Sundance

Thanks for your input Ken, although I guess there must be a difference somewhere seeing as your Anker is described as a 'receiver' and my VicTsing is called a 'transmitter' 🤔. At least the automatic connection is the same as, like your Anker, the VicTsing also does this and pairs as soon as my phone enters the car. Maybe a bit more research is required on my part so that next time I might have an extra option ... to go for the invisible rather than the unobtrusive. 😄

Thanks again Richard, your recommendation has helped guide me. After trying out (and returning) three unsuitable Nulaxy transmitters I've purchased a VicTsing incorporating Bluetooth v5.0 that has improvements over your v4.1 ... as perhaps one would expect in this ever improving sequential and technological world 🙂. It's just the job, fits the cigarette socket like a glove, is effective and unobtrusive, exactly what I wanted ... and all for £12.99 👌 ... just in case you're thinking of an upgrade 😉.

Cheers Richard, that VicTsing you highlight looks similar to the ones I've been investigating ... good to know I'm on the right track. 👍

Appreciate your interest Vlad but it's the lighter socket bluetooth transmitter I'm after, just a simple one-piece fitment like the one Richard has highlighted that he had in his V70 ... cheap and cheerful, no kits, no GROMs, no cables and no adapters necessary. Having done a bit more searching it looks like the Nulaxy or VicTsing brands are favourite as long as they have USB sockets that are accessible vertically out of the ash tray recess.

My (new-to-me) IS is not blessed with bluetooth so I've been looking around for a suitably inexpensive cigarette lighter gizmo mainly to provide for hands-free phone calls. I've been trying out the Nulaxy brand but have realised that as the car ash tray assembly is so deeply inset I require a fitting that incorporates the USB and other music/charging sockets facing upwards rather than sideways. I also notice that the VicTsing brand is so similar to the Nulaxy range that I suspect they are in some way in cahoots. The ones I have bought, tried, tested and since sent back for being unsuitable (NX14 and KM29) seem to work fine for hands free calls - not tried them for music but that's not really what I want it for - although the one I did try with up-pointing sockets (NX11) sadly failed to work! So has anyone had any experience of either or both types of strong enough to recommend? Or maybe there's another option available to me without having to go down the more expensive route of permanent car modification ... ?

Received my February renewal from Esure @ £387 so I compared online to find that the best quote turned out to be £311 ... with Esure! So I called Esure who were able to verify that I had received a lower quote from them using an online comparison site and would I like them to match it for my renewal? Clearly 'yes' ... so for exactly the same cover I have now agreed a renewal of £307. It seems to prove my theory, which I also experience every time my RAC cover falls due, that annual renewals are loaded (I think it's known as 'premium-walk' or some such term) such that the providers rely upon many customers automatically renewing without question which is where they make an easy profit. A guy I spoke to at the RAC actually admitted this to me last year - he was just leaving their employ! So ALWAYS query and challenge your renewal by seeking other quotes, I know it's a pain but gone are the days where loyalty is taken into account ... if anything it's quite the opposite! Pressure is apparently being applied to prevent Insurance Companies offering new customers a cheaper premium than existing customers for the same risk but I don't think it's reached the statute books yet.

Black it is then ... thanks guys. 👍

How about this ...

I bought my Lexus with what appear to be 'black polished' alloys, wheels that I now believe to be referred to as 'anthracite'. Research suggests that these are more expensive than standard 'chrome' alloys so I've upped my kerb awareness accordingly. But are they standard Lexus issue or are they more likely to be refurbished? Either way how can I tell? Any guidance on this would be much appreciated.

I find it too - as a recent first time Lexus owner - and given that it occurs the further you turn the wheels I've been wondering whether it's anything to do with the tight turning circle which is far tighter than most other cars I've owned.

Assurance

Blunt

PS ... I'm not a Villa fan! ... that'll be Poundy. ⚽

To be fair Marlon the manual diesel X type was very good to me and I enjoyed every minute of the 6 years I owned it. The IS250 is quite a different animal but I'm increasingly enjoying the experience ... just 2 months in. Switching to a superbly quiet petrol 2.5 auto after so long on manual diesels (Peugeots for many years before the X type) is quite disconcerting and, for me at least, it's taking some getting used to. Perhaps as a result of my lack of the experience of 'relatively modern' automatics I find myself using the 'sport' mode click-shift a lot which is fun and very smooth. But the one thing I'm finding difficult to get used to is the foot (hand!) brake. But I'll get there ... eventually! 😉

It certainly is. My V5C states the engine number as 4GR followed by 7 numbers, but no mention of '-FSE', can anyone verify the significance of 'FSE' or know of it's relevance?

£39 Poundy 😳 ... is it a 3-wheeler then? 😆 ... or special rates for Villains? 😉

Mill

Fermented

Alimony

That said, the purchaser has just pulled out so the complete fitment is back on the market ... see 'Buy & Sell Parts & Accessories' Forum.

Apologies John, you're right ... the 3-bolt frames on each side that support the exhaust also provide support for the underside brackets of the towbar frame of which I was previously unaware. Still relatively easy to fit/remove though, providing you're blessed with a degree of patience. 😉

Stone.

Yep, thanks for that John, I remember googling that too ... but the alternative (my 3rd para) view is still of interest as clearly not everybody is in agreement. 😉

This is new to me, as is the car, as is petrol rather than diesel ... but each time I visit the pumps and open the filler cap a brief rush of air escapes, almost as if I'm releasing a vacuum. Never happened to my diesel cars. Naturally I've googled it and I'm getting mixed opinions. Some say that it's a natural phenomenon as the fuel system is pressurised and some cars have a 'fuel tank vapour system' that produces this effect. Others seem to think that the escape of air is the sign of a fault as the tank should be able to breath this vapour out and something might therefore be blocked. Does anyone else experience this and/or can it be explained? I'm sure that my experience is not unique and I'd really like to know the real reason behind my fuel tank gently farting at me when I go to fill it! 🤔

Just posted the towbar in the 'Buy & Sell Parts & Accessories' Forum.