Wisty

I'm not sure a private seller who looked after the car fastidiously would be able to foresee the alternator and thus Battery failing 5 months down the road.  Or am I missing something here?  Who in their right mind would change a functioning battery/alternator at the time they sell a car, just in case it fails at some point in the future, or because the car is 9 years old?  

I'm not saying that the Lexus approved used scheme is wonderful, just that you kind of have to be realistic when buying a used car.

Second the gummi pfledge stuff on the door rubbers.  This worked a treat on the slight creaks I've had on doors on both of the IS250s that I've had. 

Other than that (and I'm sure you've done this), check there's nothing in the door bins or glove box that could be rattling.  I have CDs in mine that often make noise.  The missus also puts rubbish in the passenger door bin and leaves it there only for me to hear it a couple of days later and go mad thinking it's something behind the dashboard.

I also get a bit of plastic noise from the fairing around the rear view mirror on the windscreen - I haven't attempted to tackle that yet, so any advice is welcome!

Good luck with sorting it, and well done for pressing Lexus on the warranty!

I'm going to have to check mine now...  I think they're silent - at least I've never noticed them make a noise.

How audible is it? 🤔

You can just use a couple of those plastic tabs and some very sticky sticky tape if you don't want to drill.  They won't be as secure, but probably good enough.

Got em on mine.  Easy to fit, look good.

23 hours ago, Linas.P said:

The point here I guess is that phone apps are so good, not that built in sat-navs that bad.

Precisely this.  I can tell Google maps where to take me without having to touch my phone and it will guide me to within meters of that place.  Most car sat navs (even things like Garmins or Tom Toms) just aren't as good as that.  Particularly when it comes to routing around traffic.

I'm currently seeing 36 mpg on my 45 mile commute, which includes some stop-starting and some less efficient roads.  Oh and my excitable right foot from time to time 😊

Mileage seems to be a concern - a lot of these leases are starting to say 8000 miles per year or your face an excess mileage charge.  There is no way I would buy a brand new car unless money was absolutely no object (come on lottery win!)

Mine's just coming up to 100k (2009) and is still on its first exhaust.  Last couple of inspections with Lexus have been all clear.  I do about 12500 miles per year, a lot of which is on motorways so it gets plenty warm.  This seems to be keeping it in good condition so far.

21 hours ago, JamesIS220 said:

I would like a hybrid Lexus estate, what with ULEZ, ultra low emissions zones coming to Birmingham soon but don't think they did any?

The Ls 430 looks really comfy and lots of kit. Cooled seats would be great in this weather.

James

Second that.  I'd love a Lexus estate as I don't really like the whole 'crossover' thing.

I had a 2007 IS250 and it was perfect.  I have a 2009 one now, and it's still awesome.  I have the auto, and it is such a smooth box that it makes sitting in traffic zero hassle.  Don't discount it out of hand - maybe try a test drive first 🙂

9 hours ago, madasahatter said:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-4-vertical-screen-Android-car-Navigation-Stereo-GPS-For-Lexus-IS250-IS300-BT/162652000550?hash=item25ded09126:g:pEkAAOSwwzhZUm2x

Does anyone have any experience with one of these?

On 11/12/2017 at 3:54 PM, rayaans said:

Personally, I would go for 255/35/r18 on the rear. Easier to get and you don't get the sidewall looking bigger at the back than the front.

The 3IS uses 225/40 r18 on the front and 255/35 r18 on the rear and sidewall is exactly the same height

This is very timely advice, as I'm currently shopping for tyres for my G Spider wheels.  Are there likely to be any issues with going for this lower sidewall?  For example; will Lexus pull any faces when it goes for service with them (I have a service plan with Lexus Bolton)?

Apologies for dragging up an older thread 

I considered it, but as the accident was not my fault, I wanted to make sure that I got back what I'd had beforehand: a blemish free, low mileage, SEL with a full Lexus history.  What I would have ended up with was a repaired, Cat D low mileage SEL.  I didn't think I should have to take the financial hit that trying to sell a Cat D car comes with.

1 hour ago, Texas said:

Car is for sale Privately http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201707077170253?transmission=Automatic&onesearchad=Used&make=LEXUS&sort=datedesc&body-type=Saloon&postcode=bs166lf&model=IS 250&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&maximum-mileage=80000&aggregatedTrim=SE-L&page=1

Checking on DVLA ( I Know!) mileage between early MOT's was rediculusly low.

but I think the problem arose through the dealers mistake.

The leather in that car looks pretty tired for only 41k miles...

15 hours ago, is200 Newbie said:

Ouch ! - but it looks like the bumper done its job

Well there were no injuries to either occupant, so yeah I guess to an extent.  The big issue was the that the exhaust was toast, and we all know what an IS250 exhaust costs...  Naturally, they wrote it off.

38 minutes ago, scudney said:

furthermore it doesn't seem to take a lot these days for insurance companies to consider a car an economic right off

Ain't that the truth.  The damage in the attached picture was enough to write mine off.  It was back up on AutoTrader a few weeks ago as a Cat D.  Whoever bought it got a pretty good deal based on it's service history/mileage and being an SE-L

4 hours ago, acer54 said:

wipe Vista from your laptop and install Windows 7

That's just good general advice!

If there's a turbo, an EGR and a DPF involved, it doesn't matter what car it is - if you drive it inappropriately, you're going to have a bad time.

One of the best dieselisms I've seen was hand written on the rear of a Mondeo TDCi: "Have you been missold TDI?"  

Silver's not that bad a colour.  Mine is silver (with the moonroof - no ACC though :( ) and it still looks good even when it's got a little bit of road muck on it.

The one I had before was dark grey which was a nicer colour, but when you're spending insurance money and have very little time to mess around as you need to get to work; beggars can't be choosers!

Can't wait to see pics of yours :)

You should be able to see the top of the light pattern move as you take steering lock off when going around a corner.  You'll need to do it where there aren't any streetlights though as it's fairly subtle.  And remember to keep your eyes on the road - I was distracted when I first noticed it and nearly clipped a kerb.

20 hours ago, dougie175 said:

I also find it strange that there isn't an android version

That was the thing that turned me straight off it too.

Are the tyres in good condition?  A previous car had an intermittent judder at certain speeds and under certain conditions - this vanished when the tyres were changed and the wheels properly balanced.  Just a thought.

2 hours ago, dougie175 said:

As NemesisUK says just press the little black button on the door handle as you get out and walk away and it locks, why would you need to get the fob out of your pocket?

If you have folding mirrors purchase a module to fold them in when locked and you can always tell at a glace if your car is locked or unlocked works a treat

This.  

I always look back at mine to see if the mirrors are folded.  If they are, I locked it.  Always with the button on the door handle, with the 'key' safely in my pocket.  Happily, it's a really easy habit to get in to, because our cars are soooo pretty 

8 hours ago, johnatg said:

Don't know anyone near London but in the North West the one to go to is Prestige Wheels in Stockport.

This is useful advice as I live near Warrington...  Cheers John!