mk_lon

I completely agree with you. Motorist are easy targets and a cash cow. Government plays on ignorance all the time. 

I fear that cars will be forced off the road in the next decade or so and then we will be at the mercy of crap public transport that's overpriced and under policed (I have to commute into Central London so I experience this pain almost daily). 

10 hours ago, Farqui said:

A good result, at least for the time being. 

Or do residents now have the charge waivered beyond the next few years?

Basically it applies to all drivers entering the zone up to 2020.

Residence only get a few months extra after April 19

Hey Guys, 

They got back to me and confirmed that my is250 auto will not have to pay the charge. Thanks for all your help. 

Hey Linas,

You are correct with my point around the surcharge (additional bloody tax).

On the TFL website they said they will give residence of the inner and outer zones a few months to adjust (sell their cars for nothing in a panic). I emailed them with the points you guys made and they got back to me. I have attached the response below.

They want a copy of my V5 to confirm..... I'll keep you guys updated. 

8 hours ago, Farqui said:

Yes...Parkers lists the IS250 as Euro4, ref; https://www.parkers.co.uk/lexus/is/saloon-2005/250-4d/specs/

Presuming you live in the ULEZ, can't residents apply for a 100% rebate? 

Worth mentioning that this will only be for a limited period of time 

Hi Guys, thank you for this. I thought it didn't sound right. 

I checked the site again and it says the ULEZ will start in April 19. That will apply to the current congestion charge zone. But will apply 24/7. Then it will be extended to greater London just before the A406. I live two roads away from A406 However this will be in 2021. 

I would recommend anyone living in London to email them too. 

Ps I completely agree with you guys about planes and black cabs. As usual the motorists are the victims. 

Thank you all for putting my mind at ease. 

Hey Guys,

I wonder if you could help me. The already anti car London councils are plotting again. This time the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London. In Apr 2019 you will be charged £12.50 a day, 24 Hours a day, 365days a year to drive into central london. In 2021 this will be extended to greater london, basicly screwing everyone who doesnt have a small engine or a hybrid etc etc. 

It states that cars that meet the euro 4 standards are exempt from the charge which I believe the IS250 auto meets. Yet when I put my reg in the vehichle checker it says I have to pay !!!!!

Any of you guys want to check - https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/vrm-checker-ulez

 Apparently you can email them and appeal (I have) if you think they are wrong..... Any advice, thoughts?? I love my IS250 and dont want to sell it. 

I second what Paul says, mpg is pretty awful in London but its so much more luxurious, refined, better equipped and better looking than the previous shape you won't regret it at all.

Also the v6 has a lot of power if you press the power button. 

Tip always buy auto as it has better resale value, better drive (in my opinion) and half the tax! 

As long as its been well maintained it should be fine. I would recommend checking out the buyers guide on this forum too. 

6 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

Indeed, or it was a fake one.

hopefully not, I did check the reference number with Denso when I put it, but even that can be copied 

6 hours ago, normski2 said:

Sounds like you've just been unlucky with that sensor as Denso gear is decent quality in my findings thus far.

I guess anyone can have a Friday afternoon slip up from time to time!

Yea I think so too, worth mentioning that my local Indy garage said that in the last 20 years or so, they have noticed most of the aftermarket car parts (all makes) no longer last as they used to. 

Hey Guys,

Quick update - I took it to my local Independent Garage and they changed the Oxygen Sensor. Since then the light has gone and the car is back to normal. The light had re appeared a few days ago and the car was noticeably slower and sluggish. 

Really annoyed that the sensor (from denso) only lasted 2.5 years!!

Yea I noticed this in mine too, I usually have to drive for at least 8mins for it to warm up. 

Heated Wipers, I've used it before never really found any difference but I suspect its useful in snow :)

5 hours ago, dazed said:

It might just have been the final moist exhaust gases wafting out - more likely to be visible in cold weather.

Yea, makes perfect sense. I looked it up and its pretty common

Worth mentioning that light is back, but due to the cold I haven't had a chance to open the bonnet.

I bought it from import car parts, £105 delivered. I called Lexus and they wanted £200. 

https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/

Hi Colin,

Thanks for the insight. I'll check it out tomorrow hopefully, it might be a faulty cable or something. 

Hey Guys,

Something strange happened to the car on Saturday morning, the VSC light(s) disappeared. I drove today and the light still hasn't come back on. I ordered a new oxygen sensor and it arrived as per the instructions of my local indy garage and was booked in for Tuesday. 

I took the car on the a406 today for a spin for about 45mins, when I got back and turned the engine off I noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the left exhaust......

I'll probably cancel the trip to the garage on Tues and wait until the lights re appear and probably hold on to the oxygen sensor for a bit .....Not sure what to make of all this?

Hi Rob, 

You won't regret it, they are brilliant cars and super smooth to drive. I roughly do 6k a year and own an 07 plate SEL auto with all the toys. I live in London and do a lot of start stop driving thus I usually get around 20mpg, even when I drive like a granny I only get a couple more mpg. 

On the motorway I have got about 40mpg. 

Servicing and tyres are reasonable if you shop around and use independent garages. 

Parts are expensive compared to other brands but the good news is that the IS250 is a very reliable car so other than wear and tear you won't be needing any (most of the time) 

Sorry to hear that, you looked after it well and probably the only person I know who managed to sort the exhaust out 

Thanks bobmc,

I'll defiantly look into it, makes sense to have one around the house.

Thanks guys, I bought a brand new denso (OEM) in sep 15, so its surprising that it would fail. Although I'm a little confused onto why there are 2 errors.

I don't own a multi meter and probably would'nt know how to check, I suspect its a trip to the local independent garage who I usually use  

Thought I'd add some images. Thank you in advance :)

Hey Guys,

I hope all is well, I am a big fan of this forum as it has helped me massively over the last two years of being a proud IS250 owner. I was driving home yesterday and the dreaded VCS light came on, no difference in driving by the way as I was on a dual carriage way (No limp mode or anything).

I connected my OBD2 reader and found 2 error code  the first is P0031 HO2S Heater control circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor 1 - which is worrying as I put a new denso oxygen sensor in bank1 sensor 1 in sep15 (after code of P2195). The second said No codes are stored in the module! 

Before I take it to my Independent garage, I thought Id get some advice from you guys as a starting point.

Kind Regards,

Mo