Buying a RX400 on the weekend

[pedrofromredro]

Hi guys not a newbie to the Lexus scene but I’m going to be chopping in my 11 plate CT200 for a 57 plate rx400.the RX has got 89000 miles on it and has just had the timing belt and water pump change done at the lexus dealership.anything else I can check as the I’m a bit worried of buying the a slightly older car.my CT has never let me down or failed a MOT.sorry if this question has been asked a million times previously I have looked back through the forum.

[rich1068]

My 2006 RX 400h is proving to be utterly reliable (should I say things like that?) but with a slightly lower mileage than yours. History is everything I'd say. If it's having work like the belt and water pump done at a main dealer than I'd imagine it's LED a good life so far. Before you purchase try and do some digging into the service history. If the car isn't currently local try and get the seller to send you some pics of the service stamps and bills. Try and do this before the purchase date, forearmed is forewarned. In my experience Lexus dealers and independent garages are quite willing to speak to you about a vehicle if you're friendly and assure them it's just an enquiry and nothing more. "Hi, I'm looking at purchasing a car I think you've looked after in the past" etc. One thing that does spring to mind is that it should have had all six spark plugs changed by now. They're not madly expensive but there's an awful lot of labour involved to get at the back three.

I like to think I have a good relationship with Lexus Sheffield so when I picked mine up I had them check it over. They charged me £60 and supplied me with a list of items that needed attention leaving it entirely up to me whether I had it done there or elsewhere. I'd certainly do that again, maybe worth you considering?

[pedrofromredro]

 

41 minutes ago, rich1068 said:

My 2006 RX 400h is proving to be utterly reliable (should I say things like that?) but with a slightly lower mileage than yours. History is everything I'd say. If it's having work like the belt and water pump done at a main dealer than I'd imagine it's led a good life so far. Before you purchase try and do some digging into the service history. If the car isn't currently local try and get the seller to send you some pics of the service stamps and bills. Try and do this before the purchase date, forearmed is forewarned. In my experience Lexus dealers and independent garages are quite willing to speak to you about a vehicle if you're friendly and assure them it's just an enquiry and nothing more. "Hi, I'm looking at purchasing a car I think you've looked after in the past" etc. One thing that does spring to mind is that it should have had all six spark plugs changed by now. They're not madly expensive but there's an awful lot of labour involved to get at the back three.

I like to think I have a good relationship with Lexus Sheffield so when I picked mine up I had them check it over. They charged me £60 and supplied me with a list of items that needed attention leaving it entirely up to me whether I had it done there or elsewhere. I'd certainly do that again, maybe worth you considering?

Going from your reply just checked up with the car dealer.and it was serviced with lexus upto 42000 miles then a independent garage upto it’s last service which was done at lexus Exeter belts,water pump just over 500 miles ago.didnt consider the plug change will check on that as well that could be something I do myself perhaps as piece of mind  

[Lydiamight]

Worth checking to see if the rear discs show signs of rust or uneven wear. The regenerative aspect of the braking system means that the rear brakes don't get a lot of hard use and a common problem is a seizure of the slide pins in the rear  calipers. Don't let a Lexus dealer convince you that you need new rear calipers as a good independent can remove the slide pins, clean them up, grease and re-fit with new rubber boots. 

[rich1068]

3 hours ago, Lydiamight said:

a common problem is a seizure of the slide pins in the rear  calipers.

Good call.

[rich1068]

4 hours ago, pedrofromredro said:

didnt consider the plug change will check on that as well that could be something I do myself perhaps as piece of mind  

Apparently it's not unheard of for the front three to get changed and the back three to get left because they're such a cow to get to!

[pedrofromredro]

3 hours ago, Lydiamight said:

Worth checking to see if the rear discs show signs of rust or uneven wear. The regenerative aspect of the braking system means that the rear brakes don't get a lot of hard use and a common problem is a seizure of the slide pins in the rear  calipers. Don't let a Lexus dealer convince you that you need new rear calipers as a good independent can remove the slide pins, clean them up, grease and re-fit with new rubber boots. 

Thanks, Will take a look at them.its sounds similar to the IS250’s.

[BROUWERS]

Changing the rear 3 plugs really isn't that bad of a job. Most of it is just unbolting things and vice versa. Many will say the coolant lines will have to be disconnected from the throttle body, but I could just put the throttle body aside with the lines still connected.

[pedrofromredro]

10 hours ago, BROUWERS said:

Changing the rear 3 plugs really isn't that bad of a job. Most of it is just unbolting things and vice versa. Many will say the coolant lines will have to be disconnected from the throttle body, but I could just put the throttle body aside with the lines still connected.

Will try and find a video on you tube.i don’t mind a bit of spanner work.especially if it’s going to save me be ££££££😂😂