No Mark Levinson On Is350

[OneHump]

I was told today but the general manager of a local Lexus dealer that there will be no Mark Levinson option on the initial builds of the IS250 or IS350. He got this information from a meeting with the company.

He also said all IS350s are shipping with 18" wheels, regardless of package.

I'm pretty disappointed about the lack of a Mark Levinson option. Does anyone have any opinion about the Mark Levinson upgrade?

[Neo]

Does anyone have any opinion about the Mark Levinson upgrade?

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Opinion on what? How good it is? (It is great for an OEM system. :)) The omission in the first run? (It is too bad but no amount of griping or discussion will change the situation. If you want ML, then pretend the release is actually Spring 06 and just ignore the ones coming out soon. ;) :D)

[bartkat]

Whether the Mark Levinson system is in the new IS is just about at the bottome of my list of concerns.

[OneHump]

Well, the problem is this - If I'm going to spend over $40,000 on a car, I'd really like quality audio. This is an important feature to me. I'd be ok with standard audio if I could resolve that in the aftermarket. The problem is that this is not possible when considering the integration of audio components with Navi, climate control and other systems.

Essentially, you get a $40,000+ vehicle with a Toyota stock stero. That's crap IMO.

I agree, griping won't change it, but Lexus blew it by not offering this option after widely advertising it on their web site and the IS brochure.

[Dust]

You're right. Good Audio system is an important feature for most drivers. I believe that the car would go for about $35.000 taking out navigation system and other small extra features. But it's still too much...

[LF-A Lexus]

To answer your question about the Mark Levinson, it is available with the Mark Levinson Stereo when equipped with the navigation system. I work in sales for a lexus dealer and just attended the New IS Ride and Drive yesterday, the 350 is a great drive. Hope that helps you out.

[lexus411]

is 350 will be about $38,000 w/o out the nav, for about $43 your getting NAV/Lev Bluetooth. Those are the only 2 inital builds

[Dust]

Do you guys know how much is the base price for IS 350 with everything included? What are better warranty packages to get? Would you also estimate the montly payments based on the original price.

Thank you.

[OneHump]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I called 2 major dealers and Lexus itself today. Here is what I found out:

1. Navigation is a standard feature for the IS350.

2. Mark Levinson will not be available until the second batch of vehicles arrives.

This means I get to wait I guess. I'm not buying one without ML.

[cruznroadking]

Before you pass judgement on the O/E stereo you need to listen to it first. The IS350 is suppose to come with a 13 speaker system.

[OneHump]

Before you pass judgement on the O/E stereo you need to listen to it first.  The IS350 is suppose to come with a 13 speaker system.

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That's really good advice. What does a "stock" system typically look like? I'm assuming less than 13 speakers. I also heard it comes with 13 speakers.

Thanks for the input.

[citnalta218]

I just came from the Lexus Ride & Drive for Lexus employees. The IS's are both going to have an option of the Mark Levinson system, and there was no mention of any omition.

I was told today but the general manager of a local Lexus dealer that there will be no Mark Levinson option on the initial builds of the IS250 or IS350.  He got this information from a meeting with the company. 

He also said all IS350s are shipping with 18" wheels, regardless of package. 

I'm pretty disappointed about the lack of a Mark Levinson option.  Does anyone have any opinion about the Mark Levinson upgrade?

←

[Neo]

I just came from the Lexus Ride & Drive for Lexus employees.  The IS's are both going to have an option of the Mark Levinson system, and there was no mention of any omition.

I was told today but the general manager of a local Lexus dealer that there will be no Mark Levinson option on the initial builds of the IS250 or IS350.  He got this information from a meeting with the company. 

He also said all IS350s are shipping with 18" wheels, regardless of package. 

I'm pretty disappointed about the lack of a Mark Levinson option.  Does anyone have any opinion about the Mark Levinson upgrade?

←

←

I don't think ML availability was ever a question. It will just be not available in the first batch coming to the dealers. After that (or via custom order), ML will be here.

[OneHump]

That's pretty much the picture that has been painted. I've had a deposit down on this vehicle for a real long time and am pretty grumpy about this. I have done so much research that I have found that I know more about the vehicle than any dealer and Lexus customer service. That is a very sad state of affairs.

