return vs repair, I got prices from Lexus for the parts at another dealer and consulted other garages who said there was no way you would need to change the steering rack and you simply remove the seized parts in one go.

Lexus uk were utterly useless in helping, saying that the first month is dealer support.

My points to them which they chose to ignore was that there was a big LEXUS logo on the building, and I don’t care who the dealer is, they represent the brand. So one of 2 things happened. They missed it in the AUC and should be fixing it, apologising and praying I don’t sue them, or they fix it under warranty.

They pointed me again back to the dealer for any fault in the first month, but they got alarmed when I pointed out their 12 month warranty is actually 11+1 dealer so a financial mis-sale following a chat with tradings standards.

Lexus couldn’t answer basic questions like warranty claim value limits or even when the warranty runs until. Everything was pointed back at the dealer.

The dealer took it back and gave me a loan car and have replaced the parts and aligned the car and put mats in, but it’s been really stressful and I’m glad it’s over for now.

So the main points were/are:

Car collected and wouldn’t drive straight, reported the following day. Car had mats in the dealer video but none in the car and I was told there wouldn’t be any as I’d already signed the handover. I was pretty p’d at that attitude and asked what if the alloys had been swapped to steels?

Car was taken to my nearest dealer who agreed it was all over the place but couldn’t align it to tolerance, said they would not continue to work on it after a few attempts.

Selling dealer dodged my calls for a few hours then said they won’t fix as too expensive, and want to refund me. They ask me to drive the car (that won’t drive straight) 90 mins to them to drop off and then get a train home on a work day. I refuse a refund as I like the car and I’m told if I like it why not just live with it. ‘Think about what you are saying’ is my response.

I push with escalation to the DP and they ask to collect car but won’t offer a loan, and ask me to leave the spare key and v5 in it, again I say no because I fear they will force the refund against my will, and explain I can’t be without a car.

I escalate with Lexus and the dealer over the next few weeks but get conflicting information about the warranty, who is responsible and they basically blame each other for the issues.

Overall I rang Lexus uk 27 times during the period and had no calls back despite endless promises of a return call.

Dealer agrees a loan and collects the car and it’s quickly fixed once they see it doesn’t need a rack change. They also put mats in as per the way the car was represented for sale.

The process takes around 5 weeks of me driving a potentially dangerous car.

I have spoken to some motoring press outlets and they are interested in running the story so I don’t want to name the dealer yet.

Overall, a shocking experience.

4 minutes ago, Spock66 said:

Yes the nuts rust and are a bugger to get undone, but given the cost of new parts hardly worth the labour of messing about. 

For 100 per pair I'll happily buy them if they can fit. I need more detail on the issues.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll speak to them in the morning.

My frustration is that they have in my opinion missed things which should have been spotted in the 150 point check (it's named in the steering section). So if they miss anything I fear they will refund the buyer and, potentially, fix at cost then retail the car for more money. If they retailed at a higher cost that's my look out, but if they have undercut themselves I think it's unfair to get out of the sale like this. Honestly with everything going on in life (I traded down due to money worries) can't take the stress and have been very upset tonight.

Yes Spock it's an IS250 - 2010.

The service manager was talking about track rods being stuck but said it could be a rabbit hole needing a new steering rack!?!?

My issue with a refund is a tight budget and I can't be without a car so can't spend a long time looking. I need a car for hospital appointments which happen every single week.

Roy yes it's a Lexus main dealer who have sold it as an approved used vehicle 

It has an 'extended' warranty on it, the dealer confirmed this, but they said because the issue has likely been there a while the warranty would probably say no. I think the multi point check should have picked it up but I don't know what on earth to do. 😞

Hi I'm writing this really upset, frustrated and honestly fed up.

I bought my approved used IS two weeks ago from a dealer who I won't name, and the car was veering left at speed on the way home so we agreed to get it in for tracking.

They checked it yesterday and say while the alignment is clearly out, the adjustable bits (track rods etc I'm not technical) are seized despite their efforts with heat and whatever tools they use, and have told me they won't continue to address the issue because it's not financially worthwhile as it means possibly changing steering or suspension parts.

They are offering me my money back but I want to keep the car though it's not much fun to drive veering to the left constantly. I've sold my old car so would be in a mess and need a car for transporting a disabled relative.

I raised with Lexus UK today, and the dealer have yet to call me back since breaking the news to me lunchtime. My point to them both is either the warranty covers, or they missed it during the multi point check which specifically mentions the parts they refer to. I don't want to quarrel with them I just want the car fixed.

Has anyone got any advice from similar scenarios?

Cheers.

Colour under white Street lighting is fantastic. I thought from the advert it was a flat white but the Arctic pearl is gorgeous

After a lot of meeting shuffling I was able to get the car today. Overall really pleased but want to ask the forum for thoughts on the lack of car mats. There wereb mats in the car in the video they emailed to me, but when I asked I was told "no mats, maybe they were hanging" (her words).

Would you press them and be narked or just buy a set?

Cheers.

Agreed to buy the white 8k car in Bristol instead, looks nicer condition and the service history is spot on whereas the Teeside car was latterly serviced at non Lexus and every 15k/2y.

Doesn't have the facelift DRL lights (10 plate vs 61) but does have ventilated seats which on black leather will be handy in summer. 

Well this didn't go well. I emailed the dealer asking how bad the bonnet rust is, why it's not been addressed as part of approved prep and is there any other rust.

I got a call rather than email back, I presume to avoid an audit trail.

They won't fix it because it's too costly, it wouldn't be covered under any warranty, and while there's no other rust obvious they won't put it on a ramp to check beyond the approved inspection check, I guess it takes up workshop cost?

I said it's disappointing Lexus are happy to retail an approved car with rust, to which he said they're not.... I said it's rusting though yes? Yes. And it's approved yes? Yes.

I think they are making it up as they go so I'm back to looking and have to wait upto 10 days for my deposit back. Grrr

That's good. I'll ring them in the morning and mention it specifically.

They said there was a stone chip on the bonnet which had been poorly addressed and bubbled but nothing else.

Sounding like a dumb question but does the mk2 IS suffer from rust?

This is the Lexus dealer selling so is be expecting it to be of a standard, but maybe I'm over optimistic?

Struggling time wise so they are delivering. Yikes!

Fantastic thanks deal struck with Teeside on their white 2011 Advance.

Needs a full service, some tyres and a weeping shock so hopefully will be in fine health when ready, and they are refurbing the black wheels to silver for me 

I'm in South Wales so it's all been done remotely which is scary! 🙂

Hi all looks like I'm almost there finding a 2011 IS250, but I'm buying from a Lexus dealer miles away and need to check something 

My mother uses this folding wheelchair and I'm hoping it will fit sideways in the boot. I wouldn't need anything else in there at the same time.

The chair is 29x25x10 inches when collapsed. Can anyone quickly check if this would fit?

Thanks in advance.

Hi after a car I wanted fell through, I'm looking for a late mk2 IS250 (or one with usb audio).

Must be mechanically sound and crash free but stone chips or dings aren't a problem.

I would like an auto, leather, nav and dab.

Please get in touch if you are thinking of selling.

Thanks.

Thanks for the info, I prefer the older shape to be honest, inside and out, but it didn't have modern bits like usb and dab but the 2011-12 cars seem to be a sweet spot.

Morning all, I'm looking at a used IS250 which has had the boot decals removed (not the L).

Raises obvious questions as to why and has it been bumped etc, but the is250 side has two holes where the locating pins would go. I'm concerned the boot night have been susceptible to water ingress and could the boot rust out from the inside? I'm assuming even if the badges were fired they won't be water tight?

Cheers.

Peter.

Morning all, I'm considering going back to an IS250 and interested in the ride quality in the Advance.

My last IS250 was an SE-L and the ride was great, I later tried an FSport which was much firmer. There's no SE-L in 2012 so does anyone know where the Advance fits in terms of luxury/sport?

Thanks.

Thanks for that.

I'm seeing lots of cars with nav but no Levinson, so I'm just thinking if I add a really nice amp with 4+1 and internal crossovers can run the front doors and sub off it and replace them to something really nice and get that treble/bass too. Not huge money but something like a Focal component set and a shallow mount Kicker or JL sub something that fits in the mounting,

Then hopefully via head unit tweaks I can get it just right.

Hi guys, I've tried searching for an answer but I'm drawing a blank so wonder if you can help me.

I've recently bought a 2009 SEL with the ML kit and the system is great but there are a few issues with the car and I'm considering swapping for a newer car. Lexus are offering me a few cars with nav, but no mark levinson system installed from around 2011.

If you have a non ML car, does anyone know what is there in terms of wiring and fixings? I'm thinking if the core of the car is there I could buy my own amp and sub and install them in the ML locations if things like the rear deck is ready for it (I'm happy doing things like the wiring but i don't fancy cutting holes in the deck etc)... and then upgrade the speakers in the doors while retaining the 2011 non ML head unit.

I'm happy not to have surround and the dash centre, so I'm thinking a mid priced 4+1 amp and front door/sub. I'd probably leave the rear speakers alone as I tend to run the car faded to the front anyway.

What I don't want is an intrusive bass box in the boot or anything on show.

Any help grateful.

If you want a faster IS I would hold off on the mods, put the money in the bank and save up for an ISF.