JamesIS220

Sorry to hear of your woes. I would expose the batteries and see if there is any moisture. Dry everything out and reset the codes. In my Lexus Diesel I went through a flood once that was probably a bit too deep. The bow wave started to splash onto the bonnet and took the number plate off! I didn't go back that way! Other driver oncoming said water was up to the rad grill. Advised him not too! This was the turn off to Tamworth from the A38 past the National Memorial island where you go under the bridge. Floods well! I generally open the drivers door to see water levels. Up to Sills quite happy with a diesel or my petrol Volvo 940. I nearly killed my 1989 240 GLT auto years ago in Ireland. Went through a deep flood very slowly on a kerb and unfortunately suddenly the road dipped down massively to farmers field and the water started going over the bonnet! Got through, but started to splutter and switched off immediately! Opened bonnet and everything dripping as on the old Volvos has a water pump driven continuous fan, so sprayed everything. Started it up and steam coming out the exhaust and spluttering. cleared after 3 miles and then ran perfect. Sold 3 years later with 234,000miles on and no ill effects. I came very close to killing it! James.

Thanks everyone. The Prius seems the ideal car! How is the Toyota Auris hybrid thought of? Presume same underpinnings hybrid wise? May buy something newer and estate. Definitely Auto. Had a brand new corolla in France in 2007 for 2.5 years until sold the property and didn't need a LHD. Apart from servicing nothing needed in the 45,000 kilometres covered. It wasn't perfect as even having the window slightly open water would drip onto seat/ window switches and Grandparents were uncomfortable on long journeys. It was a hatchback. 1.4D4D manual. In light blue. cost 21,000 euros. Sold for 8,000 euros! I wanted to buy one a year old in the UK! James.

This is all what I read and therefore cancelled the sale. James

Thanks for replies. Yes want cheap VED. Prius of 2007 vintage seem £10 a year!! Seems a change in 2017 to a flat rate. Anyway I asked the buyer to cancel his Paypal payment as he had arranged to collect the car before the payment had cleared into my account, as on hold. Or bring cash, as transporter collecting. Didn't want to release car without full cleared funds. On a google search it seems a buyer could collect or get collected the car or other posted goods and then say it never arrived or cancel the payment while its pending. Or if you cant prove postage/ the buyer receiving it, it will be refunded by Paypal out of your money. He got a refund and I keep the car. James

Thanks everyone. Think it would be either a Prius or Lexus IS 250. I like the size/style of the 250. Would need to try both. Probably from 2007 upwards. James.

I may buy another Lexus in the new year and would like your opinions on which model in my price range is the most reliable, reasonable economy 30mpg plus. Is Less than £300 to tax a year, and reasonable insurance. I had a quote of £870 to insure an 06 RX400 with 3.3 litre engine. I passed my test in 1999 and to date haven't had an accident. I have lived in France for over 7 years and ROI for nearly 3 and when I moved back to the UK on insuring didn't accept my French no claims as needed a legal translation, which would of cost £300. Only allowed me one year ncd. I now have 8 year ncd. Thinking no more than £500 to insure. I wont do a lot of miles, probably max of 7,000. Preferably ULEZ Compliant. Should I look at Toyota also? Older Prius. What would you buy in my situation? Many thanks. James.

It's such a shame as the body is rust free, just the engine on mine a major disappointment. Surely when they drove it thought the gearing wasn't good and the turbo lag too much. Love the safety, comfort, radio, build quality. A bit more R&D by Lexus and auto it could of been a great drive. Thing is there are lots of IS 220D for sale and for 1k can get a fully working one. I would never pay 3.4,5k for a 220d as not the best. I quite like the GS450H but worried about big bills on a 10 year old Lexus. Also like the IS 250. What are GS 300's like reliability wise? Quite fancy something a bid bigger in the rear leg room than the IS. If something will do 30mpg, then happy as my 2.3 litre petrol Volvo auto does that. In the time I have had my IS, I bought a full size used matching alloy and tyre. I replaced the Ac condenser (nissens £150) 2x regas £60 each and 4x new Avon ZV7's 3 months ago! £234.00 Plus oil/ service and a few odds and ends. What Lexus are you thinking of? The lack of my 23 year old Volvo 940 auto 2.3 petrol, giving me big bills is the reason I keep it as it just goes and goes and being self employed in property maintenance a great work horse. Just replace the service items and add fuel. Large engine bay so easy access. I'm looking for similar in a Lexus. James.

