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Merc & Citroen have something else in common (other than electrical gremlins)? ;)

Don't mind me I'm just cynically minded when it comes to Mercs :P

T1 Rs are the newer ones

I knew I was going to get this one wrong ;) Both tyres are still very good though.

Wonder if its the air suspension playing up in some way? You don't say if the shaking is front (or rear) only or felt all over the car?

Never knew that it actually meant something...just the was the product line up was devised by Lexus, like with the BMW 1 / 3 / 5 / 6 etc. series numbers. Nice to know theres thought behind it all :)

I think the Toyos in either T-1R or the newer T-1S treads are supposed to be very competent tyres. Like the Kumhos - they appear to have been very well received. Would be interested to know how you find them once they start to wear down though - as the Michelin Pilots grip right to the end.

I don't think its about 'Name and Shame' with regards to the labour rates. These sorts of costs are the norm - well here in the South East anyway.

You can find out for yourself what the labour cost is by calling the dealership direct. Its no secret. Call Lexus Hatfield, Oxford, Woodford, Park Lane, Milton Keynes etc. and ask them. The average appears to be £100. Last time I checked BMW and Merc. in Milton Keynes they were £140. Audi aren't too far behind either.

I don't like or agree with such high labour rates, but this cost will only go up, up and up...just remember to +VAT on any figure they quote ;)

Does the mode chage make a difference? You don't say ;)

I don't thik that it is an extortionate amount to pay. With labour rates (currently) at £100 +VAT at many Lexus dealerships, they can only go higher (BMW are running @ £140 +VAT), the slightest of issues can cost you a couple of hours labour easily...and thats before the cost of the part.

Nothing has gone wrong with our car and I hope it never will. But if it should then £800 is a neglible cost IMHO to protect against it. But as I cannot be doing with the uncertainty of it all and I'm electing to 'fix' my costs.

Interesting post. I personally think that you've confused yourself. The IS 250 Auto emits 214 g/km and thus costs £204 (annual) RFL; you can check this from the DVLA website or even Parkers. On the issue of the 'no quibble exchange' thats only if there is a fault with the car and they are not able to fix it, but there is also a mileage limit IIRC 1500 miles. You cannot invoke this if you're 'just not happy' with the car.

As for the box, I would now almost exclusively plump for an Auto every time, especially if the car has an engine bigger than 2.5L. Modern day Auto boxes are now so very good that if you look at the specs. (vs. manual) theres very little in it - plus with these ever-so-intelligent boxes, why would you want a manual? I was a staunch stick-shift person, but now find Auto just so useful and easy.

Each to their own I guess :)

Yes dealership prices vary - because they tend to cost jobs differently (units of time) and also quote inclusive (for say service + brake fluid). So do ask the questions as to what you're going to get for your money. Also remember 90% cost of the service has to do with labour rates - they are always on the way up. By purchasing a service plan, you freeze the cost of servicing at an agreed level. Then you are free to go wherever for servicing you please, without worry. If the schedule says you need it doing, then it gets done regardless.

If you sell your car (privately) then the plan is transferable (with the car) - so its a value-added feature too. I think too many people are far too cynical when it comes t these sorts of plans.

I guess it depends on the car I guess. With the LS SC and even RX I would be tempted to renew my Lexus Warranty as if anything were to go wrong, you know it'd be worth it come claim time, as its not the cost of the part, just the labour. With very few Toyota (Lexus?) Indys about I think you're very much stuck with going to Lexus for everything.

However, have a quick gander at my post (in the RX section) about this issue. I have elected to renew the Lexus Warranty on our RX for 08/09. We'll be looking to change our car in '09 so its only a one year cost to us a this time. I think the cost is well worth it, especially seeing as you have no excess to pay (like BMW) and you get MOT insurance thrown in as well.

Third Party Warrant companies can be notorious to deal with come claim time as they are (in essence) insurance companies - looking to wriggle out of their liability at each stage. Remember, time = money = aggravation the longer your car is off the road. With a Lexus (or manufacture) Warranty you know where you stand should you have to claim...

FWIW, and if you feel you really must have it, Lexus Edinburgh have a eBay portal and I am sure they were recently listing just this exact item for about £40 + delivery. Although not showing lsited at this time, you mightwant to keep an eye out for their listing. Alaternatively, you might want to send them e-mail, directly or via eBay, enquiring about this part. Its not to my personal taste - but if you want one, save the money and buy it from Lexus Edinburgh.

** EDIT **

I have NO link to Lexus Edinburgh - just have heard good things about them on the LOC and I have bought a set of RX MK II mats from them (via eBay). Good people to do business with.

I think WD offer a good alternative product. They do appear to be the only 'recommended' company and to be fair to them, the general consensus of opinion is that they will pay out fairly.

My issue is that there are certain benefits associated with any manufacturer warranty that these Third Party Companies cannot offer - one is seamless claims handling. You drop off the car, the Dealer seamlessly files the claim and gets instant authorisation. No quibbling/arguing over costs (from the Warranty Company) and certainly little (or no) headache for you.

This is just one experience I have had with a Third Party Warranty Company:

I owned a BMW E46 3 Series. It suffered both rear coil springs snapping. No problem I thought as I knew these items would be covered under the terms of the Warranty. Booked the car into my Dealership, asking them to liaise with the Warranty Company to organise repair. One whole day goes by and not a word on repair. It transpired that the Warranty Company had not sent through their claims papers despite having been chased by my dealer twice. So got involved, finally, just before close of business documents arrived. Next day dealer filled them in and sent them off. TWO DAYS go by and nothing - apparently the Warranty Company haven't had time to 'assess' the claim. More of my time (wasted) getting involved and getting them moving. Another TWO DAYS later I get informed that they have agreed to the claim BUT the cost of parts quoted by the main dealer is too much (in their considered opinion) and they will only pay the cost of a non-genuine part.

Now, I ask you, which main dealer will fit non-manufacturer original parts to a car? None of them. Because my Warranty Company deemed the cost of originals parts to be excessive they stood their ground and would only pay 70% of the price - citing this was reasonable. The dealer of course wouldn't fit anything other than genuine BMW parts. So I had to pay the 'extra' - however the real icing on the cake was that my Warranty Company stated they would only pay for ONE snapped coil spring as (again in their considered opinion) it was unusual for both springs to snap at the same time. So they would only pay for one. Ridiculous situation to be in.

Now I have been without my car for almost a week and its close to a full time job to argue the case with the Warranty Company at each stage. I just don't need the hassle (and don't really have the time).

Still think Third Party Warranty Companies are worth the money? I personally don't think they are worth the paper the policies are written on. I know that if my BMW had had a BMW Warranty I would have had it back same day it was booked in. Me? I'm sticking with Manufacturer Warranties as they are the only ones worth having. Money saved now only = aggravation come claim time and not every main dealer will want to deal with a Third Party Warranty Company.

My time is valuable, and so is not having the hassle. You have a problem, you book it into the Dealer and make it their problem to sort everything out. Remember, paperless claims and no excess - nothing could be easier. Thats why I will always gladly pay up for such a Warranty.

The thing with the plans is that some combination can be cheaper and some just as expensive. Its just one of those tings. Remember, you can buy a service plan at any time. So if you find that the 10k, 20k & 30k services aren't much cheaper, have a look at the 20k, 30k & 40k plan - you might find thats much cheaper than those individual services.

I have a plan for our RX and its cheaper than the prices Lexus Hanley charge...so I know its a very good deal. Don't assume that the plan will be more expensive, work out figures, try different combinations :)

Cool, result :)

I have some sympathy for your dilemma. Its an age old dilemma and I don't think there can be any one definitive answer - especially with the EU Block Exemption ruling now in force.

If you were to buy a car like a MB, BMW Lexus (or expensive) Audi - would you be happy to see a non-manufacture stamp int he book for the first one (or two) services if the car was about 3 years old? Speaking personally, I would not. Because I would question why the person had not taken the car to a Main Dealer for servicing? If it was a case of economics, then it would lead me to think what else has the person skimped on? If you can afford to buy a £30k car then you surely must be able to have it serviced correctly. If you've skimped on service, then what else might you have saved pennies on: Tyres? Brakes? Consumables? For me that'd be a walk away as its a matter of confidence.

