Friso

3 hours ago, Delphius1 said:

Also, electric cars don't run on pixie dust and unicorn droppings: there's a coal or gas fired, CO2-belching power station providing the electrons to charge your electric ever-so-righteous-mobile, so they are never the pious proposal owners delude themselves they are.

At least the hybrids harness kinetic energy that otherwise would be wasted. They do save CO2 emissions over time. But just ignore the toxic lakes produced by the lithium mines... 

No arguing with that 😄 Apart from thermal power stations though, we have wind power, solar PV and other renewable energy sources feeding into the grid... There is liberty of choice, hence you may well get all your electricity needs supplied by renewables! An interesting documentary to watch: "Who killed the electric car".

9 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

Essentials servicing was a discounted service for vehicles over 5 years old. It's been discontinued so the only option now is the standard service - glad you got a discount which brings it inline with what you would have paid for essentials.

It's now apparently called: "Lexus Relax" and includes 12 months' warranty, up to 100,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/warranty/lexus-relax/#rewarding-loyalty 

2 hours ago, Lydiamight said:

I am fortunate that I have a very well respected and reviewed Lexus & Toyota specialist about six miles away. My Rx400h is now nearly thirteen years old and i took the car out of the main dealer network around five years ago. My Lexus specailist has performed superbly during that time.  OK--I don't get a loan car, Nespresso coffee and and attractive young lady on reception in a smart showroom. But I do pay a fraction of main dealer prices. If anyone is interested the outfit i use is http://www.tech-one.co.uk/  based in Sidcup.

No connections other than a very satisfied customer

 

 

That's where I go. Much prefer it as you get to speak to the guy doing the service. I'm not too bothered with the hybrid health check either. Will probably do it gain at some point though..

Hi Simon,

Can't comment on the Air Suspension question but I chose to avoid it when making a similar decision in 2017. That does mean that you would be without some features that are specific to the Premier version. Colin Barber's overview on the Forum's homepage is really useful in this respect for comparison (linked below). It does look like PCS and ACC were both options on the F Sport grade and Premier models, but again, not sure how common they actually are. Don't recall reading much on these features on here. People do seem to like HUD though, which you would also appear to miss out on if going for an Advance model (Sport and Premier have HUD).

There seem to be mixed opinions on the ML system, some even preferring the 'standard' system, which is pretty good as it is. I settled for a Luxury model with moon roof, but was pretty pleased with the spec as I had nothing to compare it against (first car). I do like my music though and am pretty impressed with the non-ML sound system.  

I haven't checked prices recently but you may have to up your budget.

Good luck and do use the search functionality which will direct you to other similar threads (which I researched extensively myself before taking the plunge). 

23 hours ago, Barry14UK said:

To my way of thinking there should be more flexibility here.  Whilst used fluid can degenerate with age as well as mileage, what is the point in replaceing s/plugs at 23500 miles when they will comfortably do 60,000?  Surely, this item at least could be left and an adjustment made for the very considerable time saved and the cost of the plugs?

There is with the Essential Service, which wouldn't include the plug change if I remember correctly. 

Must admit that I either started to get used to it or I just stopped paying attention. Hope it's not this though: 

http://carspecmn.com/toyota-and-lexus-v6-cold-start-engine-rattle-2gr3gr4gr/?utm_source=LexusOwnersClubUK&utm_medium=ForumLinks

It does seem cheap, even considering the car's 90k mileage..

On 2/23/2019 at 7:43 AM, Vlady said:

Your insurance must be through the roof!

I have like 10-12 YNCB and paid this year almost £600!

It's way too high for my liking, but not as bad as you might think - just over £700/year with Admiral. Last year when I was obtaining quotes it was a few hundred more, hence in fact pleasantly surprised that a fault accident during the year and no NCB ended up me paying less. Goes to show what everyone on here already knows or has experience with: we're trying to apply common sense on an industry, which is guided by all kinds of metrics and common sense doesn't feature. 

My motorbike insurance goes up every year even though 14+ years NCB, sometimes by as much as 100%. You then end up calling and a surreal conversation begins, s'thing along the following lines: Me: Can you explain the reason for the increase in premium this year? Insurance: You live in London and motorbike thefts are rife. Me: But I've got 3rd party only. Insurance: Doesn't matter...  You get the gist.

2 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Surely you have more than 2 years NCD? Ive always kept mine protected. 

Bought the car in 2017; less than 2 years ago. Never owned a car before although driven plenty (but not as a named driver). Also 10+ years no claims bonus on a motorbike, which doesn't count.

On 12/12/2018 at 11:11 AM, rayaans said:

I was with admiral under a multicar policy for a good 3-4 years until this year.

They increased the premium by £600 altogether. Went online, got quotes separately and then phoned Chris Knott brokers who beat both quotes with bespoke cover

Also tried Chris Knott but was told they require at least 2 years NCD...

10 hours ago, Shiner said:

I meant on the car I might buy....see above

They won't be diamond cut as it is a Luxury model. Don't think any of the 3RX came standard with 18 inch, hence would be difficult to 'avoid' when buying. Maybe s'thing to consider when opting for a separate set of summers and winters. Looks like a nice example indeed (if you like black..). Michelin tyres on them, which is a good sign and you may be able to get s'thing off the price considering the cars mileage. Good luck!

