LenT

Well not knowing the details, John, I can't really comment much further. As I said, I can't vouch for the product after 1992 when it was bought back by the US brand owners. But I can't ever recall even a single instance of the effect you describe. Quite the contrary in fact. Did the Opel Ascona continue to have the same problem or did it resolve itself? Because once correctly treated, the UK formulation remained an effective coating for around 100,00 miles in normal use. So if it was due to the 'Slack50' it wouldn't have gone away. The only instances in which motorists didn't see a performance improvement were usually associated with not following the highlighted instructions. Namely, it was essential that the product was introduced only after a full oil and filter change. I recall the AA distributing a Press Release which claimed they had tested five cars and seen no worthwhile performance improvements. I attended a meeting with Harry Toms and the AA reps. during which Harry asked to see the old oil filters off the test cars. After a considerable delay, a mechanic turn up to admit that they didn't have the old filters...because they hadn't changed them! This meant that the ptfe particles would be trapped by the old filter and never even get to the rest of the engine. Unsurprisingly, the AA never published another Press Release admitting this!

Yes, it could...if you were brave enough. I never was, for reasons beautifully demonstrated by the video you supplied! But then why wouldn't it? After all, the gear selector only had three positions: Forward, Neutral, Reverse. Life was so much simpler in those days.

I do believe there was actually a truck version. I do know that there was also a single seater racer for a while, but I believe the rubber drive belt was replaced with a steel one.

I was intrigued to come across this statement. Firstly because it’s unusual to come across an engine additive that actually stops the engine working. And secondly because I was the Creative Director of the ad agency that launched Slick 50 in the UK and wrote all the material. Now this was in 1985 and I wonder what year you had this experience? Although a product called Slick 50 existed in the USA, what was launched in the UK was very different indeed. And really worked – we had the tests to prove it! The rights to the brand name were acquired by a company called Petrolon UK, run by Harry Toms, who was, I believe, an industrial chemist. The marketing was by Chris Mitchell. We launched in 1985 in the Sunday Papers having stocked it in over 400 Halfords stores – and sold out within days. What Harry achieved was to completely reformulate the product and reduce the platelet size of the ptfe molecules. So the only similarity with the US product was the brand name - and possibly still is. I hope that's clear! However, in August 1992, Chris sold the marketing rights back to the US company and I certainly can’t confidently state that the unique formulation remained unchanged – to say the least! But as far as launching the UK version is concerned, we had to present the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) with compelling supporting evidence before we could run any press, TV or even packaging claims. And obviously we succeeded in doing that! In fact, with regard to engines slowing down, I recall one practical test we conducted at Mallory Park circuit. We took three ordinary small saloons and treated two with Slick 50. The oil was then drained from all three and they set off in convoy around the circuit at about 40mph. One, incidentally, driven by Roger Clark. In less than a lap the untreated engine overheated and seized up. The other two continued for 50 laps until Roger said he was bored and had had enough! I can go into a lot more detail – if anyone’s interested?! It was an interesting product (well, to me anyway) because there were many competitive parties with axes to grind (to coin a phrase) who were desperate to claim Slick 50 didn’t work. And they all failed.

Many thanks Vladimir. I knew I could rely on someone to know! And yes, it is a 3rd Generation - unless anyone knows differently. 🙂 Incidentally, is the Lexus CVT box in anyway similar to the CVT used in the DAF55? I ask because I was involved in marketing them - but that would be for another thread!

Well you’ve clearly and very sensibly been able to work out what you want and what you’re getting, despite all the current restrictions. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to sharing the experience with you. I was interested in your comments regarding the automatic. I’m a tad over twice your age and although I’d driven autos I never thought I’d buy one. Somehow it seemed to be the choice of someone who didn’t really enjoy driving. However, when I tried the IS250 I was impressed with the auto box. I don’t know if it’s the same one as you’re getting (possibly someone will mention it!) But now I am - to coin a phrase - fully converted. At first I did play with the flappy paddles, as a sort of compromise, but eventually decided that having someone change gears for me was now an integral part of the overall Lexus experience. In fact, changing my own gears in our other car has become rather an irritation! All the best for tomorrow.

