pml9952

Have just exchanged my 06 plate 220d for a BM 320d touring which I initially considered simply because it offers a bit more luggage versatility. I had recently had a 2009 220d on loan and whilst it was a bit smoother than my old car I have to say not much, and I really felt Lexus have cheapened some of the interior trim on recent models. I did a back to back test with both the BM 4 cylinder 320d and the 6 cylinder 325d but frankly the 4 cylinder amazed me with its smooth refinement that I just couldn't see a significant difference between it and the 325d. Its much better than the Toyota unit. I'm sure the 330d is well worth having if you want to spend nearly 40 grand with options. The BMW engine is much quieter, smoother and more flexible. I don't find the run flats unforgiving, on the contrary the car is more cushioned over poor town surfaces than the Lexus ever was, there's less road noise and no wind rustling around the door gaps like the Lexus. Yes the interior materials are a bit cheaper in places, the optons cost a fortune and unfortuantely the world and his wife have one, and yes I will miss Lexus sevice which has been superb, but a 320d touring gives you a bit more flexibility luggage wise and genuinely is a more enjoyable drive with sensible gear ratios to boot!

I thought this was a great post. My 220d is 12 months old and have done 12,000. The car looks great and the build and equipment is fantastic, but fuel economy, rear leg room, rattles and still the weird manual gearing are a real let down. I really really really wanted to be soooo impressed that my next car would be a Lexus without question, but Im not convinced. The biggest bug for me is the rattles - just not good enough I'm afraid, and you're forever worrying about whats going to rattle next.

can you tell me how you got on with Newcastle? Like you I have been reluctant to leave my car for any fixes without knowing for sure that the dealer knew what they were doing. When I last asked about 4 months ago they said they hadn't heard of any problems!!!!! My IS220d is just over a year old, but may have been a late 05 early 06 build, and after 12,000 miles has just started to creak around the front screen and the centre speaker when the car is cold.

mine was a 1st March delivery but I have a suspicion that it was at the dealership at least a month before that. Does anyone have any idea what VIN numbers we might be talking about for the injectors? Ive done just over 7,000 miles and averaged 38mpg, but only ever break through the 40 mpg barrier if I do A roads at 50 to 60 mph in 4th and 5th gear, when I can get about 45 over a 50 to 60 mile run. My recent 150 mile motorway journey at midnight in 6th at 80mph on cruise returned 38 mpg. I almost always use Morrisons fuel which gets delivered in a Texaco truck!! Theres less mirror vibraton than when car was new, and it will run in 6th at around 75ish, but I always drop into 5th below that. any observations anyone ?

personally I'd go for the spinning ones, I'm not keen on the possible consequences of some heavy handed thief forcing the ones which have the grub screws to lock them on.

See this thread - http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...&hl=windows It's happened to me too. Fortunately it was dry. I've been more careful with the key (don't sit down with it in your back pocket!) and it's not happened again. Maybe the wireless key reciever in the car is just v.sensitve and picks up the signal even when the key's in the house! Thanks guys, it's the key. don't know how I did it but on my car the front windows go down and up first before therears start to follow, hence fronts were only open a few inches.

Did you get an answer to this from your dealer? Tonight I locked the car on the door button and when I looked out a couple of hours later both front windows had opened by about 4 inches.

anyone know why we still don't know how it scores?

interestingly had no letter but took it in for the flat battery problem and was told they had recalled for seat belts! which was a surprise - belts replaced but charging/discharging checked normal so not sure what battery problem was . As a bi-product I noticed that the loan car was on Bridgestones and mines on Dunlops - in my opinion and assuming they were fully inflated, the Bridgestones ride better over uneven surrfaces particularly at speed. Any other views on this? (also got champers but tank was full anyway so no fuel). However, I have to say that after my experiences with Saab, Rover and VW dealers getting a loan car with more than a thimble full of fuel was a real bonus (my VW dealer once loaned me a Perodua Nippa when I left a top spec Passat for service - I didn't even know such a thing existed!).

Well after posting this ony 4 days ago I got a message on the answerphone today from Lexus Chester. Called them back and mine is subject to a recall. Asked them to forward me the notice so I can take it somewhere local and they don't have one as it's dealt with at Head Office. Not impressed.

My SE-L is regulary left for 26-30 days while I'm away and I haven't had any problems at all. Starts first time. This has been ongoing since I received the car in December last year, which is why it's only got 2800 miles on it after just over 6 months (and probably why I don't have any rattles either).

Just by way of an update, the car is booked into the dealer in about a week. Having eliminated all other possibilities I can only think the drain on the battery (which was so dead that I lost all radio programmed stations and the average consumption data etc on my trip computer) was down to the security system or other functions that continue when the car is left locked. My dealer sort of confirms this, saying that although experience with the 220D is still limited, their experience is that the battery will go flat after between 14 and 28 days. So watch out fellow 220d owners. Anyone got any ideas about possible solutions?

Just got back from 2 weeks hol. and got to the airport to find battery on my 4 month old IS 220DSE was completely dead. RAC chap said he didn't think it would even start on his rechargeable battery pack. Checked that no interior/trunk lights in on position, which they weren't, and cannot believe that I would have not double checked that the car was locked, so that seems to rule out leaving the ignition button in either of the "non-off" postions. Check on discharge after initial charging didn't show up anything either. Will run it to dealers for check over but wondered if anyone else has experienced similar problem?

Yes, my rear view mirror is useless on the motorway, but really only bad if I put it in 6th at 80mph plus.

don't know about whether you are the first, but I noticed that I only got about 30mpg readung cuurent consumption on the onboard computer when running on the motorway yesterday in 6th gear at 2000 rpm, i.e. about 90 mph. I would have though that 2000 rpm in 6th would have given me a lot more than that. I'll try drving some distance at around 70 mph in 5th and see what that does, but I really cannot see the consumption getting up much from my current 35 mpg even when fully run in. What sort of speed and gears were you running in? and how many miles has your car done?