Lexus IS 220D EGR Valve

foghlu77

Just felt the need to write this as I have recently been stung by Lexus, big time!

1. Bought a Pre-Approved Lexus in the UK
2. Shipped it over here in 2010
3. Took it for its service
4. Lexus Cork report the EGR valve is gone and that I'm just out of warranty
5. Contact Lexus Ireland to see if they can offer me an extended warranty or replace it as a matter of goodwill (due to the car being just out of warranty)
6. Lexus Ireland say no and I should contact Lexus UK
7. Lexus UK give me 1 option to drive my car to Belfast from Cork and pay to get it inspected there and IF the EGR valave is faulty they MAY consider absorbing some of the cost for a new one.
8. Went to a local garage who are offering to fix it for 700 euro.

Lexus = fail.

Their brand is a load of BS, if a pre-approved Lexus only has a 3 yr limit before big things begin to go in the car, then this car is flawed IMO. Rubbish company, rubbish customer service and rubbish product.

Signpost

jap scrap :P I'll sell ya a decent Audi!

Hogzy

foghlu77 wrote: »

Just felt the need to write this as I have recently been stung by Lexus, big time!

1. Bought a Pre-Approved Lexus in the UK
2. Shipped it over here in 2010
3. Took it for its service
4. Lexus Cork report the EGR valve is gone and that I'm just out of warranty
5. Contact Lexus Ireland to see if they can offer me an extended warranty or replace it as a matter of goodwill (due to the car being just out of warranty)
6. Lexus Ireland say no and I should contact Lexus UK
7. Lexus UK give me 1 option to drive my car to Belfast from Cork and pay to get it inspected there and IF the EGR valave is faulty they MAY consider absorbing some of the cost for a new one.
8. Went to a local garage who are offering to fix it for 700 euro.

Lexus = fail.

Their brand is a load of BS, if a pre-approved Lexus only has a 3 yr limit before big things begin to go in the car, then this car is flawed IMO. Rubbish company, rubbish customer service and rubbish product.

That is harsh. I brought a BMW in from the UK and the Catalytic Converter was faulty 2 weeks out of warranty. Despite it being under a 3yr UK warranty, BMW Ireland covered the cost of the part and 50% of the labour despite BMW Ireland only offering a 2yr warranty on the car.

I thought all warranties in the EU had to be covered in all EU countries.

Nforce

Is there an EGR bypass kit available for your car? Might be worth considering.

foghlu77

Not sure but that would probably drink diesel and its drinking enough as it is! B*****ds!

Mr Benevolent

Not sure but that would probably drink diesel and its drinking enough as it is! B*****ds!

The IS220D is a thirsty beast for a diesel.

PADRAIC.M

In fairness Lexus ireland are the importer and offer excellent outside warranty cover if the car came from them, I have seen some 2006 is220d with 150 k on the clock been covered fully for parts and labour, if you decided to go to the uk and buy one there your issue really is with Lexus uk,

foghlu77

My issue is with Lexus everywhere. The car is undoubtedly faulty, its just over 3 years old, only 55K on the clock and already things are starting to go. I'm merely highlighting to other people that this is not a safe brand to invest in if you want a reliable car.

Frankie Lee

I'm not sure about the IS 220d but on the Avensis 2.2 D4d it is very easy to remove the EGR valve and clean it out. I agree though that the engine has been an unmitigated disaster for Toyota/Lexus. I'd still rather one over a 3 Series though.

foghlu77

Did this, takes about an hour to get it out and clean it and put it back in but its back to square one within 2 days. I thougt I did too but from the lack of sincere customer service I'd happily trade in the morning.

Tea 1000

foghlu77 wrote: »

My issue is with Lexus everywhere. The car is undoubtedly faulty, its just over 3 years old, only 55K on the clock and already things are starting to go. I'm merely highlighting to other people that this is not a safe brand to invest in if you want a reliable car.

To be honest, you're delusional if you think there is such a thing as a modern reliable diesel. EGR valves go in them ALL. Not some, ALL brands. You're either lucky with it or not.
Lexus UK follow up in this case is harsh, but I'd take them up on their offer. Drive to Belfast. It's not as if the country is ten thousand miles long to be fair.

foghlu77

You're saying that the EGR valve in ALL modern diesel cars go after 3 years? I find this very hard to believe...

