Scarlet Pimpernell

Finlex - I've also found this in the past. The idling is I'm sure too is to do with warming up the engine and the cat to bring down the emissions. Strangely, as I started to take the car out my garage today, it immediately idled at 1200RPM. By the time the car was out of the garage, the idle dropped to 800. It's never behaved like that before as far as I have noticed - almost like a Petrol car with Auto choke. Normally it would start at 800rpm, then the AC fan would come on after 2-5 minutes, and the idle would go up to 1200 until the temp needle was almost on normal. Today it was different. May be it's to do with the warm weather....who knows...

Mine has really shown no change at all. Sorry if some of you think "Here he goes again" so please move onto the next post in this thread if it depresses... I don't think that the new 5th Injector will improve MPG. I think it's redesigned to work better with the new pipes/ECU so it won't clog up and cause a limp mode. If they change the fundamntals of the ECU and it's operations, the Co2 etc will be affected and I rckon it would need a re-classification. This is why some have suggested that there is a newer variant on the way. The ECU is a strange one. Before the ECU mod and new pipes, I was getting low 20's in town, and high 30's at best overall on a run. Now I'm getting high 20' in town, and very very inconsistent figures on a run. Some days I get mid 30', other days low 40's on an identical run...what is for sure though is that the car has become very sluggish again over the last week...I almost have to stand on the accelerator - and no doubt this is killing the fuel economy! I have tried to drive it gently and had 2 close calls with an Van and Taxi almost hitting me at a junction, and numerous bleeps from behind as people think I'm driving too slow, including single finger salutes and gestures. I actually almost bit the bullet and bought some DPS4 from Halfords (£11.99). I read the bottle, and it stated that you could get up to 7% improvement in fuel consumption and up to 4 extra cetane - which incidentally is similar to som claims from Oil companies about premium diesel. From what I gather users of DPS4 in a 220d are getting up to 30% better fuel economy than I am, and so I put the bottle down again...the gap is too great and smacks of something else not being right in the car! I don't just want to burn away even more cash... It looks as though I will perservere with the dealership for a while longer and book it in again (yet again) as and when work allows. My patience is wearing very thin now...the penultimate straw will be DPS4 and the final one will be a new car (which I'm now saving up for again - 3.5 years ahead of schedule...).

As dgman and philthy said - dark colours are OK, but you will have to avoid all hand washers and car washes. It'll have to be DIY washing (come summer or winter) with the right stuff. Have a look at the Car Cleaning and Detailing section on this forum - it is full of hints and tips. Use a silicone blade to remove excess water and use a clean Microfibre to dry the car - chamois are OK, but make sur it is very clean and has no grit in it... If you look at a black car in the showroom or even on the forecourt, it will have been prep'd, so it'll look fine. You really want to go and take a look at a dark one standing in a Sainsbury's car park...

Normally if you buy the touch up kit, it comes with a brush which will leave a thick mess no matter how hard you try. By using a standard ASDA cocktail stick, you can gently work the paint into the scratch. Take your time - don't rush it...Leave for about 15-20 minutes, and gently rub off any excess (use standard polish) without applying too much pressure. Some deep scratches need 2 or 3 repeats, but it does work quite well, and the scratch is largely un-noticeable. You need a steady hand...and you might want to try it on an old banger first

WElcome to the club - we now have a Ferrari member here too...

I think the problem with this could be that the switch unit is a fixed on or off type (don't know the technical naming of it, other than "dual pole"), so trying to get some sort of earth on/off might need a bit of re-engineering...

Apparently it is?!? http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/efficient_dynamics/bc/homepage It's an ex-demo with 2500m, Leather, Metallic, Bluetooth registered Jan 1st 2008 and paid £25k. So far so good, on the plus side it drives much better and the fuel econ is much, much better. On the down side, it's one of a million on the road and it's not as pretty to look at. You pays ya money.............................. Nice one - if it' the 177bhp (which it will be having been reg'd in january) then I'm sure it is - though I'd love to know how the stop/start works on an Auto...I'll ask next time go round to the "currently refurbishing Sytner dealership on the A563" for a nose... back on topic - I did 65 miles over the weekend, all A road hovering between 55 and 65mph, and including approx 12 miles of town driving over 2 stints the previous week, the Tank Average reads 32mpg...hhmmmm....so real could be 30mpg! Something is seriously wrong with this car...it is so inconsistent that it worries me. It means yet another trip under warranty...

Try some Maguires Scratch X. It is a cutting agent so it will remove a small amount of paint, but it does work. It's a pig to remove - I used a slightly dampened microfibre cloth on our old car and it came out OK. Even T Cut may do the trick. This will only work as long as the white/grey undercoat is not visible - else it's out with the cocktail sticks and T Cut... Mesa Red is as dark as you can realistically go - after that it becomes a night mare to keep clean and scratch free looking. Good luck.

Forget the dark colours unless you're a cleanomaniac...lexus paint is very soft (tho' it looks fantastic when new)and before you know it you'll have a badly swirled car - stick with light metallics only... German car paint looks more orangepeel when polished but is harder wearing. Same applies to Nissan...for some reason the Lexus paint process is different...

Harry - nice one - 48.8 in an Auto diesel!! On a run you should break 50mpg. Question again - is it Efficient dynamics? I didn't think the auto 3 series was ED yet (5 series is with the new "electronic fly by wire joystick" auto)...that normally helps in town only... PS - is it new? On tight engine that is very good indeed... PPS - that one rattle is now thankfully gone...just 4 more which I believe are not easily fixable: 1 in the centre of the dash, behind the MM. This a recurrence of the "dash out" job, and I'm not prepared to have that done again 1 around the sat nav screen - more creaking then enything 1 on the centre console by the left leg 1 in the passenger seat - could be fixed but hopefully the car will be gone before it's out of warranty anyway.

