GJD

Whilst my car was in for warranty work, they also replaced both key fobs under warranty for some reason.

They were a bit vague as to the reason why, mentioned something about interference?

Never had problems with the fobs themselves as far as I am aware

Just wondered if this is a general 'recall' type thing by Lexus?

With the keyless system you have to either lock the car with the remote or one of the buttons on the exteranl door handles.

It will only auto lock if you unlock the car and then not open any of the doors.

I had a similar problem once, and its worth bearing in mind the car shouldn't lock if the key is anywhere inside the car.

Regards

Keith

Cheers. Yes I guess I've left it open all the time then ! Oops.

Join the club GaryC - when I first had mine, I didn't fully appreciate you had to lock it manually, spent the first night having kittens because the car wouldn't lock.....was convinced it was because the key in the house was too close to the car........it wasn't until 2am in the morning when I finally resorted to reading the manual that old light bulb came on......

My 220D is in Lexus for a couple of days having some warranty work done and they 'kindly' supplied me with a courtesy car.........IS250 SEL + MM + Auto

All I can say is BLOODY HELL! It is quite simply the best car I have ever had the pleasure of driving!

I could write page upon page of how much I've fallen for it but will keep it short - if anyone out there is dithering over whether to get a 220D or the 250 instead, there is simply no choice, go for the 250 everytime. If I could roll the clock back, I'd seriously consider paying extra for this variation (company car bandings).

The car they have let me use is a 57 plate and must be the latest model (auto locking, different seat backs) but it is that engine and auto box that have really impressed me - god it flies and that exhaust sound!!

Yes, fuel consumption makes my 220 look excellent (and that's saying something) but I'd give all that up if I could (and won the lottery).

The only thing I do not like is the wood trim, prefer the aluminium on my SE variant but suppose that is personal preferences.

Finding every excuse to go out of the office today as it has to go back tonight..........

they finally added auto locking now?

They sure have, although I couldn't quite understand it........locks all 4 doors when you start driving and when you stop, only appear able to get out the drivers door, all other stayed locked!! No doubt I was not doing something right and there is a setting somewhere, didn't really have time to explore!

Well, back in the real world now in my 220D and it's not that bad a world really, especially as I now have 4 nice spanking new alloys on the car and it has been cleaned inside and out by Mr Lexus.......

I was very pleasantly surprised just how easy it was to slip back into the 220D, didn't even stall it, yes, the 1st roundabout I went across was a bit hairy but a few apologitic hand signals solved that one.....

Whether its the 220d or 250, this car certainly does turn heads, was amazed this morning just how many other drivers twist their necks to have a good look, they certainly are not looking at my ugly mug that's for sure......

Yes, if I had the money spare and probably more importantly the thieving government would not tax me to the hilt on CO2 emissions, I would love a 250 but I count myself lucky to have such a great car in the first place. The amount of miles I do a year also doesn't really lend itself to a petrol, has to be a a diesal even with the increasing gap between the 2 fuels prices.

I appear to be one of the luckier ones in that I don't have any real problems now with the car itself - I can live with the MPG now (sorry, mentioned that word again) and the MPG (there it goes again) does seem to have settled down into the low to mid 40s without really trying. I am seriously creeping towards the advertised combined MPG (sorry again) now on a regular basis.

Even the old cracks and groans after about 5 minutes driving have mysteriously disappeared (suppose this could be with the 'slightly' warmer weather?)

I've had the car 8 months now, done 22,000 miles and still get that glowing feeling each time I drive it so it can't be that bad can it? Not for me anyway, appreciate some of you guys have had a nightmare so I count myself as being lucky although I fully appreciate that 'lucky' shouldn't come into the Lexus brand......

welcome to the world of the IS250 albeit a short trip glad you enjoyed it.

We have just been up to the Lake District for a few days. The weather was awful, but nevertheless, all the driving was a pure pleasure . . . . . :D

That's it, rub it in you :tsktsk: s.....!!!

this is why I'll never try the 250, I know I would regret too :-)

Too true Matus - although I've loved every minute of the experience it is going to be like going back to the steam age tonight when I get back into my oil burner.....and no doubt I will stall it as I leave the garage........

