Macscrooge

You have to wish Hyundai luck with this. Whatever else it is, it’ll be damned reliable. 

I bought a few bits recently from LPD - excellent service. 

Re the Tesla build quality issues:  I test drove a Model X about 18 months ago and on the dealer demonstrator one of the (in my view excessively complex) rear doors didn’t work. A shame as it was a nice drive and there is clearly less mechanical stuff to go wrong but the build does seem patchy. The Model S in the showroom had some scary panel gaps. 

Even the dog looks anguished!  But better grip on dodgy wheels than no grip at all. 

6 hours ago, Mincey said:

I had an odd experience last night. A 19 reg 3 series jumped the lights I was waiting at, and then cut up another driver at the next roundabout. But, and here's the thing - it did indicate to show which way it was going. I was stunned.

I had a 6-cylinder 4-series and can confirm that indicators were fitted as standard.  I suspect it’s the 318d (which as we all know goes really fast) Which lacks such niceties....

My RX currently has Dunlop’s. They’re OK, if rather noisy, in the dry but less happy when moist. As soon as they’re sufficiently worn I’m planning to have CrossClimates. 

On 1/12/2020 at 10:03 PM, Spottedlaurel said:

Lexus/Toyota, and indeed many other makers, don't seem willing to offer an alternative to the many options offered by Audi/BMW/Mercedes (and even Volvo, to an extent).

I'd love a big, practical, luxurious estate. The closest I could get was the RX I now have, but that's not as big as my previous Avensis in the back. I'd love to see them do an ES (or Camry) estate.

I quite agree!  My RX was bought for much the same reasons. 

I went for Gap insurance but bought it a LOT cheaper elsewhere.

I did get a quote for Lexus insurance but found their call centre staff to be dangerously clueless so stuck with my usual broker. After quite a hefty increase for the mid-year change of car the renewal earlier this month was no more expensive than last year's cover for my 2008 Saab 9-3.

Though I've only had my IS a few months, I have driven it in very heavy rain a few times with no drama. In general it feels an extremely stable car.

Firstly let me say that I really hope the XE does well for Jaguar. The XF didn't really do anything for me and is starting to look a bit bland.

I've seen a couple of XEs. I think it's a nice looking car but is much less striking than the IS or for that matter, the Mazda 6. I considered hanging on for an XE but have no regrets about going for my IS.

49. For what it's worth, my mother (in her seventies) rather disapproves of my IS as looking too 'sporty'.

It took a few attempts to get comfy in my Exec - and the Exec demo before that. Just done 800 miles over last weekend so I think I've got it right now!

I've had my Exec for a month now and used the Nav quite a bit. It's only 'failed' me once, and that in fairness was trying to find a tiny hamlet in Scotland without postcode info. I still found it though - the moral of the story being that however flash your satnav always carry a map....

Back to the Exec. I agree that there is a fair bit of twiddling and pressing involved in inputting a destination but I don't find the time and effort required much different to the touchscreen in my wife's Honda. And of course, not being a touchscreen, the Lexus screen stays nice and clear.

I've not tried the Premium system but I certainly don't feel short-changed.

Fox

We have a full set of Toyos on my son's Skoda Fabia - ridiculously cheap and nicely grippy.

My wife's CR-V has Contis on the front - they're bl**dy useless and have worse grip in the wet then the offroad Hancooks on her old CR-v. I can't wait for them to wear out so I can replace them.

I'm still fairly new to this Hybrid business - my IS turned 400 miles on Friday - but I'm getting 48mpg without doing anything fancy. I leave it in 'Normal' all the time and use the Cruise Control quite a lot - as I have in previous cars.

The demo I tried (also an Executive) did just shy of 50mpg over 200 miles while I had it. Town driving seems to improve the efficiency, presumably as its on the electric motor much of the time. I hit the Bradford rush hour showing 48mpg and came out the other side showing 50+!

Though I'd expect it to improve, I'm happy with the current figure as taking into account the price differential high 40s in a petrol car equates to low 50s in a diesel. My previous (diesel) car averaged 48.5mpg...

Craig

I'd rely on your accountant for this one, as he'll have access to other info about your company's financials which might influence the decision.

And as others have said, as a Director you are an employee of the company. Mortgage lenders may take a different view because what they are lookup in at is regularity and security of income.

Wealth Manager - which is a posh name for Financial Adviser! I act for individuals and companies in respect of retirement planning, investments, tax and estate planning and life and health insurances.

I managed to find the postcode option all by myself - albeit some hours into my test drive....

Didn't these guys have the dealer handover? Mine took nearly an hour.

You'll probably not save on fuel - though you should at least break even. You will have a nicer journey though.

I've had Vredsteins on several cars, including a Mondeo, various Volvos and most recently a Saab 9-3 Aero wagon. The Saab tyres were about £125 a corner - I could easily have spent double that on 'premium' rubber. They were also a damn sight quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sports they replaced.

I expect the damage will soon polish out....

Gosh - a review which actually seems to relate to my (24 hour) experience of the IS!

Oh, and re the previous comment - I am 6 foot 2 and found the IS very comfortable. It's definitely a car you sit 'in', unlike many other where it feels as if you're sitting 'on'.

I hope you enjoy your IS. As to the rarity factor - last week I did a 200 mile round trip and saw precisely one IS.

I just wish mine would hurry up and arrive....

One of the best features on my E-Class is the ability to set a speed limit on the cruise control which unless you floor it, the car won't exceed. I find this really useful in towns when I set it to 30mph and then never need to look at the speedo ... Does the IS do this?

No

Personally I found the Merc speed limiter a terrifying device - more so when you don't realise it's on - but I suppose that you get used to it.

I should add that I initially thought the speed limit display on the nav screen was a bit fuzzy. But then I realised that because it is about 4 inches lower than the satnav (iPhone) in the Saab and that I was looking at it through the bottom of my varifocals....

I believe that sort of thing is called 'human error'.