Andyscooke

Coming up to 10000K (Service next week) and the consumption has been steadily improving. Did a round trip from East Anglia to Edinburgh this week and managed 42 mpg from Lowestoft to Peterborough (mostly steady 60). Over-all, 900 miles covered with some short journeys whilst over the boarder and I arrived home on 36.5 mpg. I must admit that having the display visible all the time concentrates the mind and heavy acceleration is curtailed some-what. The opportunist overtaking manoeuvre can wipe out .1 mpg with one foot to the floor. When I want a more engaging drive, I just switch the display back to outside temperature and enjoy.....

Only last week I was appauled at the number of specks on my bonnet and surprise surprise, it seems that I am not alone. The odd lump I can understand when hit with a stray rock but there are a number of little specks where the primer is showing through - dark blue car, grey primer, not ideal. I have several coats of polish but do not seem to have kept the debris at bay. Is this a paint problem or just the state of our roads?

My lights are permanently on Auto and I never think about them. The only problem is when you get into a car that doesn't have auto lights and you forget to turn them on. Happended to me in a hire car in Glasgow. Strange thing is I didn't notice the lghts weren't on until I stopped, Even got waved through by a Police car when trying to turn right and he didn't give any indication that they were off - could have been embarrassing. With regard to when they decide to come on, my only gripe is when it's raining. Unless the light level gets very low, they stay firmly OFF. No real hassle switching them on manually of course and at least you get a warning chime when you stop the car with them on manual.

You probably don't want to hear this but I have just covered 7K in my petrol V6 and on a weekly run of 500 miles on A Roads/Motorways/Around Town, I average 34.1mpg overall. Very pleased with this (has improved from circa 32 when new). I would have expected the diesel to far exceed this even when new so I would be concerned.

I said I was monitoring the 'fix' and two weeks on, the rattle/squeak is still there. Had a fiddle today and discovered that the panel holding the window switch had some play in it and the squeak was evident when I pressed it. It came off easily and I put some foam between the wiring looms. Replaced everything and so far seems to be OK. Still not confident that it is fixed but if it is, I will get the job done properly at the next service. Meanwhile, I do not want to have to wait around for another 4 hours whilst the Dealer tries to track it down. It alpappy's fix is successful, I will quote this when I next go in. It is only noticable on rough roads but I am conscious of listening out for it - frustrating to say the least.

The reason for filling with water is a membrane on the back of the unit designed to let heat out and also to keep water out, peels away from the oulet appature. As TudorDoc said, it takes a keyhole surgeon to access but once you have the unit out, you can empty the water out, dry with a hairdryer and then the membrane can be replaced or stuck back.

Might sound obvious but you don't have the spare fob in the car do you? I had a very embarrasing time when my wife left her handbag in the car containing the spare fob. The car played up when trying to lock it but eventually it locked. Trouble was it would not unlock. Had to use the key and suffer the alarm going off.

I have not seen a single IS250 other than at the Dealership. I travel from Suffolk to Portsmouth and back every week and would have expected one to have appeared by now. However, I've lost count of how many 3 series B*Ws I've seen - deep joy!!

I reported in an earlier thread of my seatbelt failing but a sharp bang with the handle of a screwdriver (having first removed the trim) did the trick and I have had no further re-occurance. I am heartened that Lexus are suggesting an automatic replacement, I have already mentioned to my dealer so even if it does not happen again, I will ask for a replacement when it has it's first service. Had a rattle looked at on Friday and after about 4 hours, it was returned to me. The passenger door trim was removed and padded. I think it's done the trick but I am a bit paranoid and keep listening out for tthe slightest noise. Not convinced it's sorted but remain optimistic.

I think the state of the UK roads has caught Lexus on the hop. My rattle is there when I go over bumps at slow speed. On a nice newly laid piece of tarmac, it's as quiet as a lamb. US roads are generally pothole free so perhaps the problem has always been there but it took us Brits to put the car to the ultimate test. I'm just thankful that Lexus seem to know where it's coming from - I was going to wait until the first service but it is becoming annoying so will get it sorted soon.

Javeed, Thanks for your comments. This happened last Monday and, as I said, has not re-ocurred. Your experience has raised my concerns, so I think I will give my dealer a ring tomorrow. Andy

Has anyone else had this problem with the IS250? Got into the car one evening, pulled the seatbelt as normal, came part way and then locked. I thought it was the inurtia sytem that had cut in but it would not extend nor would it re-wind. Very embarrasing, in a dark car park so risked the short jouney home to a more convenient place to investigate.. Had to take the panel off and bash the housing with the heel of a screwdriver. Belt wound back onto it's reel and it's been fine ever since. I will mention it to the dealer when I next visit (when I ask him to investigate the rattle from the passenger door/dashboard area). Frustrating to have a couple of issues on the new car especially after 7 years of driving old IS's with not so much as a blown lightbulb. However, still loving the car - I am sure these gremlins will get sorted without question. :D :D

I was going with swiftsure based on a £210 quote but once I got through to the final page and added all the bits like a reasonable excess, protected no claims legal cover, hire car if required etc, it came out the same as NU Direct. As I was already with NU, I stayed with them. Could still be your best bet, but don't overlook the small print

To replace the DVD is very simple. In the boot is a DVD unit with a plate that covers the eject button and DVD slot. Remove the plate with a socket set and with the ignition on, slide the plastic cover that's over the slot and press the black eject button. The old DVD will eject. Push the new DVD into the slot and it will load. Turn off the ignition. Slide back the slot cover and then replace the plate. Turn the ignition back on and the satnav will initialise and you are back in business. The DVDs from Lexus are expensive - keep your eye on Ebay. There is no sure way of establishing whether the new roads are on the new version. I bought a 2004/05 DVD for my IS300 and the M6 Toll wasn't even on it so luck of the draw I'm afraid.

