Linas.P

I am not sure about 2006, does that includes model year 2006 aka every model introduced up to that time? For me personally it was introduction of CT which was clear way to bank on the badge without delivering much of the car. 2012 GS is still quite good - that is potentially why it is being killed, LS'es are continuing, but more entry models started suffering since ~ 2010-2011. Second point regarding reliability, not every reliable car can claim to be "luxury", to be luxury you need much more then just reliability. I am sure ES is just as reliable and any other Lexus before it, but textured plastic shouts Toyota in the face.

surprisingly little, ~14,000 I have checked and rear calipers are not sticking etc. so I was quite surprised when I noticed rear pads are literally gone. Not yet metal on metal, but there is probably less than 1mm left.

Statistic speak for itself from 1700 deaths which is very small number only 300 were deemed to be speed related. Your terminology here is correct - these includes both above speed limit and speed inappropriate for the situation. Sadly these are not split further, but I reckon from 300 larger part would simply not suitable speed for situation and not actually speeding (just a stab in the dark). I don't want to repeat myself again, but if you would have red my post till the end, I specifically said speed limiters won't help because they will only enforce posted speed limits. Specifically, in UK I find a lot of roads not suitable for even those limits posted, hence I consider this new requirement not beneficial. 1. if you have issue with me watching dashcam videos on youtube I am sorry (not) to broker the news for you that these are ones of the most watched videos on the internet... perhaps only second to cats videos 🙂 People watch all sorts of things - horror and gore movies, series about murdering people (heard of Dexter?), how does it surprise you somebody watch dashcam videos? 2. "legal" is not equal "good idea" and "sharing" is not equal being "stuck behind". Yes it is technically legal to cycle on the road but become an obstacle for others isn't good idea... Secondly, legitimacy can be argued - I consider that anyone who uses the road should meet minimal requirements - know the rules (license), have insurance and have a valid MOT. If that doesn't sound reasonable for you, then you should know that "rule of law" is based on rights and responsibilities, cyclists have no responsibilities, hence I see all "road using cyclist thing" as a rights without responsibilities aka loop hole in the law/not legitimate. 3. yes the taxes motorists pay are not spent on "improving" the roads, even if you consider cycling lanes and public transport infrastructure an improvement. Directly motoring related taxes - £37bn last year, expenditure and roads only ~ £4bn, of which £2.2bn are public transport "subsidies" (meaning that private capital companies literally getting paid billions for providing consistently terrible service), ~1bn were things which I do not consider improvements i.e. pavements, cycling lanes, bus shelters, bus lanes and only ~1bn was spent "on the roads" i.e. building new roads, fixing potholes (maintenance, not an improvement), making roads "safer" etc. That leaves £33bn not spent on transportation at all and whatever little has been spent doesn't improve the roads i.e. from ~£1bn spent on the "improvements" that could include things like speed bumps, speed cameras or other infrastructure which have not contributed in any direct way to "improve" the road. Now importantly, the government knows that people are ignorant and they do not look into the facts and numbers. For the government, it is easy to play this "bad motorist game". What they achieve is that cyclists and pedestrians find justification not to spend money on improving the roads where the money is spent on improvements for them (selfish but natural), what they fail to understand however is that we are still just fighting for "bread crumbs" whereas government can keep the cake. If cyclists and pedestrians would look at the wider picture and get behind spending all amount for road improvements we all perhaps would have £37bn to spend. Finally, what makes the road suitable for use? There are many things, but one of them is "designed for traffic loads and volume". This means that there should be no traffic jams on the road, no obstacles on the road, no potholes and one should reasonably expect to be able to drive safely at the posted speed limit for prolonged periods of time (this literally makes most of London roads during the day are "unsuitable for use"). There are obviously exceptions to that - severe weather conditions, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, accidents etc. where one would need to slow down - however that is "exceptions". At the traffic lights - as long as all cars waiting can cross during single green signal it is not considered traffic, if after green signal there are still cars waiting, this is already traffic and means road/crossing does not meet the "volume" requirement. As we all know the UK has worst traffic jams in Europe and it is not "normal" for the road to have traffic on it continuously - such roads should be deemed "unsuitable to use". I reckon extra £33bn would help with that a little bit (considering it is 33 times more then is currently spent). Now obviously, I am 100% sure you won't read all above and continue to claim I am just cyclist hating weirdo... I am fine with that..

