Exiled

Steve (West Mids), Kit77 on his thread "IS 250 Production Delays" states that his 250 SEL has been on order for three months, have you any comments? How long did you have to wait?

If it's more than 50p I'd roll the car onto it's roof!

You tell 'em Leddy. Glad you're finding it funny. I can just picture you, (Howard and Hilda) 500 cars held up and Mrs Leddy going hell for leather with those needles, knitting a couple of bobble hats! Good evening campers!

***** Mr Mole, you've nearly got me in tears here, your tale of woe strikes a chord. I was in business, not the car business but what you detail happened to me on numerous occasions and every time it happens it's like the first, you feel gutted, that's what being in business today is like. You just keep going, graft your cods off, get to the end of the year and see how you've done, if your head is still above water you do it again year after year always giving it your best shot, in the end as long as you have had a little bit of luck along the way you'll succeed. If it's any consolation to you, if my dealer of choice impresses me I wouldn't go to "dealer "x" miles away" for the sake of a few quid when I'm going to be spending 30,000 of them.

All the negative comments about the IS are causing me to have doubts about purchasing one. It seems most complaints come from the diesel owners. For the last 20 years I've had mainly Audi's and have hardly ever had much to complain about. I always thought I would probably buy another and it was only when I started the process that dealer issues became a problem, this caused me to look elsewhere and ultimately fancying something different. I couldn't put up with constantly having to go back to the dealer ( for one thing, they're not just down the road) like many 220d owners seem to, mirror vibrations, dashboards in and out etc etc etc, would be interesting to know how many miles they do between visits. Lately on the forum have seen complaints from IS250 owners about creaks and rattles similar to their diesel counterparts, I was hoping that by getting the petrol version the smoothness of the engine compared to the diesel would alleviate most of the vibration related issues. Most contributors to the forum seem to be diesel owners so would appreciate comments from IS 250 drivers on their owning experience.

That's good news nblg as the lack of rear legroom is an issue for me, (when getting the old folk in). Where have you seen it or heard it?

Really hope they can, am a bit worried they have peaked. Whether they win or not they are a credit to English sport, and what excellent roll models they are for youngsters. Wouldn't it be great if the petulant, overpaid, overhyped, spoilt young men that peddle their trade in the Premiership could take a leaf out of their book in terms of sportmanship and respect for officialdom.

Have gleaned a lot of info on the IS from the forum and in all honesty am in more of a quandry than when I joined as I am concerned about the number of complaints aired by contributers. It's getting towards the time for me to come to a decision so I am going to test drive an IS 250 auto and probably a Merc 220 CDI, of which I'm far from convinced by the looks, and see what I think. Let you know what I think.

Haven't used a mechanical car wash for fifteen years, even if they have improved I wouldn't risk it.

It's uncanny, wherever you live in the country, most of us seem to have had similar experiences with BMW. I kicked our local dealer into touch and cancelled a test drive because they would not return my calls, e-mails and voice mail messages, it is one of the few things that really, really, gets me wound up, they just didn't seem all that interested, it's one of the reasons I started to look at Lexus. Daft thing is, 50 yds from the BMW showroom is the Mini set up where Mrs Exiled bought her car, they can't do enough for her, are absolutely spot on. The three Lexus dealers I've visited have all been first class in every aspect and it was a much more enjoyable experience. There is one good BMW dealership I've had dealings with through my daughter, Bateman's at Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria. They're normal, maybe it's something to do with the country air.

Has occured on all cars I've had with aircon too. May also be something to do with how well cars are insulated these days, no draughts. Read in last weekends Telegraph you should leave your aircon switched on all year as failure to do so could result in the seals drying out, apparently the refrigerant contains a lubricant. It also said using the aircon on a 2 litre car took no more than 3bhp and increased fuel consumption by 2 mpg. Opening a window or sunroof, it concludes, has a worse effect on economy.

Talk about demotivating, did anyone see Gordon Brown on telly yesterday. He's been taking lessons in how to smile, a new experience for him, not convincing, bit like a new born foal taking it's first steps. I preferred him when he was true to himself, a miserable old b....r. Politicians, AARRGGHH!!

P21s wax and then an extra buff. Keep seeing P21s wax mentioned. Have looked at old threads, mentioned a lot. What does it do? What's it't full name? Who's it made by? clarification please.

You've bought the model I much prefer Steve. The "L"costs £2,100 more than the SE, the parking sensors for me are a must. Both have leather and as I've never had them I could live without the HID headlights, the I-AFS lighting system, rain sensing wipers, Electro-chromatic mirrors, Electro adjust steering column, the memory seat package I admit is useful, but for me the wood trim is a must, I think it lifts the interior of the car to another level. I asked the dealer if it would be possible to have the parking sensors and wood trim fitted to an SE, yes to the sensors, about £800, but no to the trim. Ultimately it's down to how much you want to fork out, can you get everything you want or are you going to have to compromise. The wood trim may be an age thing, as a nipper I used to drool over Mk 2 Jags with polished walnut, shiny aluminium seems to be in vogue at the moment. It looks very nice, hope it gives you a lot of pleasure.

