uncle_rob

Cheers to you both, I was hoping to get an 06 with about 40K on the clock for around the 18K mark so sounds ok to me.

Just out of interest uncle_rob was yours from a Lexus dealer? If it was could you say which one?

It was from lexus liverpool, but i will NEVER go back. They are a disgrace. Stick with bolton if you are local.

Good luck

Hi,

I am after any advice that can be offered as I am looking for a 400h SE-L (Or SE with Multimedia & ICE) and have a budget of around £18K. I would prefer to buy from a Lexus garage to benefit from the years Lexus warranty and the full service they seem to offer. If I had a choice between low milage or a younger car I would go for the lower milage I think unless that impacts the ICE options for the rear DVD players as per my next question!

I have seen a few SE-L models and the DVD screens in the rear of the headrests seem to vary from nice neat ones that are sunk into the headrest to ones that look like they are much larger and sit proud of the seat. Can anyone tell me at what point the they chaged or if I have been seeing some aftermarket clunk?!

Do the rear DVDs all work in the same way and do they show the DVD that is inserted in the front stereo? Or do they have their own players and am I right in thinking that the front sccreen can be used to play DVDs too? Can it do this while on the move?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any advice people can offer!

As an idea, i bought a 400h 3 months ago, an se-i with nav and a few other extras, 50k miles, black on black, on a 55 plate. Was about £16k. Sorry cant give u much more help than that but its a start.

If u buy 5+ years older, you get 1 year warranty. And its worth paying the £1k a year for thewarranty. Something to think about when working out finances

well Bill. I am very interested in your concern on fuel consumption on your RX400H. We bought a Rx400H "07"plate only last week from a Lexus main dealer.We were told a return of 44.8 mpg maximum, though would average around 36 mpg. We have covered 730 miles with a return of 23.5 mpg. We are so gutted!!!!. We feel we have been mis sold

44.8 is for the rx450h. 32ish average for the rx400h. I currently get 35mpg from my rx400h during the summer, drops to 32mpg in the winter. Biggest tip is use the hybrid! Slow accelerate. Most of all, remember their is no engine braking, so use the brakes less and cruise along further with your feet off the peddles.

Rob.

Meguiars do a good range of polishes and waxes IMHO.

Ive detailed many cars, in my opinion, collonite 915 during the winter for its durability, and Autoglym high definition wax during the summer. Very deep gloss shine for your car.

Before youu apply though, give it a clay and then polish (Autoglym super resipolish) and then apply something like poorboys ex-p sealent if a black or red car prior to the wax. This will give you a very good, deep shine to your car and will protect it with regular washing for a good 3-4 months

Rob

Haven't test driven the IS250, but tbh, i couldn't justify the money. I have paid £15k for the 325i at 3 yeas old with 50k miles on it, and £23k 2 years ago for a 4 year old car with 25k miles on it. For the money, i'm sorry but Lexus doesn't even come close.

I'm a bit confused here so please forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you calling the Lexus expensive when compared to a high mileage 3 year old BMW? I'm sorry but that doesn't make any sense whatsoever

To be honest, there is no way you can make a comparison between Lexus and BMW and the Lexus lose on price, because it never does........

Blimey not been back in a while and i get all this abuse!!!!!

ok, this is hard to compare, because IS200 and IS300 prices will have dropped considerably because of the model IS250 right? ok, you have the option, IS200 for say £15k, 1 year old, and 15k miles, or... a 325i sport, 2 yr old, higher mileage, but for the same price, which would you choose? For the BMW, you get better handling, better car, more power, quicker, reliable, and peaceof mid. As well as a car that will run for 200xxx miles. I'm sorry, each to his own, i just couldn't justify the Lexus over the BMW.

I dont think any of us have a problem with you buying a BMW; your choice after all. Its just that perhaps you should be posting this on the BMW owners site and not LOC.......

i do, www.e46fanatics.com, same user name.

I still visit the site, stop hating on me, i still have an interest in Lexus, and would consider buyin another in the future. I posted here cause of the original comment about rear view, or lack of it, and the big high ***** the IS250 has and the IS200 also.

Never realised my postin was a crime.

Haven't test driven the IS250, but tbh, i couldn't justify the money. I have paid £15k for the 325i at 3 yeas old with 50k miles on it, and £23k 2 years ago for a 4 year old car with 25k miles on it. For the money, i'm sorry but Lexus doesn't even come close.

