Roger Bill

58 minutes ago, Bill Dawes said:

My UX is the Takumi, had a few posts about this earlier in the year when I was waiting delivery, seemed uncertain if kick feature was still fitted or not  but when I picked car up in July asked the dealer who said it wasn't anymore. Just to be sure I have tried it a few times but nothing, getting me wondering now if I do have it but need to set something.

Bill D.

Is this a feature that would be itemised in the full spec for your car that can be accessed using the VIN as per the discussion in this thread: 

 This video provides a good explanation of the Lexus headlight systems.

 First 2023MY review I've seen which includes a short road test and the guy emphasises the improved comfort resulting from the MY2023 suspension changes. Also mentioned is the improved NVH of the new Bridgestone runflats. 

@Navnan2 Thanks Barry. Like you I'm not a driver that throws cars around. Comfort rather than road holding is my main priority. Glad you're finding the new, larger infotainment screen to be a big improvement, I felt the same but I only had a short test drive, much better to have the opinion of an owner.

7 hours ago, Navnan2 said:

Exchanging my 2020 UX Premium Plus with Sun roof for an equivalent 2023 model this afternoon. I will update you on my initial impressions shortly.

@Navnan2 Congratulations Barry you've been really lucky to find a 2023 model. There seem to be very few in the UK and the Takumi I ordered two weeks ago is expected on 30/9/23.

Would be interested to know if you find the ride comfort has improved. My impression is that it has possibly due to the extra body stiffness, tweaks to the suspension or the new Bridgestone runflat tyres.

https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/38118276.html

Interesting info on November production schedules for various Toyota plants. The Kyushu Miyata plant where the UX is made will only be suspending production on 2 Saturdays in November, the same as was the case in October. Some other plants are suffering much more from semiconductor component shortages. I believe only one shift is run on Saturdays so the drop in production numbers will be less than for weekday suspensions which run two shifts.

In the US some NX models are being delivered without features like ML audio systems which would normally be a standard part of certain packs. Hopefully UXs sold in the UK will have all the normal set of features for each model variant.

4 hours ago, MIkejay73 said:

Hey All,

Just wondering how on earth Lexus link communicates with outside world when it's not connected in any WiFi and distance between the car and user is more than Bluetooth range?

There must be a SIM / 4G connection?

 

Correct, mobile data coverage is needed to send data. Lexus covers the cost of data used to provide connected services for 10 years,

8 minutes ago, Thackeray said:

It doesn't cost much but I've always felt that filling with nitrogen is just a marketing ploy when applied to ordinary cars. (Formula One may be a different matter.) The fact is, if you fill with ordinary air, that's already about 80% nitrogen.

As I understand it, (correct this if it's wrong!) the nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen molecules so they don't seep through the rubber tyre, whereas the oxygen can gradually escape through the rubber, reducing the tyre pressure.

Much of the remaining 20% in the atmosphere is oxygen. So that gives the potential for up to 20% of the air to seep out. But even if all the 20% escaped, the air that was used to replace it would again be 80% nitrogen. So the original inflation gives you 80% nitrogen and a second inflation to replenish the missing 20% gives you another 80% nitrogen taking the total volume to 96% nitrogen just by inflating the tyre with air and then topping it up once.

So I've never bothered with paying for nitrogen inflation.

 

My feelings exactly.

Had a test drive in a MY2023 UX250h yesterday. Previously I was concerned that the ride wouldn't suit my aging back and hips. My impression was that the ride of the MY2023 is slightly more comfortable and so I placed an order for a Takumi with an expected delivery date of 30/9/23.

The ride quality might have been improved by the extra spot welds increasing body stiffness, suspension tweaks or the revised Bridgestone runflats which are now Alenza 001s whereas previously I think the UX was fitted with Bridgestone Turanza T005A runflats. However, because it's some months since I last drove an MY2022, I could be completely wrong in thinking the ride quality is any different and also comfort is a very personal and subjective assessment.

The touch screen multimedia interface is, of course, the most obvious MY2023 change. The screen is very noticeably much larger and I think an improvement on the touchpad system. I didn't spend anytime investigating the software as by the time my car arrives it will probably have been updated!

