LexiconOfLove

Yes, 2.8. This particular gem was purchased for my girlfriend. She had a 4k budget, I produced the car for her, tax, insurance and a five digit private plate. Total cost approx. £3.9k. I also run a IS220d. Also '07. 65k miles, FLSH, 3rd owner, £4k. Fantastic cars.

Indeed. I would be interested to know the result. Whether it works or not, please update the thread. (very delicate sensor this one. 130k could mean it needs actually replaced. It may not always show a fault in that case either)

I believe the MAF sensor is conveying false air flow level readings to the ECU. Resulting in the brief yet rapid cutting of normal diesel supply. It is the job of this sensor to allow the ECU to calculate precise diesel delivery metering. Any other car showing these symptoms would always worry me on a heavy mechanical failure concern. Five minutes will see this cleaning process complete. And could transform the running of your car.

This is what I tried to explain before. Your symptoms (as mine, as many others) points to heavy mechanical clutch/DMF failure. This is why these unique-to-the-IS220d symptoms threw me for an hour or so.

It certainly could be filter related. The likelihood of that is a little slimmer since a variation of pressure in diesel supply at that point should either produce a warning light and/or code log, and in some cases limp mode until flow restored or restart. However, variation in air flow due to false feedback readings to the IPDM or equivalent from the MAF sensor would not log codes or flash any lights/warnings. (applies to working/dirty MAF sensor).

Similar symptoms also pointed me to a much more serious issue when a common fault amongst many other vehicles manifested itself in a way which I had never experienced before. Somewhat unique to the IS220d it seems. Without going into too much detail about my own situation, it sounds like you are also experiencing a lack of diesel. The fault diagnosis rules dictate that you start simple, so following the advice of another user on here, I would recommend tackling these strange symptoms by cleaning the MAF sensor. It's the first piece of electronics which meet the air being taken in to the engine. If you search this forum for "Clutch Judder", you'll see the post which also contains some quite accurate guidance. I feel no need to modify nor expand on it, so I simply point you there. What mileage has the vehicle covered?

You got a wonderful bargain. Great comparison, and if I may add, the Passat isn't even half the car in design nor quality. The best IS220d bargain for me - 2007, 48k, FLSH £2.8k almost spotless in condition. I picked that one up in Birmingham I think.

There you go, you basically stole it. How can a high mile VAG smokey banger compare to that. Or Merc for that matter. With regards to shill population; as a man who doubts all before the extent of cynic, you've convinced me already!

The IS200d and the IS220d use the same engine. Amongst a few other minor changes, it has been mapped differently to add better MPG. Essentially, both cars are the same.

Some absolutely fantastic points raised and added to the subject there, thank you, Miles. It certainly seems that you appreciate the outstanding quality of any Lexus, especially those of age. I know (even without you telling me), that the 30k mile luxury car you mention and were initially worried about cost far less than it's actual value. The market (demand) dictates these prices, regardless of value. Very interesting views about a possible shill population on forums too. Something I hadn't even thought about. I admire your extended thought process on the subject.

With the greatest respect, this advice is shockingly inaccurate. those German diesels are nothing more than a badge these days. Also, if the prospective IS220d (or any diesel for that matter!!) has had the injectors or the head gasket replaced, avoid it. Simple as. Unless you prefer higher 160k + mileage vehicles that is, in which case it may need injector maintenance at some stage.

Old thread but seems well revived. I am also new here, yet find it irresistible to comment regarding the OPs initial post. I'm just in the door, I know, but I believe other users will agree. Since my genuine belief is that the OPs original post could sway the mind of a prospective IS220d buyer into a wrong decision; I feel it imperative to make comment from the point of view of a qualified engineer (not automotive, so no Lexus/IS bias here - just appropriate qualifications to comment). I really don't mean to be rude and truly hope it doesn't come across as rude, but there a few points which whittle the OPs "guide" down to nothing more than someones experience of buying a badly maintained vehicle (sometimes known as a lemon, regardless of make), and/or has no knowledge of the secondhand car market nor the workings of cars mechanically. And secondly, a general secondhand car buying guide. All points raised were by no means "common faults" to any Lexus. They are almost all caused by a complete lack of appropriate maintenance. If anyone is looking for a secondhand, reliable, luxury diesel saloon then do NOT look past the IS220d. The value with this vehicle is currently unmatched by any other car on the secondhand car market; regardless of manufacturer. The specifications (I refer to quality of design and engineering) are simply unmatched, anywhere. Which other car of this high spec, e.g, timing chain, rear wheel drive, bomb-proof and time-proven diesel engine, outstanding suspension design and geometry, superb quality electrics throughout the (quality copper) loom and control devices/sensors/motors, including higher wire gauge and box connectors (all of excellent quality), an audio system which has been tested and developed to levels you wouldn't believe (and sounds incredible as a result), luxurious comfort, bla bla the list goes on and on. It all adds up to the value point. In fact, with respect to the consistent lowering of car quality over the years, I challenge anyone to name a vehicle on the secondhand car market which is below 10 years old to present day which can match the quality of this vehicle for less than 40k. Bold statement? Try it, and I'll tell you why I disagree, from the point of view of a qualified production design engineer. (EDIT: no other Lexus model) So, prospective IS220d buyers; look for good full history, low owner numbers, and try to get someone with a little knowledge to help you view.

Excellent. Thank you for this information. I own two 2007 IS220d, first car is 65k and the other 71k. The higher mileage car started to judder badly when cold (pull away, from stop only, not rolling start) and the lower mile car has just started to show similar symptoms recently. My initial assumption was clutch related, but within a very short period of time I had decided it was diesel delivery related. This was after a very steep hill start and the engine refused to respond to the demand for revs. It then seemed obvious that the car didn't believe that the required amount of air was available for the requested throttle position. I thought I'd check here and found this thread, expecting a much more complex electronic fault instead! Yet again, these incredible second hand cars blow my mind on a daily basis and reinforce the excellent decision I made in owning them. Thanks again.