My 220D is in Lexus for a couple of days having some warranty work done and they 'kindly' supplied me with a courtesy car.........IS250 SEL + MM + Auto

All I can say is BLOODY HELL! It is quite simply the best car I have ever had the pleasure of driving!

I could write page upon page of how much I've fallen for it but will keep it short - if anyone out there is dithering over whether to get a 220D or the 250 instead, there is simply no choice, go for the 250 everytime. If I could roll the clock back, I'd seriously consider paying extra for this variation (company car bandings).

The car they have let me use is a 57 plate and must be the latest model (auto locking, different seat backs) but it is that engine and auto box that have really impressed me - god it flies and that exhaust sound!!

Yes, fuel consumption makes my 220 look excellent (and that's saying something) but I'd give all that up if I could (and won the lottery).

The only thing I do not like is the wood trim, prefer the aluminium on my SE variant but suppose that is personal preferences.

Finding every excuse to go out of the office today as it has to go back tonight..........

Just a quick post to say fair play to Lexus (Bristol), we slate them enough so praise where praise due......

Car has been in for its 20k service today and they have obviously done a thorough job as they have picked up:-

1) Oil leak - never noticed this myself, no tell tale drips anywhere, 'under front cover' is the description?

2) Key - ad-hoc faults apparantly (again, did not report this all though thinking about it there have been a few instances where it would not lock)

3) alloys - replacing the alloys due to corroding which I did report but no hassle in getting them to sort

Car has to go in for 2 days in a couple of weeks to sort out oil leak & alloys, needs stripping down and re-sealing so they say, goes without saying that they are providing a replacement vehicle whilst it is in.

And to top it all off, car has come back as new after a thoroughly good clean.

So in all, this is the sort of service we expect from Lexus!

Final point - MPG.......now getting regular 44mpg+ each and every tank and that is without concentrating on driving style or similar, it just 'happens' now! Even got it up to 46.9mpg on a 250 mile motorway round trip yesterday - Not brilliant as far as diesels go but will do me.........

I have the same problem with mine, albeit a 220D SE

When parked at home, it distinctly looks as though the rear drivers side is lower than anywhere else on the vehicle

I have put it down to maybe the drive not being 100% level - going to check now even though the car appears to drive OK

Update a few weeks on.......

I have been religiously recording my MPG for the last couple of months now and driving as I now believe the car is intended to be driven. Yes, when needed I will use the power available but generally I now drive sensibily and on motorways stick to about 78 with cruise on in 6th (although Garmin Satnav indicates I'm actually doing 72mph!). I have now been driving in the 'new' style for so long I don't even have to think about it.

Anyway, end result is that I am now getting 40+mpg each and every tank of fuel - only 1 blip and this was when I was stuck on the M5 for 2 hours in very slow traffic (<10mph)

When I started my recording process, the running MPG was 36.38 - now it is 39.06 and continues to rise each and every tank.

My driving is 70% motorway, 30% A / B roads and I'm finding now that even on the A/B roads, I'm getting high 30's mpg. Car has now done 15,000 and is 5 months old.

So, in short, I'm getting there and am now far more happy with the car.

Only other thing to report is was cleaning it last weekend and noticed bubbles on 2 of the alloys - will try and get them swapped out under warranty at next service.

well, just back from a 200 mile trip, 90% motorway rest A roads (but in heavy stop / start traffic)

Stuck by what I said at outset of this post - never above about 2200rpm, 6th gear at just above 70mph cruising on motorway - very little if any vibrations on mine now at this speed, even up some pretty steep hills.

Got 43.8mpg over the 200 miles which is way better than I have ever got before. Filled up just over half way and tank average is now sitting at a never before seen 44.7mpg with estimated tank mileage of 500+ (ever before above 460)

Yes, you do have to concentrate to get the quick gear changes in, especially 1-2-3 and it is SO hard not to want to use all that power but its there in reserve just in case and the results are astounding!

Thought I would have a nice leisurely drive into work this morning.....

Normal route, 20% A/B roads, 80% motorway

Never let revs wherever possible get above about 2000-2200rpm

No rocket acceleration or coasting down hills, put cruise on on motorway

Used 6th Gear at 70mph on motorway

Result?

