Linas.P

Ok, thanks for replies - seems to be dealer type of service then. Perhaps I can asks them just to plug-it during next service as a freebee and see what they say. I am under impression that if any of the sensors have gone bad it would be rather expensive job requiring power steering motor and gear to come off - not exactly economical considering mileage and age. I guess this will the main the mystery and luckily it is back to normal now..

I will try to avoid making much noise here, but it seems what you have pointed out is exactly in line what I have experienced with Lexus hybrids and sat navs... and in my limited spin in ES. Not exactly owners experience (luckily): Mirrors are smaller on all new Lexus IS/RC/ES compared to mk2 is, but they come with blind spot and cross traffic alerts as standard, so I would not see that as an issue. I used to use usb stick on my old mk2 IS, but in new cars I tend to use bluetooth, cannot think of any benefit using stick - port is probably more useful for charging phone or something. Although ES have wireless charger if I am not mistaken.

Standard OBD2 scanner shows no errors. Currently, I don't have access to Techstream. Looking through repair manual it seems there are all the sensors I guessed there are: Speed sensor Angle sensor Skid control ECU Power steering ECU Combination meter Torque sensor (Built into steering gear assembly) The manual only mentions issues of heavy steering, but nothing regarding light. I guess following issue description would be closest to what I have: "While driving, steering effort does not change in accordance with vehicle speed or the steering wheel does not return properly." Repair manual gives procedure for re-calibration, but it doesn't seems to be very straightforward: GSIC - Global Service Information Center.pdf I wonder if by "intelligent tester" and "DLC3" - they mean "Techstream" and "OBD2"

It has been a while, but I have come up with interesting fault (from boredom with otherwise reliable car)... This "issue" has been propagating itself since I have bough a car. I would say generally IS250 steering is quite light, which I don't exactly like but it is nothing wrong with that. On my particular car I had period where steering would become heavier which I generally prefer. To some extent it sometimes reflects tyres and tyre pressure e.g. higher pressure would make steering feel "lighter", but in my car there was certainly something else - even on the same tyres/pressures it would be just heavier for a period of time e.g. like 6 weeks and then again it would be normal for couple of months... never really bothered me so never looked to fixing it. However, yesterday on my way to work steering become so light that for a moment I thought steering wheels has detached (scared me)! The feeling was literally like of cheap gaming wheel - just a plastic wheel on shaft - no feedback. Parked the car at work during the day and on the way home steering was nearly back to normal... and today totally normal. No error codes, lights on dash, sounds, smells etc.... I assume that if electric power steering would be on it's way out, it would simply become stiffer and stiffer until it would die. Now it goes from light to stiffer for prolonged period of times... and as of yesterday it apparently goes "super-light" as well. I am just wondering what could be causing such issue?! Is there something like angle/speed sensor which controls power steering which could be in some way faulty to give such sporadic behaviour? Really struggling to think of anything..

At very least your should not be using either if you overtaking on A-Roads - that is when PCS with scare hell out of you. ACC is basically only good for middle lane hogging on motorway in my experience. In outside lane it makes no sense if you overtaking - usually you should keep "Audi" distance otherwise people will cut you off from middle lane and on Lexus there is only "Lexus" distance setting which is enough for a truck to fit in ("safe distance"), in A roads it gets confused with turns and other obstacles so not recommended and it is really only good if you religiously keeping to speed limits set it to 70 and stay in middle lane whatever happens - in such case you can pretty much sleep behind the wheel and ACC will do the job. I only ever successfully used Dynamic Cruise Control once on loaner Mercedes on trip to Scotland on A9 between Inverness and Perth - it was all the way 60MPH average speed, so no point overtaking, but stupid people could not keep consistent speed, so uphill they go 53 and downhill star going 61 or whatever and then realise they are speeding (probably indicates ~65) and sharply brake to 55 before the average speed camera (as if that helps... when do they learn how the average speed work?!). So standard cruise control did not work in that situation and it was kind of annoying to keep an eye in unpredictable brake checks. Did the same trip few years later in my IS250 and really understood where ACC would be well placed. Question is how often I do A9 in Scotland and the answer is that I did it twice in my life so far... no exactly common route! I think the biggest benefit is glass badge which look way cooler than standard one... and I guess occasionally you can use it when motorway is moderately busy and there is literally no point to be sitting in outside lane.... except in UK motorway traffic is mostly on and off, there is no middle setting for congestion and IS250 ACC is not "full speed" system, so really there isn't much opportunities to utilise it much. More often you can find suitable conditions in Continental Europe, like for example on autobahn you can set-it to 120MPH and it will do it when there is free gap, until you reach bit of traffic and it automatically slows down.. kind of relaxing, but you won't find such conditions in UK.

