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You must do what you're happy with, however I can;t say our RX is a lurcher TBH. Once or twice I have found it a little wanting (lurchy) but one way round the problem is to stick it into 'Sports' mode s it holds the gear longer and gives you more confidence, this only works if you remain moving as you cross/join traffic as you emerge. Obviously if you are stationary then it will have little effect.

I have posted on this topic on the RX forum - we took out a pre-paid service plan for the 50k/60k/70k service (no wear and tear items covered) and paid £606 for it (from Lexus). Even by looking at the costs of Service @ Lexus Hanley the plan worked out cheaper for us and also includes stuff like brake fluid change as necessary. I think the Lexus Plans are pretty good value for money, especially seeing as the Dealers around Milton Keynes are charging around £180 for the 50k service. I appreciate my costs are for a MKII RX300, but thought I'd Post back my own general experience. A word of caution, there are a number of Dealer groups offering their own 'service inclusive package' which is different from the Lexus one - main difference being that you can use any franchise Lexus garage for the work if you buy the Lexus Plan.

You shouldn't feel bad about asking about how the LOC Gold Membership can benefit you. As a Newbie myself, I find myself just a little frustrated at not being able to know what meaningful discounts one is eligible for as a Car Club Member. Having said that, the LOC needs the support of its user base to continue to provide good information and experience feedback for all. So, whatever your motivation for joining the LOC, don't fret :) Just do it as giving back to the Club is better than not (I really should take my own advice ;) )

I think I would be just as upset as you (perhaps moreso!) if those chain of events had befallen me. Are you too far down the line to rejct the car? If you are, then perhaps you sould approach lexus GB and ask to take the car to anoteh Dealership for 'fix - even if they might be more distance away. It really is a dreadful situation to be in when you haev spent so much money to buy into a product/brand. I think I have been lucky to receive nothing but the highest level of service from Lexus MK and Croydon. Stick at it as the depreciation you will suffer on your car might be truly horrendous and the lesser of these two evils might be to invest a little more time and effort and you will have the car you have supposed to have bought at the end. Keep us posted? BTW your experience sounds like that of a Sytner dealership ;)

I wonder if any of this has to do with making the car's wieght 'lighter'? Can't say I've been able to fault the paint on our RX (MKII) todate (thank fully!).

The reason is down to the process known as 'bedding in' - with use a new engine 'loosens' up and feels less 'tight' - petrol engines will settle quicker than diesels but generally around 20k is when they should be 'in' (diesels are a little more). So if you bought your car with 'no miles' then you will see better returns (performance, responsiveness, pulling and economy etc.) improve as the miles rack up...obviously up to a point and then they will settle. be sure to check the oil level as 'new' engines will also burn a little oil (some are more notorious at this than others). Looks like you're getting some very good economy.

To me, that price sounds high - even for a Dealership. have you rung around the Dealers? Try also Toyota dealership as they might be able to offer reduced costs. Agree with the advioce though, belt change = saved money in teh future if your engine goes. Don't leave it to chance!

I really feel for you having had the puncture issue - but the tyre price is what you expect to pay at these fastFit type of places - theya re insane costs. Best palce is defo. Costco - especially when they run their 'Buy 4 Tyres' promotion. Even then, t their 'basic' rate their tyres are the cheapest around and as they retail only Michelin, you know you are getting a quality tyre. Good luck in your search!

Here are another set of figures: Miles: 305 Fuel: 54L (Regular Unleaded) MPG: 25.68 OBC: 27.3 MPG And that was cruise set @ 70 MPH (SatNav verified) ... well chuffed :)

Didn't know these cars had them (is that the same as BMWs Climate Comfort windscreen?) ...

My issue with Tracker is that if my car gets stolen I don't want it back...its not mine enymore. Thats how I view it. If its gone then I hope its found as a burnt out, stripped out shell - so I can then get a payout and go buy another one. I don't want a car back thats been stolen... But from a technical standpoint, a Tracker is an excellent piece of kit that can be fooledto. If they're gonna want it, then they will tae it...and I for one would let them have it - my life and family safety is worth more than any car.

Looks like a Mazda (as well as BMW 1) to me :(

...yeah and they will also offer you well below Trade for the car. Try it and see :) I'll eat my hat if their price comes in anywhere close to what your Dealer is offering you in P/X. I reckon they'll lowball you by about £2k LESS than the Dealer. Waste of time IMHO. I say again: Yours is a good private car it will sell itself for anyone looking for an RX or equivalent vehicle. If yours had been available in Feb '07 (when we were looking) then we would have been seriously interested.

Woulda thought Lexus would provide a Lexus...I mean why would they buy cars from the competition? Surprised that people have had experiences of cars other than a Lexus. Which if it were me, I'd expect a Lexus at the very least (not sure if I have a 'right' to one though ... ).

How about fitting a Disclock type device to the car? Sure they can bypass the electrical wizzardry - but soemthing mechanical might delay them or even put them off from trying? *** Bless the Free Market eh?

