Is200D

[TaffyApple]

Hi guys,

Don't laugh, but I've recently bought a 2011 IS200d. I'm aware it might be a little slow compared to its German rivals, but I like my cars to get me there in comfort not in first place - something the IS so far has done rather well.

Having read some threads on various forums about the gearing setup and having now driven the car for a couple of hundred motorway miles, I wondering if there's anything that can be done to make sixth gear a bit more usable. Don't get me wrong, on a flat motorway section is seems quite happy to cruise along at 70 @ 1600rpm in sixth, and when overtaking provided you read the road right its fine - however on inclines you do need to drop down to fifth.

I'm a complete novice when it comes to car modding, so I'd be interested to hear your opinions or experiences regarding it. With the IS200d if possible. From what I understand remapping the ECU could help, but is not really an option on the IS. Does anyone know if Lexus themselves offer a solution?

I was sold a two year warranty by the dealer which will inevitably be invalidated if I mod the car, so given the potential reliability issues I've also read about this is more a 'wouldn't it be nice if' scenario rather than something I'm going to run out and do - at least in the short term.

Thanks in advance.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Nothing you can do pal. That's the way the gearbox is engineered. That's the ratios that's set. Short of putting a different gearbox in there I don't see what you can do.

And no you can't re map an IS.

[TaffyApple]

I realise you can't easily change gear ratios, I'm not looking to change them.

I was hoping there would be a way to adjust the turbo or something so the engine has a bit more low down power in sixth gear.

Has anyone tried chip express? Their website says they can work some magic to improve performance.

[Sterling]

Plenty to ready on the IS220 / IS250 section of the forum about remaps, but basically, don't do it. I had one of these and ended up never using 6th gear as it was so useless. Pop over to the other section and ready about cleaning out your egr valve.