SJG

Thanks for the info Neo, will get on to doing that.

We've just bought a 2020 NX 330h with the larger display. How do I find out if I have the latest version of Lexus navigation? Can I see my current version displayed anywhere? thanks in advance

Try doing a search on towbars.

Here is a thread I started, there's a lot more, for all models.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...5&hl=towbar

Hi.

Have driven my RX 300 Mk 1 all over France on good and bad roads, country lanes and autoroutes, also over the Pyrenees into Spain on some very poor roads. A fair proportion of this has been towing and I haven't noticed the problem.

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.

I think I'm tending towards the 400h now, the tax position may change with a change of government but the fuel consumption of the respective cars will remain the same. It is reassuring to read on these forums how good all the various RX models have been in the snow.

When I get the funds together to make my purchase i'll post on here.

Thanks again

Hi,

I am looking to replace my 2001 RX 300SE in the medium to long term, say 6 to 12 months. First choice will still be a Lexus as I've had a really good experience. I quite fancy an RX 350, but I am also considering a 400h.

My only query on the 400h is on the life of the Battery pack (or packs). Does anyone know of these failing? With a 5 year warranty on them I guess no-one has yet had to pay to replace them. Has anyone out there heard of the batteries failing and if so, how expensive to replace?

Apologies if this information has been posted but a quick search didn't answer my question.

Very pleased with my RX 300 in the snow, still need to take care but the car was very assured.

Here's a question for you though: A mate of mine is considering an RX, probably a 300 but maybe a 350 or a 400h. At our local Lexus dealership, i.e. Cardiff, he was told by a Lexus salesman, and I quote that "the 400h is not good in snowy conditions as it is only 2 wheel drive, with power going only to the front OR the back wheels at any one time"

I've told him that I believe that to be a load of rubbish, that the 400h is a "smart" 4 wheel drive. When moving off the vehicle is powered by the front and back electric motors to all 4 wheels, then as speed bulids the fwd petrol engine kicks in on its own until such time as 4wd drive is needed and the electric motors then make the vehicle 4wd. Am I right or wrong?

The RX design is the same as series II GS, IS200 etc. I've owned many of these keys over the years never had a problem. I wouldn't say they are of poor design.

I disagree,

I bought my 51 plate RX300 as a result of a friend's experience of owning one. he loved the car but warned me to be careful with the ignition key as his had proved fragile, this was his only gripe with the car.

I have indeed had a problem with the fob disintegrating, it seems extremely fragile in the area of the hole for a keyring to pass through. The friendly people at Lexus offered to replace it for £120. They employed a little superglue but I have been using the spare key ever since, this also seems fragile and I am very careful with it.

My RX has now done 91K and has been excellent but not without some issues, namely an O2 sensor at 80K and a brake caliper at 85K. That is it though and I am really pleased with the car, it is a superb towcar pulling a quite meaty caravan at times and inspiring complete confidence.

Back to the key though, in my view this is a design fault; a piece of equipment that has to be used every time the vehicle is used needs to to far more robust in my view.

Hi

I need a set of 235/55 R18 99V (Bridgestone Potenza RE031), actually I only need 3 tyres but would consider 4 if not much more cost.

The last one I bought, around 6 months ago was £110, but the cheapest I've found locally (Swansea) is £149 per tyre.

Kwik-Fit are doing an offer of 25% off 4 Bridgestone tyres, however that works out at £149.50 per tyre so no incentive to go there.

Has anybody seen any better deals, or if you bought recently, what did you pay?

I only want the Bridgestones by the way - not alternatives.

Thanks

Try here

Peak Performance (Llandow) (01446) 775775

They say they will not be beaten on price and that is true in my experience. I've just bought 4 Dunlops there for £105 each fully inc. They quoted for Bridgestone which were more. I can't remember exactly but give them a ring, they are really helpful.

I've spoken to my tyre supplier, he confirmed that they are able to do 4 wheel tracking and camber as well. However he supplies a couple of RX owners with tyres and states that wear on the outside shoulder of the tyre is a characteristic of the RX and , at least in my case, does not indicate camber is an issue. Uneven wear over the 4 tyres would indicate camber. I should add that this is all a mystery to me, I'm only reporting what Ive been told

He had a look on the computer and told me that one of his RX customers got 12K from a set of Marshals! I've decided to stick (ha ha!) with the Dunlops which passed an MOT with 28K, tread depth was between 2 and 3 mm.