Yes main dealer servicing is expensive and yest it is painful - but for a car < 3 years old it is to be expected IMHO. However, if the car is 5 years old then I would expect the first couple with Main Dealer, next with say a very good Indy.

As I say, this is my own personal viewpoint - no slight intended on anyone else!

If the price you have been quoted is for a Lexus Service plan (IE: usable at ANY dealership) then the price is fixed - the system will not allow you to reduce (or increase) the cost. You might be lucky and get some sort of kickback from the Dealer to offset the cost, but as this is centrally administered, local Lexus Dealership has no control over it.

Many dealership groups (like Sytner) are offering their 'own' service packages - just be sure you know what you are buying. The one we have is centrally administered by Lexus and we are free to go to whichever dealership we choose.

I tried negotiating, but didn't get anything of the cost of £606 for my plan (which was for a 50k, 60k and 70k plan).

I wanted to let other LOC folk know that Lexus have increased their prices for the extended warranties. Speaking as an RX owner the price has gone up from £825 to £865 for the year. Although a slight increase, but annoying none the less. Thankfully as I chose to renew early, and paid for it in full, my local Lexus Dealer has told me that I will not need to pay the additional premium - which is definitely well done Lexus.

But if anyone is thinking about extending their Warranty, I would say you do it now - I'm sure that the increase is across the product ranges.

I have glanced through the document to see if there are any obvious differences, but can't see anything of note. This policy remains excess-free if a claim needed to be filed, which is a bonus IMHO.

Hope you find this of use!

I don't think you can go far wrong with the Germans, although do your homeowrk on the exact engine and even gearbox (I'm thinking DSG here) to ensure you buy the one that is best suited to you, your uses and needs.

...just poke it in with a screwdriver.

Oh the technology of it all [to solve a rattle] ;)

Interesting though that with these cars so full chock of technology, its the simplest of fixes that usually works :)

I bought a Lexus Service plan for our RX300 when we bought the car. I wanted 'fixed costs' during our ownership and so opted for one of those. The way I went about working out if it was cost effective *or not) was to see what Lexus Hanley charge for each relevant service and hen see what cost comes out for the Service Plan. In my case the was only very slightly cheaper than Hanley's prices.

Living in Milton Keynes, there was no way I could get to them so I figured that with this Service Plan, I would get cost effective servicing - plus I could the car to any Lexus Main Dealer in the UK and get it serviced without worry. With labour rates making up the bulk of 'service' costs and they invariably go up every year - I think the service plan is a very good idea.

You will have to work out your own costs and go from there (feel free to search for my posting in the RX forum on this topic).

..just like the mondeo has copied aston martins rear.

Nothing at all seeing as Ford owned AM until recently and certainly until and up to the time they were developing the 'new' Mondeo ;)

I had an RX on loan for many weeks a while back, can't say I found MW reception to be poor on the car (it was an 07/2007).

My only bug-bear was it had no LW so I could not listen to TMS!

As for the reversing camera (and lights) yes they are very poor. Maybe *cough* you should do a Forum Search on that ;)

I'm sorry but there is absolutely no way that I'd let those Spanner Monkeys @ any Fast Fit type of place try to 'adjust' (read: muck up) my tracking. I don't think they are geared up at all to do it.

I'm sure you'll be happy with the Contis - they do seem to be a good tyre, but I guess £500 for x4 new tyres isn't a bad price TBH. Altho' when my OE Brdgestones are up I'm going for Michelin Diamris (sp?) from Costco :D

I have been in touch with them over the XMAS and New Year period and have found them to be quite efficient - a little less so over the phone but then I do prefer to put things in writing. In the past I have dealt with Sam BETTS and Sam RAGAN.

They are usually very good in writing to acknowledge receipt of your 'concerns' and do reply substantively within a week or so after that. can only say correspondence has gone astray [in the post?] or they have a pile of it ;)