Monsterped

Well 2 months of Scirocco ownership has been great, it's genuinely the first car I've owned that I have no complaints about. The 2ltr Diesel is superb - over 6500 miles it's averaged 48.4 miles per gallon and that's driving it quite briskly most of the time. Build quality is much better than the IS, no rattles or squeals and ride quality and handling are great. Moral of the story? If you want an IS, buy the petrol (a good car and what it should be), if you want a decent diesel, buy german....

My 2006 220d has just had its engine rebuilt, new short block, and various other bits. Result is that for the fist time since I had it, from new, I am now achieving decent figures. Driving in London traffic, constant stop start, it now does 35mpg, on a long motorway run, cruise control on, set at 80mph, it averages out at 43. However, whilst on the M4, running through the 50mph sections, I reset the AVG, set cruise on at 53mph (I know it was that coz I have a roadangel) flat road over a 3 mile stretch, it said 62mpg. Tank refill and calculated gave a tank distance of 570 miles. Whatever they did when they rebuilt it, Lexus should have done from the beginning, it's also a lot quieter now than it was when new. Give thanks to a decent dealer!! My 57 plate had the whole new engine thing at 55k miles and most of the other gubbins under the bonnet at various times and, as you say, was a marked improvement. However this was short lived as after the usual 5000ish miles it began misbehaving again and economy plummeted again. Lexus had it back, messed around with the turbo settings (badly) and cleaned the EGR valve again - better. Seems to me that the key to these things running properly is a clean EGR valve. Never found out if it cured it as it was sold off 4k miles later and replaced with a VAG diesel - now that is good!!

I think there are two main reasons, the Lexus is a significantly heavier car (around 200 Kg heavier) and it is considerably more powerful than the A4 1.9. But I do agree the Germans make the best diesels (although Honda's diesel is supposed to be quite good as well). As for mpg, in my Sport version I have never managed to hit 40 mpg, always around 35 combined and 30 or less around town. Lower 40s is the maximum people should expect from the 220d. This is for the pre 2009 facelift engine (I don't know about the new one). I had a 59 plate loaner for 3000 miles, mostly sensible motorway, still no better than 37-38mpg My 57 plate 220d averaged 35-36 overall. But I care not anymore, it's gone and my VW is averaging 48mpg regardless of how or where I drive it over the 3000 miles I've done in the last three weeks!

After all the aggravation and p*ss poor running issues, today was the day I said goodbye to my IS220d.... Well actually I walked away and didn't so much as give it a second look.... what a relief to be out of it. To say the IS has been a disappointment is an understatement, it's such a good looking car, comfortable and generally well built. However, it's inexcusable at best, irresponsible at worst, for a brand of the standing of Lexus to produce such a poorly engineered drive train as I and many others have experienced (although I acknowledge many are satisfied with their cars). Yes the later cars felt better but I never had long enough in one to be convinced. Despite the best efforts of the techs at my dealership, the intermittent poor running and stumbling, poor economy and noisy gearbox issues have never gone away. To add insult to injury, speaking with my financial director today, the best offer he's had for the car is £7,200, about 66% less that was paid for it. Pretty horrific depreciation for a car that's 26 months old.... I'd like to thank everyone on here for listening to my rants and offering advice, much appreciated. It's a good knowledgeable forum, keep up the good work! As I've written else where, I'm moving to something german, my new Scirocco is awaiting collection tomorrow morning at 9am! Thanks again all Take care MP

Hey Col I can understand your feelings on buying a 220d after reading the threads regarding the various issues. Mine has, I think it's fair to say, been probably one of the worst in the UK and frankly I'm extremely hacked off about it even though it's a company car. The aim of my posts about the issues I've had has been to inform other owners of potential pitfalls (and to perhaps have a rant) not to scare people like yourself over their purchases. It would genuinely trouble my conscience if, knowing the sh*t I've been through, another owner suffered a worst fate than the near misses I've had through ignorance of the potential problems. Look at it this way, you know what to look for if the car ever miss-behaves. I guess I've been unlucky with mine, doesn't mean you'll be!! Good luck and happy ownership!! PS - I still think the IS looks waaaaaay better than the BMW etc german competitors.... although not quite as nice as the Scirocco that's being built this week for delivery to me in about 3-4 weeks time!!

