giorgoXXI

I agree technically they can be compared, like you could compare a Mondeo with a BMW for example. The point is though, is this comparison going to be useful to anyone? As I said earlier, if you want to buy a Lexus but decide you don't like it, your next choice is going to be a BMW or a Merc or something in that range. It is most likely not going to be a Seat. Moreover, technically the figures of the 220d are quite a bit better than the EXEO (including fuel consumption relative to the engine's power), but it does not suprise me that the gearbox lets the Lexus down (the biggest problem with this car). However, apart from that, in favour of the Lexus you have the premium badge, the better interior (IMHO, although the old A4 was good), the car looks miles better from the outside... all of which seem to be ignored by the reviewer.

The comparison is a bit ridiculous. You can't compare cars in different market segments like they have done. If you are after a Seat you won't consider a Lexus, and if your intention is to buy a Lexus, Seat won't be an alternative in your list.

I have just bought a set of mats from eBay and they are arriving on Monday. Cost me £45 including delivery. Will let everyone know how they are compared to the standard ones. I changed them because I have beige interior and beige mats are a very bad idea (especially since it rains so much here), so I am going to replace them with black ones instead.

My sub also blew once and it was replaced by under warranty. They do seem to be a bit delicate!

There is a dimmer underneath the steering wheel on the right. Make sure it is not turned all the way clockwise (it clicks when it is at its maximum). That should fix it.

Yes this is true, as connecting my iphone 3g to the hands free in my BMW automatically brings up all the contacts in the phone on the car screen. Most annoying that a combination of lack of implementation on both Apple and Lexus's parts have left us high and dry. However, some owners of earlier (pre 2006) IS250s may have joy with a program I came across called Prius Phonebook which works with an Intel Macbook and any bluetooth phone that is linked to the car (including the iphone) Whilst it did not work for me some users report success. I emailed the developer, and I think my car has a more recent phonebook system, in which it has been secured to prevent non headset devices connecting (or so he thinks) If you get it to work for you, then do post up here. Vish If your iPhone is jailbroken, watchout for SweetTooth, an application that will unblock the bluetooth on the iPhone so that it can be used for more things other than handsfree (e.g. send contacts, pictures etc). Will probably have to wait a month or two to get a proper release.

There is a topic about this here: Is220d Tuning Box Basically engine goes up to 216 bhp with 480 nm of torque, all for around £375.

Does sound like the diesel! Or possibly even worse...

Dear RobertB and GiorgoXXI Thanks for replying, I just purchased the 2009 DVD and took a chance installing it, Thank goodness it did not delete my Traffic Camera POI's. The dealers mechanic does not know how to do backups, and was quite surprised when I showed him the menu item for backups and restore. (scary) Unfortunately the new CD does still not allow use when the car is moving, It seems to be a Lexus Legal issue but this law only applies to some US States. The dealer tells me it is for my own safety but is not worried if I stop the car to change my route and I get hijacked or mugged, a common problem in our country. If someone does stop to get location help from their GPS and gets mugged I can only hope they sue Lexus for forcing them to stop the car to get help from its GPS they paid a fortune for. Will have to carry on using my Garmin till I can afford to trade it in on a BMW. Thanks for trying to help, it is much appreciated and I really hope someone will find a solution. So everyone who loves this car as much as I do PLEASE KEEP TRYING. Thanks Again. I did not realise you were not from Europe. Only the European Dvd overrides the lock. Your only other option is to do the nav hack, where by cutting a couple of cables from behind the MM you can unlock all screens (including Dvd playback). You can find the details of the hack by searching on this forum. Dear giorgoXXI, I think you may be wrong about the European DVD overrides lock, as I have checked and it is also locked in Europe since 2006 DVD release. I have found a group of hackers in Holland and another in the East that can and are prepared for a small fee to Hack the whole Nav DVD and open it up to full modification of data, they say that they will return my original DVD with 3 backup copies. I will wait for a resolution from Lexus before resorting to piracy and I am also a bit reluctant to part with my original. Seems to me that the high cost of map updates for Car GPS units are motivating hackers and pirates. Unfortunately the hard wire fix you speak about voids the Lexus warranty, and I am also not prepared to take this route on a brand new car. It is a great pity that Lexus's arogance has trashed a great car, but it will bite them back in their pockets with sales, I can name several people that have avoided Lexus because of this issue. Also the sales people do not inform one of these problems when one purchases but it is starting to become a known issue among owners and they are talking. The new 2009 European DVD (E11) definately overrides the navigation lock, 100% sure. The override you are talking about was not an official override, it was meant for workshop engineers (I am talking about the one where you press the screen corners). That one was removed since 2006 and is not available anymore. The new override is an official one, no need for any soft hack. Regarding the hard wire fix, you can buy plug and play devices that plug at the back of the MM that do the same thing without the need of cutting any wires (and hence voiding warranty). If you ever need to take the car for repairs you simply remove it. I am not aware of the consequences of putting a European Sat nav DVD on a non-European Lexus (maybe someone over here knows more about it), but if you can get hold of the 2009 European DVDs, you may be able to use them to update the firmware on you Nav (and unlock navigation in motion), and then swap back your original DVDs. Dear giorgoXXI, If you are correct you are a STAR, I will follow up on your info. The Plug at the back of the MM, where is it and what needs removal to get access to it. Also what type of plug is it? USB or SD etc. I believe the UK and South African Lexus Products come from the same plant, just have different options. We have 2 versions of IS250 the IS250SE and the Standard IS250 available in Auto or Manual. he SE version is basically FULL HOUSE and includes all options except Moon Roof, I own the IS250SE with Moon roof. The only thing my car does not have and it is available on USA Models is a Flip down "Sun Glasses" Holder in the overhead console, a very useful item in very sunny SA. We should start a Skype group for Lexus owners. Thanks again Have a look at the following link: Prolex UK That is what you need. I am unaware of the exact installation details but it is more or less removing the plug from the MM system, pluging it to this device and then plugin this device to the MM system (so it kind of acts like a bridge). To install it you will obviously need to take out the MM system, which involves a serious of steps (remove trim panels, vents, bolts etc) that you can find if you search in this forum. Regarding the flip down sun glasses compartment, I think European models don't have it because instead there are motion sensors inside it which are not required in the USA (hence they can afford to have extra space that they use for sun glasses).

