bigmick777

Lexus can check it for you or a garage with the appropriate diag tool. They simply plug the reader into the ECU connection on the drivers side and it will report the version (plus any error codes etc). For a 2006 model the latest ECU flash is 500.

Bit more info on mine, I have just had the EGR valve and pipe replaced and as said above its on 500. Coming back from manchester, reset the trip on the M6 as it was clear, cruise set at 70, it did 39.5 mpg over around 20 miles. As I have a sport I know that the revs will be higher than a std so less economical under certain conditions. At 70 the revs are @ just over 2000rpm. I can drive in 6th at just over 50 on A and B roads with no issue or too much lag - here it will happily get 45 + mpg.

Just picked the car up after two ballasts (well whole headlight units!) fitted. Parts would have cost £1200 but covered under Extended Warranty - Phew... Money well spent. The bulbs were fine - the one that had gone yellow ish was down to the ballast. New ballasts and bulbs are burning my eyes out and back to the bright white. My old bulbs were probably ok then! At least I have two spare now....

That may explain it - I have a 2006. Just picked it back up and they confirmed 500 latest for mine. The 600 was for the revamped engine with lower Co2.

I thought the same. Mine used to be on 400, got told by Lexus there was a 600 but they have said it aint for my engine (2006 220D) and 500 is the latest. Confirmed today.

Mine is hopefully being flashed today to 600. It was done last week to 500 whilst having the ballasts looked at for free. They have got it back in today to fix the ballasts under extended warranty - phew, parts would have been ~£1200 without! Suppose my point is, wait until service or issues and ask them to do it, be cheeky and ask for nothing, dont believe it takes long to flash followed by battery disconnect.

Oh and the sport comes with Metallic Trim and sports pedals. I didnt like the wood finish in some of the other 220's I saw.

I had the same dilemma and went for the sport for the following reasons: Gear ratio - makes a big difference! 18" alloys Stiffer suspension You get nearly all of the SE-L toys, memory seats, HID adaptive headlights, auto wipers / lights, heated seats, I think the SE-L only has the rear blind and leather instead of suede (leather seats are cooled). VDIM an enhanced vehicle dynamic system that is the same (i think) as the one on the IS-F. The SE-L has the VSC (vehicle stability control). If poss, try and get the multimedia, DVD player, reversing camera, sat nav, bluetooth, and upgraded Mark Levinson Audio. Well worth it! And if your wondering what the VDIM actually does, here is an extract from buyacar.co.uk 220D sport review: This system is a vast improvement over the old VSC stability control system, allowing a little more wheelspin but intervening earlier and less obtrusively when it detects the car getting a little out of shape. What's even more interesting is that whereas traditional stability control systems just nip at the brakes to keep things in check, VDIM manages brakes, throttle and even steering, adding a couple of degrees of counter steer crucially early in the event of a slide. Power out of a wet mountain hairpin with the engine right in the meat of the torque and you'll feel a mild muting of throttle response and a spot a flashing light on the fascia. No drama, no temptation to counter steer yourself (something that can royally confuse some stability control systems) and a rapid reapplication of full power once the car detects it's pointing in the right direction. Top marks.

The jury is out to how well the additives work - I use Millers DP ecomax in the odd tank of diesel, other 220 users have used this too. Secondly, always use a good fuel, supermarket diesel isnt the best for keeping a clean engine, I use only Shell or BP. Finally, worth checking the EGR valve to see if it is carbon'd up.... It probably is and can cause a variety of engine problems! Theres plenty of posts to support this and instructions to clean it on this forum.

Might be worth a try, notice that you pick the model, are all Lexus wheels the same colour / finish? This would indicate they were...

Gutted, missus caught the curb with front and back wheels. Damaged in one place (about 0.5 inch). The wheels were refurbed 6 months - asked the garage to arrange before I purchased. So immaculate apart from these two grazes. Can the wheel be part repaired or is it a complete refurb? Anyone any recommendations, I am in the midlands (Stoke-on-Trent).

May not fit but worth a look, could always use your own caps? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Chrome-Tyre-Stems-Valve-Sleeve-Dust-Caps---Land-Rover_W0QQitemZ390216311352QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&rvr_id=&cguid=b1c2b6f41280a0aad316a5b6ff086f35

I have the same problem. It does indeed only happen when its warm and looking around it does appear to be the rear window and caused by the space clips that are installed by the factory at build. More info here: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-second-generation/217445-urgggg-creaking-back-window-when-sun-hits-it.html and what appears to be fixes here albeit for a GS!: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=60368

Had my EGR done and got the ECU upgraded from 400 to 500. 600 is the latest but they had issues getting it onto the ECU mapper. I didnt have problems with flat spots before the EGR valve failed (as per my previous posts). Post the new valve and upgrade it does seem to run even better. Bit too early to say if MPG has improved.

