Glover

it's a while since I read this thread but the internet article suggests that only one Lexus model the RX450h is vulnerable. Which begs the question; if other Lexus models aren't vulnerable can't Lexus use that technology in the RX? In the meantime I keep my keys in the fridge as apparently that works as a Faraday cage but they're a bit cold when you first put them in your pocket! Those who have knowledge of these things might be able to confirm if that works or is it just another internet myth? I didn't know about the double locking to activate the immobiliser. I know that on cars with remote fobs (not keyless) some of them activate double locking an the immobiliser by double clicking on the key; does that mean I should lock my car by double clicking the fob rather than just touching the handle?

Like Eamonn I can definitely recommend Lexus Birmingham; great prices and brilliant service. I bought rubber mats (cabin and boot) plus the rear bumper protector considerably cheaper than the dealer 'cost price' that I was quoted by the salesman when I bought the car! And the Lexus Birmingham price was far cheaper even including delivery!!!! In effect I got the bumper protector free with the Lexus Birmingham price. On the subject of cheap genuine parts if anybody happens to have a Honda in their family try www.coxmotorparts.co.uk. They also have great prices and service.

£700? I'd want titanium for that:-)

Totally agree Carl except for the comments about the sound system and that's not because you're wrong it's just far too technical for me! I wanted a light interior and sunroof; getting the navigation package, Bluetooth, under-runs, 19 inch alloys and what I think is a great colour was just a bonus. Mine was also low mileage; just under 25,000 on a 12plate. A bit more than I'd originally intended to pay but glad I did it.

Thanks GSLV6; glad it was helpful. My RX is June 2012 pre facelift Advance in Mercury Grey, ivory leather with front and rear under-runs but Premium i.e. 12 speaker rather than ML ICE’ and no roof rails. I've read mixed reviews on the ML; it sounds like it's very good but perhaps not a deal breaker as some reckon the 12 speaker Pioneer gives a better sound. I'm not an audiophile so can't comment but the 12 speaker sounds good to me! Carl I know exactly what you mean about the electric windows and it was picked up in a review. I'm constantly amazed everything is just so well made and its also a very cosseting place to be. I had a comment the other day that it was like sitting in a comfortable lounge! It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it.

I've had my RX450 for just over 6 months now so thought I'd add my experience of my first few months to this very interesting thread. Quite simply it is the smoothest, most comfortable car I have ever owned. It's deceptively quick even in eco mode and I don't think you'll find any problems overtaking on country roads. I don't think there's any lag with the petrol engine but even if there was the electric motors will respond immediately. It's not a Ferrari but then again you can't carry 5 passengers and all their luggage in supreme comfort in a sports car. I have it switched to eco all the time; it appears to give a good balance of performance and economy. As a result it's also reasonably economical (I've done just shy of 7,000 miles and averaging just over 37mpg over that whole period). In the summer I averaged just under 39mpg. My daily commute is 5 miles each way with mainly stop/start city traffic and the final mile or so reasonably clear. In the summer I got 38mpg on that run in the winter 32-34 but there is the benefit of heated seats to offset the slightly reduced mpg:-). I don't drive slowly but as many on this forum have commented you do adapt your driving style and anticipate a lot more so that you can coast or brake gently. It's not absolutely perfect; there's the odd thump on some potholes but it's more obvious because it's usually quiet. You hear the engine if you floor the pedal but it's not an unpleasant sound and once up to speed serene calm descends once again. As with any car it's a compromise but it's probably the best of all SUVs at managing the issues of handling, economy etc. that big, heavy, tall vehicles face. Everybody young and old comments positively about it; they're amazed by the looks, finish, comfort, toys etc. From opening the door by touching the handle to the seat and steering wheel gliding into position it's just a series of wows (or appreciative swear words from the teens and twenties!). I first looked at the RX in October last year and also the GS but in my opinion the RX feels more special. I waited until May this year then decided to pop down to my dealer for another look and they'd just put my dream RX, a pre-facelift Advance with low miles, cream leather and sunroof on the forecourt. A short test drive and I signed on the dotted line! The first drive was amazing and it just keeps getting better so keep looking and I'm sure you'll find your ideal RX soon.

Hi all Thanks for the very useful replies. Not sure if I fancy doing it myself; I think it's just the fit and finish of Lexus is so good that I don't want to end up damaging it. I'm not a complete novice; I've changed discs, brake pads, fitted in car entertainment, replaced winder motors, carried out services etc. in the past on a range of cars but I've always worked on simpler and cheaper cars so have been fairly confident. The Lexus is a completely different beast! I'm thinking of asking whoever does it to use the Nextbase hard wiring kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=nextbase+wiring+kit&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=101433667094&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1967671626117968901&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046398&hvtargid=kwd-153489230670&ref=pd_sl_b6gd6u5h0_b Given the Lexus price quoted in Sorcerer's thread if anyone knows of a good electrical fitter in the Nottingham area that would be really useful too! Thanks

HI all Has anyone any experience of having a Nextbase Dash Cam hardwired? There looks to be two options; wiring into the interior lights above the mirror or wiring into the fuse box. I'm thinking of buying the Nextbase hard wiring kit to do this. I'd be fairly confident doing it myself in any other car but the trim on the Lexus is so well fitted that I don't want to risk damaging it. So the next question is should I use Lexus Nottingham (or another Lexus dealer) or an independent. Does anyone have any experience of Lexus and their charges for this or is there a good independent that anybody could recommend. Thanks

HI all Has anyone any experience of having a Nextbase Dash Cam hardwired? There looks to be two options; wiring into the interior lights above the mirror or wiring into the fuse box. I'm thinking of buying the Nextbase hard wiring kit to do this. I'd be fairly confident doing it myself in any other car but the trim on the Lexus is so well fitted that I don't want to risk damaging it. So the next question is should I use Lexus Nottingham (or another Lexus dealer) or an independent. Does anyone have any experience of Lexus and their charges for this or is there a good independent that anybody could recommend. Thanks

Thanks Nemesis, that makes perfect sense. Mine sometimes shows an almost full battery and then will cut in when I'm doing slow speed manoeuvring but at other times will stay on electric when it's showing two purple bars and I'm doing over 30! But the technology is amazing; this is my first hybrid and although I know when it's cutting in at very slow speeds, once its going it's so seamless and quiet that unless I have the energy monitor on accelerating hard I struggle to identify what motor is working. Lexus certainly know how to build cars.