Finally the price of tyres varies by the day and by advising them a month or so in advance he was able to check on a regular basis, hence I've just ordered 4 Dunlops, 225/60 R17 99H at £105 each fully inc (with stick on weights).

http://www.peakperformancewales.co.uk (approx 16 miles form M4 J33, Cardiff West)

Hope this helps.

Hi

I know that this is a common problem - excessive wear on the outside of a tyre. I know that someone like Wheels in Motion can fix this, however, I live in Swansea so a trip there is a pretty long haul.

It's not something that will be fixed by fixing the tracking alone.

Does anyone know of somewhere nearer?

I also travel to Lancashire regularly so that may be an option if there's somewhere in that area.

Thanks

Why do you say tracking alone is not the answer? i'm interested as my four tyres have all gone on the outside shoulders (after 28K) I am about to but 4 tyres and get 4 wheel tracking done at Peak Performance in Llandow (near Cowbridge). I assumed this would be sufficient.

Most grateful for any advice.

Tyres: Current Dunlops, 225/60 R17 99H, have done 28K, two of the four were new when I bought the car. I've been quoted £115 each fully inclusive for Dunlops at Peak Performance in Llandow (South Wales) and £85 for Hankooks.

I have bought my tyres there for the last 15years and they boast that they will not be beaten on price.

http://www.peakperformancewales.co.uk/

I've been really happy with the Dunlops but a saving of £30 a tyre is not to be sniffed at. Any thoughts on the Hankooks? Peak Performance also quoted £80 to supply and fit front discs.

Will get quotes from Lexus Cheltenham, Cardiff and Bristol for the 90K service and keep you posted.

I have a 51 plate Mk 1 RX 300 with 86k. I have had this for a little over 2 years and put 30k on it myself.

Usual mpg is 21 - 22 around town and 28 on a run.

Over 1000 miles of towing a fairly lumpy caravan (1300 kg) i managed 19 - 20 mpg, this was mostly on motorways.

I have fitted a K&N lifetime air filter and this has helped a little.

Try this link:

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...5&hl=towbar

A very neat job.

Hi all

I have a 2004 RX300 which i'm toying with fitting a towbar to. Quite happy to do this myself rather than the $$$ lexus want but just a query on the electrics. Anyone fitted one themselves and is it a plug in loom or can i take feeds from rear with relevant relays as normal?

Thx

Kev

Hi

Have a look at this thread

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...5&hl=towbar

Not exactly what you're looking for but food for thought.

Good Luck

Change the gearbox fluid, it isn't specified in the maintenance schedule but many failures reported in the US if the fluid isn't replaced.

Check the colour of the fluid on the dipstick, it should be nice and bright red but will probably be dark red/brown.

Hi Just had a full, 80,000 mile service on my 2001 RX300 SE at Lexus Cardiff.

As usual the level of customer care was excellent and included a courtesy car. an IS 250. Items replaced included gearbox oil at £18.40 which I assume was used to replace the rear diff oil and transfer gearbox oil as indicated on the service schedule.

As you say the schedule only requires that the automatic transmission fluid is checked. I will get this changd as I intend keeping the car for some time.

The cost of the service was £273 inc VAT and discount. Lexus Cardiff have a scheme where Lexus vehicles over 3 years old qualify for increasing discounts as they get older. My vehicle at 6+ yrs old qualified for 20% off labour and 10% off parts. This increases to 40% off labour and 20% off parts for a vehicle over 10 years old

Hope this helps.

Should the switch be lit when the vehicle lights are on? Mine isn't! If it should be, is it an easy fix?

many thanks.

Still very pleased with the car 14 months after purchase from Lexus Worcester.

Tyres need changing on RX - has anyone here changed from standard Bridgestone Potenza to Dunlops or others and can offer a recommendation?

Thanks!

Haven't changed but my 2001 RX was fitted with Dunlop SP Sport 270 - 60 R17 99H when I bought it a year ago. 2 of them were new apparently. I have now covered 15,000 miles and have 6mm of tread on 4 tyres and 5mm on the fifth. Thus these should be good for over 20,000 miles. Last time I asked my tyre supplier (near Cardiff Airport) he could supply and fit these for £100 a piece fully inclusive of stick-on balancing weights. This is at least £30 a piece cheaper than I have found elsewhere so would be worth a trip to fit 4 or 5.

