Big Expenses Coming Up

[ironrose]

After 3 years of happy and glorious ownership of the Lexus the big expenses are coming soon on top of this Christmas and the wedding anniversary

I would be grateful to hear a few comments and appreciate any suggestions for the below issues

1. Tyres- There are nearly worn out and would need replacing. They car currently has Toyo proxes T1Rs and after reading the reviews on websites i want to replace them with mid-range Vredestien Ultrac sessantas. The cheapest i could find for all four tyres is £504 fully fitted. Any thoughts about these tires or cheaper alternatives in the mid-range tyres(225 45 R17s on front and 245 45 R17s on rears)?

2. Continuing the topic of tyre, the current tyres still a bit above the legal limit(centre 3/4th of the thread has above 2mm), however the thread on the inner side of the fronts is totally worn out. Does this mean something else is also wrong on the wheels? And some other parts need replacing i.e tie rods, ball joints, not sure if they are related but remember reading somewhere. If this is uncommon I do not want this to happen on the new tyres and I am not sure how much I need to set aside to rectify this.

3. Headlight Ballast - The front left headlight does not on automatically when the stack is in auto mode and needs to be put to manual and then turn to auto. Based on the feedback from another topic, the ballast needs replacing. Apologies for my ignorance, is it one ballast for both the headlamps or two ballasts and they are independent. I found one on eBay for £80 but would need to find a fitter

4. Brakes pads and discs - During the last service, Lexus Guildford quoted that the brake pads and discs have only 40% life left and will need replacing by next service. Since then i did about 8000 miles and closing to the next service. Based on the "Fixed price Promise" by Lexus these would cost me £530. Can anyone recommend if there are any aftermarkets ones which are just as good or better than the OEM ones and slightly cheaper or stick to the original Lexus Ones?

5. 80K service - this is due in another 2000 miles, again Lexus Guildford website quotes £430 odd. After reading the manual it appears that there is more work to be done on a 80K service than the 60K service, however the 80K service is less expensive than the 60K at most dealers. it doesn’t make sense and considering that the car is nearly 7 years old, I am starting to think about getting it serviced at Lexus specialists rather than dealers. Does anyone know a good one in Surrey Area?

[Carl911]

After 3 years of happy and glorious ownership of the Lexus the big expenses are coming soon on top of this Christmas and the wedding anniversary

I would be grateful to hear a few comments and appreciate any suggestions for the below issues

1. Tyres- There are nearly worn out and would need replacing. They car currently has Toyo proxes T1Rs and after reading the reviews on websites i want to replace them with mid-range Vredestien Ultrac sessantas. The cheapest i could find for all four tyres is £504 fully fitted. Any thoughts about these tires or cheaper alternatives in the mid-range tyres(225 45 R17s on front and 245 45 R17s on rears)?

2. Continuing the topic of tyre, the current tyres still a bit above the legal limit(centre 3/4th of the thread has above 2mm), however the thread on the inner side of the fronts is totally worn out. Does this mean something else is also wrong on the wheels? And some other parts need replacing i.e tie rods, ball joints, not sure if they are related but remember reading somewhere. If this is uncommon I do not want this to happen on the new tyres and I am not sure how much I need to set aside to rectify this.

3. Headlight Ballast - The front left headlight does not on automatically when the stack is in auto mode and needs to be put to manual and then turn to auto. Based on the feedback from another topic, the ballast needs replacing. Apologies for my ignorance, is it one ballast for both the headlamps or two ballasts and they are independent. I found one on eBay for £80 but would need to find a fitter

4. Brakes pads and discs - During the last service, Lexus Guildford quoted that the brake pads and discs have only 40% life left and will need replacing by next service. Since then i did about 8000 miles and closing to the next service. Based on the "Fixed price Promise" by Lexus these would cost me £530. Can anyone recommend if there are any aftermarkets ones which are just as good or better than the OEM ones and slightly cheaper or stick to the original Lexus Ones?

5. 80K service - this is due in another 2000 miles, again Lexus Guildford website quotes £430 odd. After reading the manual it appears that there is more work to be done on a 80K service than the 60K service, however the 80K service is less expensive than the 60K at most dealers. it doesn’t make sense and considering that the car is nearly 7 years old, I am starting to think about getting it serviced at Lexus specialists rather than dealers. Does anyone know a good one in Surrey Area?

I always buy part worn tyres. They are always top brands and always have between 6.5-8mm of tread. (a new tyre is 8mm)

Average cost per tyre £60-£70 each.

OE equivelent front discs which are basically the same but in different packageing are £37 each from Autoparts. (£60 each from Lexus)

Carl

[stevet]

The 60k service includes spark plugs

[Carl911]

The 60k service includes spark plugs

Yes I was told, spark plugs, oil & filter change, coolant flush & change, brake fluid change,air filter, pollen filter plus various checks.

[WatchfulEye]

After 3 years of happy and glorious ownership of the Lexus the big expenses are coming soon on top of this Christmas and the wedding anniversary

I would be grateful to hear a few comments and appreciate any suggestions for the below issues

3. Headlight Ballast - The front left headlight does not on automatically when the stack is in auto mode and needs to be put to manual and then turn to auto. Based on the feedback from another topic, the ballast needs replacing. Apologies for my ignorance, is it one ballast for both the headlamps or two ballasts and they are independent. I found one on eBay for £80 but would need to find a fitter

There is an independent ballast on each side. While the ballast is attached to the outside of the sealed headlamp unit, it is not easily replaceable. The high voltage wire that goes from the ballast to the bulb is screwed and clamped inside the sealed unit so you can't remove it. As a high-voltage wire, it is moulded onto the ballast, so can't be disconnected.

The best way to replace it is to cut-open the sealed headlamp unit, remove the screw clamp holding the ballast wire. Replace the ballast, reclamp the wire and glue the headlamp unit back together. This is a tricky repair, risks damaging the headlamp unit, and you are unlikely to be able to get a factory quality glue seal, so risk water ingress.

It might be possible to cut the ballast wire off; remove the ballast, cut the connector off the new ballast, and splice. However, you have to modify an expensive brand-new ballast; and making and sealing a 30,000 volt connection so that it is water proof and vibration proof is very difficult and requires special materials (you won't get a satisfactory repair with a bit of solder and some electrician's tape).

However, the only other option is to replace the sealed unit, for which a genuine part will set you back £750+.