Read some interesting information in Motoring Telegraph last Saturday. I know revenue for the exchequer has to come from somewhere. All governments have to raise it but this present lot really are devious and sneaky ( I'm not saying another lot would be any different), raising income tax is apparently political suicide so they just nibble away adding it onto almost everything we buy. Back to the subject; Registration tax, £50. Annual VED £35-£400. Fuel tax and VAT, 80p per litre. VAT on new cars,17.5%. VAT on repairs and servicing, 17.5%. Tolls on Birmingham Expressway and various bridges; London congestion charge, £8 per day; VAT on car park charges, 17.5%; fixed penalty speeding tickets(effectively a tax), £60; parking penalties (effectively a tax), £30-plus; Insurance Premium Tax, 2.5%; council domestic parking charges; MoT test, £30-40 per annum; VAT on car parts, 17.5%; hospital parking; airport parking charges. And now pay-as-you-drive taxes are threatened too. I reckon the only untaxed pleasure is s*x, those with high emissions better watch out because once your DNA's on file they'll be able to log on to you to see what you're up to!

" You should drive a 250, then get back in your oil burner to see how really bad it is". Well done Bernie, you certainly know how to make a girl feel good.

Phew, you had us all worried for a while Leddy. Sure everything will go okay now your brain's back in gear.

Agree with Gord, can't remember where but I recall over time hearing terrible reports about Freelanders reliability and build quality. You read something negative and it sticks in the back of your mind, I suppose it's a bit unfair to be critical when you can't quote specifics so I've looked at What Car J D Power Survey for 2007, 4x4's they compare 13, the Freelander comes equal 12th with the Vitara, bottom is the Mitsubishi Shogun. Presumably you bought an IS because you liked it's individuality, you wanted a driver's car that was also great to look at, if not you would have bought an ordinary car. What are the alternatives, something bigger? A 5 series and an A6 only weigh a few kilos more than your Is, how often will you be going off in the caravan? I wouldn't buy a car to fit a caravan, I'd do it the other way around. Get a van to fit the car, you can always get an awning to give you more room, if that's too much hassle look at a Fiamma Caravanstore canopy which slides into the awning rail and is erected in minutes.

I think all Alpha models look georgeous against the competition, they always have done, they are designed by people with flair and adventure under the influence of chianti, sunshine and beautiful women. Sadly aren't they unreliable and depreciate in a similar fashion th a Citroen C5 or a Peugeot 607. If only they could be built by Hermann and his mates.

In the Auto Express "Products of the Year 2007" Turtle Wax Platinum Extra Gloss wins the award for best Polish. I've never seen it mentioned (or have I missed it) on the forum. Carnauba P 21's, Maguires and Autoglym are mentioned regularly. Any comments?

If you want to allay your fears of a chequered history, buy new. It's fine me saying that and I realise not everyone can afford to. We are always suspicious of second hand car salesmen, or new car salesmen selling second hand cars, they're both the same. It's what you fall in love with, for example the gleaming two year old IS you see with all the bits you want may be a similar price to a new ordinary car that will get you from A to B fine, no probs. But you'll never look at it and think how georgious it is because it will never be what you really wanted. I had an Audi Coupe years ago, every time I got in it, went anywhere I felt good, I had many stressfull days at work but driving home I used to wish I lived farther away so I could spend more time in the car. I'd get home, look at it and think it was all worthwhile. The Mrs said she always felt special driving it. Sorry debgreg, can't be any help. it's a bugger isn't it.

Were talked into having it done, dark colour, soft paint. Like someone said, it doesn't repell bird lime. Anyone know what does? Don't waste your money, follow the advice on paint protection given by other members of the forum.

Anybody old enough to remember the Forsyth Saga, that didn't last this long. Don't stop now.

That's remarkable Brendan, it's about the distance from John o Groats to the English Channel. Watch the consumption on the way back, looking at the map it's uphill all the way.

DieselDriver Thanks for the Information , Do you or any one else have a photo or know of a link so that i can see a picture of the towbar on the car so that it give's me an idea what one looks . i've heard they have to cut away at part of the bumper ? Can anyone help Leddy, I thought there was a picture in the brochure but was mistaken. If you go to Lexus GB website then to IS then IS 250 then Colours and Accessories then Exterior Equipment you will see a picture of a towbar which you can enlarge.