Haf

Thanks Steve!!

Hmm - that helps (not!) as i end up back on the front page of this forum :-)

can anyone recommend a forum similar to this so i can look into the 3 series and new a4 in more detail?

As much as I like to look of the lexus and the snazzy gadget a number of other things make it a difficult choice for a company car driver. the 3series does seem to be the best value all round (despite being a bit ugly) - c02 emissions at 168 versus 128 (320d) - i know its 2.2 versus 2.0 but the bmw seems the better engine anyway. In fact even the auto 320d comes in at 144 - the lease costs for a lexus at £28k are 580 versus 520 per month for a £28k 3series (with my company anyway) and lease costs are even higher for a 2 year lease whereas 320d is the same rate-ish - the new 'edition' versions of 3series inc leather seats etc so getting closer to lexus value the A4 seems pretty expensive currently (as its a new model) and the merc is both expensive and rubbish at fuel economy/emissions. My best bet this year maybe to get the 320d on a 2 year lease (minus satnav/bluetooth and with tomtom instead) and then see how things look in 2010 - unless teh A4 starts to get a better lease rate in next 6 months. As an aside i also looked at the 2.7 audi A5 and that will cost me similar to what i'm paying for the 220D - although with fewer extras.

well having read the feedback its looking more and more likely that there won't be a 'better' 220D by the end of 2008 so I'd better start looking at the new A4 and C class (hate the 3 series though). I've heard the auto diesel A4 is really good so will check that out in particular. I will miss the lexus though - especially the reversing camera as i have really got used to using that - and the keyless entry/start.

Does anyone know what (if any) changes are planned to the 220 (220d in particular) for 2008 or 2009? My lease runs out early 2009 and I am hesitant about getting another 220D. I have the 2006 SE with MM and love the car, in particular the MM/SatNv system and general look and feel. However I am not very impressed with the engine/gearbox combination inc mpg. I drove my friends 320D/520D and it was just a much better drive with smoother gear changes that occur at the right speeds eg 6th gear is actually useable at 55-60mpg. So if lexus are likely to 'fix' the engine/gearbox (even have an auto 220D) then I am likely to stick with it, otherwise it will be audi/bmw/merc. comments welcome...

Has anyone managed to figure out how to get rid of the annoying message on startup of sat nav where you have to press 'Agree' everytime you start the car - preferably without cutting wires etc

Hi, I have just switched from a nokia (which integrated well with new IS220D MM) to a Samsung X820 which doesn't seem to integrate very much. I paired it OK and if i dial from the x820 then i can do the call over the car's speaker/microphone and it seems fine. However i can't dial from the touch screen (even though i spent hours downloading the contact info one at a time) and just get a 'check phone' error. The other thing that annoys me is that everytime i get in the car i get a message on the x820 asking me if i want to autoconnect and i have to say 'yes'. My nokia would simply autoconnect and not need me to do anything at all. Anyone got any suggestions or is it just a rubbish phone in terms of MM integration. I love the phone as its 7mm thick and does everything else i want

Not seen the detailed article but the winner seems to be the IS. Can't argue with that as would definatly not choose a peugeot over a lexus... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/gr...v6_hdi_gt.html#

Hmm, I guess i'm just not as fussy as some of you guys. I have a 220d and sure its not perfect (vibrating mirror, the odd rattle, dodgy mpg etc) but overall its good enough for me and teh good outweighs the bad by a long way. Having said that its a 'company car' so i've not spent my own hard earned cash. When i replace in 2009 I will only consider the 220 again if they have an auto box and fix the mpg.

I agree 100% especially both door locking comments - its just so annoying to try to get to the back seat to collect my laptop and find the door locked. I'll add one more gripe The A pillars seem to be designed to completely block the drivers view at many junctions. i'm all for airbags but I have had some close shaves due to not seeing cars blocked by pillar - i know i should look around more

I think its pretty weel known now tha 220d mpg is rubbish compared to the leaders in this sector. Best i can get after 12000 miles is around 40mpg doing 50/50 driving, around 35mpg in town and around 50's on motorway and thats when driving pretty carefully. 6th gear is getting better around 70mpg but all in all I am very disappointed with gearing rations and mpg on the 220d. I renew win 2 years and will only reconsider 220 if they have an autobox and competitive mpg. Other than that the car is fantastic on all counts (aside from my gripe about door snot autolocking when moving)

Just finished my tank of diesel (indicator showing 5 miles fuel left) and have achieved my best run of 680miles. Of which 480 were motorway cruising, 100 were A roads and 100 innercity (london and birmingham). Not bad at all I would say - all though obviously i was dribing very carefully most of the time at low rpm's. It would be interesting to see if anyone has beaten 680 out of a tank and average mpg of around 55mpg. I reckon 700 is achieveable so will see what i can do next time i am doing a lot of motorway runs.

