New Is220d Versus Alternatives?

[Chris Skelton]

My neighbour, who's onto his second Golf GTi, is fishing about for a new (as in NEW) car. Looking at Audi, BM, Alfa. Asked me what the new IS220D was 'like'. Well, as you guys know, I'm only vaguely knowledgable on LSs. So I'd appreciate any input you can give. After all, I might get to have a drive if he gets one!

I guess he likes nippy but does miles, so diesel economy comes into it. (He has a Lotus as a 'pet' car too!)

[saracen]

Chris, not sure if you are going to be opening a whole can of worms by asking people for their opinion of the diesel as going by the recent posts a few are very unhappy with theirs.

I would tell your neighbour to look hard at an automatic petrol IS as they are phenomenal and very smooth. From the accounts on here I don't think the same can be said of the diesel. Plus the economy is not a million miles away from the diesel too.

[Chris Skelton]

Chris, not sure if you are going to be opening a whole can of worms by asking people for their opinion of the diesel as going by the recent posts a few are very unhappy with theirs.

I would tell your neighbour to look hard at an automatic petrol IS as they are phenomenal and very smooth. From the accounts on here I don't think the same can be said of the diesel. Plus the economy is not a million miles away from the diesel too.

Or I could suggest an SC430?

You don't know until you ask I guess? Personally, I like Automatics anyway

[saracen]

Or I could suggest an SC430?

Not if he has concerns about fuel economy!

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Or I could suggest an SC430?

Not if he has concerns about fuel economy!

Can of worms indeed...but it is an owners club, so everything goes!!

If he is after a company car (?), or low emmissions, then the Lexus makes sense. Especially if the Euro5 thingamee means that he would be much better off from later this year?...he would need to verify that with the TAX office.

If on the other hand it's a personal/private car purchase, then it's not so clear!!

Put it this way, I have had a long hard look at the new C Class, and I have to say I thought it was superb on the road, bigger inside than an IS and almost VAG standards of fit and finish. It's expensive but I think on balance it's worth it (assuming it is reliable and the dealers pull the finger out). It's supposed to be the most "tested" Merc ever, and I've got to say, I thought it showed...I've considered chopping my 220d in for one, but I'm not sure about the dealers, who seem pretty naff, and now resting on the laurels of this new model (when will they learn)...

You need Auto (not many buy a Manual Merc...), COMAND, and Parktronic, all in all about £4k on any list price (Elegance comes with artificial leather which is not a bad imitation, and you dn't need to specify leather), and I reckon in the next 2-4 years it is bound to hold it's value better than the Lexus which will have been around for 2 years in November already.

If it has to be a privately purchased Lexus IS, then for sure - IS250 SE or SE/L but really an AUTO.

Hope that helps...

PS - if he can wait, he really should wait until the New A4 is launched....

[LexBoy]

Or I could suggest an SC430?

Not if he has concerns about fuel economy!

Can of worms indeed...but it is an owners club, so everything goes!!

If he is after a company car (?), or low emmissions, then the Lexus makes sense. Especially if the Euro5 thingamee means that he would be much better off from later this year?...he would need to verify that with the TAX office.

If on the other hand it's a personal/private car purchase, then it's not so clear!!

Put it this way, I have had a long hard look at the new C Class, and I have to say I thought it was superb on the road, bigger inside than an IS and almost VAG standards of fit and finish. It's expensive but I think on balance it's worth it (assuming it is reliable and the dealers pull the finger out). It's supposed to be the most "tested" Merc ever, and I've got to say, I thought it showed...I've considered chopping my 220d in for one, but I'm not sure about the dealers, who seem pretty naff, and now resting on the laurels of this new model (when will they learn)...

You need Auto (not many buy a Manual Merc...), COMAND, and Parktronic, all in all about £4k on any list price (Elegance comes with artificial leather which is not a bad imitation, and you dn't need to specify leather), and I reckon in the next 2-4 years it is bound to hold it's value better than the Lexus which will have been around for 2 years in November already.

If it has to be a privately purchased Lexus IS, then for sure - IS250 SE or SE/L but really an AUTO.

Hope that helps...

PS - if he can wait, he really should wait until the New A4 is launched....

I agree with Jamboo

I to looked at the new C class (a lovely car) 99% sure I would buy.........BUT

decided to go for IS250 SE/MM....why... because to get the same equipment

in a Mercedes C class would have cost a lot more money

PS: dealer phoned this morning and possibly picking it up this evening( I do hope so..... it's my birthday today )

[MeOfLeeds]

I know a lot of people have "issues" with the IS 220D, but from reading this forum, most of them appear to be with the older ones when the car was first introduced.

Mine is now six months old and I'm as pleased as punch with it. Okay, an auto would have made it practically perfect for me with my stop/start commute, but it you like stirring the gearbox it's a first rate motor vehicle.

Nothing comes close at the price with all the toys. I was in an Audi A4 the other day in Germany and it was, quite frankly, agricultural inside compared to the Lexus - they are going to have to pull their finger out if the new one is going to compete against the Lexus interior. I've always thought that BMW had really great ergonomics, but it looks pretty dull and dated now in the 3-series (and I've a long standing gripe about BMW and Merc's so-called customer service).

I'm not sure that a Golf GTI -v- Lexus IS220D is a fair comparison (or even versus the 250 either) they're like chalk and cheese - apart from rear legroom which I suspect are identical!!

Quite a few people, especially the motoring press, are raving about the new Mondeo. At least it will be more exclusive than a Bee Emm!!

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

I know a lot of people have "issues" with the IS 220D, but from reading this forum, most of them appear to be with the older ones when the car was first introduced.

Mine is now six months old and I'm as pleased as punch with it. Okay, an auto would have made it practically perfect for me with my stop/start commute, but it you like stirring the gearbox it's a first rate motor vehicle.

Nothing comes close at the price with all the toys. I was in an Audi A4 the other day in Germany and it was, quite frankly, agricultural inside compared to the Lexus - they are going to have to pull their finger out if the new one is going to compete against the Lexus interior.

Don't forget though - the A4 that's in the showroom now was first launched in germany in 2000, so you have to accept it's dated and will have limitations, but for me it was a step ahead of the G1 IS, more economical, bigger inside, and dare I say it - it felt beter made...pls don't flame me.

Drive any of the new gen Audi's and they are superb - the New A4 when it's launched will be based on the A5's platform, so it should be very competent...

If I was spending my own money now, I would wait...Everyone knows that the new IS is absolutely fab when it comes to VFM - the fact that the German cars are more expensive is the only stickler...but shove the right spec on them and they will be fine...

That way there are loads less new G2 IS's arund, meaning mine is still maintained as being rare... :winky:

[firstlexus]

I enjoy reading the views on the IS220d, I believe I would try one but for the fact that it must have an auto box in my opinion, we have had a C250td for 8 years now and would hate to go back to a manual, an auto is a more relaxing drive.

Cheers

[RobNorm]

Am I right in thinking that the problems mentioned on this forum in regard to the 220d/250 are generally confined to the earlier year models?