UKPulse

I've had really good service from my local dealer, but as someone pointed out not so long ago - we're so used to cr@p service everywhere we go these days that when someone does do what they're supposed to do, people rate it as 'good'. In the past 2½yrs my local dealer has replaced tyres free of charge (uneven wear on front tyres), replaced a misted up headlamp f.o.c., replaced corroded alloys without even asking to see the car first, valeted the car whenever I've been there, arranged test drives at very short notice, and given me an SC430 and GS300's as courtesy cars. So I really am being honest when I rate the dealer as they really have gone out of their way to help. Maybe I'm lucky and this isn't the norm any more? Problem is, I know so many friends and colleagues with new BMWs, Mercs, Audis, Fords, VWs etc., who have had nothing but grief (my other half included). Hehe... mate bought brand new Ford Mondeo ST220 Estate. After 2 months it was off the road for six weeks because of steering problems. He was given a Ford Ka to use for four of those weeks, and was offered 10% off his first service - that worked out at £90 so he got a £9 discount!!

If you're talking about the sunroof wind deflector, these are held on with four clips that hook inside the lip of the sunroof aperture, so there's no holes (that's the good news). Removing it is simply a case of undoing the screws on the four clips and lifting the deflector off. The bad news - dirt can get between the roof and the rubber on the bottom of the deflector. Over time as the deflector moves very slightly this dirt has an abrasive effect on the paint. If the deflector hasn't been removed and cleaned regularly, the paint on the roof can get damaged. Obviously this isn't apparent unless you remove the deflector and have a look.

Have you managed to fix it? If not, those nice chaps over at Smiffy's may be able to advise.

Are "we" as a group now getting bad service from Lexus dealers? The JD Power surveys for the past few years seem to indicate otherwise, but it may be a different story when the next one is published - we'll have to wait and see. But if you think Lexus is bad - you should hear what Audi did to my other half when she spent £30K on a new A4. I'd have sued them! But it's all relative, and things tend to suggest that Lexus owners as a whole do much better than most other owners.

Hmmm, looks interesting. Wonder what their contention ratio is on 2Mb?

Sorry to hear about your problems. Have you managed to get them all sorted now? I think this was a dealer survey rather than an end-customer survey. The dealers were asked for their views regarding their vehicle's importers or manufacturers (as this affects their service to you the customer). After all, the dealers are customers in their own right in their relationship with the manufacturers. There will always be cases that slip through the net (even for Lexus), so surveys like JD Power will only reflect what the majority of customers feel. If surveys were based on the worst customer experience, then every single manufacturer/supplier would come out badly, and there would be little point in having the survey. For instance, many people rate BT as an ISP, but that hides the fact that I think they're one of the worst! I should be able to work from home using my DSL connection, but because it's so unreliable, I have to drive 100 miles a day to the office!

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Not at all mate, just pullin yer leg :winky: Would tend to agree in a way - the full leather in my 200SX was much nicer than the IS300 job. Anyways, according to another thread, I'm told the leather/ecsaine is much better at soaking up trumps

0-60 time down from 8.6s to 5.8s Value of car down from £15,000 to £1,500....?

Full leather in the IS300 plasticky....? Seriously tho, looks lovely and those dark fogs look nice - bet you'll enjoy it B)

Soaking up the smell of trumps....? What are you guys eating?! Sounds like you need activated charcoal inserts, not suede ones

This thread might help.

It's silly that manufacturers let these rogue dealers slip thru the net. Admittedly Lexus GB seem better than most at instilling the 'right attitude' into it's dealer network, but even they don't succeed all the time, and the result is disatisfied customers and lost sales. Maybe all manufacturers accept that they won't get it right all of the time, but some seem a lot more relaxed about losing the odd customer. Before I bought the IS300 I went to Jaguar (Gatwick) and arranged a test drive of the X-Type 3.0 Sport. Not quite in the same league as the XK, but still over £30K when loaded up. To say the dealer 'tollerated' me was an understatement - I have never met such an arrogant s.o.b. in my life! I was permitted a 20 minute accompanied test drive for which the salesman drove for ten minutes. Upon returning to the dealership I told the salesman I was not going to shell out over £30K based on that experience. The car was nice and if he had been pleasant and accomodating it could have been an entirely different story - I could have been driving a Jag and be a member of J.O.C....? JOC? Errr, perhaps not :winky: If at the end of the day your local Lexus dealer has stiffed you, then you're right to vote with your feet. If you do switch to Jaguar then be sure to make it known publicly to the dealer and Lexus GB the reasons why, then maybe they'll learn.

Good site - not sure how accurate the fitment guide is tho? They give the Lexus SC300/400 as having an offset of 35 to 42, whereas the factory wheels have a 48mm offset

Have to say that even tho I love my IS300, I'd have to agree - VFM isn't great. Shame that certain dealers let the side down on what is essentially a good product, and a refreshing alternative to the German offerings. I know we have one or two Lexus staff who are members here, but I think that if Lexus GB engaged L.O.C. more and worked more closely with them, it would be to everyone's benefit. L.O.C. represents a significant number of owners in the UK and both sides have a lot to gain from having a strong relationship.

I did some very un-scientific 0-60 tests and got better results with the ECT/PWR button turned off

Did the same when I first got my Fazer 1000... Fuel light comes on for first time, pull in to gas station, can't get keys out - and of course you need the ignition key to open the fuel filler cap. Ended up pushing the bike to the side of the forecourt (with everyone watching) before realising key wasn't turned fully to 'OFF' position! :duh:

It's only the silver IS300's that do that - it's a safety feature to stop OAPs losing their keys...

Pads are available in different colours and textures to match a woman's outfit? Errr, they'll be black then.....

If it was a club member, would they dare own up to that 'BMW moment' ?

This morning on the Upper Shoreham Rd near the A27 fly-over, followed someone who was in a red IS200. Guessing it was a test-drive as the plates were covered with 'Lexus Brighton' plates. They pulled in just before the Amsterdam pub, presumably to let the punter have a go? Get the new Lex owners early I say. Should have pulled up alongside and given them a LOC flyer!

Another alternative is Smiffy's over in Barking. They've just done a Type C service, gearbox service and a few other bits on my TT - excellent job :)

Sounds like you've bagged yerself a nice'un there Steve :) Will have to try & make it to meets in the TT just to remind you what you're missing :P

Saw a dark blue IS today on the A27 in Worthing, sporting a personalized plate of a girl's name. Thought that's gotta be a member! :)

Sounds like Christmas has come early :P