Barry14UK

Interested to know reaction of insurer to this mod and whether it results in appreciable increase in premium.

I have had a rip in a side wall that that would have been beyond the scope of sealant to close. Fortunately, I had full size spare in the car I was driving. I would not be happy to drive without at least having a space saver. I see that at least some RAV 4 models have space savers and wonder whether this is an option for your wife's car? The initial cost of doing this would would be more than a pressurized tin of sealant but it would be provide better cover. These spares may be available on ebay but are detailed here-https://www.partsgateway.co.uk/toyota-parts/rav4/space-saver-wheel Interesting comments on Honest John site https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/49698/why-doesn-t-the-rav4-come-with-a-spare-wheel-

I think if you read this read this thread through you will find that I have made several suggestions for which I have been thanked and I don't require any lessons from you on protocol, so don't make me an excuse for a link that did not help greatly. It seems to me you have a bit more apologizing to do.

would have thought this question would have been asked before and an answer available

Sorry can't get to my records at present but if you contact Lexus Direct they will give you current price. Lexus Cheltenham emailed me a few weeks back saying they were giving 20% discount on accessories but I think this offer expired at the end of August. You could enquire whether they would still do this discount for you which I believe some other dealerships offered also and compare with what Lexus Direct are offering.

This is a question that owners raise from time to time including me as demand for decent used ones seems to exceed availability. I bought mine from Lexus Direct, a Lexus Dealer at Swindon who sometimes contributes to threads of this club. They posted them to me at an inclusive price of less than Mark's link asked. The new ones come with the extra length bolts you need to fit these plus gaskets etc, so if you buy second hand make sure you get these parts. Mine included a diagram which showed applicable from 2008 on so would be suitable for your model. I also decided to buy the optional 2 cross rails that fit to the side rails from Lexus Direct at a discounted price.

Great result, the sort of service that makes you want to look to keep with a particular dealer. My car is having it's rather delayed 'Essential Service' at Cheltenham next week.

Isn't this the type that has been found to be ineffective on the RX400 and also the extra weight increases noise and vibration. What is needed is a cage that does not touch any part of the exhaust but allows sufficient, though very minimal movement of the exhaust to stop contact with it.

As a good customer of Lexus Cheltenham whose business they will hope to retain, I would ask they extend a bit of goodwill if not covered by warranty.

I suppose it is model dependent. I know I could replace the space saver on my RX450h with a full size wheel in my car but it requires a replacement cover panel which has a step of an inch or so and therefore the luggage space is reduced. I suppose it would be possible to raise the existing cover with blocks as a less attractive option to the one Lexus sell for my model. If you have no spare at present, maybe you could check whether a space saver which has a less wider tyre would do the job. I believe that if you need to use the space saver, you must not exceed 50mph.

Isn't a 'moon' roof what most understand to be a 'sun' roof where cross rails are sold by Lexus to fit to the side rails and this is OK to a prescribed overall weight limit? What is in question is whether the same applies with the pan roof which covers a much greater area. Lexus should make a definitive statement on this, at least in respect of the rails they supply themselves with an upper overall weight limit. I can understand that they may be unwilling to advise on any after market rails that may be provided by any manufacturer.

Nice looking model but if used as a regular car upcoming bills could be considerable. If looking for this sort of car I think I would go for something like this if mileage can be shown to be genuine and under car work in particular not extensive and car looks good whendry too. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-LEXUS-LS430-FULLY-LOADED-WITH-EVERY-EXTRA-POSSIBLE-LS-430-NOT-400-PX/283998008561?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3Dc90692899fa94cafb81fa8135dfa32b9%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D203092844872%26itm%3D283998008561%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Rather an old and lapsed thread but maybe worth updating, particularly for potential Lexus RX owners. My car is just over 5 years old with sub 41,000 miles. (Very few miles have been added since March). I want to retain good value in the car and in this respect will stay with service by Lexus main dealer for the next two or three years, albeit using the 'essential service'. I was previously told the cost for the minor 'essential service' was £245 but apparently there has been a price rise in July which means it is now £275 at Cheltenham, this includes the hybrid battery check but not the MOT. Somebody did say much further back in this thread that being a 'Gold' Member secured a discount on 'essential service' but this is contrary to what I understood would be the case so I will ask when I take it in for the service this month. I am aware that Lexus main dealers are part of several groups. Do they have nevertheless operate an identical service price structure do you know? I know Lexus Direct located in Swindon discount the price of at least some parts and I wonder if they are less expensive on servicing, something I will look into for the future.