Sunroof is rare option, but not unicorn - ACC is unicorn... and ACC + sunroof is as you can imagine more than unicorn... so far I have seen 2 cars like that. Probably not more than 10 exist in UK.

This popped-up on RC-F latest listings today... https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908141122952?make=LEXUS&sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ba11rj&model=RC F&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&page=1 I mean listing RC F-Sport is one thing, but VAN. Maybe somebody can give them glasses?

It has 2005-2006 "Sport/SR" bodykit and period correct 18" wheels, which must have been refurbished, otherwise they should be peeling a lot. Basically - all possible options + more. Sadly, Silver is not my favourite colour... or more precisely literally worst colour bar baby poo brown.

The amp is ML branded - that does not mean it is made by ML, but amps are certainly different. ML was dropped from late 2011 car and 2012. Regarding WAV I am not sure, Standard unit plays MP3 and WMA and ML adds DVD Audio (which is never really stuck). ML system considered to be calibrated from factory, hence the excuse not to have much settings. I almost prefer it this way if it works - less fooling around. This is 3rd ever IS250 (non-convertible) I have seen with ACC/PCS - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905157981029?make=LEXUS&aggregatedTrim=SE-L&transmission=Automatic&sort=price-asc&radius=1500&postcode=ba11rj&model=IS 250&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1 So they do exist.

If you looking to negotiate the price then look for wear and tear items like tyres, brakes pads, disks, service history in general. In terms of "big ticket items" IS250 AT is bullet proof. Even if something goes wrong is mostly common sense things like water pump, which needs replacing based on 80k miles service intervals. Spark Plugs needs changing every 60k. So if the car reached the threshold and they have not been done it means you will have to do it after buying. At the price under £5k you looking at cars which will be around 10 years old now, so expect some rusk on exhaust. Now when it comes to Mark Levinson system... I think it is over-hyped and really depends on what type of musing you listening. If you listening some sort of classic music or very vocal/instrumental music directly from original high quality CD/DVD it is second to none in terms of clarity at any volume settings. However, it is rather mediocre for bassy or POP music ... if anything I think standard system is much more bassy and ~versatile - it sounds above average for any music style and does not suck regardless what source you use and what type of music you listen. In other hand ML will highlight poor source - for example I am listening to club music and mixes simply does not exist in anything else, but questionable quality mp3, that would be problem for ML, but standard system just glosses over it. Same for radio ML will surfer more from poor signal stations than standard (why would even car about Hi-Fi for radio). Now some stats - standard system is 13 speakers 685W (PMPO) and ML is 14 speakers and 1300W (or 1350w?- PMPO), however each are powered by ~300-350W (RMS) amps - take this with pinch of salt as information is taken from forums - not sure Lexus ever officially claimed these figures.. Obviously, ML amp has higher quality components thus more clarity overall. However, ML amps are known to fail and speakers are known to just stop working as well - something you should consider looking for ~10 old car. Standard system is more reliable and I have not heard it going bad. Don't get me wrong, if I could choose between the car with and without ML, I would go with ML... but it would not be my red tape. I had both IS250 with and without ML and the difference is minimal.

Owner probably didn't know he had ACC...

You can find some info here:

Mines is 188k miles and insurance is looking to write it off (again), if anyone believes (not many does) it is in perfect condition as much has 13 years old cars gets and certainly not where one would expect car with nearly 200k miles to be. Insurance is looking into £2800-3300 on Glass valuation. I am arguing on "like for like replacement basis" saying I cannot get SE-L for less that £3200 and even then they are in appalling condition (totally true). If my valuation is anything to consider and insurance will always try to skimp by at least 30%.... your car should be in value range of £5500 - £6500... one the mileage alone (that is where low miles cars are listed on AT as well). For some reason black cars seems to have premium - the cheapest I could find is £5500, whereas silver/grey (blue.. they say) could be had for less. However, you have mileage and option on your side - I have neither sunroof, nor ML. If I were you I woudl just put it on autotrader at the price I woudl be happy with... caring not what "people may think". Car is always worth what somebody is willing to pay, or how long somebody is willing to wait for the buyer. If you not going to receive any call in 3 months consider that too high - it doesn't like you in big rush to sell. Listing car doesn't cost much at all either. Finally, if you fancy SC, put it description public perception of them is awful and many people are willing to "downsize" and you might be able to agree trade for £7500 worth of SC.. for the reason IS is more popular, desirable, universal and less unusual.

