LenT

What about all these Car Clinics? Or are they all privatised?

My initial reaction is to give it a try! So to start with the minimum initial outlay, I'd be inclined to get the Snow Foam first and see how you get on with the S&J. There's a huge Foam selection, but when I had my car detailed it was with Aenso products and I've stayed with them. Products – AenProducts – Aensō UK (aenso.co.uk) I use the POLARIS Snow Foam for a general wash and the ONE Pure Shampoo now and then to augment the ceramic finish that I had applied. I used to use my Karcher pressure spray but I found the setting up somewhat tedious. But you may feel differently! So what I got instead was a Foam Cannon that simply connected to the normal connector on the garden hose. CleanYourCar - Foam Cannon | Foam Wash Gun This is the foam cannon I use. It's £35 but apparently currently out of stock! But they have others. It seems to work just fine with the garden hose pressure. As the site name suggests, they do a good line in all car cleaning and detailing products. So you'll soon be into the two bucket / wash mitt method. One thing to bear in mind about snow foam. It may be counter intuitive, but don't pre-wash the car before initially applying it. Apparently water on the car's surface actually forms a barrier layer that prevents the foam doing its job. So spray on the foam first; leave about 15 minutes and then wash off. Then reapply foam and wash down with wash mitt before washing off again. What you do then is up to you and depends on how much more time you want to spend on it. And what other products (eg polishes, ceramic coatings) you want to use. You might just want to use a drying towel and get on with your life! Here are a couple of YouTube links you might find interesting. Or possibly not!

Just as well you weren’t using a foot pump. Kevin. 🙂 Still, sounds like you have a result.

Excellent point there, Linas. Something you think would be second nature to anyone in business. I find it hard to be sympathetic with individuals who complain about poor dealer service, say, only for it to become gradually apparent that they had got precisely what they’d signed for.

I had to look it up too, John. It was apparently their first four wheel car - and a pretty fine job they made of it. I see it was basically a rebodied version of the Triumph Herald and Vitesse. And used the same engines. It wouldn’t look out of place today, either. Oh well, another one that got away!

Considering the age of your car, Fraser, it may be worth noting that the lithium ion batteries- which for all practical purposes are not replaceable - have a life of anywhere between 5 - 10 years. The average is about six - it depends on the usage of the car. It seems the sensors only transmit when the wheel is in motion - and then only intermittently, so I’ve read. The point of this is that if you come to replace all your tyres, it might be worth replacing all the TPMS sensors at the same and negotiating an all-price for the job. This means the tyre only comes off once, rather than having to maybe do it again later on. But of course that also depends on how long you plan to keep the car. Decisions, decisions!

I had an almost identical experience when a helpful passerby, having witnessed this elderly codger trying to get a dust cap off at a BP station, waded in with a spanner - and snapped the valve straight off! Fortunately, in recompense, they then put my SpaceSaver on so that I could drive round the corner to a large tyre company. They fitted and set up a new TPMS valve for £75 and its worked perfectly since. So I’d be inclined to ring around and try this alternative first. But consider this a valuable lesson. You’ve now discovered why Lexus dust caps are now plastic. And why a SpaceSaver tyre is a better bet than the liquid glop kit - which would have been useless in these circumstances. BTW: I guess you’ve checked the other dust caps? Just a thought….if another cap is also stuck, then I would suggest: 1. Make sure you have a spare wheel handy. 2. Use a mole grip, for example, to hold the valve while applying pressure to the cap. A prior squirt of WD-40 might help matters along too.

According to my manual, if the light stays on after 20 minutes of driving then, unfortunately, they say a trip to Lexus Is indicated. Although I imagine a good tyre dealer who’s familiar with TPMS could reset it. In which case you probably already know if driving has done the job!

As I recall, the problem was that as Britain’s first rear mounted, all aluminium engine, it tended to overheat. But to choose a Coventry Climax fire pump engine in the first place was pretty innovative. Apart from that, Kevin, did you like it?

As a callow youth, I did once momentarily entertain the possibility of a Reliant Bond Bug. Fortunately, sense prevailed! However a lot more serious was the possibility of a Hillman Imp, as mentioned by Ed, the OP. It was an interesting alternative to the Mini at the time. But the one I almost bought, but didn’t - and still regret - was a Bristol 404. On the whole, however, I’d rather be driving a modern family car, say, than its equivalent from that period. I understand the attraction, but for me nostalgia just ain’t what it used to be.

An excellent link, Herbs, and an important observation. The fears are the anticipation of the unknown and far removed from the reality. Mine was so long ago that I can barely recall it all!

I’ve had one and it is a bit confining, rather like a CT Scan. But apparently many people just doze off if it’s a long one. The main emotion I felt was boredom! It will help if you fully understand the procedure.. This link is to the relevant NHS site. The only thing to note is that it’s important that the radiographer is aware of any aneurysm clips, pacemakers, metal joints and fillings and such like. And you should remove any jewellery. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mri-scan/ In terms of your ultimate health, you’re much better off having a scan than not!