I've ordered mine in the new Sonic Platinum colour. Haven't seen this on any Lexus, so I'm hoping it'll look OK. My last three cars have been silver which is a boring choice but I've found it to be best for not showing scratches or dirt which is now more a concern as I've less interest or enthusiasm for cleaning cars 😊

6 hours ago, ALAW said:

I always remember Honest John swearing by V power.

I don't remember this. But was it Honest John who said that supermarket petrol, although produced in the same refineries, had fewer additives than branded petrol like Shell, BP, etc. One type of additive is for cleaning fuel injection systems.

Modern engines use better materials and are made to closer manufacturing tolerances plus oils and petrol are much better. Back in the late 60s and through the 70s I used to find every 20,000 miles it was necessary to strip the cylinder head off my cars (Ford Anglias, Cortinas, etc). Removing the carbon build up in the head, lapping in the valves and cleaning the inlet and outlet ports was easy to do and improved smooth running, fuel consumption and acceleration. You could get cans of stuff which, by chucking down it the carburettor, claimed could achieve similar results, but I wasn't convinced when I tried it once.

I'm very surprised a dealer would suggest this for a nearly new car. I'm no expert but my reaction would be that it's a sales pitch based on the old FUD strategy (fear, uncertainty and doubt) and I'm old enough to remember Redex being sold using similar dubious marketing tricks.

Until last year I had a river boat fitted with a 1960s design Volvo engine. E10 is much more of an issue with old engines and with boats because they're more exposed to moisture and more likely to remain unused for several months each year. Even then, although controversial, the general feeling was not to get too worried and if there was a problem it could be fixed by replacing any flexible fuel hoses, seals and pump diaphragms that were made out of old materials more likely to be affected by moisture and ethanol. The most useful and seemingly sensible info I found when researching this a couple of years ago was: https://ttypes.org/introduction-of-e10-petrol-as-the-standard-for-fuel-across-the-uk/

Lexus have issued this clear statement https://mag.lexus.co.uk/e10-petrol/ which includes:

"The good news is that the vast majority of Lexus models with a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain and that were officially supplied within the European market since January 1998 are compatible with E10 petrol."

Apparently tyres filled with nitrogen are less affected by temperature changes than air: https://tractionlife.com/nitrogen-vs-air-in-tires-whats-the-main-difference/ Only costs £2.50 per tyre at ATS but I've never bothered, in fact I use a foot pump at home as I'm too tight fisted to spend money on an airline at a petrol station!

The way I read advice such as contained in https://www.tyre-pressures.com/blog/can-weather-or-temperature-affect-tyre-pressure is that tyres should be inflated to the specified pressure in the morning before driving so "cold" relates to the prevailing temperature rather than eg 20°C. Under inflated tyres increase fuel consumption and increase the risk of the tyre over heating when driven. Correctly inflated tyres should optimise tyre life.

Tyre pressures are always specified for cold tyres. If tyres only reached the specified pressure after driving some distance they are under inflated.

A tyre pressure warning system is a requirement for cars fitted with runflat tyres so the driver knows that speed and distance driven has to be restricted: https://www.national.co.uk/information/run-flat-tyres 

2 minutes ago, Beduffshirl said:

First cold morning of the year today which reminded me of an annoying fault. The tyre warning light activating when the tyres are at low temp. I think I had this on my CT's as well so maybe a general Lexus thing. If you go on a decent run first thing or start up again when the temps a bit warmer the light has always gone off.

Lower temperature = lower pressure. Tyres often need some air added at this time of year, therefore, your tyre warning light is probably doing it's job.

11 hours ago, Khayaletu said:

i think someone has ‘cocked up’ and will not admit it.

I agree, "***** up" seems the most likely explanation and thanks for pointing out this potential problem. If I decide to place an order, I'm going to insist the dealer earns their keep and provides monthly updates on the status of my order.

@Khayaletu Crikey 11 to 16 months delivery!!! I've got a MY2023 test drive booked in two weeks time and hopefully will be placing an order. I'll let you know what they say about delivery times.

I was hoping with the worsening economic climate, delivery times would now be getting better. Also Lexus aren't selling so many cars and I thought chip supply problems should now be easing. But Japan is suffering from a shortage of labour so perhaps that's constraining UX production capacity.