Personally I would assess the value of the four missing programmes and evaluate the qualities of the two offerings - which is exactly what I’ve done with all our appliances. I am someone who does not automatically go for the lowest quote, for example. But having said that, Linus, you might be amused to learn that the Lexus I bought was the first Lexus I had even noticed, the first I sat in, the first I drove and the only one I looked at! And I never even knew what other options might have been available. True, I did then spend some time reading reviews and checking out prices. But as a purchase, I can say it has actually exceeded my expectations. And I’m sure Gary will feel the same with his!

And a good thought at that. Except when the ignition is turned off, and I get in and buckle up, the seat and steering wheel self-adjust - eager to please. They do the reverse when I unbuckle and sense that I’m planning to exit. Normally, of course, it would all be done by the Butler.

Except, my seat has 3 positions. I use one in summer when I’m usually just wearing something summery above the waist, and one in winter when I’m bulked out by a jacket. That leaves a spare that I’ve never used and never will. However I’m sure that if the car was driven by three different people then memory seats would be very useful. But otherwise it’s a bit like buying a washing machine because it has 14 programmes- but only ever using three!

Jeez! It was only a casual afterthought!!! In fact I tried to find a Full spec for a 2014 IS300h - and failed. But unlike Linus, it didn’t occur to me to look on the web under media.Toyota. So thank you, Linus - something new learnt today. But if it’s any consolation, Gary, my 2015 IS Premier has the 15-speaker ML system and it’s totally wasted on me, what with my 76-year old ears. What’s more important is that it’s only one more sleep until Gary discovers that it’s not what the car doesn’t have that matters. It’s the joy that the rest of it will give that counts.

I’m sure you’ll be delighted with your choice, Gary. They are handsome designs, very comfortable to drive and ownership is a very satisfying experience. You’d have to be extraordinarily unlucky to enjoy anything less than a renowned level of reliability. But it’s a good move to take out the 3-year Lexus Service Plan. As far as the speakers are concerned, I think the 2014 model will have the 13 speaker Mark Levinson sound system, which even to my aged ears perform more than adequately.

Now there’s a drive down memory lane. That was my first car too - and what halfwit ever thought vacuum wipers were a good idea. Going uphill or trying to accelerate in the rain - and the wipers would slow down and stop! Eventually I fitted an electric motor to take over the task. But if I recall correctly (and I may not) the vacuum takeoff came in useful when I fitted a vacuum-operated brake servo. It also had a four-barrel Carter carb and I’d had the head skimmed. For a while it also had a sack of coal in the boot to improve the snow-covered hill climbing performance.

Harsh. But true. 😊

And with one bound you leap straight into another minefield. 😄 I changed the Yokos I got it with for new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5s. And have been very happy with their performance. Excellent wet weather grip, which is my personal priority, as well as excellent dry road handling. A quiet and comfortable ride, too. So they would be my recommendation. But other opinions are available!

The factory set up works pretty well, I can confirm. But as John just pointed out, changing the aspect ratio may have a slight effect on speedo reading. More significantly, by using tyres with a deeper and thus more flexible sidewall you will alter the ride and handling characteristics. So the tyre may provide a slightly more comfortable ride, but that will be at the expense of its ability to provide the same degree of effective cornering. All tyre characteristics are essentially a trade off of different qualities. So how you drive is possibly the most important deciding factor.

I think Gary has already established that it’s an Executive trim version. And I don’t think the total cost has been mentioned, which might be a factor. But I would suggest that the total ownership experience of a Lexus IS is greater than the sum of its parts. Real life performance is more than just adequate- and sticking it Sport mode does noticeably sharpen it up. Forget the YouTube witterings of self-styled Motoring pundits who complain about fractions of seconds. The only strange thing about the IS series to me is that Lexus Is discontinuing it in the UK while launching newer versions on the USA! Go for it - and enjoy.