It’s absolutely right that much depends on the individual skill of the operator - as with any franchise business. I think it’s also fair to point out that your red colour - a colour notorious for fading - was relatively new and easy to match. I’ve also used our local ChipsAway guy, with excellent results. But that was to eliminate scuffs on alloy wheels. Colin made the point earlier that it’s very hard to replicate the factory finish when doing local repairs. Or even when more extensive resprays are involved. So, like Herbs, it’s probably a matter of doing some investigating as to the competence of the local franchise - and managing one’s expectations.

Yes, but to a limited extent. If you read through the documents that came with it, they'll detail what you're entitled to. It probably won't include general Legal Aid. I think that the Which pages I referred you to are probably enough to give any car dealer (whom I notice you've still not named) the impression that you know what you're talking about. And they're not going to want to pick a fight if they think that. When I bought the Lexus it came with 'free' Lexus Roadside Assistance - which turned out to be operated by the AA, of which I've been a full member since 1967. So I was never going to actually use it. I don't know your personal circumstances, but you could always ring the RAC and ask them. They'll probably try to sign you up for full membership and then put you on to their Legal Department. From then on it depends on how you feel about insurance. When my Accord was written off on the M25, the AA dealt with everything - from collecting us and the car to final payout. I thought the fees were money well invested.

In that case it wasn't a condition of sale. He'd obviously just changed his mind about the amount of work he was prepared to do to clinch the sale. You could have insisted, but by the sounds of it you would probably have got a bodged job. It's a bit late now, but I might have used that to knock down the price. Something to bear in mind for future dealings. If you keep the car now, it's probably better to either do the work yourself or get a body shop or detailer to have a look at it. Whatever it costs, it's likely to improve the potential value of the car.

Well that looks a bit of a show stopper that you have there, John. And I guess that’s a rather unusual colour too. The sun roof on my IS250 was indeed an optional extra. I was told that the original owner (I’m the second) paid an additional £1000 for it - and had to wait 3 months extra for delivery as a result. I’m delighted that he did. Mind you, It’s usually claimed that while you pay extra for such extras on a new car, that’s often not reflected in its value as a used car. Still, that’s what negotiations are for.

I have a similar experience. A passing stranger at a BP station offered to remove a stuck Lexus dust cap with which I was struggling. He successfully removed the cap - but unfortunately took the valve stem with it! But I simply popped on the SpaceSaver and drove to a tyre centre where they replaced the TPMS valve. No amount of 'glue' would have solved that problem. Which reminds me, check that all the dust caps are plastic and not metal. Unless regularly greased (eg Vaseline) and checked, metal caps tend to corrode on to the valve. I can confirm this too. Sometimes there are benefits to having your head closer to your feet.

Thank you John. But it suddenly occurred to me that you might have thought my last post was directed at your good self. I would not be so presumptuous. It was of course additional info for the OP. A phrase incorporating dog, old, tricks, new and teach springs to mind. 🙂 PS: Not that I’m suggesting you can’t learn new tricks! PPS: You know how sometimes you think a post might have been better if it had ended a couple of sentences earlier….

I thought you might find this useful. It’s information on dealing with used car dealers. It includes such goodies as a specimen letter of complaint, your rights under the Consumer Protection Act 2015 - and how to get a refund. https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-complain-about-a-car-dealer-atBv04B9OXas https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/letter/letter-rejecting-a-new-or-used-car-bought-from-a-dealer-aeziX3M7tYNw Should just about cover it!

When I read this, I have to say my flabber was well and truly gasted! If this dealer is a part of a larger Group, then I would suggest a registered letter to the Group CEO detailing your complaints will concentrate minds. The Dealer certainly has the right to have the chance to rectify faults, but you cannot be placed in a position of loss as a result of their failure to fulfil the Contract they entered in to. My first reaction here would be to name this Dealer. If other posters have had similar experiences with them this may well resolve the question as to whether you persevere with this car or get an immediate refund - which you are entitled to have as the vehicle sold to you was not in the condition you were told it would be! Where to start? Well, if you're a member of the AA/RAC or similar (and if not, why not?) then I would call their Legal Department. They've been dealing with Use Car Dealers for decades! the vehicle was not buffed (while the dealer told me it will be), and when I mentioned it to him, he said, these scratches can not be buffed. Depends on whether he made the second statement before or after you'd bought it! Nonsense. The legal limit is 1.6mm but I doubt any tyre maker would recommend going below 3mm. The Tread Wear Indicators are there for a reason. This is a clip from the Continental Tyre website: Tread wear indicators are spaced evenly through the main grooves in the tyre tread. If they are flush with the level of the tread, then the tyre must be replaced. You have to question the competence of a workshop that fits a new windscreen and doesn't check the Auto Wipe function. Of course it should be working! The dealer says, the vehicle has 12 months full Lexus Warranty. You should have been given a copy. Check the conditions that apply. The faults of which you are complaining are of their own making and a result of their failure to honour their side of the Sales Contract. You should not be inconvenienced or caused a loss as a result. So if you wanted to persevere with this car I would be inclined to state that they will collect it, leave you with a courtesy vehicle as you need one for work etc and return the car to you in the condition you had paid for. Which includes new tyres and functioning Auto Wipe. Their other option is an immediate refund. Oh, and I'd probably be less inclined to deal with them in the future! Remember, right now is when you are in the strongest negotiating position.