You need to change your name to Lex Al!! You ae correct of course, the 250 Auto is excellent!

well, if this wouldn't show up after more than 2 years of development and couple of grand more in comparison with the IS, it would be very bad for audi :) Matus - actually - the Lexus engine and gearbox combo was slightly above average (other than BHP/Torque/Local Particulate/Cat) when it was launched. Even the two of them didn't work together well then...and after 2.5 years it's still the same...and now with Co2/company car tax/road tax here in UK Lexus need to do something very very soon... Th reason why they sell is due to the Lexus branding and markting, value for money, perception of great customer service, loyal buyers etc. Everyone here with the 220d should go and test drive the new A4 2.0TDi - it has good and bad point (like any car), but be honest if you do drive one and post on here!! BTW - the 3.0TDV engine in an Audi is awesome - it might not have the V6 howl of the 250, but it will leave it dead in the water from a performance perspective - a totally different type of engine and cannot be compared to a 250...I also drove the A4 3.0TDi Quattro around the block just to compare it to the 2.0TDi. OMG! What a car!

This post is going all "MPG" again. STOP!!!! And I didn't have anything to do with it! Now I feel smug! For ages I've been saying that the 250 Auto knocks spots off the 220d. in normal (and non-rural) conditions of Mainland "treasure island", without any DPS4 aids or other, with the latest newest ECU software/5th Injector, mine averages 40mpg on a run. I am seriously thinking about trying that DPS4 stuff, until Septmber, when my new car arrives (nothing ordered yet - but am close). The 250 Auto on the other hand is smooth, reasonablly economical, and like a Lex should be...I really do wonder how those (dgman, Finlex etc) who get high 40' in a 220d would fair ina 250 Auto...I bet you woul probably get low 40's in a 250 Auto.... PS - I did try the new A4 2.0TDi and I will not put my findings on here, as no one will believe me...(BTW - I wouldn't buy the new A4 - the dodgy driving position put me off...). All I would say is just go and compare the engine and box combo to a 220d - you'll be shocked at how good a diesel can be.

It's not too bad a deal. Yours is an early one (in fact one of the first diesels - probably registered beteen last week Dec 2005 and 28th Feb 2006). Only the dealer can tell you if it's due the recall - which I suspect it will be. Apparently letters are on their way. I've seen PEX figures for mine Ranging from £17500 to less than £16k (GULP) and it's immacculate, but then they re also knocking huge wads off a new 3/5 Series, even the new A4 to try and entice at the moment!!!! PS - Steve - someone did mention that the dealership reset back to factory gound zero and it improved.... Mine came back yesterday with a full Tank of fuel, a full valet etc...not had a chance to try it properly, but it showed 27.7mpg purely town driving on "Tank Average". The stereo memory is still there so I don't think that they have touched the ECU this time.

Matt. A 220d will give you between 37 an 45mpg on a run if you drive it sensibly. The reason for the 7mpg gap is there to cater for different percentags of town v motorway driving for any typical journey. Some guys on here are putting in additives which seem to help (such as Millers DPS4). What do you get with the IS200? I bet it's around the 27-32 range on a decent run? So you will probably be OK. If you can get a 250 Auto instead with or without MM, go for it! That is what I would do...take one for a drive and then decide. If it's an approved Lexus you will have 30 days...

:o think of all the squirrels she killed Please....please....lets not start that debate again.... 10...9...8...7...6...5........OOooooom

For emissions control

What a load of non-commital tosh!!!! I was expcting that review to build up to somthing...and there was nothing. I want to know which is the best one...and it didn't say anything other than that they are all good... Nice to see he earns his dosh, and doesn't just go to seville to drive around in fast cars....

If you think the Ford reputation damaged jag, just watch what happens with Tata... If anyones ever driven a Tata you'll know what I mean!!!! The XF is a gorgeous car...

Am out and about today - so they will be dropping it off at work. To be honest, I don't care as long as it works the way it did for the first 7000 miles...

I hope so. It' now over 2 years since we bought it, and about time we knew what the car "should" do against a "stable" design. Hopefully it'll make much more consistent in it's performance...

That' right. I give up... It's taken 6 weeks to get one new drivers side vent. I've just been told that the 5 minute job to change it out will take longer as the car is also due a recall - the dreaded 5th Injector - which they would like to do today too... This'll be the 3rd fifth Injector this car is on, plus the numerous tweaks to the ECU's etc. This really isn't what I expected from a Lexus... Has anyone else been recalled and if so did it improve anything?

It does to me - we've had ours for over 2 years...and just tsted the new A4...talk about blingy interiors...

Am listening and want to join the Jamboo club..... Jamboo you Got it spot on..... Floor the throttle, gears kick down then the sound of the engine above 4000rpm.... :D :winky: The Adrenaline rush when you have to overtake and all 295lb's of torque are delivered is what keeps me sane - it's the one really endearing and evil side of the 220d which makes it fun.

I can't ever see a hybrid in this chassis, unless there is some improvement with the size and weight of the motors and batteries. There have already been at least 2 tweaks: Late 2006 - realligned switchs for Boot and fuel filler, new Black 2008 MY - different seat backs etc, plus some minor colour name changes, Auto locking (FINALLY) Bottom line is the car is already beginning to look a little old as both Merc and Audi have newer models. If they were to improv it, I'd like to see the following: Wood Standard in the SE 18" wheels standard on SE-L Auto for the diesel MP3 DVD Driver in the MLS A real tax breaker for the company car uers (doesn't affect me, but Lexus seriously want sales in the UK, an Auto Diesel/150 or lower Co2's would be a good start)