GiOldDog

Really excellent review. You should be a motoring journo... As I used to drive a 320d (2000 model) I totally agree with everything you say. Just a quick comment about mine..... Never had any rattles, apart from the wife, but that's removeable! The car is just solid, day in, day out... everything as it should be.. quite boring really. At the current rate of mileage as well, it will see the dealer only once a year, unlike my BMW that saw the dealership on an all too regular basis. Mine has rattles too ( I meant the wife) especially about the price. But what do they know ? Anyway, any advice on ways of rattles removal ? Enjoy.

Yes John, you are right, it is a metalic paint and I saw a sample today at the dealership in Southend. It looks "the business" especially when you combine it with the oakham leather trim. I am sure that you will have a few of your colleagues eyes on her. And yes indeed it looks like the 2007 spec has an upgraded MMP due to the fact there were concerns over the compatibility after a 3 year period (taking into account the fast speed of IT developments). I have a japanese friend (playing games over the internet) and I asked him to look at their website (which is obviously in japanese and I don't understand a thing) and he confirmed that to me, but it doesn't say that it will apply to the IS for Europe. Anyway, it will probably transpire soon. Have a good day and be happy. Regards. The poor fuel consumption appears to be related to early (Jan/Feb) IS220d and Lexus now has a fix that involves fitting new fuel injectors (different type to those supplied). :) Yes Scott you are right. I have asked this question the Lexus top rep in Southend and he confirmed this. All 2006 (march/april onwards) and 2007 models have got the modified injectors. The same development will be applied to the Rav T180 and Avensis T180 due to the same poor reports over the average consumption. :winky:

:D Absolutely briliant report !!! You have definitely read almost everything that has been written about the IS 220D because I can recognize some very specific words the "jornos" use almost everywhere. I am myself quite a diesel maniac and like yourself I cannot wait to take delivery of my 220D SE MMP in new velvet black colour. I have done exactely what you have done concerning what has been written about the new IS diesel and after printing out almost all the reports, I have to say that I think I must have chopped a few trees. Anyway, you couldn't have been any more to the point than you have and I am absolutely trilled that there is at least another driver out there who thinks exactely the same as I do. I have already test drove the IS diesel (with and without the MMP) four times already and at one point the Lexus rep thought that I might be a bit of a spy from the opposition or so. My baby should arrive within two weeks but I still cannot wait until then and now and again I go back on the Lexus website to get another look at it. I was very concerned at one point regarding the average consumption, but having read your comments I am mare than reassured now. At the end of the day it will depend on the way you drive the car. I am more than positive now that I have chosen the right car and having said that, only smart and very special people buy a special car, a Lexus. Well Done again for your report. Enjoy. :winky: :D Absolutely briliant report !!! You have definitely read almost everything that has been written about the IS 220D because I can recognize some very specific words the "jornos" use almost everywhere. I am myself quite a diesel maniac and like yourself I cannot wait to take delivery of my 220D SE MMP in new velvet black colour. I have done exactely what you have done concerning what has been written about the new IS diesel and after printing out almost all the reports, I have to say that I think I must have chopped a few trees. Anyway, you couldn't have been any more to the point than you have and I am absolutely trilled that there is at least another driver out there who thinks exactely the same as I do. I have already test drove the IS diesel (with and without the MMP) four times already and at one point the Lexus rep thought that I might be a bit of a spy from the opposition or so. My baby should arrive within two weeks but I still cannot wait until then and now and again I go back on the Lexus website to get another look at it. I was very concerned at one point regarding the average consumption, but having read your comments I am mare than reassured now. At the end of the day it will depend on the way you drive the car. I am more than positive now that I have chosen the right car and having said that, only smart and very special people buy a special car, a Lexus. Well Done again for your report. Enjoy. :winky:

Is there a new colour ? Is it like the 70's flock ? :winky: Yes, and it is a metalic as you probably guessed. It's somewhere in between a dark grey and black, let's say a bit darker than the cadoxtone slate. :winky: It realy goes nicely with any light colour leather. :D

:) Hi, I can see that you are driving an IS220d MMP. I wil be taking delivery of a similar one very soon (new velvet black colour) and I was wondering if you could tell me of your impressions so far. Before I decided to go for the IS I checked and test drove most of the opposition (BMW 320d, Audi and Merc) but obviously none of them raised to the new challenge set by IS. I have read some articles critisizing the IS on "drive feel" and maybe they are somehow right when compared to the BMW, but as an overall if you try to spec any of the others up to the SE MMP level you may have to have very deep pockets indeed. I am more than positive that I made the right decision, but if you think otherwise please advise me. Best Regards. :)

Yes, you are quite right, I guess. The E class is a direct competitor to the GS. But I still think that no german car comes close to any Lexus from a quality and built point of view. Just to answer your questions: Insurance wise, average age and probably average insurance. Miles, yes I do nearly 25K/year (A13 mainly). Family size, 4. I am actualy going to see and test drive the new RAV4 (T180, top of the range) which has got the same diesel engine, 2.2 L, and aparently is a much better car than the previous model from many points of view. I shall see tomorrow. It might just turn that is the car I just need. It does almost 40 miles/galon on a combined cicle, which is not too bad at all for the size. Well, I will let you know. :winky:

Are you sure you mean E220 CDI and not C220 CDI? Yes, I am talking about the E220 CDI. The C220 CDI doesn't come anywhere near the new IS 220D. I have driven the C class many times and you just cannot compare the two. Add recent "reliability" and "dealership service" problems and it says it all. I was just wondering if anyone drove the E220 CDI. Just for comparison.

Has anyone driven the new E 220 CDI ? If you have, please let me know your impressions. There are some people out there saying that the E class is a lot better motor than our IS. Well, looking at the spec, you can get as much as the IS offers, but at what price ? 5K to 6K more. I don't know if it is worth the difference. If anyone does, please let me know. :winky: