Rap03

Yep Palms. Have run into some hagling issues with my dealer. Thought I was getting trade price, but when I put the car in to have the towbar fitted, they would not do it for trade price, but said they would do fit it and only charge 2 hours labour. Lexus have said it should be 3 hours. So, the price quoted then became $1,290. This makes it very interesting as the RRP on the towbar and wiring kits was $960. So, 2 hours of labour costs $330 !!! I am in the wrong business. How can any garage charge $175 an hour for labour! So, I have delayed any decision and talking to a few of my friends in the industry to get them to get it and fit for trade price, and maybe a whole lot cheaper on fitting!

Hey guys. Have you had your handbrakes adjusted by any chance? I have a manual 250 and as people will know, you have to really "pull it on" a long way to stop it from rolling. I took it to the dealership for adjustment. When I was driving down the highway after picking it up, getting up to around 75-80Ks it started to vibrate. I rang the dealership straight away and they said to go back ASAP as this can cause major problems with getting the rear brakes overheating and then locking up the whole rear end. So, just a word of warning on that one. :o

Looks like the dealers finally have details. Price is going to be around $960 (RRP) +or- for towbar and wiring kit , with about 2 to 3 hours to fit. This fitting time is far better than that of the GS. They are about 8 hours as they have to fit a oil cooler as well. Now waiting for for parts to arrive at dealer.

Palms. Yes. I have also noticed that this one seems to be affected more by stone chips then the IS200 I had. Lexus in Brisbane have been quite good with issues. It will be interesting to see what the issue is with your key. If the RF is not working, it is useless as even using the manual key to get into the car, you won't be able to start it. Have Lexus done any testing on your RF signal and strength as well as the battery capacity. I am not sure what size battery or how they are fitted in the key fob, but could there have been some sort of connection problem. Have Lexus looked into the key fob?

All 250 owners. Was advised by Lexus Customer Services yesterday that the last components for the towbar should be in-stock by Friday :P . Contacted my local dealer yesterday, but they don't have pricing . Will keep you advised.

Palms. So pushing the buttons on the remote didn't work either? I have found that if I am waring my Polar sports watch and I have only paused the timer, when I start the car, the stopwatch starts again. And I have found that when I have been out runnig and go near railway crossings/lines that sometimes my Polar stopwatch stops timing. So, I am wondering, these must be all working off similar frequencies for this to happen. Are you guys parked near any railway signaling?

Dr Dan. I did try and get something going on the UK website as there seemed to be more people participating on that site. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...23&hl=phone I have a bit of a list, but there would be plenty out there.

Update from Lexus Customer Support. Thank you for taking the time to access the Lexus Australia Website and post your enquiry. The IS250 towbar was signed off at the end off on the 25th August by our accessory engineers in Australia. We then placed an order with the supplier which is in Europe on the 31st August and we hope to have in about 9 weeks time from this date. The process of towbar development is a huge task with many hours spent ensuring the bar meets the Australian Design rules, manufacturing and testing the wiring harness, manufacturing a compliance plate and also the fitting instructions. We have advised the dealers that they should not expect to see this before November however we are doing our best to release the bar sooner. The towbar is being produced in Europe and the manufacturing and shipping process takes about 9 weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience and assure you that we are working as fast as we can to get it out on the market. Kind Regards, Brooke Bryson-Manson Customer Service Agent Lexus Customer Assistance Centre Ph: 1800 023 009 Fx: 1800 684 775 I have questioned some of the above detail. Will keep those who want towbars, posted.

Thanks Dr Dan. The towbar has been available in UK for quite some time, but my local dealership tells me that they are still waiting on certification approval from some Australian standards (???) group. I haven't heard anything about not recommending the installation of the towbar. I am the same as you, mainly want for bike carrier. Occasional trip to dump, but that is very rare.

Hi. A towbar is available for the IS250, but needs Australian standards (or someone) to approve. Does anybody know if the apporoval has been forthcoming? Does anybody have one yet?

Well, I spoke toooo soon. The following week after it was supposed to have been fixed, a noise is back. I think it is the original noise, but not there all the time and on and off. The original was a constant noise. Looks like another trip to the dealership. Also have a very squeaky driver seat, while driving.

Had the baby in the dealership today and mechanic says the feel on mine is simialr to the other manuals. They will be checking with Lexus to see if any other reports. They can possibly do a config change, but are first checking with Lexus. I take it, everybody else are driving Autos...

Well, finally took the baby back to the dealership today and it turned out to be 2 issues around the seatbelt area within the pillar. Both fixed. Noise free now. Well, except for the usual road noise and stereo turned up loud.

I have the Sports on the 18" and seems quite fine to me. The extra rubber on the ground gives some extra smoothness to the ride. You would have to have a more cushion effect on the 16"s and 17"s. You are not just paying for the bigger tyres to go to the Sports or Sports Luxury. There are heaps of other goodies you are getting for your bucks. If you want to stay on the Prestege and try and get 18" tyres, you might find it will be a big extra cost from the dealer and not really giving anything for your old 16". The only true way to find out if there is a noticable difference (to you) is to try all 3 cars on some varying roads. Good luck.

So Tony. Have you got your car yet?

IS250fied. Totally agree with you. We need more people's input. I think the Lexus dealers should include information about these forums when people buy their cars. Looking at the US web site today, I have found that one of the users has added the IS250 and 350 manuals in PDF form. They look a little morte comprehensive then the one that comes with the car. IS250fied and kelvinhuang, have you got your new cars? What's your verdict?

Hi Swamprat. Haven't noticed any issue on my 250 with the outside temp gauge. It seems to indicate what I am expecting. I don't believe the cliamte control is linked the outside temp and should be measuring the temp against what you have set the controls at. Try the dealer service dept for details. THe manual doesn't say much about the Auto mode just saying " The air conditioning system begins to operate. Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the temperature setting." Certain airflows are dependant on the outside temp. This info is in the extra manual for those cars with sat/nav systems.

Hi IS250 owners. I have a new manual IS250 and have found the first 3 gears are a little "clunky". Is anybody else having a simialr experience with the manuals. Also, with all the "soundproofing" Lexus say they have added, there seems to be a whimy noise coming out of the gearbox area in the lower gears. Any comments from other manual owners?

Hi all new IS250 Owners. Reading the UK owners club site, it seems there have been a few cars found with rattle noises. I have found one in the drivers side pillar and will return to Lexus shortly to have retified. Is anybody else finding noises that shouldn't be there?

Ricky. I have bought the new 250 Sports. Was in a simialr situation as you and having owned the IS200 I was probably a little bias towards Lexus. I didn't drive the 325i as the salesmen were in too much of a hurry to assist and the BMW was another 8 to 10 grand more than the Sports (on road) and it didn't sound like they would budge on price. The IS250 offers so much more as standard features over the 325i, but you have to ask if you need the added features.

Bob. Your local Lexus dealer should have a list that applies to their dealership as well as the following from the encore website. You’ll enjoy the best available seating in the house at cultural performances from theatre to opera. Attend film previews and gain exclusive entry to invitation-only celebrity functions. Hone your golfing skills and play on Australia’s finest members-only golf courses. Travel around Australia, and the world, visiting places not available to the general public. Enjoy a reserved table at the finest restaurants and receive members-only dining benefits. I am a Qld owner and the local Lexus dealership also provide an airport service where they pick your car up and drop back (cleaned) to the airport if you are away for more than 5 days. All your up for is the Qantas Valet packing charge.