They are about the same as OE (high dust option), by which I mean they brake very smooth and progressively, but they dust a lot and wear fairly quickly. Actually, my Brembo rear pads just worn out and I though I will buy something else this time, which would produce less dust, yet won't sequel or skip like some cheaper pads. Discs are just that - round cast metal discs... any discs sold by any reasonable store in UK will be just as good as OE. Issue only starts when people get some cheap unknown origin discs from eBay.

Just to note, currently there is discount on Eurocarparts, code SALE55. You can pick-up say all brake pads for £49! Or what ever you fancy. Generally, their prices is not that good, but you cannot really beat all pads for £49.

Or speed limits...

I don't think there is much to argue about. 300h is just not right engine for me, actually I completely agree there might be many people for whom it is just right, after all people buy BMW 520d etc. The problem has always been that Lexus does not provide alternative - if you want to stick with Lexus you have to go for 300h. Well OK one can go for LC500h or LS500h, but that is not realistic choice. Secondly, what I have realised even more after short spin in ES - when you have such an engine like 300h, FWD or RWD really makes no difference. I always argue RWD point more from principal point of view... and yes in theory even 300h with RWD will have better balance, like RC300h feel very nice into and out of the corners. However, realistically there are so little power in 300h, that it makes very little difference in real life which wheels are driving. The argument can be made - I should not even try what I know I am not going to like, kind of stupid if you know what outcome is going to be. But to be fair that is what I do - least time I booked test drive for BMW 530e the dealer called me back and said, you can have it this weekend in a form of 520d, mid-next week 530d or 6 weeks later 530e. And I said - fine I will wait 6 weeks, because there is no point for me to "test-drive" 520d. I can go and just sit in one to check build and design, but I want to drive car with specific engine. When it comes to Lexus.. again there are no choice of even waiting. Ohhh.. and the last point to add. Regardless how old, rattly, high miles my car is after sitting in ES300h and going back to IS250 it felt literally like going from new Toyota, back into old Lexus. Take it as you wish, but I would rather want to feel like going from old Lexus into new Lexus after spending £43,000.

Actually, water with washing liquid test can be quite misleading when talking about leaking tyres. Sure if you have a hole... it will bubble-up, but if you loosing 3 PSI over a week you might need to wait for those bubbles with time-lapse camera.

It quite clearly states ISA or intelligent speed assistance is only "glorified speed limiter", which will look at GPS and dynamically sets your limit to that of posted limit on particular road. There are discussion including signs recognition, but still that is only about posted speed limit and not about conditions. If you want more, then we are talking about full autopilot like in Tesla and others, not ISA which will be required by law.

