Night-Time

It seems the compressor is almost £1,300 on it's own, plus labour and testing....

Here we go again... Last week the flashing OFF light started for the air suspension, and having experienced it before I though I would just wait the couple of weeks till the next service to have the sensors checked. The car goes into Normal mode and is fine to drive (according to the book and previous guidance from Lexus). Then Monday morning it decides to raise the car as high as possible, the rear especially. Quite a wierd thing to drive I can tell you. I took it into Lexu Swindon this morning as I am in the area, and they diagnosed a sensor has faile (front right). Upon working to replace it, they discovered that the sensor was barly attached to it metal plate as out of the two fixing things (I guess bolts) one was missing and the other fell ogff when touched. This gave hope as to why the sensor was giving a funny reading. the worked on it today to re-attach the sensor and now have informed me they get an error code pointing them to the compressor. The car is an 03 plate so out of the 5 year waranty I have read about. Worst case, is that if I need a compressor then I am looking at a £2k repair bill... not something I really want. If the sensor came unattached, wouldn't that be under warranty for the bodywork? Any ideas or advice welcome. Tim

I can't think of a sensible reason why I would want to drive up to somewhere at night, turn the ignition off and then not get out (I can think of 'other' suggestions). If I did want to stay in the car, in the dark, without the key in the ignition then I think turning the stalk wouldn't be too much trouble.

I haven't heard a different voice yet, but I do like the way they guess some of the phonetics... One of my local towns is Fareham in Hampshire (pronounced 'fair-ham'). On leaving the motorway she refers to it as 'far-ham'! There must be some more places tey have got slightly wrong. Nght-Time

I have an 20 month old RX300 SE-L and have had the 60k service done a couple of weeks ago. I think that was the most I have paid for a service yet, a huge £470. Generally I don't get the tyres done at the service interval and only recently sourced my tyres from the dealer as there was a shortage and they managed to get some first. The only thing now is that I am paying an extra £750 per year to keep the warrantee extended. Night-Time

I have had my RX300 SE-L for 20 months now and it is due for the 60k service on Monday. I have to say it is one of the best cars I have ever driven and as we all seem to agree the service and customer focus at the dealerships really wakes you up to what most people are used to accepting. Faults... I had the air compressor replaced in one of the rear suspension units. It had failed and the computer had put the car into Safe mode (it doesn't change ride height). I spotted this at 5:30pm as I left a customer. Rang the dealer and they took it in at 8:00am the next morning, courtesy car was waiting and they fixed it in a couple of days (after investigation with Lexus GB). Had the dashboard rattles, but they were fixed. Car looked lop-sided so asked them to check in case it was just the camber. Technicians checked it against a new one and it was 6mm out - order the parts and fixed it for me. Had all 4 wheels changed under warrantee (blistering). Service... Ring them up for a time, and they book you in a slot of about 1 hour. Non of the 'Drop if off in the morning and it might be ready by the time we close'. I've turned up once and the courtesy car wasn't available, the Manager just gave me his for the day(s) - after taking his golf clubs out first After all this time and that many hours driving it, it is still a pleasure. I don't get much luxury in my life, but this is it, and I love it! Night-Time

Just to add my bit to this topis, and maybe to others that have been before. From what we understand the Navigation Unit disables certain 'uses' over a set speed. We also know that there is a speed wire into the Nav. Unit that allows it to still navigate if it loses the signals from the GPS Satelites. My guess is that the Nav. Unit has a 'disable' variable that is set to x mph. So to adjust this I think someone would have to 'hack' into the software. As for locking the doors... I would imagine it is the same software for both the US and European models, with just certain parameters changed. So if someone 'hacks' the software then we will know. So to dampen anyones spirits. Night-Time (Bored in a hotel at the moment)

Just to add 2p, You may want to check the Bluetooth profiles offered in the Lexus kit and make sure you phone can use them. The two most common used are Headset and Handsfree. Night-Time

