Lexus 220d. Actually bad or just scaremongering?
Discussion
So I am currently saving up for my next car and my scope is on a lexus is220d.
Forums are overfilled with people complaining about the engine but the only solid thing I could find is:
-Dpf cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Egr cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Low fuel economy
These are all things Im not really worried about, dpf can be regenerated/swapped for a used one, egr I can clean out every once in a while my self, not fun but isnt a big deal.
Are there any REAL issues with this engine? Like failures, oil consumption, chains etc... ?
Forums are overfilled with people complaining about the engine but the only solid thing I could find is:
-Dpf cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Egr cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Low fuel economy
These are all things Im not really worried about, dpf can be regenerated/swapped for a used one, egr I can clean out every once in a while my self, not fun but isnt a big deal.
Are there any REAL issues with this engine? Like failures, oil consumption, chains etc... ?
I've not had a diesel, I did have a petrol IS250 for some time. But all my research before buying (having considered the diesel) suggests it's fair to say it's the worst car Lexus ever produced. Given the reputation of this specific model is so contrary to the reputation of Lexuses generally and other ISes, I feel that in this case the reputation is deserved.
As well as the problems you point out (which to be fair are uniiversal to many diesel engined cars):
- not at all fuel efficient
- gear ratios all wrong
- mechanical problems with the engine itself
These sort of negate the accepted diesel benefits of better economy (mpg) and torquey performance. The question marks around reliability cancel out the otherwise excellent attributes of the car. If you want a diesel, you'll get a better on with a Honda or Toyota of the same price. If you want a IS, you'll get a better one with a petrol engine. Unless you're absolutely wedded to the idea of having a IS and it must be diesel, I'd walk away.
As well as the problems you point out (which to be fair are uniiversal to many diesel engined cars):
- not at all fuel efficient
- gear ratios all wrong
- mechanical problems with the engine itself
These sort of negate the accepted diesel benefits of better economy (mpg) and torquey performance. The question marks around reliability cancel out the otherwise excellent attributes of the car. If you want a diesel, you'll get a better on with a Honda or Toyota of the same price. If you want a IS, you'll get a better one with a petrol engine. Unless you're absolutely wedded to the idea of having a IS and it must be diesel, I'd walk away.
I had one for 110k miles. is220d
Good points.........
Seats
Stereo
refinement
'rev happy' for an oil burner
Negative/neutral points........
Fuel use, motorway was about 42-44mpg.
Gearing, far too long, so I'd often just use 5th at motorway speeds, however at 100mph on european rods, it'll still do 40mpg.
I had an engine replaced, at 35k as there was a design issue with the block to head, replacement had zero issues.
Its still going based on the below
https://www.vehiclestats.co.uk/registration/J20RLY
actually it might have died now, i'd guess at circa 200k on it.
https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound...
Good points.........
Seats
Stereo
refinement
'rev happy' for an oil burner
Negative/neutral points........
Fuel use, motorway was about 42-44mpg.
Gearing, far too long, so I'd often just use 5th at motorway speeds, however at 100mph on european rods, it'll still do 40mpg.
I had an engine replaced, at 35k as there was a design issue with the block to head, replacement had zero issues.
Its still going based on the below
https://www.vehiclestats.co.uk/registration/J20RLY
actually it might have died now, i'd guess at circa 200k on it.
https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound...
Roboticarm said:
They were the reason lexus stopped doing diesels.
The is250 (petrol) is apparently bullet proof but the diesel is riddled with issues.
I did alot of research a few years ago but after reading all the reports I got a 320d instead
I think an is250 is one of the most reliable things you could buy.The is250 (petrol) is apparently bullet proof but the diesel is riddled with issues.
I did alot of research a few years ago but after reading all the reports I got a 320d instead
Well a Lexus 220d doesn't look like the best diesel option given that it only produces 175bhp, but costs £235 a year to tax!
I bought a BMW 123d in 2008 that had 201bhp but would currently only cost £145 a year to tax, as would a 177bhp 320d.
And the IS250 looks no better with just 204bhp but an annual road tax bill of £555 - my BMW 330i has 258bhp but road tax is "only" £325 a year.
Being totally honest I have never even sat in a Lexus, but given the apparent cost issues I never wanted to!
I bought a BMW 123d in 2008 that had 201bhp but would currently only cost £145 a year to tax, as would a 177bhp 320d.
And the IS250 looks no better with just 204bhp but an annual road tax bill of £555 - my BMW 330i has 258bhp but road tax is "only" £325 a year.
Being totally honest I have never even sat in a Lexus, but given the apparent cost issues I never wanted to!
ooid said:
I have IS250 - petrol, 2012.
The best car I've ever had, uber-smooth and reliable.
Absolutely agree with this. Of all the cars I've owned or driven, my IS250 wasn't my favourite, but in terms of value for money, reliability, comfort, smoothness and general ownership experience it was the best. The best car I've ever had, uber-smooth and reliable.
Mr Tidy said:
Well a Lexus 220d doesn't look like the best diesel option given that it only produces 175bhp, but costs £235 a year to tax!
I bought a BMW 123d in 2008 that had 201bhp but would currently only cost £145 a year to tax, as would a 177bhp 320d.
And the IS250 looks no better with just 204bhp but an annual road tax bill of £555 - my BMW 330i has 258bhp but road tax is "only" £325 a year.
Being totally honest I have never even sat in a Lexus, but given the apparent cost issues I never wanted to!