A 12 hour round trip to Belfast coupled with the fact that I would have to PAY Lexus UK to test their faulty EGR valve and then have no guarantee that they would absorb the cost if it was broken, is a ridiculous suggestion. I fail to see how you can arguably agree with this!?

I don't even think my car would make it up to Belfast in the first place. I'm worried that a 3 year old Lexus wouldn't make the drive from Cork to Belfast - can you see what's insanely wrong with that sentence?

Signpost

Although I think the suggestion that you should drive to Lexus in Belfast is ludicrous considering there is at least 2 Lexus dealers in Cork I also think that if someone can afford the status of driving around in a 20k 4 year old car they should be able to fix it without worrying about the cost. If you can't afford it don't buy it would be my attitude plain and simple. From what you have said thou I hope a few people take notice of how different brands deal with Customer Service which sound extremely poor here.

foghlu77

Its not the fact that I can't afford it. Its the fact that I shouldn't have to pay it in the first place.

robtri

foghlu77 wrote: »

Its not the fact that I can't afford it. Its the fact that I shouldn't have to pay it in the first place.

why shouldnt you have to pay for it....

you bought the car knowing that after three years since it was first registered it would be out of warranty and if anything breaks on it you would have to pay yourself to repair it....

I do believe lexus should have thrown some goodwill at it, as it just out of warranty....
but lexus have to draw the line somewhere and 3 years is a fair time...


** just on a side note from the other thread, did you get a history check to make sure the mileage was correct

-Chris-

foghlu77 wrote: »

You're saying that the EGR valve in ALL modern diesel cars go after 3 years? I find this very hard to believe...

Every manufacturer is encountering problems with EGRs clogging and DPFs clogging. It's just the nature of the technology and the emissions regulations.

A lot of it is down to people buying diesel cars where their usage pattern and driving style would suggest a petrol car. Wrong tool for the job...

cadaliac

foghlu77 wrote: »

You're saying that the EGR valve in ALL modern diesel cars go after 3 years? I find this very hard to believe...

A 12 hour round trip to Belfast coupled with the fact that I would have to PAY Lexus UK to test their faulty EGR valve and then have no guarantee that they would absorb the cost if it was broken, is a ridiculous suggestion. I fail to see how you can arguably agree with this!?

I don't even think my car would make it up to Belfast in the first place. I'm worried that a 3 year old Lexus wouldn't make the drive from Cork to Belfast - can you see what's insanely wrong with that sentence?

Unfortunately, I have been through the same emotions as yourself with regard to brand reliability.
In my case it was VW.
Also, unfortunately for you, Tea100 is correct, unfortunately. All brands with modern Diesels have issues. Dual Mass Flywheels, Diesel Particulate Filters and not least of all EGR valves. They are only the common issues.
Driving to Belfast is a joke, I agree, but if you cannot get any other satisfaction from lexus Ireland, it leaves you with no other option.
There is more than one way to skin a cat though. Who ever you were speaking to in Lexus Ireland, bypass them and go higher if possible.
Draft up a letter and send it to lexus Ireland (PR dep maybe??) and so on. Exhaust all your options before you embark on your trip to Belfast.
By the way, how much would an Indy charge for the same job? You might as well inquire because the warranty isn't worth a f~ck obviously.
Best of luck anyway.

foghlu77

I shouldn't have to pay for it because it should last longer that 3 years and 55k miles...

Do you buy cars expecting them to immediately start falling apart after 3 years???

**It was bought directly from Lexus.

-Chris-

foghlu77 wrote: »

I shouldn't have to pay for it because it should last longer that 3 years and 55k miles...

Do you buy cars expecting them to immediately start falling apart after 3 years???

**It was bought directly from Lexus.

It's out of warranty.

You don't get goodwill from Lexus Ireland because they didn't supply the car.

Seems fairly clear cut.

foghlu77

I'm not asking Lexus Ireland for goodwill. I'm asking Lexus UK to allow me to bring the car to a Lexus dealership in Cork and they supply the goodwill.

Its the Indy that will charge 700. Lexus wanted 900 for the part alone!

knifey_spoonie

You bought your car through Lexus GB, You didn't buy it from Lexus Irl yet you want Lexus IRL to pay for goodwill.

Thats like buying a TV in Curry's and trying to get DID electrical to cover the warranty just because they sell the same brand. You bought your car off one company (Lexus GB/Lexus GB Franchaise) but want another company to pay for the goodwill warranty (Lexus Irl).

foghlu77

No. All I want is for Lexus Ireland to fix the car and submit the bill to Lexus UK.

