Exiled

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. Who knows, it could become a classic!

I've a 2009 so can't comment on the 2005 other than to say some owners have had the odd squeek and rattle here and there, though there seems to be a fix for them all. If you're having a drive of it on Saturday go on some bad roads, over speed humps etc. Concensus on here about the 250 auto is that it's a delight to own and drive and I can't bring to mind anyone expressing disappointment. Perhaps someone will come along with more experience of the car than me and instruct you what to look out for. Someone did post some time ago about not being too happy with Sytner, big group and all that. Good luck, hope you enjoy it.

Yep, I've got one too, mine's the same length as Steve's but a little bit wider, about 1.5 inches.

Exiled- Are the facelift 220d's and 250s alot better made than the pre facelift models in terms of rattles. I ask because i had a 09 220d courtesy car last week and the drivers side vent was rattling. Or is this an exception The current IS range has been on the go for about 5 years. You would hope that the longer in the tooth it gets the better built it would be as known faults or weaknesses should be rectified. I've only had my 250 auto since October and so far it hasn't missed a beat, no rattles or anything at all to complain about. I drove one on a few occasions before buying so had a fair idea what I was getting but it has exceeded my expectations. There were one or two mods. to the 2009 model, one being auto-locking and I think auto-folding mirrors on locking the car which for me were plusses. I understand that dealers now know how to cure the dashboard rattles also recent buyers of the 220d seem to be a lot happier than some of the early owners.

You haven't missed much. Apparently Lexus are dropping the IS diesel from the range in 2011 - according to a certain poster which confirms the old adage, it's not what you know but who you know. Seem to be less complaints about the newer 220d's and 250 Auto owners seem as happy as ever. Welcome back.

It needs to be magic to overcome snow and ice, rear wheel drive and an automatic gearbox.

Did you get this problem sorted out?

I'm a bit miffed that they haven't been in touch with me. Two bits of news then and I don't think either come as a surprise. Regarding the 220d there seem to have been less complaints about the later models or is it that todays owners are not as vocal as jamboo?

A Merry Christmas to you Sagitar. The 250 auto is not the best in the snow as I have been finding out so am sticking to a front wheel drive until the weather improves. All the best. Exiled.

Wouldn't call it passion, more incredulity.

I cant believe what i'm reading! Neither can I, thinks it's a wind up!!

There are a range of cleaning products manufactured by a company called "Astonish", wife started using the shower cleaner which is a spray and seems to work fine. They also do a car care range so I bought the Black Shine Restorer seeing it was only £1.99 advertised on the website as " A superb product, restoring all tyres and trim to their original glory". It doesn't work, followed the instructions and it looked okay, went for a drive the following day, got back home and it had dissappeared. "Astonishing"! In most cases you get what you pay for.

Hi Exiled. Off topic I know, but have you set up the door mirrors to fold/unfold on lock/unlock? If so how did you do it? Thanks, No, I haven't done anything, it came like that, understand it's a recent modification, mine's an 09 model. It's very usefull though as it's easy to see that the car is locked. They can still be operated from within the car as well.

That's interesting. I just press the door button and walk away when I'm locking the car. I know when it's locked as the mirrors fold or I think it's locked? I never use the bleeper, even to open the boot, it's permanently in my pocket. Do your mirrors fold when you lock the car and retract when it's opened? My wife can't open the car door or boot unless I'm within in a few feet. Something sounds amiss with yours but I'll see how near I have to get to mine before someone else can open it.

We're biased on here but I'm sure most started with an open mind and were persuaded to go for the Lexus after driving it alongside other makes. For a start, against any three series the Lexus feels a cut above in terms of refinement and luxury, it's an altogether different animal. BMW 3's are very good cars but to get an acceptable interior you have to spend a lot of money, how they could design a car which looks so bland is beyond me, they tried harder with the coupe and succeeded, how nice would a four door coupe be, only drawback with two doors is getting in and out, once you are in though there is plenty of room in the back, more in fact than in the IS. Have lengthy test drives, like a minimum of a day in all on your short list and see which takes your fancy.

Just two points to comment on. Regarding emissions on the 250 I agree they are high and for me it is a downside, I wish they were lower however it was never going to persuade me to buy a car which was not my first choice. Like you say, big changes are coming. On taxation, there are plenty of nose bleeds coming no matter what you do or don't do.

Had my 250 Auto SEL for 6 weeks and so far not missed a beat. No regrets. Answers 1. Very few, compared to the 220d, if reports on the forum are anything to go by. 2. Must be the auto imo, but try both. 3. Have not had an IS 200. 4. Prestige ( SEL) 5. If you can afford to buy new as 2009 model reports are looking good. 6 For me there is, allied to a look of contentment. 7. Don't know. 8. Solid and agile. 9. Only had it 6 weeks but info from the forum says no as it rarely has any problems.

That's the 220d. some consider it a boil, others a beauty spot.

Excellent thread TestPilot. With regard to motoring correspondents, Honest John excluded, many seem to have an agenda which excludes anything manufactured outside Germany, I wasn't convinced by the propaganda or the cars.

Hi NaOH, welcome to LOC. Sorry I can't answer any questions on the 220d as I have a 250 Auto, someone will come along and help you I'm sure. As you have only had the car for a few days I would say take out the one year warranty if you can afford it. You don't know anything about the car's history, it may have run like a dream for the past three years or it may have been in and out of the dealers. There are wide ranging opinions on the forum going from dispair to elation regarding the 220d and many issues have been discussed.

The following quote was in Honest John's Q/A (Saturday,s Telegraph). "If you have £35,000, the Lexus IS250C is a really lovely car. It is by far the most refined convertible with the roof down - there's no buffeting at all". No surprise there then

You must have caught them on a bad day, at least that's the conclusion I came to regarding some of the dealers I visited, I've had similar experiences to yours at Sheffield. You read all the Lexus publicity, J D Power etc, and your expectations are raised. It's then doubly disappointing when you are treated poorly. Fortunately there are some good dealers around you just have to weedle them out.

You're right Whoever, somewhere along the way the Auto was brought into the discussion, apologise for pepetuating it.

Sorry, Customization page 458 .................Function...........................................Default setting..............................Customized setting Opening driver's door unlocks all doors.....................Off................................................... ..On Speed-detecting automatic door lock function............On......................................................Off

Mine (auto) came set up as mentioned above but I altered it to " Shifting the shift lever out of P locks all doors"/"Shifting the shift lever to P unlocks all doors" by following the instructions as detailed in the handbook on page 52 and 53. It's much better the way it is now, know what you mean it was a real b... ache before. Also on page 53 there are "Driver's door linked door unlocking function" instructions. Customization, page 458 Function Default setting Customized setting Opening driver's door unlocks all doors Off On Speed-detecting automatic door lock function On Off