My thoughts exactly - performance Coupe to a [family] Saloon with flashy bits? You do know you are talking chalk and cheese here. The SR looks good IMHO (for a Lexus). But I'd maybe be tempted to spend a little more and get a full spec. SE-L or SE with toys over the SR which I think you will find looses a little in standard spec. for the body kit (I may be wrong here). Do test drive it, have a play and see what you think. If you want a coupe, you will be hankering after one despite the having bought the IS. Agree, something that makes the IS very attractive is the fact that you can get loads of toys for a very reasonable price. You can even get an SE or SE-L and then just addon the SR body kit (installed by the dealership at an extra cost obviously). One thing I really dislike about the SR is the upholstery.

It is a very good car if you are looking for comfort, but if you were thinking of buying an M3 Coupe in the first place you might be very dissapointed with the performance of the IS250.

Dear RobertB and GiorgoXXI Thanks for replying, I just purchased the 2009 DVD and took a chance installing it, Thank goodness it did not delete my Traffic Camera POI's. The dealers mechanic does not know how to do backups, and was quite surprised when I showed him the menu item for backups and restore. (scary) Unfortunately the new CD does still not allow use when the car is moving, It seems to be a Lexus Legal issue but this law only applies to some US States. The dealer tells me it is for my own safety but is not worried if I stop the car to change my route and I get hijacked or mugged, a common problem in our country. If someone does stop to get location help from their GPS and gets mugged I can only hope they sue Lexus for forcing them to stop the car to get help from its GPS they paid a fortune for. Will have to carry on using my Garmin till I can afford to trade it in on a BMW. Thanks for trying to help, it is much appreciated and I really hope someone will find a solution. So everyone who loves this car as much as I do PLEASE KEEP TRYING. Thanks Again. I did not realise you were not from Europe. Only the European Dvd overrides the lock. Your only other option is to do the nav hack, where by cutting a couple of cables from behind the MM you can unlock all screens (including Dvd playback). You can find the details of the hack by searching on this forum. Dear giorgoXXI, I think you may be wrong about the European DVD overrides lock, as I have checked and it is also locked in Europe since 2006 DVD release. I have found a group of hackers in Holland and another in the East that can and are prepared for a small fee to Hack the whole Nav DVD and open it up to full modification of data, they say that they will return my original DVD with 3 backup copies. I will wait for a resolution from Lexus before resorting to piracy and I am also a bit reluctant to part with my original. Seems to me that the high cost of map updates for Car GPS units are motivating hackers and pirates. Unfortunately the hard wire fix you speak about voids the Lexus warranty, and I am also not prepared to take this route on a brand new car. It is a great pity that Lexus's arogance has trashed a great car, but it will bite them back in their pockets with sales, I can name several people that have avoided Lexus because of this issue. Also the sales people do not inform one of these problems when one purchases but it is starting to become a known issue among owners and they are talking. The new 2009 European DVD (E11) definately overrides the navigation lock, 100% sure. The override you are talking about was not an official override, it was meant for workshop engineers (I am talking about the one where you press the screen corners). That one was removed since 2006 and is not available anymore. The new override is an official one, no need for any soft hack. Regarding the hard wire fix, you can buy plug and play devices that plug at the back of the MM that do the same thing without the need of cutting any wires (and hence voiding warranty). If you ever need to take the car for repairs you simply remove it. I am not aware of the consequences of putting a European Sat nav DVD on a non-European Lexus (maybe someone over here knows more about it), but if you can get hold of the 2009 European DVDs, you may be able to use them to update the firmware on you Nav (and unlock navigation in motion), and then swap back your original DVDs.

