nate73

I am looking to purchase lexus in next few months so I am doing some research. Would ideally like an automatic but have noticed thay dont do a deisel automatic. Is this correct? If not, any ideas of what the MPG is for both manual diesel 220d and pentrol 220 automatic. Cheers

Hi,

In my view as a former 220d owner (I averaged 37mpg and 39mpg with DPS4, but had many, many problems) you need to ask yourself a few questions...

1. Do you drive more than 60-70k in three years? If not, probably better to look at petrol, the IS 250 auto is very good.

If you do the miles then...

2. Service, Lexus operate fixed servicing, 10k or 12 months. This adds up if you require 2 or 3 a year.

3. Coffee and pastries, do you like them? If you get one as bad as mine then you'll overdose on the stuff due to the amount of times you'll be at the dealer!

In short, I'd go with the 250 auto regardless, bare in mind the widening price difference between petrol/diesel. But if you definately gotta have the diesel get the sport model. The different rear axle ratio transforms the gearbox. In the Base, SE or SE-L models its hopeless. Many threads on here about it.

Hope this is of help....

How do some dealers get it sooooooooo wrong? It's all about expectation and are we wrong to expect a level of service???

Lexus Oxford seem to be sliding the wrong way and have been pretty poor of late. They quoted me for the wrong tyres last week..... basic mistake..... they gave my wife a manual when the IS was in, she doesn't drive manuals and told them many times...... BASICS!

My Scooby garage are pretty decent.

The Porsche dealer was a joke and just wanted their £100 an hour for fiddling with nothing, and i never got a decent courtesy motor when mine was in. Boxster being the poor one in the family and all that for sure.

The VW dealer was truly awful! great sales, but shocking aftersales!

The Audi dealer in Oxford was a joke and i actually had a stand up argument with the service manager and eventually got a letter apology!

The Audi dealer in Gloucester was great.

The Honda dealers in Swindon were always decent.

Local Skoda dealer was fantastic and the best i've used.

Well sadly it isn't going to happen yet! We couldn't agree on numbers, (seems the IS220 slagging is widespread knowledge?), so have agreed to wait and see how the market goes. The dealer will be under more pressure to move stock than I am to buy it.

Lexus Oxford are ran by the same group as my dealer, which to me, explains everything. My local Volvo dealership are excellent. I've never had a problem with them. Any fault with a car has been rectified immediately without quibble. Minor items they never even bothered to bill me for if the part was sitting in stock. Lexus even charged for a touch up bottle while I was disputing dodgy paint. This will almost certainly be my first and last Lexus, I just hope I manage to get shot sooner rather than later. A decent car spoilt by minor issues and a crap bedside manner by the dealership. Even owning a 250 would have been soured by the dealership.

Well its over for me, picked up the A4 and its so sweet. Cant really compare it to the 220d as I've bought a different animal, but compared to the 250 auto I've had the use of (A4 is a tip.) for a day its much better. Build quality and performance are superior, just lacks a few toys - although I will miss the heated seats.

Dont give up - try and find a group with both a volvo and Lexus branch. Its worth 2k on a trade in as they dont have to work to move it on.

Cant describe how good it feels to have changed. Audi warrington were great.....

So I guess its a goodbye from me, hope it works out for ya

I may be biting the bullet and getting shot of the IS220. I simply can't live with the car any longer and forget my experiences with the local dealership. I'm currently looking at a 07 S80 2.4D SE with geartronic box and a V50 2.0D SE. It all depends on budget. The IS is just too small to get all my kit in for the track and I can't put up with the terrible first gear any longer. Nice looking car, gadgets galore etc but just not for me. I just hope I can work something out budget wise!

Know how you feel, exactly the same gripes, plus shocking 6th gear vibrations and mpg. Bought for 20k in Feb, Lexus Liverpool offered me 13k as a way of 'looking after me' to get me out of the car. Needless to say I told em no thanks and pick up my A4 today, its Audi end of quarter this week! :0)

Have also gone back to petrol, the price difference just isn't worth the hassle of a diesel anymore. It's only going to get worse too.

