m'ladys husband

Hi everyone, We have had the car ECU remapped this morning. It took about an hour and a half to do. So far nothing to report other than the car is different. We have both driven it and each think it feels different - is it better? - not sure yet. I will wait until we have done a few hundred miles in it and see if anything shows up. We are planning to go to Scotland in the next few days so will probably take the Lexus rather than the DB7 so as to give it a good long run and therefore a thorough testing in all conditions. I was asked by the two chaps from LGB who came to do the remap to let them have my feedback in a week or so's time. In the meantime, should we experience any of the usual happenings I will post again. Best regards. Michael.

Hello to all Lurchers, Just when you thought I had gone away and boought a different make of vehicle I am back again. You may not believe this but Lexus Southampton are to re map our ECU on Wednesday morning...........honestly! I will let you know what its like in a day or so. I am told it is significantly better but as this was from LGB who, you will remember, have spent the last two years saying there is no problem, I fear that this may require fuirther investigation. Has anyone else been offered the chance to have a REMAP ecu yet? Best regards. Michael.

Hi Andy, From our experience, it appears to only affect the mark 2's. The mark one that we had was a good car, a bit of an acceleration lag at about 45-50 but if you kicked it down to third it was never a problem. My wife wishes I had never done her the favour of changing from the mark one to either of the two mark twos she has had! The mark one is a good bet but as far as we can all make out, the mark twos all seem to suffer from this problem especially if you drive it as it is advertised - a high performance SUV. Personally, I would buy the mark one or a good Porsche Cayenne S - if you can afford the fuel bills and front tyre wear that my son has to put up with on his Cayenne, these seem to be the only down side with the porker. Michael. Hello everyone. The following just in at 09.39 this morning from LGB............ I was speaking about your vehicle to Steve Settle yesterday. He is planning to call you as soon as he has substantial feedback from our technical colleagues who are trialling a vehicle with a test part. Apologies for the delay, but Steve will get back to you soon. More promises! Michael. Hello everyone. The following just in at 09.39 this morning from LGB............ I was speaking about your vehicle to Steve Settle yesterday. He is planning to call you as soon as he has substantial feedback from our technical colleagues who are trialling a vehicle with a test part. Apologies for the delay, but Steve will get back to you soon. More promises! Michael.

Hi All, Good luck NF with your case. Do keep us informed of progress. Just had an email from Steve Settles assistant telling me that hey are awaiting feedback on a test car they are running (why not use us as promised I wonder????) and that I "will be called later this or early next week with further information with respect to our car". We shall see! Michael.

Hi everyone in waiting for good news on the lurch issue. Guess what? Another week has passed by and the promised call from Mr Settle at the end of the week never came. Maybe the fix for the ECU is no good after all? Perhaps someone from Lexus will let us know! Michael.

I am. Mine was reset recently and I didn;t notice any difference. I have yet to be convinced what benefit the learning gearbox provides. You would have thought by now it would have learnt how to select a gear for example rather than selecting say selecting 3rd from 2nd then 2nd again then 3rd again within a second or two for example when accelerating gently and then lifting off slightly, oh and then there's the occassion when your foot is on the floor and the car goes to sleep for what feels like a lifetime before it agreeing to kick down and go. The only advanced element of the gearbox I have found is when going down hill and it changes down for engine breaking when needed. br D Yep, just like my wifes does for both of us as well! Good to know its so damn intelligent. Michael.

Hi Damian, Yes, all very valid comments. I was under the impression that the owners who had initiated this 'fix' would be Beta testing it, thats what I was told by the techies from Belgium................ must all have short memories (no pun intended). I guess LGB want to make sure it has no other demons in it as a by product but when you consider that the testing staff belong to the same organisation that said 'what problem' for so long, one does start to wonder. We have no choice but to wait until they let us have a version to try and as you say, we will know straight away if its fixed or not. then, if it is fixed, what avbout some form of compensation for all the trouble and battling we have had top do to get this far. I am with you on the rejection of the car. I wish I had just dumped it on the dealers forecourt a year ago. So much hassle where there should be none. If we had bought a car for £10k you may expect some interesting little peculiarities but not on a £39k prestigious marque of car. Lexus owner now but NEVER again. Shame as I really quite fancy a new 450 version of the GS300 for my day to day car. Off to the Aston Auction in Newport Pagnell on Saturday and maybe buy a classic basket case, at least I know where my money will be going and to good effect! Best regards. Michael.

I have had Mr Settle call me this morning. It seems the fix is out in USA and they rate it well. It's being tested at LGB in one of their cars and if they are happy with it they will want to put it in ours shortly. The point they are missing is my wife does not want the damn thing anymore............we want our money back! I am promised that Mr Settle will call me mid/end next week when he has driven the car with the upgraded software himself. It should then be a simple job to remap our ecus I am told. Interesting concept when many dealerships still say it is an unknown issue. OK, if we sijmply all lie down and accept an upgraded ECU is an answer, what about all the years, two plus in our case, of bull***t we have suffered? Unimpressed to say the least. Michael. Get a nice Aston MArtin. A good late DB7 will not cost anymore than a porker - loads more street cred and (somewhat biased) I would suggest a much more pleasant car to own! Just back from ten days away in Spain in ours and we had a great track day with it. Its a British car you know, not a foreign import!!!!!

Hi all, Just dropped 4x4 magazine an email asking if following their recent test and opinions on the Rx gearbox they may be interested to see ours and all the help (!) we are getting from LGB. I'll let you know if anything happens. Michael.

Hello All, Not getting anywhere at all with LGB and still no sign of any new software or ECU. Mr Settle has offered us a deal to swap for a used 400h which is wholly unacceptable on a cost basis alone. (See my previous posts). I have asked for a face to face but my dealer principal says they will see us in court. So there we have it, LGB dont care and think we'll all back down. I for one will not - its not in my stubborn old nature to do so especially when the manufacturer changes its running gear so radically to correct a fault that hey say is not there.....until today! Any ideas out there? Perhaps a united approach to Watchdog or an open letter in the Times? Perhaps a fighting fund where we all chip in some dosh and take a test case to law? Please let me know what you think. Just to add insult to injury my dealership have today mailed us a flyer on the new models which I guess is common to them all and you may have seen it already but in case not, I quote an extract from the NEW RX 350 section - "The five speed automatic shift software has been updated to improve shift response to make the transmission of power to the road a smoother more immediate and ultimately more satisfying experience." As it seems unlikely that Lexus will do it, may I on behalf of all at Lexus/Toyota thank all of you in the LOC who have taken the trouble to help us get the new version of the RX performing as our customers really wanted it to be - we are sorry that we wont help you get your older test models up to scratch but you can always buy something else. Sorry about that - just could not resist a little bit of cynicism! Michael.

Hello all, Just been browsing the site and saw a posting re a head to head tset by 4x4 magazine " This is the headline in the April issue of 4X4 Magazine. "A few pages in and we discover that they did indeed test the three machines, and surprise, surprise the Lexus was rated in third place - criticised for lacking power and an indecisive auto box .............." So thats it then, 4x4 magazine finds the RX box indecisive as well. Thats 7 of us and a magazine now then ! Michael.

Good morning all, In a frustarated state I have tried to get a deal on a new 400h. Have been offered only two thirds of the cost of the 300 after less than a year..............not too chuffed about that at all. It seems that he resale values of the car are being hit hard by the new 350. Anyone want a very nice 300SEL with a lurching gearbox? The gearbox fix is promised for late May now - it just gets a longer lead time each time I ask about it. Has anyone else called their dealer to tell them they have the problem or is it still just the seven of us that senior management at LGB believe have the issue? I do hope that someone there looks at the database I sent them at their request! Best regards for Easter. Michael

Hi All, I have had a chat with LGB and am told that here are a few units (New ECU's) coming into the UK in the next week or two. Apparently, Lexus are not sending many because there are only a few of us with the problem. I am a little confused as the number 50 was mentioned and 7 being the UK needs.........my congratulations to all of you that have had your cars fixed to your satisfaction!!! My suggestion to the other 6 (!) of you who, like me, remain to be sorted out whu not phone your dealer and tell them again about the problem. I have of course sent the datatbase of all those of you who registered with me but the man who counts these names seems to have an issue above 7..............sound familiar? Oh well, must get back to the sand bucket! Will post again as and when Damian comes to dig me out of the special Lexus sand. Best regards. Michael.

Hello all, here follows todays posting....................... Another day has passed. Had a message on my office answer phone this morning from the dealership saleman who has been told by the LGB area manager not to get involved with the problem! I called the dealer principal who was amazed to hear this and he promised to talk to Mr Settle and get back to me. Still waiting for a reply. Some things never change. I have tonight sent an email letter to The Times for their Motoring Section to consider publishing about Lexus and the lack of customer care over this problem. Michael. Just a thought, if I bury my head in a bucket of Lexus sand will the problem go away?

Hi all, As promised results of yesterdays efforts. Having been assured by TMC Japan that I would be contacted by senior staff from LGB - a big fat nothing! Visited our dealer yesterday afternoon. They were very helpful in that they were amazed we still had the issue and that LGB had left us alone. They thought this should have been sorted out a year ago by a swap out or similar. Now, I know you are all thinking why didn't the dealer know what is going on - our main point of contact there has just left and so the other chaps were a bit in the dark. Whilst they were aware of the issue we have, they thought that following the meetings at the dealers office and road tests with techies, all had been resolved. Anyway, the salesman we saw has assured us that he will try his best to sort it out this week. If he does manage anything then I shall personally recommened him to the Magic Circle of Great Britain because he will be a b****y magician! Intersting to note that the RX300 is being stopped and replaced by the 350 - is there some underlying transmission reason in this decision I wonder? Also of note, it seems that the public may be asking about the smoothness of transmissions when testing Lexus cars....hooray for informative web forums. Will post agin as and when anything actually happens from LGB or JApan. Best regards to all. Michael.

Michael Hi John, Yes I think you are right. Its time for a change of manufacturer. Damn shame as the car is really good apart from silly little issues and this one major item! If anyoine ou thhnere wants to make me an offer for a really *** RX300 SEL with all the issues, sorry extras, just drop me an email. Damian, I wish I had known you were there as well.......maybe next time. BUT. here we go again I have just this morning called TMC again. I have had an email exchange with them in as much as they told me by email after my first call to them 'all will be sorted immediately'. Of course, it wasn't, so I resent an email to them three times over the last ten days. Still nothing, hence my early morning call again today. Now, this morning, I have been refused a meeting in Japan saying that LGB are fully responsible for Customer relations (no joke intended) and have been asked to get in touch with me and resolve the issue. They were more than a little surprised when I reminded them that the reason I was calling Japan was that LGB seem to be unable to respond to them or me. Seem a familiar story to anyone else? I have insisted that Japan ensure I get a call and a meeting arranged with LGB's top man Steve Settle today. If nothing happens then I guess we will have to take the car and dump it at their offices and see what happens..........based on LGB's attitude over the last few weeks in particular I suspect not a lot. Will post again as soon as I hear anything. Best regards to you all from one very hacked off Michael. (Don't even ask my wife what she thinks about it all!!!)