After thinking about it, and considering the specs between the ML and standard sound systems, I'm dead-set against taking delivery without ML. Depending on how long that takes, I may have to look elsewhere.

I was told it could take 90 days to get the vehicle I want. I would never have considered this as a potential issue when spending over $40,000 for a vehicle.

Oh, and by the way, the dealer will tell you - "Mark Levinson is a $2,000 upgrade and doesn't sound that much better anyway." I would LOVE to hear that come out of their mouths when the ML option is available.

[MR LEX]

The stock audio system will most likely be manufactured by Pioneer with 13 speakers. I wonder if the difference is worth the price of admission? From everything that I've read and everyone that I've spoken with, it sounds like the ML option won't be available until next year at the earliest and that goes for satellite radio as well

I'm amazed that Lexus is unable to deliver on the ML and satellite radio, though I could still be wrong

Lex

[OneHump]

The stock audio system will most likely be manufactured by Pioneer with 13 speakers. I wonder if the difference is worth the price of admission? From everything that I've read and everyone that I've spoken with, it sounds like the ML option won't be available until next year at the earliest and that goes for satellite radio as well 

I'm amazed that Lexus is unable to deliver on the ML and satellite radio, though I could still be wrong 

Lex

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:cries: One of the things I was really looking forward to was Sirius.

[SParker1tx]

Hah Mark Levinson,

Yes its a great system, my mom has it in her 06' ES 330. But Gues what, I have my ES 300 hooked up w/ aftermarket speakers that cost about the same as what it cost my mother to upgrade to ML and my system is MUCH more crisp and has the bass, mid-high level frequencies, and can reach those low tone bass tones 10x better than my mothers ML system does... Just wanted to add that.... However 90% of you all will not want to have to mess with aftermarket installs... But I can assure you, ML is not the top in audio quality, but is much better than the stock! Just dont give up on the 13 speaker standard coming with the 1st Gen. IS's it might be decent, cant tell until you hear them...

[OneHump]

After tons and tons of research, I have confirmed, at least to my own satisfaction, that no one on the West Coast will get ML any time soon. After looking into the allocations for the South, SouthEast, East and North East regions, I have discovered that ML is not an option there as well.

I initially heard this was a first batch issue, but now I'm hearing several dealers say that ML is order only and there are no plans to ship with that option. MANY, MANY UNEDUCATED SALES PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU ML IS HERE - THE ARE WRONG!

Obviously you can special order which is what I did. I can't imagine ML not showing up in the next 3-6 months, but I doubt it will show up before that.

As for Sattelite, it looks like the Sirius kit won't be available until January. I'm not sure if that applies to XM. The vehicles WILL be ready for sat, but the dealer-installed kit won't be available until later; Not a huge issue.

What I have found is that most of the vehicles hitting the ground are Premium Plus. These vehicles have little in the way of exciting features. There are very, very few Performance/Nav being shipped with slightly more Premium Luxury.

Now, let's assume you put your deposit down for a Perf/Nav a year ago and are first on the list at the largest dealer in the country (JM Lexus in FL). You'll likely be given the opportunity to pick between 2 color choices. What if you are at a smaller dealer? Their allocation is likey to include from 2 to 30 vehicles with 0 Perf/Nav. Best case there is 1 or 2 Perf/Nav or Premium Luxury in some awful color combo.

The bottom line here is that, if you want a specific vehicle, you need to order it. Be prepared to wait 120 days at this point.

Now, is Mark Levinson worth 120 day wait? I think that question answers itself after you properly test both systems. That doesnt mean turn the radio on and listen to both. Spend 5 minutes in each with a CD of tracks that vary in range. You will then be asking for membership in the NO ML = NO IS camp.

[bartkat]

I really don't think I need ML since I only usually listen to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, et all when I'm in the car.

[lexus411]

the new IS arrived today to some dealerships. The 1st 350's wont have the Lev. I think they were trying to keep the price down. They will problably eliminate the options and produce it fully loaded Nav/Lev within 3 months like they do the GS 430

[indiasfinest]

the thought of test driving one of those bad boys just makes me *BLEEP* in my pants :D

[bartkat]

I'm going to go look at this one tomorrow.

[indiasfinest]

that looks clean

[bartkat]

I bought it today.

[khang]

i think Lexus hype it up and couldn't deliver it. so sad. they did so much advertising about ML.

i don't know Lexus.