Most annoying thing from the IS are the rattles! Apart from that it is a great car... not very economical but then you do get a lot of extras for your money!

I just bought one a couple of days ago from eBay for £8.50 brand new :-) ... It is I believe the best car charger around for the iPod/iPhone (it is fused which is very important!), and as you said it fits really easily in the armrest. I can even pull it out slightly so it is not connected (when I am not charging), and still close the armrest with no problems.

Dear RobertB and GiorgoXXI Thanks for replying, I just purchased the 2009 DVD and took a chance installing it, Thank goodness it did not delete my Traffic Camera POI's. The dealers mechanic does not know how to do backups, and was quite surprised when I showed him the menu item for backups and restore. (scary) Unfortunately the new CD does still not allow use when the car is moving, It seems to be a Lexus Legal issue but this law only applies to some US States. The dealer tells me it is for my own safety but is not worried if I stop the car to change my route and I get hijacked or mugged, a common problem in our country. If someone does stop to get location help from their GPS and gets mugged I can only hope they sue Lexus for forcing them to stop the car to get help from its GPS they paid a fortune for. Will have to carry on using my Garmin till I can afford to trade it in on a BMW. Thanks for trying to help, it is much appreciated and I really hope someone will find a solution. So everyone who loves this car as much as I do PLEASE KEEP TRYING. Thanks Again. I did not realise you were not from Europe. Only the European Dvd overrides the lock. Your only other option is to do the nav hack, where by cutting a couple of cables from behind the MM you can unlock all screens (including Dvd playback). You can find the details of the hack by searching on this forum.

I would suprised if Lexus accepted to do the work... most manufacturers won't install the sat nav option after the car has been built.

I doubt they will change, they havent changed for the initial 2009 facelift model. But IMO the best thing to do would be to wait till the delears have it available and take it for a test drive.

I am not sure about how to download the POI's to a device, but regarding using Sat Nav while the vehicle in motion, you need to get hold of the new 2008/09 Navigation DVD's that will update the software and allow this feature. Apparently you only need to borrow them, as once inserted and with the software updated, you can revert back to your old DVD's.

Yes that's the one. The problem is stated in the manual, so I thought Lexus would never fix it.

Lexus has a Technical Service Instruction Bulleting for Dealerships to fix this problem under warranty. Great! Do you know the number of the bulletin so I can tell my Lexus dealership in case they don't know about it? Thanks for the info.

I get this problem when I fuel in Texaco or Shell stations normally. Esso and BP seem to be fine.

Thanks for the info! Appreciate your efforts... Just a couple of questions, when you say the DVD driver won't read DVD-R, do you mean the Sat Nav dvd drive or the MM DVD changer? Another question, how sure are you that it won't read DVD-R's anymore? Have you tried burning them with a different program or different style (e.g. set the bookmark etc.)? I heard if you create an image and burn it using Imgburn it used to work....

I had chargers for my iPod and snooper from my old car. When I tried them on the Lexus, I could close the armrest perfectly. I think it's more of a case of trying different ones out, you don't need a right angled one, there is enough space for some. I recommend buying them on a high street shop so if you need to you can return them back easily. Just as a note, charging your MP3 player while listening to it might cause some serious interference.

What do you mean by "sorted"? Can you tell us what deal did you get (or send me a private message with the details please) ?

And the bluetooth for the phone, phone button on steering wheel etc etc. It's never gonna work. Anyway do you know where can i buy this? Thanks I saw one on eBay... it comes all the way from the States though... I think it was around £1000 including delivery.