Gunther

Really Have you heard of Variable Vane Turbo's? 325d has one single Turbo, power is linear from 1300-3600RPM, no lag at all. Oh and it has 197bhp. In fact Audi does too. All the ISD needs is a better turbo and diff configuration, and it would very good.

What a beauty! That is on Lexus I would come back for! But. £36000? Ouch. If I had £36000, the choice would be hard. BMW325i Convertible or Lexus IS? It would be a nice problem to have.

I think if you can convince your dealer to swap the car for you (did you from Lex Dealer??) then I would get the IS250 Automatic version. I was happy with my MPG on ISD until I moved to BMW, now I know that even Mid 40's on a run is not anything to shout at with a 2.2 4 Cyl D. In fact it is a bit poor. The newer ISD might be better, but the gearing and the heavy clutch, lack of "punch" and slow revving make IS220d less connected. That is why the Petrol and diesel feel like different machines. Let me tell you. My 325d had a small accident with a shopping trolley. Went to dealers for some makeup. I had a loaner 318d for 3 days, facelifted version, on paper it supposed to be slower than 220d IS, but it felt quicker most of the time even with 143bhp as felt so much lighter to drive, lots of spread of turbo power and less lag than IS220d. Even with my painful knee, it brought a smile to my face and in 3 days it didn't drop below 34mpg with lots of hard driving in the lakes and penrith. The stop start works really well. I know it's not the right forum, but that is what I call a proper modern diesel! I could leave in 3rd gear from 18mph and not change again around town, no problems, and 6th from 50mph= fine! The only problem was with grey boring interior it had cloth seats it was rubbish inside, but to drive was very good. It was nice to drive a manual for a change. PS - 1200 tickover I think is to do with warming engine up quick, supposed to help emissions (but it guzzles diesel) ;-)

Well. I think we shouldn't assume that because it says "SEAT" it can't be compared to a Lexus. Remember? The old A4 beat the IS in some tests even though it's older design, and EXEO is just A4 with new dash, newer engine, so all intent and purpose it is still the old A4. All Audi's are exceptionally made, and the old A4 was as solid as any Audi. I drove one a few times when I worked in France. When it comes to Turbo and diesel technology, Audi and BMW are streets and streets ahead. So I actually expect the Exeo to be technically very good compared to the IS220d. Hardly any road noise, good engine and very good solid ride, steering and feel. That is how I recall the A4 2.0 TDi from 2005.

Well. I thought ISd (or 250) doesn't have CBS - Condition Based Servicing. You have to service and change oil every 12m/10,000 miles, and makes long term maintaining costs for ISd very high over 60,000 miles. What makes you think diesel is different and tells you with a light? Mine didn't.

I am surprised. My IS was always about average, giving me early 40's MPGs and early 30's MPGs in town. But. I do remember loads of peeps saying they were getting 30's on a run. So are we saying that there is the same problem still? I hope not. I was hoping this was Lexus's time to sort out poor CO2 and bad consumption. May be one car isn't enough - we need more owners of new IS with 148g CO2 to say now. Anyhow, my 325d has now settled down, over 3000 miles on clock and 28-30mpg in town and 48+ (sometimes over 55) on a run. Not bad for 3.0l Automatique. I was hoping may be a Auto ISD would be out too, but no news, so if I come back to Lexus (I miss the toys) it will be GS H or wait for new Hybrid IS in a few years when next model comes out. I have heard from my sister in Saporo that Hybrid IS will be next model. That is a latest rumour.

bet your eyes have gone wobbly instead of mirror gtting better :winky: There is a specific modified part for this at the dealers. Your car is under warranty, let them fix it. Mine was fixed but still vibrated a bit.

Sure. Don't buy a car, do the PCP. The market will pick up one day, may be in 12-24m. Then car prices will actually rise for the first time consistently over all makers I think as demand goes up. Simple economics. Especially luxury cars. Unless Government bashes the Tax sticks again. Anyway, I think Lexus have a problem. Not all Lexus cars are good when it comes to emissions, and that will hurt. In Credit crunch times people want small cars and the choice is then you go to Toyota. But I don't think so that Lexus GB would buy dealerships out. If they go bust, they go bust. You can't magic customers from no where and Customer service will go so far only. But. Lexus has no marketing here in europe now. No TV ad's. Reliability and Customer care is good, but even korean's are now catching up with 5 and 7 year guarantee. Even Fiats, some, come with 5 years. No small cars people can downsize to, except IS, which is not good enough, limited engine and trim choices. BMW, Audi and MB have 1 series, A3 and A class, B class, all with lots of diesel and Auto/manual, trim choice. I heard that Lancia were coming back to UK. May be not now. I hope they do. They are better now. Now gone to Beemers, I can advise the dealership I deal with and the car are every bit as good as good as Lexus, and in some ways (Quality, MPG, drive) car is better, not in others (no toys, I need toys!! and boring "lose car in car park" looks). I do miss my Lexi Babi a little. I feel like I've cheated on wife sometimes when I drive Beemer :shutit: But the new Bimbo 325d gives me pleasure ...