Thanks for clarifying; I got that. Notwithstanding, I choose to explain the functionality as available on the RX450h, which I believe Peter is after. If not available on earlier models (can you confirm this John?) then other RX450h drivers may still find this useful. Or am I ignoring a forum rule here?

You can link your settings to one of the keys on the RX450h, but this may not have been available on yours. I don't think the functionality as you describe is available either way (car remembering key position last used for each key).

I just doubt there is enough space to fit 3 in a row. Also depends on the types of seat of course, but even if you could, how are you gonna reach to the middle with a seat on either side? Seems impractical.

7 hours ago, Gliderpilot said:

Both of the flimsy exhaust shields on my 400h came loose and rattled like mad. check them both and refit with penny washers and stainless nuts and bolts.

Given that both you and Edward hint at the exhaust shields this 'sounds' plausible indeed. I've got limited technical knowledge but presume that checking and fixing them requires good access from underneath?

(Approved used) warranty was expiring hence brought it in to have it checked for peace of mind. Lexus couldn't find anything and nothing showed up in diagnostics (which I guess it wouldn't with a loose bit). Anyway, will at least get a clean car back

On 8/8/2018 at 10:52 AM, Silversalmon said:

Sounds like a loose bit of engine compartment  trim or one of the many exhaust shields, we had it on our CT, eventually went away. Doesn't sound ominous. Start again with hood up and see if you can get nearer to sound. Wouldn't think it warrants a trip to the dealer. Good luck

Many thanks; comforting to know.

Grateful for your thoughts on this start-up noise. Persists for about 20 secs from when the engine kicks in at start-up and cedes thereafter. Probably worth booking it in, but thought I'll check here first to see if anyone else has experienced s'thing similar (or whether this is 'normal').

Thanks in advance,

Friso

Just slightly annoyed as had the car in for bodywork repair not that long ago at which time I was told (by Lexus) that the front tyres would still last a couple of thousands. 

22 hours ago, Fsport said:

You guys have too low expectations.  I would be annoyed if my 2005 RX300 doesn't pass its MOT for the next 5 to 10 yrs first time.

 

These cars are ultra reliable.  Ive driven mine around Europe and up and down from London to the Lake District many times.

Slightly jealous of you guys though. The cars may be (ultra reliable), the tyres may have issues as I found out myself today. Failed MOT because one of the front tyres has a cut exposing cords between treads. Was planning to have both changed anyway given that both fronts were at 2/3 mm, but now considering to have all 4 changed as one of the rears was also recommended by the (Lexus) garage to be changed due to it being slightly perished. This one still has 5 mm left but probably has been on there since the beginning (car has only driven about 26k miles in 5 years). Interestingly, this is not listed as an advisory on the MOT though. On the upside, this gives me a good excuse to get all seasons fitted, which would have been my longer term goal..

8 hours ago, sorcerer said:

As I said above, the Goodyear Vector 4 Searsons G2 all round is my preferred choice. The two on the back that I have at the moment seem to be excellent and being an all-season tyre there's no reason to worry at any time of year.

Hi John, that's why I am also seriously considering the Vectors 😉 Are your Bridgestone's up front also all season or have you mixed all season with summer tyres? Guess the Vectors only come in 105 for load and W for speed rating, right?

I have the oem dunlops all round, but recently noticed that a Sport Maxx A1 and a Sport 270 have been put on the rear axle. I could see in the service history that 1 tyre had been replaced, which probably explains it. They both have sufficient tread left (around 6 mm), although the outer edges seem to go a little faster than the inside. Both front tyres are just above 2 mm, hence need replacing anyway. I am now in two minds what to do: i) replace both fronts with the Lattitude Sport 3's to maintain summer tyres all round, or ii) replace all 4 with the CrossClimate or Goodyear Vector 4 Season. Option ii would probably be my long term aim anyway, but option i would allow me to continue to use the rear tyres while benefiting from new good summer tyres up front. 

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated as always.

11 hours ago, sorcerer said:

I haven't either, very unusual - what's the story Friso, if you don't mind us asking?

Have a look here: http://nice-reg.co.uk/number-plates/number-plates/diplomatic-number-plates-embassy-plates.html. 

It's for non-diplomatic staff working (in my case) for an international organisation. I'll change it back though as insurers willing to provide insurance are few and far between. Admiral (who I was with originally) said they would but then conveniently changed their mind after I had gone through the process and was confirming the registration plate change, leaving me to find alternative insurance at about twice the cost (just before a Christmas trip to the continent)...

All done now (last week). Some miscommunication between Lexus and the insurer meant that the approval for the repair didn't come through to Lexus. Anyway, wasn't in a hurry myself as the car was driveable. Got an NX to drive for the week, which was nice. Wouldn't trade it in though, the RX is by far superior as others have commented. Thanks again for your responses earlier and now hoping that next year's premium won't go through the roof!