Realspeed

Just thought iwould say i just picked up my new car today and its now got a grand total of 24 miles on the clock :P Looks as if I will have to go on a computer course to find my way around the sat nav system, still get used to it just in time to sell it, ha ha. Honest it seems fantastic so must go for a spin tomoz if I get time to try it out. Again the dealership in wolverhampton was first class and would recommed anyone to them. Realspeed

AS far as I am aware all quoted tyre pressures are for cold tyres. as regard runing pressure would I suspect depends if used on road or off road surfaces - the make of tyre- amount of wear -load/weight applied to the tyres-heat generated etc etc. Therefore the quoted tyre pressure would in most cases allow for these differences. If the tyre is obviously looking a bit deflated then get it checked out it may only be a sticking valve( soapy water on the valve would show up by bubbling if this was the case) The manuals say tyres should be swapped at intervals but its not done on dealer services unless asked for. On the mondeo it seems a bit extreme to have a difference of 14psi to say the least and I would suspect its a missprint, and I would check with local tyre fitting depot who have charts on different car makes and their type/pressure of tyres. Over or under pressure in tyres show up on wear of the tread can't remember if worn in centre/ outside edge is over or under inflated but I'm sure if you lookup on a search engine about tyre wear would put you straight. On a lighter note don't worry too much tyres only go flat at the bottom. http://www.orbweb.net/autoshop247/tyre_tal...afety_tips.html this addy may be of some help. Realspeed

Get my RX300SE-L in the next day or two. as regards the "ice" package as I don't have young children I didn't want it, and not having used Bluetooth I can't comment except that Hands free phone kits would cover most uses I suspect. Like any extra's if you have a use for them then get them but if not save your money. Realspeed Oh forgot to mention that this is a trade in for my MK1 3 yr old RX 300 SE and having looked at other 4x4's and the back up they give etc for the price I don't think any come close. Did consider BMW x5 and landcruiser both versions but didn't think I really wanted a car that big. Never had any cause for complaint with Lexus infact it seems as if i am their only customer by the way they look after me.

Bring back the Morris Minor

I am only going back to the cars I used to work on many years ago, things move on and bits that could be checked out are now not possible Thanks Collin I didn't know leads etc no longer exist or distributers. but it was worth a try in any case . Realspeed Guess old age is showing through

one other thing it could be is a " Flat spot" in the tuning which can be easily sorted by someone like Home tune who I have found very good in the past.For example I had a "missing" on acceleration- new plugs points etc etc. called in Home tune as I was getting a little annoyed as I could not find the fault. Home tune found it - it was a faulty brand new spark plug shorting down to earth under pressure, no way would you have been able to tell by looking at it, physically the plug looked in A 1 condition and it was new so I didn't suspect it for a moment. Realspeed

the distributer cap is at the other end of the spark plug leads unless you have electronic distubution in which case you cant do anything to it. realspeed

Sounds to me as well as wheel balance is out due possible to a lead weight comming of a tyre while on the move it does happen. other thing to check for is free play in the steering unlikely but worth a mention. Realspeed

Check the distributer cap slightest crack/damage/ wear can make a big difference and possible be the cause. also carbon fibre leads can break down, just cause there is a copper pin in the end don't mean its copper right thru, the pin is only pushed into the fibre get copper leads bit more expensive but worth it. I had same prob on a mini when I cut the fibre lead back there was a burnt out gap where the pin should have been. Realspeed

Can't help with the rear cover but as to the door post rattle on mine its where the safety belt mettle clip rests when retracted against the piller, which continuously hits. Try clipping in the safety belt as you would if a passanger was beside you, bet that stops it. Realspeed

As a matter of interest I went into lexus Wolverhampton and asked about rear bumper protection. All they seemed to be aware of was a clear thin plastic cover to go over the rear bumper yet when I pointed out that on the Lexus RX300SE-L accessory list, I looked up on the internet, it clearly shows a black polypropylene self adhesive protector. However the sales rep will look into it for me so no complaints there. Don't get me wrong the service I have had from them cannot be faulted however I would have thought that they would be aware of the accessories available, and if not, then had the appropriate brochures as a reference point. Also for that car they seem to only have fixed tow bars yet on my MK1 there is a choice and I have a detachable one on that. Looking at the USA lexus dealerships the RX330 version seems to have a detachable tow hitch why not the UK version. While on the USA site they have distance censors which reduce speed automatically to the speed of the car in front if in cruise mode if I read it correctly, but not on the uk version, hopefully Lexus will address this safety feature and soon include it on the UK models as well. By the way the delivery date I have been given is 1 to 2 weeks which I think is excellent against the BMW X5 wait of 14 months. So yet again other car retailers makes could learn a lot from Lexus on how to please their customers. At the moment very happy bunny Realspeed

Over the last few years I have owned landcruisers -troopers-range rovers-explorers- etc and for one reason or another including BMW X5 (cancelled the order) I have found that Toyota (Lexus) do tend to give the best service are more reliable. With the others , not Toyota, either the service-warantee-quality-or in the BMW case getting a test drive (5 month wait) is what lets them down. Even the service loan cars seem to be new and Toyota appear to do their upmost to get you a loan car model of your choice,whereas the other makes tend to dump you with anything thats handy at the time. I have just done a pt/ex deal with my local Lexus dealer and the trade in price was about the same as if I tried to sell it privately(well above what I was expecting) which was a very pleasant shock. So its soon good bye to my 3 year old RX300se and hello to the RX300 se-L. Oh the car I have had for 3 years from new apart from service intervals, has only needed 1 brake light bulb and rear wiper, started first time every time and never let me down. Realspeed

