Buying IS220d for a first is it a good buy?

[H3XME]

1 minute ago, Linas.P said:

I did check before saying it and this is the car I found as well. 

Note - this one is likely SE, it is 100% not SE-L (lacks wood trim) and I doubt it is SE-i either (at first I thought so because of sat-nav), but SE-i had Xenon Lights and this one clearly has halogens (lacking washers). So I suspect it is just 2009 model year SE registered in 2010.

That said - your right, it is a proper 2009 FL car, L-Finesse rear lights and indicators on the mirrors.

yeah 100% not SE-L

[Shahpor]

Interestingly, according to this the gearbox for the IS220d was derived from the LS430:

Also, it looks like the 200d might have a better gearbox as well.

I seem to recall that the Sport model had a different final drive ratio in the diff as opposed to a different gearbox but I might be wrong about that.

[Linas.P]

6 minutes ago, Shahpor said:

Interestingly, according to this the gearbox for the IS220d was derived from the LS430:

Also, it looks like the 200d might have a better gearbox as well.

I seem to recall that the Sport model had a different final drive ratio in the diff as opposed to a different gearbox but I might be wrong about that.

It says "rearward driveline", the way I interpret it - that is driveshafts and differential. This would make sense knowing that IS250, shares driveshaft with GS300, which itself shares it with GS430, which I don't know for sure, but would not be wild speculation to say is related to LS430. And if driveshaft on IS220d is the same as IS250, then it would make it related to LS430.

There is certainly nothing in common between gearboxes, based on fact that LS430 was only ever available with automatic gearbox and IS220d with exclusively manual. 

[Shahpor]

3 hours ago, Linas.P said:

It says "rearward driveline", the way I interpret it - that is driveshafts and differential. This would make sense knowing that IS250, shares driveshaft with GS300, which itself shares it with GS430, which I don't know for sure, but would not be wild speculation to say is related to LS430. And if driveshaft on IS220d is the same as IS250, then it would make it related to LS430.

There is certainly nothing in common between gearboxes, based on fact that LS430 was only ever available with automatic gearbox and IS220d with exclusively manual. 

You are quite right Linas - having re-read it, it does appear to suggest driveline behind the gearbox rather than the gearbox itself.  Silly me!  Especially when you consider what you say about the LS being auto! 🤦‍♂️

[JamesIS220]

I should of got an IS 250 Auto.

Bought a 2006 220d on a wim off eBay.

Loved the comfort, safety, build quality and colour.

Didn't like the gearbox 6 speed lag. Massive turbo lag from the lights. Engine it's biggest letdown and gearbox.

Head gasket went at 187,000 miles after 19 months ownership. Bought it as after 4 years of Lexus history full history thereafter and no advisories and full pass MOT history.

Mine was the basic SE trim.

Stick to my Volvo 940 and Toyota Auris. Would get another Lexus, just pass on the Diesel. Photo the day it went.

James.

[BkS]

On 8/20/2023 at 3:09 PM, Code25 said:

Considering a Lexus IS220d 2007 model with over 100k mileage as a first car. Is this a wise purchase? What are the key factors I should consider and potential issues to look out for with this model?"

I bought a very clean example 2008 IS220d SE back in 2021 with just over 160k on the clocks, it lasted 10k of daily driving over 1 year before it had the fabled head gasket issue. No garages around me wanted to do a HG job, so it was sold and I bought a 06 IS250 SE Manual instead and it's been the best purchase ever since.

Moral of the story, the stories are scary but they are true! I will say though, I miss the low down torque of the diesel but the 4GR makes a wonderful noise that totally makes up for it and I get similar mileage to a tank. 

[CTHUK]

Just a note to give an alternative view of the 220d. I bought a used one (full service history - 160k miles) in 2016. Of all the many used cars I have owned this one has been by far the most reliable. From memory it never failed an MOT or if so was a minor fix. Apart from the first two years it has been used for relatively short daily journeys of 10 - 20 miles on minor roads. It is lovely to drive and very comfortable. It did and does however suffer from the EGR and DPF issues... After its motorway days ended it would usually get the "Check VSC" error code  and go into limp mode every six months or so. The solution to this was to fill with diesel and a bottle of DPF cleaner (I use Wynns) and drive around in limp mode until it clears - I live in a village so not really a problem to do this but obviously it is a bit of a problem if limp mode occurs on a major road... Somewhere between 15-40 miles of limp mode driving it suddenly kicks out and all is back to normal. I now pro-actively avoid this situation by adding DPF cleaner every few fills of fuel and fingers crossed seems to be working as have not had the issue for over a year. I found a tutorial on you-tube on how to clean the EGR and have done this a couple of times but is probably overdue. I know very little about cars at all - I have a friend who does and he seems impressed by reliability of the 220d. Anyway... Just a different opinion. 