Good morning to you all, I have as expected been fobbed off again and told that we are awaiting feedback. Therefore, last night I telephoned Toyota and spoke to their office about the situation for nearly twenty minutes. They took full details of the car and chassis number and I requested a meeting in Japan. This morning I received an email telling me that they had contaced LGB and asked them to investigate!!! I have emailed them back and asked for a date when I can visit Japan and meet with a decision maker and get this whole sorry issue sorted once and for all. If any of you want to tell Toyota of your troubles with these otherwise great cars the email address is ap-overseas@mail.toyota.co.jp As this unfolds I shall post again and keep you all up to speed. Kind regards and thanks for the ongoing support. Michael

Take my pictures if you want. They will prove that this is just not a little fix problem. Best Regards, Nelson Fernandes Hi All, I have today had a call back from the area manager and he has asked me to email him again and I have done this and requested that 'last chance' meeting. Ill let you know how it goes - if and when! Nelson, thanks for posting your pictures. If LGB do monitor the site they will see for themselves what we all fear for ourselves. This does show that we are not all internet junkies but that there is a real issue which, sadly for Nelson, has resulted in exactly what we all said would eventually happen. Michael.

Now there's an idea Michael, we've been tackling this in completely the wrong way, as the 400h has a completely different gearbox (CVT), we should all be asking for one of these rather than hope they actually fix it. :D I am like you, somewhat a sceptic. I am not completely convinced yet that they are going to fix it. I have waited in good faith that they will, but if they don't I will be rejecting the car as I said I would before they agreed to fix it. Interestingly enough my car went in for a service a few weeks ago. Not a great experience as they didn't bother to back-up all of my personal settings. Not exactly Lexus experience! Anyway they obviously had the battery disconnected for some time so you would think the ECU would have been reset. However, with mine it still lurches and still hesitates as if it's having an afternoon nap between gear changes. br D Hi Damian, Yes, I tried that right at the outset and got the reply, you should have taken one instaed of another 300 - it would only have cost you another 4.5k. We have just come back from another 1000 mile trip in the car in Holland. It rell enough on the motorways,as ever, but as soon as you slow down it seems to get very confused, lurches madly, takes a nap in between gear changes - you know the experience. It is just so dangerous, I nearly had a chance meeting with a rather large truck and trailer on one junction. All I actually got was a lot of lovely horn noise from him. It got so bad on Tursday that my wife told me to take the damn thing back to them and park it on the LGB forecourt. I have decided to ask Mr Steve Settle for a 'one last chance meeting'and if I dont get what I want, money back in full or a 400h, then I get on the plane and go to see the Japanaese at home. Enough is enough as they say. Michael.

Hi NFernandes, Sorry to hear of your accident - this is just what we have all been dreading happening to us. I hope you and your family are not too badly hurt. The car has a real issue with the gearbox being slow to make its mind up when changing down and if not slow it just thumps into gear and takes off at speed.......it is downright dangerous. We told Lexus this would happen sooner or later and we are sorry to hear of your accident. Do let us know if you go to court, I am sure there are many of us who would confirm the gearbox issues to help you fight the case. Michael. (M Ladys husband) In the interim they "reset" the ECU in the car. Driving the car today was like when I first got it last April - no lurching and smooth and timely shifting through the gears. This may be a short term fix - but I will see how the car continues to respond over time. Hi Onzo, It is a simple short term fix for Lexus - but it will be back. Maybe in a few hundred miles and certainly in a thousand. When we first complained oif the problem two years ago, they told me the only way to fix the issue was to disconnect the battery for twenty minutes as this resets the ECU and gearbox 'memory'. That was on the first RX300 mk 11. The second one still does it and hence my ongoing total dissatisfaction with what should otherwise be a brilliant car. Takele no nonsense from your dealer and tell him to add you to the list for a new ECU.............lets hope this does actually fix the issue once and for all. Me, i'm still a sceptic at heart!!! Michael.

