Vintagesixtysix

TP just on a tangent was your parking ticket issued on private land via camera or an attendant? Or public highway / council land by a traffic warden / council traffic officer etc / police officer? v66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Still waiting....with bated breath. I'll accept the greater knowledge of the forum for how much the going rate is for a no keys at all scratch start. I have mentioned several times on this topic before, I & in trade friends ( auto & locks) all made extensive enquiries on how to solve a replacement key (not... no keys...to be clear) without going to dealer and stumping up the £300+. We all failed. So if a key can be produced for £200ish......that's a breakthrough.......which is even more impressive from a zero key start point. Breath still bated. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Can confirm that after extensive Internet research and efforts from a couple of people I know in both car and locks trade.....I ended up walking into a Lexus dealerships parts department. Over £300 later I was the proud owner of a spare key. They did run through some of the lock functions and cleared any other keys registered off the car.....cold comfort! This was nearly 12 months ago now and I have not read anything to the contrary to date. 2006 IS250 V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Don't worry about previous owner providing info on servicing for any Lexus you see.....when searching for mine I ended up calling two lexus dealerships.....told them I was considering purchasing 'x' vehicle and gave them the reg and asked them to confirm the service history and stamps that I was presented with by the (non lexus) dealer. One (Stockport) were also good enough to confirm that all the warranty work had been completed and that the milage matched what I had also during those periods of the cars life. Excellent! & very reassuring that it was a kosher vehicle. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

And of course.....ring Hedge end and Norwich Lexus to check that FSH. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Just to hit on another of the points....I had a Prius for five years for similar motivations to yourself. Had a top of the range just to try and take some of the boring out of it....but once you have played with the self park a couple of times, reversing camera and jumped a couple of more sportier vehicles on the lights over the first 20 yrds with the cvt....flat as a pancake after that....they are just mind numbing boring to drive. I also had a couple of inverter issues that were never really bottomed out by the dealer.....that were genuinely scary moments (one total power loss in the fast lane of the M5!) I would never say never to anyone considering hybrid as they have already moved on considerably.....and I'm still convinced it's the future.....Lexus or otherwise. While for me it was about company car tax as well as fuel costs it was kind of the right thing to do at the time....but when I look at the real cost vrs driving and ownership enjoyment.....probably wasted years. We all have a budget.....if it's within yours....stick with your 250 ;-) Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Joking apart.....when I changed my pollen filter for the first time after buying mine....I was surprised to find half a forest in there!....it was all bone dry leaf matter etc. you could hear the fan very faintly clicking against the odd bit (like a stick against a bicycle wheel....exaggerated example) when turning the engine off....and fan decelerates. Could it be that there is some kind of a combination with the filter or filtered matter absorbing moisture ....and as the weather changes turning up the cars heater causes moist warm air...which will condense as the car cools down??....disappearing over a short time as the filter dries out?...therefore never pinning it down to seals or wet umbrellas etc. Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Any confessions...agent?...It's been a few years since I steamed a car up from the inside nudge...nudge.....sorry I know that's not helpful....but it is Christmas! Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

In a nut shell not worth getting a copy just for Lexus specific.....nothing you would not know as an owner.....but interesting for overall market and different segments. I'll try and pot the content without it turning into monster post. Survey - 49,000 people, 58,000 cars, 283 models, 444m miles. Best brands - as posted. Lexus #1 87%. #2 Honda #3 BMW #4 Toyota RX as standout performer, best buy in 4x4 class. Overall Cons - interior design behind German brands. Luxury cars - Owner Satisfaction GS#1 91.6% beat e-class & 5 series. Reliability - 3+ years GS#2 E-class #1 Best buys used - LS #5 #1 5GT #2 A7 #3 5 #4 7 Cars with most expensive problems - No Lexus in top ten. Land/Range Rover x3 in top 10, Merc x2 and BMW x1. Medium Car Reliability 0-3yrs - Lexus CT #4, Auris / Auris Hybrid #1 #2 4x4 /SUV Reliability 3+ yrs - Lexus RX #3 90.6%. #1 X1 #2 CR-V Hope of some interest.... V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Just had this months mag through the door. Good news :-) Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

All true, but the Lexus Diesel niche has only ever existed in a few countries within its Market - particularly not in the USA..(fjc) I think you may of hit the nail on the head with the above.....below sales figures for USA in 2013. In the Uk for Lexus you could probably move the comma forward a digit or two quite easily ;-) Mercedes: 334,344 total sales (up 13% over 2012) BMW: 309,280 total sales (up 10% over 2012) Lexus: 273,847 total sales (up 12% over 2012) Cadillac: 182,543 total sales (up 22% over 2012) Below article from April 2014....USA still in growth and Lexus growing disproportionally. This might suggest the manufacturing volume is needed to for petrol. Diesel and the R&D ( refinement tweaks on standard) required to keep up becomes proportionally more expensive for a declining % of business. Lexus steadily is gaining ground on rivals BMW and Mercedes Benz. If current sales trends continue Lexus will pass both of the luxury car icons’ US sales in this calendar year. Luxury and premium cars sell in numbers that are much smaller than conventional brands. For example, BMW in the month of April sold 25,202 vehicles in North America and Mercedes sold 25,887. Toyota’s Corolla (29,000) and Camry (38,000) models each outsell BMW and Mercedes individually in North America every month. This is not big news. What is big news is that Lexus’ growth rate of 18% year to date vs. last year to date, and its staggering 28% growth in April, is bending the curve to show an intersection with BMW’s and Mercedes’ sales rate some time later in 2014. In April Lexus sold 23,156 vehicles. The main contributors to this change are the very car classes that BMW and Mercedes rely on most. Lexus’ IS line of compact sport sedans has more than doubled its sales rate since the new model was introduced. Although the BMW 3 and 4 series are still larger in sales, the Lexus cars are gaining fast. Worse news for BMW is that Lexus has not even introduced its 4 Series equivalent yet, called the RC, but is about to. The one-two punch of Lexus higher sales growth rate coupled with the introduction of the RC is all it might take for Lexus to pass BMW overall. This will all (99%) be petrol / petrol- hybrid.....our cousins over the pond will never embrace diesel as we have in Europe. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Even though we are enjoying a mild start for September ( in most areas) I was just thinking I am approaching the first winter with my 250. Apart from keeping the servicing up to date and maybe winter tyres, I started thinking about an engine warmer, less wear on cold start?, better mpg? Did a quick forum search....but could not find anything specific. Any thoughts? Anyone tried one? Any tangible results good or bad? Is it a bit OTT for an average UK winter? Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