My clients who have had Mercedes 4x4 wern't over impressed with the build quality and got rid of them pretty quick one. I havn't driven the Merc myself but from owners that had, put me off. Also its worth noting that the Volvo XC90, regarding the tyres, is the only car that has that size so if you need a replacement tyre you could have a long wait or pay main dealer prices I suspect. Realspeed

And not even a place to make a coffee or tea. Oh well back to the kitchen. Realspeed

Whatever you do DON,T get a black car. Its so easy for the colour to get a bloom (haze) and its a sod to get rid of I know I have had black car and never again, I would suggest a silver as even when dirty it doesn't show up so much. Realspeed

After much deliberation between getting a BMWX5 already ordered I have been and ordered an RX300 SE-L after having one on loan today while my 3 yr old Mark 1 was being serviced ( strike 1 BMW X5 ). What swung it for me was said on here about extras and cost by another member ,thank you, not getting money back on resale and also the trade in price offered was too good to refuse. The delivery time scale also fitted in perfectly with my plans bout 2/3 week wait against 14 months from BMW. So you ain't got rid of me yet. Realspeed

Can the towbar and associated electrics be transfered from a RX 300 SE Mk1 to a RX 300 SE-L or is the chassis set up different, only if it can be put on a new car it would save the £700 purchase and fitting fee albeit bar the work/time for it to be done. Realspeed

Question to administrators if I may. If I did become a gold member and I am thinking of getting a new RX300se-l amongst others, ( this could have a serious impact on my final choice) does the discount apply to new cars as well? or is it only for accessories etc thank you in advance for your reply Realspeed

http://www.lexus.com/models/rx/specifications.html. Go to the luxury heading, then click on the following dvd nav demo its mind blowing why don't we have the equivilant for this country click on view tutorial - this is the line to look for click on dvd Available Lexus DVD Navigation System [6] with backup camera [7] Realspeed

What seems to be overlooked here is first the resale value after say 3 yrs - the service intervals- and the MPG between the lexus rx300 series and the BMW X5. I have at the moment a 300 se mk1 which returns an average of 21.5 mpg around town and 27/28 on motorway- service every 10,000 miles and depreciation of over 50%. Compare this with the BMW X5 Diesel sport average 29 MPG around town- service approx 15,000 miles and depreciation 20% less over 3 yrs. As Toyota already make a 3 ltr diesel engine if only they fitted it to the Lexus RX300 series they would Knock MBW into oblivion. My car is due for its 30,000 miles service in 2 weeks and I have asked for the RX300se-l as a loan car for the day to make a final assessment on it overall but I do have to say at the moment I am leaning towards the X5, although more expensive with the add ons, for a long term basis and resale value it does seem the better option. I have had no problems with the Toyota back up not only with this car but with others previously and BMW backup is something I know little about apart from asking BMW owners. Taking both as new cars without these considerations yes the Lexus is a better bet but one has to take into consideration these other points as well. Realspeed

Found this web site for japanese cars , may have to join (free) to see all models listed and japanese auctions (Cars) prices in yen http://www.showatsu.com/showa/ Realspeed

http://www.showatsu.com/showa/ have a look at this site you may find it interesting. Realspeed

Hi Jamesholden Unfortunately it has to be a 4x4 due to where I live the models you mention would soon get severly dented in the undercarriage department I think. Realspeed

Hi All My wife and I have just test driven the new RX300 SE-L and I love the car , however my wife being a little shorter than me finds it hard to see over the binnicle and thinks the display ie speedo etc is too much in her face so to speak. Even with the seat raised it does not seem to solve the problem. Has any other one who is smaller in stature had the same problem. My existing mark 1 has a much lower facia which she finds ok. As I say I think it is a great car and my existing version has never let me down in the nearly 3 years of ownership from new.The after care has been first class as well ie servicing. As we are begining to look again for a replacement ( I keep cars for 3 years only saves on the MOT thing, warrantee expiry etc) I am considering shock horror the BMW X5 ,Jeep Grand cheroke, Volvo XC90 as well as the Lexus RX300SE-L. apart from being happy with the car I buy it also depends on what I am offered in part exchange and the residual value after 3 yrs with the new purchase. Service and running costs are not a main criteria,but each has its own things going for it such as BMWX5 does a deisel version but you have to pay for extras great residual Lexus has all the toys but no diesel bit dubious about the hybrid till proven by owners Volvo XC90 has diesel but low power output Jeep Grand cheroke great car but residual very poor So at the moment I am very undecided as to what to go for if only Lexus did a diesel version then there would be no competition, but I do prefer a diesel car. Realspeed

I had a towbar fitted to my mk1 rx300se and after trying everywhere many said the fitting of the towbar was no problem its the electrics that are. Apparently its something to do with the management system accepting the extra electrical sockets and its only a dealer fit situation Realspead