Just realised guys I probably don't know what ICE is. I thought In Car Entertainment but I assume as it kicks in that it's something totally different.

My 450h is all over the place at the moment as well. Averaged 43mpg on a 50 mile trip with mixed town and A & B roads rolling hills and a couple of steep ones but earlier in the week I was getting 32-33 mpg just city driving. Both trips with ICE, heating and electric seats on all the time and lights and wipers some of the time. Overall average for the 6,500 that I've done since getting the car is 37.5. I get far better mpg with the energy monitoring display on; it helps with training my right foot to cruise! In the summer I was getting 38 - 40mpg with a best of 45.1. My driving is a combination of city commute (in the summer city only would average 38 so 5 or 6 mpg worse at the moment), and on odd days rural A & B roads with the odd dual carriageway or motorway. I don't go mad just keep up with traffic so generally 50-60 on A roads and 70 on dual carriageways. One thing I'm not sure about is whether air con is on still a bit confused about that function as there is a recirculation light, another light next to it on the left had side and then an auto button with light under it on the right hand side. Which button or buttons activate the air con? Plus I don't know if they all do this but mine seems to start up with the mode on feet only regardless of the previous setting.

Hi just on the subject of MoTs. If your Local Authority does MoT testing take it there. They don't repair cars so it doesn't bother them whether it's a pass or fail, they don't make any extra money out of failing cars. I know MoTs should be fair but I had a fried who did all his own repairs etc. and every year the garage would fail him on something that the average diyer wouldn't be aware of. I told him about the Local Authority; he didn't have a single fail once he started going there! I've had a multitude of cars since the early 80s when I first started using Local Authority test centres; only had two fails in all that time. I had a Passatt estate with a load adjuster spring for the rear brakes. Every year the MoT tester would free it up instead of failing it and tell me to spray WD40 on it. Needless to say I forgot every year!

I had the same problem with 2001 my Yaris (weekday car!). Found an article online about using wet and dry; start with 800 or 1000, then 2000 and finish off with 4000 grit. Really scary at first .(you'll think, what have I done!) but as you go through the grits the lens gets clearer and the 4000 polishes it. Didn't take long at all but make sure to keep the paper wet and rinse the lens frequently. I also tried toothpaste; used ordinary cheap own brand at first; then I fought maybe a smokers toothpaste might be a bit better so tried Eucryl Powder. That got them a bit clearer but mine were very oxidised hence finally resorting to wet and dry. I got a mixed pack of wet and dry including 4000 grit from Halfords but looking a few minutes ago they don't seem to do it any more but you can get it on amazon.

Hi Jason Yes especially when we get the odd hot day it's great to cool the car down before you get in although I've found that the leather seats don't get as hot in the sun as I thought they would, which is a bonus! It's amazing how many extra settings are available, dealership sorted out windows at no cost, which was another bonus. Only took them a couple of minutes and they washed the car too:-) Glover

Hi. Thanks for all the very useful replies. Will definitely look at the LED option (hadn't thought about the back lights sounds like a great idea). And thanks for the Lexomanlink. Anybody got any suggestions for a stockist; I assume the main dealer doesn't sell the LED replacement.

Hi all My first question after joining the club on Wednesday. I hope I'm not asking a question that's already been asked but does anybody know if it's possible to change the sidelight bulbs for something a bit brighter/whiter. They look very dull and yellow, I'd like them to look a bit more like an LED. And if it is possible to change them is it easy to DIY (I had an Audi A4 where you had to virtually dismantle the front end to change some of the bulbs!). Thanks in advance

Hi Graham and Bluesman. Thanks for your warm welcome. I've already found the Club really useful; it's so easy to find answers here. And I've been able to show the dealership some functions they didn't know existed (I can now remotely open and close my windows and roof!). Looking forward to finding out more and maybe in the future helping other members.

My first Lexus and it's brilliant! It's the most comfortable, relaxing car I've owned (and the most expensive!). I'd wondered about the RX but dismissed it initially as to expensive to buy and run but I started to read the reviews and realised that it might be a viable option. I've had my car for 3 months now and covered just over 3,000 miles of mixed driving from the dales of Yorkshire, to city streets. My driving style has totally changed,; I still keep up with traffic and overtake as usual but the Lexus just makes me feel far more relaxed and calm. But occasionally I let the V6 sing. I couldn't believe it the first time I used kick down, I referred to it as all hell let loose! Smooth but very quick for such a big car. It's really comforting to know that when you go past a slower moving vehicle you won't be in the outside lane for long. I've averaged a real 38.7 with a best of 45.1 I find the mpg indicator to be fairly accurate and within 1 mpg of the actual. Everybody who gets in the car says it feels like they are royalty it's definitely a great place to be regardless of the length of the journey. I've got lots of questions to ask but have already found the answers to many of them on the forum so thank you fellow Lexus owners.