Hi guys,

I've had an IS220d Sport for about 3 months now. The car has done 16k miles but the gearbox is what I can only describe as 'horrible'. Ive come from a Mondeo ST TDCi which I really enjoyed driving. I absolutely love the look of the IS and definitely prefer it to the Mondeo but I just wish I could say the same for the driving experience. 1st to 2nd gear can only be described as a real 'effort' as sometimes it just doesnt want to go in. Also, I can physically feel the lumps and bumps when I'm changing up. Does everyone have the same opinion of the gearbox or is it just me? Your views would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Paul, the gearbox certainly isn't a 220d strong point - in fact Toyotas generally aren't renowned for their slick shifting. There've been quite a few posts previously about how it needs to 'have the edges knocked off it' and it probably will improve over time. I find changing down from 2nd to 1st is the worst - quite obstructive. Best not to rush it - the gentler you change, the better the response. Comparing it to an ST isn't a good move; its gearbox will definitely be sharper than a Lexus manual.

JFB

I'd give the gearbox a little bit of time to bed in, knock the corners off it... to be honest I found the gear box a little hard at first myself, 2nd was a real pain...but now i rearly if ever notice a problem with it... I think the fact the the box is slightly angled toward the driver takes a little getting use't to aswell... I don't think the box will ever make it as a racers choice though.

I've had my gearbox rebuilt twice and eventually replaced by test driving 4 other new cars and picking the best gearbox from one of them. Still not great - it's just a crap design - no questions asked. And I'm lucky - I've got the good version in the sport! Those with a normal diesel final ratio still have this and the useless sixth gear!

Car now at 27,000 odd miles and I think I'm used to it now. STill sometimes refuses point blank to go into first if I have slowed down at a junction and then stopped, handbrake on. Needs to roll backwards first evn after an engine restart, clutch in/out/in/out etc. Even the ropey gearbox on my Impreza was better.

Brian.

I have to agree that the gearbox isn't the smoothest thing... 1st gear is a bit awkward, no matter how you try to get accustomed to it. But I've found a way to get around this: the Sport version is quite capable of launching on 2nd gear. In fact, it feels almost as fast as on 1st, but way smoother! The normal version is, of course, a different thing altogether because the 2nd gear there is too long for launch.

Hello, I have had this problem from new and my gearbox, has been adjusted twice, don't know how and Lexus have made modifications to the selectors twice. I'm now on about 33,000 miles and it probably won't get any better. It is better than it was but not good. 1st to 2nd is the worst and at times is very stiff and clunks in. I find that if I change gear slowly then it is mpostly better.

I have repeatedly had a go at Lexus for not offering an auto option on the deisel and about the quality of the gearbox. To be honest, this is the single thing that may stop me buying another Lexus.

My partner drives a new Seat and her gear change is fantastically smooth, as I constantly remind my dealer, so why can't the Lexus one perform as well.

i think it was mentioned on here that the gearbox is from a truck so i guess that explains the lack of refinement.btw my transit van has a smoother box.