colbecoz

Our estate is like any other one in the UK (plenty of BMW's, Merc's, Audi's- majority of these are probably company cars). We've also got plenty of Mondeo's, Vectra's, Astra's etc, again the newer ones are probably company cars- only the one Lexus on our estate, mine (and its one of the oldest cars on my estate).

May be one of the oldest Kam, but it's "THE BEST"!!!!

Col

Don't you just love it when your neighbor recognizes a good car !

Fellow neighbors at the top of my road have purchased a very smart 2004 SE, can't help but feel like my IS may have influenced their decision

Has anyone else experienced this?

It a lovely warm feeling !

Nope, but that is brilliant...

Col

latests posts new! top right hand corner, simple

Ahhhhhhh... found it...... great..... Ta a lot..

Col

Nice Puffin!!!!

Muffin the Puffin.....

latests posts new! top right hand corner, simple

Ahhhhhhh... found it...... great..... Ta a lot..

Col

what's happened to the layout of the Forum. I used to be able to get straight to the new topics and then look back,,, now I can't

?????????????????????????

Col

Thanks for the welcomes and thanks Col for the encouragement it is what I was hoping to hear

Really looking forward to it now, just hope the dealer can get it ready asap? 45+ MPG would be totally excellent compared to what we are used to.

On whattowcar website they have a choice for the IS220d standard from 2006 and then there is IS220D standard shortshift from 02/2007 onwards. Ours was registered 21st November 07 so would it be a shortshift version? or is that a totally different model altogether?

Thanks again Paul.

Paul, don't think it'll be short shift. Mine is standard and I find it quite nice and positive. It's different from my IS200 sport, but then the 220D is a differnt drive altogether. I love mine to bits now.

Col

Hi guys, just traded in my 2003 Shogun 3.2DiD Elegance Auto in for a 2007 (57) IS 220d. I have had a test drive in the 220 and really enjoyed it. We don't get it until sometime next week as the dealers we purchased it from were short staffed due to illness.

I didn't know about the forums until after I bought the car and I am now a bit worried about buying the diesel. Read loads of horror stories about it already

I will be happy as long the car averages around 30mpg as this will be nearly double what the Shogun did to the gallon, which is one of the reasons we decided to trade it in, plus the fact they offered me £7500 part ex for it

We also need the Lexus to pull our caravan and according to whattowcar website it is a 100% match which is great, although the towbar cost is nearly £400 fitted <ouch!>

On the test drive the Lexus seemed really powerful, had loads of punch and drove lovely. The clutch felt a bit springy but I haven't driven a manual car for nearly 2 years now. The gearstick was smooth and easy to glide into gear. I have read about them having really long gearing but when I drove it it seemed fine and was up into 5th gear in no time. I didn't get chance to get into 6th gear because of traffic which is worrying me now. I really liked the car even though it was only a standard spec it did have rear parking sensors fitted, a big bonus for the missus.

Please tell me I haven't made a huge mistake going for the Lexus?

Cheers.

Welcome mate. Nope you have made a wonderful choice. There are those who unfortunately are bent on knocking the IS220D, and I went through a period of doubt also based on some of the posts. Yep, I have had a couple of problems, but on the scale of other cars, they are minor. My Local Lexus dealer is fanatastic, and all the niggles are now fully sorted under warranty. I've just recently had to long drives and at one point was averaging 48.8 MPG which was great. (not driving gently either!!). ENjoy your Lexus, it's a prestige car which is different from the pack, and reliable.

Col...

Well it's my fourth IS, two IS200s and two IS250s, and sadly it has to go.

I've been unemployed for six months and something has to give, unfortunately it looks like it has to be the Lexus.

I'll be sad to see it go after 27k fault free miles, but needs must. I'm looking round the dealers at the moment to see what I can get for a straight sale and will then look for something a bit older and a bit smaller. My son has just moved abroad to work so there is only going to be me in the car now so a luxury that I can no longer warrant.

If anybody knows anybody who wants one ;) It will be a help to me.

Oh no!! That's a real bummer. Can't you just cut back on other things and keep it mate. You're bound to get a job soon. Things are supposed to be getting better. I'm keeping everything crossed that you get a position soon and can keep your Lexy...

Col...

if its done to reset it you just hold the trip switch then press the start button (without the clutch down) you will see the odometer count down then zero itself. job done

Have the same problem and tried this. Doesn't work. Any other suggestions???

heres a video of my car on the motorway 30-80mph

scuse the music the boy from my work was videoing it on the way back from a cruise.

you like? :D

Luv it... luv it... Luv It... LUv It.... LUV IT.... LUV IT!!!!!

Col.... :D :)

Had EGR replaced. Getting 36.5 MPG combined.. is this OK??

Col

At most I get ~38 on the motorway, 31-33 combined.

It is the sport so not sure how the gear ratio affects it but at 60K my next job is to sort out the EGR Valve. Was yours done in warranty? If not, what did you pay if you dont mind me asking.

Mine is out of warranty so options are to clean, replace myself or nip into local garage.

Mine was replaced under warranty so no idea of cost mate... sorry..

Col

Depends on how much motorway and town driving you do... and your style of driving.

If you do mostly motorway mileage at sensible speeds it should be close to 40 MPG.

Drive gently and mix of motorway and town. Thought it should be nearer 45-50 mpg???

Had EGR replaced. Getting 36.5 MPG combined.. is this OK??

Col

Interesting to hear from Arnold Clark, and does prove that the dealers do quietly monitor these forums so venting can sometimes help! If the Lexus dealer is owned by the same group, there is no excuse for the Toyota dealer to exhibit such behaviour.

Hope you sort this asap, as otherwise I doubt anyone who visits these forums would be too happy about using your dealerships.......

Parthiban, I've dealt with the Lexus people in Aberdeen for around 3 years. To say that their Sales and Service to me has been exemplary is an understatement. I have reflected this when called by Lexus UK to give my customer feedback. As far as I am aware, AC have the Lexus franchise as well as many other dealer franchises such as ford, Citroen, blah de blah. I did ask the salesman why their was a deviated approach from Lexus to toyota, and was told that their processes are different, even though they were operated by the same group??? I have dealt with AC Volvo also, and never had a problem with them, so, my dissatisfaction remains wholly with AC Toyota. I think that very young, over confident and inexperienced senior sales people who are focused on volume sales and not Customer Service Excellence is probably where their problem originates. So, I'll stick with the Lexus people. No hassle that way. It is really up to individuals whether they decide not to deal with AC Toyota as I can only voice my dissatisfaction and the knock on effect that is inevitable to friends, friends of friends, family and professional colleagues.

Col...

Hi,

I have read your post, and am sorry you are unhapy with our Toyota Branch. If you can give some details, and e-mail to online.customer.services@arnoldclark.co.uk - we will be happy to help if we can.

I am glad you find Lexus Aberdeen helpful however, that is one of ours too, so I am sure we can help you out in some way.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Alasdair

Customer Services

I don't know who you are, and from your post, I do not know if you are genuine. I also wonder why, if you are really Arnold Clarkes' CSR, why you are communicating on behalf of the Glasgow branch?

My old employers had no end of issues with Arnold Clark in General, Arnold Clark Glasgow seemed to throw up issues on services that weren't actually there!!

l

I heard that about Arnold Clark Ford in Aberdeen.... I won't spend any more money there ever mate...

Col

i'm sure you have rights and can't just be fobbed off with "we only sell them"

Rory, I had a real go at them, but, as I'm a bit older, I just don't have the energy to go in to battle with them. When I am less emotional, I'll write a letter of complaint to "Mr. Arnold Clark" himself, but, I know it will end up in file "WPB".. (Waste Paper Bin!!). I'm lucky that Lexus Aberdeen are with me on this and are helping to remove the hastle. Problem is, up here, ther eis still plenty Oil Dosh about, so, I'm just another punter who will be fobbed off as there are plenty more mugs around who'll spend their money there. Wot's the old syaing??? "Would you buy a second hand car from him???"..... was going to add a "LOL", but I don't feel like laughing mate.

Col.....

I made the mistake of buying my Lexus from Arnold Clark Toyota in Aberdeen and not my usual Lexus dealer in Aberdeen. To say that the after sales service is abysmal is an understatement. They couldn't care less. I've had a few problems, and the sales people told me it wasn't their problem as they only "sell" the cars. I could fill a couple of pages with the debacle dealing with A. Clark Toyota Aberdeen, but I won't bore you with it. Suffice to say that after spending a shed load of money with this shower, they will get NO MORE business from, my family, relatives, friends, and friends friends. (crap dealer news does travel fast!!).

On the good side, the Lexus Aberdeen dealer now has my car and is dealing with it in their usaual super efficient and customer focused way. They have told me I really don't have to bother with the Toyota cowboys anymore. Thank Gooodness. ( I'm sure all Toyota dealers are NOT the same as Arnold Clark). My recommendation is to steer well clear of them!!!!!!!

Col. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

You put in neutral for a manual or an auto, then use the brakes to bring it to a standstill. Then turn the engine off. if you turn the engine off too soon you lose brakes and steering ..................... you should also be able to put your foot under the pedal and lift it back up on some cars, but get the drive away from the wheels and the car slowing first .... then you can think about the dry cleaning bill.

I had the throttle stick on full a few years ago in an Opel. Immediately tramped on clutch, knocked out of gear in to neutral, and braked gently to a stop... engine off as it was screaming. Easy?? yes for me because I am one of the lucky few who are confident when things go wrong. mainly because i know how the car actually works. There are the unlucky lot who although adept at the basic s of driving, have absolutely no idea about the mechanics/workings of their car, and when it goes pear shaped, just plain panic. These poor people can be doomed when the unexpected happens. I hope toyota fixes this before a tradgedy occurs.

some kind person has caught the top lip on my drivers door and scratched it, i have tried using t-cut and a mild cutting compound but this has done nothing to remove the marks. does anyone know of any paint shops in the north east that can get a good colour match on my car and not have it show that its been painted?? any help would be appreciated as i hav eonly had it 4-5 weeks.....

Phil, bet it was a handbag... I see this all the time in Supermarket car parks. Wish people would have a weebit of respect for other peoples property. Hope you get it fixed and it doesn't cost too much.

Col

Overall then it's the gearbox causing your issues, not the engine. Let me explain......the BMW has an adaptive gearbox, and being a courtesy car ( if that's what it was) will have been driven in a differing manner of ways (hammered largely ;) ), so the Gearbox software was probably baffled and didn't know who was doing what LOL. It's a common problem with German adaptive auto's, but if you drive consistently for a few miles (a couple of hundred) it learns what you want to do and behaves much better.

It can be reset too (there is asequence you have you follow) without an ECU reset.

PS - no gearbox I have ever come across is as a good as a Lexus autobox

I agree with Gunther. I like the gearboxes in the IS200 sport and the 220D. There are a lot more cr&ppy gearboxes around I can tell you. This forum made me feel (stupidly) that I'd bought a bummer in the 220D. Especially after I had paid for it with my own hard earned cash and not had it thrust upon me as a company/fleet car. Anyway, I'm over that now, and I love my 220D. For those who love knocking the 220D, that's fine.. go and buy a Merc, Beamer, Skoda or whatever, but just stop the negativity. We can all rip anything to bits if it doesn't suit our personal ideas of perfection, but, I prefer the positive approach. Problem + solution = Positive outcome. My old Granny used to say "if you can't say anything good, then don't say anything at all!".

Well i suppose I've had my three pence worth now lol....

:winky: :winky: :D :P

This is an extremely negative forum. I had an IS200 Sport before, and was on that forum. It was upbeat, positive, constructive, helpful, friendly and sometimes funny bordering on hilarious. Made some good friends on there too. This one for the 250/220D is soul destroying, in particular if you've bought the IS220D like I did. I spent a wad of cash on mine, and was sure I'd bought well after many test drives and loan cars. Now I feel cheated, and very worried about my purchase. Seems that people are preffering to boost and talk up the emblem mobiles like merc and BMW. I joined as a gold member I guess over two years ago because I loved the Lexus Owner Club and Forum. Now I feel depressed and a bit angry st all the negativity. So that's my 2 penneth worth.. (I might just let my Gold membership lpse now..)

Col...

this is why I come here once-twice per month.

I used to be here twice per day...

Matus, I'm glad someone else feels about the same as I do. Every day I used to look forward to the Lexus Forum. Excited at what I could learn, hearing positive solutions to problems communicated in a non-depressing manner. On here, it seems to be.. "We're all Doomed Mr Mannering!!!". I seldom visit this one now and stick mainly to the IS200 forum. There are heaps of good guys on there willing to give great help and advice in a friendly manner.....

Col.. :shutit: :duh:

Well as people do looking for a new car etc online thought i would put something up here just for my 2p's worth really. :shutit:

I have a 220d but its going friday, for a new skoda (no laughing!). A lot is said about poor fuel consumption and to be honest its not the best but i didnt ever buy mine for that, poop build quality is also something you hear about but once the rattly dash was sorted and a few things like oil leaks (picked up on service i didnt and wouldnt have noticed!) its been fine, all done free so no cost to me just a little time to drop the car off etc. 6th gear is an issue i never did get my head round unless your doing 85plus (errr someone tells me :winky: your honour!) its no use at all unless you want to drive the car feeling bogged down and lumpy. To be honest i have rarely used 6th dont do much long motorway stuff but 5th is good for 70mph and gives just as good if not better MPG, and its not revving too hard either.

Once you get the hang of the 1st gear i found it to be, for an oil burner, a rapid (not fast) smooth car, comfortable, and does everything well, if anything a little too well i had a few teething problems with mine creaking dash mainly, but once that was sorted its been pretty good. My humble opinion is that its a nice car ... for me a little too nice does everything too well and lacked a little character really ... well unless you try to take it out in the snow!! then character a plenty if you can get it moving!... would i buy one again i guess is the main question... well probably i think i would! i have only really had one problem and thats when i had the MOT it was burning so clean that the machine wouldnt believe there was a car there!!..... did wonder if thats the case why the tax man doesnt see it that way??

The deeler service, after a little misunderstanding, i have found to be excellent although a little steep and very few independants (round here anyway) and T-wells lexus are more than helpful and at the risk of being a sexist git its worth going just for the reception staff (its been a few months since i was last there) very helpful and ummm easy on the eye would probably be a nice way of putting it! in fact have i got time to book it in for something else before friday! hehe.

If someone is on here looking for a new car and is tempted all i will say is try it for yourself, and go with what you think i am sure there are people that have had problems with theirs but isnt any brand like that?

Hi, I am due to pick up an is220d next week some time and was looking forward to it, until I joined this forum. There appears to be a lot of bad press and I am sure maybe for good reason. I am trading in a X-Type 2.0 V6 which I enjoyed very much, but a change was due. I was also a member of the Jaguar forum and the constant that I have found is that there is always someone to grumble and there are always common faults no matter what make and model. I know that it should not be that way as we are spending alot of money on something that is only depreciating, but one car is no different from another in reliability really. There may be fewer issues with BMW and Audi, and perhaps they should be the bench mark, but, technology aside have they changed their basic design that much? They should be near perfect. Ultimately your choice of transport it is down to a few key items, price, looks, personal preference and practicality. Don't knock it. The real horror stories aside, which apply to any marque, I am sure that cars are generally fine, we are all different and have differing experience and experiences, just as well I say.

I am looking forward to owning my car and discussing other topics on the forum.

This is an extremely negative forum. I had an IS200 Sport before, and was on that forum. It was upbeat, positive, constructive, helpful, friendly and sometimes funny bordering on hilarious. Made some good friends on there too. This one for the 250/220D is soul destroying, in particular if you've bought the IS220D like I did. I spent a wad of cash on mine, and was sure I'd bought well after many test drives and loan cars. Now I feel cheated, and very worried about my purchase. Seems that people are preffering to boost and talk up the emblem mobiles like merc and BMW. I joined as a gold member I guess over two years ago because I loved the Lexus Owner Club and Forum. Now I feel depressed and a bit angry st all the negativity. So that's my 2 penneth worth.. (I might just let my Gold membership lpse now..)

Col...

just bought a new is 220d,picked it up a couple of weeks ago,best drive I've ever had.. :)

welcome to LOC mate.

Col..

Just to add some balance to those who are raving about their 220ds, mine has been a complete sh*t. Over 2 years / 65k miles it's had over £9000 of warranty work including a new engine, cat, injectors, diesel pump and a whole load more. And just today is spent a good hour intermittently miss-firing under load. My partner works in the motor trade and knows the Lexus techs well - mine is not an isolated incident by any means, with at least 4 other cars in the area also having new engine blocks

And it's still sh*te. Runs poorly and returns atrocious economy. At best 37, average around 34mpg. Fortunately it goes in a few weeks.

I've driven plenty of new model 220ds (about every two -three months on average over two years) and frankly Lexus cocked up big style on this engine if you ask me. None I have driven, inc a brand new 59 plate with 40 miles on it, drove properly if you ask me. Certainly not in the same league as the German opposition. The real kicker though to me is the depreciation - registered December 07 and now only worth around £8k, maybe £9k at a push. My bro in law is in the used car trade and most used dealers won't touch them from his experience

It's a real shame they got the diesel engine so wide of the mark as the rest of the car is great, looks good, decent equipment etc etc.

If you're gonna buy one, please make sure you get a decent length test drive and try it under all conditions if at all possible. Given mine has nearly caused about 6 collisions due to cutting out unexpectedly, I'd hate to think an unsuspecting buyer could end up in a worse situation.

Never, in my opinion, has the phrase "buyer beware" been more applicable, especially on earlier cars.

Roll on the last week of Feb when my Scirocco arrives and I can get shot of the Lexus

Wow.....!!!!! I'd posted my concern as to whether I'd bought the wrong car in a Lexus IS220D. My fears had been allayed, but now with this post, I'm petrified that I've paid a shed load of money for a piece of Kack!!! My IS200 sport was a fantastic machine, and, now I wish I'd kept it.

Col..........