Can doing this (handing back a car earlier) affect your credit rating

Sorry to have to disagree but Audi new car sales in the UK are down over 31% this year and BMW are down over 38% Both are better than Lexus but worse than the industry average which was 28% down, see http://www.am-online.com/NewCarSalesFigures/index.asp for all the UK new car sales figures. Audi is still the best performing Luxury car maker out of MB, BMW, Lexus and Audi - it is down 31%, Lexus is 47% down! You can compare to industry average - you should compare to Luxury average. The industry averages is "weighted" by smaller cars which are selling well. Like Ford Fiesta.

Mine - just took out paperwork as I forgot - 07 IS220d SE MM, I got £12500 for my car, new one was list at over well over £30000, but they did it £14500 to change. So new car cost me £27000 I suppose, plus GAP insurance (£400). This is recent, but prioces are dropping like donkey manure on ALL cars. Try to go back to Lexus, ask them you want an Audi - they should be able to get one to you - so you deal with Lexus garage. Mind. Audi are selling very well, as is BMW 3 Coupe. Every one with big cars is going to BMW for the Coupe now or the A5. Lexus seen 48% drop in new car sales against industry averages of 25% I read in newspaper last week. It is no hidden truth why they are worth so little. Maserati is a real Babe

Hmm. Mine I think was regd 1st March 07, manufactured Jan 07, and it rattled, so I don't know if you are correct. I also test drove a 56 plate IS250 Auto which had the new boot and petrol switches and that did creak too. Funny mine started to rattle firstly in Autmn 07 and then got worse and worse

Like "pinking" noise? It is normal. I think mine did that too. Did you have diesel prior?

Personal thing really. If you have >20,000 to spend then I would go for the 450h. Reason? Simple answer. It is fast, not too thirsty around town and very smooth, quiet and comfortable. Boot is small, mind well, but a good roof box takes care. But. It is big. I think lots of people are right though. If you don't want to spend £££££ on purchase prices then GS300 SEL, 2005/05 as Approved car is very compelling. It is excellent and best car in that size and price.

I can tell you, the tyre noise in the Lexus is high compared to 3er on same size wheel, even with rubbish RFT. Other noise, like wind, is similar, but will be affected by door seal, position of mirror, how the fresh air vents woks. The Lexus I had was noisier than my 3er overall, both tyre and engine. The 3er is very quite inside at motorway speed, but may be a little more wind noises. Overall lot quiter tho.

Well, Interesting. Today, I have to post here again, not to tell you the the new car is good (may be a little below) as the cars are so different, but to support some peoples that there is something wrong with some of the 220d and on motorway only runs at 70mph it must give more than 50mpg every time. My Lexus had covered 26000 miles, I was 2nd buyer. I bought in June 07, 3000 miles on clock. Car owned before by a lexus garage. MPG was always 38-45mpg, sometimes better and some worse. But. As miles were increasing, it is getting more harder to get same mileages. I don't know if it was my driving style. I don't know. But car had 5th injector and no changes. I don't care too much about economy and mileage, but now I have become a little more interested. So far I have driven BMW in Auto mode only. I am running in. So I don't hold manually gears into 3500RPM and above to keep engine happy. I have travelled 247 miles today into Aberdeenshire this morning to see my aunt, motorways and A roads and can tell you that the Mileage is showing 56.3mpg on the BMWOBC, which is reading over by 3% on fillup last night. Average at pump was 49.2 mpg on first tank full. I have driven normally and not been easy or hard, but car is giving really 53-4mpg. So, new car, tight engines, bearings, gearbox. BMW say on Extra urban, I can see 55.4mpg, and I can almost already. Not trying hard or avoid braking. In town only I think it will be heavy on diesel because of auto. With 220d, I had to concentrate very very hard to get more than 45mpg. After running in, it might be 55+ mpg with new car. I am now beginning to understand why BMW diesel are everywhere but people with 35mpg may have something bad with their cars. I hear someplace that new a newer Lexus diesel is coming, anybody drive one yet?

