5 years with the IS 300h

[TomLC500h]

Hey everyone,

Time is flying by as my mother has owned her IS 300h for just over 5 years now. She previously had a 2019 black 'Premium' before opting for this sonic titanium 2014 Premier. (switch was due to job change and no longer having a company car, so she bought the next one as a private buyer).

The car is almost 10 years old now and the main reason that I wanted to create this post was to A) showcase the reliability of the car and B) highlight the 10 year Lexus warranty.

I will start off with (A), the IS has been pretty reliable and has cost her the servicing, MOT's, a set of tyres and the only expensive item were the brake pads and discs (from memory £1500 or something). Mechanically the car is great, the body is starting to show its age and mileage (just under 80k miles now). 

The Lexus warranty is great and I never knew how extensive it was until the car needed a new AC unit and that was covered!! The IS also required a new horn too, so all in that last visit cost over £860 and the warranty took care of it.

I do wish that Lexus would bring more cars to the UK as there is nothing rear wheel drive nor compact and car shaped for UK roads available. (wouldn't say no to the IS 500).

I look forward to hearing some of your Lexus Warranty stories.

[MartinH]

Alas yes, if only the IS350 were offered here

[Bob99]

I have had mine just over 10 years it was 6 months old when I bought it. I have loved this car probably more than any other car I have owned. I have now decided to change and I am in the process of buying a ux fsport with Takumi pack. My only issues have been a faulty wiper relay, fixed for £5 (used relay) and a tpms sensor I broke but replaced for free by Lexus.  I will miss it and hope the ux is just as dependable and enjoyable.

[Thackeray]

3 hours ago, TomLC500h said:

the IS has been pretty reliable and has cost her the servicing, MOT's, a set of tyres and the only expensive item were the brake pads and discs

Mine's about the same age and in addition to being reliable it has had the advantage of being fitted with magic brake pads. About seven years ago, these had worn to 10.2mm on the front (8.5mm on the back) . The dealer told me pads on the car when new would have been 12mm front (10 mm back), so they were only slightly worn at that time.

At the service for the next year they were recorded as 9mm (and 8mm on the back). Then the following year there was a bit more wear taking the measurements down to 7mm (and 6mm on the back).

But fortunately, the following year they went back up to 9 (and 8) and  the year after that up again to 9 (andnine).

And now in the latest service the good news is they're back to 10 (9).

Cynics might say they're not convinced these measurements are being carried out carefully, if at all. But I look at it as evidence that if you use the brakes gently, the hybrid transmission means that brake wear over the years will stop at some point and the pads may even regenerate themselves if you barely use the brakes at all.

[cdmaskell]

The IS was a great motor for us. Not too big and marvellous to manoeuvre. I have had several ES’s since.  I miss the IS.  Why oh why did Lexus discontinue it?  As I have mentioned on previous posts., if only they made an IS with the comfort and refinement of the ES. Audi, Merc and BMW produce a mid sized saloon. I don’t want to be like the herd and end up in a SUV.  My sciatica might disagree mind.

[Notamech]

1 hour ago, Thackeray said:

Mine's about the same age and in addition to being reliable it has had the advantage of being fitted with magic brake pads. About seven years ago, these had worn to 10.2mm on the front (8.5mm on the back) . The dealer told me pads on the car when new would have been 12mm front (10 mm back), so they were only slightly worn at that time.

At the service for the next year they were recorded as 9mm (and 8mm on the back). Then the following year there was a bit more wear taking the measurements down to 7mm (and 6mm on the back).

But fortunately, the following year they went back up to 9 (and 😎 and  the year after that up again to 9 (andnine).

And now in the latest service the good news is they're back to 10 (9).

Cynics might say they're not convinced these measurements are being carried out carefully, if at all. But I look at it as evidence that if you use the brakes gently, the hybrid transmission means that brake wear over the years will stop at some point and the pads may even regenerate themselves if you barely use the brakes at all.

Gives a whole new meaning to regenerative braking 😂

[wharfhouse]

1 hour ago, Notamech said:

Gives a whole new meaning to regenerative braking 😂

I'd have bought a new one without a shadow of doubt - mine is now coming up to 10 years old and 150k miles (purchased at 2 years old and 40k miles) - will keep it going now as long as it's economical to do so. Have a rear brake running a bit warm at the moment so will need to get this seen to - could mean a new caliper. Lexus have missed out on probably two new cars from me by not continuing the IS in the UK anymore... 

[TomLC500h]

On 7/1/2024 at 4:33 PM, MartinH said:

Alas yes, if only the IS350 were offered here

Any other options would have been nice, even if they offered it when the 2020 facelift came out too

[TomLC500h]

If anyone wishes to see our IS 300h, I made a video on the car and it is on YouTube. Channel is called RevLexus.

[SeanR]

Im looking at these cars and getting more tempted.

 

Currently own a 2010 IS250, its reliable but beginning to consider swapping for a newer model.

Been looking at 2017 models with lowish mileage.

Is it worth buying the "sport" version?

Also, anything to look out for?, as in the Battery life. Never had anything so high tech.

 

[IS300FSPORT]

1 hour ago, SeanR said:

Im looking at these cars and getting more tempted.

 

Currently own a 2010 IS250, its reliable but beginning to consider swapping for a newer model.

Been looking at 2017 models with lowish mileage.

Is it worth buying the "sport" version?

Also, anything to look out for?, as in the battery life. Never had anything so high tech.

 

Try doing a search on here its been answered many times.

The F Sport has brilliant handling with slightly stiffer suspension & many other accessories dials etc

Keep in mind the face-lift has Canbus tech vulnerable to theft & maybe higher on insurance not to mention more for road tax if your in the UK

[Notamech]

2 hours ago, SeanR said:

Im looking at these cars and getting more tempted.

 

Currently own a 2010 IS250, its reliable but beginning to consider swapping for a newer model.

Been looking at 2017 models with lowish mileage.

Is it worth buying the "sport" version?

Also, anything to look out for?, as in the battery life. Never had anything so high tech.

 

Buy an early 2017 or 2016 theyre the facelift version but the annual tax is only £10 /20 depending on the variant.

 

Earlier 2013 2014 models were prone to waterpump failures at high mileages. Not as common on 2016+ but still check. As far as Battery goes if you get a hybrid health check done at lexus every year the Battery is warrantied for the next 12 month. You can do this for up to 15 years. So nothing to worry about. Other than that its an ultra reliable car with not many common problems.

 

Just get a premier if you can it will have almost everything you need like ML sound system. Blind spot assistance etc. Else get the F-sport if you like the looks of it.

[MartinH]

I would also like one with the ML sounds but post-facelift Premier models don't appear to have this as a standard feature. As for a sunroof, forget it. It is rather as if Lexus decided that if you want luxury features like this, you can jolly well pony up for an ES.

In Paris recently, I noticed that a good number of cabs are either Lexus ES or Toyota Camry, a testament to these cars' enduring utility for private-hire operators. (Paris is now truly hellish for drivers.)