Lexus Nerd

How do you calculate this pecentage? Your use of the word "about" suggests a guess. Taking in to consideration variables such as type of driving, driver behaviour & even climate I think your 5% v 3 cents a litre is in no way accurate. 5% v 3%??? I get more than a 2% difference between my tanks of petrol depending on my type of driving. E10 works fine. It has an octane rating of between 94-96. The octane difference to 98 is in pecentage terms less than the increase in price. Thats not a guess. Most E10 fuels are 91 octane. But Subby points out that United's E10 fuel is 95 octane, and Iggy notes that it represents "at least 13 cents' saving [per litre]", rather than the typical 3c/L discount one finds for most 91-octane E10 fuels. Now I agree that's good value! In fact, I'll be sure to fill up at United myself next time. I hope that that blend will remain in the market, at that price point, for years to come ... I note that Shell is phasing out its 94-octane E10 in NSW, to offer a 91-octane product with no change in price. So, with that, I won't bore readers with my calculations of how the average driver (driving a car suited for 91 RON, and not visiting United) is about 2% (sorry ... precisely 2.2%) worse off using E10.

http://www.lexus.com.au/news/2010/14168814/LEXUS-ENDS-AN-ERA-WITH-SC-430/ Farewell, SC430. I still think it looks better than an IS250C. And who can forget its appearance in Terminator 3?

E10 is no problem with IS250s of any manufacturing year: http://www.lexus.com.au/service/fuel/ Assuming all other factors - such as overall fuel quality or octane rating - are equal, E10 fuel is less value for money. You'll use about 5% more fuel, which more than negates the 3c/L discount.

The Owner's Manual suggests that your Lexus dealer can configure the car so that the footwell lights don't turn on. But wouldn't removing the bulbs have the same effect? So Atlantis, here's my second hare-brained, untested amateur electronics idea for you: How about placing a Zener diode in series with the light circuit, so that the light only turns on when enough voltage passes through it - that is, when the vehicle isn't in Park?

The only other "something else" referred to in the Owner's Manual is the instrument panel light control knob, but that only controls the illumination of the shift lever and front footwell lights. So it does sound like a fault.

Dis-lex-sic's right ... You'll probably find, though, that oil, oil filter and air filter is included. Brake pads or wiper blades are replaced when required (or when the service centre sees fit to do do) and at extra cost. The seemingly high price depends on what you're comparing it to. It's not too much more than the service on a comparable Toyota branded vehicle by a Toyota dealership, and may simply factor in the costs of Lexus value-added benefits, such as a car wash and vacuum and a Lexus loan vehicle. Some dealerships offer a "L'Express" option where, at no added cost, you can get your vehicle serviced in one hour while you wait in reasonable comfort. If you compare the service costs with a street corner garage or Ultra Tune you will, of course, find a noticeable price difference. (I think ilv1004s quotes the price of a DIY oil and oil filter change elsewhere on this site - $190-$200 from memory.) But I'll leave the pros and cons of getting a non-Lexus-authorised servicer to do the work to others on this forum, or to your own experience and intuition.

Make that eight! http://www.lexus.com.au/news/2010/14020714/EIGHT-LEXUS-LFA-BOUND-FOR-AUSTRALIA/

So right. In the Navigation setup, you can change the average travelling speed on suburban roads, major roads and freeways. Changing the default values may give you more appropriate route choices. Although, we all know that the average speed on different "major roads" can vary widely between 23 and 80 km/h ... Herein lies the real problem. Someday, all sat navs will use statistical averages of travel time for major roads at given times of day, to determine more appropriate routes for the desired time of day for travel. I know that Intelematics (providers of SUNA) are working on this. (I'm not sure if this can be retrofitted into current model Lexus DVD systems, but here's hoping.) For now, though, all we can do is tweak three numbers ...

It definitely DIY on late model IS250's. Whether it's possible on earlier models is debated here: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8152&st=0 ... although we now have confirmation from k2sty1 that it's DIY on his '07 model.

So you've inserted the two picks and a flat-blade screwdriver as per the instructions on the first post of this thread? Actually, scrub that idea. First, check whether a notch even exists below the emergency flashers button. If it doesn't, don't follow the manual page at the beginning of this thread. According to my copy of the Nav System Owner's Manual: 1. Turn on ACCESSORY mode 2. Insert the 2 picks provided in the in-vehicle tools into the holes on both sides of the clock panel at a slight outward angle until you hear a "click". Remove the panel. 3. Go to the nav menu, eject the DVD, etc. Hopefully the "slight outward angle" hint will help - I'm not too game to try it on my own car if I don't need to ... As per the US manual in this thread, my manual also suggests using protective tape and, if you can't remove the panel easily, "stop immediately and ask for assistance at your Lexus dealer." Not that you can or will, but I just had to make that disclaimer.

So you've inserted the two picks and a flat-blade screwdriver as per the instructions on the first post of this thread?