Good day all, I have been rather remiss in not posting but have been away a lot on business and to be honest have nothing to report as yet. The lurching wth the car continues to be a pain in the rear and as I see, many of you are also reaching breaking point. Very interesting to hear of clunks now as well - it is probably wear from the way the box shifts gear. Ours is becoming progressivly slow to respond to throttle input. It often changes down one gear and then thinks it had better do a second. Really rather dangerous. LGB have all the names and contact details of everyone who has mailed me direct and have promised to be in touch asap with the new ECU to let a number of us test. I have repeatedly tried to get a meetring at LGB HQ but they just ignore my requests! Some nice little chap in Customer relations just writes and says thanks for contacting us we will be in touch. I was assured that the fix should be available in March or early April. I am intrigued to see that in the states they have an upgrade - maybe they shout louder than us Brits do? I did get an email from one American chap who was interested to see that the problem was on the 3.0 litre engine as well as the larger engined US cars. Re the paint - I agree about the stone chips. Every time the car is used it gets another one. We have used Auto Glym Supreme polish (very expensive) but it does seem to be better at resiisting the damage thean the standard products. So far no corrossion visible on the wheels but they are getting harder to clean the brake dust off so maybe its started. Also getting some uneven tyrewear on the front whelels which I am told is the way we drive the car..........it seems to me its their stock answer to everything first time you mention a problem. My son who was a candidate for an RX 300 or 400 eventually bought a Porsche Cayenne and is very happy with it. He thought he had a bit of play in the front end and they just said, no problem we'll fit a new steering rack............must be a moral there somewhere. Anyway, I will be in touch again as soon as I get anything from LGB. LGB - If you are monitoring the site as you say you do why not stop behaving like an ostrich and let us all know what is happening? Regards all. Michael

:D Hi everyone, Just to say that all is ongoing with the lurch scenario. I have been contacted again by LGB and assured that they are on track with a fix.............Horrah! BUT, really logged on to wish you all a very Merry Chrsitmas and Happy New Year. Thanks again for all the support in 2005. Michael. PS. the thread on the new 350 looks interesting - lets hope its got a CVT box!

Hello all, Having driven a loan 400h for two days I thought the fuel consumption of 27.8mpg overall was an inmprovment on the 23-24 we get in the 300 we have already. I am sure we can easily get it to 30 or 30plus by being sensible BUT the car was being driven as a test over the two days so it had some slow, some fast and some downright harsh acceleration given to it. We drove it locally in town, in the cpountry and on a longish run on the motorway at just sensible motoreway upper limits! We thougt its a really good car and particularly liked the top end torque for overtaking and that seemingly endless power curve....lovely. I have to say I wish we had not bought the second mark 2 300 but had waited for the 400h.....some you win and some you lose! M'Ladys Husband.

Hello everyone with the Lurch! LGB had my wifes car for two days last week and say that they were successful in programming a new ECU which quote "I can confirm that having tested the effectiveness of the proposed counter measure “ecu” the survey team concluded that it successfully reduced the level of the symptoms to an acceptable level." So the good news is that they are on track with the fix to this irritating issue. I have now sent the list of all those who agreed to be added to it for LGB to contact us direct in the hope that we may be BETA testing the new ECU before it goes live in Mach/April next year. I have asked for a meeting with the head of Customer Relations or with the MD Steve Settle, to talk about where we go from here and how we can all help in testing the ECU for real in everyday usage. I'll let you all know what happens from here on in. Kindest regards to everyone and thanks again or all the support. Michael. PS. While my wife's car was being tested, we were lent an RX400h and have to say it is rather fun when you get to use it properly for a couple of days. It feels a bit heavy on the steering and the roadholding is a little vague compared with the SEL air suspension but overall its a car that I really liked. The top end torque is first class and it really does pull very well from 68-??? mph. My eldest son saw it and promptly borrowed it from Lexus Southampton for two days and is now thinking hard of ordering one......should I be on commission?

:D Hi all, I just logged on to post again about the lurching and saw this string. Very good. Particularly liked the link to help with London traffic. Guess who has just bought a flat in London????? It's great, my son who rents it from us as he works in the city, gets to use the car parking space (we paid extra for it of course, just about the same cost as a small house in Scotland) and so whenever I go to see him I have to pick up the £20 parking fee........something wrong in the pecking order somewhere! As I have to pay to traverse London I tend to take my AM there and say S** it to Ken. Michael.