FinLex

I agree 100 %. I believe I made the right choice back in 2006, but were I faced with the same decision now, I don't think I would end up with a Lexus. The 2009 model wasn't a big enough update IMO. The competition is fierce, if you stay put, you're getting behind. But if I was looking for a second-hand car, then sure. I vote YES.

Well, there is a new(ish) recommendation for using ACEA C3 specced oil only. Not that I have had any problems using non-C3 oils.

I'm saying what I said. This is the best car I've ever had. It was also the best car I tested in 2006-2007. Not the best DIESEL, the best diesel-powered CAR.

Yep. This is the best car I've had in my life. Better than the 03 Audi A4 or the 01 Volvo S60, for instance. And better than any of the dozen or so diesels I tested when buying a car last time.

I would say give it some time and try your best to get it going. Try different driving styles and fuels. Don't let the OBC freak you out, pay attention only to long(er) time average. If it still doesn't work for you, then let it go. I've read hundreds and hundreds of horror stories on this forum in the last two years. In real life, I've seen nothing of the kind. Got my car in January 2007, done 55000 miles with it and haven't had a single failure. 47 MPG from new. In a word: happy.

Quoted figures are not claims, they are the results of independent measurements. I had my WORST mileage on a long run just a couple of weeks ago. The car was overloaded, the road was really hilly and there was a strong head wind. Cruising at 65-70 mph, tank average 43.5 MPG. And my Sport is quoted to only do 38.2 on average...

The OBC is dead on. BTW, 69.5 MPG is far beyond anything I've ever recorded. Still, my overall figure is 47,9 MPG from new... And 50+ is a constant on longer runs.

Haven't been bothered to drop by here for a long, long time. IMHO, this forum is the ultimate 220d hatemongerers' club. I think about 99 % of all the negative comments I have ever read or heard on the 220d have been posted in here. I have absolutely no interest going down the all too familiar is not / is too road, so this is my only post on this thread. I went through a very thorough car selection procedure in 2006/07, tested just about all the diesel alternatives and a few petrol ones too (from Skoda Octavia to BMW 5-series, and yes the IS 250 Auto as well), and ended up buying the 220d Sport. After almost two years and 38k miles, I have had no problems whatsoever. The mileage is very consistent at 48 MPG overall, 50+ easily achievable on a run. For urban driving the 220d is a poor choice, but as a cruiser it's very good. The standard gearbox is the real Achilles' heel of the 220d, the gearing on that one is very untraditional, to say the least. I'm pretty sure there are some real bargains to be found among the 220d's, as it has gotten a lot more bad press than I think it deserves. My experience and the experiences of other 220d owners I've come across in real life are most definitely not at all in line with the consensus on this forum. Luck can't cover it.

Interesting stats you have there. In Finland, the official curb weight for the IS 220d is 1660 kg, whereas S80 D5 A weighs 1652 kg according to the manufacturer.

Once more with feeling... There is no doubt in my mind that the 525dA is far superior to the 220d. But what bothers me a bit is that this should be self-evident and not something to preach about. These cars are not rivals as such. The only way to get them on the same line is to compare a brand new 220d to a second-hand BMW. That's not exatcly apples to apples...

Apart from this forum, I have yet to meet a dissatisfied 220d owner. That is the honest truth. It's been 20 months since I bought my 220d Sport. I have been very happy with it every day. 1st gear isn't perfectly smooth and there have been minor rattles in the B pillars, but these are insignificant problems compared to any other car that I've had before. 49 MPG average from new, by the way...

Still very happy with mine. 50+ tank averages more and more common. Fits four adults with ease, trunk not that much smaller than, for example, Audi A4's. Quiet, very stylish and hasn't missed a beat. I really don't know what the problem with some 220d's is, but I can say for sure that there are good ones out there, too. Mine is 07 model with 34000 miles on the clock.

What an absolute joy it is to discuss about cars with such experts as GaryC. Torque is nonsense? No, such claims are nonsense.

Fine by me. I think I've had enough of your insults and hatemongering. But as little as I have understanding for your way of communicating, I really hope you find peace with your bad Lexus experience.

I mentioned this in the "New Model IS 220d" thread only a couple of days ago. Naturally I was told I was "misguided" and talking "absolute rubbish". I'm sure you will, too. SOP on this forum.

I've talked with Lexus staff every chance I've gotten. None have said the 220d will be dropped. The diesel market is extremely important in Europe. That is why Lexus made a diesel version in the first place, and nothing has changed since. I'll believe Lexus dropping the 220d when I see it confirmed by Lexus. If you can provide this confirmation, please do. That would be much more useful and informative than you're average post telling us that you hate the 220d.

GaryC, I'll quote myself: Not better is not the same as being behind, but yes, I really think the 220d is better than the 250 A in some things. I think the 250 A is much better than the 220d in heavy urban traffic. I think the 220d is slightly better for my usage (only about 5 percent urban). Am I not allowed to say that I find a diesel car better for extra-urban cruising? That is what diesels are meant for. That is why I chose the 220d, and would choose it again. What is the problem you (and some others) are having with that?

Feel free to quote the post where I've said the 220d is perfect. AFAIK, the 220d will remain. Feel free to post a link to anything even remotely official saying it will be dropped. The IS 250 is a better car for some people and for some purposes. Not for me, not for many others. How hard is this to get?

Once again you're saying the 220d is crap just because you don't like it. You have a serious problem trying to figure out that your opinion is not universal. If you don't like something, please feel free to say so. But stop making conclusive summaries based on your sole experience. Have you seen any of us happy 220d owners saying that the car must be perfect because we're happy with it?

It is my honest opinion. Has been all along, but hitherto I've kept it to myself. I really didn't mean to put down the 250 A, but since so many 250 A owners seem to give expert opinions on the 220d... Both are great cars. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Both have competitors that are better in some ways and worse in others.

Calm down. I am entitled to my opinion, right? The lag I'm talking about is not from the engine, but from the gearbox. With my 220d I'm already on the right gear, whereas the auto box needs to downshift. The time between the moment I put my foot down and the moment the car starts to really accelerate is shorter with the diesel. Sure, you can use the paddles but seriously, no-one really does that in day-to-day driving. I've driven the 250 Auto four times. A good dozen of hours, total. I don't have to adapt my driving. I don't own a 250 Auto and don't intend to. However, I did adapt my driving to the 220d. This is the first diesel I've had. Been driving petrol cars all my life, a few of them with an auto gearbox.

Thanks, you too! ;)

Where did I say people aren't entitled to say what they feel? What I said was that there's something peculiar in the way the 220d is treated here. It's not at all in line with my experience and those reported by the real life 220d owners I've discussed with. Never driven a first gen IS, but what I've read about it, a far inferior car to the 2nd gen. Design, in particular, was really awkward, whereas the 2nd gen is truly a beautiful car. And while we're still at it: I didn't like the 250 A engine/gearbox combo that much. Every time I wanted it to go, it didn't. The only way to get it really moving is by kickdown, and quite frankly the lag there is much worse than the turbo lag in the 220d. Heavy urban traffic is where the 250 A is better. Anywhere else it isn't, IMHO.

There's something very peculiar in the way some members of this community are so eager to crucify the 220d...

Well, I would choose 220d Sport, and luckily that's what I've got! 25k miles, no problems apart from the minor rattle from the B-pillar. Getting 48 MPG tank averages all the time. If I did a lot of urban miles, then it would be a different story.