Jeroen1000

Thank you for the update Tore. To my ears, the vibration seemed to originate from the engine bay but such a thing is notoriously hard to pinpoint. I'm not sure they can eliminate it without doing something about the RPM's. Sorry about the dent but do update this thread when you get news!

I'll have you know I'm also very sensitive about these things. It seems like Belgian spirit you can only complain unless it is something big. Can't make any promises but it does pick up whispering from across a room. Perhaps you should PM me your approximate location. I do not live too far from Brussels at all.

Hmm I do like a Jaguars looks, however I do not like a diesel and their petrol engines are not really up to date. Audi is too expensive for what you get but otherwise a close 2nd to Lexus, in my opinion then. But then I'd be stuck with a diesel too, which I really dislike. Are you per any chance from Belgium? I do believe I read it somewhere in this topic. I did go for 2 test drives but I can't remember hearing nor feeling this. The only thing I noticed on a smooth road whas a bit of uneasyness. A slight, fast vertical oscillation. Like morse code fast. Pardon the poor explanation:-). This was NOT on asphalt but on a concrete road which often have some kind of structure in them which makes them less smooth than an asphalt road but otherwise free of potholes. I hadn't the time to test this on an asphalt road so I can't say anything conclusive. Also, on the Dutch Lexus forum there is someone who claims the issue got fixed on his car by putting on other tires. Anyway, I have got a voice recorder device that goes down to 40 hz. There are true audio recorders that go even lower but what I have may just work.

So any more news on this? I've not yet bought the IS but now it seems I have to check this first as I have not noticed this on any of the two test drives I have made. The amount it costs is big money for me and this feels like a potential deal breaker.

Could anyone upload the Lexus UK brochure and price list? They all seem to differ between countries:-). Just being a curious. I might buy mine in the Netherlands instead of my own country:-)

hi Ian, Seeing I won't have time to retype my write up (it was about 1,5 pages) I'll comment on the suspension only as you almost drove the same cars as I have (apart from the new Golf then). I've test driven all these cars on the same bad road. Every 2-4 metres there is a new sheet of concrete separated by black stuff (tar?)they pour in between. Needles to say every single sheet has an annoying height difference only more annoying being the sheer amount of sheets you have to travel over. I hope you can relate to this type of road. Let's start with the V40 1.6 petrol (16 inch wheels): The V40 was pretty good in the front. It was fairly soft, the seats were the best I've ever sat in apart from the non-adjustable head support. And, the 1.6 engine was so quiet. I feel the Volvo is noticeably quieter than the Lexus or any other car I have driven to date. Is it just me, or was the Volvo wobbly in the front? The kind of feeling you'd get with under inflated tires. Anyway I digress. But, oh my, in the back the suspension was so different. The rear axle took a nasty beating when going over every small short bump (not a speed bump mind you). I don't know why they stiffened up the rear so much but it was definitely far too firm for our type of roads. The worst were recessions (so a"pothole") over the entire width of the road. Imagine a sewer tube cut in half kind of pothole. My friend described that as "stomach in throat feeling" when we crossed its path. Audi A3 1.4 latest model (also 16 inch wheels although I'm not 100% sure): This car was fun to drive! The suspension was not really soft, but not harsh or firm either. I'd go with normal. Sure the back was a tad harder than the front as in most cars. At the front the ride was pretty good, at the rear still more than acceptable. I feel this suspension is very close to the Lexus IS 300h. Well balanced indeed. Only the Lexus's is a bit softer in the back (sedan advantage perhaps). The seats though were too hard and no comfort seats were available. Also the angle of the seat was non-adjustable. That and the price crossed it of my list. But the Audi was definitely a good drive and never left you feeling, auch, that bump hurt. VW Golf 1.4 latest model (don't remember wheel size. Was definitely not over 16"): This car's standard suspension was very soft compared to the other cars. It was one of the first things me and my friend said. I just wish I had not forgotten my tire meter. It took every bump brilliantly. Even hard bumps, recessions across the entire width of the road (where I thought the Volvo would get damaged by sooner or later), were a non-issues. Yes, the trade off is steering precision and you lose an engaging drive. Fit this car with the semi-active magnetic ride suspension to harden it up when wanted and it will be very, very good. Now for the IS 300h (17" wheels): Suspension wise I'd say it is on par with the Audi. I'd have to drive them back to back to be sure. Lexus is a bit softer at the rear but the front is a bit more tricky to compare. The Lexus' seats are superior to the Audi's so that kind of waters down an exact comparison attempt. The Lexus never felt hard or too firm, but never plushy soft either. It is a similar kind of refinement you would find in the Audi. I'd have to test drive again but for longer than a mere hour and a half. Just to get over the initial excitement that this car might be the next one I'll break the bank for:). Was your Lexus equipped with run flat tires? I think mine was but I'll have to check with the dealership. ps: sorry for the probably many spelling mistakes. I hope all is well enough to be clear.

Hi everyone, I've also test driven the new IS and I'll type up my findings some time soon. I had a nice write up until I lost my draft in Gmail. I had compared the IS to an Audi A3, VW Golf, Ford Focus and Volvo V40 which I have all test driven. Yes, I was in the market for a hatch until I saw the IS! Could anyone comment on the ride comfort (suspenion) vs other sedans? I did not find the IS harsh or even firm, but somehow I thought the IS would be lots softer. Reviews seem to hint on 'not hard but firm nonetheless'. I drove one on 17" wheels and I think it was fitted with run flat tires. Further more, the dealer had inflated the tires to 2.65- 2.8 except for 1, which was too low at 2.35. I deflated them all to 2.55 but of course I had no immediately means to inflate the one that was too low. ps: I'm from Belgium so we both share poor roads:-)