I also have this issue on my 250, driver and passenger side on the front. Weird one. Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Just for future reference....if gets to details. Might be worth trying to find out if the garage business that closed down (missing receipt ) was a member of any trade body....code of practise....DOT MOT registered etc....shows likely hood of standard of work.....reputable etc. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

TP is correct....quick overview here http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/35704/watchdog-keeping-your-warranty-valid It does say about full documentation which is one of your issues. I say take the lead...put it to them in a simple a simple letter, attach copies of your documentation even with a gap....it's up to them to prove you wrong....and while I'm definitely no mechanical expert...would the indie garage you used really have got it that catastrophically wrong to be the catalyst for head gasket failure???..?It's doubtful. This is a big painful bill and worth the effort to get into discussions at dealer and national level. Good luck. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Yes Bingo 123 that's correct....or x by 4.546ish for old school mpg.... 32 mpg on your figures. Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Yes Newbie...spot on...range said 370ish. I was sat at 70 -75 on cruise control for some good periods....Saturday so helped with less commercial traffic on the road. I will have to try noting a few fill ups and mileage to see how close the computer figures are. To be honest I'm not a big miler anymore....so not hugely bothered as long as I'm within the parameters you guys talk about....which I am, 34mpg is my everyday average on the car. I was impressed by this figure (40.1)and just wanted to get a view. If anyone does any decent runs soon would love to hear how far that mpg can be stretched. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

So the annual Devon trip happened a couple of weeks ago....and very pleasant it was too. The first major run of my 250 ownership. I know the oil burning boys and girls get hot under the collar about their MPG's...I thought I'd ask for thoughts/ knowledge if the car is kidding me? On the morning of departure I go to the garage fuel up....check the tyre pressure. I've done the fluid level checks a couple of days before....apart from a dash of pink coolant everything was in order. Loaded Mrs V66's suitcase in with the aid of a forklift ( might be over exaggerating a bit...but only by a tad) my carrier bag, and a few basic groceries, and just two up we set off for the 254 mile trip. Nothing major to report ....M5 a couple of contra flows and a caravan accident past Exeter ( where manual start / stop was applied a couple of times). Really enjoyed the run, my 250 has a rather dubious service history past...but still seems to be running smoothly...and the tank average is saying 40.1mph on arrival? Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

MitchR, by my reckoning your 2009 220 is keyless...so to make sure we are all talking apples and apples...please just confirm that it's the complete transponder and key blade unit you are enquiring about. If so here's my invoice.... L89904-30311 transmitter £195.91 L69515-30290-84 cut, key £30.72 Lab. £25.00 VAT. £50.33 Total. £301.96 Hope helps V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

My 250 only came with one and I'm afraid after much research and discussions with guys doing locks and keys in the auto trade....Lexus main dealer is the only big bucks option. They will also cancel any other keys ever registered against the vehicle....cold comfort but at least you will know that you have the only ones for your car. V66. Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Just realised I ranted on a bit and did not actually make a forum recommendation.....Pirelli P zero / rosso will probably be the choice...awesome tyre in the wet. I've already got four Sottozero (series2) winters which are also a very good winter tyre. (I am a bit objective by the way... as I've been a company car driver for many years with all kind of good and bad tyres, on front and rear wheel drive cars) Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Just to confirm things from the other end of the spectrum, When I purchased my 250 the trader has re- booted all four corners with CEAT Tornado ( nice ;-/) while I was reluctantly impressed with the grip ( would not like to have pushed it too hard though) the road notice is pretty horrific. My old man worked for Pirelli for over 30 years ( ironically CEAT was set up in India by Pirelli) so have always had quality over price drummed into us since getting our first cars. It amazes me listening to some of the guys and girls at work with a huge array of vehicle types happy to buy the very cheapest tyre they can get (appreciate everyone has a budget..but they can find the money for a daft furry dice or dodgy graphic!)...including part worns etc....and happy to put the family and kids in the car...when it's the only piece of equipment that connects them to the road! So while I'm too tight fisted to throw the budgets away immediately as soon as finances have recovers from car purchase a little...I will be looking to change all four. ( Pirelli of course....pensioners discount ;-) )...I will be able to turn the stereo down a notch also. Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Quotes for my recently purchased (private sale) IS250 M/T 55 plate 48,000 miles & sketchy service history. Went to see service manager ( very helpful to be fair), get free health check ( nothing major ).....not OEM wiper blades :-) ....tut, tut..... & see what the cost was to get the vehicle into a place where I was confident of no major mechanical issues etc. Lexus Coventry 60,000 full mega service £645 70,000 intermediate £245 (standard web older lexus price) 90,000 intermediate £245 (standard web older lexus price) 100,000 full + £595 Offered the service plan for whichever route I wanted to take. V66 Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC