Gunther

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

Testpilot. Question- Do you think a 325d is more flat spotty than a 220d? I am astounded! The peak torque starts at only 1300 RPM, so there is no room for a flatspot. Certainly not on mine. I've had both for some time and can tell you the BMW 325d will eat the 220d and spit it out in any gear at any time!! 3.0d 6 v 2.2 4 - no contest in smoothness, power delivery, or anything. Different cars and not comparable. The ride is very hard (and can be uncomfortable), I agree, but handles like the dogs :tsktsk: because it is sold as a performance car, so you choose carefully when buying a BMW with the MSport kit.

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: This is interesting. Like I have said many times, I was happy with my ISd. When I tested it in 2007 I thought it was good enough for me to buy. So. I did. But the longer I lived with it, the more the grass on the opposite side looked greener. Why? Because the ISd didn't, for me at least, have that passion. It did almost everything too well (except the drive) and there was no Auto option, and the hype of good quality and reliability, for me at least wasn't that important. Why? Because I sell my cars normally before warranty is out!! So if it breaks, it goes back under warranty. I would still say that the IS is a good car, but "greatness" comes with character, and I'm not sure it has really developed any. Not for me anyway. I'm not being negative - don't get me wrong - it's just that IS doesn't stir your soul. The feel of Luxury and the gadgets are excellent, but then a Honda Accord or Avensis gioves you almost all of that for less money, cheaper costs etc and the Honda can have Auto diesel. Then when you add the fact that the ISd has attracted a lot of "new to the marques" because it made some sense as a company car in 06/07 (no other Lexus really did then, except may be the GS 450h, emissions were a killer on the rest), and you have some un-loyal types who will quite happily come here and poop the forum, and move to another maker. So, in a nutshell, the IS200 had loyal followers, people who bought a car that was readily modifiable, had a real character, reliable and largely bought by people who paid their own money; The new IS has lots of diesel owners, many company cars, and less loyalty to the brand. Also, the earlier models were bought by people who were very vocal people for whom the car wasn't good enough - too many rattles, poor economy, break downs etc. It is no wonder. Even my Lexus dealer admitted too many ISd cars had problems. The IS250, especially Auto, is a proper Lexus though. Smooth, refined. No complaints there are there? So I agree that this forum can be disappointing at times, but mind you, I haven't become a posting member on thge BMW forums. Why? There is no need - my BMW is running sweet and there are so many more threads that answer all your questions. I do miss my ISd - the reversing camera and the MLS were superb. It looked unique in a car park. In fact I am looking to replace my car in Sept 10 and will probably be a GS450h owner. Possibly a RX450, but for me it's too big. The GS hjas a small boot, so that does worry me.

Unless you are covered for Brakes and other wear and tear it seems OK, top end, but may be no saving?? Mine cost £155 for 10k, £258 for 20k inc. Brake fluids So do the sums - why give them your cash for 3 years if there is no clear benefit??

The biggest thing that sticks out in my opinion is that you have to question your reasons for buying any diesel, especially if it's a Lexus. The choices for engine and gearbox don't exist really (other than Sport of non-sport), and the economy is so-so. No Auto, no options for less/more power. I never really had a problem with mine, it ran very well, but if I was to buy a Lexus again, I would buy Petrol Auto - that is hat Lexus have always made very very well. Lexus is a car to waft along in, and 99% of people buy one for 2 reasons: Quality and Reliability. The IS220d isn't really a "Waft along" car - mainly because it's a manual and it's not a car to drive fast - at high revs it sounds strained and a little wheasy. Power delivery for a modern diesel is narrow and the gears are strange. The flatspots make it tricky unless you really build the revs up first!! Quality and Reliability are actually OK for the Lexus, and I don't think worse than any modern diesel. But. The main reason for buying a diesel? Economy I would say. But. That is where the IS250 Auto is almost as good (may be 10-20% less). I Know one or 2 have recently said it's not possible to get IS250 economy close to a IS220d, but I had one for a day when my 220d went for service, and driven gently I got 26 in busy town and 38 on a 18 mile Dual Carriage way run. That isn't bad. My 220d was 28-30 in town and 38-48 on a run. At that point I knew I had made a bit of blunder in not buying the 250 Auto. You would have to do a lot of miles to feel any real benefit. The IS250 Auto was about £1000-1400 more than a 220d SE Manual. The price difference too small really and the benefits of the 250 Auto are so much more than just that extra money. Also, Lexus owners are used to excellent reliability, and would normally have to go to a dealer once a year for maintenance. Many IS220d owners have had to go back too often. I think anyone ho is thinking about an IS should seriously consider these points. I change my cars every 18 months, and I am already thinking of next car. May be RX450h, or wait for new GS, though next 5 series looks nice too.

Is it from a main Lexus dealer? That is a good price for that car, but do remember to get the Injector's checked. I am so surprised that no one else has mentioned it. Therehave been modified 5th Injector's and associated bits and bobs. Either way, I would recommend you get a warranty on it that covers the fuel system, Turbo, DPF etc.

colbecoz, not necessarily! My 07 220d was fine, just one or 2 rattles. I know there have been some bad cars, take Monsterped and some other peeps as good examples, but on the whole you have to be fairly unlucky to get a really bad one. The biggest issue is in the drive train. The gearing is really bad. You don't notice it once you've been driving it, because you just start to drive in 3rd instead of 4th etc, and if you want overtakeability on motorways, you don't bother with 6th (though you can cruise in 6th at 70 on flat/downhill stretches, and even some mild hills). I also think the IS has ay too much road noise. Just my personal feeling on that one, and I tried Bridgestone and SportMax cars, both were as bad! The flat spot can catch you out at roundabouts, and you'll notice that you have stand on the accelerator and watch the rev's build relatively slowly when in neutral. You only notice how slow the ISd is to rev like that when you try an Audi or BMW diesel. I have never seen a TD car so slow to react, and that is one of the reasons why there is a flat spot. Your brain works much faster than the engines ability to spool the turbo! Like I say ou hav to compare to the competition and you will see what I mean, else you are use to it!! Even my local dealers (2 different ones as I moved from the Midlands to Lakes while owning) said that there were several cars with issues that they had done lots of work on, but I think that is common with new DPF diesels, no matter what the make. If you can live with the gearing, the so-so economy and the occasional rattle, you'll be fine. Then again, not all rattle. You do get a lot of kit for the money and you can't complain at all. Just make sure you keep a warranty on it and make sure it's for the whole of the fuel system i.e. turbo, DPF, EGR etc and decoking are all covered. YouofLeeds - I would say that if you are asking the question my friend, then try something different - if your heart wanted another IS you wouldn't ask!! The A6 will be replaced in the next 12 or so months so it'll be out of date before much longer, and generally Audi have always given better deals on the A6 £ for £ compared to 5er BMW. But. If you think it is too big, try the C Class - it is really good all round. If I was buying a petrol Compact exec, I would choose IS250 Auto or Merc C Class Auto only - a 3er Petrol isn't bad either. I have no regrets to the switch. If it was a diesel compact exec, then I think latest facelifted BMW 3er all the way!!

+1 I am dark skinned (Indian descent). Though I am part Christian part Indian and lived in East Africa as a child when most countries there were part of British Empire. So I have lived in a colonial country, and due to it do have a British Passport (by birth). I have travelled and worked in many many countries, including Kuwait. Anyway, it's getting quite silly in the UK now. I consider myself to be 101% british but in the last few years I am becoming more conscious of my skin colour. It's really sad. People forget very quickly that if you want independance, want to right a wrong, it should be peacefully - take Gandhi or Mandella. In the end they won because they wore down hat they saw was oppression and largely took the whole of their country in toe. By walking through Wooton Basset with a Coffin are you really going to take anyone in Toe? All you would do is alienate further. Whether it's ISLAM4UK or any other muppet wielding guns, they will not win! It's simple. All this talk of Sharia for the UK- come on - what percentage of the UK population is really Islamic? It's such a small percentage, and even then how many of them would actually vote for a Muslim state here? As usual, a small minority is making the headlines and people need to know that so that the other extreme (BNP) don't get any votes either !! EDIT - the laws in this country do put the "Great" into Britain, but sometimes it allows the "Crap" to make far too much noise. The people who run that site and that propaganda were previously banned, yt the laws here just allow them to change names and carry on. I know that my behaviour like that in most o the middle east would see me jailed, deported or worse! That Newsnight pogramme the other night with Paxman was brilliant!!

Just to clarify... Lexus have made no official statement as to dropping the the diesel range from 2011. It is a pure rumour. My local Lexus dealer has confimed that they think it is nonsense. I'll wait and see, and believe it only when they make the offical anouncement. Col.. :winky: :D Don't believe dealers! If word got out NO ONE would buy an IS220d! They'd be worthless. Every car you buy you have to sell one day, and if people knew it was going out of production it would tumble in price. Tango normally has good sources of info.

They have obviously improved since I last used them

"Why not indeed? I have them on - in the UK and they are entirely practical as far as I can see." The last set I had (and this going back 12 years ago) when I was in Canada, but. they clearly stated that I should not use them below 4Deg C - they were pone to Overheating, and the wear was not very good at all - in fact they wouldn't last more than 7-10,000 miles. They were not recomended for > 100kmh either. I also seem to remember that Fuel consumption suffered too. This is why people tend to have 2 set of rims - one with all weather/summer, and one with Winters in Canada and NA. Things may have improved, but the road noise and general limitations for the UK don't really make them too viable from my memory. Don't forget - we only get weather like this every 30 years! Unless these Winter tyres have improved a lot!! Also, as mentioned above, the rubber is different compound and doesn't last long, even if the wheels are removed. Is it worth spending that money? May be if you live in Scotland!

just some things to help: Tyre pressures - drop them by 10-15% but then watch your speed and remember to increase when weather is OK again! With diesel, do not use accelerator to get moving - gentle with clutch only, 1st or 2nd gear some weight in boot helps Good tyres with plenty of grip. Less then 4mm and you're in trouble Winter tyres help, but not practical in UK yet!! Try not to stop, especially up hill junctions. Use higher gears (low makes car feel light, you want it to feel heavy) Plan wel ahead, gentle on brakes. Use engine braking. If it's sheet ice, then nothing will help. If you're still stuck, use your legs or take the FWD car Must say, I've no troubles this year but then I'm ujsing Prius more. Last Feb with Lexus was a nightmare.

dgman, the £7k includes all the extras you wouldn't buy or need. The only things I miss are camera and sound system.

I think we should forget about piezo injectors etc. Is the overall package any good? I'm afraid the IS isn't brilliant - it's good but not great, just too limited and compromised (aimed mainly at poor gearing) to make a serious contender. The power delivery is way too narrow and never feels like 177bhp. It freels like 150 or less and non linear delivery means a huge flatspot - especially on the earlier cars. I can see this even more now. My Beemer has 197 BHP, but if the IS feels like 177 then this feels like 225bhp, just to give you an idea. I have 15000 miles on the clock, and nothing to speak of - car is perfect. Just take away any prejudices you may have and drive a BMW or Audi 2.0 litre 4 cyl diesel. The power delivery is perfect for a diesel and as good as it gets, NVH is very good, MPG good and there is such a variety of engine output, different gearbox's. And the final nail in the coffin? BMW 109g/km CO2 320d with 161bhp. On paper it blows everything else away. The newer generation variable vaned Turbo's are very good - like VVTI in a Petrol they effectively change the boost while you rev. Brilliant design. I know Lexus make good cars, and overall package wise the IS220d SE is a good package; it's the difference between Good and Great. The competition are much better, and Lexus is backing the Hybrid horse. I dare say that when the competition wake up to hybrids and start making them too, the competition will be fierce. I just wish that Lexus would put the new Prius Hybrid engine etc into the current IS, I'm sure it would fit as the motors and batteries are very small and they would have a CO2 friendly oprtion - the Lexus 148 is relatively new but already too high in this sector, especially when a 520d will soon beat that with 7 more BHP and better overall performance. I know people go on about how reliable Lexus's are, but I think the diesel one will be no better then any other makers over complicated diesels. Time will tell, but I would recommend anyone wanting a diesel to look elsewhere and make sure they keep the warranty valid - unless they want na Lexus - in that case go get a 250 Auto! That is a how Lexus should drive - smooth, quiet and refined. That is all I would say, and I would agree with Tango that it is time for Lexus to move on to Hyb or seriously improve the 220d.

I cant believe what i'm reading! Neither can I, thinks it's a wind up!! +1 You may well have invalidated your new car warranty too, unless they used genuine parts. If they say they did, was the parts delivered by flying pig If they are really charging £350 +VAT (so £400) for an oil change I'd sell up and move closer to another Lexus garage. Seriously though, I'd use a Toyota Dealer - remember the engine is essentially the same as a Avensis T180, same oil, filter, seals etc etc and similarly trained and approved engineers. Even if it costs £200 at a Toyota garage, it's the same as one extra Tankful of fuel (£65 more than a Nationwide centre) and you have piece of mind. I think they advised you to get the rebalance done as they really "saw you coming" - taking a new £22k plus car to them.

thanks for your advice, gunther. Any Extended warranty should be purchased before original 3 years warranty run out? mine will end next week YES - do it now. You have two choices: Lexus - will be best, but this will be expensive! But. Probably worth it! After market - such as WHAT CAR? or WARRANTY DIRECT - both will be cheaper, an I think people on other forums do buy these and say they are OK - but personally I would go with Lexus! You buy an expensive car, so there's no point skimping on peace of mind. Jst make sur you ask them what it DOESN'T Cover

The newer generation of Audi diesels are very good, they are super smooth and very quiet. So much so that you can now buy a convertible 2.0TDi VAG and genuinely not hear the clattring all with roof down. Also, the variable vane turbo's are excellent at providing linear BHP and Torque, so they are as close to a petrol engine as ever. You obviously had a very bad car, but the IS is now getting long in the tooth. It is a 4 year old design and Lexus just haven't done enough to keep it in line with the competition. It is still the same engine, gearbox etc. just minor tweaks to reduce CO2 and and spec's. The IS2050 is still >200g/KM, and that is just shocking for a car like this with only 2.5l non turbo engine. If Lexus were serious about diesels they would have redesigned it fundamentally for the mid life facelift this year. But they didn't which means they won't do anything now until 2011/12 when it is completely replaced. I am sure then that G3 will have a Hybrid, but not the G2 unless they can miracle a small motor and battery. BMW are now toying with a Hybrid where the e-motor is in the gearbox itself with small Lithium batteries, and whilst Lexus and Honda have pioneered Hybrids, the german's will come in once they have milked the diesel stuff to death. Then it will be interesting. The big battle in 10 years time will be all electric v fuel cell. Can't wait! at that time if you drive anything with more than 75 g/km Co2 you'll probably be taxed until you have nose bleeds LOL

I follow a general rule. Every modern diesel is waaaaay toooooo complicated! EGR, DPF, MAF, Turbo seals, injectors etc - just too much to go wrong. In a Lexus IS220d you expect reliability, but to be honest there are only a few cars that have not (edit) been very reliable. Mine was one - 2007 IS220D SE with MM - the car didn't really have any problems. If you want to enjoy an exec diesel buy one. But. Buy a manufacturer warranty to go with it for as long as you own it, and make sure it has 6 months to run when you sell it too. I think over the next couple of years all these 2nd hand "modern" diesels will start having issues that are expensive to repair. Simple pimple. They are too complicated in order to meet euro emissions standards, so good luck!! Which is why I am changing my cars before manufacturer warranty runs out. Having said this, my current car is oing vry very well. Settled to averag MPG day in and day out now of 46.5mpg, average since Purchased = 47.4mpg (doing less long journeys now). But I have to take it out every so often on a proper run to clean the DPF - that is key. It will only regenerate when it gets hot, which is why the IS220d revs to 1250 RPM when cold. It wants to warm up quickly to make it run more efficiently. My next car ill not be a diesel as I don't do the miles and I am looking forward to the G3 IS which hopefully will be a Hybrid. We have just bought a Prius T4 hybrid (new model) last week. I am getting use to it, but it superb. Just rattles a lot! Horrible dash. Haven't driven it much because of weather.

Diesel engines started as clattering, rough power sources that only functioned over a narrow rev range - but in cars and vans, driven appropriately delivered good fuel economy. They also used up an otherwise useless (and thus cheap) by-product of the oil industry. Good economy particularly appealed to those with badly organised lifestyles and/or having employers that questionably require personal attendance for meetings or business in general all over the country, consequently driving enormous mileages entailing many hours behind the wheel. This has demanded increasing diesel refinement; but each step ate into economy. Manufacturers also pandered to a requirement for pretend quality vehicles which were perceived as able to be run on the cheap. Unfortunately, Governments have upped the price of the fuel because they could, and green legislation has split development towards advanced, clean diesels with very little advantage in economy or equally complex, rougher thrifty types. Choices have to be made where to site the compromises. Lexus's position in this is not the best for everyone; but I am sure they are mindful that the diesel is an obvious evolutionary dead-end - given that to convert a stationary engine into something that works for vehicles required enormous mechanical and electronic sophistication, compared to petrol engines which were suitable in the first place and especially newer and hybrid technologies on which they are now concentrating together with everybody else. I think diesels were a mistake for Lexus and all that can expected from them is "sticking-plaster" until the problem just goes away - hopefully soon. The real solution is to try much harder find a way to do a lot fewer miles in a vastly superior petrol car - like the IS250 Auto in this class - until technologies mature to provide something reasonably priced, thrifty and actually compatible with quality and driveability. Really? I do sort of agree..........But! Fuel cell is the future, not electric or petrol/diesel hybrids! Even plug - they won't last unless someone invents zero emissions electric generator or power stations, and I wouldn't think the solar panels or wind mills are the way yet! Check THIS out. It shows that with a careful amount of investment, Diesels can make lots of sense for some time yet!

