Silver Arrow

Very true. I did this whole thing as a test (as I was a complete sceptic on WInter tyres), so I bought 2 used ones with 5-6mm on them. They're on the back, and the wear is slightly uneven. I think the numpty who had them before over inflated them, so they are more worn in the centre. Even still, the grip's brilliant.

The front ones are new, same tread pattern.

Very true, but to be honest even though you winters on you drive as though you haven't for that reason. At least you know you can stop...and start again, even up hill in an automatic. You have to drive to the conditions, no matter what your car can do.

And if you do get rear ended, you use your insurance - thats what it for.

4mm is where they start to lose their effectiveness, thats why people change them then. So don't buy any that low.

Watch the youtube video from Auto Express on winter tyres....for wet and snow

the extra "sipes" and grooves on winters are much better than any summer tyre for dispersing water in the rain, especially when the temp falls below 7C when the compound grips better too

2nd gen GS defo starts in 2nd too.

Starts in 2nd....thats all I can work out, but you do need winter tyres....it can't allow for that or perform better than the tyres can grip

The IS350's emissions would have been like 275....so no way!! They can't shift any GS250's. I still haven't seen another

Well I'm one who was a COMPLETE winter tyre sceptic. Didn't think they were worth it.

I've just put some on as a test to see what the fuss is about, and believe me if anyone thinks the benefit is on snow only, then you are mistaken!! Even on a dry road, yesterday, -1.5C, the turn in, crisp handling was amazing. It has completely transformed the car. I have installed Pirelli Sttozero II's. The rear are from eBay (used) with 4-6mm on them, the front ones are new (from my tyres.co.uk) and it cost £30 to fit all 4 at an indy tyre fitters.

Having the IS220d through 3 winters, I really suffered in snow. My next car, a 5 series Auto BMW was actually better in the snow then the Lexus was by some margin - probably because of the way it put the power down, but changing on the GS has in my view been worth it.

Don't knock it until you've tried it is my message now - and like I say I was a sceptic thinking that it's doesn't snow much. It really isn't just snow and ice where they work much better. And it's a measurable improvement even on a dry road.

You can pick up a set of tyres on eBay for less then £200, that will serve you well over a couple of winters if not more - but I take the point about storage. That I think is the only downside. The cost - well - I reckon you're not wearing the summers whilst the winters are on - so the cost has to be into perspective.

The highest speed rating you'll get is V generally, but all you need to do is find a set (ideally with the same tread pattern on all 4) of the size you have now (18 inch??). Or buy a set of second hand alloys, possibly even 17's and do a google search. there are some web sites that allow you to put in what you have now and what you are changing to, and it suggests whether they would be OK or not.

Edit there are some GS alloys on eBay with winters fitted (almost new). He wants £900 or the best offer.....call him and see if he'll sell them for less and place a bid, or just offer to go and get them off him. Genuine Lexus alloys too!! Can't see how they can be W speed index though, unless they make them!!

HERE

And the car feels great! Pirelli Sotto 2's. I was scared they'd be noisy etc, but they aren't at all. very smooth and quiet! The turn in on a cold dry road is superb when the temp was reading -1.5c!! Just so much more grip.

Thought I'd share this, knowing how bad RWD cars can be in the snow, I left it late. Where I live the weather rarely gets too snowy, but this year I don't want to regret it.

I wonder if the UK will get the hybrid only??? The 250 V6 will be bought be very very few....possibly private buyers only!

...which totally makes the front look conventional. Having said that whilst the Gen2 was a big change from the Altezza based IS200, this one seems more evolution rather than revolution, which is a good thing.

I do like it though; the original photo's seemed to indicate it was over styled by some margin, but the youtube vid seems to show it better. I think it will be a car with good character, as long as it drives well. Else the journo's will have a field day. I hope they fixed the issues that the Gen 2 had - namely rattles, road noise and a very cramped rear and small boot. For the UK, low emissions are a must, so a Hybrid??

The youtube one seems to be in California, and you don't see the suspension really working, so it's hard to say whether it will be blighted by a stiff hard suspension like the CT.

Love the interior though...by far the best of any small exec car, though the centre console does seem a bit CT200 to me. The dash is lovely.

Where will the front number plate go?

Well done matey!!

On mine, the dealer took the grill off, and then applied some thin felt material to the edges so that it would still clip back into place. This packed it out and completely stopped it rattling.

£65 is silly money, especially when they know how to fix it!