I really don't see a problem with buying and selling cars on say eBay or privately. You really have o follow some very basic simple rules and be confident in handling people. The basic golden rule has to be, that you do not release the car until you have cleared funds in your account. Insist on a CHAPS or direct bank to bank deposi of the monies from the Purchaser...its simple, easy and cost effective. Above all its in real time. No funds = no car. Now if you get greedy and cut corners then go but with the grace of The Lord...as you will leave yourself open for fraud. Keep it simple, stick to the basics and you'll do jsut fine. Although now perhaps isn't a good time to be selling this type of vehicle as there seems to be a levle of panic about rising costs etc. for vehicles. Personally, great from a Buyers POV. Yours looks like a lovely motor. If you stick it up I'm sure it'll sell because when we were looking to buyone in Feb this year - we looked through the Forum ehre and culdn't find one! Good luck with your sale :)

Just out of interest for those that might be interested: Miles: 295 Fuel: 52L (Regular Unleaded) MPG: 25.75 OBC: 26.2 MPG And that was cruise set @ 70 MPH (SatNav verified) ... so looks like ours is broadly returning the expected figures. I'm going to run more figures through on 'standard' unleaded before I stretch to premium - but if I cna get 30MPG (or plus ...) then I'd be well chuffed :)

I know there is a Pristine ALloy Wheel palcein Wobrun Sands (Milton Keynes) and they do have a very good reputation. Owned a Golf VR6 not so long ago and they did an absolutely stunning job of the BBS cross-spoke wheels. I paid £200 for my 4 rims (incl. mounting etc.) but used their 'economy service' (which emant had to leave the car with them for about 3 days). OK if you're local and have use of another vehicle. Stunning job you have had done, looks right and proper. Remember the £50 that msot palces charge is for cosmetic repair only...these would ahve been properly treated and stripped andalthed etc. so they are like new. Look good :)

I think you amde the right choice - the BMW offers a really engaging (and fun!) drive. The lexus is everything the BMW isn't (and perhaps should be from an overall package POV). But a car is for driving and there is a reason why BMWs are the 'ultimate driving machine' :) Don't forget to get it chipp'd after your first year of ownership ;)

No we didn't buy these cars for economies sake - but we do expect a certain level of economy/performance/efficiency - after all effiiency is one of the key selling points of the RX :) I am keen to see what ours will return ...

We bought our RX300 SE (facelift) from a Main Dealer primarily for peace of mind. I think these cars are so full of technology, that if something were to break - you would need to take it to Lexus (havn't come across many Lexus Indys and not sure if I'd trust 'em) for a fix - which given their labour rates would be pricey. S a Lexus Warranty was a must. But given that Lexus is a relatively 'new' brand here int he UK there doesn't seem to be that much availability of good vehicles in the seocnd hadn market - no real selection. So we opted to buy from Main Dealer with all the benefits therein. Best advice I can give you is to ask about the history of the car. Our car came with a full 40K service, 4 x brand new Bridgestone tyres, new wiper baldes, replaced rear light cluster, refurb'd alloys and had had all the recalls completed and recent pads on the front etc. etc. - so really we don't have to spend a penny on it until next service. It had only completed circa 36k miles when we bought it. Becuase I am a purist I changed the pads allround on it (see other thread) but that was because its just me. Buying from a dealer covers you greatly - remember that Lexus offer enhanced coverage for the first 30 days / 1k miles too. If you're buying privately, then you really do need to know the vehicles so you na check for specific stuff. We have been so impressed and foundt eh RX so easy to lvie with, that come replacement time we'd go with another RX in two years time. Great vehicles :)

Hopfully Court will not disappoint and you will get some closure. I wouldn't hold my breath though - if I were a betting man, I'd put money of some sort of Community Sentance rather than a custodial sentance. Obviously sorry to hear about the incident...

Also your model will vary the cost as not every 30k service across the range is the same price. Best bet would be to give the Service Dept. of your local Lexus Dealership a call?

Clearly I haven't been reading the comments from fellow Forum Members closely :P I have been driving our RX300 @ 80MPH (cruise set and SatNav verified) and been getting 21/23MPG - regardless of the grade of fuel I have out in. Quite by chance I set cruise to 70MPH, filled up the tank with regular Shell Unleaded and did a trip to MK - LGW - MK. I thought nothing of the speed and don't really know why I set the cruise @ 70MPH. I was stunned to see the car return (according to the on board computer) 28MPG. I am the first to rubbish figures offered by the OBC - but having completed numerous brim to brim fill ups find the OBC is more often than not about 0.5MPG out of the 'real' figure. So even if I give the OBC a 1MPG differential, the car has (potentially) returned 27MPG on regular. Now reading through this thread again, I see that your 'best' figures are @ about 70MPH. Wish I had read that bit more closely and I would have gotten better MPG :) - OK I didn't buy this thing for fuel economy...but to get close to 30MPG is better than the 22MPG I have been getting when on the motorways. I'm now going to chuck in premium unleaded and record my results.

I think there are one or two floating around on Autotrader (Private Sale) for sub £20k methinks ... IS250 auto IIRC.