Hogzy

-Chris- wrote: »

It's out of warranty.

You don't get goodwill from Lexus Ireland because they didn't supply the car.

Seems fairly clear cut.

knifey_spoonie wrote: »

You bought your car through Lexus GB, You didn't buy it from Lexus Irl yet you want Lexus IRL to pay for goodwill.

Thats like buying a TV in Curry's and trying to get DID electrical to cover the warranty just because they sell the same brand. You bought your car off one company (Lexus GB/Lexus GB Franchaise) but want another company to pay for the goodwill warranty (Lexus Irl).

BMW did it for me.

foghlu77

Which is exactly my point.

BMW = good brand.
Lexus = brutal brand.

Mr Benevolent

foghlu77 wrote: »

Which is exactly my point.

BMW = good brand.
Lexus = brutal brand.

Debatable. Very debatable.

Jesh1

foghlu77 wrote: »

Which is exactly my point.

BMW = good brand.
Lexus = brutal brand.

Any car can go wrong….its mechanics. Brand loyalty is not worth it.
You want premium motoring, unfortunately that means paying a premium if something goes wrong.
I’ve owned a Lexus for 6yrs and other than routine service I’ve only had to change a battery. My mate has spent over 4k in repairs on his 3 series.
I wouldn’t say BMW 3 series is rubbish . Things go wrong…...move on.

knifey_spoonie

Hogzy wrote: »

BMW did it for me.

Very simple, BMW Irl AND BWM GB is owned by BMW Motorgroup (same company)

Lexus GB is owned by TMC while Lexus IRL is owned by an Irish Company (different companys)

vtsboy

PADRAIC.M wrote: »

In fairness Lexus ireland are the importer and offer excellent outside warranty cover if the car came from them, I have seen some 2006 is220d with 150 k on the clock been covered fully for parts and labour, if you decided to go to the uk and buy one there your issue really is with Lexus uk,

I have to agree with this man

Op I personally think that your complaint about Lexus is absolutely ridiculous. Its a mechanical object which you bought with a 3 year warranty. Your 3 year warranty has run out and something on your car has let go and you are expecting them to pay for it. Mechanical objects can fail it doesn't just happen on Lexus. Lexus are one of the most reliable cars you can buy.

corglass

vtsboy wrote: »

I have to agree with this man

Op I personally think that your complaint about Lexus is absolutely ridiculous. Its a mechanical object which you bought with a 3 year warranty. Your 3 year warranty has run out and something on your car has let go and you are expecting them to pay for it. Mechanical objects can fail it doesn't just happen on Lexus. Lexus are one of the most reliable cars you can buy.

My 06 is220d has 220k km on it, runs a dream. Never had any issues except needing a new battery last year.

go clean the EGR valve, can't be that hard?

Nonoperational

Things can and do go wrong with cars. You bought the car in the UK. For me a major consideration with doing that is that if things go wrong you may well have to go back there. It's outside of warranty after all. It's a bit harsh but it's not off the wall either. A trip from cork to Belfast takes about 4 hours. It might be worth it for the sake of €700.

pajo1981

For what its worth, I had a southern BMW Garage do work for me under the UK warranty and bill the UK garage that the car was originally bought from- the EU warranty (2 years) had expired, but they worked around it without me having to go up north.

ed: You'll know next time to get yourself a BMW, or better still, a nice Renault.

foghlu77

There's a lot of people missing the point here...

I can absolutely expect things go wrong with cars, that's life.

But when things go very wrong with cars (this isn't exactly a fan belt snapping or an electric window not working) Lexus close the door on you, others, it seems obviously do not.

Jesh, premium motoring is when you can sit into your car and be confident. You cannot with a Lexus.

I'm simply warning people not to purchase a Lexus IS220 and expect a premium car from a premium brand because both are not.

johnos1984

foghlu77 wrote: »

Jesh, premium motoring is when you can sit into your car and be confident. You cannot with a Lexus.

I would argue that for a long time, and to this day, paying a premium does not equal a highly reliable car (except 80's Mercs)

Jag have always had a premium reputation but rarely worked as have many others.

You have had one fault with the car but that hardly makes it poor. Also for a long time now Irish distributors have often refused to offer cover or good will gestures on imported cars and anyone heading across the water should be aware of that.

