harryml

IS200SE (auto) owned since new, now 139,000 miles. 32-3 mpg average, oil consumption nil, all-round performance as good as when new. Bodywork bottle-tight, no squeaks, rattles or leaks, everything works except (2nd) DVD player - original replaced under warranty, so only item not up to usual Lexus standard. Paintwork still sound, despite the odd chip & scratch to be expected on a 13-year old. Only problem area was brakes. Original discs were lumpy in action and calipers prone to seizure, but all sorted and braking performance now excellent. All servicing etc by main agent (Lexus Swindon) - not the cheapest deal in town, but of a high standard. Items replaced, other than normal wear & tear and those as per maintenance schedule: Water Pump Brake discs (full set) Calipers (two) Wheel bearing (front offside) Rear lamp bulb (one) Think I'll be keeping it for a while yet!

CD unit on my V-reg IS200 failed after not much use over two years (it crunched the discs), and was replaced under warranty. New unit also failed within a further two years, refusing to play at all, but Lexus would not replace it as car was now out of warranty period; Lexus Swindon quoted an astronomical sum for replacement, while a local car audio specialist quoted £40 just to remove unit for inspection, with presumably another £40 for replacing it plus the repair costs. As tape deck still worked fine, I recorded at home those CDs required for use in-car onto tape cassettes, the resultant listening quality being virtually the same; this procedure can be recommended as a low-cost solution to the mean-spirited attitude of Lexus. Cheers - Harry L