Well, it is time. Every 2 years I change cars, and that comes around quickly this time. I enjoyed Lexus ownership + did think about the 250 Automatic SEL. But. I wanted to try different. My previous cars were nearly always Japanese. Accords, Avensis, and Previa and Alfa 156. I even had Fiats and Lancia Delta. My company vans are always Toyota's Hi Ace diesels, one has don 277000 miles. I wanted BMW320i. not diesel. Went to BMW dealership, and they could get me nearly new one but without nav. I like toys!! Anyway, they did good deal on the 325d Automatic Sports, Red, leather, PMedia/USB, Sun glass, xenon. Picked it up and nearly cried. Lexus wasn't bad. It was mainly good. Rattling shouldn't have been there and garage mainly fixed it all. I didn't care too much about economy, I know the problems on this site. But there is no doubting that BMW is better to drive at the wheel. Manual box on test drive car was excellent. Light /crisp. Auto is amazing. Taking corners is WOW, but slow speed ride is rubbish bumpy. I am changing away the RF tyres next month. It is also much less road noise. Much much less on BMW Goodyear then bridgestone. Build quality is fantastic. Seems very good. BUT not many toys Power is amazing and economy is good too. It has I think 20 more horses HP, but it does feel +50 horses! I did drive yesterday for 150 miles, at Running in speeds on A roads and highways. No flatspot. driving gently, letting auto box do all work while I get used to it. 51mpg! That is highest I seen for long time, but I didn't buy for economy. The punchiness from acceleration is amazing. I am trying taking easy 'cos running in but keep forgetting. Only had it few days, but: BMW I like: handling, engine, gearbox, less noise (engine and roads), bigger boot, seats comfort. Hard but nice on long journey yesterday. BMW don't like : Hard tyres (YUCK), plain dash board and no keyless. Lexus I like : Looks, Sound system, toys toys toys. Very good dealers. Lexus don't likes : Rattling and squeaking dashboard, noisy engine, road noise, small funny shaped boot, "deep" seating Lexus bad are small points really as car is very good. Things I already missing - camera, sound system, heated seats, electric mireors (I park in narrow spaces). Any way, I will now be on the other side, but will keep an eye out here. 2 years isn't long now, and I might be back soon! I will miss you guys and the Lexus. Ciao

It's gone. Slightly sad on Friday, but hey, life does go on. I didn't buy the BMW for economy really. I do 12000 miles a year, and went to buy a 320i Auto. They are in some demand, and I would have to order a new one only, with options I wanted it would have been £££. So bought nearly new one they had in Groups stocks and good deal.

I'm p :tsktsk: g off too I wish people wern't so rude. Anyway, you can buy a car with a bigger engine and 2 more cyls which is more economical. I have just. I pick it it up tomorrow morning. BMW325d. Anyway, point is that yesterday I drove my Lexus at 60mph in 5th for 73.6 miles on a motorway (M74 between Glasgow and M6, all down hills non stop). and I got 47.6mpg. That is the best my car will ever give driven like a old woman, down hills and ith no AC on. Me only and no luggages. So, I think that some cars are brilliant and will give 57.5 like on other notes, but even my Lexus garage has told me not to expect anything more than a 45 at best. I will know more tomorrow with the new car. I am planning a trip on Sunday all being well. Will report next week. Ciao

Mine is 07and my first diesel. I too have found that it helps lots to stay near below 2000-1800 rpm all the time and then I can just get 45mpg on a trip out of town, or 35 in town. Normal driving means less than 30 in town and less than 40 on a trip. But I find I am almost all the time in the "dead" zone. It is like a turbo lag zone as turbo is almost off below 1800-2000. I am selling now and moving to BMW. I tested 325d manual (they had no Automatics - they sold out), and drove over 2000-3000 R's for most of the drive, about 30 miles + about 10 miles on A road and rest in town. I am going to have a new knee in May and have bought the Automatic 325d. I find the clutch in the Lexus painful, but BMW was lighter and no pains, engine very very smooth. The BMW is so fast in any gears and any speed. Zero turbo lag even if you drive at 1500 R's, as Turbo start is 1300R's. Engine felt light, quite and revvy. I was shocked. It gave me 39.6MPG average on the computer. IF I drove Lexus like this I know it would have been 30 MPG. I know the computer may not be correct, but I think the BMW was a 3 litre and I am happy. I will miss the Lexus. It is a beautiful car, but for one or 2 problems.

Nice one . Any reason? Or is it that you need to change now? I am following you too. Just had offer of a 325d Saloon Auto M Sport, new idrive is real cool and I have accepted offer. I pick mine up next week too. Can't believe how good the BMW engine is. Smooth, powerful, economy. It has it all. What BMW are you to get?

How can you tell? As you can see by my post count, I'm not a 'regular' on these shores ... Rear Lights - reversing light is a sweeping "L" on 2009, and possibly wheels? I too have just seen that Lexus do not quote a modle called a Sport. It is now SR? My 220d has some issues, notchy gearing, some rattling and bad MPG and it is now on 30,000 miles (07). I wouldn't buy another one, not even for £23000. Preferably, I would only buy the face lifted one, but not without a proper test drive of the 148 grams engine. The 250 SE-L for £25000 is a positive bargain. Are they automatics?

Very nice car. I'm looking at 3 series, but this is so tempting. So much car for you there :winky: . How much did you pay, if you don't me asking and how may miles has it done. Is that metallic black? If so what was the colour called?

Road noise from tyres. I find this tiring sometimes. But the stereo makes up for this. Turbo Lag - can be dangerous at times!!! Especially when you need to take off at roundabouts. Rear seat space. I think it too small in the back and people bang their head when they climb into back of the car. Gearbox is notchy.

I agree -Lexus even said that by 2012 (or was it 2010) every model would have Hybrid. With the current "climate", a rethink may be possible. I thought the HS250 was the USA version of the Hybrid, which Europe is not to get (ad it's not a "Lexus" but a Toyota something?). I think the new IS220d with 148g/co2 may be it now until IS3 comes out - hopefully an Auto will follow - unless they can find place for batteries and motor in the current IS. The boot space is small, and it already weighs more than cars of the same size. Hopefully they can make it