Chip51

Yes, we mustn't upset the US market, the rest of the world can go fish. I was running synthetic of the correct grade but it still used loads in a short time. There are some interesting utube videos from the US about this subject. The yanks got a $US7.5k grant for a rebuild, and a 75000 mile warranty afterwards. Because of the direct injection and this piston fault the inlet valves needed to be maintained as the stems bogged up. I personally don't think it's worth the angst and bull*BLEEP* to follow this up in Oz so I traded mine and finished with the brand, this after three of the beasties (soarer, GS300, and IS250). The whole problem seems to stem from a factory in Southern Japan, I guess this won't be the last time Toyota stuff up! Cheers

Hi karlHess, Yes, it s quite deflating when you find a basic flaw in what should be one of the best machines. I guess you could keep adding oil, but I found this untenable so I traded mine. The new model prices are high in Oz and NZ and the dealer here did not want to bargain so I bought a new Mazda 6. Of course you could always get a good condition grey import in NZ. All the best Mike

Actually the IS250 sump is relatively large, as I recall 6.3 litres (inc filter) so there is still at least 4 litres left when the reading on the dip stick is 1 or 2 mm from the end. On the handbook, yes it does say that about oil consumption...interesting, nothing stated in other (older) manuals, eg GS300. Whatever, this issues no longer 'floated my boat' for Lexus. Lexus of Adelaide really did not want to sell me a post 2011 IS250 or 350, even a new one. So I got two new cars for the price of one: Toyota Corolla Sport, and the Mazda 6. Have a good new year guys Cheers

Another problem I encountered was that the Lexus of Adelaide (LOA) used car salesman obviously did not want to trade my 250 on anything! Here I was willing to trade on a 2011 or 2012 IS in the $40 to $50k, or even an LS in this range. After being generally disgusted with the BS from this clown I went straight into Subaru and immediately was quoted another $4k trade in on a BRZ. (I did not mention the oil problem to the LOA man as I new my base model would be passed on through the trade anyway). This better price on my trade in continued with other 'test cases' until I finally settled on the Mazda where I got a $6k better trade than the LOA price. Understand that the trade in price was not my only consideration, I actually think the 6 is bloody brilliant!...you guys should test drive one, you maybe surprised, You talk of oil but have you seen the cost of the 90k service for the IS? In the end I considered the risk of keeping the 250 unacceptable and after calling a number of lexus service service departments around the country, and getting different storied about what was covered out of warranty for this problem! I just didn't want the rebuild hassle, so I decided to move on. About the FWD vs RWD discussion, all I would say is that in this State with its broke labor government there is no point in trying to get into an exciting drive as the cops will smash you to collect the outrageous indirect taxes to keep the moribund government in existence. The other problem here is our fractured and patchwork roads where you are constantly hitting sunken drain covers which ruin the drive of the best sports, or even luxury cars. BTW my IS was a bit twitchy driving in a straight line, probably due to the 16 inch rims. Best car in driving and engineering terms I have ever owned was my Soarer. Have fun.

Guys, After owning a TT soarer (1JZ)...brilliant! A GS 300 (2JZ)...Excellent! And an IS250 with the high oil usage problem, flawed internal deign, and a transmission which Is unserviceable, I've had enough and am finished with the brand! WELCOME NEW MAZDA 6...got a good trade in. I still can't believe the Japs did not detect the IS250 piston problem for so long, as I said in a previous post...UNFORGIVABLE! Cheers

Thanks for the post. Is your mates car the IS 250, and which dealer is doing the rebuild. Did they give him the runaround? It is interesting to note that the GS 300 of the same era is also having the same problems in the US. The clowns in Adelaide Lexus are pretending this is an isolated issue! One can forgive a failure in the factory for a short time...even a year, but to have the problem from 2005 through 2010 is unforgivable! This company (Toyota) built its reputation on quality control...if you drill down into information on other Lexus vehicles you will find that there have been a number of problems over the years...even one with the LS460 and valve springs! As far as I am concerned this is the last Lexus I will own.

Hi guys, I bought a 2007 IS 250 with 58000km on it. I did an oil change (Penrite HPR 5) at that time and now find that some 7000km later the low oil warning came on. I found that I needed to put almost 2 litres of oil into it, as the oil point was about 2 mm from the bottom of the stick! I read the TSIB from the US and find they (Toyota) put the wrong pistons and/or rings in the 2005-2010 models and the fix is basically an engine rebuild where the inlet valves are also either serviced or replaced (direct injection and oil usage consequence). It seems logical to me that the US problem would be an Australian problem as I believe that the engines are all made in the same place(s) ie southern Japan. The question is; has anyone come across a TSIB for this problem in Australia? Also does this problem exist for the GS 300 in the same time period? I have had three Lexus vehicles; this may well be my last! Thanks for the web site...