So whilst waiting for the service to be done I had little spin in ES, literally a circle around the block so I am not going to go overboard that I know "what the car is like". As the drive-train is nothing to be seen anyway I think that was fair enough - on the motorway I am sure it is fine.... as any other car.. even diesel. By the time you reach 50MPH wind and tire noise going to be louder than any diesel rattle anyway... especially on broken British roads. The area around Woodford is actually quite good for "suspension check" - roads are broken and rough with a lot of speed bumps. That said nothing new - makes some humming noise form hybrid powertrain, I have noticed no difference driving it compared to CT200h, IS300h or RC.. same thing.. don't like any of them. Suspension on bad roads is rather crashy, I would say ~ the same as IS300h, GS is certainly smoother. Again nothing new there, driven it for 1.7 mile... so it would be poor judgement. What I was surprised about was interior... and not in the good way. I came to look at it with prejudice that it will "suck to drive", but it will be very luxurious and nice inside... It does suck to drive... much more due to the sluggish 300h then FWD in this very very limited test... but interior suck as well!!!! Now hold on those stones you about to launch at me for few more seconds. As always I am over-saturating, interior is well built, infotainment suck as in any Lexus, but the screen is big, steering wheel is the same as you would find in any new F-Sport Lexus - thick and soft with a lot of key.. quite good overall. Seats are great, although I felt more at home in RC driving position. However, there are sticking points, which I do not understand, do not appreciate and which are overall problem for me... for example everything inside is made out of plastic, there are no premium materials at all and I am talking here about top of the range "takumi" model. What?! The "aluminium" in inserts are just textured plastic, centre console and windows switches have sort of "wood grain" finish, but again just black plastic. Doesn't feel as cheap as inserts on RC, which were horrible sort of carbon fibre like from kids toys... but still I expected better. I guess it could be argued - the texture plastic is lighter than aluminium or wood... but hey ES not exactly race car. Again, that plastic doesn't creak, nor rattle, it is reasonable quality, but it is PLASTIC. If nor for Lexus badge on the wheel I doubt I would be able to tell whenever it is one of the larger Toyotas like Avalon... In fact no so long ago I had Toyota Auris as a rental and feeling of the console is very similar - sturdy, good quality plastic, but nothing posh.. where in Lexus I exactly expect it to be posh and fancy. Furthermore... entire Lexus range is the same CT, UX, IS, NX and only RX had leather stitched door cards, but centre console still plastic. They had no LS/LC on the floor which I know are better, but I was really puzzled what you get from Lexus over Toyota? Or what you get in ES over say IS Premier which has nice premium detailing. 100% it is step down from GS, feel like a cheaper, car is made from cheaper material, inferior drivetrain... ok you getting extra leg room in the back, but less headroom... so what is the reasoning for anyone to change for this? _____ Edit: It was Actually, F-sport with "Takumi Pack" and not actually "Takumi", still quite disappointing... Lexus call that "Hadori plasti-luminium inlays"... terrible.

If you have a problem with my opinion that doesn't make me an idiot. What I am saying - there are 2 sides of the story when the pedestrians head hits the bonnet and the story is not always about drivers fault. Why nobody talks about pedestrians responsibilities when they cross the streets without looking at any time they pleased or cyclists when they pretend not to recognise red lights? Why should I be paying for any of that? Secondly, nobody forces people to cycle or ride a bike... that is their choice... their choice to be vulnerable. I am getting A license soon... my answer to that is - don't be vulnerable, be careful. This is some sort of victimhood, choice of being a victim ... "ohh I am going to get on a bicycle get under a bus and score million victim points for being disabled for the rest of my life! Hooray!"

Are you sure they checked that wheels are not buckled (unlikely all 4 would be). Secondly, has valves been changed? Generally, that is recommended every time when changing tyres. Checks as well if valves are sealed properly.

2 issues with that: 1. Some limits are too low and conditions permits higher speeds. 2. Some roads now so bad (not maintained, overcrowded, not designed well) that basically no speed is safe there. What is your suggestion - drive at 10MPH everywhere? If what you saying would be true we would not need speed limits at all - "everyone would just drive based on conditions". Secondly, specifically to this topic - speed limiter would make no difference. It would only limit to the posted speed, which we all can agree with, might not be right speed for the situation.

I am afraid but they won't come cheaper than on ebay - unless you expecting them free, further you need to confirm whenever you need HID or Halogen. Assuming you have SE and it is the same car in the picture (W/o washers) it is more likely you can find something. Although I haven't heard of many people upgrading the entire units, more likely just fitting HID or LED kits in Halogen housings. Anyway.. good luck with this. Looking at whats is available - halogen housings are rather cheap: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS-220-IS250-PASSENGER-SIDE-HEADLIGHT-N-S-COMPLETE-2005-2012/192847188491?hash=item2ce696920b:g:KqIAAOSwoF5cfo1a https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/07-Lexus-IS-220-Driver-Side-Headlight/273771822059?hash=item3fbe127beb:g:ujoAAOSwf-Bck61H https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS-220D-2-2-174-BHP-2007-2012-NSF-PASSENGER-FRONT-HEADLIGHT/163604992640?fits=Car+Make%3ALexus&hash=item26179e1280:g:OEkAAOSw~9JckO~2

