Sundance

Hi Andy, Wheel/body colour contrast is very subjective. I bought mine for the condition & mileage not the alloys. I don't think I've seen another IS250 like it and oddly I think silver suits the car better, but then it was a bit of fun having the 'bad boy' look for a couple of years ...

Sounds like the "smoky granite mica" option 😉 .

Hi Huw, enjoy the Forum. Are you looking to buy or have you bought? If the former then my advice would be to check that the mileage has been consistent such that the car hasn't been off the road for long periods between usage stints. Similarly the MoTs need to show regularity and preferably minimal advisories, interior condition should then be excellent and you should also be able to tell if it's been garaged. Mechanics are not really my thing, others can contribute on that, so I look for obvious visual signs. All I can say is that caliper pins need to be checked annually as they have a tendency to stiffen over time and need lubricating (a common issue). I bought my (06) 250 in Oct 2020 with just 29k on the clock. It had been in regular use with good MoT history and after 2 years I sold it (36k miles) having spent nothing other than consumables and servicing. A thoroughly reliable and enjoyable car to drive. Good Luck.

It's all right for you lot up North 😉 ! Next you'll be suggesting it's a cunning wheeze to get out of paying the Congestion Charge ... or even ULEZ!! Hmmm ... now there's a thought 🤔

Not forgetting that auto A/C might drop it by maybe another 2mpg ... well that's what I find anyway.

Haha ... brilliant! 👏.

Good on yer Ray, that is amazing, most impressive! 👏 I thought mine might be up there but you can't beat a complete clean sheet 😳 . How long have you owned it and what's your mileage (if you don't mind me asking)?

Just sailed through with a welcome 'green' pass for another year, having bought it just last December. 👍 In fact it's had 15 MoTs in its life, all 'green' except three 'oranges' ... two for tyre wear (2010 & 2017) & one for a worn brake disc (2016). 👏 Such a record was a major reason behind me buying it and I intend to keep it 'green' going forward. 🤢 As everyone on here knows, you look after your car and it will look after you. 😊 Happy days, am enjoying the ride. 🥂

Hi James, I'm afraid that rather extended link doesn't work for me, not sure if it will for others but I may be wrong 🤔 . Either way it looks like a Telegraph piece for which you have to subscribe (and pay?) before reading on 👎 . That said, I'm guessing that the thrust behind your post is for further R&D into hydrogen instead of electricity for vehicle power, a way forward with which I am in complete agreement. Here's another link that will hopefully work ... and it's free ... https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/hydrogen-cars-could-soon-compete-180000216.html

If you need registrations currently in the public domain then I suggest you go to AutoTrader and select some 05/55s similar to yours, which is what I did in my earlier post. Don't give in and good luck. 🤞

Ezzie, I've just noticed that on the motorway.com ULEZ compliant test site this is what comes up ... ... so maybe you can use this to indicate the problem with the TfL response. 😉

Ezzie, here's what I presume is an equivalent to yours (pinched off AutoTrader) so you should be ULEZ compliant ... That said, Bill has a good point about Congestion Charge, check if you were in the Zone! 🤔

... because, sadly, the strongest likelihood is ... that he's NOT!

The sooner more draconian restrictions are introduced to restrict holiday (second) homes the better chance dear old Cornwall will have of reviving its financial fortunes.

Ah yes, but now you've moved into another category Robby as statistically the older you get the more likely you are to have an accident! It's a lose-lose I'm afraid 🙄 . Sad but true 🤷‍♂️ .