Jamboo, yes it was a 10k service by lexus coventry. Unfortunatly as its a lease car its all handled by the leasing company so I never get told of what was done, how much etc Matus, its a standard 220d (not sport) and my 6th gear also used to be only any good above 80-85mph. As I did more mileage it got better and now is OK 65mph onwards (1600rpmish) which is deal for cruising down the motorways.

I just had my 220d serviced for 10k and it seems to have comeback with much bettter economy. The garage (via leasing company) say they did a standard 10k service and not aware of any reason why fule economy would be much better - other than it gets better with mileage. My normal 180mile run from warwick to heathrow used to give me 45-47mpg driving in a economic manner but yesterday i got 55mpg. Most of the driving was 70mph cruising in 6th gear. I think another factor i sthat recently 6th gear has become more useable at lower speeds. ANyway I am know pretty happy with my mpg

Thanks guys - saved me complaining to lexus and them asking me to bring the car back in.. shame about auto-locking as i had it on my merc and it was really useful - especially as i often drive into central london and birmingham with my laptop on the backseat... have to try and remember to press the central locking button from now on.

I have just got my 220D back from its first 10k service and noticed that the satnav screen no longer dims when headlights are on. I'm sure it used to do this (i.e the background white on maps went brown) but no longer does. Can anyone confirm? Secondly I'm also sure i read somewhere that the car locks the doors automatically once it starts moving but mine doesn't. Again is this true?

My 220D is going in for its first 10k service tomorrow to lexus coventry so will see what they are like. Its a company car so service was arranged by leaseplan and will be picked up and dropped back to me at work. Thinking about it I'm assuming its lexus coventry as I work in warwick but could be anyone!

I am tempted to get the new Samsung X820 (7mm thick one) but have only ever had Nokia's in the past. Any comments on Samsung (X820 or general) and MM bluetooth integration?

I agree with scott. Had mine since may and now done 10,000 miles. I'm not particlaurly happy with my mpg but it doesn't seem that bad compared to some. low 30's around town (35 if really careful) low 50's if cruisng on motorway 60-65 in 5th mid 40's if cruising 70-75 in 6th. my 6th is unuseable below 65 As an aside I am getting my first service done in a couple of weeks so is there anything i should mention to the dealer (lexus coventry). Only gripe i have is that my doors don't auto-lock at any speed. Not sure if there is anypoint in complaining about vibrating mirror or boot only opeing 1-inch when released.... I am now getting really hacked off with the 'Agree' button on satnav startup and wish someone would find a fix!!

Having had my company 220d for 4 months and 10,000 miles i thought i'd post some comments. My overall impression is that its a great package and decent value for money - company carwise. The main thing that has disapointed me and would probably prevent me getting another in 3 years is the fuel/gearbox combination in that I don't think its very easy to drive i.e 1st/2nd gear usage is a bit rough and just doesn't feel right, plus 6th gear is pretty useless (crawling on motorway queues is just a pain), whichever way you look at it fuel consumption is not great. My personal view is that the 320D is so much better in this area - smooth, economical etc. Hoever the MM is just fantastic with bluetooth integration, satnav, dvd etc and its worth getting the car just for these. The way the car looks is also superb and you can't fault the features/gadgets. So as much as I love the car, if the diesel engine/gearbox stay the same then i'm not sure i'd go for it again - particularly if others step up to MM package levels. However if lexus come out with a smooth 220D Auto then I will definatly get again!

I have a Nokia 6021 and it works a treat (other than it took forever to download all the phonebook, one at a time). I am looking at getting a new phone (may moto slvr or the upcoming new ultraslim samsung x820) but aren't rushing as the Nokia is working so well

I have completely ignored the voice activation but you have tempted me into having a read of the manual and seeing what its all about. the main 'feature' i miss from my merc is that i could scroll down my phone book while driving and ring anyone. the MM only lets me dial those setup on 'speed-dial'. I'm sure i could do this using voice but haven't gotton around to playing with that aspect of the MM yet. As an aside i have noticed that my doors don't lock automaticallly once the car is moving - I'm sure i read somewhere that this was a 'standard feature'?

fair point jamboo, I also find that 65ish in 5th and cruise gives the best economy - best i have to date is 62mpg for a 180mile return journey between warwick and heathrow (95% motorway).

Is it just me or is 6th gear in the 220d completely useless? I've had the car for a month and got approx 3000 miles on it but still can'y use 6th (as I don't drive above 75mph). I've also noticed that fuel economy in 6th is worse than doing the same speed in 5th (even though revs are much lower)