If the dash moves, you'll notice some "high water lines" on the windscreen pillars where the dash has been moving about. Mine had that. The dealer had to put some foam down the back of the dash to pack it out.This was before the new clips were available.

Both the 2nd Gen IS and 3rd Gen GS were plagued by these rattles. Some were good - and if they were OK you left well alone. Those that rattled and buzzed did it no matter what!!

I don't think Audi Quattro's (which most A8's are, hoping your is) have the CVT - they have the DCT or conventional auto's. it's normally the front wheel drive Audi's that have the CVT, Multitronic, which is naff. Even if the CVT is reliable, there is a lag between putting your foot down and anything at all happening, quite disconcerting!

For that reason alone I would avoid the FWD Audi's auto's. Quattro's are the way to go. I also agree that you have to really compare cars of a similar age to make the math work. There are loads of issues with Diesels as they get older, especially those with DPF's etc. You do need to be prepared to spend some money on them over any length of time, which as stated, can eat into any savings at the pumps. It's why I was looking for a petrol car this time around - as a "keeper" for at least 4 years, which is when they can start to show signs of "spend".

Having said that my e60 BMW was faultless over 5 years. 3.0d (525d) which had no issues at all over 5 years, though the forums are full of horror stories. If you look at how many diesel BMW's there are out there, you are bound to see forums full of those stories. People tend to post when they have issues to find a way out.

As far as depreciation is concerned, there is a new A8 out there now (which by the way is sensational to drive), from 2010, which is why the fall in price is high. Wait and see what happens to the 1st Gen LS460 now that a newer model is out. Within 18 months I suspect a 2009 LS600 will be had for much much less than now.

And the Audi has Condition Based/Long Life servicing, so probably needs servicing every 2 years. All the rumours and fears of longer servicing=more wear and failures are un-founded. They are pretty much bullet-proof. Good choice!!

I think our posts crossed lol. I am doing the opposite - 4-6 years of GS250 and then the Audi A8 for me!!

If the new Gen3 IS is as well made as the latest GS, then it will be brilliant! I just hope it has a decent boot and more rear leg room - that was the other area where the current IS isn't very good at all. In fact rear passengers could (and in mine did) trap their feet under the front seats if the driver moved the seat back whilst they were sitting there. Not good at all!

There was too much hard and soft plastic meeting at too many places on the dash - so as it warmed up or cooled down they all expandd or contracted at different speeds, causing all manner of creaks!

I thought it was just me!.....But I stand assured by my experience that Lexus just don't make'm like they used to.....real shame.

I'm convinced by this....

The new GS is superbly made...and this from someone who ditched the Lexus IS220d due to quality issues!

I had a IS220d. 2.5 years of problems, recalls, rattles etc etc. Then a BMW diesel. 4 years no problems....so its not that simple. The BMW drives so much better than the notchy lexus gearbox. BMW still going strong!! And 10-15mpg more!

A real can of worms...

For permanent 4 wheel drive vehicles, I understand that the rotational circumference has to be equal for all 4 wheels - so if you have 3 tyres that are down to 2mm, you shouldn't fit 1 new tyre, but replace all four. Audi make it clear to you that you must do that else the quattro diff's actually work over time leading to problems (and the warranty will not cover you). Technically, tread pattern makes no difference at all, and most budget tyres are actually pretty good any way. The differences are marginal, and in the event of an emergency, tread pattern/quality of brand is less important than what you do with the steering wheel or brakes.

in the case of the 400h, it's largely front wheel drive anyway, isn't it?

If it was a serious issue insurance companies would stipulate what you can fit and what you can't, but I take the point that only 3 square feet of rubber are what stop2 tonnes of metal, with force, hitting that tree and you and yours from dying, so fit the best you can afford....\

I used Budgets that were as good as any goodyears in the past....so I don't think the differences are big....

As Steve said, lol, and you can take it between cars, the office, home, etc!!

I know it's always nice to have a pukka system, but for the money an iPad is the way to go....and it doesn't increase your cars value by having a pukka system fitted.

I'm with wendle on this. If you had the diesel or a hybrid, I'd say consider it, but with the petrol auto you have to think that if something major was gonna go you'd probably know well in advance.

The wobble sounds like warped discs which are unlikely to be covered under warranty.

I had an early one. It was BAD....

My advice is if you want a diesel, look elsewhere. Even if it's reliable, the 220d doesn't drive as well as the opposition (gear changes, flat spot, useless 6th gear, narrow power delivery, quite poor economy, no auto option).

Lexus make brilliant petrol auto's, that is what Lexus do best!

+1!! lol