I know this is more Fleet orientated. But Lexus dealers now come 11th by Fleet companies, beaten this year by Ford too http://www.am-online.com/news/story/Audi-d...sector/42901124 and they don't appear to make it into the top 10 reliability index either http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/story/FN50...-revealed/51457 I have posted this here as most Lexus leases will be IS220d's. But. I have also been reading the Engine and Transmission section on the forum and so many cars appear to be suffering with issues again. I know this is bad news, but I am genuinely sad if this is true!

I would say 2/3rds of RPM max (i.e. no more than 3500rpm) and 2/3rds of top speed max (so OK for national limits), stay out of 6th totally. Do this for 1200 miles and then gradually raise the game. Keep eye on Oil levels. If you're running in on Motorways then remember it is bad to run in at constant speeds, speed and slow down regularly, even use 4th if chugging behind artic's at 58mph. This will give you best results. Lots of pople have had poor economy and from what I gather not been hitting it hard. But. It's a lottery by all accounts, in Ireland VrmmVrmm I think you tend to have lower national limits and mainly A roads? So mid 40's is easy. It's when you start to venture into 70mph driving that the economy is hit, so it will be nice to see how the new model performs. Let us know.

Welcome, and good luck - this will conjur up an interesting debate. So let me start... You seem to have gone from one of the best driving diesels to one which is compromised, I believe

Interesting, but the 2litres BMW 4 Cyl petrol 320i will actually drive better, I'm sure, and almost as fast, may be not as smooth. The difference is that the Lexus has so many toys, rarity value and a luxury look and feel that the BMW only displays if you have lots of extra. But. I too might be tempted to take a Lexus IS250 Auto out over my 325d, but not because it drove better, but because I love gadgets and Lexus Auto's are so good, petrol ones better than BMW. But BMW manual diesls are so superior to the IS220d, no contest. Just try 318d - even 143 BHP feels faster than ISd because of the gearing (Lexus feels heavy, BMW light and nimble) even though Lexus is probably just a bit quicker in "zone"! 320d is awesome, but cannot compare to IS250 Auto. You have o compare 325i Auto, and then IS250 Auto. Lexus better box, but BMW betrer to drive overall. Over 6 months on, and I have to say, BMW 325d is the Kahuna's when it comes to driving.............. Very personal tastes though.

Well it will !!???.... Never EVER... EVER use a pressure washer on the paintwork of a car (nor on the sidewall of tyres for that matter). Pressure washers are meant for cleaning patios and outside furniture, driveways and the like. I have a super billion psi Karcher washer but it never has and never will go anywhere near my car. The Ed Agreed - you have to be mad to use one on any car. Why? They do little more than waste water and make noise. What's wrong with Hose, sponge and lots of warm soapy water? Pressure washers don't mean you wash any cleaner or faster. Did you know that they can damage the sidewalls on tyres (ever noticed lots of hairline cracks after a couple of years on sidewalls)? And rubber boots and bushes on the suspension suffer too? They are only good for cleaning slabs, even then they can destroy the slab grout and cement between slabs, wash out kiln sand on block paving etc. And if you don't hold it close to the car so not damage then boy you really are wasting electricity, water and making noise pollution :shutit: Sorry for sounding off, but. I can believe why anyone uses one on a car. Just use hose!

When you get puncture on RFT you really can't tell at all. They are that good, but because of that you MUST have a sensor/monitor. I changed my Bimmer from RFT to non RFT and the difference was immediate. With the RFT my DSC light would light up at least once on every journey telling my that tractoon was lost when I tried to pull away, even more in rain. Now hardly. Better handling, better grip, especially in the wet, less road noise by at least 25% (and the bimmer had already much quieter road noise then Lexus). Ride quality has improved - it is amazing now, the jiggly M Sport set up has gone, and the car rides like a proper exec car should. I think if you live in the stix, or do lots of A road driving there are benefits of RFT. If garages are miles away. but for general Joe Public, stick with non RFT's. They cost half as much and have few disadvantages (other then obvious one of not being able to driving with a flat tyre). So I think you have to avoid it.