Praise for the IS220d!

Gossy1988 · February 23, 2018

So it has been a while since my last post and I just wanted to write a post, out of respect, towards my 2007 IS 220d. I know it doesn't have the greatest reputation here; however, I don't want any potential owners to think they are all a heap of crap!!

Purchased Luna (couldn't think of any other name at the time and now its stuck) summer 2016, got her home after a 150 mile commute and I received the dreaded check VSC warning. No limp mode, just a warning light and message on the dash. I found an independent Lexus/Toyota specialist not to far from my home, company is called LexTech and is based near Southampton. Stuart, the owner and mechanic, is an absolute brainbox when it comes to Lexus and I highly recommend him.

First thing he said was "Why on earth did you buy a diesel Lexus?", that's when I first found out about the 220d's reputation. The check VSC was a DPF fault, brought the car at 70,000 miles, hoping it had been driven as a diesel should have been. Guess not!! He did a regeneration and all was sorted. The garage I brought it from paid for the work after Stuart phoned them basically saying that sold me a car knowing it had a DPF issue as it wouldn't get blocked just from my 150 miles commute.

Luna is now at just over 100,000 miles, other than a seal replacement on one of the injectors she has been an absolute dream. I do clean the EGR valve out every 5,000 miles or so and do a daily commute of around 100 miles. She has Esso fuel 1 week and then premium fuel the next. Passed her MOT last year and still no advisories, the mechanic said underneath she looks as good as new.

From the 30,000 miles I have got so far, I would have to say she is the best car I have ever owned. I doubt there are many cars out there on a 2007 plate with the kit we Lexus owners have, reverse camera, sat nav, dvd player just to name a few. Not only that but the car itself hasn't aged to badly, stick a private plate on it and people would assume it is a lot newer that it is.

MPG isn't the greatest, I get around 30mpg, I do have the sport version with difference gear ratios so not sure if that is why I get the reduced MPG. That would be my only negative about the 220d oh and first gear being pathetic.

I haven't done many mods to her, but I am thinking about having a bit of work done. EGR blanking and possible remap.... also not sure about DPF.

Anyway, I just want to give some praise to a car which gets a lot of stick on here. Yeah the 220d's might not be as reliable as the petrol's; however, from my experience, she has been very reliable and nothing like the general feedback the 220ds receive on here. As long as you know how to look after and drive a diesel you could end up with a very nice car.

Don't assume all IS220d's are the same. Big love for the 220d's..... touch wood head gasket doesn't go tomorrow!! 😊

Texas · February 23, 2018

Praise indeed!

Question ( as you have done 30k in this car now) I have heard that 6th gear on the 220 is quite a 'high' gear and coupled with a low revving (compared to petrol) engine does not really come into comfortable use until 80+ MPH, which in this country ( Gatso strewn!) could be costly!! So how do you find it?

paul m.

Gossy1988 · February 23, 2018

31 minutes ago, Texas said:

Praise indeed!

Question ( as you have done 30k in this car now) I have heard that 6th gear on the 220 is quite a 'high' gear and coupled with a low revving (compared to petrol) engine does not really come into comfortable use until 80+ MPH, which in this country ( Gatso strewn!) could be costly!! So how do you find it?

paul m.

I know as I have the sport the gear ratio is slightly different, but I do get a lot of use out of the 6th gear. When driving at 70mph the car is around 2200rpm, which for me I think is about right. I wouldn't want to use it any lower.

At 70mph using 5th gear the car is at around 3400rpm which for me feels too high.

jumbojake · February 23, 2018

I've for the Is200d, which I think it slightly re-tuned ... 6th gear is waste of time on roads with cameras on every gantry... so use 5th most of the time.. high revs can't be too bad (~45mpg) and hopefully keep it a little cleaner inside.

I'd advise against blanking EGR, as it may get you into trouble come MOT time (rules have changed)

I'd highly recommend the folding mirror mod, very useful.

BTW, I also love my IS ... .(but do regret not checking this forums advice before I bought it!) ... regardless, I love to listen to my colleagues moaning about the cost and frequency of Audi & BMW repairs!

Texas · February 24, 2018

+1 on the folding mirror modification, there does seem to be more than one option out there but I recommend getting the PO-40 hardware from the Aussie Guy ( sorry can't remember details but a search should bring up info!) the kit is well built and instructions and after support is available if you self install. I installed it to have a visual indication from afar to show that the car is indeed locked!

paul m.

Gossy1988 · February 26, 2018

On ‎23‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 6:27 PM, jumbojake said:

I'd highly recommend the folding mirror mod, very useful.

Folding Mirror Mod....? What is this?

Don't they already fold, mine do, just by pressing the button. Sorry if I don't quite understand!!

jumbojake · February 26, 2018

This is the PO-40 mod ... it automates that, so when you lock the car the mirrirs fold and unfold when you un-lock (newer models are all automated).

I find this helpful for 2 reasons
- it means I can see if my car is locked from a distance (no more running back to car to check)
- if I parallel park, I can see if anyone is comming before I open the door (previusly had to fold the mirror before I turned off the engine, then guess before I opened the door!)

The mod is a small box, which take a feed fro the door lock/unlock wires... takes about 1/2 day to do a tidy job... lots of people on here available to help with advice.

acer54 · February 26, 2018

On 23/02/2018 at 2:04 PM, Texas said:

Praise indeed!

