Would you rather buy Lexus IS220D or BMW 320D - used 2-3 years old?

Never buy a diesel.

It's the fuel of the devil.

Yes, you need to drill deep to get fuel.

Having only driven the second, I can't make a direct comparison. The BMW was ok, if you like that lowdown, sardine-in-a-tin feeling. Also needed more tyre changes than any other car I've ever had, for some reason . Afterwards we had an Audi, and that was a much nicer car, both as driver and passenger.

Given a choice, I personally would avoid both due to very high fuel and maintenance costs (I dont know how the Netherlands taxes these cars so can't comment on that), unless you have to do plenty of very long motorway journeys.

I'd pick the BMW...

I understand parts would be expensive, but I thought fuel consumption would be low. correct?

Ours was a 325 not a 320, but it wasn't sparing with the diesel, no. It was 'ok' over long trips but drank like a fish for about-town journeys. If you are buying it yourself as opposed to having it as a company car/fuel card (I'm taking a guess this is the case as you are looking at secondhand) then it's going to be a big cash-sink, make no mistake.

Naturally it's your personal choice that matters, and if you can afford it and want it then go for it but it's false economy to think a BMW will be no (or not much) different to running a standard car.

Thanks for the suggestion, I am buying it for myself with my own money. At one dealership I've seen nice BMW 320D 2005 with 2 year warranty on it, but I think is a bit pricey for the year. It looks like it has leather seats, but those are cloth actually.

I will consider Honda Accord 2.2 D then. I am pretty sure this should be reliable car.

Back in the day when we owned cars we always had Beemers. 325's and 328's mostly, but also the odd 525. I loved 'em I must admit, almost never broke down (though when they did it was invariably an electrical problem) and the fuel (benzine) consumption was always sensationally good for cars of that size. The dealers are also routinely excellent.

The biggest problem we had was getting them insured, when we lived in de Pijp we were behind the red line, and many companies would not ensure a BMW, so we had to get insurance through BMW themselves - which wasn't cheap.

Thanks TPC,I've heard that BMW would break down slightly more than Lexus. In North America Japanese cars absolutely have no match for reliability and some people told that here situation is similar.

I will not insurance issues like you had as I live in Alkmaar.

BTW, looks some very reach people live here, there are a couple of Rollce Royces and Bentleys around here.

This is a no-brainer. You're in Europe now. Forget Japanese, American, British. German cars here are affordable. And the German autobahns are just 100 km away. You'll never have this opportunity again.

I didn't care for American cars when I was living in North America, specially not now. British cars are practically part of history now. Japanese cars seem to do pretty well in Europe. It is quite possible that BMW gives much more enjoyment when driving, however Lexus is very refined car and is worth of noting. I am just a little bit worried about BMW reliability.

WRC, oh my gawd!
Worried about the reliability of Bayerische Motor Werke?
Really?
Are you kidding?
I thought you would know how these stats are made?
BMW are typically cars for young, dynamic people who like to drive FAST, FURIOUS and HARD.
These people have more opportunities, statistically speaking, of having to drive to their dealer for a maintenance!
Lexus on the contrary, is a car for Super Couch Potatoes!!!
Go for BMW, now that you can!!!
And drive at 100mph (and even more!) on these fantastic German Autobahnen!

My heart is leaning that way, my reason is slowly making up its mind.
Whether I am young is debatable, dynamic I am for sure .

Young at heart...like a Wild Rose