That's a negative Len, just hang it up to dry after use. (The cloth that is ... not the tissue! 😁 )

Also a good idea to invest in a microfibre cloth or two Len, it will further minimise any abrasive contact. My detailer actually gave me three with a bottle of his magic maintenance moisture for this very purpose ... aerial attack from the rear gunner! 🕊️

That's an extraordinary price on the 400h ... at least £4k over the top. The prime consideration must be the low mileage, at just the time for replacement cambelt & water pump, but the interior's not much to shout about. In need of a good clean and thorough detail ... but that's for another thread. 😊

Sorry Malcolm, I've no doubt that you're referring to my interaction with my good friend Linas. It's purely an exchange between two people who choose not to understand each other. 🙄 That said, I must just clear up one mute point for the avoidance of any doubt. 👇 Nobody is suggesting that the low quality of "Tesco" or High Street car washes is because those that do the washing are from Eastern Europe. Furthermore, it's absolutely nothing to do with xenophobia and all who think otherwise are suffering from both ignorance and unenlightenment and need to educate themselves about the UK in the 21st Century. 😉 Now let's get back on topic ... apologies friends. 😊

Are we therefore to presume that you are sometimes tempted to provide dishonest feedback? 🤔 Perish the thought eh? 😂

You're quite right Len and I think that appreciation was well understood by Linas although I'm not quite sure why he decided to further focus on the origin of the workers involved because most of them actually are from Eastern Europe! I know, because I've had very open and pleasant conversations with many of them. And yes, I get your very valid point about the ineffectiveness of a cheap car wash and the potential of damage to the paintwork. They don't really care, they just take the cash ... no credit/debit cards or online payment for them! I wonder why? 🤫

Clearly your "ignore list" isn't very effective. Interesting though that any hint of a pragmatic challenge or reasoned response to your often random & complex posts puts one on your "ignore list". Probably not coincidence. 😉 Anyway, if you read again you'll see that it was actually you who quoted "£90 for WASH ONLY". I was simply clarifying that with you and updating you on valet/detailing costs that you incorrectly quoted and still don't seem to want to revisit. Where is that again btw? 🤔 Of course you're absolutely right that you don't drive away from a mobile detailer who arrives at your house, but then that was not in context. I was remarking on you quoting the IS as being "large" in a car wash visit, from which you CAN drive away. Anyways, I don't consider it an argument, those are your words. This a Forum for open discussion ... but then if I'm on your "ignore list" I doubt that we'll have any more opportunities for polite and reasoned discussion. Never mind. 👋

No change there then Linas old bean! Then I question your figures. As so often your levels of exaggeration exceed no bounds. Oh, and by the way, if you agree to the IS being "large" then that's another rip-off, you tell them it's "medium" or drive away. 😉 Even a quick Google will show you that you can get an entry level mobile valet for a "medium saloon" including alloys, Ph neutral snow foam, wash/rinse, dry, polish, interior vacuum, tyre dress & glass clean for just £100 ... and that's in Kensington/Chelsea/Fulham! You don't get much more LONDON than that! So I have no idea where you get your costs from. 🤷‍♂️ But then as you declare as "other/nonUK" I suspect that you're way out of date or maybe even plucking figures out of the sky. 🤔 The equivalent to my £150 FULL valet/detail (not "mini detail" - no idea what that is!) in Central/SW London comes to £350. But then that's London prices for you and yet nowhere in my regular travels to the capital have I ever come across a £90 car wash. Where is that btw?

Not a lot of point quoting big figures without explaining what you get for the money. I've shown you what I get for £30 and what I got for £150 was one hell of a lot more. If you're paying £150-£240 for a quick wash & dubious polish then that's your choice but you need to shop around. This detailing/valeting game is big business and highly regarded but, as with any service, there will be cowboys roaming the range to pick off the stragglers (bit of a mixed metaphor but you know what I mean 😄 ). Also, if they ask for cash only then I doubt that they're professionals. My guy is very knowledgeable about all things paint, alloys, interiors, dents & dings and he gets paid online. He rocks up in a fully equipped, built-to-order (ie. water, generator, fittings etc) branded van and I often need to book him 10-14 days in advance ... so he's a busy boy. His other vehicle is a Jag XF-R Sport so he can't be doing too badly. That said, my account with him (including my neighbour's BMW & my son's Tesla) is nothing compared with many of his high end regulars (Ferrari, Aston, Bentley) who clearly value his quality work and help promote him, so I guess that's where his main income lies. 😉