Lex_1988

I replaced my is300h windscreen last year via Autoglass (as they are the preferred partner for esure) and I specially requested for an OEM windscreen.

I made the booking on the 6th March and it took 2 months for it to be fitted! The requirement for OEM also meant that it can only be fitted at the service centre and not on my driveway. In the end the Croydon centre did a good job and no issues. 

I think it's a fair point that Lexus have limited the appeal of the ES through not offering a wider engine range. There's so many great things about lexus vehicles in general but the biggest flaw is that you need to go up to a full fat 'F' car, if you prioritise performance over economy. 

Sticking a 350h engine into the ES wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. But not sure whether there's a business case for that.

In fact you'd probably argue whether theres a business case for lexus to be selling any non SUV vehicles.

2 hours ago, MartinH said:

It certainly is striking in that blue! 

Colour palette of current Lexus is so dull: silver, grey, and black is what buyers seem to want. Yet it is not so monochrome as Toyota. I came past a big dealership in Essex (on the bike, since you ask) and every single car out front was in the same 'fashionable' grey. Boring!

Thanks, ultrasonic blue(USB) and the newer USB 2 stand out nicely. 

Many boring colours. Every other car is mineral grey or sapphire black. 

21 hours ago, Linas.P said:

I think what makes mk3 feel fresher than it is... in UK is that we never got mk3.5. And for the same price they haven't depreciated more in line with the market (I know market is crazy, but not that crazy for 10 year car with 100k+ miles to cost £12k+). So yes it is still "current model" because we never got the new car and I don't directly consider ES as replacement.

I am not saying it is bad car, just recognising it is 10 years old now, but in other hand it did aged well... even interior if you got F-Sport still feels very modern... not even sure if there any car today which does something significantly better. Add 10.8" android sat-nav screen and it is pretty much as good car as any.

Agree shame lexus didn't bring the Mk3.5 IS to the UK. Very good looking car but there's not enough demand for lexus saloons these days. 

I went back through the forum to 2007 and a poll showed that a number of MK1 IS drivers were under 35. That car competed quite well with the 3 series on performance (is200 - 320i) (is300 - 330i). 300h competed with the 320d only.

Apart from Fleet buyers, the IS makes for a niche choice. 

With my mileage coming right down, I've chosen to trade the IS in and get a newer 340i. 

On 5/28/2023 at 5:03 PM, MartinH said:

Also Mk2 styling is completely original and perfectly proportioned. Mk3 is well proportioned but its detailing is generic house style. Just my opinion! Also: unsought by thieves, not even for the hard-to-reach catalytic converter. 

😮 Mk3 for me. I still think it's a fresh looking saloon. 

Recently found my Mk2 for sale. 3 years later and it had been given a makeover.... ☹️

Looks wise, the RC is a proper head turner, especially in the sonic red and canary yellow. 

That said, apparently the gearbox on the 200t is a laggy mess. Perhaps that's why in reality it's only 0.3-0.5 of a second quicker to 60 than the 300h.

The 300h is pretty nice on winding roads and around town in sport mode, it's just the motorway overtakes which make the engine sound like a wailing chewbacca. Plus side 45mpg is the norm from most trips. Doubt the 200t will do anything close to that. 

If this bugs you enough or when you come to sell, certain smart repairers can colour match. Should be cheaper than a full refurb. 

On 1/2/2023 at 1:14 PM, Notamech said:

Thats a very good point you raised about the larger wheels. My IS has 18 inch f sport wheels and they're noticeably harsh. That section on the M25 which is concrete is just too loud and jarring to drive on. 

Yeah it's terrible on the f sport. The only saving grace is that at least the chassis is sharp for dodging all the potholes in Surrey. 

The ES has the next gen hybrid and its noticeably smoother and quieter. When I got back in my IS it felt less refined but perhaps more agile/ better pothole dodger. 

Overall though im sure you'll find that the ES is the better car... 

On 12/12/2022 at 5:08 PM, umuk said:

Hi. Did you get anywhere with this? I've got the same issue and have the relax warranty from servicing with Lexus. Thanks 

I didn't no. It dropped back to dipped beam as the temps rose, life got in the way and I then forgot all about it at the last service in September.  

It's still an issue though as when I do use the high beams it sticks and only unsticks after a couple of flashes. 

I have a 2014 and on startup yes theres lots of input lag on the temp controls. I just put it down to the systems powering up.

I have a 64 plate IS300h f sport which I've owned for 3 years. 

Apart from servicing at Lexus Gatwick (who always provide great customer service) I haven't spent anything. Very solid cars.

I would say the 2012-2019 BMW 3 series isn't terrible on reliability, but they are very common. I still look at my usb f sport and think it's pretty decent looking for an 8 year old car. 

On 8/7/2022 at 11:16 PM, Adj209 said:

Yes pretty much, it's beautiful.

The market is quite lacking in choice at the moment so I haven't seen many of these at all

Took a screenshot of this bargain takumi in Dec 2020. Was sat a Crawley Honda dealer.  

Sounds like you need a IS300h sport with the blacked out alloys and wing mirror caps. 

