wharfhouse

Great to hear - hopefully I'll have plenty of trouble free miles ahead of me too if yours is anything to go by. I'm running mine on Sainsbury’s E5 Super Unleaded now (rather than E10) as the improved mpg pays for the small uplift in cost (at Sainsbury's) and as an added benefit I've actually found everything runs a bit smoother including the EV to ICE transition - I think the ICE seems to starts more smoothly on E5 and runs better when it's at very low revs.

It's worth mentioning that my 2014 IS 300h still delivers an average of 48mpg on the car computer and on a long run 50+ mpg is easily achievable (and at national speed limits) without any special driving techniques over and above what one would do naturally to keep fuel consumption down. When I've had a courtesy car there is an improvement in the latest hybrid drive train for fuel consumption but it's not a huge leap. Good fuel consumption always comes down to basic driving style of accelerating positively and smoothly, carrying speed as long as possible and forward thinking for slowing down and braking gradually to max out any regeneration. This works of course for any car but for the hybrid power train is particularly beneficial. However accelerate and brake harshly and last minute will see the mpg reduce dramatically as the hybrid elements aren't able to contribute much and so traditional ICE mpg will then prevail. IMHO driving style therefore still has probably more impact on the fuel consumption than the later drive trains.

And more so that the ICE in a Toyota / Lexus hybrid such as the 300h power train runs the Atkinson cycle rather than the usual ICE Otto cycle. The Atkinson cycle gives much better mpg but has little low down torque. So the electric motor fills in this low down torque (electric delivering immediate torque) so the ICE Atkinson cycle can then be run for efficency. The e-cvt is a great piece of engineering giving flexible power split maximising best fuel economy for the ICE for the demands made in terms of power and all in an incredibly simple robust package, especially compared to normal auto boxes.

Some good additional points as your mileage is only a little bit less than mine. I'm still on the original 12V battery, but I would think it won't last too much longer (though no signs as of yet), but certainly can't complain when it does eventually die. I haven't had the wiper relay or bonnet latch issues but will keep an eye open in case these occur - good to know both are easy fixes. Yes, I have had the AC recharged a few times at Lexus (forgot to mention that) - it was all working fine but just as preventative maintenance. I leave my system in Auto all year round (whether the weather is hot to cool the air or cold to prevent condensation on the windows) - I have done the same on all cars that I have had with air con. This, at least for me, avoids the "smelly" odour that can happen after the system has been off for a while. Also ensures the oil is constantly circulated in the system keeping everything lubricated. These days the climate control uses very little additional power (so doesn't impact mpg any significant amount).

When I went in yesterday there was a new chap on reception I'd not seen before so not sure if Sue is still there or maybe on holiday?

Yes - Lexus Reading as you surmised. Been pleased with the way they have handled everything - also Jemca as a whole as sometimes speak with their central team (based in London) and my wife also bought a Toyota from Jemca Toyota next door.