The only reason I could think why is to do with the camber of the road. Since they put rotational-direction on the wheels now the angle of the surface will be different.. Night-Time

I am having difficulty finding 2 new tyres for my RX300. (235/55/18 - Bridgestone Potenza) There don't seem to be any in the country and they are on back order at Bridgestones. Thought of putting Dunlops' on but can't get hold of them either. Next thought was to pop over to France and get some fitted there if I could find some. I have also found a company in Germany that has some and can ship them to me. But, I have been told that the tyres for the UK are of a different spec to Europe as we drive on a different side of the road. Is this true, or just some marketing to stop me going abroad? Night-Time

Was in my local dealer getting a service at the weekend and one of the reasons he mentioned for the delay I hadn't heard before. Somebody asked Lexus about how the electric motors would fair with towing (i.e. getting a boat up a slipway) They don't really tow anything in Japan, and the electric motors wouldn't kick-in straight away to give you 4-wheel drive. Oh and they might be slightly submerged... So I think they are having a slight re-think.... Has anyone else heard this or is it just a wind up? Night-Time

Sorry Colin, going slightly off topic.... 360 miles on a tank of fuel... I wish. I average around 250. Just wish the girl behind the garage counter was better looking ;) Night-Time

I have one... it is great. As already mentioned, the parking computer helps you in working out when to turn the wheel - and how far. When you first have a go it is jaw dropping. I thought I was going to catch the front of the car, but it made it and the wheels were 1 inch from the curb. Also, because of the size of the car, reversing in 'vertical' parking spaces is easy to. You know exactly how far you can go back, coupled with the wing mirrors tilting down to see low level at the side. In my opinion it might have started off as a gimmick, but has been developed to be something useful that you do use. NIght-Time

Sabastian, This is something I had to think about too. It seems a lot of money not very much. Suspension - does very well, little things like it lowering itself even more to let people in and out make a difference. It sits lower when not used, and looks nicer, but raises and works fine otherwise. In fact to notice it is working you end up standing next to the car and measuring the distance between the wheels and arches. Adaptive Lights - Amazing, you really only notice how good they are as you come out of a corner, that is when they move to point forward again. They 'point' where the road is, and thats where your looking! Power tailgate - Great with loads of shopping, and if you have someone a little short, makes it easier for them to close. (I also found it great fun with kids as they can shout 'Open' and 'Close' and the cars does it - little bit of magic and mystery for them) Stereo - The muts nuts. So good it is unreal - you end up buying the CDs with great sounding tracks you always wanted, because you get to hear them the way they should be. My CD wallet (over 60 discs) has all types of music in ready for various journeys I take, and they all sound excellent. You really should make up your own mind, take the test drive and do the same in both if you can. Take a couple od CDs with you and just enjoy yourself. I did and still am. Night-Time

I think the reason you cannot close the centre vents is because of the climate control. Depending on the temperature setting you require and the current environment, the climate control will adjust accordingly, changing the air direction and temperature as needed. If the climate control needs to blow air through the centre vents but you had them closed, then you would build up a pressure in the ventilation system which could cause damage. Thats why I think it is like that anyway. My other half just points her vents at me. (Unless shes driving then she turns the whole system off). Night-Time

The dealer has just rung me to let me know it is all ok. They have checked the car over and even gone to Lexus Technical guys for assistance. Seems that the Air Compressor had gone. So they have replaced it. Going to pick it up this afternoon. Can't fault the guys at the dealer for all the effort they have put into it. If It had been Vauxhall etc they would have just replaced the part identified in the diagnostics and sent me on my way. Meanwhile I have out 1,400 miles on there sales car and not on mine. Night-Time