First and last lexus I'll own. Just dont feel the product overall is that great, far to many problems. Yes, the dealers are good but TBH shouldn't really have to see them that much. Am also looking forward to variable service again!

Good luck with your searching and remember when it comes to the numbers it'll be worth every penny to be out of it!!!

The dealership has been the worst bit of the ownership for me. I should have picked up on the signs at the start but foolishly thought, "No one treats their customers like this, must be a bad day?" I've never used 6th gear as the labouring in 5th is bad enough. The mpg hasn't been too bad in mine but agree it isn't at the top of it's class. The S80 I'm looking at returns similar mpg for a lot more space and practicality for me. The V50 trounces it but it isn't an auto box. Sadly the IS is a common sight on the roads around here now so it hasn't even got exclusivity running for it anymore. I've ticked the boxes and the reasons to get rid far outweight the one or two reasons to keep it. I know the staff at the Volvo dealership well and always get looked after. It'll be like going home. I just hope I get a decent offer!

I had a S60 D5 before the IS and it was a cracking car. If only I'd done the research............ :duh: Shame Liverpool volvo shut down last month as I'd probably have taken a look. If its a newey you'll get a good deal, not so sure on a used as the market has dropped recently.

Up until the insulting part ex offer Liverpool lexus had been great, very impressed on the whole. Lots of IS's around here to tho.... smug buggers in 250's!!!

Cant wait til 4pm!!!

So sad to hear this...but my opinion is that every car can have

problems and wish you good luck going to Volvo...

With most respect of name Volvo I can tell you that

also Volvo is not the old good car like before...

so many mistakes in 2 years at just 60.000 km is

more then real prove of not bad but scarce quality

products and mistake which is common and factory

doesn't change nothing years and years...

I just decide to change a car from Volvo XC90 to Lexus 600h.

Of course I suppose that I get better, more reliable, technically

and hybrid newer technology car...to not mention quality

of Lexus brand made in Japan. Did I?

Regarding the geartronic automatic is the best choice.

Good luck.

We're not bashing the whole brand, just the diesel engine/gearbox/final ratio in the IS220d. This combination I feel creates all the other annoying little problems. I've had a IS250 auto and it was great. I had many other problems with the car so I wont buy another as there will always be this little doubt in my mind about what if its another bad one, regardless of model.

I may be biting the bullet and getting shot of the IS220. I simply can't live with the car any longer and forget my experiences with the local dealership. I'm currently looking at a 07 S80 2.4D SE with geartronic box and a V50 2.0D SE. It all depends on budget. The IS is just too small to get all my kit in for the track and I can't put up with the terrible first gear any longer. Nice looking car, gadgets galore etc but just not for me. I just hope I can work something out budget wise!

Know how you feel, exactly the same gripes, plus shocking 6th gear vibrations and mpg. Bought for 20k in Feb, Lexus Liverpool offered me 13k as a way of 'looking after me' to get me out of the car. Needless to say I told em no thanks and pick up my A4 today, its Audi end of quarter this week! :0)

Have also gone back to petrol, the price difference just isn't worth the hassle of a diesel anymore. It's only going to get worse too.

First and last lexus I'll own. Just dont feel the product overall is that great, far to many problems. Yes, the dealers are good but TBH shouldn't really have to see them that much. Am also looking forward to variable service again!

Good luck with your searching and remember when it comes to the numbers it'll be worth every penny to be out of it!!!

Hello All

I would just like to say having owned a IS220D MM SE Now

for 3 weeks (1st week i hardley used it as i was on hols) I really Love it

As was mentioned by people in other posts

We only usually here the problems Not the Positive comments

WELL I LOVE IT SO FAR :winky:

No strange noises in the cabin from things behind the dash, No 6 gear problems, even at 60 with cruise control on.

