I am looking at buying a new Lexus IS220d. I have read about the high gearing and low fuel conumption of the diesels and need some advice.

I know that the Sport had it's gearing re-engineered, but you cannot buy leather seats with that specification.

I really want the SE-l but before I test drive just wondered if Lexus has sorted the gearing or if there is any modifications or recalls available.

I would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks.

Joe406.

Only advice I will give you is to buy the IS250 SE-L Auto

Joe406,

I have the 220d SE-L. The sport has most of the same equipment minus the leather, blind and sils. From the reports on here the sport is better for real world driving due to the different ratio rear axle (Gear box is the same) which makes 6th gear a real option to use.

However, I recently had a 250 SE-L as a courtesy car and if you definately want an IS then I would advise the 250 in any trim with the auto box. It is silent and rattle free. I reset the trip and tested it on my normal 90 mile round trip to/from work, I got 36mpg! I only get 39mpg with the diesel, and with fuel prices; especially diesel likely to increse it becomes a no brainer really.

Whatever you choose, follow the advice on here and get the car for a day without the salesman. Like so many on here, I wish I had!

For anything below 75 mph, Sport every time.

In Finland, you can get leather with the Sport and you can also get the shorter gear ratios with the highest spec version. Funny, that it isn't so in the UK.