46.6MPG compared to normal 36 - 37mpg on exactly the same route and traffic conditions

Didn't really take any longer, quite enjoyed the drive to be honest and it was not too much work involved in getting the gear changes right. Surprised myself at the 6th gear, no problem at 70mph

Maybe the car is just starting to bed in - just over 9,000 miles now from new

So, for once, I am extremely happy! Going to try this approach each drive now, would be cracking to get a tank average above 40mpg........

Probably completely side tracked here but mine only switches to intermittent when I have foot on brake

is this correct?

Hi all Diesel owners,

Mine went in to Lexus Chester with drastic fuel returns...32mpg on motorway and best was 39mpg over the month...

When it was returned the next day they said everything was fine with the car and no faults found...driving home got 46-49mpg and continue to do so!!!

From 410miles a tank to 550miles a tank...Also 6th feels better and now at 65mph change rather than 75-80mph.

Changed Injectors or flashed and re mapped ecu...who knows???! But definitely did something to it!

HAPPY

Would be really interested to know if you can get out of them exactly what they did to see such a dramtic improvement! Mine is on 9,000 miles, 3 months old, averaging 35mpg over each tank, took it back, told it had all mods etc, can't even think about 6th gear unless over 80mph.........

If you could find out, would be great so I can challenge them when it goes in for 1st service......

cheers

Hi Dave

From past experience, I'd definitely go for the IS250 without question. If it's your own personal purchase (i.e. not a company car), then if I'm honest, don't even consider the diesel, you will not save that much on fuel.

Not saying I don't love my 220D, it is a great car, but I was under exactly the same impression as you after test drives - wasn't until 2 or 3 weeks into having the car on my drive that it starts to kick in that the 220D is not quite there at this moment in time. Coming from a 130bhp diesal, the power blew me away in the test drive as well and I probably didn't pay too much attention to the fuel consumption as I should have.....

The fuel economy simply does not add up and it is this you may not notice until you have the car - there are plenty of posts on this forum going into this in great detail. No matter how I drive my car, I simply cannot get a good MPG return. Yes I've only just done 8,000 miles in 3 months but I'd still expect way more than 38mpg I'm currently getting (and a high proportion is motorway cruising at 70mph).

Example is my previous car - 7 seater MPV, very heavy, 130bhp diesel. From new, regularly returned 45+mpg on a tank no matter how hard I drove it. Drive it like I do the Lexus now (very carefully, no quick acceleration etc) and you would get 50+mpg no problems. Same size tank in the Lexus as MPV - Lexus lucky if I get 470 miles, MPV 600+ everytime from new, mixed driving. I could even get a far better MPG return on the MPV with the great big roof box on and fully loaded!

Everyone says it will get better once you hit 10,000, 20,000 etc etc - time will tell

As said at the start, I do love my IS220D and do do a lot of miles (30,000 or more a year) so the diesal over time when compared to the petrol version will be more economical to me personally, just not as much of a saving as I first expected that's all

That's my 2 pennies worth anyway - whichever engine you go for you'll love it, they are GREAT cars, can't drive mine enough!

mine is on 8,000 miles, nearly 3 months old, told it has had all the latest mods on it pre-delivery in September 2007.

30% town, 70% motorway, 37mpg if I'm REALLY lucky - can get it up to 40mpg on the way home as I go down some steep hills, let it coast soon shoots up but REALLY boring to drive like that.......

If just around town, no more than 31-32mpg at very best.

Did complain about the mpg a month ago to dealer and was told there was nothing wrong and it does get better with age. Lexus Bristol said they had had loads of customers complain the same and in all instances they (i.e. Lex Bristol) could take the car out and get way over 40+mpg.......

I'm not 100% sure that the tank average is all that accurate, going to start recording details myself - I can't understand how you can cruise for miles (say 50 miles+) at steady spead where the instant MPG is hovering around 40+mpg to get the tank average up but as soon as you have to go up a hill or accelerate in the slightest, the tank average plumits - in my very simple maths, if you are cruising for 50 miles at 40mpg and then 0.5miles at, say, 30mpg, it should not make such a big difference as it does to the than average over the 50.5 miles total. Or am just being thick?!

Despite all this, love the car despite the ever bigger hole in my pocket!

Need to get the 'cracking' noises sorted though, getting worse at the moment, before was just one after about 5 mins or so in a morning, no getting them on a regular basis

Got mine up to 44mpg on way home on Friday evening (before was 35 - 37mpg if I was lucky)

Yes, I did drive a bit like a Sunday driver but not too much - main difference I found was NOT using cruise on the motorway and easing off down hills (as pointed out, cars weight does keep the speed up fine)

So a bit happier than I was although now blinded by all the flashing lights behind and deaf from the peeping horns..........

Still, we shouldn't really have to do all this should we?!

Still loving the car though!

Aren't they the same design? Dealer told me it was the vibration caused by the diesel...reckons drivers of the oilers let them labour in too high a gear Not sure I'd agree as the one they gave me as a courtesy car wasn't labouring and I still couldn't see anything out of the rear view mirror.

Labouring in too high a gear or music system at any decent volume (and I haven't got MM) - either made mine shake like mad

just had the vibrating rear view mirror fixed

highly recommend everyone getting this done - completely solves the problem, had bass up blasting, not a vibration anywhere, can actually see what's behind me (didn't stop me cutting up a BMW driver though........not intentially honest..... )

Lexus Bristol got the 'parts' or whatever it is to fix it within 2 days so they must now be in plentiful supply I assume

Get calling your dealers for the fix!

Well, just back from Lexus Bristol........

ECU remap OK, got latest on there so that's not the problem. Got the normal about it takes time to 'run in' and get best MPG, also advised to try and not let engine work in lower revs (<2000) which I suppose I have been doing in an effort not to push revs too high!

Will give their suggestions and go and bear with it for the next few 1000, hopefully will see an improvement!

Rear view mirror had fix applied - great, can now see behind me, no vibrations at all

Anyway, still very very happy overall with the car - does give you a feel good factor even if it does burn a hole in the old pocket!

have you tried to check things like pressure in the tires; the temperature of rims after calm drive (brake stuck) ?

Do you use cruise controll? Do you use weight of the car? (rolling distance is high)

When you drive, what is your rpm range?

have tried most things to be honest - tyre pressure is OK, haven't noticed any excess temperature anywhere, use cruise control where possible, not sure about 'weight of car'?

RPM range is 2000-2500

Well, totally fed up this morning, 35mpg coming into work, nice steady drive, 80% motorway, 20% A/B roads, dire

phoned up Lexus Bristol to get it looked at (plus handbrake & rear mirror), they reckon there is an ECU update - was told by the salesman all latest mods had been applied to the vehicle.....hmmm, will not be impressed if update improves things.......

Car in on Thursday of this week, will post a reply after a couple of days with update

For what its worth, yes I'm disappointed with the MPG I'm getting at the moment but I live in hope it will get better, and I'm fairly sure it will eventually! I am going to try different driving styles to try to get the best out of it - have seen some improvement last couple of days, up to nearly 38mpg in current tank, mixture motorway / town driving, so that is a bit more acceptable......it does appear to be better when you are pushing it in 6th gear but I daren't do this too much in case I get blue lights in the mirror (thats if I could see them over the shakes......)

MPG appears the only major problem I've got with mine - yes I get the morning creak after a few miles but I can live with that now I know it's not a brick hitting the car - other than this creak, no rattles or anything. The good old rear mirror vibrates but this will get fixed on the first service.

Other than above, I love the car and am 100% sure I made the right choice - even after 2 months / 6500 miles, still get that same buzz each morning going out to it and it looks the biz inside and out.

Therefore, I'm about 95% happy with my 220D, may even go up to 99.99% if/when the MPG improves!!

Think I'll get it checked over at it's first service, if not sooner (hand brake very slack, could do with tightening before 10k service)

There does appear to be a huge range of figures being quoted and I cannot believe it should be quite as dire as mine is returning, even when being driven quite conservatively

thanks for the comments as ever!

sometimes it keeps coming on when slowing down etc. due to the fluid moving about. So it thinks it is warning you of the drop below the minimum, then it goes up, then it goes down so it warns you again. If you persist (or spray some more out ) it will drop below the level where it keeps going above and below minimum and then you will be just stuck with the usual default warning (or fill it up at a service station).

Good point - didn't think about it just being on the warning level, makes complete sense! Next time, I will try spraying a bit more and see what happens!!!

Cheers