Looking at the original spec for the IS300, which may include all versions, I notice that it only comes with the emergency injectable tyre kit, not even a spacesaver wheel. I can testify from personal experience that you may be very glad that you insisted on a proper wheel - even a speed restricted one - should a tyre develop anything more than just a slow leak. I certainly was when a helpful lad broke the entire valve while trying to release the dust cap! In that case even injecting the chemical glop would have been impossible. Oh, and obviously check that the dust caps are the easily removable plastic type and not the metal ones that tend to corrode on the valve and lead to helpful motorists ripping the valve out while trying to remove the dust cap and costing you a £75 charge to replace the TPM valve! Or have I mentioned that before? Not that I was annoyed, you understand.

Very true and an increasing problem where speed cushions are a popular form of ‘traffic calming’, such as any of the towns near us! However the recommended method of keeping only one wheel on the cushion, so that the tyre is always flat on the road surface, can result in broken coil springs. I speak from experience! Another problem occurring in Milton Keynes is uneven tyre wear because so much of the driving is negotiating roundabouts. Apparently this is also reflected in uneven brake wear.

Looking at the tread depth indicators, it’s clear that the tread depth is still legal - but equally obvious that it’s uneven. Clearly this should be addressed because it’s wasteful with regard to tyre life and inefficient when it comes to overall driving performance. However, while 1.6mm may be the legal limit, whether it should be regarded as an acceptable minimum is debatable. Personally I start to think about new tyres at about 3mm. Interestingly (well you be the judge) in May 2017 Michelin revealed the results of tests they conducted on 26 different tyres. They claimed that wet braking distances almost doubled on some examples as they approached the legal minimum. Somewhat confusingly they also claimed that motorist were replacing tyres too early in their tread life, creating huge amounts of general waste. Unsurprisingly the point of this research was to support their claim that Michelins were specifically designed and constructed to maintain their wet weather performance right down to the legal limit. Now I’m generally a fan of Michelin, but I would be nervous of trying to power a tyre with, say, 2mm of tread, through a sheet of standing water that’s, say, 4mm deep, because I am not convinced that its water dispersal ability is anywhere near what it was at 6 mm.

I share your pain, as they say these days... For our very first house we bought a newly launched Canon gas cooker with the eye-level grill and rotisserie. So for some years we enjoyed the luxury of spit-roasted legs of lamb, chickens and assorted kebabs. Then we moved and we’ve been all-electric ever since and despite being reasonable appliances, they never seemed to have a similar facility. I think free-standing, counter-top rotisseries are available, but such an addition may exceed my permitted quota of kitchen toys.

I’m with you there. Having once had the unnerving experience of a downhill slide on an only mildly damp road, wet performance has always been my first consideration - fairly quickly followed by dry road, comfort and noise level.

Didn't see that coming! ☺️ But I'm sure you'll be delighted with them.

I see that’s already been well answered by Vladimir and already acted upon by yourself. Do let us know how you get on.

Just wondered...why? Wired like that the camera is no longer able to protect the car once you’ve left it. You can get a power supply regulator that connects to a live supply and will keep the camera active and able to respond to knocks, hits and attempts to break in. These regulators can be set so that should the battery voltage drop below a preset level, they disconnect the camera, so there’s no risk of the camera draining the battery. Having had dashcams for years, I can testify to the usefulness of one that can continue to operate with the ignition off - in car parks, for example. I think cameras such as Nextbase may have a backup battery that will give a few minutes supply when the car is parked. But that’s not the same as having the greater capacity of the car’s battery to call on.

I thought I would try to get a definitive answer to the question of cat security for my car - a 2015 IS250 Premier. So I contacted the Lexus dealer from whom I had bought it. The After Sales Manager of the Service Department confirmed that there were three units on the exhaust system, but replied that Lexus does not have a security fitment for my model. However he added, for reassurance, that there had been no such thefts reported involving my model to date. He didn’t confirm whether that was Lexus UK or just Lexus MK. Or why it had apparently not attracted chummy’s interest. Perhaps there are simply not enough of that model around? I can’t imagine that the dealer would have turned down the opportunity to make an accessory sale if the opportunity had presented itself. So either I remain reassured or wait to see if Catlock replies to my query.