Thumbs-up from me too - hopefully, all variants of the 250/350 might lose the wide black plastic appendage that you once had to have for holding even narrow licence plates. I notice that these high-res pictures match some of the low-res ones found in "leaked" images, such as that shown here: http://www.themotorreport.com.au/50498/2011-lexus-is-gets-modest-updates-revealed-in-leaked-brochure I could never trust the authenticity of earlier "leaks", but these images from dis-lex-sic confirm that the interior has a few additional bits of silver grey trim, particularly on the steering wheel and the glovebox. "What was wrong with just black trim?" I hear you say.

Dan, Lalo, great shots. Project, there's always next time for the group photo Perhaps you'll be there?

Saw this IS250 near Sydney airport last month: http://www.queenstsmash.com.au/qs-custom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=1 Unique, I'll say. But it kinda looks like woodgrain to me ... so opinions are bound to be, well, polarised.

How about marriage? ... 'Cos the buyer of any of those plates would need to be a relative before display rights can be transferred. (Well, alright, being an employee, employer or related company would also suffice.)

Awesome pics, Chris! Love the effects, like the startburst effect on your foglamp and the monochrome effect on the five-car pic. And you'd think Danny's car has been detailed ... Oh, and I haven't seen my own car looking so good

Thanks guys, I had a ball. Good to have put faces to names and get some inspiration for future mods!

The Bureau says "mostly fine", while Wunderground predicts "trace amounts" of rain - so no real problem there. An AFL match in Homebush could be a problem tho'.

Ok, I'm in. I'm interested in the sticker ... now, if only I could get a black-on-yellow bumper sticker for my clapped-out 1989 Pulsar ... "MY OTHER CAR IS A LEXUS"

The first year/15,000 km service is free. It'd be great if anyone can comment on the typical cost of other scheduled services ... There's an existing forum thread that discusses the cost of replacement tyres.

I'll just add to ilv1004s' excellent response ... 1. There are slight differences 06-08 same 09-10 differences is bars side mirrors, nav units etc (theres more) The latest incarnation in mid-2009 is most noticeable by the 'L'-shaped reverse lights and the indicators mounted on the side mirrors. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels come as standard (earlier Prestige models came with 16"). The latest Prestige model also comes with a USB jack and iPod capability (in addition to the 3.5 mm Audio In jack) and VDIM (previously only on higher models - Google VDIM for details). The highly-acclaimed Mark Levinson audio system is not available as an option on the latest Prestige model, but might be found on older used models (thanks dis-lex-sic). 2. getting a good used example is good for your budget you can even get a decent SL or a X for that price 3. Cost in a year depends on how much you drive it pretty much just service 4. So far for me i have no problems with electrics 5. for the same priced 3 or A4 (320i or 2.0L A4) the is250 is much better car interms of performance and options There's a running joke amongst Lexus owners (within this forum and without) about the standard features - or lack of them - in BMWs. The number of standard features was always a major factor in the numerous awards that the IS250 picked up in the couple of years after its release in late 2005. 6. IS250 has great fuel consumption for it's weight and engine size. (around 600km combined but on the freeway iv done max 1100kmish (a tad over) on a 60L tank Yes, for its weight and engine size. The IS250's current class rivals (e.g. 320i) feature turbo four-cylinder engines, which are more frugal with fuel. But then, you're not getting a six. B) 7. YEs and warranty is transferable unlike other car makers, Lexus actually takes there customers seriosuly and carry out warranty work if the factory warranty still applies, they even give you a loan car for the day.

Reason: Greater contact area with the ground at the rear, and less at the front, reduces oversteering or, perhaps, induce a little bit of understeer. I understand that a slight understeer is preferred in performance driving. The larger rear wheels can also improve stability in crosswinds - one of the main disadvantages of RWDs.

Well, it's been 4 years since this thread was updated, but I figured I'd add my experiences in case anyone else encounters rattles. I also experienced a rattle, probably similar to what Rap03 experienced but emanating from the front passenger side. It only happened often on bumpy, unmaintained roads; unfortunately, no such roads were encountered on the test drive with the Lexus service guy. The car was in the shop for two days, and I don't know whether the Lexus service folk ever ended up hearing the noise for themselves. They did, however, fix three areas which may interest others: 1. Added foam near the pollen filter at the back of the glovebox. This was their first attempt in fixing the problem and, judging by the UK forums, must be a common source of rattling noises. 2. Added foam in the B pillar. No surprises there. 3. Apparently, a common problem with the IS's is that the door seals can become dry, causing parts pressed against them to rattle. Lubricating the door seals can fix the problem. I think this was the most likely solution to my problem, since it sounded like the rattle of a glass panel (a bit like the window panes on old train carriages). So, the next time you hear a rattle (and particularly if the car is out of warranty) ... Consider the door seals!

Lexus Australia have just updated thier Website with new financial year pricing. The biggest change - if not the only change - is that the stick shift is no longer available. For MT owners: Perhaps your resale value has just increased? For potential IS buyers: Perhaps bargains are for the taking on any stock that's left?

This might help, if you're game! http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8169