29 minutes ago, Pin_nick said:

Thanks, yes I was aware of that. Have been told mine will be that. Jack mentioned a MT2023…..maybe that was a typo?

I assume it was a typo because 'T' being next to 'Y' on the keyboard is one of the more common mistakes and MT wouldn't be autocorrected. Most importantly you'll be getting the benefit of the MY2023 improvements.

28 minutes ago, Pin_nick said:

What is the MT2023 version…..1st I have heard of this??

The MY2023 changes were introduced into production in August and the cars are just starting to appear in the UK. The key change is that the infotainment screen is larger and is closer to the driver as it's now touch screen so the infamous touch pad on the centre console has been removed and some buttons have been moved around.

Extra spot welds have been added to improve body stiffness and the suspension has been slightly modified to improve ride quality. I'm hoping this improvement will be sufficiently noticeable to help convince me to place an order in a couple of weeks time when I've got a test drive booked.

3 hours ago, jacme said:

I can't give you a comparison against previous models because my only experience was a test drive I did back in May. I completed a couple of medium range trips (200km) and I can say it's quite conformtable. Of course I had an A1 before which was very OK but this car is so much better, much quieter ride, super smooth.

Thanks @jacmethat's good to know.

@jacme Have you noticed whether the MY2023 changes have improved ride comfort? I'd be really grateful if you can shed any light on this as it's the key factor holding me back from placing an order and we've yet to see any MY2023 demonstrator cars in the UK.

13 hours ago, fourbanks said:

Thanks, Chris, and noted. 

i don't think that will be viable as the UXe Takumi is based on that specific spec, and where would you draw the line on how the drive is as that's down to the individual opinion 

 

Ride is certainly a personal choice. I'm with Chris in wishing for more comfort but on the UX250h Takumi rather than the UXe. The more general point to suggest to Lexus would be that in the UK UX customers tend to be older and that this demographic is more likely to be seeking comfort rather than sports handling from a car of this type. I might be wrong about the customer age profile but I expect Lexus would have the data for the UK and for other markets like the USA where my impression is that the UX has attracted more younger buyers.

Always room for improvement but my experience is that Lexus and Honda cars are significantly better quality and more reliable than cars I've owned from other manufacturers. Also dealer servicing is better. For example, my 2 litre petrol 2015 Mercedes C Class has been the most unreliable car I've owned since the early 1980s. I've just booked a minor service plus MoT, cost almost £600. This does include a years subscription to the Mercedes breakdown service which I've had to use a number of times. In all my years of owning Lexus and Hondas covering several 100,000 miles I never once had cause to use a breakdown service. Fortunately there's an independent Mercedes guy near where I live who is far more knowledgeable than the main dealers and he's fixed most of faults I've had at much lower cost. Apologies for the rant but hope it illustrates why I'll shortly be ordering a Lexus UX and perhaps why Lexus mostly tops reliability and customer satisfaction surveys!!! 

39 minutes ago, fourbanks said:

i don't think the adaptive variable suspension is a viable proposition for UX as it would make the cost too high for this type of vehicle

you already have a 17 inch for the UX in the basic form. What you're asking is you won't a 17 inch wheel in a higher grade? 

 

Yes that's right I intend to buy a Takumi for features such as the HUD and 360° cameras. As the Takumi is the highest cost spec, except for F Sport + Takumi Pack, it'd be great to have AVS included. I suspect dealers would sell me some 17" wheels as they did 16" for my 2009 IS250SEI.

Again not a fault but I wonder if the adaptive variable suspension were included in the Takumi spec or as an option it would provide a more comfortable ride. Also for the same reason perhaps a 17" wheel option. I'd be interested in anything to help ride comfort which if most UX owners are in the older demographic, might be a better marketing strategy than sports handling which would appeal more to younger customers.

8 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

More reading for you Roger. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/08/weak-yen-most-textbook-driven-currency-move-in-30-years-monex-group.html

Thanks @royoftherovers The dollar is particularly strong at present whereas if the GB pound continues it's decline of the past eight years we will be less well placed.