They, and the vehicle, have performed faultlessly in general use, in the snow last winter and in towing a heavy caravan over 2000 miles in some dreadful weather and over mountain passes in the Pyrenees. Also one (real) emergency stop performed brilliantly. I have complete confidence in the vehicle/tyre combination.

I have rotated the wheels once as advised in the handbook. The dealer told me not to bother but a mate in the auto trade said that it was a good idea to do this on 4 x 4s. He started to explain why but my eyes glazed over after 30 secs!

Hope this helps.

after buying a 51 lexus rx 300 i have decide after 5 weeks to get rid of it. i find that having a petrol tanker behind me makes for hard reversing. what have i bought ??? A volvo s80 2.4 d5 exec twin turbo diesel. 48 mpg, 140 mph, dvd/tv, sat nav, fridge, etc etc etc. absolutely everything a boy could want. Lexus.... you can keep 'em. The worst thing i have ever spent my money on. BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Just how much homework did you do before you bought the RX? The fuel consumption is not some closely guarded secret.

Good luck with your Volvo. Dunn and Co. are good for flat caps!

Lexus Warranty is limited to 7 years (age) or 100k (miles) - whichever comes first. The Lexus Warranty costs £825 for one year renewal or £1650 (if two years paid for in advance).

FWIW Third Party Warranties aren't worth the paper they are written on - just check the exclusions on the 'other' Warranty and the price difference isn't all that much - seeing as yo9u have the option to go with the Lexus one or the 'other'.

If you really want a Warranty stick with the Lexus - else save your money and keep your fingers crossed ;)

That's what Im tempted to do.

Thanks for the reply

My 51 reg RX 300 SE is out of dealer warranty in December. Lexus have offered me a 12 month extension to the warranty for £825 including UK and European roadside and home assistance and recovery. No price for a 2nd years extension.

Listers, from whom I bought the car at Lexus Worcester have offered me 1 year for £785, 2yrs for £1145 or 3 yrs for £1625. Their warranty is administered by Car Care Plan. Includes UK only roadside and home assistance and recovery. Car has now covered 73,000 miles and I am really pleased with it. I intend to keep it for another 3 years by which time I expect to have covered 110,000 to 120,000 miles.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Hi, I am hoping to buy a tow bar for my rx300, am happy to have the sensors go off whilst reversing but can any one tell me if i kneed a removable or swan neck tow ball

Cheers

Hi, I have a Rx300 and am intending to tow with it, what sort of tow bar did you finally fit, and does the car tow well, any help would be appreciated Thanks

The Mk 1 RX has only one type of towbar available, buy from Lexus in a Lexus box or from an independent towbar specialist, either way the bar is made by Brink.

I went for Lexus (Worcester) as the independent in Cardiff was a bit twitchy about working on Lexus electrics.

Also the removable has the same clearance as a swan neck and is fine with the Alko stabiliser.

Sorry for the delay in replying to some of the queries, been away.

Anyway, I've fitted a K&N lifetime filter, this has had a measurable effect on fuel economy giving me 2 - 3 more MPG (when towing) than previously, the best figure being 22mpg on the run from Cardiff to Folkstone. This was all motorway driving.

Overall in in nearly 1800 miles of towing with a caravan of 1400kg gross I achieved 20mpg.

The RX 300 is a superb towcar and pulled our van up the Bielsa Pass in the Pyrenees with no drama.

Mine fitted perfectly, 2001 Mk1 RX 300, K&N part no: 33-2145-1, hope this helps.

My 2001 RX 300 needed a service while I was on holiday in Spain (don't ask). I got the job done at the Lexus dealership in Logrono. I was bit nervous about the cost but was pleasantly surprised with a bill which translated to a reasonable £176. This included 5l of synthetic oil, oil and pollen filter, screenwash, and new brakepads on the rear.

The price included labour and tax.

No air filter included as I've fitted a K&N lifetime filter, this has had a measurable effect on fuel economy giving me 2 - 3 more MPG (when towing) than previously, the best figure being 22mpg on the run from Cardiff to Folkstone.

I've not had the car long so this is the first service I've had carried out, a bit far to go but quite a saving on what I would have paid in the UK I guess.

Hope some of this helps.