Last Thursday I noticed a 'clicking' noise from the nearside front area. This was followed by the Air Suspension 'OFF' light blinking. The manual states that this is to indicate a failure on the Air Suspension. I rang my local dealer who nicely arranged for me to drop it off the next morning and they arranged a car for me (One of the Sales GS 300 Sports - not too bad for a courtesy car) The diagnostics have indicated that the problem is with a solenoid, and they are trying to find out why it happened. Two days of examining the car they are still no wiser as to whether the computer, solenoid or other sensors are causing the problem. Just thought I would give you a heads up. I will post what happens as I find out. Night-Time

Whilst happily driving along the other day I decided to set the destination for home. Instead of calculating the best route, considering I was about to detour around some heavy traffic, it told me I had not registered a HOME yet. In fact, it seems to have forgotten all my presets and personalised stuff. Lost all the maintenance timings (except the service) and calendar entries. I know it is too late to get them back, but has anyone else had this happen? What might be causing it? Night-Time

Just heading upto 37k miles and I don't think I have had many tanks do over 23 mpg. But as people have said already it is a great car. Handy tip: Get something to lock the handle on the pump whilst you are filling up, saves an aching arm seeing as your going to be at the pump so much. Night-Time

Managed to get 32k from them. The front were down to less than 3mm and I think the rears were around 2.5mm. The front edges had worn though. Though about getting them swapped around to get a few more thousand miles out of them, but it seemed easier to get a new set, especially at this time of year. Plus I go away to the States tomorrow leaving the car with my better half, so it is less for her to worry about.

Just so you all know... Got a new set of tyres (235/55 18) for my Mk2 RX300 SE-L this week. Managed to get all 4 fitted for around £550 from Bracknell tyres. Word of warning though, some of the outfits I tried to get quotes from tried to tell me I was telling them the wrong size as no-one makes them. Someone does and that someone is Bridgestone. It seems that only Bridgestone make the size needed, so if you thought of changing you might have to start making your own. Still i don't think £550 for all 4 is too bad a price. Night-Time

So now we have had the first bad snow of the winter and I hope you all got home safe last night. Lets us remember that every year when we first get snow, the roads become chaos. People forget how to drive on it and in a day or two we will wonder why it was such madness. But this was much more important. This was the first time we had the chance to put the new RX300 through the snow. Did you have as much fun as I did? I was tempted to go up a hill that everyone else was struggling with, but the other half had already rung me 4 times about driving carefully. Didn't think she would be too happy if I did get stuck. So I turned back and stayed on the motorway. Anyone else got tales to tell? Night-Time

Well I say 70k... that is based on... Current milage 26,500 ish Car is 6 months old. Estimate 70K for 17 month old car. Does that seem a little high?

And of course at my current milage I should be over 70K miles by then... so I'll need an new one anyway... Night-Time

Congrats on choosing the RX. I went for the SE-L in the end (I think the sound system did it for me, but the suspension is fun to play with while sat in traffic) I would agree with JohnRX300. 1) I also use a Bluetooth handsfree kit. I would really like them to integrate BT into the stereo but it looks like I will have to wait a while. Never really liked the look of sticking phone holders in a car, there never seems to be a good place to put them. 2) I went for the dark leather, thought it would stain less with kids bringing in so much dirt all the time. 3) Outside colour was Platinum Ice. Shows up the dark windows and real lights ok. 4) Didn't get a discount or anything. 5) No parking sensors, rear camera is excellent. Just remember to give the lens a quick clean whist your filling up at the garage for a sharp picture. 6) Got mine through a finance company. Dealer quoted me a fortune for the finance and told me to go PCP. I lost loads on a PCP with my last car as I do high milage, so have opted for a more simple purchase option. 7) Delivery was 3 weeks. Still really quick compared to other makes. 8) Other info. Service intervals are every 10k which I think is low for a new car, and I don't seem to get far on a tank of fuel. Last of all, at this time of year make sure your washer bottle is full as you will be using it on the both windscreens and the headlights. Enjoy it - it really is the best car I have ever drive. I have just started dropping into the conversation with the other half about getting the new one at the end of the year. Working the 'fuel economy' lines at the moment.