mick4545

I've upped trebble and bass and its a little better. BBC is only 128mbs. The lowest I encode MP3s is 195mbs, 320 prefered.

This is my first car with DAB radio and I'm surprised at how much better FM is than DAB, Even my cloth ears can tell the difference. Mark Levinson. (sound system not my name)

Traded in the LS, for a 2012 fully loaded RX 450h. Anyone after a SWB Obsidian Black 600h with less than 40k on the clock can buy the one traded in with confidence, its a great car, now fully sorted. What I thought was a return of an engine warning light was the icon being illuminated by the sun when it hits the dash at a certain angle.

If you get a solar charger get one that connects to the OBD11 plug not the cig lighter socket. You cant fit one to the battery terminals as the cables will not thread through the rear bulkhead so the collector can sit on the rear parcel shelf.

I didn't know you use kilometers. How long has that been the case/

1. Yes. 2. Yes. 3. Yes\No. Some have a kind of writing table so only two rear seats. I think all the rear seats recline, Some have a massaging seat. DVD is an option. 4. Don't know. Mine has one.

Will do.

I get 32 mpg with my 5 litre V8 LS 600 hybrid. I'm having a test drive in an NX on Mon, surprised folks are only getting the same mpg as me!

I'm test driving an NX on Monday and my swb LS600h, less than 40k on the clock, Obsidian Black, could be for sale...

I've owned both the LWB and SWB. The 5" difference in wheel base makes the cars drive like two totally diffent models. I use multi story car parks with the SWB I would not in the LWB. The SWB is more nimble, easier to throw around on country roads. It does not have the toys the LWB had like massaging rear seat, drop down telly, but I much prefer it. I would advise a test drive in both if you can find them. If you can't find a SWB try a 460, they are SWB and will show the difference in handling.

I've calmed down a little now. There's nothing wrong with the engine, just this rouge warning light that could be anything. It may not come on again, no problems at all showing in the diagnostics test. I have a copy of the printout. I probably won't bother testing the NX. Be intertesting to find the trade in value of an 09 600h with 37,000 on the clock though.

During the Hamburg trip the light only came on for a few seconds. It pulsed bright then faded. It did not return. The dealer said any fault should be recorded in memory so I took it in for diagnostics... No errors found in diagnostic report. I don't know what to do now, the car is running perfectly well, but there is that nagging doubt in the back of my mind. It is used mailnly for long distance European trips and reliabillity is essential. The car goes in next Tue for the 'Engine Fuel Pressure Sensor' recall and I've asked for a trade in price against an NX 300h which I will be testing whilst the work is done. But I don't think I'll be able to accept the step down from the LS. The engine in the 600 never gets stressed as even when acelerating the electric motor helps out to keep the revs down and I don't think running at just over tickover for long periods of time does it any good, so on an empty unrestricted autobahn on new years day I took the opportunity to give it a work out. A run at 130 mph then into Sport\PWR and a series of flat out sprints from 50 to 120. I don't know it it did the engine any good, but it did me some.

I think you're right. I have just spoken to Lexus Cheltenham to flag up the problem. I took the car for a run yesterday and the fault did'nt show. The car won't get a decent run until the 27th when I'm driving to Hamburg for the new year. I'm sure the light will be on permanently on my return, I Won't have it cleared in Europe as that clears the fault report, I want a Lexus Cheltenham diagnostics report. Assuming its the same as was diagnosed in Germany I will ask Lexus UK to inspect the car and provide a permanent solution. I don't have all that much faith in Lexus UK after the problems I had with a replacement windscreen and the cover for the rain sensor not fitting. They replied to my email promising a swift resolution... No reply was recieved.

Less then 37,000. Took it for a run today and no fault warning, so I'll have to wait until the light is on all the time before taking it in for diagnostics. I'm assuming the problem is the same as last time.

Here we go again. Warning light back. Intermittent at the moment. I'll give Lexus a call on Mon just to flag it up, and wait until its on permanently before booking it in. The car is also subject to the 'Engine Fuel Pressure Sensor' recall so they can fix that at the same time.

Just checked. OK, no recall for me.

Lexus have a good dealer network throughout Europe despite their low volume of sales. (Iv'e had to use two of them.) Spain is my favourite driving country, empty roads spectacular scenery in the North. This is a good website for finding hotels with easy access from French motorways: http://about-france.com/tourism/routes-through-france.htm

Well Malc, the dianostics did show the ingnition too far advanced, which would never have discovered without the diagnostics.

Here's the SP: The engine has Variable Valve Timing. At the end of the camshaft is an oil pressure regulated gear assembly that controls the variable valve timing. A spring in this assembly has weakened causing the ignition to be too far advanced. Just one camshaft was renewed at a cost of £367. Total cost inc other parts and labour £1987.99. The mechanic told me this was only the second time he had ever seen this fault. The other time was on the same cylinder bank 1. I don't know how many 600s they have sold but it can't be many, so two with this fault is I suspect more than a coincidence. I have 12 months extended warranty left and I will be extending when it runs out.

It isn't a rouge electrical gremlin, there is a genuine problem. The over two hours of not only computer diagnosis but swapping valves around produced a report that is going to cost Lexus UK a lot money, and they have agreed to pay without carrying out their own inspection. To me the engine feels fine, no rough running or strange noises just the yellow warning light.

The warranty is with Lexus UK and I was told they may want to inspect the car themselves because of the costs involved. They have not done so, and have accepted Chelenham's diagnosies. I also included the fault report from Germany with HiHiHi's translation into English. I will be asking the following questions: What was the exact problem What caused it. Is it likely to happen again. Can anyone think of anymore?

Not really. The warranty company uderstandably wanted all service history and reports from Lexus Cheltenham and a gasket has been on back order. John, its got 32000 on the clock. I don't know exactly what is wrong with the camshafts, I'll ask when I pick it up.

Lexus warranty have agreed the repair. The car goes in on Wed.

No charge to me, but I suppose they will bill it to the warranty.

After 2 hours of diagnostics\tests.the result: 4 camshafts needed at £220 each. 1 week or a minimum 21 hours for engine rebuild at £115 per hour. Who says extended warranties arn't worth it with Lexi. they are bullet proof right? I did not want an extended warranty but I'm glad my wife put her foot down and insisted I get one. Just waiting for the parts to be ordered, a curtesy car to be arranged and the go ahead from Lexus insurance.