I listed my IS 220D on Ebay and sold it for £463.00. Thought list it before it overheated and then only realistic option would of been scrap it, if stranded, and probably get nothing for it. I had 19 months use and 13,000 miles out of it. I paid too much for it at the time of £1,475.00 It has been loosing coolant for the last 10 weeks, so suspect head gasket. Runs well, with no oil mixing or overheating and I liked the build quality, shape and colour. Didn't like the turbo lag or gearbox lag in 6th. Once my funds have cleared the buyer is collecting and its being transported off to Poland for parts. I'm going to have just my 1996 Volvo 940 for now and may buy another Lexus or Toyota in the new year, but automatic. Budget probably 5k James.

What a costly mistake to make on a new car. Hope it never happens again! Hope it's fixed totally for 1k. Is Lexus charging for loan car as not their fault, or not charging for it as having them do the work? James.

As it's an IS 250 and hopefully be trouble free/ not scrapping soon, then buy the tyres that keep you on the road. Never understood people who have a newish car and skimp on tyres. Only contact with the road. Avoid cheap Chinese. I like brands I have heard of. On my 23 year old Volvo 940 I have Michelin energy savers but bought used. Will buy new for front when I take winters off. Michelin Energy, current price £77 each at ATS. James.

Don't forget in winter the hot coolant in the rad helps heat up the transmission fluid so needs heating in colder climates. I would buy a replacement rad. James.

Around 6 months ago I fitted 4x new avon ZV7's to replace original fitment goodyear efficient grip on my 2006 IS 220d. They are ok and cost £230 for 4 fitted. I'm glad I fitted non expensive tyres as I'm getting coolant loss and suspect head gasket or oil cooler. Runs well but reservoir has a flow too it and bubbles and rises and overflows if cap off. Coolant when engine starts disappears from reservoir and when cool returns or if you open the cap carefully. Seems to need topping up more often now. It has covered 187,000 now 13,000 miles with me. I will either sell it with all faults declared or if it overheats and finally goes weigh in for scrap. I would then eventually buy a 250 instead or hybrid. I like the shape, colour and comfort and safety. Not 6 speed or turbo lag. Auto would be better. I wouldn't spend any great money on a 220 as now only getting 31mpg! On my 1996 Volvo 940 I have Michelin energy savers on the rear and they last well. My previous 1989 Volvo 240 in the 10 years I had it had 3 sets of Michelin Energy savers in that time and 76,000 miles. When sold had 4mm tread left. In Spring when I refit my summer tyres I'll buy a pair for the front. Pics as I bought it 20 months ago. James

Hi Stan. Thanks for your reply. You certainly have a Lexus collection! I had a Volvo collection. A 1989 240 GLT auto petrol estate. Daily driver for 8 years and owned for 10 years. Liked it and very reliable. Added 76,000 miles in my ownership and sold with 234,000 on clock. Bought for £350 sold for £500! Bought my current Volvo 940 1996 2.3 petrol auto estate 3 years ago for £250 and so far very good. Wanted a car with AC and ABS. Now on 200,500 miles. Surfed Ebay one evening and bought a Lexus IS220D. Liked the shape and colour. Don't regret it as owned for 18 months now. May sell as Grandparents hoping to move by me, and then no use for a diesel as short journeys only. Lexus costing me an extra £400 insurance and road tax. May in around a year buy a Lexus IS 250 or Hybrid. Budget Max 3-4k Ideally SEL! I like Lexus as a brand and wish they did an estate. Like the safety, comfort, build quality. Quite like the RX300/400h for large boot and decent rear leg room. Read avoid air suspension or change. Suspect RX 300 25mpg and 400H 35mpg?. Quite expensive to buy though. Great news on the MOT Pass. The Lexus went straight through with no advisories as it always has on the MOT history check and my 1996 940 passed with one minor advisory. I'm near Alrewas. If your my way pop in for a cuppa. I live on a narrowboat. If I'm ever going your way I'll send you a pm. James.