Only slight complaint is when the MM system is up loud, the cars in the rear view mirror are shaking

but is that the mirror or the Tremors i leave from the sound system :winky:

My fuel is not too bad either,

after 2 full weeks driving,

My tank average is at 43MPG and increasing

and the Average for the car so Far is 38MPG and climbing (My IS200 was coming in at 27 MPG)

SO I AM HAPPY ( I hope others are too)

Matt

How do you get into 6th at 60mph! Mine is ticking over and shaking to bits at that gear/speed! What revs are you doing?

took car in today to Lexus Birmingham.

recalled for the fuel pipe modification,Courtesy car waiting for me when I got there.great

picked car back up this afternoon,full tank of fuel (just under half tank when it went in),nice bottle of champagne :hehe: on passengers seat nice and valeted inside and out!!!!:D

Also they ordered 2 new front wheels (under warranty) due some corrosion on them(glad as some curbing on both )

It's great when you get service like that

That's why we drive a lexus! B)

Have to agree with the comment on the dealer. Although I have been stunned by the amount of defects on the car, with the exception of one event the service by Liverpool Lexus has been outstanding. It is the reason I'm going to stay with the brand as the rest dont come close. Roll on part-ex!

That's great news! Wish I could share it, had mine done about 600 miles ago but no difference at all yet. I seem to really struggle with MPG at the higher speeds for some reason, real effort to squeeze 40mpg even with cruise control in 5th (or 6th) on a motorway run. Do OK on round town only (30-33mpg). Motorway runs I only creep up to 38mpg normally and that's driving very sensibly, mostly with cruise.

Suffer most the squeaks and rattles too..

Still, love the toys and the car mostly - just look on with some envy at the petrol autos!

i have a 57 plate 220MM got 57.5mpg from leicester to london and back forget 6th gear stay in 5th at 70, i think i would have got more had it not been for the road works. love the car and the toys

Mine appears to have got worse. I've dropped around 4mpg from previous. Maybe the injector needs to coke up a bit first.

Think the new ones are ok. I had a 57 plate courtesy car and it gave me 46mpg without trying on my daily commute. I only get 36mpg normal and 39/40mpg with dps4.

Agree with the comment on the speed, take it above 80 and it really drops. Even tho it should be great with the low reving 6th gear.

Got 36mpg out of a 250 auto! Waiting for the principle to call me back with an offer to part-ex. Really can't wait to get rid of the piece of junk! One way or another its going.

I just noticed mine has a similar noise. You can only notice it on 1st and 2nd gear, and it happens as soon as the clutch is fully depressed. Mine is a 220D Sport, and only has 450 miles on it. If you find out something let me know please. I'll contact my dealership as well.

Will do.

I can finally take no more with the clutch noise and have booked the car in for the start of next week. They want me to go on a test drive with a technician to demonstrate the noise. Watch this space.

I can't take no more full stop. Had enough of the vibrations and rattles this diesel engine causes. I am changing for a 250 auto if they give me a good deal, if not then I'll cut my losses and go german! The only good thing to come out of ownership is that because I spend so much on fuel, I can swap to a petrol car and not notice the difference in my pocket!

I have to admit I went back to my local Volvo dealership yesterday afternoon to see what was on the horizon. The S60 may not be getting replaced at all. Volvo are thinking the S40, S60 and S80 is too narrow a spread to have three models in it. The option they're toying with is a bigger S40. It'd get my vote.

I do miss my D5 S60! Drive it full pelt everywhere and still get high forties! Thing is the IS has the nicest interior by far, think lexus dropped the ball, should've developed their own 6 cyl diesel. That may have made the 250 redundant tho!

I just noticed mine has a similar noise. You can only notice it on 1st and 2nd gear, and it happens as soon as the clutch is fully depressed. Mine is a 220D Sport, and only has 450 miles on it. If you find out something let me know please. I'll contact my dealership as well.

Will do.

I can finally take no more with the clutch noise and have booked the car in for the start of next week. They want me to go on a test drive with a technician to demonstrate the noise. Watch this space.