Real Bad News - is the replacement Lexus or Pilkington? I had a replacement on my IS300 and some adhesive was left on the drivers pillar. The fitter ordered a new trim (with air bag) and came to me to fit once they had received it. I would definately ask for a replacement (they won't be able to remove the adhesive without splitting the covering).

Can't say I have noticed wind noice at all, so could certainly be a local problem. The car is so quiet that extraneous noise can become more noticable, especially tyre noise on concrete surfaces. Worth getting it looked at by Lexus anyway. I am also confused with the ECT; I thought it held the gear a bit longer before changing up. The User Manual is not very informative so can anyone enlighten me (us) on what it actually does?

This has my vote. I can live with no DVD picture on the move I can (just) live with no destination entry on the move but would welcome a passenger sensor to activate if Madam is with me I am frustrated with only speed dial numbers can be phoned on the move I am realy p****d off having to press the 'I Agree' button every time I start the engine, mainly because I can see no rhyme or reason for it. What ever I am agreeing to is not read anyway! Little annoyances that spoil a really supurb package.

Lots of questions on the last few posts. MP3s on a CD play with ease, being able to navigate through the folder structure from the touch screen. I have not used a DVD with MP3 but other posts on the site suggest that this will not work. You can get 200-300 (probably more depending on the track) mp3 tracks on a CD - 6 CDs equals 1800 tracks - a lot of listening. The MPG on my 250SE-L is running at about 31-32 on an all round journey. I was gentle until I reached 1000 Klicks but have been heavy footed since and still achieving the same MPG . My IS300 SX managed 26 so this baby is heaven at the pumps. My insurance is £324 with business use, 20K estimated annual mileage, no claims protection and all the bits which was the best quote I could get so I was 'quoted happy' (I am 53). The car is great, I still stare from the window when it's just been cleaned and is bright and shiney (about one day a week at present) - it looks and drives fabulously and, so far, I have yet to see another one on the road!!

I have successfully linked a XDAIIS and a Siemens S55. The connection through the XDA was perfect, answered automatically and the sound was superb. Although linked, I haven't had cause to use the S55 yet but would presume the same performance. The download of outlook contacts from the PDA was successful except that if you have more than two phone numbers for a contact, the Lexus will duplicate/triplicate the contact name to suck in all the numbers. I assume that this would not be a problem from a sim which (I think) only holds a max of two numbers anyway. I linked the 20 most used numbers to the speed-dial as these are the only numbers you can dial on the move.

Did the same today to post a letter - wondered how it would react but no problems. I have a certain fear of the unknown with this - at least with a key you knew where you were. I'm sure that experience will tell and I have total faith in that fact that Lexus will have thouroughly tested this. I must admit that the convenience is marvellous - no more fumbling for that key in the bottom of your pocket.

Got the new IS250 SE-L Sat Nav on Friday Afternoon and journeyed carefully through the sleet to get the baby home without too much loss of shine. Gave the spare 'key' to the wife and explained that the car would never need the key, just her presence to unlock the doors. Went out on Saturday to my Brothers and Madame left her handbag in the car. Tried to lock the car using the handle button but got a beep. Had only glanced at the manual, so assumed that a door was open. Did a quick scan around the car, all doors seemed OK so used the Fob to lock remotely and it was successful. Three hours later, went out to the car, moved up to the door but no puddle lights and no reaction to me trying to open the door. Used the fob to try and unlock remoteley but no joy. The car just did not want to let me in. Eventually, had to use the key, set off the alarms (very embarrassing). I tried to start the engine and the warning came up Key not Recognised. Eventually started and alarm disarmed - we hurriedly left the premises! After reading the manual, the alarm will beep once for 2 seconds if the fob is still in the car so the one in the wife's handbag had activated this. What amazes me, is that the wireless remote locking still worked despite this and, even more amazingly would not left me get back in. Moral of the story - only take one fob with you and definately don't leave the spare in the car. That aside, the car is just brilliant, looks fabulous in the flesh (the photos do not do it justice) and drives like a dream. Will have to re-read the manuals a couple of times to get to grips with all the electronic goodies but meanwhile I will just enjoy :) :) :) :)

I have a 2002 (52 plate) IS300 Sport Cross satnav & parking sensors in Blue (57K miles) but the dealer will be taking it in PX next Friday so you would need to be quick. I will be in Hants next week so if you are interested, PM me over the weekend.

There are two ways to change gear manually. The gear leaver is moved to the S position and then you have a choice of either using the paddles on the steering wheel or flicking the gear leaver forward or backwards. Both work in the same way. There is an ECT button behind the steering wheel which will switch in the delayed gear change when in automatic - not sure whether this has any effect when in manual.

...and I'm in IT with a Canterbury Blue SE-L SatNav on the ocean as I speak - not sure whether it's Pacific, Atlantic or the English Channel so no actual delivery date yet but have seen a print-out with all the details so won't be long. Took a test drive yesterday and Tailpipe has said it all. Great car with toys galore - and no longer will I need to worry about the English potholes - it glides over them with ease :D

I had a 1999 Is200 which was recalled in 2000 because of the mats. I didn't have Lexus mats at the time but they fitted two new ones anyway - because I didn't have the originals, can't be sure what the difference is but was very grateful for the freebie!