Garry.L

I'd say you've got everything that any normal RX300 has, ie calipers, discs, corroded wheels etc..

Stereo removal (very easy)... http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62405 Try a search for your Amp problem on the Yank RX forum... http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showforum=96 RX sold much better over the water than here in the UK so lots more info...

On the whole they seem pretty bullet proof, only real things to check for on the model/year you'll be looking at are corroded alloys and faulty CD player/changers which jam and are expensive to fix. Good luck...

Welcome to the club - the knackered CD player club that is!... See http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=65550

My car is doing the same thing 'error 4, can I ask how you remove the CD player from the dash. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62405 TBH there is no need to remove the cover, just give the unit a ******** good shake and refit - stuck CD/CD's should then eject. Worth noting though that simply removing the stuck CD is not a cure - it will happen again... sadly!. 'Error code 4' according to Lex refers to a 'Faulty CD carriage' and requires a modification costing circa £450 if you use the Lexus authorised repairer (Autosounds) although I've been quoted around £2-250 from a few other repairers - it seems the faulty units need some replacement clips fitting to the mechanism. I'm having similar problems with my RX unit and am considering replacing the whole thing with an aftermarket unit as I've found a conversion panel which allows you to junk the comedy OE unit, as yet it's only available in the States but even with the cost of shipping you could still get a decent aftermarket system instead of repairing the standard unit which isn't that good even on the odd occasion it does decide to perform. See... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lexus-RX-RX350-RX330-Double-Din-Dash-Radio-Install-Kit-/380204298961?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5885f132d1 Lexus RX, Great car - crap stereo!..

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=33211

No direct experiance, sorry, but found this on the US forum.... http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36555 Lots of posts over there re- VSC 'Check warning light' if you do a search. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showforum=5 HTH

Ok, for the benefit of anyone doing a future search.... After MUCH digging I found this stereo removal guide on the US RX forum..... http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62405 TBH it's not that hard to remove and only takes around 15 minutes - just take note of the bolt removal guide. From my research Fault code 4 refers to a 'Faulty CD carriage' so after removing the unit I simply gave it a good shake and refitted, all the stuck CD's then ejected and the unit now works perfectly (I tried another 6 CD's and they all played/ejected Ok) however, for the time being I'm only going to use one CD at a time - just in case. Clearly there is a problem with these changer mechanisms given the amount of reported faults, and as I was quoted £450+postage for an 'authorised' repair I imagine they must replace/repair this 'CD carriage'. Hope this helps someone.

...... and whichever model you go for make sure the CD player 'actually' works, these units have a habit of failing (faulty changer mechanism) and Lexus want around £1K+ for a new one or around £500 for an 'authorised' repair...... as I'm finding out trying to get our RX's faulty unit sorted!.

I've only just got an RX (SE) so am no expert, but here's what little I do know.... From the research I did pre-purchase the SE-L has air suspenders which can give the odd sensor related problem but it doesn't seem an expensive fix, other than this the only real problems with all the models seem to be corroded alloy wheels and dodgy CD players/changers. An Expensive (at a main stealer) spark plug service is due at 60K miles and IIRC the cam belt is 100K. If you want to do some real digging I'd say check the US Lexus forum as the RX sold very well over there and their forums are much busier...... Have to say I'm VERY pleased with our RX and everyone I've spoke to who has owned one - inc several people 'in the trade' say the RX is near unbreakable and ultra reliable. Good Luck.

If the deal is 'good enough' then it wouldn't worry me unduly, once a car is out of warranty many people don't use main stealers for servicing anyway. Just make sure the Warranty covers the CD player....

I have the above Error Code 4 Fault on our CD player (04 SE) I've tried the fix below without success..... http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=56274 How Hard/easy is it to remove the unit from the dash?. TIA.

Typical Newbie type stuff, sorry..... Got a budjet of around £10K and am considering a RX300, looked at most of the competition but keep coming back to the Lexus - one of the reasons being at present we have a Rav4 which has been one of the most reliable cars we've owned. Looking at what's for sale, my budjet would get me an early newer shape model with around average miles (70/80,000). What are the likely service costs at this kind of mileage?, and are there any common (expensive) faults I'd need to look for?, also do they have to be serviced at the main stealers or can a competant indy do the work?. Many thanks.