I can't take no more full stop. Had enough of the vibrations and rattles this diesel engine causes. I am changing for a 250 auto if they give me a good deal, if not then I'll cut my losses and go german! The only good thing to come out of ownership is that because I spend so much on fuel, I can swap to a petrol car and not notice the difference in my pocket!

Same as Stevet

Driven Automatics for years and have never used the parking brake !! - There's no point, once you put it in P the transmissions locked !!

Ask an American if they ever use a parking brake - They've had autos a lot longer than we have .

The Ed

Ha Ha I work with yanks every day and believe me you dont want to take advice of em! Yes, the transmission is locked but you've then got 1600kg of weight resting on the gearbox parking pin. Parking brake is there for a reason guys, only needs a pin to shear and there goes your pride n joy!

On my 90 mile round trip to work I've had:

My 220d - 36 mpg standard. 39mpg with DPS4 (It does work!)

250 Sel auto courtesy car 36mpg

x2 220d Se courtesy cars 46mpg & 43mpg

SC430 courtesy car 21mpg! Heavy right foot and worth every penny at the pump!!!

As you can tell by the amount of cars, I've got tales of woe with my 220d. I have a feeling they have sorted the newer ones to some degree. I am currently waiting for sales to call me with a deal for a 250 auto. With mid thirty on a run and a 14p difference in petrol and diesel it's a no brainer, I've had diesels for the past 12 years and think this one will be the last. The new beemer petrols are even hitting mid forties!

I am looking at buying a new Lexus IS220d. I have read about the high gearing and low fuel conumption of the diesels and need some advice.

I know that the Sport had it's gearing re-engineered, but you cannot buy leather seats with that specification.

I really want the SE-l but before I test drive just wondered if Lexus has sorted the gearing or if there is any modifications or recalls available.

I would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks.

Joe406.

Joe406,

I have the 220d SE-L. The sport has most of the same equipment minus the leather, blind and sils. From the reports on here the sport is better for real world driving due to the different ratio rear axle (Gear box is the same) which makes 6th gear a real option to use.

However, I recently had a 250 SE-L as a courtesy car and if you definately want an IS then I would advise the 250 in any trim with the auto box. It is silent and rattle free. I reset the trip and tested it on my normal 90 mile round trip to/from work, I got 36mpg! I only get 39mpg with the diesel, and with fuel prices; especially diesel likely to increse it becomes a no brainer really.

Whatever you choose, follow the advice on here and get the car for a day without the salesman. Like so many on here, I wish I had!

Daft question perhaps but do you still need to run engines in when new ie only drive at 50mph max ?

Thought there was something in the manual about running in? At least in the 220d one i think

it's strange that jamboo can have such a strong veiw point on a product he has never used.the second and more important point,are his comments about users of dps4 that have recorded benefits are suffering a placebo effect.if i said that all of the problems with his car were in his imagination i'm sure he would take offence.

Well put.... Proof of the pudding is in the eating! Maybe if he tried it after a while his car may even run better!!!

I do ALL my own servicing and the timing intervals above are correct.

I use ENEOS 5w30 fully synthetic oil which is avaliable from Japarts .co.uk at arount £25 for 4 Ltrs.

This oil is the european version of Nippon oil of japan.

You should NOT have a knocking noise on start up with ANY specified ACEA API grade oil and if you are you should go to the dealer immediately.

the reason I do my own is not to save money but because I do NOT trust motor dealers and their service departments.I know what goes on in them.

Good points, another thing as long as the service schedule is followed with genuine parts the warranty will not be void. You can use any garage.

Oh Jees...you're clearly the expert

PS - I always try and open people eyes to the real world. I haven't said it will break anything - merely that ther are comments on some forums about ECU's etc in modern cars possibly being affected. I don't kno whether it's true - so I'v copied the links for others to read into it and do their investigation...It's not scarmongering - just simple opinions and I made it clear that I am no expert.