You can't compare a 1 series to a lexus IS...... not even in the same ball park for interior space/quality/fit+finish. Or price.I bought a BMW 123d in 2008 that had 201bhp but would currently only cost £145 a year to tax, as would a 177bhp 320d.
And the IS250 looks no better with just 204bhp but an annual road tax bill of £555 - my BMW 330i has 258bhp but road tax is "only" £325 a year.
Being totally honest I have never even sat in a Lexus, but given the apparent cost issues I never wanted to!
Story of two IS220Ds....
My Father-in-law has had his manual 220D for 9 years, bought at 6 months old. Never had an issues with it and it does tiny miles including lots of 1-5 mile trips and barely ever does more than 20 miles in one go. I think it's done around 50k.
A colleague has had one for the same amount of time and it's cost him thousands in repairs, he uses it for commuting.
Both say the MPG is crap.
My Father-in-law has had his manual 220D for 9 years, bought at 6 months old. Never had an issues with it and it does tiny miles including lots of 1-5 mile trips and barely ever does more than 20 miles in one go. I think it's done around 50k.
A colleague has had one for the same amount of time and it's cost him thousands in repairs, he uses it for commuting.
Both say the MPG is crap.
WaifuRacer said:
So I am currently saving up for my next car and my scope is on a lexus is220d.
Forums are overfilled with people complaining about the engine but the only solid thing I could find is:
-Dpf cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Egr cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Low fuel economy
These are all things Im not really worried about, dpf can be regenerated/swapped for a used one, egr I can clean out every once in a while my self, not fun but isnt a big deal.
Are there any REAL issues with this engine? Like failures, oil consumption, chains etc... ?
My Dad owned one for nearly 3 yearsForums are overfilled with people complaining about the engine but the only solid thing I could find is:
-Dpf cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Egr cloggs up with city driving/remap
-Low fuel economy
These are all things Im not really worried about, dpf can be regenerated/swapped for a used one, egr I can clean out every once in a while my self, not fun but isnt a big deal.
Are there any REAL issues with this engine? Like failures, oil consumption, chains etc... ?
It was high spec. Very nice.
Banging Mark Levinson radio.
He did 80% long journeys.
He had full Lexus warranty, needed top end engine rebuild after it left him stranded in Europe.
Also needed replacement gearbox.
It was the least reliable car he has owned.
Economy on a long run was around 38. Rubbish.
There are so many better cars you can buy.
If you want one, buy the IS250.
It seems to me that when there is a car that on the surface of it looks great, but is surprisingly cheap there is always a reason for it.
With the Lexus 220d it always seems to be that the engine is rubbish. Another car I looked into and thought "Wow, these are so cheap and look amazing" was the Jaguar XF 2.7d and 3.0d. Yup, you guessed it the engine is a ticking time bomb and likely to go wrong at any second and effectively write the car off.
Otherwise everyone would be driving one of these rather than a Hyundai i20.
With the Lexus 220d it always seems to be that the engine is rubbish. Another car I looked into and thought "Wow, these are so cheap and look amazing" was the Jaguar XF 2.7d and 3.0d. Yup, you guessed it the engine is a ticking time bomb and likely to go wrong at any second and effectively write the car off.
Otherwise everyone would be driving one of these rather than a Hyundai i20.
My dad had an IS220d for around a year or so, from new in 2006. His experience echos many of those above; low mpg (can't remember exactly, but no more than 40mpg), poor gearing meant 6th gear only useful above 75mph...on private roads, naturally. All in all not the best option out there.
He then later bought an IS250 auto in 2008 and ended up putting over 150k miles on it. Very quiet and smooth V6, great seats and stereo. It wasn't without its issues - all four dampers needed replacing at one point, as did all 4 alloys due to excessive corrosion. But these were all sorted fairly easily with Lexus through extended warranty claims. He averaged around 30-32mpg from it but could eke out near 40mpg on a long motoway run.
He then later bought an IS250 auto in 2008 and ended up putting over 150k miles on it. Very quiet and smooth V6, great seats and stereo. It wasn't without its issues - all four dampers needed replacing at one point, as did all 4 alloys due to excessive corrosion. But these were all sorted fairly easily with Lexus through extended warranty claims. He averaged around 30-32mpg from it but could eke out near 40mpg on a long motoway run.
Mr Tidy said:
Well a Lexus 220d doesn't look like the best diesel option given that it only produces 175bhp, but costs £235 a year to tax!
I bought a BMW 123d in 2008 that had 201bhp but would currently only cost £145 a year to tax, as would a 177bhp 320d.
And the IS250 looks no better with just 204bhp but an annual road tax bill of £555 - my BMW 330i has 258bhp but road tax is "only" £325 a year.
Being totally honest I have never even sat in a Lexus, but given the apparent cost issues I never wanted to!
The IS250 only ends up in the higher tax bracket for the manual version, which is crap and most go for the auto. I'm not sure if age comes into it and i suspect it will but I believe the automatic is cheaper or at least about the same as your 330i to tax.I bought a BMW 123d in 2008 that had 201bhp but would currently only cost £145 a year to tax, as would a 177bhp 320d.
And the IS250 looks no better with just 204bhp but an annual road tax bill of £555 - my BMW 330i has 258bhp but road tax is "only" £325 a year.
Being totally honest I have never even sat in a Lexus, but given the apparent cost issues I never wanted to!
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