As more people start asking about buying older IS 300h’s with higher mileages thought I’d post this here for those looking now and in the future. My IS 300h is 8 years old and done 122k miles and had it’s 8-year old MOT yesterday. It once again passed without fault – no advisories, nothing. I bought the car used from Lexus when it was just over two years old with 40K miles on it – I got a good deal at the time as the mileage was quite high for a two-year-old car. The trim level is Executive, which although it doesn’t have all the toys, the pre-face lift Executive trim was a reasonable package and gave me everything I needed. The car was bought for business use (as well as personal use) and so was going to have to earn its keep and certainly wouldn’t be babied. It has been looked after by the same Lexus dealer since new (I purchased it from the same dealer that sold the car new) and I have continued to have it serviced there since. I have simply left it to Lexus to follow their service schedules (every 10K miles), nothing more. I have also kept an Extended Warranty in place and always had the MoT done at Lexus too. I like to keep things simple with one port of call wherever possible. In the 6 years and 80K+ miles I have run it, other than the servicing and tyres (also fitted at the Lexus dealer as they were always the cheapest) the only additional items have been: - New screen wash sensor – about a year after I purchased the car I hit a lorry tyre at night that had been shed on the motorway causing quite a bit of damage – this was repaired faultlessly by Lexus (Jemca’s own body shop) but just after that I noticed the screen wash sensor failed – I’m not sure it was coincidence or to do with the accident (which damaged the area near the washer fluid reservoir) - however Lexus fitted a new one under the Extended Warranty. - At 80K miles I noticed what sounded like a failing front wheel bearing noise on one side. Lexus checked and agreed and replaced this under the Extended Warranty, also taking it on themselves to replace the other side too as having done one side they thought the other side sounded like it was wearing. Again, this was all done under the Extended Warranty. I also took the opportunity to have Lexus change the front discs and pads as they had everything apart anyway and they would have needed doing within probably another 20k miles. Other than the above, that is it. Beyond normal maintenance, tyres etc. all it has cost me is just one set of discs and pads on the front (the Extended Warranty paying for the screen wash sensor and front wheel bearings). The rear discs and pads are still original with plenty of life left in them (though the discs are getting a bit pitted now). The 12V battery is also still the original and no sign of any issue when the hybrid health check was last done. I’ve recently left the car for well over a week and no problems starting it. I have not looked after the car especially well (beyond making sure it has always been serviced regularly) – as I said it’s been a work horse for me. Occasionally I wash it if it has got particularly dirty – and Lexus wash and vac etc. at each service and MoT. Despite that, after a wash, the paintwork (Mercury Grey) comes up well with very few scratches or swirl marks etc. The wheels could do with refinishing as it looks like the previous owner scuffed them and had them repainted before trading in (they were not done by Lexus as they have no record of doing it) and the paint that was used is now coming off. The car has transported me around the country many times and always leaves me feeling refreshed after a long journey. The seats are still just as supportive as when I first got the car. Fuel economy has been unerring over the years, an overall average of 48mpg on the car computer and it continues to deliver this today. It drives much the same as when I first got it, no undue clunks or rattles. In fact, yesterday I had a one-year-old UX 250h with 9K miles on it as a courtesy car while mine was in for the MoT and driving them side by side you would never know my car was 7 years and 110K miles older! So, I thought this might be useful to anyone looking today at buying an IS 300h and looking at running it to (or past) this sort of age and mileage. Find one that has been serviced according to the schedule and has been used regularly (cars that sit for a long-time unused IMHO have more problems than those that are used regularly) and you should have some good years and many miles left in it. Had Lexus continued to bring the IS 300h into this country I would probably have traded this car against a new one by now, but they haven't, and I really don't know what else I would like from the current line-up as the IS 300h was the goldilocks car for me. So, my plan is to continue running the car to at least 150K miles and then decide whether to just keep going until something major happens or trade it in if there is something that piques my interest at that time. So, I might be able to keep reporting each year on how things are going for a few more years yet.

That's marketing for you... make a bold claim and unless another company takes exception it sticks!

I wonder how long for - as the tech will be in place it will be easy for them to take away this option if the grid becomes overloaded...

Nissan's take on just that with their new e-power cars: e-POWER, a unique combination A technology unique to Nissan. e-POWER uses a petrol engine to charge a battery and that alone drives an electric motor, powering the wheels. It responds similarly to an electric car, providing instant torque and also has lower tailpipe emissions and running costs compared to a traditional combustion engine [1], but without the need to plug it in. In addition to the petrol engine, e-POWER also uses regenerative braking to help keep the battery topped up.

Yes I think it is heading that way - less and less people buy cars outright and simply roll on finance - I think car manufacturers will have more stringent recycling targets as we go forwards but making cars more disposable actually fits that agenda better. Used EVs will not be as attractive as ICE was and I believe as they get older will be harder to source parts than the current ICE generations which have had a longer planned lifecycle.

This assumes people charge when the battery is empty - like you would refill with petrol - but do people with EVs do that or do they plug in every night thereby causing a peak load on the grid much more than the average would suggest to ensure they always have a full charge so they have the car available for any unplanned long trip - my inclination would be the latter but as I don't have an EV I currently speak from my pov. Would be interesting to know what those with EVs do...? Perhaps this is why smart chargers are now mandated to spread that peak load? Problem with the whole EV thing is so few facts and so much subjective comment leaving the average person more confused and none the wiser!

Couldn't agree with you more. However, on value for money then as cars get ever more "white goods" so long as they are reliable and have the main features / toys that satisfy the majority of people then price becomes a more significant driver. Of course that's the 80/20 rule and the 20 will still be more discerning, but for the 80 these new brands will IMHO deliver what they need for day to day cars.

First Chinese car brand to be sold in Britain Pendragon to start selling BYD's electric cars before the end of the year... The MG EV is already well reviewed by the motoring press - value for money in comparison to to over inflated prices of many EV marques - this latest move could be the opening of the flood gates - if the public are to be forced into EVs then most will be looking at buying at the lowest price.

From what you have written I would have thought you would need to describe this to Lexus and have them take a look - they might need you to leave the car with them to investigate it - they don't generally do much investigation during a service - but if you are concerned about it then seems like the best course of action. If they don't find anything amiss, then you have it on record as reported and investigated whilst under warranty should something rear its head in future years (depending on how long you plan to keep the car for).

As you are still under warranty maybe a visit to Lexus - better to have peace of mind and an explanation than worry about it?

Excellent to hear that this all worked out OK for you too.