Mine is on it's umpteenth Lexus approved ECU mod - the last thing I'm going to do is compromise all of their hard work by shoving something in to clear the symptoms. I'm sure lots of ther people too have these mod's done...if on the other hand my dealer tells me to use it - then fine - I'll give it a go...

You carry on mate...if the manufacturer states it's OK then it must be, and from what I've read it offers nothing more than a superfuel, which tested recently by Whatcar (and myself too in the Lex) showed no discernible difference.

If you have seen a difference, then great for you - may be I'm the mug for not using it or Wynns etc, but I really cannot see why in the modern world you have to shove in enhancers to make a car do what it states it should do...

I'd rather let my dealer and the manufacturer sort it rather than shoving in a form "Viagra" to enhance it, unless they tell me to

PPS - I like the way you asked the manufacturer for "suitability" - they're not exactly going to say "NO" are they - as long as they know it won't break something they will encourage you to buy. Like I say above though, if you think it works, go for it...good luck...

Service manager in Liverpool says it is worth adding an additive every few months - they even sell it! However no dealer in the land will ever admit that their 'product' wont work without it! Its common sense really to keep the fuel system and injectors clean - I've used an additive on every diesel I've owned, and never had an engine problem - they've all run to 160k+

As for Millers - I switched from v-power to standard diesel with DPS4 - over the past four tanks I've gone from 36 to 40 mpg. That is a fact, no change in driving style at all. But again thats just my experience.

It is also strange you say you're opening peoples eyes (Basically saying I'm showing you the truth over the lies) and then go on to say you're no expert. Which is it?

TRD - for what it's worth - I'm with you. I have driven that same type of car a few times and cannot recommend it highly enough! As for comparing it to the GS450h - well I've driven both - just look in the boot (!) and what people actually get in terms of MPG driven normally around town and more importantly on a motoray where the all that the motors and battries do is probably give you more torque, but add much more weight unless you coast...End of...

My main point was the 5 shouldn't be compared to the IS...end of...

You seem to have done a 180 - no one can say a good thing about a lexus these days... Surprised you haven't got rid yourself yet!

Each to their own. The 5 series does feel a hell of alot better to drive then the IS220d Sport. I have not tried the 540i but I know for a fact that it would not return 30mpg around town. I have a 280bhp car which does 0-60 in 6.5 and gives me 30npg. Previous to my Lexus I had a Subaru Impreza Turbo running 335bhp. It was fast and did 0-60 in 5 secs but use to give me 18mpg and it was no where near luxurious and full of toys like the BMW. Once I jumped into the Lexus I thought it cant be too bad, but was crap, sluggish and slow and no fun to drive at all. I use to hate driving it. My cousins 320d M Sport is more fun to drive then the IS220d Sport. So the BMW is great for me, has power which im use to having owned the Subaru and also has all the toys that I want and on top of that returns great mpg, giving me 38-40 on the motorway. Cant really complain and cant see another car doing the same as this. A petrol car will be fast but the mpg no good at all. So again all you guys who are anti diesel don't be. There are some great ones around and the 535d is one of the best in its league.

Pleased to hear that you're happy with the 5 but can't understand how you can compare it to the IS? Surely the closest comparison to your 535d M Sport is the GS450h. Both cars are around 43k new, similar performance/economy but the GS would arguably give more refinement (And many more toys!). I know which choice I'd make if I had the cash...

quote name='retyred' post='526805' date='Apr 1 2008, 08:20 AM'] Manual says to let the engine tick over for two mins after such a journey to help turbocharger. Any experiences here?

Found this....

In the early days of turbochargers, the turbo shaft was supported by a babbitt bearing that could seize, or even melt if the engine was shut off immediately after sustained boost conditions where the turbocharger would “heat soak”. A two minute cool down at idle allowed the turbocharger to dissipate any remaining spinning inertia, and the oil circulation cooled the bearing and prevented oil “coking” in the bearing area. Turbochargers haven’t used babbitt bearings for over 30 years, and today’s oils resist coking.

Probably in the manual as a warranty get out! By the time you've folded the mirrors and swore at the mpg readout it should be ok to switch off!