Wise words indeed! As you can see, I have a mk3 and I’m delighted with it. Personally I prefer the sharper lines of the mk3 to the earlier versions- but that’s totally subjective. As for driving comparisons, I can’t comment as this is the only Lexus I’ve ever driven! But it suits me fine. Mine came with the 18” wheels and low profile tyres, which is a combination that’s supposed to give better handling at the expense of a firmer ride. In retrospect I might have preferred the 17” wheels with either Michelin CrossClimates or Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5s for a marginally more comfortable ride. Also a tyre combination well suited to all-season use.and good wet road performance. As you’re obviously aware, there’s quite a range of trim levels so that might also influence your choice. Mine happened to be a Premier version and I have no complaints about the cabin materials or finish. I believe it also has a better Mark Levinson audio system than the mk2 - if such things are important to you. However, the sat nav is the weak point of the car in terms of features. It’s clunky to use, only updateable by dealers and possibly not supported any more now anyway. I use my Garmin. I also ensured that mine had a SpacerSaver spare tyre, in case I ever found myself stuck with just the liquid glop solution. I also appreciate the presence of a sunroof. I don’t have it open (no point) but it does make the cabin area feel a lot airier and more spacious. As a Lexus owner this must all be familiar to you anyway. I’m sure we’ll be interested to know what you finally end up with.

As no-one has yet appeared to answer your question, I take it that you haven’t found the answers in the car’s Navigation manual. If you don’t have one, it can be downloaded from the Lexus.co.uk site. I don’t know if your system is radically different from my older version, but the Lexus Sat nav does not have many admirers. Personally I use my Garmin, others use their phones, in preference. Your system may also need its database updating, which is a dealer job for which they charge a significant sum.

Logically, Linus, I think you and Herbs are probably right. What attracts me is the technological sophistication of a system that provides a simple, elegant, almost flawless solution to a problem that I don’t actually have! It would be a pure indulgence. So not entirely ruled out…

As it happens, Herbs, I have one of these in the garage…but not sure I still have the right key! The key I have probably fits an alternative type of steering lock I also had that pretty well covered the whole wheel. As you rightly say, they are very effective visual deterrents. The problem I always had with them was that they lay in the passenger footwell - or behind the passenger seat, if occupied. - when not in use. They were sometimes a bit clumsy to fit, required an additional key to unlock, and were capable of marking the wheel. And obviously you had to go through the process every time. Because the one time you didn’t…. But to be fair, none of my cars that used them ever got stolen! What interested me about the Ghost system in particular is that it’s automatically armed just by locking the car. And unlocked by a natural action that only takes a couple of extra seconds. Nothing to store away, no additional key to carry around or - worse still - potentially lose! But your visual deterrent point is a good one. They do supply a warning window sticker - might deter the ‘pro’ who’s planning a targeted attack, but the opportunist chancer might not even notice it. But crucially, is it worth it for a six-year old car?

What with our social activities being severely curtailed, and there being a limit to the number of times I can wash it, I've been looking for entertaining ways to fiddle with the Lexus. At home I keep the keys tucked away in a Faraday pouch, which I occasionally take out to the car to check that it's still effective. But on my occasional forays to supermarket car parks, for example, I am aware that some folk will clone the key from the signal it's transmitting. So I was thinking of investing in a more sophisticated immobiliser system. And two seemed to be an attractive proposition, but raise some questions. Fit The Ghost Immobiliser. I like the concept of this one. As I understand it (not guaranteed to be correct, I might add) although the engine will start on the pressing of the Start button, this then requires the pressing of any combination of buttons - and even pedals - before the gear selector can be shifted out of Park. If it doesn't detect this combination, then the engine stops. It's claimed that the system can't be hacked (via the OBD Port, for example) or even detected along the wiring loom. This combination can be changed at any time - and even suspended if the car's in for a service, or your valet's parking it. I suspect that even if the car's keys are cloned, an experienced thief will spot the problem as soon as the engine stalls and get out sharpish. The novice will possibly keep trying to start the engine, hopefully until interrupted. Fit The Laserline Now this - and similar systems - all claim to be very effective. And can be obtained with various additional security measures. (The eight inch spike projected up through the driver's seat does seem a tad extreme, however.) My problem with this system is that you have to have on you - or at least in the vehicle - and additional pouch that activates the system. So again even if cloned, the Lexus key alone is insufficient. However, the drawback is that you now have to carry an additional key! Which also gives a thief the chance to steal it or persuade you to hand it over. Do Nothing Of course the final point is: It's a six year old IS 250. Is it likely that thieves going equipped to clone car keys are going to bother with it in the first place? Any thoughts?