400hWBA

Yes, and initially it happened only once per journey. The dealer had it on Thursday, it then happened once on Friday and the 3 times yesterday. I must have braked going downhill about twenty times, so it doesn't do it every time, never on the flat or going uphill. Didn't use the car today.

I have a problem, over the last 3 weeks a short noise comes as the car is about to stop. I live in a hilly spot, the noise only occurs going downhill as the car is coming to rest. The dealer has cleaned each brake area and checked brake operation and said everything is ok including pads and discs. 

The noise is similar to what you would get when your foot slips from a brake pedal, i.e. a spring type sound. It was only happening once prior to the cleaning, but yesterday it occurred 3 times, all in the same circumstance. The dealer says he will get a technician to go out with me to see if he can identify the problem.

I reiterate, it only occurs going downhill, just prior to stopping. I know that the electric motors brake the car until 5 m.p.h. the the brakes take over, I think the noise may coincide with this change over, and the downhill momentum may be a factor. The car is a 2010 model.

Any ideas?

My concern in keeping my 400h was that the car would be 10 years old, and irrespective of the mechanical and electrical reliability age deterioration on rubber seals, paintwork, alloy wheels etc would manifest itself. I have read of water ingress problems due to leaking roof seals. Maybe if I'd have had a 2009 model I would have been tempted to hold on to it a while longer. Having made the decision to swap I then decided to cover my anticipated length of ownership with a warranty package. Obviously only having the 450h for a few months I don't know relevant economies.

I swapped my 2006 400h which I ran for 7 years, for a 2010 450h in June. The change up cost £13k thro a main dealer. I only ever had problems due to the 12v Battery giving out on the 400h. I still keep running through my mind the economies of swapping, but I took an extra year warranty on the new car plus getting 2 for 1 with the new car so 3 years in total. My mpg is 36 on the new as oppposed to 30 on the 400h. 

I swapped my 2006 400h which I ran for 7 years, for a 2010 450h in June. The change up cost £13k thro a main dealer. I only ever had problems due to the 12v Battery giving out on the 400h. I still keep running through my mind the economies of swapping, but I took an extra year warranty on the new car plus getting 2 for 1 with the new car so 3 years in total. My mpg is 36 on the new as oppposed to 30 on the 400h. 

Hi, I recently changed from a 2006 400h I had for 6 years to a 450h. My purchase criteria was identical to yours so I ended up wth a 2010 sei from a main dealer. I have a similar driving profile without using the sound system. I used to get 30 mpg and now I get 36. I had the 12v Battery changed as I heard there are still issues which show up with age especially if parked up using items without the engine on. Overall I am pleased with the car, it has different characteristics to my 400h, but still a fine motor. Nothing has shown up as a problem, but buying from a main dealer you obviously have the comfort of the warranty which can be extended. Just noticed I need to update profile.

After much deliberation have decided on 2010 RX450. Hope it performs as well as the 400h over the last 7 years.

I have had mine 7 years and only had problems with small Battery, can't fault main dealer service either. Have looked at changing to newer RX a couple of times, but have not been impressed enough with later models to complete. Have started to look at NX, but think I may try to keep my 400h a while longer.

Has anyone gone from Rx 400h into an Nx, I have tried a couple of Rx450 test drives and decided to stick with my 400h. Just wondering if the Nx would be more inspiring?

Having owned my RX for 7 years I can honestly say it's the best car I have owned. My previous cars were Merc W124's and I thought they would take some beating. After 42000 miles with only the crap 12v Battery giving any problems.