LenT

A brilliant idea! Except….I can’t help thinking there may be disadvantages to driving around in a car no-one can see. Oh well….swings and roundabouts, I suppose.

You certainly don’t see many of them.

So if I’ve understood this correctly, Lexus has created a full Manual in digital form which the customer has to download! So they have completed the most demanding and expensive part of the process, but decided that a customer paying upwards of £40K is not worth printing it out for! It strikes me that an enterprising Dealer - or anyone, frankly - could approach a Digital Printer with a view to having it printed out and bound as a hard copy. Of course, this attitude isn’t new. I did advertising for Minolta cameras and I recall launching a new digital camera which only cam with a multi language CD. In those days, a CD would not have been that useful if you were out in a field! Minolta said it was too expensive to produce a printed version for every camera. But that was a camera only costing about £350.

That was exactly the situation when I bought my Lexus as a two-year old. (For the sake of clarity, it was the car that was two years old.) But that was because it was probably the last IS250 to be brought into the the UK. There was no new car option. My previous two cars were bought new, however. The first was a new model Honda Prelude, followed by a new model Accord. I did test drive a couple of one/two year old Accords, but there were always some little odd disappointments - the colour combination, missing accessories, scratches and scuffs - that demanded a compromise in return for a saving. My answer to the initial value drop is that I tend to keep my cars for many years - unlike some I can name! 😊 So after about, say, five years, the resale value will cover the initial loss anyway.

Lexus cars are renowned for their capacity to endure heavy use over many years. What have you two been up to? 🤭

Dashcam? My apologies if I may have mentioned them before...

Well, I don't know what the LOC attitude to publishing contact details is, Gary, but it is interesting how reticent the Directors of Lexus are about enabling their customers to contact them. You know, the people who pay their wages! I don't know who you've contacted so far, but I've found some links that might be useful and that you could follow up. If you feel you have a real cause for complaint, and you've been rebuffed by the Dealer and Customer Service, then I would contact a relevant Director. In particular I would suggest Chris Hayes who was appointed overall Director of Lexus UK last year, and Mark Benton, Customer Relationship Marketing Manager. There are a couple of possible office locations and the telephone numbers are in the links. Ring them and check if that's the right location for these individuals.. My advice is to forget emails! Write a polite but detailed letter, marked Private & Personal, to each Director noting that you've copied the other Director, and send it Recorded Delivery. That way, someone at Lexus accepts responsibility for its receipt and will ensure that it gets to the Director's office. Customer enquiries that come down from the top of the company are always treated with more urgency than those that have to battle their way up! Of course, someone else may have better suggestions, but from my experience of dealing with large corporates this is an effective route to getting attention to your cause. Some Contact Details: Chris Hayes contact details https://rocketreach.co/chris-hayes-email_2527407 Lexus UK Managerment https://rocketreach.co/lexus-uk-management_b5eb44b0f42e8483 Lexus Corporate Office Guide https://corporate-office.co.uk/lexus-head-office-uk/ LEXUS (GB) Details https://www.themotorombudsman.org/accredited-business/lexus-gb-plc Lexus Coporate Biographies https://media.lexus.co.uk/corporate-team/ As a last resort, many people have had success in spurring Companies into action by using a free service called Resolver Resolver https://www.resolver.co.uk/freeadvice/services/6392/issues?territory_id=1 Hope this all helps!

A friend - and neighbour - had an Interceptor and they were outstanding cars. It must have been a difficult decision. As for regrets…well, I’ve had a few…. There was the Bristol 404 I could have bought - but didn’t! And the Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint much like this one.. …that I did sell, but shouldn’t have. 🙁

Having the Manual on a laptop can be very useful, but I agree that having the printed version to hand is more convenient for most users. Modern cars are so complex that there are many features that you have paid for, that you will remain unaware of without the opportunity to search through its pages. Even the Sales Reps can struggle. I would also find the absence of a Service Record unacceptable. It may well be the case that the Service Record is now automatically recorded when the receipt is issued. But that will only apply to Lexus dealers connected to the central records system. There may come a time when you choose to go the Independent route. Frankly, all Lexus is saving is the printing cost, which may be substantial on a global, multi-lingual basis but only a small component of the purchase price of a new NX350h. Have you considered contacting a Sales Director at Lexus UK and expressing your extreme dissatisfaction?

