Duncan Roberts

Remember though that is a petrol V6 lump. No turbo, no fancy DPF or otherwise. Straightforward tried and tested solid petrol engine. They do tend to get up to operating efficiency pretty quick from what I recall of mine. Although agreed, this does seem excessively low miles. I'd like to find out why - as there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation (second car in house? used by elderly relative? bought but found to be too expensive to run?) ... You do not mention the one thing likely to fail first - the catalytic converter. These must get up to operating temperature, if not they corrode from the inside out and simply fail. That means noise and/or failing the emissions test.

I'd be more worried about the mileage. 4000 a year suggests lots of local journeys with the car never really reaching working temperature. Not ideal at all.

I rather think that your wife has been done. Quite apart from the unrealistically high price for a car in less than good order - the tyres are scrap to practical purpose for starters. The dealer cannot limit his liability in law in the fashion your describe. Might be cheaper to lose your £500.00.

I really would try another garage - maybe even a Lexus Dealer. It maybe something or it maybe irrelevant but it sure ain't nothing: If this garage can't find it....

I did start a separate thread about Lexus in Bradford. Whilst the first Lexus I had from them in 2005 was a decent experience. the current set up on Station Road is simply dreadful. Sales experience poor and the PDI not even carried out properly. The Dealer Principle did not even trouble to respond. BMW next? Clearly we have had different experiences. I can only report that I took mine in for a service last week and got the usual first class service. I was actually thinking the the buying experience. The original Lexus dealer in Bradford was good, the current one poor. Service at Bradford is an area which I have not used and thus cannot comment. D

I did start a separate thread about Lexus in Bradford. Whilst the first Lexus I had from them in 2005 was a decent experience. the current set up on Station Road is simply dreadful. Sales experience poor and the PDI not even carried out properly. The Dealer Principle did not even trouble to respond. BMW next?

Well here we are ten days and no response from the dealership. Why am I not surprised? This is exactly how a marque loses hitherto loyal customers. At least I will continue to use Lexus in Sheffield for servicing - something which is done impeccably.

What quality control does Lexus GB exercise over its franchised dealers? I recently (October 2008) purchased a new RE400 SEL from Lexus Bradford. It was not the most wonderful experience for various reasons but I let it go at the time. This is now my 3rd Lexus (IS200, RX300) all bought new. Today I decided to take the mats out of the rear to vacuum under them for the first time. I doubt anyone has sat in the back since I have have had it , hence this not being a frequent task. Underneath both mats were large sheets of plastic stuck to the main carpet, each saying "Dealer must remove protective cover". Clearly part of the PDI work but simply not done. Yes it may be a simple matter but what else has not been done - properly or at all? I have sent these on to the Dealer Principal - to assist him in looking at the manner in which his business is conducted. All this can be dismissed as much ado about little - BUT Lexus cars are supposed to be at the top end of the market and the 'experience' of ownership second to none. Lexus seems to be losing its way to judge by a theme present in a number of threads and just becoming another supplier of cars which happen to be expensive. Time for them to sit up methinks. D

It may seem an odd suggestion but what is wrong with your Lexus dealer - Lexus in Sheffield did mine satisfactorily

I would suggest that your tracking is way out. Get a Lexus dealer to check not a tyre house. Probable cause is traffic humps.

This would seem to be preference although the Bridgestones on my former RX300 gave near 30,000 miles on the front.

Is there any update on the rumoured (?) 'baby' 4x4 of which tthe service manager at the Lexus dealership I used has spoken?

Surely they are 'unpainted' alloys?

I am thinking about replacing my current RX300 SEL boiught new in 2005 with an RX400h SEL. Has anyone any recent experience at the level of discounts it is possible to extract from dealers in the present market?

Both rails and all five wheels were replaced under warranty at the two year point. Seemingly these are VERY common Lexus issues that have never been addressed. There are i think various threads on this.

Presumably this is the coil sprung version NOT the air suspension of the SEL?

What advantage is there in removing them - or is it purely preference? D

Regret that Superguard does nothing whatever t add to scratch/chip resistance. It does make it look nice after washing. Indeed I have just reached stalemate with Lexus sheffield over the issue of what I believe is poor quality paintwork on my 2005 RX300 which at 2000 miles looks bad. D

The only suggestion I can make is to recall what I did in my long lost youth when struggling to run some horrendous BLMC car - try a scrap yard. There are a few that handle unpkarket cars - Google may help and I gather bthese days you can get the part delieverd t you. Whether they havea an exact specification unit might be a forlorn hope though. Duncan

My RZ300 SEL (O5) will happily do 27/7 mpg on mixed motorway (75ishmph with cruise control) and urban. However only when on BP petrol or some Shell. Using cheap petrol reduces that figure to nearer 20mpg as a matter of routine. Discovered this by chance when I was 'forced' to use BP stations for a period though lack of choice. Now use nothing else. Duncan

I have an RX300SEL new at the end of March 2005. It has currently covered 21000 miles and is painted 'Stafford Blue'. So far so good. It has become increasingly apparent that the bodywork is showing significant scratches on several panels. I have had many cars in dark colours and none have shown anywhere near this level of marking. These include an Anthracite Grey IS200 which even after 90,000 miles was nowehere near as bad. the one major change is the move the water basied paints. I have had my Local Lexus centre get Lexus-appointed agents who dismiss this as 'fair wear and tear' citing compliance with unstated parameters. However I cannot agree that i have been anymore careless with this car than any other including the IS and Vauxhall Omegas and carltons before. So does anyone have any ideas or similar experiences? Is Lexus paint no longer up to the job? Am I being fobbed off? Given that the remedy the so-called experts offer is partial repainting at my expense I am unhappy so does anyone have any ideas or advice or indeed a similar experience? Duncan R