SPB

My old IS250 is listed on Autotrader. I traded it to a Mercedes dealer for £8,500 in December last year, and they put it through an auction. The first dealer refurbished the wheels and repaired a small scratch on the bumper and then advertised it for seven months, at steadily decreasing prices until it was listed for less than the trade-in value. That dealer then moved it on to a second dealer who still has it listed for sale over eight months after I traded it. I was pleased to make a small profit over the 18 months that I owned the car, but maybe they are not so easy for a trader to sell in the current market. If it helps, I used Motorway to arrive at a realistic trade value, and then used that value to negotiate the trade-in price.

I have just listed an unused Android head unit in the sales forum if you, or anyone else, is looking for one.

I have no experience with the nav version of the IS as my car has the Pioneer system so I cannot comment on the relative benefits but, even in cars with factory nav, I use Waze for navigation so a lack of factory nav does not bother me. There is a very basic reversing distance display in non nav cars. If anyone can recommend a reliable Android head unit I would prefer that, but this setup works for now. I use an Android phone, paired with an Amazon Echo Auto stored in the centre console plugged into the USB and Aux in sockets for bluetooth calls and streaming. Android 10 and 11 have an Android Auto app with a simplified user interface. A MacroDroid app opens Android Auto when bluetooth connects and I then use Alexa or Google voice commands. I use Amazon Music but others apps can be set as default. Named playlists can be called up by voice and music mutes for phone calls. My phone holder is similar to this one and the lowered centre section of dash top means it does not obstruct my view. https://www.amazon.co.uk/EReach-Silicone-Non-Slip-Samsung-Different/dp/B01DWEXM82/ref=sr_1_10?crid=32UZU95VWL7TF&dchild=1&keywords=dash+top+phone+holder&qid=1627944236&sprefix=dash+top+phone+ho%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-10 With long battery life on my phone I don't need trailing charger cables.

TLDR: I tested it with Amazon Music, making announcements etc, and it works just like the home units with decent sound through the car speakers. I know this is a late reply Peter, but I recently installed an Echo Auto that I picked up for £25 on Black Friday. My car is an IS250 - without nav, and I found that my phone usually connected for calls only, with no streaming. The non-nav bluetooth setup menus are awkward, so I needed a workaround. To avoid trailing wires I connected the Echo via the Aux socket in the centre console and I leave it in there connected to my phone. My phone has very long battery life so I mount it horizontally on the dash as a satnav display, without trailing cables, and the 'Android Auto for Phone Screens' app handles voice commands for Amazon Music, Waze etc. If I ever want to use the Echo I can slide back the centre console lid and it picks up voice commands. If my regular bluetooth connection was more reliable I would have simply used Android Auto but the Echo bridges the gap for me.

It is a used IS250 F Sport, I needed a petrol engined car for my wife's short commute, but after the test drive I think our diesel X3 may no longer be the first choice for weekend use.

After years of BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and JLR ownership I am finally taking the plunge and buying a Lexus. I've lurked around the forum as a guest for a couple of weeks, so thanks to you all for posting a wealth of information. Hopefully I will collect the car at the weekend and become reacquainted with filling up at the less smelly pump. Paul