[javadude]

On 8/21/2023 at 5:56 PM, Shahpor said:

Also, it looks like the 200d might have a better gearbox as well.

I seem to recall that the Sport model had a different final drive ratio in the diff as opposed to a different gearbox but I might be wrong about that.

The IS220d Sport did have a different gear ratio. Non-sport really lacked flexibility in 6th on the motorway at 70mph. Go up a hill and you'd be dropping to 5th. The sport, which I had, was much better. The downside was poorer MPG though. I'd get 40 mpg on a long journey if I was really careful. It had super-duper clean diesel engine tech that impacted the fuel economy sadly. I loved mine. Loads of torque and the usual Lexus quality and comforts. It did have some fuelly thingy sorted under warranty. Buying again I'd have probably gone for the IS250 to be honest. Not that I'd buy a petrol or diesel even as a hybrid these days.

[Linas.P]

12 hours ago, CTHUK said:

Just a note to give an alternative view of the 220d. I bought a used one (full service history - 160k miles) in 2016. Of all the many used cars I have owned this one has been by far the most reliable. From memory it never failed an MOT or if so was a minor fix. Apart from the first two years it has been used for relatively short daily journeys of 10 - 20 miles on minor roads. It is lovely to drive and very comfortable. It did and does however suffer from the EGR and DPF issues... After its motorway days ended it would usually get the "Check VSC" error code  and go into limp mode every six months or so. The solution to this was to fill with diesel and a bottle of DPF cleaner (I use Wynns) and drive around in limp mode until it clears - I live in a village so not really a problem to do this but obviously it is a bit of a problem if limp mode occurs on a major road... Somewhere between 15-40 miles of limp mode driving it suddenly kicks out and all is back to normal. I now pro-actively avoid this situation by adding DPF cleaner every few fills of fuel and fingers crossed seems to be working as have not had the issue for over a year. I found a tutorial on you-tube on how to clean the EGR and have done this a couple of times but is probably overdue. I know very little about cars at all - I have a friend who does and he seems impressed by reliability of the 220d. Anyway... Just a different opinion. 

I appreciate your "alternative view", but the statement that the car was "been by far the most reliable" just doesn't add-up with your experience, or I can't imagine how unrealisable other cars must have been, if constant use of DPF cleaner and occasional "Check VSC" error messages forcing car into "limp mode" are are at all acceptable. I just can't see any part of your post which would detail impressive reliability of IS220d.

Well I guess you saying - engine is unreliable, but all the rest of the car is very reliable... which I guess is true - IS220d shares almost all the parts with IS250 , 300 and 350, even IS-F still has loads of parts that are the same, so overall as a model mk2 IS is one of the most reliable cars every made (as most Lexus/Toyota models are). As such - really there is nothing new, if not for horrible engine the car is solid, yes that is correct. It is well appointed, especially considering how cheap are IS220d it really has loads of equipment in it and it is mostly reliable. That said - if car simply does not drive and it is stuck in "limp mode", then for normal person this is usually irrelevant, it is irrelevant that that it is otherwise nice car if it doesn't drive. 

Overall, I don't have to say anything that disagrees with what you said, except that the experience you are detailing is one of terribly unreliable car that keeps going into "limp mode", but you conclude that it is somehow "most reliable car". Your own statements are at odds with each other.

[H3XME]

13 hours ago, javadude said:

The downside was poorer MPG though. I'd get 40 mpg on a long journey if I was really careful. 

After stating this, why would anyone go for the diesel? You'll get over 40 from the is250 on the motorway at 70mph.. 220d is such a bag of sh!t there really is no point in buying it over the 250. 

[GMB]

Buying IS220d for a first is it a good buy?

 

In short, simple answer - No.

[Linas.P]

22 hours ago, GMB said:

Buying IS220d for a first is it a good buy?

 

In short, simple answer - No.

I think we need to tag this somewhere on this forum. Like literally just the title - "Is Lexus IS220d worth considering ever under any circumstances - NO!". And just lock it at the top with comments locked as well.