Goodbye To Lexus

[Selhurst]

After five and a half years (only 30000 miles) of generally enjoyable motoring,I sadly must end my relationship.

Like us all I have suffered the very poor gearbox,have endured a major gearbox oil leak and very recently a serious problem with the brakes.On this last occasion Lexus paid for the parts,much appreciated (£1200) but I also had to find nearly £1000.

When the vehicle was returned from the dealer in Portslade there was a loud noise from the rear which did not exist before.Returning the car,I was pleased to be told the fault had been found and was connected to the rear brakes.

What I did not expect was another bill for £200.I was told the noise was there before and I simply didn't notice it or it was coincidence - both I believe are absolute rubbish.

I had little choice but to pay but the relationship must come to an end;I cannot be left with the feeling of being totally ripped off!

Have written to Lexus and await their reply.

Frankly, I am a little sad to be forced into this decision.

[04AAA]

Sounds a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Just because one garage performs badly does not mean that this is common among all garages (Lexus or otherwise)

Similarly getting rid of a car that you know the full history of, that has a problem (2 problems) fixed with all that expense, just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

I know nothing of the RX300 or if like you say "like us all" all RX300 owners have encountered the same problem. If it is a common problem - and any gearbox problem in 300K miles (I assume from new) is something to be rightly upset about.

Personally, I would want to know what exactly the "noise" was that needed fixing. Especially as you imply that the fix was performed without your prior consent/approval. I that "noise" was a serious issue, something likely to fall off, break something else, a safety issue, personally I would be thanking Lexus and willingly paying Lexus. If it was something loose in the boot tray, I'd contest the charge as unnecessary and outside the approved and agreed work.

£200 is really not much to maintain a car of this standing, I'm afraid some whinging about minor costs when you own a car of this quality just is not justified. It is an expensive car but we live with that fact because it is the car it is. If you want a cheap car buy a Fiat Uno.

[ihpj]

I'd be more inclined to ask why you didn't extend the warranty on your RX? And why you expect Lexus to keep bailing you out everytime something goes wrong? The Lexus Extended Warranty exists for just such an eventualities. Frankly, I think you have been very well treated by Lexus (in terms of them offering goodwill payments) and should be more appreciative of their efforts to accomodate you and meeting the cost of repair for a vehicle that is two-and-a-half years outside of warranty.

[Selhurst]

Thank you for putting me in my place gentlemen.I am still furious that I was ripped off but no doubt I will calm down.

The gear box "problem" is the subject of a huge thread on here and although I had mine reprogrammed it has always been very much less than smooth.

I still maintain that a vehicle of this quality with only 30000 miles( not 300000) should not have the faults I haved suffered.

It is not a question of money and I do not want a Fiat Uno !!!!!

Having burnt my bridges with the dealer,anyone know of good independents in West Sussex?

I will also look at warranty schemes.

[lexynik]

ive used lexus brighton and usually found them pretty good - i presume you dealt with peter the service manager who has the last say on everything - as you say 30,000 miles and £1200 (not £200) is possibly worth a moan - i can reccomend an excellent mobile mechanic who services my friends is300 - another mates subaru wr1 as well as numerous other high end cars owned by friends as well as my discovery - he is based in brighton but comes to you,pm me if you want his no and ill pass it on to you

[04AAA]

Thank you for putting me in my place gentlemen.I am still furious that I was ripped off but no doubt I will calm down.

I'm sorry if it seemed that way but I certainly had the impression from your post that your were upset about the £200 for fixing the "noise" much more than the repair to the gearbox.

I did support the fact that 30K miles for a gearbox as a "common" problem with a car of this stature IS unacceptable. I just wasn't familiar with the RX300 (here on LUC or elsewhere).

What I don't like to see is a generalism of tarring everything Lexus with the same brush, or complaining about them fixing a £200 "noise" without a little bit more clarity on what that "noise" actually was or if the work had been challenged as not required/approved.

[Selhurst]

ive used lexus brighton and usually found them pretty good - i presume you dealt with peter the service manager who has the last say on everything - as you say 30,000 miles and £1200 (not £200) is possibly worth a moan - i can reccomend an excellent mobile mechanic who services my friends is300 - another mates subaru wr1 as well as numerous other high end cars owned by friends as well as my discovery - he is based in brighton but comes to you,pm me if you want his no and ill pass it on to you

Would very much like details but when I try to pm the screen just "greys" out. What am I missing?

[lexynik]

selhurst you have a private message

[vadre]

I had my 2003 RX300 serviced by this Toyota specialist in Farlington Portsmouth for a fraction of the Lexus dealer cost, did a good job too. Bit of a back street garage but is part of the 'Good Garage Scheme' and Steve Harrington gave me the impression that he could handle anything!!!

Only just outside W Sussex. Go visit HMS Victory while you are over. No.23 bus from outside the garage.