I'm a bit confused here so please forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you calling the Lexus expensive when compared to a high mileage 3 year old BMW? I'm sorry but that doesn't make any sense whatsoever

To be honest, there is no way you can make a comparison between Lexus and BMW and the Lexus lose on price, because it never does........

Blimey not been back in a while and i get all this abuse!!!!!

ok, this is hard to compare, because IS200 and IS300 prices will have dropped considerably because of the model IS250 right? ok, you have the option, IS200 for say £15k, 1 year old, and 15k miles, or... a 325i sport, 2 yr old, higher mileage, but for the same price, which would you choose? For the BMW, you get better handling, better car, more power, quicker, reliable, and peaceof mid. As well as a car that will run for 200xxx miles. I'm sorry, each to his own, i just couldn't justify the Lexus over the BMW.

Forgive me if I've missed something here, but are you in the right forum? I've got a mate with a 330 Coupe and I get enough earache about Bavarian Motor Works without having to read it on here. The 250 with MM has an excellent rear parking camera, and parking sensors. I don't see your point.

Sounds like Lexus envy to me.

Well considering i used to have one, how could it be envy? I got rid of my IS200SE cause i couldn't see a damn thing, and i wanted a bit more power. The BMW is awesome. I have a 330Ci Auto AC Schnitzer as well, that is truly awesome but just a big toy, and feels like a toy, but the 325i Sport is more luxury.

Haven't test driven the IS250, but tbh, i couldn't justify the money. I have paid £15k for the 325i at 3 yeas old with 50k miles on it, and £23k 2 years ago for a 4 year old car with 25k miles on it. For the money, i'm sorry but Lexus doesn't even come close.

Don't get me wrong, i loved the Lexus, the stereo was awesome, the styling kit looked stunning, the ride was decent, i just got put off by little things. But no i am not a hater, a lover in fact, and i may seriously thing about the new LS when it comes out, but until then, i'm staying with BMW.

Well I test drove the new IS250 the other day (Friday – Monday) and I thought I would share my views on the car incase anyone is interested! (I know loads of people have already done this but I thought the more reviews the better)

Surprisingly when I got in the car I wasn’t overly impressed, I thought the lay out was plain and boring and the passenger side of the dash board was to big and bulky. I thought the layout of the centre console was OK but I really didn’t like the clock at the bottom (looked like it was taken out of the Rover) and the “passenger Airbag is on” light always being illuminated. But that was all over taken by the Speedo layout, now I’m a bloke and simple things please me and I think that it is probably the layout and looking console that has been designed.

So I drove the car out of the dealership and straight into a petrol station as they only left vapors in the tank!. I then had to travel down to Eastborne which was one of the reasons I wanted it for that weekend.

The first thing that really impressed me was the engine, I got in the car with the impression that the engine was obviously bigger but not much of an improvement after reading articles but as soon as you put your foot down the car leaps into motion and shifts a lot quicker then I thought it would, I especially like getting 85mph out in third gear!!

The ride was very comfortable and smooth with hardly any road noise, whilst driving down the motorway I started playing with all the toys and even though it’s a bit of a gimmick I like the Orange and Red settings you can have on the Speedo so when you get to 80mph orange light comes on inside the Speedo and 100mph it changes to red.

The stereo is superb and a big jump forward from the previous one. I didn’t have the multimedia pack so good only knows how good that sounds.

Don’t want to go on to much so I have listed a few likes/dislikes below but from my first impression of the car it has now totally changed and I want one!!!

Likes

Speedo layout

Sound System

Plug in MP3 player and is well hidden away

Keyless entry and start

Engine power

Smooth Ride

Gadgets!!!

Fuel economy

Size of the boot

18” Wheels

Reading lights

Brakes

Dislikes

Rear window visibility

Location of boot and petrol cap release and not lit!

Rear leg room

The car in silver (back does not look right :P )

rear window visibility, precisely the reason i got rid of the IS200 and bought a 325i sport BMW, plus it had parking sensors. New IS250 is even worse, i could never buy a Lexus from now on unless they change drastically.

I think you should consider yourself extremely fortunate. I got done doing 64 mph in a 60mph limit in 2000. £60 fine and 3 points. The really galling thing was that there were cars absolutely flying past me that day but I bet they all got away with it!