The reality of the driving is that missing part in all this "road safety goals" ... is the human factor. So it is almost inevitable that driver will be eliminated at some point. Obviously, there are other ways - like educating drivers, building safe and well designed roads with logical layouts, only allowing fit (both in terms of physical fitness and mentally) people to drive etc. But all that costs money and goverment doesn't like to spend money on positive thing. Governments would rather skimp on positive change and improving imperfect human, easier just to remove the driver from the drivers seat and make everything automated - much cheaper and easier to control. "You can pay for your car and choose from the list of pre-defined routes during pre- defined hours - here you have sir! Excellent service" Furthermore, current generation is already brainwashed and not really into this "dirty, penguin burning, cyclist killing and stressful thing". It is much better to share few farts and diseases on the public transport with mates... ohh and as for the choices and personal freedom - that is "old fashion" and for the weak.

Secondly, just for a record - the proposal is not simply to install speed limiters, it I comprehensive list to make cars safer... which in my book is a good thing ~overall. I do not agree with speed limiting, nor pedestrian safety (if they stupid enough to wonder on the road it should be their price to pay), but overall there are many thing which I would like to see as a standard. Here is what is in proposal: 👍 Advanced emergency braking (cars, vans) 👎 Alcohol interlock installation facilitation (cars, vans, trucks, buses) - I personally dislike because it could be argued what the limit should be.. and I don't exactly agree with common 0.2 - 0.4 promille across EU. Some countries now have 0.0 etc. 👍 Drowsiness and attention detection (cars, vans, trucks, buses) 👍 Distraction recognition / prevention (cars, vans, trucks, buses) - generally good... just cannot see this working right. 👍 Event (accident) data recorder (cars, vans, trucks, buses) - most cars already have it, the problem is how it can be used legally and who has right to see data. 👍 Emergency stop signal (cars, vans, trucks, buses) 👍 Full-width frontal occupant protection crash test – improved seatbelts (cars and vans) 👎 Head impact zone enlargement for pedestrians and cyclists -safety glass in case of a crash (cars and vans) - don''t want to pay single penny for this.. you cross my way without way of right you die! Look where you going, especially if it involves crossing the road.. simple 🤙 Intelligent speed assistance (cars, vans, trucks, buses) 👍 Lane keeping assist (cars, vans) 👍 Pole side-impact occupant protection (cars, vans) 👍 Reversing camera or detection system (cars, vans, trucks, buses) 👍 Tyre pressure monitoring system (vans, trucks, buses) 👎 Vulnerable road user detection and warning on the front and side of the vehicle (trucks and buses) - don't make yourself vulnerable. Why choose to be Vulnerable and then blame others? 👎 Vulnerable road user improved direct vision from the driver’s position (trucks and buses)

Shifting the blame is always the best way for politicians. EU does not discuss it on secret conditions - all the governments knows exactly how it is and I am sure British one will be one of the biggest supporter, MEPs knows as well... problem is that in UK we have never taken MEPs and MEPs elections seriously... therefore we have such "great" representatives like Nigel F. ... I am trying to imagine myself booking as meeting with him to voice my opinion on this planned change, or Article 13 (by the way heavily supported by British lobbies, because we have ones of the largest creative/music industries in EU). In summary - the propose change doesn't actually change anything, it is soft limiter which can be overridden by pressing accelerator. Data leakage is potential risk - but we have GDPR from the same EU which deals with it fairly well. EU works on the same principles as any other government, has elected MEPs and they make the laws - so nothing is being imposed. Realistically there is support for it as well, because many "non-drivers" thinks that it is good idea, because they are sold lies that "speed kills", so even democratically it will pass.

