Leaderboard

Just one point, if you are putting your trust into the dealer telling you what is wrong with the car over the distance selling you are making, how many checks did you say they were actually doing? Should these checks made cover the obvious points checked at MOT as a start point for the 100 or whatever checks they make report to the buyer which would have covered the screen? I would question the checks they have made and informed you of ... So what else have they checked (not) that may come up during early ownership. If the screen is to be replaced then absolutely make sure that it works, ie, the heating elements and its sealed correctly and also the replacement does not introduce any of the noise that was evident in the early days around the screen/dash. As you should be aware, the callipers are a weak spot on these, have they been assessed as part of the checks Lexus have made? I will bet they are reported as good but upon next visit to Lexus there will be a recommendation to replace them! Have they issued you with an inspection report? Also, exhaust checked, if not have it checked by them. You are paying dealer prices for this so make sure any issues are highlighted and put right before purchase. Like you said, if it goes wrong, what option do you have to return it to be repaired? Will they accept it at a more local dealer to be repaired if required? I have probably missed it but what is the mileage of it as there are certain milestones that works required or things start to fail that should be looked out for such as main service (plugs at 60k) water pump usually between 70 to 100k (white crust is a sign around pump area) Exhaust can last for a while but with a lot of stop / start / short journeys then pre 100k is entirely likely and you dont know how it has been driven previously. Just things to bear in mind, but for me, having a garage state they have done checks and then to find its an MOT failure through what would be an obvious finding would make me question the actual checks made. Just my opinion, i am sure others will question it...

I'm not affiliated with EuroCarParts in anyway, just want to share a good deal i stumbled on in case anyone here is also after some front shock absorbers! Their current promo code TOUR60 gave me 35% off when I checked out, leading to a lovely £79.98 for A PAIR! Code expires in a little less than two days (midnight between Thurs and Fri by my count) Shame they don't have the rears in stock, would have had those too 😞

@LenT My ‘favourite’ part of the VW experience was this. I swear it’s true! I had a LOT of problems with my Tiguan, owned from new. The main issue was the terrible DSG gearbox, which was hesitant to the point of danger from new (“…they all do that Sir”) and eventually exploded on the M1 and was replaced under warranty. In addition there were paintwork issues, touchscreen failure, a blown wiper motor, failed electric window motor, failed transfer box, and prematurely worn front seats and carpets - and I look after my cars! All that was within the first three years and fewer than 40k miles. It was a total disaster, and reinforced the myth of the ‘quality’ VW brand. It was mostly sorted under warranty. As the warranty came to an end I - unsurprisingly - decided to move it on. I didn’t want another VW but foolishly thought I might get a contribution to make up for all the issues. Instead, the sales team offered me BELOW market value because “…we know about all the problems with it, so will have to trade it through auction. We certainly won’t be able to offer it as an ‘approved used’ vehicle.” I went straight to Honda, and told them the story. They offered a good price and I was a happy Honda owner for many years through an Accord and two CR-Vs. VW won’t care of course, but dealers should realise that stories like that get told many times over! My extended family had previously owned Skoda, VW and Audi. Not one of them does any more. Instead they have Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Range Rover and Fiat (hmmmm).

When fleabay first started it was a good way of clearing the shed and making a bit of money doing so. Then the fees increased, then the traders jumped in. Nowadays I see it as the cheap and nasty counterfeit outlet store plus with their new direct payment system they have access to your bank account instead of Paypoo. I’ve made some decent purchases on Gumtree, I bought my 18” wheels on there locally for a very reasonable price.

One man's junk is another man's treasure. One tester's fail is another tester's pass! Without seeing the chip it is hard to known how "bad" it is. Keep us updated Paul.

Morning Herbs, an Mot is mostly one of testing the testers opinions within a prescribed set of conditions. It could well be another tester has another opinion but that aside the advice was repair as soon possible. This would imply it's rather more problematical than a mere chip. Crucially it could be adversely affecting the integrity of the whole screen which has different implications.

I really do hope you get the car Paul and it meets your expectations. I have not purchased any of my cars from a Lexus dealer. I travelled to Bristol to purchase my 400h from an independent dealer. I like to take the wife as she has a keen eye for detail, as I tend to just get excited if it looks good! I did see wear and tear issues and missed a couple as well. However, overall I appreciated that the car was 12 years old. I accepted that unless the car was a complete dog, I would not be able to travel back to the dealers easily - so I decided I might have to cover the costs of some extra items that needed doing. I decided to change the tyres as they were grazing due to age. Your situation is different as you are paying, I presume, top dollar from a Lexus dealer. I must be honest, I would be far more "anxious" if I felt I was paying a very large sum for a vehicle. Please let us know how you get on. I would presume, hand on heart, that if a main Lexus dealer was selling a 10 year old car, then it would not be a complete wreck - or am I being naive?

Might be useful for other owners if you could post this ‘ insider’s trick ‘ here in case they have the same issue, as it wasn’t in the Manual.

Looked into this a bit further. Seems Lexus now default to a setting that only allows the Power Back Door to open via the wireless key fob if the vehicle is unlocked. There is a setting to allow it to unlock the vehicle and open the PBD when pressing the key fob (either holding down for 0.8s or double press can be selected) but that is a dealer only configuration setting (or someone with techstream - Carista doesn't know about this setting).

Exactly the answer I needed, thank you very much!

And yet there’s no reason why every dealer shouldn’t be equally competent. Whether you’re dealing with customers or clients, selling a product or a service, the basics of the relationship remain the same. It maybe that the smaller selling marques attract a more interested seller and a more interesting buyer. No doubt the footfall through a VW dealership is far greater than a Lexus one. So the ‘We Try Harder’ effect becomes a factor. When we bought a Suzuki SX4 four-wheel drive from a Northampton dealer, the sales people couldn’t do enough. When it came to the first service, they could barely be bothered to do anything at all! A shortsighted view as we moved to another Suzuki dealer - who provided excellent service for a number of years. I’ve had that feeling as a potential Buyer! I rather fancied a Ford Probe - a two seater coupe launched in the early 1990s to compete - I believe - with the Honda Prelude and Toyota Celica. So I went into a large local Ford main dealer that had one on display. Apart from myself, the only other living creature was a girl tucked away behind a Reception desk. After some ostentatious mooching around the Probe, I approached her and asked if there was someone who’d like to sell me one. She kindly offered to go and find out. Some moments later she returned and said “He’ll be up when he’s finished his cup of tea”. I told her to go back and tell him not to rush on my account, because I was sure there was another Ford dealer nearby who might be more interested! When even the Sales side regard customers as an irritant, what hope for future Service?

We can't be seen to condone the use of pirated software, that's a matter for your own conscience. However, whether you go the proper way by clicking this link and paying for a block of time to use it or by using the CD that is usually included with these cables from eBay, you'll need a Windows laptop and the miniVCI cable to allow the car and laptop to communicate with each other.

+ 1 for Techstream

That usually means it's only customisable using Techstream

full + are the big Services at 60k and 100k. Air filter - replace as required All Applicable Labour Battery(s) in key fob Insp aircon/pollen filter(s)-replace as necessary Refill engine oil Replace brake fluid Replace engine coolant Replace rear differential oils Replace oil filter When mine went in for the 100k, they picked up I'd had a new radiator, so didn't need to replace the engine coolant which saved me money.

It is not a failure, it is an advisory. The car has passed an MOT but attention has been drawn to a chip in the windscreen and it is/was apparently so small that it was only noticed at MOT time. If it really was anything major it would have been seen well before then.

Yes that was removed for EVs from last year.

Hi Folks, Been busy filming and editing some of the updates on my SC430. 1. Removing the chrom trim on the door handles and disabling the TPMS on the SC430. 2. Replacing the front door 6x9's. 3. Replacing the boot struts. Thanks, Ross

@Blackbeard Just a wee footnote to your tpms deactivate… only works on 2001 thru to 2006 models pre and facelifts…. 2007 onwards not possible nice vlogs by the way 👍🏻

@Martyn76 Hi Martin She was mine prior to the RcF bought her from Lexus Sheffield with 30k miles on the clock and kept her for nearly 2 years ........never a spot of bother......here’s some pics for you starting with the day I picked her up.....9th January 2016. If you need any more info pictures and so on don’t hesitate to pm me. Click on each pic for full resolution image 🙂 🐀

I've always had good success with carandclassic.co.uk. It's free and you tend to get serious enquiries.

If feel the need to spend £40k then do you need the fuel cost saving to pay for counselling? Just a thought 🤔

My maths may not be the sharpest around here - - - - but how many wheels does your RX have? 😬

Yes.. the best I have seen in IS250 was ~44MPG, but somebody managed 48 or 49... maybe a run downhill. As much as I liked 4GR-FSE - happy engine, which liked to rev, was reliable, light, compact, sounded good and delivered decent power for it's size... by the time Lexus put it in GS mk4 and IS mk3 ins 2012/2013... it was effectively obsolete. Sadly, Lexus never updated 4GR-FSE which as you said was first introduced in 2003 Toyota Crown. I think it still had life in it if Lexus would have added Dual-injection (both port and direct) like 2GR-FSE and Atkinson-cycle, maybe paired it with new 8speed gearbox as they did for 350. This probably would have added 15-20hp and 5-10MPG making it a viable engine for few more years. I think what actually killed 4GR-FSE were stupid emission regulations and fundamentally wrong testing methodology which is easy to abuse with Turbochargers. What is sad that they had all the tech already available, both Atkinson cycle and injectors were in other engines and development would be minimal. No... instead they spent 100s of millions developing new smaller turbocharged engine to abuse the testing methodology and make artificially low emissions test. The reality is that 8AR-FTS is terrible engine and in any practical conditions consumes much more fuel and likewise pollutes much more... but on paper it has lower CO2, hence lower tax and that is why car manufacturers all downsizing and turbocharging.

It has ended as far as I can tell; no option to select it/buy it anymore. So have you now committed to buy the car or not, because this is torture. I'm losing what little hair I have left in wondering how this is all going to end

I understand and appreciate that as I have health issues that affect my day-to-day life too, but it seems to me that you're just not going to be happy without seeing it in the flesh, so to speak. Could you not make a short break of the trip and stay overnight somewhere to break up the journey - treat it as a couple of days holiday?

I bought my wifes IS300h unseen. No issues. Examine the photos well - main things to look for are kerbed wheels, seat wear and interior scratches. Gives you a reasonable idea of how the car has been looked after. Take a very good look around the car on delivery and any issues tell them straight away. It should be fine. Most used car buying nowadays is done online without seeing.

Your experience is one of the built-in sales features of the Lexus. My buying experience pretty much mirrors yours. I came to Lexus from a Prelude and an Accord - both from new - and had received excellent service from Honda MK. The Accord was written off on the M25 and I was all set to buy a replacement…when I discovered it had been discontinued in the UK. So I decided I’d spend a day touring the ‘usual suspects’. My first call was to the Lexus dealer - but only because it was the first off the bypass. The sales guy (person) was - and indeed still is - a delightful chap (person) who, on being told I wanted to replace an Accord, said ‘we have just the one’. And he was right first time. The test drive confirmed it, but I felt I should still do the Tour. After all, who buys the first car they see!! So I went to MB, where the lad on reception finally acknowledged me and, on learning I wanted to replace an Accord, suggested I had a look around the showroom and see if anything interested me. Audi, BMW and Volvo were not that bad but still didn’t compare favourably with Lexus. When I got home I found a detailed email from the Lexus rep. together with a personalised video tour round the car. Frankly all that was left was to arrange to take my Wife to see it and complete the formalities. Unlike some other dealers - my Wife’s Suzuki, for example - the same level of interest has been maintained after selling the car. Vishal still greets me by name when I bring it in for its annual service, and keeps in regular contact hoping to sell me a new Lexus. Unfortunately he did too good a job the first time! I’m sure your Lexus experience will be as rewarding as mine has been. Of course if you’re a dealer, then having a product to sell that’s renowned for its reliability, comfort and longevity is very reassuring. But the basics of Customer Service are not difficult to master. And they do make the difference.

"You’re main concern when buying a car is what other people will think about it?" No that was not what I was asking- If you drive a Porsche or ferrari people shout wan**r at you and scratch it in the car park-I was asking if you get a negative or positve reaction. Stupid comment.

Hello I am sorry for a slight hiatus between my posts - as Kevin said there were a couple of slightly turbulent weeks;-). After our local dealership agreed to a further discount, we have with some reluctance ordered an identical new LC 500. It should arrive in September so I am hoping that we will not be 2 times unlucky. 50-60%? Maybe it's me not working in the industry but this seems like a huge number. Our second car better be bubble-wrapped and covered in cotton wool as dealing with another issue like this would probably suck the life out of me. I would probably not go back to Lexus again after that - this issue with the new car is not the first one we have had there. I also have a BMW 530d and while I did not have to deal with a similar issue, their professionalism is on another level. Maybe it's because I bought it at a small dealership, out of Belfast and they value their customers more. Well fingers crossed. I will of course keep the forum updated with any further news. Petr

Hi everyone Sorry for a bit of prolonged wait. The issue was being dragged out for a while and I only got it resolved last week. The dealership has finally accepted the car back and I have just received my refund. I will be ordering another LC 500 so keeping my fingers crossed for a flawless example. I should add that aside from the dealership I was also in contact with Lexus UK and their engagement with me was very blase and unhelpful. Quite disappointing from such a brand. Lucky for them the LC is my dream car so I will get another one but had it been another car, I would have not gone back to the brand. I would like to thank everyone for your help. In particular Kevin Williams and John (royoftherovers) who have been absolutely invaluable with their input and support. Thanks to them I have my refund now and I can put this very unpleasant experience behind me. Thanks again! Petr

Update: so rebuild + Tanabe Medallion was my choice. Hardest part was taking the midpipe off: I don't have a lift in my garage, so I had to use jack stands. Working on rusted bolts under any car is painful... and boy those bolts were stuck! Here is a closeup of the holes: you can see the shape of the heat/stone shield edges there: There is some sort of fibre matt between the shields and the pipes: over the time it has maybe flatten and the edges of the shield have started to eat up the pipe... otherwise the mid pipe was actually in good condition still. So, a bit welding and grinding and spraying, and the mid pipe was fixed: I replaced the old fibre matt with exhaust wrap and reinstalled the shields: ...and installed the new cat-back from Tanabe: Project completed! BR.Sami

In Monaco that is going to be a Sauna in the summer, even with the air-con on full whack! Must be nice to be so rich that you can afford a different car for each day of your life. Jeez, I struggle to choose between 2 motorcycles and an LS430 when i head out.

Its a sad story.... originally my dads who bought it new. I had it for a few years with it getting to just over 280k, thanks in no part to being looked after by Tech One Lexus specialist in Sidcup after getting fed up with Jemca Lexus Sidcup. Then unfortunately she was rear ended by someone not paying attenntion, and the insurance wrote her off!!