ACC/PCS is radar cruise, don't worry about it - you won't find one for sale. There are no difference between 2005 and 2008, available trims SE (most basic), Sport (Se +18" wheels no leather option), SR (SE + body-kit, no leather option) and SE-L - all bells and whistles. Very early cars had solid versus vented rear brakes. 2009-2011 is transition into new range, kind of constant face-lifting, so it is hard to track whats comes when. I would need to refer to my previous posts, but from memory in 2009 you get new trim level SE-I, adds nothing on top of existing SE-L, then in late 2009 you start getting F-Sport - again style, upgrades nothing essential changing. 2009 as well starts getting new style real lights and indicators in the mirrors. 2011 gets DLRs and Advance trim, Advance is like SE + leather without ventilation and few other style bits. At some point in time they all got HDD sat-nav, but there are 2009 with and without it, so anyone guess. 2012 is final face-lift, you get latest sat-nav with full post-code (potentially DAB), still sat-nav in Lexus was useless and remains useless to this day. I never understood why would anyone want DAB or radio, but I guess that is personal choice. When it comes to retrofitting anything to Lexus - forget it. Best bet is to get one of those full replacement chinese android head-units. I still maintain the opinion that the best car to buy is early SE-L - that is 2005-2008. Later face-lifts didn't add much if anything at all, but you will be paying premium for having later year car. I guess the only bonus getting 2009+ is that you can still get extended warranty on them (max 10 years old), but apart from that there are nothing major in the cars. Personally, owned 2012 F-sport, 2010 AWD premium (sort of US equivalent to ~SE-I) and current one is 2006 SE-L.

It was included because RC is the sports car of the Lexus - the range is RC-F, RC350, RC300, RC300h. That we only get the very slowest and very fastest of the range is an issue of Lexus product placement, not the category itself. I said it before and I think it still stands - if BMW would only sell M4 and 420d in UK I don't think they would go very far, probably still sell more cars then Lexus, but over time they market share would diminish. I think the key issue to understand - subjective owner satisfaction never going to be same as objective car comparison. Journalists do "objective" car comparison with some assumptions in it - like that car has to handle well (many people don't care), it has to sound nice (same again), be reassuring in fast corners (many people doing even go fast into corners) and so on. Basically, if there are 100 criteria to compare on they use all 100 and then compare with other cars in segment. For average consumer, maybe only 50 criteria applies and even then the weighting of each is very different, the decision to buy I guess mostly falls down to like 3 main criteria in the end, so 97 others will be irrelevant. So to better explain it - maybe 80% people out of 100% were objectively not happy with RC300h after test drive, or even simply looking at performance stats on the paper (8.6s 0-60 in 2019... no thanks!). The Journalists tries to represents that 100%, so the car scores 2/10 - I think that is right thing to do. From, 20% who were not concerned, maybe 2% of people actually bought the car, because none of the issues are applies for them... they are happy with it. And why not to be - if you don't care about driving (I know I will be challenged here) or speed, or sound of the car - it is reliable, good looking, well built and well equipped car. So from that 2% people who bought it scores 91.44% satisfaction rating. For remaining 98% that satisfaction rating would be far lower - they decided no to buy it! Actually, if you look into the detail of the scores it is bizarre - just shows how different people perceives cars differently and why this "satisfaction survey" is purely subjective: Gearbox and engine scored ~95% - how on earth?! I would give it engine 10% best. Better than 2l diesel, but otherwise appalling and gutless.I guess in combination with gearbox that goes up as I would score Lexus eCVT a solid 50%, that makes it 30% for this department. MPG and running costs is 0%? - really, it has high MPG and running costs are certainly low?! here I would give solid 80%, not as good as plug-in hybrids, but on par with diesels and better than petrol. TAX and BIK is quite low as well, again not as low as electric and plug-in hybrids. Finally, there are certainly not much to go wrong with it so other running costs are low. Ride and handling again 99%?! - What?! It is not bad overall, but more like 75% The only 2 I would agree on is reliability and on other hand Infotainment - certainly 100% and 0%? The ones I don't quite understand are interior? It seems to indicate interior is bad, but I cannot really agree it is the case - at least in comparison with other cars in segment, but again this is not comparison, just subjective opinion. So for interior I would give 80% and exterior probably the same 80%. Safety features considering this is 2019 model with LSS+ I think should be 100% How could somebody score RC low on practicality when it is bloody 2 door sports car - what you expect!? This means I would have scored the car at ~70% before applying some weighting e.g. MPG and running costs are irrelevant for me, yet engine and gearbox is key. Finally, what is important for the buyer? Is it subjective other people weighted opinion about their own purchase glorified in placebo? Or is it objective, but synthetic comparison from journalist - yes they could be biased, but nowhere near as the owners. I will take journalist review any day over owners one!