mister_david

Hi Atlantis, I'm with you on this - I had a TV on my previous car and I've not missed it all. I'm in Melbourne and quite happy to accept your offer if Melbourne is your home town too! And in case you're not, I took a look at the installation manual, and it does seem quite simple - I just don't know how I'd actually get access to the rear of the head unit to plug it in. Did you end up putting the VAIS in the glovebox or the centre console? I've got my iPod in the console atm, but that's only because I can't control it, so I don't mind (and would prefer) to put it into the glovebox. One other question, which emulation mode did you put the unit into? I see that its possible to use MD or CD or CD-MP3 modes, but as to which one is best, I'm not able to determine (I guess its based on preferences..?). I'll probably go ahead with the purchase and see if I can locate someone in Melbourne who can install these things. Getting it through eBay is likely to save $150 off the cost of buying it here so that should help cover the installation charges! Thanks again for your help :) Cheers, David

Hi Atlantis, I'm considering "improving" on the integration that I've got in my 2008SL for iPod connectivity. The existing system connects via the AUX port in the centre console and isn't very good (I can hear buzzing/interference and I can't control the iPod), so I'd like know how well integrated you consider the VAIS units? It seems that there are two units available, so I don't know which one would be better for the SL (price tells me that the SL2Vi should be better) ...? 1. http://www.thecarkitcompany.com.au/index.php/products/store/details/79/7/ipod-and-mp3-integration/vais-soundlinq-sl2i-up?manufacturer_id=13 2. http://www.thecarkitcompany.com.au/index.php/products/store/details/80/7/ipod-and-mp3-integration/vais-soundlinq-sl2vi?manufacturer_id=13 I know that you did the installation yourself ... did you look into getting someone else to do it for you..? I see that it costs about $150 for installation, so it makes the total cost between $550 - $750 depending on model. I find that to be quite pricey, unless of course the unit is bullet proof and gives great sound :) How do you rate the value you got out of it..? Cheers, David

Hi All, Just thought that I would add my experience: I am a current SL owner, and previously owned a BMW X5. The points that I would note in favour of the Lexus are: Extremely good after sales service - I use Lexus of Brighton and I've been very pleased with their approach. Loads of standard equipment in the Lexus compared to the BMW: I spent over $20k on extra's for the BMW, and I don't consider that any of that was 'fancy' (parking sensors, onboard computer, stereo upgrade, sunroof and alarm) A very quiet cabin, although this is a double edged sword (see below) The not-so-positive observations I have are: Some of the electronics do not work properly: the ones that don't are the rain sensing wipers, remote (keyless) entry and the ventilation controls. I have reported all these to Lexus, with detailed descriptions and in some cases showing the problem (keyless entry) - the car has now been twice returned with the comment that they have been checked and everything found to be operating properly. The rain sensing wipers are particularly annoying as Lexus have eliminated the (manually) adjustable intermittent wipers I've been used too in my cars up until now. Not a problem if the rain sensing worked, but it doesn't: I have to manually control the intermittent wipe, or put it onto a continuous wiper setting... a total PITA when the weather is wet. The quiet cabin means rattles are easily noticed. So far Lexus have been unable to eliminate a high-frequency buzz from the ash try (I leave it open and the buzz stops), or a sound from the dashboard (like a spring being stretched, which happens about 1 minute after the car is started). I find the alarms in the car to be incredibly annoying and totally pointless. I've disabled the seat belt alarm, but the car will let you turn it off when in drive or reverse ... and if you do, it goes beserk when you try and get out. I figure that these alarms make sense if had forgotten to put the car in Park and/or not engaged the parking brake before getting out, but they chime away anyway. You have to restart the car and then turn it off again to clear the alarm. I really like the style, build quality and after sales service of the IS250 and Lexus, but I find that I don't like the car anywhere near as much as the BMW and I would be unlikely to repeat the purchase. Everything in the BMW just worked: no stupid games with rain sensing wipers, no watching what gear the car was in before I turned it off.. and no buzzes and rattles to irritate me as I drove. To me the value in owning a car is the enjoyment you get from it ... and although some of the problems are minor, they have spoiled the enjoyment of driving it. I don't want to say that others are wrong to tell you how much they enjoy the car - I only wanted to relate my experience :) Good luck with your choice! Cheers, David

Hi Folks, I have a 2008 SL, and the door chime alarm has to be one of the most annoying I've ever come across. It is particularly intrusive when cleaning the car as I'd like to have the drivers' door open and listen to the radio/CD - but for some unknown reason, Lexus has decided that an alarm needs to ring. The other really annoying door chime alarm, is when I've switched off the car without putting it back into park and then opened the door. For example, I reverse the car and then turn it off, realise I've left it in reverse and put it into park, then open the drivers door - again an alarm, and a very agitated one! I'm completely unclear as to why this situation is so grave: if it was a big problem to turn the car off when in reverse, then surely you fix that by not allowing the car to be turned off (since you have to do this via a button anyways). I've done a search of the forum and seen other folks ask on the door chime, and a search of the web generally, but I've not as yet been able to track down a solution... so I thought I'd post to see if the collective brains trust has some thoughts! Cheers, D

Hey Folks (First post here after buying a SL) I found that the mirrors dipping on my car to be annoying and I prefer to leave it switched off. I love all the gadgets on the SL, which is why I wanted this model, but if there was a tick box to deselect an option and save a few $'s, I'd deselect the dipping mirrors and the 'look around' headlights. I love the Xenon headlights, so I wouldn't want to trade that, but the 'look around' feature isn't really very useful for me (I live in Inner City Melbourne)! Cheers, D