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

The cat went on mine at 40k miles, fortunately under warranty. From you're description, I'd say you have a flaky sensor somewhere

The miss-fire was caused by incorrect turbo settings, although why this changed seems unexplainable.... Still, new Scirroco ordered now so feeling much happier

The 59 plate cars are the best I've tried over the last two years, much better fueling and power delivery although I still think the manual gearbox is not as good as it should be as although it's much better than mine, it's still noisy and notchy to change gear. From what I can gather from my dealer, the 09/59 cras have had a major update in the engine department although mpg on the demo I've been driving only worked out at 38-40mpg on mixed driving despite being told it would be significantly improved I'm really not the best person to ask if you're thinking of buying an IS220d, I think there are other choices which are far superior in terms of engines and drivetrain although I still think the IS looks great. Makes it all the more disappointing in some ways to give mine up.

To be fair to the dealer, they've been pretty good and have tried their best to sort the issues, I honestly think the car is just a dud and no one at the dealer knows what else to try. The fact that Lexus GB have effectively washed their hands of it is more disappointing given the reputation they have for looking after their customers - part of the reason I chose it originally

IS220d on a 57 plate, 60k miles and nearly £10,000 of warranty work and still not right. Would I have another? Not flaming likely and after the recent support or lack of it from Lexus GB, I'll make it my life mission to never spend a single penny with Lexus again. My car is truly sh*te and will be replaced shortly by a nice shiny Scirroco!

Hi All As you know by my recent posts, the IS220d I have has been, to say the least, a complete nightmare with warranty bills totaling nearly £10,000 now. After repeated attempts to solve the poor running (intermittent power loss and stuttering more recently), the car went back to the dealer at Lexus GBs request and further diagnostics. Sods law and the bloody thing doesn't misbehave while they have it so Lexus GB have replaced the turbo as "a precaution" and now stated they will offer no further support. I picked it up Thursday morning and low and behold within 10 minutes it's stutters under acceleration (around 1800-2200 revs) and has continued to do so ever since. The dealer will be getting a call monday.... The long and the short of it is now I have zero confidence in the car, I believe it has the potential to cause an accident and my company have agreed to get shot of it. I actually cheered when I was told I could go car shopping!!!! So, within the next week or two I shall be placing an order for a VW Scirroco 2ltr GT diesel. Drove one last weekend and it's fab! One thing IS220d owners should take note of is the poor trade in values being offered. CAP book price for mine (entry 220d with 60k miles Dec 07 registered) is around the £10K - £10.5K in good condition. There's not a dealer around here that has offered over £7700 for trade in, which they've justified by "they have too many issues to be in demand" statements - my Bro in law is in the trade and regularly sees IS220d's not selling at auction. He's also heard the issues from various sources so second hand values are never going to be great. What I have found disappointing is the attitude of Lexus GB - the issues I've had have very nearly caused collisions on a good number of occasions and while I was prepared to let them attempt to sort the problem, they were helpful. The minute I mentioned rejecting the car, the got very defensive and non-committal, offering nothing more until the dealer assessed the car again. They instructed the dealer to change the turbo as a precaution (why? no explanation given) and have now washed their hands of the car. The dealer to his credit has offered to buy the car back but at a low value against book price - 3 grand under book. So, many thanks to everyone on here that offered their thoughts and advice when I asked, it has been really appreciated. If anyone reading this is thinking of buying an early-ish 220d, please think carefully and get a look at the warranty history. This is a good acr seriously let down by a very poor diesel engine and gearbox robbed from other cars in the Toyota group. Petrol IS owners - good choice!! Thanks again all MP

Well two weeks in the dealer, no faults found so I pick it up and it runs like a bag of sh*t still..... Well I've had enough and my company agree, it goes as soon as I can find a replacement Biggest mistake I ever made in buying a car....