A good excuse to scrap it! A big paperweight! Don't know why Lexus/toyota built such poor diesels and other gearbox, turbo lag issues. I like the style, comfort and safety. Hope the IS 250 is more willing to go from a standing start and no gearbox oddities. Will have to drive one to see what I think. My old 1996 940 is auto and acceptable AW70. James.

Let me know how if the cooler resolves your water loss. I have the same loss of coolant but no smoke and drives faultless and everything works. A Need to top up sometimes with 0.5 litres of coolant. Twice when I went on holiday to IOW and did 550 miles round trip from the Midlands. Going to sell on Ebay at some point, listing all faults and probably buy an IS 250 SEL instead or GS450H! James.

That's great everyone, thanks for your info. I have been doing a few jobs on my 940 as it's in for it's MOT tomorrow so checking it over. Only done cosmetic jobs like clean, underseal, replace tailgate struts, dismantle and clean sunroof switch as opened but wasn't closing! Oil, coolant checks and lights and tyre pressures/ condition. I'll have a read of the how 2 guide on the pins and do them in around 2-3 weeks as starting a big bathroom gut out and refit next week. James.

That would be great. Pm me or can send my email address. I have replaced my Volvo 240 front disks once myself and went well. So will remove and re grease. Many thanks. James.

Thanks everyone. Not sure as had to wait in reception. They said they cleaned the brakes by removing pads and pushed the calipers back.. James.

Thanks everyone. Went in to ATS today and they spent 90 minutes and cleaned the brakes and replaced bleed nipples as blocked and bled new fluid in. The rear nearside did have some air in as went round each caliper. Pads and disks/calipers all good. Said may need to change rear pads as 4.5mm of pad left. Said If I want to supply they'll fit them. Old brake fluid was dirty/old. They now work much better! Many thanks. James.

The brake pads and disks were changed around 3 years ago by the previous owner, but no record of the brake fluid being changed. I'll get it renewed. I'm going to take it to a garage I trust and get them checked out. Many thanks. James.

I have a 2006 IS 220D. 186,000miles and over the last week I have braked for an island and the brake pedal goes down halfway and then goes hard/firm. I have to release and full brake power is back and normal operation. It has done this twice. All other times no issues. Any ideas as to the fault? Fluid reservoir full. Air in system? Faulty Master Cylinder? James.

A few weeks ago had the rear tyres replaced with avon ZV7 and passed the MOT with no advisories and now nearly on 185,000. Had fronts done in April as one tire puncture repaired 5 times and leaking slowly, so had fronts replaced. They are much more quiet that the goodyear efficient grip that were 3-4 years old. Around 14 months ago installed a new air con condenser to my 2006 IS 220D and in the last very hot spell felt the AC wasn't as cold as it was. Had it on the machine and re-gassed after evacuation and pressure test. Now lovely ice cold on the drivers side as well. Perfect in this weather! James.

Really lovely! Would never afford unless new unless lottery win. could buy the old LS600h from around 2007 though. Or an 18 plate Toyota Avensis or Auris Hybrid, but not as nice as a lexus. James

Thanks for the replies. Whatever it is, it works well. In my old Volvo's never had a working radio so now listen to it! James.

I have a 2006 IS 220D and one thing I do enjoy is listening to the radio. A non Mark Levinson with 13 speakers and find it very good and works well. Who is it made by? Way prefer auto over the dreadful 6 speed manual. The engine turbo lag and incompatible gearbox ruins what is a nice looking car. 3rd gear at 30mph or feels labouring! More rear legroom would be nice too but reliability first. What does an IS 250 Feel like to drive? May get an IS 250 auto at some point if ULEZ exempt, when Brum Zone kicks in. I like Lexus as a brand and find the quality good and everything works as it should. Wish they did a newer estate version with electric rear seats on rails where you could move the rear seat back into the boot space when not needing the space and have lots of rear leg room. My 1996 Volvo 940 low pressure turbo petrol isn't fast but the AW70 automatic gearbox and B230FK 2.3 turbo engine is a good match. Hoping an IS 250 is more of a match to my 940, but should be much quicker as my 940 non modified is 135bhp. I'm 40 next month and love autos for easy/ lazy driving. James.