Is It Worth Getting A Diesel?

[Spamalot]

I've currently got a Porsche Boxster S that I'm looking to sell when the sun starts shining. 

I'm looking to replace it with something a little less flash and more comfortable. Since I bought the Boxster my milage has grown from 6k pa to somewhere in the region of 18k this year. I'd like a respectable brand but something less flash than my Porsche. This took me away from the BMW E90 and towards the IS :).

I'm going to have about £10k to spend and it needs it to be reliable. I'd ratter an auto and would only be interested in a car with MM.

My question is, given my budget and milage what would you go for? Doing 18k pa the obvious choice is the IS220d but from what I've read on here the economy wouldn't be brilliant and it would be a manual. What sort of MPG would you expect to get from the 250 auto? From what I've read I'd be lucky to get high 30s from the 220d with mixed driving, correct?

Given that the 250 could be an auto, looks nicer and is probably cheaper to buy it comes down to economy. Also would you expect the 250 petrol to be significantly more reliable? Most modern petrols are!

Help!

:)

[juicestop]

I had the same dilemma and in the end opted for the IS250 SE-L auto after reading some of the horror stories on this site about the diesel. Very pleased with the car in the 18 months I've had it. No problems whatsoever including rattles and cracks that others on this forum have mentioned.

£10k - well it would be better if you could afford a little more. A search on Lexus for used approved cars to your spec brings up only 1 at just under £10k - a 55 plate SE with 73k on the clock. You could probably get a lower mileage 56/07 plate example for your money from a non-Lexus dealer or private sale.

Mine averages 33mpg - 2mpg either side of during winter/summer. I do 60/40 motorway/town driving.

It's a very refined drive with the auto box being one of the smoothest you can get. The standard equipment on the SE-L is fantastic and would cost thousands of pounds in optional extras on the BMWs/Audis/Mercs. My only issue is the ridiculous amount of brake dust from the front wheels, and I'm by no means a 'heavy/late' braker.

Go for the IS250 SE-L auto, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[kawa9]

Short answer NO, NO, NO!!

I had a 220d for a while (16months)and enjoyed it to a point, the turbo lag was something I just couldn't get used to. I had to either time it right when leaving a junction or simply gun it. At the end of the day it's a diesel. Unfortunately/fortunately I was given a 250 Auto as a courtesy car whilst the 220 was being serviced and thought it was fantastic. This experience bugged me for a couple of months until I bought what I should have in the first place an auto 250.

Economay isn't high on my agenda but don't think there is a vast difference considering diesel is more expensive and in anycase your getting a far better car for a couple of mpg.

You will miss out on mid range torque but flooring the 250 even in auto mode is great (not as good as a boxster I suspect)

Hope this helps, 250 every day of the week.

[javadude]

Yes, definitely. Awesome torque and unless you get one of the rare duds very reliable too.

[knitware]

Yes, definitely. Awesome torque and unless you get one of the rare duds very reliable too.

Rare duds or rare reliable?

[fjcfarrar]

Is it worth getting a diesel

Help!

:)

Only if you are desperate to save money and are very easily pleased.

[Parthiban]

There are a few happy diesel owners out there, but given everything I read on here it's a bit hit and miss and I personally wouldn't take the gamble. The diesel isn't available as an auto either, it's manual only.

[Spamalot]

Thanks for the reply guys. The only benefit I can see of the 220d is fuel economy, the 200d also comes with a fair few negative though.

IS250 Auto... 130ppltr= 5.85p gallon @ 30mpg over 18k miles = £3510

IS220d... 135ppltr= £6.08p gallon @ 40mpg over 18k = £2736

So it's going to cost me £750 a year more to drive the petrol and that’s with me under playing the petrol MPG and over estimating the MPG of the 220d, they could in real life be much closer. However the 250 is much nicer to drive, cheaper to buy and is likely to be much more reliable. Plus it'd be an auto, better looking and faster. On the whole, given the cost to buy and the repair bills I’m not sure I’d really saving anything buying the 220d, ok I might save a few £100 a year, I just don’t think it’s worth it though tbh. The fact that Lexus can make a 4 pot diesel that’s still no cheaper to run that a 2.5 V6 over 18k a year is a little disappointing, unless I’m missing something?

Is there anything to look out for when buying an IS250? I'm assuming as they are N/A V6's they're solid. How do they handle the mileage? Is it worth buying approved used, if so what is there to be so scared of?

Thanks

[Parthiban]

The difference in price of fuel might be a bit bigger than that and widen further - filled up yesterday and unleaded was £1.29/ltr while diesel was £1.37/ltr.

The Lexus petrol engines are rock solid, the only real major complaint with IS250s are dash rattles, so best to take an extended test drive and make sure it's all fine.

[fjcfarrar]

Thanks for the reply guys. The only benefit I can see of the 220d is fuel economy, the 200d also comes with a fair few negative though.

IS250 Auto... 130ppltr= 5.85p gallon @ 30mpg over 18k miles = £3510

IS220d... 135ppltr= £6.08p gallon @ 40mpg over 18k = £2736

So it's going to cost me £750 a year more to drive the petrol and thats with me under playing the petrol MPG and over estimating the MPG of the 220d, they could in real life be much closer. However the 250 is much nicer to drive, cheaper to buy and is likely to be much more reliable. Plus it'd be an auto, better looking and faster. On the whole, given the cost to buy and the repair bills Im not sure Id really saving anything buying the 220d, ok I might save a few £100 a year, I just dont think its worth it though tbh. The fact that Lexus can make a 4 pot diesel thats still no cheaper to run that a 2.5 V6 over 18k a year is a little disappointing, unless Im missing something?

Is there anything to look out for when buying an IS250? I'm assuming as they are N/A V6's they're solid. How do they handle the mileage? Is it worth buying approved used, if so what is there to be so scared of?

Thanks

Nothing to be scared of really. Have read of an occasional head-gasket issue with the IS250, but there isn't enough space here to deal with all the IS220d disappointments. IS250 economy doesn't seem to deteriorate, but the diesel has a whole Battery of expensive causes for increasing fuel consumption. The diesel has "awesome torque" but funny, it isn't reflected in any of the performance figures which are all worse. Finally, the IS250 doesn't smell or clatter - the IS220d doesn't much but is still a 4-pot with roughness you can feel with your feet. With either, an extended warranty can give real peace of mind - but at a price.