Pooh-Bear

TBH I'm not sure the exact model I have as it is described differently all over the place. I 'bought a 450h SE-L Premier' which Lexus and the log book states it is a Premier. However, it does not have Air suspension which I thought was standard on all SE-L models (I did buy 2nd hand). It has HUD which I believe is only on the Premier, ML Sound, 10 pos memory seats, DAB, LED headlights, Radar/Auto cruise control etc etc so I am a little confused. Not that worried about no air suspension anyway but it is confusing. I wonder if, back in 09 it was an option to have std suspension?

I have a 09 450H SE-L Premier HDD based with gracenote. 3 hours does seem OTT especially if they pre-download the update it is simply applying a usb stick and letting it upload/apply to the car. I would have thought an hour tops myself...

Has anyone had the dealer required map updates done? If so, how much did you pay and how long did it take to do? I have been quoted £157 + VAT (which I think is a bit steep to say the least) and it is a 3 hour process (I can't be bothered hanging around the service centre for 3 hours and I also wonder why it is quoted to take that long). TIA

Back from my 320 mile round trip. After refuelling I have just calculated my MPG and I get 29.5 (the car says 29.8 so near as damn it!). That was M! (with the 50 MPH restrictions), A43 (with the multiple roundabouts) and A34..... and back again. The MPG was improved by some of the slower & standstill traffic and I was driving carefully (keeping in the Eco area as much as possible) - but not slowly. Not bad, certainly better than my urban trips.

Nope, I get nowhere near that and can only dream of that mpg. This is with keeping the car in the 'Eco' area 80-90% of the time so I don't think it is my driving. Looking around I'm not alone in my figures but some people get considerably better - nearer to your estimate. Honest John's website quotes over all submissions 33.8mpg is the average but I assume my trip profile is not suited to hybrid. I either do long trips on the motorway or very short trips (2-6 miles) urban driving. Don't get me wrong, I love the car, far more refined than my MKII 300 and I did not buy it for the fuel consumption (if I had I would be extremely disappointed). All I was saying previously to the OP is do not get an 'H' for the fuel savings as you may find it not much better than your current 300.

If I can't expect at least what I am getting now (~24.5mpg) or above then the hybrid isactually less economical than my old 300. I could thrash that and still get 21mpg on the motorway + short trips. As I said in a previous post, I did get 33MPG on a 320 mile motorway trip driving carefully (in the 300). I am driving as careful, if not more in my 450h and getting less MPG than the 300. If you are getting 35mpg in round town trips then either you are an extreme careful driver or there is something seriously wrong with my car (even taking into account the slightly bigger engine in the 450) :)

Hi Boxbrownie, I was surprised too as I was hoping for around 30mpg average but it has never shown more than 26 at any point (except immediately after filling up and leaving the petrol station at a crawl then it reported 56mpg - but it soon plummeted when I set off). The other factor is Sheffield is very hilly and it is virtually impossible to stay out of the 'power' area when climbing a hill. Sure coming down a hill charges the battery but it does not compensate for the more gas needed to go up a hill. I will be back from my business trip on Thursday, ODO/trip already reset and will fill up and give an exact MPG for going Sheffield to Newbury return on 90% motorway. I aim to go ~70-75 with ACC on where possible. My old 300 could never do this particular round trip on one tank unless I drive like miss daisy (have to refuel around 10-20 miles before my destination) :)

Completely agree with the other comments. I had an 05 300LE (the limited edition they threw everything into to get rid of old stock). I would average 21-24, mainly motorway driving in that. I did however get 33! mpg on one trip which I got driving with a feather foot - just to see what I could get out of it. Just bought a 450H SEL Premier (09 plate) and though no motorway driving just shop trips or around Sheffield, the most I have had in 2 months is 24.5mpg. These are all the car readings, not measured readings. With this I have been driving carefully with the hybrid to see how I can squeeze miles out. Not scientific but it shows I am driving more carefully but not getting much more out of it than the old 300. I have a long run on weds/thurs so will do a measured calculation then. Even though I had an 05 300 so I got the reduced VED (£280ish rather than £400+) the £135 on the 450H is welcome. The 400H will be a little more as it is higher CO2 emissions but still a saving on the 300. My thoughts are, if you are expecting far better economy MPG wise it is not worth the change. BUT as others have said, the gearbox is FAR superior (IMO), smoother, quieter drive and as I got an SEL P, lots more toys I always wanted (and my Phone BT connection works better!) :D I changed because of the BT issues in the 300 with my phone and I wanted ACC. The hybrid was a plus, not a reason. I actually preferred the 300 touch screen and interior but overall the 450h is a nicer ride and far more refined (with more toys)!

It seems to indicate that in the manual (if you want to trickle charge it without removing the battery). Once recharged the power back door (if fitted) needs to be re-initialised details on Page 617. And, if you have trouble starting once recharged page 482 gives tips on sorting this out too!

There is a 'jump start' terminal under the bonnet to use. It is detailed on page 582 of the owners manual and tells you how to go about 'jump starting' your car.

They changed the warranty about 2 years ago from 3 to 5 years. I know this as when I was on my 5th head unit (yes, 5th) Lexus Sheffield replaced mine under warranty when the car was 3 1/2 years old and told me the warranty had been extended to 5 years for all entertainment systems.

Hi all (first post an' all). Have I got the record then? I have had no less than 5 HUs in my 2000 IS (all replaced under warranty). Last one has been fine for 2 years though. Well not to worry now, I just PX'd the IS in for an RX which I should get next week so hopefully I won't have to worry about the problem (crosses fingers). As to the TA featur on the radio, yes, mine does that a lot, decides there is traffic news then decides that there isn't so then guesses I want to listen to the radio not the CD. Damn annoying to say the least.