Incidently I'd prefer the Lexus to a BMW as there is generally less that goes wrong

-Chris-

foghlu77 wrote: »

There's a lot of people missing the point here...

I can absolutely expect things go wrong with cars, that's life.

So if you accept this, at what stage to you expect to start covering your own repair costs - 4 years old? 5 years old?
Or are there only certain failures that you'd be happy paying for, and EGR failure isn't one of them?

foghlu77 wrote: »

But when things go very wrong with cars (this isn't exactly a fan belt snapping or an electric window not working) Lexus close the door on you, others, it seems obviously do not.

How is an EGR failing any different from an electric window not working? It's a failure of a mechanical part.
It's just unfortunate that one impedes the car's ability to drive.

Should warranty cover all parts, but goodwill only cover engine or safety related failures?

foghlu77 wrote: »

Jesh, premium motoring is when you can sit into your car and be confident. You cannot with a Lexus.

There's a lot more to premium motoring that that tbh, in fact I'd go as far as to say reliability is very much a background concern when people decide to buy a premium product (although, obviously craftsmanship and quality of materials would normally have a positive effect on reliability).

foghlu77 wrote: »

I'm simply warning people not to purchase a Lexus IS220 and expect a premium car from a premium brand because both are not.

...in your opinion, based on one common (on all makes) and complicated (because you bought in a different country and expect support in this one, outside of warranty) reliability issue & set of circumstances.

-Chris-

whiterebel wrote: »

BMW of the blown turbos is a good brand??

If the only component to the perception of a brand was reliability, the world would be a very different place...

whiterebel

foghlu77 wrote: »

Which is exactly my point.

BMW = good brand.
Lexus = brutal brand.

BMW that told people to sod off with blown turbos is a good brand??

Redsoxfan

Does EGR replacement really cost €700/€900 on a Lexus? I thought Alfa was bad, but I paid much less than that to have mine replaced last year.

-Chris-

You'd normally pay €400 each supplied and fitted (varying depending on model, obviously).

route66

I brought a Honda Accord back from Blighty in '08 - it was 4 years old at the time. Driving off the ferry, I noticed the headlights were misted up.

I did some research and noticed it was a common problem and that Honda had a few approaches to address the problem. The first option was to install clips to clamp the lens to the reflector. Failing that, the headlights would be replaced. My lights had the clips.

I dropped it into a local Honda main dealer for a routine main service soon after the car was landed and mentioned - a bit cheekily - that I wanted the headlights replaced as the clip fix applied by a UK dealer didn't work.

And they did!

Apparently replacing the lights involves bumber removal; I'd say that if I was playing the bill, it would have involved 4 figures.

Mr Benevolent

foghlu77 wrote: »

I'm simply warning people not to purchase a Lexus IS220 and expect a premium car from a premium brand because both are not.

Why would anyone expect a premium brand experience from an IS220d? It's pretty much bottom of the range, a step up from the IS200. It's like comparing a Golf to a Phaeton or a A3 to an A8 or a 3 series to a 7 series or C to an S Class. If you want a premium Lexus, buy an LS460, don't feck around in the shallow end.

Leonard Hofstadter

Regardless of whether or not the OP imported his car from the UK, 55,000 miles before getting an EGR valve failure is not acceptable.

I think the OP is well entitled to be cheesed off, Lexus are renowed for having customer care that is the best of all the premium makes by a country mile and for making cars that are usually outstanding for reliability (they are leagues ahead of any of the Germans).

Not withstanding the fact that the car is imported, and the fact that Lexus Ireland and Lexus GB are two completely seperate companies, surely Lexus (either Ireland or the UK) should be covering the cost of this, especially as the engine in the IS220d is not the best for reliability (to be kind about it) and they are well known for giving trouble?

I would have thought that Lexus should at the very least cover the cost of parts (if as the OP says the car is only just gone out of warranty), precisely to encourage the OP to stick with the brand (it's not as if Lexus is a massive sales success over here) and also to encourage the OP to 'buy Irish' next time round.

-Chris- wrote: »

How is an EGR failing any different from an electric window not working? It's a failure of a mechanical part.
It's just unfortunate that one impedes the car's ability to drive.

Should warranty cover all parts, but goodwill only cover engine or safety related failures?

To be fair to the OP, it is (usually) a fair bit cheaper to replace an electric window, plus an electric window not working is hardly life or death - having a car with an engine that does not work properly is a bit of a problem though!

johnos1984

captainspeed wrote: »

Regardless of whether or not the OP imported his car from the UK, 55,000 miles before getting an EGR valve failure is not acceptable.