I have extended warranty and the dealer has confirmed left and right ballasts faulty and that the whole unit needs replacing (600 quid per unit). They are now checking with the warranty - did you have to negotiate or was it just accepted? If so, which dealer confirmed this just in case they try to suggest it isnt covered. Bulbs were replaced before checking the ballasts so hope they are still OK (I got the bulbs from the states).

Lexus have taken a look and suggested ballasts are the problem. They checked the parts and the only thing back is to replace the whole headlight unit at £600+ each! I have an extended warranty which they are now investigating. Weird thing was after re-fit of the old headlight bulbs / ballasts they stayed on with no flicker for about 20 minutes!

I was unable to get the price down even by saying that I would take 2 years. Lexus said the prices on this are fixed. I did manage to get it at the price before recent increase as I had the leaflet with the old prices on. Even then the only way Lexus could do this was to give me a credit of the 60 odd quid I saved.

I got two philips d4s from the states for ~100 quid delivered. Got lexus to fit them both, which they did for free, however, car going back in tomorrow as the right one flickering and going off - previously it was the left one! Going to get them to check the ballasts and swap over bulbs to test.... I guess the bonus is with buying them from Lexus is at least you know they are genuine, new and would probably get a warranty on them.

Thought I would bring up this post again. My left (n/s) bulb kept going out, switch off and on would fix, so I ordered 2 x Philips DS4 from ebay (guy in the states who sold a lot of the bulbs), paid $110 for the two delivered. He had plenty of positive feedback and sold a lot of these bulbs. Anyways asked Lexus to change the pair which they did. On initial power up the n/s bulb was still flickering but then stopped. Yesterday the o/s bulb was flickering on start and today as driving I watched the o/s flicker then go off in traffic!

I should have said. This could be a perfect time to negotiate the stone chips that will be on the front on the car ;-)

I am glad I did. Apparently they made a mistake telling me the CAT had gone. The EGR had failed but not the CAT. They said the EGR wasnt covered but replaced it free anyway. They also flashed the ECU, car picked up this afternoon cleaned with no charge.

If your buying from Lexus then you should be ok for anything that isnt right as its still under warranty. Few things to check before to save hassle later: Wheels - corrosion etc. Recalls - ask Lexus to check they're all done Sat nav / Ice - check Sat nav works etc. Had a nightmare with mine! Usual electric checks - 2 keys, sit in and check all functions, mirrors, seat adjustments, AC works, heated seats, etc. EGR valve / CAT, ask if it's had one. Bet it will if not, it is likely to need one whilst you have it

Well just a few days after my post on Lexus Warranties my car breaks down on the M6 Toll. The old favourite VSC, engine management and traction control light. I luckily took out the extended warranty from lexus a month ago and then suspending my existing AA membership. So called Lexus road side (AA) and waited. This was the worst part as it took nearly 2 hours to get to me! They took my car direct to Lexus and dropped me off at a hire car company where they gave me a 2010 C Class Merc (CDi 200 blue effeciency) with AMG kit and wheels! V. nice motor. Spoke to Lexus today after the car has been in for a day or so. EGR valve then unburnt gas into CAT, so new valve, CAT and pipes plus ECU reflash whilst its in. The EGR valve was actually replaced on the car just under 12 months ago but no CAT. So, back to the point of the warranty - EGR valve covered inc all labour etc. CAT is not! But Lexus have said they have raised it with Lexus GB and I shouldnt worry. Will have to wait and see but stand in much better light having the warranty etc all with Lexus. For info, Warranty direct, highest level of cover is LuxuryCare and the T&C's state the following misc items are not covered : Exhaust gasket, exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, auxiliary drive belts, brackets, mountings, pipes and hoses, water ingress, cables other than clutch cables. Sure you can add the items at extra cost but when I got a quote for Luxury Care it wasnt that much less than Lexus when taking into account the AA cover.

Lol - perfect timing! Check VSC and limp mode on the motorway today! Have the extended warranty so Lexus roadside sent the AA. Although took them 2 hours to arrive they have taken the car to Lexus and I got a brand spanker Merc 220 CDI blue effeciency with all the extras from the hire company.

Also, does any idea what % (and if) lexus tint the rears to as an option? I have seen nearly new lexus's with darker tints in the rear (standard at front).