The IS250 was a quicker car but I never found it an exciting car to throw round corners. So for just wafting along from A to B in luxury and with the peace of mind of complete reliability you can't go wrong with an IS300h. It sips the fuel and is cheap to tax on my particular model year (64plate). I like to think of it as one of my wiser purchases. 

The only downside for me is the sound it makes when you floor it. It's a sort of painful groan/cry. 

F sport trim still looks great and actually handles really sweetly but pushing the car goes against the efficiency ethos. It also means it has a hard ride compare to the other specs.

Ive looked at other more sporty saloons (Giulia, XE, 3 series etc) but reliability/ running costs are always the compromise. 

Worth a test drive depending on what your priorities are.

Ah looks like Ive got the same issue on the drivers side. It's a long shot but I was wondering whether the relax warranty would come to the rescue? It mentions headlight motor lifters but nothing on the shutter 

Think it's pretty decent once the cabin and engine are warm. Early 40s is normal for a 10 mile+ trip. Anything shorter than 5miles and it's down to early to mid 30s in these temps. Not helped by the Mrs always using the heated seats... 

Overall with the non existent repairs and low tax, its such an easy thing to live with. 

On 12/28/2021 at 6:11 PM, Malc said:

the issue would be, could you, or would you, really want to suffer the extreme inconvenience, even the once, of a BMW ( or other marque ) breakdown requiring roadside assistance, towing to a local garage etc and being without your car for even an unnecessary day 

the money doesn't really come into it at that stage, it's the utter inconvenience of it all .........  dark wet windy winter's night and all that stuck up on the Yorkshire moors whatever 

Malc

Yeah your right Malc. The switch now namely for more power isn't sensible and I do love the look of the is f sport.

Therefore thought I'd get it more to my liking and have the alloys finished in a shadow chrome. Won't be OEM but should make the wheels pop nicely in the sun.

On 12/30/2021 at 10:27 PM, nezget said:

Hello, I gave up on Hilton Garage dealer ( not on lexus - that will be my next car maker in 99% ) but today I bought this Mazda approved vehicle because is also very nice looking like is 300h and its a full option ( including 11speakers bose sysytem, head up display, bi xenon, navigation, adaptative cruise controll, line assist, eletric countroled and heated seats and sterring wheel and many more with only 23300 miles on the clock and 12 months varranty.

Great looking saloon and a very nice colour. The spec list is really impressive on those sportnavs.  

Hi,

Yes I did get it sorted soon after - pic below. 

I found that there was a few more metallic flakes than the original and it needed further polishing but other than that the finish was good. Most friends and family didn't notice the repair.

The body shop owner had previously  painted an f sport blue RC, which gave me some confidence.

Ive since read up on smart repairs and in good weather, I think they could also produce a good finish (as Colin originally suggested). I will try out a trusted local smart repairer next time.

I tested out the ES and it's a much better hybrid experience compared to my 64 plate IS. The surge of revs isnt so bad when accelerating hard, more mpg and it felt like the perfect long range cruiser. The only issue I have is that I no longer commute and so now want something more exciting for my journeys to the supermarket.

I also recently went for a drive in my brother's 15 plate 430d GC and the acceleration/torque made my IS feel like a 1.4 Punto. The mpg on the beamer is mid 40s and the 8speed ZF is smooth as silk. 

I've now started to ponder whether I need lexus unrelenting reliability in my life...

With a manufacturers warranty in place, I think it might be worth going back to the dark side. 

On 8/15/2021 at 1:42 PM, george72 said:

Hi again

 

Apologies if i have missed something as this car is very new to me having only done about 500 miles- i have put petrol in it twice and every time i have got back into the car after doing this, the car does not start, it says HYBRID SYSTEM NOT READY. Once i switch it all off and start again, hey presto its absolutely fine?

Am i doing something wrong?

Rakesh

Hi Rakesh

Sounds like a similar error to what I get on my IS if I don't allow the systems to fully bootup before I select drive. 

 I was also amazed by the high mpg yesterday. Hit mid 50s on my 24mile trip yesterday. Even after quite a bit of sport mode, mid 40s was still easily achievable. 

Can also see Lexus/Toyota now offering cars under 100k/10 years a 1 year "relax" warranty on each service. Even more peace of mind. 

I switched from an is250 sel to 300h in Dec 19'. 

Back to back I prefer the is250 drive. Felt just as solid as the 300h and made a lovely noise when you put your foot down. At 95k the 250 felt like it was just getting warmed up. 

300h on most journeys bar 10min trips to the shops, gets 40mpg+. 

I just entered my Reg into the below and it came back with my 7 year service at £285.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/vehicle-service/

Would need to add a hybrid check onto that but still great value.  

For variety, what about an Alfa Giulia Veloce? Or a Peugeot 508 GT? two great looking saloons.   

On 3/19/2021 at 10:37 AM, JohnRC300H said:

I’ve found the quality of phonecall and audio really poor when connected via USB for an iPhone. Has anybody any tips? 

I always connect via Bluetooth for calls and Spotify on my android. Once the device is registered on the car, your phone will automatically connect.