I have just found my brochure that is dated January 2016 so covers most of the trim levels from around 2014 to facelift - that may help you see what is what for the pre-facelift cars - see: Lexus IS.pdf

If you ever want a courtesy car you normally just need to ask when booking in - but give a few weeks' notice. Often a good chance to try a different model. I had a new NX 350h while my car was in for its 120K service a month ago.

Facelift was mainly that - pretty much all else same including engines and drive trains - just some different trim levels and a bit of additional tech. Lexus claim some suspension and stiffening tweaks but to be honest I couldn't tell the difference - I wouldn't let a really good pre-facelift car go for a less-good facelift one. Look at the Lexus website for Used Cars to get a better idea of what is on the dealer forecourts and costs etc. - even if you decide to buy elsewhere you can find out a lot from the Lexus used car pages. There are three audio setups - top is Mark Levinson (many speakers...); middle is when the car has Premium Nav (no Mark Levinson but 8 (I think) speakers, including an amp with sub-woofer on the rear shelf); basic is when car has standard/no nav and has 6 speakers (no amp or sub-woofer). Some will swear that the basic (6 speakers) is rubbish, but personally (after doing my own tweaks on the settings) I am happy with that but maybe I'm not so demanding as others of the audio setup when driving the car. But if audio quality is very important to you then choose a car with Premium Nav which may or may not then have Mark Levinson. You can only really know what works for you by trying them out (a Lexus dealer is probably the place to go to try them side-by-side in IS 300h's). If Extended Warranty is important to you then choose a car that has a decent amount of years/miles left to take advantage of the free Relax Extended Warranty (you must have the car serviced at Lexus every 12 months / 10K miles whichever comes first though for it to be valid) and it will only apply once a service has been done by Lexus if you purchase outside of the Lexus dealers (unless the car you purchase it has had one at a Lexus dealer within the last 12 months / 10K miles). Yes, I know what you mean about the looks - that attracted me at the outset then I had a test drive for the day and went straight back and bought one - that was 6 years ago - I bought a two year old (2014 reg) with 40K miles - I still have it, it gets used very regularly, and it has now done 122K miles with very little having gone wrong in that time and still drives like it did when I first got it. I have it serviced at Lexus and now have it under the 10 Year Plus Extended Warranty.

A few quick answers - you'll probably get plenty of feedback on here from others too - keep a balanced outlook as each of us has our own views for their own personal circumstances - at the end of the day buy what it is right for you... On years to avoid - IMHO none to avoid - the IS 300h was reliable from the outset. However, Lexus Relax Extended Warranty (given free when serviced regularly by a dealer) only lasts up to 10 years old or 100K miles so that might influence what you buy - but there is a 10 Year Plus Extended Warranty that can be purchased after that for around £500 per year (still requires car to be serviced by Lexus dealer). Mark Levison was only available on higher level trims (and only with Premium Nav) - sometimes an option and sometimes standard - only way to be sure is to double check - Lexus dealers are usually reasonably accurate on their listings though but always double check. Toyota dealers won't generally service a Lexus car and certainly can't offer the Relax Warranty or do a hybrid health check etc. and offer the hybrid battery warranty. Lexus dealers offer courtesy cars (need to book a few weeks in advance) for free or a small fee (varies by dealer) along with other options. 40 minutes to a Lexus dealer shouldn't therefore be an issue. Work out what's important to you in a car (which will influence trim level - or whether you want F Sport trim which is the biggest decision) and then buy on condition, age and mileage as appropriate but note that in general Lexus cars can go high mileages without any significant issues and so mileage should be less of a concern (assuming good service history) than some brands and the Relax Warranty and 10 Year Plus Extended Warranty can take some of the risk out of older or higher mileage cars. Good luck in your search.

Not sure if it's still the case or not but do the exhaust boxes still have a small drain hole in the bottom to release any accumulated condensation (to help prevent corrision) - if so could be from that?

Everyone to their own - I wouldn't criticise any of the reasons people buy cars - I've made many reasons to myself why I probably spent too much money in the past...

Yes you are if course right with some of those comments and it does bother me too. However the growth that is taking place is now unstoppable and we can continue to try and make changes through the levers we have in the west - some of the same can be said of other countries that have developed too (including Japan, Korea etc) but over time conditions and views changed. I'm not dismissing what you raise and there are certainly some deep issues in China but I'm also not sure what the answer is?

Yes, I'm old enough to remember when Japanese cars were the joke, then the Korean Cars, now look at them both... I am sure Chinese cars will become very common in the next decade or two. To reinforce what you say, having always bought what I deemed "high quality" audio and TV equipment I've just bought a new TV and went with a now well-known Chinese one as for various reasons I didn't to spend a lot at this time and I have to say I am delighted - for the price I can't fault it! When I look at my daughter (mid-20 year old) and her generation they don't have the same "hang-ups" as some of us older ones do buying Chinese tech.