Potential Is220D Owner Seeks Owners Opinion Rather Than Pub Knowledge

[Tim the Enchanter]

Hello Owners,

I am seriously considering getting a second hand IS 220D for the next family car. I have stomached an Alfa 147 jtd for the last 5 years and have had enough of bolting back on all the bits that drop off it with frightening regularity. I do 18+K a year, mostly motorways.

I am more than willing to swap the Alfa's fun (when it works) driving experiance for a more sedate atmosphere, and from what I have read, the Lexus seems to fit the bill for size, style, extras and reliability.

I am well aware of the egr valve issue with the 220D (I eventually blanked the Alfa's off), and am very happy to maintain service items myself (Alfa ownership forces you to get aquainted with your tools). BUT my big issue is the HEAD GASKET. Only in these forums have I read of the appreciable risk of it bursting in the Lexus, whereas all other reviews spout on about Lexus' fabulous reliability.

Is this a real issue or just a few isolated cases?

Is it a result of driving style or poor maintenance?

Hope I can get some definative advice from those with 1st hand experience.

Cheers

Tim

[BB1000]

I've had mine for 7 weeks and love it ... 07 with 66k ... dont find the gear box lumpy like some moan about ... mpg could be better but I'm still saving £15 a week and I put in shell super diesel ... where as my last car was cheapo unleaded

yes 6 th gear is a bit un useable at 70 though I've used it on long flat motor ways

hth matey

[BB1000]

oh and you do need to clean the egr valve, every 6k miles or so I've read .. easy to do ... I did it the first week and it does increase the mpg :D

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=79850&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=79439&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=79141&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=78388&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=77811&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=76994&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=75516&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=70967&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

If you buy the diesel you need to be very aware of the possible trouble it will give you. You must buy one below 110k with a full lexus service history as if the head gasket does go, and it seems like a lucky dip if it will or not, then Lexus will repair free of charge We have one in the family and yes it's been a good car up to now, 50k but living in constant fear of the head gasket blowing! It's not a case of poor maintenance or driving style it's a design fault and Lexus have admitted that hence the extended 110k mile 7 year head gasket warranty :(

[normski2]

I would concur with that!

[Tim the Enchanter]

Many thanks,

I'm looking for a 2007/8 sub 40k miles so should be well within Lexus' warranty limits for a couple of years at least. Please keep opinions/evidence coming in as it all keeps me from buying a Mondeo.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Many thanks,

I'm looking for a 2007/8 sub 40k miles so should be well within Lexus' warranty limits for a couple of years at least. Please keep opinions/evidence coming in as it all keeps me from buying a Mondeo.

Do you have to have a diesel? Same price range will be a similar 250 which is a V6 petrol engine. Yes it's thirsty but you don't have to live with the head gasket fear or EGR valve etc... It's a fantastic car!

And DON'T BUY A MONDEO! Lol... :)

[Tim the Enchanter]

Hi ChrisIS200SportTTE.

Yes diesel is the only option with the mileage I do. Other options are Saab 9-3 (v poor reliability), Mazda 6 (fun, reliable but anonimous) or Volvo V50 (dour and sensible). Or sell my soul to the devil again and go for another alfa (159).

[stevet]

I've just come from an Alfa too! Don't go back - escape while you can

[bluenose1940]

I had a 220d for almost 12 months. It was an absolute cracking car and was, at that time, the best car I had ever owned. However, I too was very concerned about the cylinder head problem particularly so because I only cover around 6000 miles each year and this would likely be a contributory factor in potential problems.

Before finally deciding to change my car for the IS250, I thought that I would do everything possilble to reduce the chances of me getting any engine problems and, to this end I purchased an EGR Cleaning Kit and the difference that it made to the overall performance of the car was quite considerable.

Have a look at the thread that I started after doing the 'Cleaning Job' Here is the link.....

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=76569&hl=

My 220d was on a 57 plate and had about 47K miles on it when I bought it and only 49K when I sold it. It had a full Lexus Service History and came with a 12month warranty. If I had decided to keep it I would most definitely have renewed the warranty for a further 12months or even possibly for 24months. I think that the Lexus Warranty is well worth consideration and, from memory costs about £735 for the 12month plan, with a small saving if you go for the 2year jobby, I think that the cost of that was just over £1300. I also took out a service plan for the 220d and have now transferred it to the 250. If you give thought to the service plan, it pays to shop around as I got a better deal with a different Lexus dealer to the one from where I purchased the car.

Hope you find this bit of info helpful.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Many thanks All,

Gosh I've got a lot to think about. Does anyone know if the HG fault is with the gasket itself or the head design, i.e. can it be cheaply fixed by an independant garage?

[normski2]

Honestly don't know the answer to that, but it would seem to be a 'design' fault.

It can be done by an independant. Main problem is you could be driving around for 3 months and not know it has gone. Short journeys, not looking at the oil filler cap or water reservoir etc. In the meantime the head may well have warped. Longer journeys would show it up quicker as temp and pressure increases will have stuff exiting where it shouldn't be!!

Main components would have to be sourced from Lexus.

Check out the posts on this forum by ORMI they make good reading. He put up a lot of photos showing the head in close up during and after removal.

[normski2]

Read this post from start to finish. Ormi's pics are here.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=70826&hl= head gasket&st=15

[Tim the Enchanter]

Cheers Normski,

Bloody Hell it looks like pot luck then, and the only way to be safe is to get a car that has already had the HG, block and head replaced by Lexus under warranty, though I have seen some reports of it happening twice! I'l keep researching, and thanks so much to you all.

[normski2]

Get a 250 Auto......oh and beware the Killer Rabbits Tim( great film love MP)

[Tim the Enchanter]

I'm armed with a holy hand grenade

[Silver Arrow]

The IS250 is only a few mpg down on the 220d. Unless you do a lot of miles, stick with the 250 auto, it's what Lexus do best

[Tim the Enchanter]

Hi Silver Arrow,

Sadly I can do over 20K a year, so diesel/manual it must be. Otherwise I would buy one in a trice.

Can anyone confirm (perhaps Ormi, after reading his excellent analysis of head damage) that once Lexus have replaced head and block, that the problem is solved rather than the fault still remaining?

Oh, and remember only 14 days of panic buying left.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

I don't think what Lexus do solves the problem as there are many stories of the head gasket going for a second time :(

[normski2]

Why not ping a message direct to Ormi?

[Tim the Enchanter]

Just tried, and it says Ormi can't use the messaging system. I'll keep looking.

[durg]

I agree with Normski - get yourself a 250 Auto - it's not killer on Road Tax really and if you drive it carefully you can get 40mpg on a good run. Average about 35-38 usually with a few shorter runs. Plus it is sooooo smooth and quiet! With my winter boots on it at 70mph it is totally silent :-)