Has the OP done a background check to confirm the mileage?

Leonard Hofstadter

One has to assume that the OP is telling the truth;)!

-Chris-

captainspeed wrote: »

Regardless of whether or not the OP imported his car from the UK, 55,000 miles before getting an EGR valve failure is not acceptable.

It's out of warranty based on time. How many miles is largely irrelevant.
If it was 5 years old, but only had 20,000 miles, would he still deserve it to be covered by warranty?

captainspeed wrote: »

I think the OP is well entitled to be cheesed off, Lexus are renowed for having customer care that is the best of all the premium makes by a country mile and for making cars that are usually outstanding for reliability (they are leagues ahead of any of the Germans).

Virtually ALL diesel cars are having EGR problems at the moment.
Lexus might be better for rattles & squeaks, or for electrical faults or whatever, compared to the German makes, but that doesn't seem to apply when it comes to this particular technology.

Also, if Lexus are renowned for their customer service, and they refuse to cover this issue, doesn't that indicate that the issue shouldn't really be covered? It's not like they have a reputation for being tight when it comes to repairs...

captainspeed wrote: »

Not withstanding the fact that the car is imported, and the fact that Lexus Ireland and Lexus GB are two completely seperate companies, surely Lexus (either Ireland or the UK) should be covering the cost of this, especially as the engine in the IS220d is not the best for reliability (to be kind about it) and they are well known for giving trouble?

But, again, where does the warranty end? You've got to draw a line somewhere.
They cover the engine for 3 years, so if they design an unreliable car, it'll cost them dearly over those 3 years, but once the car is outside warranty then the cost is on the owner. That's not a hidden term or condition, it's not like the OP didn't know when the warranty ran out.

Warranty's up! Goodwill has been asked for and refused. Game over, move on.

captainspeed wrote: »

I would have thought that Lexus should at the very least cover the cost of parts (if as the OP says the car is only just gone out of warranty), precisely to encourage the OP to stick with the brand (it's not as if Lexus is a massive sales success over here) and also to encourage the OP to 'buy Irish' next time round.

If the car was sold in Ireland, you may get a different story.

If all the importers in Ireland covered goodwill on every personally imported car in the market based on the "maybe they'll buy here next time if we prove we're nice enough" principle, I'd say they'd all be broke by now.

captainspeed wrote: »

To be fair to the OP, it is (usually) a fair bit cheaper to replace an electric window, plus an electric window not working is hardly life or death - having a car with an engine that does not work properly is a bit of a problem though!

It's just an example, but why is there a difference? Both parts are outside warranty, should the person with a failed window regulator be discriminated against just because his car still drives ok?

Leonard Hofstadter

-Chris- wrote: »

It's out of warranty based on time. How many miles is largely irrelevant.
If it was 5 years old, but only had 20,000 miles, would he still deserve it to be covered by warranty?




Virtually ALL diesel cars are having EGR problems at the moment.
Lexus might be better for rattles & squeaks, or for electrical faults or whatever, compared to the German makes, but that doesn't seem to apply when it comes to this particular technology.

Also, if Lexus are renowned for their customer service, and they refuse to cover this issue, doesn't that indicate that the issue shouldn't really be covered? It's not like they have a reputation for being tight when it comes to repairs...




But, again, where does the warranty end? You've got to draw a line somewhere.
They cover the engine for 3 years, so if they design an unreliable car, it'll cost them dearly over those 3 years, but once the car is outside warranty then the cost is on the owner. That's not a hidden term or condition, it's not like the OP didn't know when the warranty ran out.

Warranty's up! Goodwill has been asked for and refused. Game over, move on.




If the car was sold in Ireland, you may get a different story.

If all the importers in Ireland covered goodwill on every personally imported car in the market based on the "maybe they'll buy here next time if we prove we're nice enough" principle, I'd say they'd all be broke by now.




It's just an example, but why is there a difference? Both parts are outside warranty, should the person with a failed window regulator be discriminated against just because his car still drives ok?

The OP said the car is "just" out of warranty, that is why I think the cost should be covered. It's also below the 60k mileage limit that the warranty applies for if the car was less than three years old. Fair enough getting it fully covered might be a bit much (as you say, it is out of warrenty), but certainly the parts should be paid for and there should be a goodwill gesutre.

