TimS320

I’ve been without a car for 8 mi this nw as I handed my RX450h back in March when the crisis started and I lost my job. Got to say Lexus finance were very good and as I was halfway though the deal  too it back no problem. I’m now working from home pro-team but need a car and like the idea of picking up a cheap IS300. I previously had an IS250 which was one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.

I wondering If people can clarify the spec for me. I like the looks of the FSport, and the supportive seats. But I also want the full Nav and the Mark Levinson audio is a must. 
Are there many differences other than a firmer suspension setup on the F as regards spec that are worth looking at or can I look at one of the other models without sacrificing better handling?

Also, for the first time, rather than HP I’m think of a PCP as I’d like to have the option to upgrade to the ES in a couple of years. Looks a really nice car and FWD is a big plus for me. Do you folks think a PCP would be the right way to do this? My budget for now is 15-20k to get the IS, looking for no more than 5 years old and sensible miles. I do a mix of occasional long motorway driving, 4-5 hours and local stuff so no more than 6k p.a.

Any thoughts appreciated.

I like the 3RX a lot, it's size is just right, smaller and easier to manoeuver than an Rangerover for example, and better in many ways. The same whem compared to an X5 and without the image problem. However the bouncy ride and body roll on country lanes is now a bit much. I could take one, without the other perhaps.nI'm not a huge fan of the styling of the 4RX but am coming round to the fact it might be the way forward. However we are conscious that it is a bit bigger.

We were wondering about buying an 2015 model of the 3RX with all the updates done, with the air suspension as another possibility, but I'm concerned it might not be an improvement - any thoughts? Also they are quite steep in price and the jump to the new model is quite low.

Looking to exchange my 2009 RX450h with over 100k on for the new shape 2016 onwards, which has just come within my budget. I've had my car for 3 years now and really enjoyed its ability to swallow anything and drive long distances as easily as it gets around town. However I haven't enjoyed the bumpy ride and the fuel economy at 30mpg could be better. The seats are a bit too soft as well, the ones on a new IS I had for a drive recently far superior in terms of support.

My car is the SE-I and I'd like to go for a new model with low miles and keep it for a few years at least. I've read a few posts on here and the ride seems to differ depending on which model. I assume one still has air and the other sprung? I need to drive a few but any pointers as to what would give a better, sharper ride on country lanes would be appreciated.

Can anyone explain the different spec on the new shape as well? Ideally after a panoramic roof but are there any other must-haves? Conversely are there any problems to look out for or spec to avoid? ANy colour other than white.

Is the MPG improved at all - my driving is only about 8k a year mixed 50/50 between rural and motorway.

Thanks

I’ve been having the same thoughts as the OP. 

Just in the middle of a holiday across Europe and over 3 full tank fills only managed averges of 320-330 a tank. Only got the last up to 345. The RX handbook states the tank is 65 litres but I’ve not managed to get more than 52 litres in. I always used to assume 1 gallon left when the warning light came on in all previous cars but I am sure this is a lot more. I also can’t get more than 30 mpg on the autobahn, even when trying for an economy run.

However unlike old VWs I don’t run this right down unless absolutely necessary. Only time I had this recently was coming down the A1 from Newcastle to Manchester one night when one services was blocked off for a night closure and the next only had diesel! Pulled in to the third one on fumes, having done 30 miles after it showed zero. Like others, I still couldn’t get near 65 litres, 59 was all. So is there 5 litres of fuel in the tank unused?

On another thought, I’ve been crosschecking the trip computer in the car with two satnavs as we were bored and had a 1000km run to make. When getting an Average Speed indication it is usually 5pmh less than the speedo. The satnav shows in the middle of the two, which is correct as the car speedo should always over read to prevent speeding.

However I wonder if the lower computed averges might have any affect on the really low average MPg I have just got over the last 3 fills of around 28-30mpg.

Funnily enough that’s one of my few problems with the car. Had it in the older IS as well. No grip in the sides and little side bolster.

However had a new IS as a courtesy car recently and was really impressed with the seats in that. Similar in the CT as well. Longer seat squab and good side bolsters, so I wonder if you could put these in instead, perhaps more chance of them fitting?

I think the drivers wiper is too long really for an aerowiper to put enough pressure on the ends, which is why they float. The Denso style apply more pressure along the length.

Well the new ones got a good test last night. Worked much better. It was Bosch Aerotwin that I took off, that were causing problems and back to the standard Denso whcih are fine for now, much smoother.

Got them, thanks.

I’ve just had a new Windscreen fitted to cure a water leak, which has worked a treat.  I’d like to get rid of the aftermarket flat blade wipers fitted as the really don’t work well. They pressure drag on the drivers side in the middle, and float at the ends. So I think I’d like to go back to the standard Lexus hybrid style, unless anyone has any suggestions.

does anyone know the cheapest place to get the original style and the spec?