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got pulled over on Christmas day doing 130mph in my 325i sport, and on my phone on the motorway. Cop asked where i wqas going in such a hurry, told him my girlfriends, and he just told me she must be something special then. then told me too slow down, get off my phone, and have a good Christmas. He was a nice guy.

Stopped a few weeks ago in the same car, argued with him, he breathalised me, then told me to put on a non-illegal plate but he wasn't going to report it. Found out in the end he only pulled me over cause im 22 in a £30k car. Ah well. I still got a clean license though.

Northern Rock are offering 5.6% at the moment - best on the market.

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be careful with Northern Rock, they aren't the most "honest" of companies!

hey folks ...

I'm in japan at the moment (visiting the tokyo motor show).  There are alot of vendors here who are selling things here on discount.  Given the japanese products are already cheaper to buy locally ... i wanna pick up some gadgets to bring back home .... just for the sake of getting good deals!

now.. the question is ... what should I buy for my IS?

here is a list which comes to mind (altho understood it may not be very functional for an IS200):

- various bulbs (no argument there)

- Apexi S-AFC II

- Apexi RSM

- Power Con

- assortment of wires (earthing)

- plugs

any other ideas? things u have installed?

Thanks ahead folks!

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Why not buy monitors, or a small laptop and get them built into your Lexus for business use.

Oh and pin hole cameras, so you can see the little egits who scrath cars and and bump you

A head to head test in todays Autocar: IS250 Auto vs 325 manual.

They couldn't get a manual IS to test.

Main points:

IS250 well engineered, well equiped but heavier, "impossibly expensive" feel to interior.

Critisism of "form over function" such as instruments are nice to look at but hard to read. Firm ride at low speeds, over-sensitive steering.

High levels of grip, much less understeer than BMW.

Quieter, smoother engine but less torque and not as "nice" noise as the BMW.

MPG about the same at 22mpg over the test.

Small boot at 378litres.

Overall "the BMW breaks it (the IS) down and eventually overwhelms it quite easily".

So the 3 series wins again according to the journos - surprise surprise.

They do like the new IS though and say it "very close" to the 3.

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so they said IS handled better? sweet...

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I would highly doubt that would be true though, considering they tested the IS250 against a manual and against a car that has near perfect 50-50 weight distribution.

I take it this was a stock 325i, and not a sport model? Is it fair to test against a sport, or is the IS250 a sport. The IS250 looks so high up, not sure how it could handle as well. And those mirrors must kill aerodynamics

Gents (and ladies?):

In the near future I will have the opportunity to purchase a 2002 BMW M3 (SMG) coupe for well below retail from the original owner.  It has been well maintained and was never in an accident.  However, to make this purchase I would have to sell my beloved 2002 is300 5speed.

I recently drove an M3 and it was very impressive with regard to pickup and handling.  However, I'm pretty sure it will become a maintenance nightmare before it reaches 100k miles (currently has around 50K).  In addition, the interior fit and finish were not nearly as nice as the Lexus'.

Can I get some other good reasons not to buy?

Thanks for your consideration.

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Right heres a couple of things to think about.

1) The new M3 will be out in a year or 2, so prices will drop

2) There is talk of a 4 door M3, therefore you can still have the space your IS300 gives you.

3) With FSH, no problem till around 100k miles, where you will need to spend £1000 max if properly cared for.

4) There is gonna be a 335!!! So from what i gather, its gonna be even quicker than the M3.

5) 330Ci is plenty quick enough. Look for high mileage and new, or old with low mileage, all E46 though, and there are some true bargains to be had.

Heres the deals i had when mine were bought,

X Reg 330Ci AC Schnitzer - £27k (Sat Nav, TV, everything!!) (<20k miles)

52' 325i Sport - £16k (50k miles)

yeah, but these are the same journo's that always claim the 3 series is best, regardless of all the points against it...

it would be interesting to know what BMW launches (and associated gifts) to these journos are...

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apart from the fact lexus is better equiped, price wise there is virtually no different, and i feel the 3 series is a better car, i love my 325. Bare in mind though, the cost of the IS250 is higher by far than the IS200, a 325i auto can be bought for under £30k new. I bought a 2 yr old 325i Sport for £16k, i'd say thats far better value than a 2 yr old Lexus.

what system have you bought for plugging in?