Have you experienced similar problem when you are reversing?

The mirror switch select needs to be selected to 'L' or 'R'. Check that your switch isn't in the central poistion.

All comes back to the point that you don't need to drive like that in the alternatives to get the same indicated mpg figures tho.

I don't think so.

Is this your first car Matus?????

I contacted dieseltuning yesterday,they replied saying that they had a customer with a spider fitted and was a poster on a lexus website. He is going to send me the details.

Great, look forward to reading the results!

Well I now have owned my IS220d SE-L MM S/r for just under two weeks. I must say I am over the moon with it in every respect. I have as off this evening clocked up just over a thousand miles thus far. It was todays trip that made me write this post.

For months now I have like many others taken on board what others have said about the IS220d. I must say that the MPG figures that most people where quoting concerned me bought never changed my decision to buy the car.

Today I had a business trip which took me to Cardiff for a couple of calls. I thought I would use this chance to see what all the fuss was about regarding MPG figures quoted on this site. Most people have stated that a simple change in driving habits should yield good results.

What I did what simply stick to the speed limits which was a big adjustment for me. I drove at a steady 74 mph from Sunbury all the way to Cardiff mostly using the cruise control and relaxed and enjoyed some music on my MM. Once in Cardiff I had four companies to see in and around the CBD. I did the same on the way back but was caught in 20min off standing traffic on the M4 just before the M25. I soon got home.

What I say next is just my two pence worth on the MPG issue. I did not buy this car with the intention to suck every MPG out off the fuel that i put in it nor did I buy it to race around England either. Today however all I did was obay the law and take a more relaxed drive and actully felt better for it at the end off the day.

I have attached a photo I took with my Phone just before I got off the M25 5 miles from my house. I took this picture to show all the people who knock the IS220D what can be done if one is willing to drive within the speed limits and resist the tempataion to floor it all the time. Please take note off the fuel level, rev counter, speed and the TANK MPG AVERAGE figure for my trip. I was AMAZED and very pleased.

:D :D :D

well done,now you just need the dps4 isn't that right nate73.

Works for me!!!

Well I now have owned my IS220d SE-L MM S/r for just under two weeks. I must say I am over the moon with it in every respect. I have as off this evening clocked up just over a thousand miles thus far. It was todays trip that made me write this post.

For months now I have like many others taken on board what others have said about the IS220d. I must say that the MPG figures that most people where quoting concerned me bought never changed my decision to buy the car.

Today I had a business trip which took me to Cardiff for a couple of calls. I thought I would use this chance to see what all the fuss was about regarding MPG figures quoted on this site. Most people have stated that a simple change in driving habits should yield good results.

What I did what simply stick to the speed limits which was a big adjustment for me. I drove at a steady 74 mph from Sunbury all the way to Cardiff mostly using the cruise control and relaxed and enjoyed some music on my MM. Once in Cardiff I had four companies to see in and around the CBD. I did the same on the way back but was caught in 20min off standing traffic on the M4 just before the M25. I soon got home.

What I say next is just my two pence worth on the MPG issue. I did not buy this car with the intention to suck every MPG out off the fuel that i put in it nor did I buy it to race around England either. Today however all I did was obay the law and take a more relaxed drive and actully felt better for it at the end off the day.

I have attached a photo I took with my Phone just before I got off the M25 5 miles from my house. I took this picture to show all the people who knock the IS220D what can be done if one is willing to drive within the speed limits and resist the tempataion to floor it all the time. Please take note off the fuel level, rev counter, speed and the TANK MPG AVERAGE figure for my trip. I was AMAZED and very pleased.

:D :D :D

I've done that experiment too. I managed 41mpg. My se-l has done 24k (I got it at 20k) Many people on here have experienced a drop in mpg as the car gets older. Be interesting to see if you maintain high 40's.

All comes back to the point that you don't need to drive like that in the alternatives to get the same indicated mpg figures tho.

Hope there's no coppers reading your post!!!