That is very true. I watch British dashcam videos from time to time (although Russian is much more "interesting") and there are basically 2 types of accidents and/or dangerous situation: 1. Somebody driving like total nutter i.e. wrong way, cuts from side street without looking, through the red light etc. 2. The road layout are outright stupid and dangerous, be that blind exits, corners, micro roundabouts, massive roundabouts without clear markings or simply overcrowded etc. Not a single case which I can remember where speed was a factor. Most of smaller streets in UK are not suitable for any speed never-mind speeding. Inappropriate speed for the situation - well that could be a factor... but these speed limiters won't be able to set "appropriate" limit anyway. In the end of the day - it is not EU imposing it (sound like click-bait from The Shun) - most of the governments in EU want this, particularly UK. There are wagging war against motorists and anything motorised in most of western Europe. As UK parliament always blames EU for all issues caused by themselves, same for the road planners - they always blame drivers and speeding for all issues caused by stupid or inappropriate road design. Then obviously, the ignorant ones says - let's leave EU, let's restrict the speed etc. In the end of the day it clearly states - it is not going to be hard limiter, you will be able to override it. Speed limiters already exists in most of new cars anyway and they work the same - it limits the speed, but if you press accelerator harder it overrides the limit for overtaking. What is new legislation does is just makes this being fitted a mandatory requirement - same as headlight washers for HIDs. Secondly, it gets GPS feature, so basically it makes it "automatic limiter" instead of "manual" one... similar to cruise control vs. radar cruise.

It is not "technical" - it is outright MOT fail and has always been, just that now they actually check for it and rules more strict. "Sir do you have filter which prevents carcinogenic soot to from killing everyone around you - NO... I have removed it because of reasons" Secondly, German brands have exactly same issues as Lexus IS220d, with exception of head-gasket and injectors. Even on german diesels on "city-cycle" you will have ERG, DPF and Turbo issues... diesel as a fuel type simply not suitable for short journeys. Otherwise, agree with the rest - IS220d is cheap for a reason, unreliable and undesirable + strange gearbox. I am sure Lexus would have sold heaps more with auto.

You are probably correct, from purely silencing point of view feeding into single pipe and then further reducing pressure by separating it again probably works better. Secondly, that probably allows 2 very restrictive silencers in the end without restricting flow too much. Probably right way to go for SE-L... but for more sporty "F-sport" and "IS-F" models that doesn't make sense (IS-F has identical exhaust with exception of silencers and headers, and same Y-pipe feeding single resonator). It would make more sense to do full dual exhaust with X-pipe for smoothing the flow.

+ considering current diesel prices (+10p/litre) and increasing bans on city centres I doubt it is even cheaper running one, even without considering IS220d has a lot of problems compared to "nearly" problem free IS250 Auto. My answer in short would be - do not even consider IS220d.

Yes but Civic makes nasty anti-social noise, whereas properly sorted IS250 V6 can make very subtle V-roar. That "properly sorting" is another matter obviously, I have done a bit of research and there are certainly ways to achieve it, but for cars which can be bought for under £3000 it is hardly economical. The only cheap and decent solution is to replace rear silencers with some louder ones, drone should be kept under control by retaining mid-resonator. Sadly the mid-resonator is the pice which muffles the sound the most, but there are no cheap ways of replacing it without creating drone. As for that Y-joint - I agree it is ugly as hell. Yet even on original exhaust with "nice" joint it is the weak spot. I am actually little bit confused why Lexus decided to make almost dual exhaust from beginning to the end, but feed it into single resonator. Why skimp on ~ 40cm of the pipe to make it full-dual?!

I think they actually used LS in example not ES.....

To be honest, when it comes to IS250 I never been happy with any brake pads. I had Lexus OE, Lexus OE low dust, Mintex and now last coupe of times Brembo. All had excessive dust and crunches through the disks like cheese. That is not to say either brake pads or disks were bad, but rather that they are not large enough for relatively heavy car with auto transmission, hence I always contemplating getting GS300/IS350 brakes.. I would say Lexus OE = Brembo, smooth braking, but a lot of dust. Lexus low dust ones are harder and eats disks quicker, but produces smaller amount of dust... kind of expected from the name. Mintex pads were somewhere in the middle less dust than OE, but more than OE low dust. Both OE low dust and Mintex had tendency to sequel, whereas OE and Brembo were less prone for that.

Well it is pretty much a fact that IS2XXC has never been designed to tow anything , nor it is allowed to do so. If you want to tow get yourself SUV.