As for it being imported, it really shouldn't matter (otherwise what is the point of having a 'common market' if Irish companies are just going to be all protectionist about it?), you and I know that BMW Ireland is a subsidary of BMW GB but most people don't know this.

As far as most people are concerned, if BMW can cover imported cars, then so should Lexus, and I happen to agree on that.

If the OP clocked up 55k in just about three years, one must presume that a lot of that driving was done outside of town, meaning that the EGR valve shouldn't have gone anyway even allowing for the tendancy of modern diesel engines to go expensively wrong at times.

I agree that a line has to be drawn in the sand when it comes to warranties and gestures, but a car that is only 'just out' of warrenty deserves at the very minimum the cost of parts being covered for something like an EGR valve, assuming of course that the car has been serviced on time and at an authorised Lexus centre (both here and in the UK) of course;).

jamiecall

Why did you buy in the uk in the first place?

-Chris-

captainspeed wrote: »

The OP said the car is "just" out of warranty, that is why I think the cost should be covered. It's also below the 60k mileage limit that the warranty applies for if the car was less than three years old. Fair enough getting it fully covered might be a bit much (as you say, it is out of warrenty), but certainly the parts should be paid for and there should be a goodwill gesutre.

As for it being imported, it really shouldn't matter (otherwise what is the point of having a 'common market' if Irish companies are just going to be all protectionist about it?), you and I know that BMW Ireland is a subsidary of BMW GB but most people don't know this.

As far as most people are concerned, if BMW can cover imported cars, then so should Lexus, and I happen to agree on that.

If the OP clocked up 55k in just about three years, one must presume that a lot of that driving was done outside of town, meaning that the EGR valve shouldn't have gone anyway even allowing for the tendancy of modern diesel engines to go expensively wrong at times.

I agree that a line has to be drawn in the sand when it comes to warranties and gestures, but a car that is only 'just out' of warrenty deserves at the very minimum the cost of parts being covered for something like an EGR valve, assuming of course that the car has been serviced on time and at an authorised Lexus centre (both here and in the UK) of course;).

All valid points.


I'm just wondering how much is "just" out of warranty?

What age was the car when the OP bought it - they imported it in 2010 (at 2 years old), but did they own it before that or did they buy it at 2 years old?

What mileage was on the car when they bought it? Did they buy it in 2010 with 53,000miles, and they've only done 1,000miles in a year? We don't know their driving pattern.

What is the service history like on the car? Does it have FSH in the UK? Has it required a service here and where was that service performed?

foghlu77

I bought the car in 2009, when it was 2 years old with 33K on the clock. It has a FSH. 2 of which were conducted here.

I'm simply trying to warn people not to be fooled by Lexus's "excellent customer service". They let me down.

Anyone who expects to pay Lexus over 900 euro for a part and labour on top of this when the car is just (4 months) out of warranty and under 55K done needs to consider where they draw the line.

The part is obviously faulty and should have been replaced by Lexus minus the labour. Their solution to drive to Belfast on a "maybe we'll fix it" is both unprofessional and patronising.

-Corkie-

The Lexus is220 is not a good car and never was. You should have researched that before you purchased. I know a guy with a 07 220 and the head gasket is gone in it. They are a ball of dung imo.

Tea 1000

-Corkie- wrote: »

The Lexus is220 is not a good car and never was. You should have researched that before you purchased. I know a guy with a 07 220 and the head gasket is gone in it. They are a ball of dung imo.

Pathetic post. Lets get some perspective here. The Lexus IS is a good car. The 2.2 diesel engine is not fantastic. Head gasket failure is not typical of this engine. EGR valve faults however are not uncommon at all with this unit. Injectors are another point that have their issues, also DMF's. However those three things are potential symptoms of all modern diesels, some are more prone to one thing, others to another.
Typically, the 2.2 diesel should be fairly trouble free. EGR valve faults typically manifest themselves much more quickly in town driving or with drivers who generally don't really excercise the engine at all.
Saying Lexus are a crap brand and all Lexus cars are dung or anything of that kind is childish. You have the option of driving to Belfast. It's Motorway practically the whole way. Either you do it, or you try and persuade them to do soemthing else. If they refuse, it's not exactly fantastic, but that's just it, the car is out of warranty. Many brands don't even fix problems in cars while still under warranty.

doOh

I heard that Lexus unofficially extended warranty to 7 years for IS models ... but they never talk about this so keep pressure on them