Question ( as you have done 30k in this car now) I have heard that 6th gear on the 220 is quite a 'high' gear and coupled with a low revving (compared to petrol) engine does not really come into comfortable use until 80+ MPH, which in this country ( Gatso strewn!) could be costly!! So how do you find it?

paul m.

I have to be doing 80mph in mine which is about 2000rpm before I can use 6th gear comfortably, usually keep it in 5th which also helps keep the DPF clean..........

Texas · February 26, 2018

1 hour ago, Gossy1988 said:

Folding Mirror Mod....? What is this?

Don't they already fold, mine do, just by pressing the button. Sorry if I don't quite understand!!

See my thread here, with a slight hiccup but all sorted now.

Gossy1988 · February 26, 2018

The PO-40 mod does sound great, definitely a mod I would like to do.

I would just be worried about doing it wrong and messing the electrics up. I haven't done any wire soldering etc before, well maybe at school years ago.

Is there a step by step guide?

Like you, I would want the mirrors to close on the first lock.

jumbojake · February 26, 2018

lots of help sheets available.... you can solder or crimp .. or just get an auto electrition to do it.

My 2012 has some slight variations in wiring, but fixed that by buzzing out .. works a treat.

Scariest bit is taking off the door card.. trying not to snap any of the plastic bits... all good.

Shahpor · February 26, 2018

7 hours ago, acer54 said:

I have to be doing 80mph in mine which is about 2000rpm before I can use 6th gear comfortably, usually keep it in 5th which also helps keep the DPF clean..........

Same for me. Usually cruise in 5th at around 2000-2200rpm, which seems to work well.

Texas · February 27, 2018

16 hours ago, Gossy1988 said:

The PO-40 mod does sound great, definitely a mod I would like to do.

I would just be worried about doing it wrong and messing the electrics up. I haven't done any wire soldering etc before, well maybe at school years ago.

Is there a step by step guide?

Like you, I would want the mirrors to close on the first lock.

Check this thread and it has the sellers details in the last post.

good piece of kit with good instructions and phone backup if needed.

https://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/10473-auto-folding-mirrors/?page=2

paul m.

Texas · February 27, 2018

Back to the OP topic of Lexus & Diesel, well apparently Lexus have not sold a new Diesel car anywhere in the world in the Last 7 years!!

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/lexus-was-laughing-at-dieselgate-before-it-even-happened/

and others are following... Has Diesel had its day in the small mid size road vehicle due mainly to emissions compliance?

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/fcas-diesel-passenger-cars-are-set-to-die-off-by-2022/

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/porsche-has-completely-ditched-diesel-engines-from-its-cars/

But then there is always one...https://www.carthrottle.com/post/ford-has-announced-a-brand-new-bi-turbo-234bhp-diesel-for-europe/

Paul m.

jumbojake · February 27, 2018

Lexus only ever ran a trial with the IS220d/200d ... butmy car is 2012 .. (only 6years old)

The interesting numbers will be about the wider changes accross all of Toyota's supply

dutchie01 · February 27, 2018

4 hours ago, Texas said:

Back to the OP topic of Lexus & Diesel, well apparently Lexus have not sold a new Diesel car anywhere in the world in the Last 7 years!!

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/lexus-was-laughing-at-dieselgate-before-it-even-happened/

and others are following... Has Diesel had its day in the small mid size road vehicle due mainly to emissions compliance?

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/fcas-diesel-passenger-cars-are-set-to-die-off-by-2022/

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/porsche-has-completely-ditched-diesel-engines-from-its-cars/

But then there is always one...https://www.carthrottle.com/post/ford-has-announced-a-brand-new-bi-turbo-234bhp-diesel-for-europe/

Paul m.

Diesel is on its way out and rapidly. Overall sales are well down and manufacturers are switching their attention to EV's. Some even withdraw diesel engines all together ( porsche) or dont develop a new generation like Volvo. all of course directed by emission standards. Only today the German surpeme court ruled that cities are allowed to ban diesels from their territory.

so here's the deal. Suppose i buy a brandnew diesel car now i have the risk that i cannot enter numerous cities later this year. And what about residuals? It's going fast now!

Gossy1988 · February 27, 2018

20 hours ago, Shahpor said:

Same for me. Usually cruise in 5th at around 2000-2200rpm, which seems to work well.

Is there really that much difference with the gear ratio between the sport and standard model?

Gossy1988 · February 27, 2018

Thanks for the comments regarding the PO-40 Mod. Will be looking into this and getting an auto-electrician to sort.

I don't trust myself!!

Gossy1988 · February 27, 2018

You cannot please anyone these days

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43204734

Petrol or Diesel, both are equally as bad. Hybrid, electric or even hydrogen/oxygen powered cars are the way forward.

Shahpor · February 27, 2018

2 hours ago, Gossy1988 said:

Is there really that much difference with the gear ratio between the sport and standard model?

The gear ratios are the same, it's the diff that is shorter. I haven't experienced the Sport myself, but if you are telling me that 70mph in 5th is 3400rpm for you then the difference is significant. Like I said previously, the normal car is around 2000-2200rpm at that speed.