Just wondering if anyone has tried cleaning up and painting the corroded windscreen wiper arms? I’ve seen a few looking poor and mine definately let the car down. These things don’t seem to last long anymore before the alu rust comes through. But might clean up ok. Otherwise it’s a lot to spend on a new pair.

Thanks for all the advice. I don't see why there should be a problem with good quality aftermarket parts and for a total of 86 from ECP it worth giving it a go.

I'm happy to do them myself, its not a big job and I need to save a bit somewhere right now. Had my windscreen leak checked at the same time and its not the rear washer hose  line. Its the windscreen which needs resealing according to the dealer. So I can call the insurance compeny and get them to reseal it, but its quite a scratched windscreen and I'd really like it replaced. Are they generally open to negotiation?

Thanks John. ECP quote now coming in at 84.00 with their sale as well. Cant find parking brake shoes so will get those from the local factor.

Dealers quote now in of 295 - bit of a saving if I do it.

My 450h is in for its service today and the vehicle health check video flagged up what i suspected, which is that the rear pads and disc need replacing soon. Not quite an MOT fail but due. Quite happy to do this myself and avoid their labour charges bt wanted to see if, aprt from the slidepins, there are any problems doing it myself?

Has anybody had problems with any of the none OEM pads and discs? Eurocarparts are quoting me just over 100.00 all in for rear pads and discs, which makes this a nice cheap job. Just waiting for the quote from Lexus to come in!🤣🤣

thanks for the advice. I don’t have  a sunroof or roof bars fitted, something I’m on the lookout for actually. But I will have a look at the trim panel once it stops raining.

Thanks, I think it is the original screen. TBH wouldn’t mind replacing it as it has a few scratches. I’ll get the trim off when it stops raining and check the joints. That sounds quite possible as it would account for the drips on the dash too.

Got in the car today after a heavy shower to find the drivers A pillar was wet through. Is it possible for water to come through the seal with the windscreen, or has anyone had this happen to them? I couldn’t find any obvious point of entry, but if it is coming  there, does this mean the windscreen would have to come out and be resealed?

Well i took all four wheels off and found that the front boot was split spewing grease down the passenger side of the car. Front brakes ok, but backs were stiff and not sign of anti seize anywhere.

Thought I’d get Kwikfit to change the boot but they refused, saying they can’t work on hybrids as they don’t have plastic tools!!! Either the biggest  or they just didn’t want the job.

Started getting light ‘whispering’ noise on two of the wheels and an increase in brake dust so I think the brakes might be rubbing. I’ve not attempted to take the calipers and pins off before but I’ve read all the guidance on this forum.

I need to try and free things up this weekend as I’m taking the car to the south coast on Monday for the family holiday. As I don’t have any of the parts I’m hoping to just remove everything, clean it grease and refit. I’m hoping it will all go back as I don’t have time to order spares. 

I’m wondering what grease I can use, can I get away in the short term with using Copaslip or Aluslip on the pins? It only has to work for a week, before I can get the parts if necessary.

thanks for any advice.

Well my return 2 hour 100miles got me 29mpg av, but fully loaded that was ok. Maybe now I have unloaded the canoes, tents and people, I’ll get a bit more! 

Well managed 32.5 mpg up the M6 on Friday night 3 up and with a 12ft canoe on the roof, cruising at 70mph. Paid a lot more attention to the EV which came into its own on the slower sections. Getting stuck behind slow traffic on a gradient doesn’t help, but coasting down  those long sections tops the batteries up well.

Thanks, good to hear the Crossclimates are worth the investment. The MPG figures sound better and more what I was expecting. 

Not sure if we can do this on the older RX as the EV drops out at about 24mph when I accelerate. 

The tyres are all but worn out so I am looking at replacing all 4 with the cross climates. Hopefully this will provide a little increase over the old Bridgestone and Nexen that are on the car.

I know there have been a few threads about fuel economy but hope I can start another as I seem to be getting quite low mpg.

I’ve had the RX for 8 months now and covered 2500 miles, with only two longish trips in the motorway, so I haven’t really been able to judge the motorway economy. However I’m driving up to the Lakes this weekend so it will be a good chance to see what I am getting. However round town and the back roads, all at fairly low speed, the Avg mpg display always seems to go down very quickly. If I’ve driven 10 miles and it’s showing 35mpg, a quick bit of dual carriageway drops it to 25mpg and that is without aggressive acceleration. Most of the time I’m only getting an average of 25.

Regular dual carriageway doesn’t seem to indicate more than 26mpg, which seems low.

I’m going to try a brim to brim this weekend and see what it gives but does anyone have any advice for getting the best reading and for improving fuel economy?