Well, it was meant as a slightly jokey question. But still….suppose she recalls mentioning that her pet hate is driving in fog and nearly hitting the car in front. And pointing out that if you have dipped beam in front, why not something brighter than sidelights in the rear. And Jim Callaghan thinks…”Mmmm…could be a vote winner!”.

Does she remember if it came up in conversation, James?

The regulation that high intensity rear fog lights became a mandatory fitting to most new cars manufactured after 1st October 1979 was introduced by the Labour Government under Jim Callaghan in 1978!

None of them could drive? Well, that’s my theory anyway!

What’s the bodywork like after six years and 60k miles? Perhaps having it professionally Detailed with a ceramic finish would be a good investment? Or have it coated with Paint Protection Film. And if you’re not the shy, retiring type then there are some pretty dramatic designs that will give you a one-of-a-kind Lexus!

Ants in the washer jets!! Well, that’s not something you come across every day. Presumably they somehow came in through the bottle end; or a ruptured pipe or connector. I can’t imagine even one very ambitious ant - let alone a gang - venturing through the hole of a spray jet! All the best with the MOT. 👍

Thanks for looking in to that, Rowley. I suspected that might be the case. It was the same with the Michelin CCs - which is why I ended up with an excellent set of Goodyear Asymmetrics. Had the car had 17” wheels, I would have been able to get a set of Michelins - and probably a more comfortable ride too! Still, mustn’t grumble. 😊 I expect you still have the Avon as a spare? In the interests of research, let us know if you ever have to use it.

The lovely Samantha was also ably assisted by her friend Sven - and occasionally Monica, who was always happy to lend the teams members a hand…. For fans, here’s more information about ISIHAC… http://www.isihac.co.uk/people.html

The Autoexpress review that Rowley has suggested is equally impressed by these Hankook tyres I haven’t ever used Hankook - and I’m not even sure that they make sizes suitable for my Lexus - but they seem to have improved their performance year on year. Any AllSeason tyre that can match the Michelin CC2 is a serious contender. The tyre quality I personally prioritise is the wet weather performance. You may have your own priorities. And on a purely subjective note - it has quite an attractive tread pattern! Short of an actual user coming here with a detailed review, it seems a reasonable choice. BTW: As I’m sure you’re aware, that tread pattern means the tyres must be fitted so that they rotate in the correct direction.

And the Audi A6…

Is this the review to which you refer? https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2022-Tyre-Reviews-All-Season-Tyre-Test.htm

Would I be right in thinking that you don’t have a dashcam in the car? The Police actually have websites which invite people to send in dashcam evidence of motoring offences. If it’s actionable evidence, they will follow It up. I’ve done it and they do! Rather than just get mad about it, it’s actually quite satisfying to know that the moron you’ve just recorded could be getting a surprise visit in a few days time!

Another bizarre marketing decision, Bill. It was my Top Burger too! But now I have to recreate it at home. That’s my moan. Brioche Bun. Wagyu Beef Pattie from Costco. Sliced Chestnut Mushrooms. Red Onion slices. Tomato slices. Cheddar cheese slice. Little Gem Lettuce leaves. What’s not to like!

Quite right, Ed. I have occasionally been directed to a self-service till and have turned down the offer. When questioned about this I point out that I’m doing the job of their Staff but not getting paid for it. If there was a discount for using a self-service till, then it might be justified. As you rightly say, self-service is the antithesis of service!

Then you may be relieved to know that the Apostrophe Protection Society was revived last year. https://www.apostrophe.org.uk/

Speaking of supermarkets… I note that this is not just any apostrophe, it’s an M&S apostrophe.