Hugh R

Mercedes will work at speeds up to 15mph I think - a perfectly reasonable reversing time. Just that now and again I find it useful on the Merc. Any idea what Lexus cars have this and when they started? Although their system doesn't sound too wonderful.

Not really a gimmick on my little Mercedes A160 from 2009. Sometimes very useful to just let the car do the work and parallel park itself quickly and accurately if there are cars waiting impatiently behind!

Can anyone tell me from what date (if any) the IS 250 started to be available with: a) Radar cruise control for distance from car in front. b) Parallel parking guide going forwards into space. c) Full Park Assist. If c) was never available what is the nearest, earliest model alternative to have it. Big thanks to anyone who might know.

I'm thinking of buying a 2006 IS 250L and the owner has said he will be replacing the two rear tyres which have low treads. These are 18" Spider design wheels. All Kumho. The fronts have good treads: 225/40 ZR18 92Y. The rears which will be replaced are: 255/35 ZR18 94Y. I'm slightly concerned as the rears are not the specs suggested by Lexus: 255/40 R18 95Y. The wheels and tyres were supplied (I imagine new) from a main Lexus dealer. He says that's how they came, so he thinks they must be correct. So the question is, should I ask for replacements to be 255/40 or would it be safe to leave well alone when he might replace like for like, i.e. 255/35. I'm no expert and he says he isn't either. Advice needed please.

Certainly not been scared off - but thanks for the thought. I'll probably be back to ask more once I've had a chance to see, sit in, drive the car. One of the big problems with lockdown is travel - and there are no IS's around here simply to look at. I really need to see and sit in an IS as I'm slightly worried by their seemingly high waistline, and although I'm tall was quite surprised at how claustrophobic a friends 2015 Mercedes A class felt. Windows should have started lower I thought, so will have to wait and see if the same is not true of the IS. Here's hoping!

This is very interesting and never having owned this car didn't know - but thought you HAD to have larger back tyres. So, as i'm a careful, rather elderly driver who can't trust their reflexes any more (yes it will happen to you too) i think I can safely go to these 225's and probably buy the front brand of Kumho for the time being. Although I will also weigh carefully what LenT has said. Fascinated by all the suggestions, a great help and amused by the enthusiasm tyres can cause and also the silly byways social media can lead you down if you're not careful! Think it's time to call a halt to this thread - as scudney says, I've haven't even bought the car yet! Thanks people for guiding me to make up my mind. Over and out.

Not necessarily! Very drawn to Goodyear 5's as sooner or later front will need to be replaced.

OK - Now here's the thing - just been told that rear tyres are fairly close to legal limit and current owner will replace them before selling. Thus if it's the wrong size anyway I'll request 255/40/R18 as replacements. The front Kumho are correct specs at 225/40/R18 with v. good depth. Only question now is WHAT brand should be replacements for rear? Kumho again or another quiet premium tyre that I can copy onto front in time?

Now I'm really confused. 245?? Handbook only mentions 225 and 255. And the rear tyre specs were e-mailed from the owner!! Wow.

At present the car has Kumho F: 225/40 (ZR18 92Y) R: 255/35 (ZR18 94Y) And I'm thinking I might prefer Dunlop RT2 all round. So, would be the specs for the Dunlops front and rear be the same as these for the most comfortable and quietest ride?

But Linus says you can't fit the same size tyres? What have I not understood?! At present the car has Kumho F: 225/40 (ZR18 92Y) R: 255/35 (ZR18 94Y) And I'm thinking I might prefer Dunlop RT2 all round. BUT what would be the specs front and rear be the same as these for the most comfortable and quietest ride?

Thanks, but not actually bought it yet, but don't think wheels would hold me back from doing so. So if I kept the 18's what tyre configuration (F+R)do you people suggest for comfort and quietness?

Sorry not to have updated everyone sooner but I have been busy with other things. Then, very soon after posting my original question the car was sold. But your answers were really helpful and I'm grateful to all of you for your explanations to a non-technical guy like me - and all is not lost, as I have just found another one that is a year older, a 2006 IS250L, under 50k and FSH, but because of lockdown I've not been able to view. But again wheels are 18’s fitted with Kumho tyres: front are 225/40 (ZR18 92Y) Rear are: 255/35 (ZR18 94Y) all in good condition apparently. So the question remains - if I want a quiet comfortable ride should I change down to 17’s all same size or keep existing 18 wheels but change tyres for different size and/or brand? Reading all these answers seems to suggest that with 18's I'll always need different size tyres front and rear, but with 17's I can fit same size front and rear?? Am I wrong? I’m no expert and may be chasing a wild goose around a pond here. Or should I just leave well alone?!

This is a 2007 IS250-L - I think it would have been supplied with these 18's as it was a new demonstrator for a few months, then bought by present owner. Seems to me after above advice (many thanks) it's more sensible to go with what's there and hopefully tyres will be ok, but if not then change for something like those mentioned and at least it will still be cheaper than going down to 17's. My main concern is really about ride comfort and noise, which doesn't seem to worry you people too much.

Sorry - I should have said they are 18 wheels.