Have you guys heard of the Dension Ice LInk plus. Its an extremely good system. MOst others on the market either don't charge while in use, don't display ID tags, or have limited use. Dension does all.

My car has been sitting on the drive for 3 weeks, then I finally drove it today and it has developed a judder in the steering wheel at around 60mph. It was fine the last time I drove it - any ideas on what's caused this whilst the car was stationary?!

Cheers

Amanda

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sounds like you have curbed it at 30mph or something. Get your car re-balanced!!!

I was hit a few years ago - saw the woman from the top of the tower block we were working on at the time - when i got downstairs she flatly denied it ! 

I took a camera and took pictures of the side of my car, the marks on it and the dent (car was only 4 days old too  ) I then took pictures of her bumper and the shape of it - it fitted my car perfectly.

Sent them to the insurance Co and they used it against her - she had no choice but to fess up.

(she also hit another car at the same time !!)

I always keep a camera in the car. - Nowt expensive - just enough though.

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Thats clever thinking, imagine if youd not seen her do it. Nothing like this sort of thing makes you feel better for determination on getting results.

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heres some ideas currently on the market

1. the wing mirrors are a great place, and cameras are available

2. Any lock!!! Keyhole cameras are small, un-noticable, and fantastic. There are 5 doors on your car, thats 5 cameras!

3. Most places for a camera, its on the market. Be imaginative!

Looks really nice..............I like it.  :)

Wouldn't say it was "Sick" mind.............whats all that about? 

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new wing mirros and lowered suspension, and i think it could be "sick"!.

so if everyone emails them every day

they should get the idea :D

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well from what i have gathered from friends on the forum, this Lexus is something special. Great quality, great build, decen looks but needs a few alterations, and bags of power with great handling. This is a serious BMW 330 / M3 rival, even 335 come 2007 when its due to come out. This could become a very important car in the division its in. So yes, lets hope LexusGB do market it!

There's nothing there pal?

.. Edit .. It's there now :D

So how's the Beemer anyway?

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Its fantastic. Got such a great deal on it. Its the second in ownership, already had a 330 ACS but fancied something different. Lexus was a great choice, but lack of power on the IS200 and i just felt that i couldn't throw the car about or manouevre with ease. Back end sits high as well, and with mum being small, and me at only 5'9", couldn't reverse or nothing.

325i sport was a comfortable ride, sporty feel, easy to manouevre and am well chuffed with it.

Weve owned 3 lexus' so far, we will no doubt be owing another 1 at some point soon.

hey people, not posted for a while since i got rid of the car for a Bimmer, but heres a great review for your guys on comparisons of the new IS350 and a 330 BMW.

heres the link

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=304070

I am part exchanging the Lexus for a 2 year old BMW 325 for the same price as what i will get for the Lexus. And the car is perfect. So don't be cynical.

And, do i not expect M3's, 740/745, M5, etc etc to go buy me? I am buying a car with a list price now of 32xxxpounds, so howcan i place it next to M5 or something? Its like putting a Honda Integra next to a Honda NSX.

(Beemers are the bikes  ), but push come to shove, they are fantastic

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At what?

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Moving you into the middle lane

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oh so stereotypical and wrong

I also purchased mine on looks and the fact that it is made by TOYOTA

One of the if not the biggest Motor Mfg in the World so you know the quality is there

I worked for TOYOTA Industrial side and every TOYOTA/Lexus i have drove has been quality. since 1989

I do get a bit sick of boy racers trying to take me on in there saxo,s

but i just laugh n let em pass by, as the car is not designed for for that

and i am sure my Lexus will still be driving with the same Engine (yep the one that has never been upgraded since day 1) a lot longer than the saxo n bemmer boys

 

LIVE LIFE LOVE LEXUS ENJOY THE TRIP 

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i think you understimate BMW. Their cars are solidly bilt and capable of 150 - 200 thousand miles. Their is no question about build, it is as solid as can be, and quality of ride and comfort and handling is superb. A mates BMW 540 is still running perfect at 138000miles. I would expect nothing else. I already own a BMW as well as the Lexus, a 330Ci ACS, and it is awesome, shed loads of power and a great ride.

I know you all diss Bimmers, (Beemers are the bikes ), but push come to shove, they are fantastic

yep, i've become fed up with performance on mine, but mine guys is up for sale, i'm buying a Bimmer! 325i auto on the way. Couldn't resist. Such a bargain.