The shonky starting issue is common on earlier cars I'm led to believe - mine was doing the same and had to be remapped which cured it. A whole heap of other problems then started but that's another story... Lexus GB customer care is, in my opinion truely sh*te. As you'll have no doubt read in my "Still running Poorly" thread, my 57 IS220d is a complete pup. It's just been with the dealer for 2 weeks diagnostics and as the problem is intermittent and didn't occur, Lexus GB have washed their hands of the car and refuse any further help apart from replacing the turbo - warranty work now at almost £10k.... Rather than speak to whoever answers the phone at Lexus GB, ask to speak to Jill Want (Warranty Manager) on 01737 363634. 5k miles ago she agreed a free warranty extension for 12 months on mine so has some clout but recently she was very defensive about further issues with my car and they've now stated no further support will be given.

I'm currently running around in a 59 plate demo as my 57 220d is broken for the umpteenth time. Can't say that the consumption on the 59 is any better that mine and that the "revised" diesel is significantly better that mine either. No way would I have another.....

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=61627 My post about on going issues, still unresolved with my 57 220d. My company have instructed me not to drive the vehicle again....

Hold the press.... The miserable piece of automotive sh*te has gone wrong again..... Spent the day in London at the office, got caught in the usual M25 traffic and the car developed a miss-fire at around 1800 rpm when accelarating and won't tick over properly now..... This is 300 miles after a service and 5000 miles after a new engine. Not happy If you listen carefully you be able to hear me loading both barrels....

Swindon Lexus also did mine! Good dealership I think MPG is averaging around 42-44 by calculation (miles & fuel used when refilling etc) but has been as high as 50ish. Better to calculate it as I found the reading in the car not very accurate As for the extended warranty, I took the issue up with Lexus UK as the car had very nearly caused several accidents and every time a fix was tried, something else subsequently need changing. I had to speak to the warranty manager (the initial point of contact was unhelpful IMO, reading from a script and not listening) who after hearing my issues, gave the extended warranty. This might also be something to do with the £8,800 warranty bill to date and the threat to not accept the car back until the problem was sorted or a full refund was given - my company backed me on this as they felt car was not fit for purpose and would reject it under duty of care etc I've now done over 4k miles since the motor was changed and the car has performed excellently, no hesitation, good throttle response, decent mpg figures and a much more relaxing drive. Very pleased! Ped

Well 2000 miles later and I'm dead chuffed- my IS is as it should be and drives beautifully, even returning respectabe economy!! Result!

Well the car is back and my first impressions are very positive. The car runs very well now although only done about 50 miles What is very noticeable is how much quieter the engine is and it's certainly much smoother than before. I guess it should be better, the warrantly costs for the engine work was over £4500... and a further £500+ for the gearbox to be sorted. Overall the car now feels like it should and I'm hopeful that this is the end of the problems. Having said that, after some discussions with Lexus GB, they've agreed to extend the warranty (I'll have done 60K miles in about three weeks time) for a further 12 months!

Well, after a full strip down Lexus found the engine to be very heavily coked, with carbon deposits heavy enough to stick the rings in the pistons. They've also found that one cylinder bore is badly scored and a few other things are not right. The upshot is that they fitted a brand new short block (everything from cylinder head down) and are reporting that performance is now good and fuel economy is also vastly improved. Not a cheap warranty fix for Lexus, something like £3000+ this week and they've not done the gearbox yet, that's being done next week. Basically they've brought the engine up as close as they can to the 09 spec cars The 09 220d I have is a much improved car over the early models. the engine is much improved as is the gearbox. Having recently advised a friend to be very cautious about buying a 220d, if the demo I have is anything to go by, then it's not a bad choice. Fuel economy is not spectacular but much better than I've seen before. I'd almost be tempted to have another....

And just to add more to the pile, first gear is noisy as you like when crawling in traffic.... Still, I have a brand spanking IS220d 2009 SE sitting on my drive for a week - be interesting to see what it's like compared to mine

Latest update Lexus are having the car for a week to do a complete engine strip to see what else is wrong.... Fuel economy hit an all time low last week, 34mpg....

In my case no, 55k miles and it still runs like a bag of sh*t.... buy a petrol IS or something german.... Lexus dealers are great, it's the IS220d that's poor

Yeah, Lexus are well aware of the safety issue and I shall be reminding them again....