The V8 added cost and complication that was not necessary as the 530 did all that was needed and some, unless you were going to track it. I have just broken a sports model for parts and to finish upgrading my 530SE to sports look, something I started doing a few years back. I am torn between doing a couple of minor jobs and putting it up for sale or keeping it. Some previous 5 series are going up in price and I am sure the E39 will do so too in due course. I have replaced all the usual culprits and the car is relatively simple and cheap to service and maintain compared to the RX. Were it not for my degenerating back, I would have kept it in use. Incidentally, the E39 was one of the cars largely designed by Joji Nagashima, a Japanese designer. Anyway, the reason I mentioned it in this thread was when I retrofitted genuine Xenons to replace the very poor halogen dipped beams , I had to fit the leveling sensors etc, whereas if it it been the Touring version this would have required minimal work as that version had self leveling rear suspension.

Interesting question. The term 'self leveling' usually applies where the rear suspension includes the ability to adjust the rear end to compensate for increased heavy load thereby keeping car level. Thus my E39 BMW saloon with just springs is not self leveling whereas the equivalent estate model which (BMW call Touring) still with springs but incorporating a load compensating device is considered self leveling. My 3rd Gen RX450h has air suspension but although you can operate this to raise or lower the car to operate within certain speeds, I don't believe it is self leveling in the usually accepted meaning of the term as I don't think it compensates the rear for load. Incidentally, Lexus dropped air suspension on the 4th Gen RX450h.

I have been under the impression that it was the lower models of a marque's range that just had one reversing and one fog light. I can't remember having less than two of each in the last 25 years and not all of them were the top models. There was a thread sometime ago when somebody complained that even with two reversing lights he could not see to back up in certain circumstances and I believe fitted more powerful LEDs or some other modification. Of course back up lights are not intended to serve as rearward driving lights but are to warn other drivers of the maneuver.

It's difficult to see from pic whether this is all down to the leather (synthetic?) being stretched perhaps by the driver sitting on the edge of the seat and swiveling his/her legs over or if the seat material beneath (foam?) has been crushed too. It seems to me that you need an opinion from a specialist trimmer. Alternatively, you could ask Lexus whether they sell replacement covers. Had it been black there would have been a chance of getting a seat from a breakers but the seat on this particular car seems to be brown and less frequently found. Certainly it greatly detracts as is.

Always happy to learn https://www.hella.com/techworld/uk/Technical/Car-electronics-and-electrics/Activated-charcoal-canister-3446/

Some people seem to need water pumps, maybe cheaper to fit on some models but certainly more expensive on the late RX cars due to heavy labour content. Radiators are pretty lightweight on all cars and are subject to expansion and contraction. I think I have replaced radiators or had them re-cored on almost all cars I have had including a Camry. On most cars this has been quick and straightforward to do but I am concerned as other jobs, it might prove laborious like changing spark plugs to the rear bank on the Lexus RX models. I suppose much depends on how well a car has been serviced and the mileage covered. Older cars can also suffer from rust and it's easier to treat the underside early rather than dealt with it later if you are meaning to keep them for a long time.

That's interesting, I was under the impression that only diesels had a charcoal canister. I wonder what recommendations are to replace this part.

One has to remember that you are not just imposing a static weight on the roof which is being subject to additional stress as the suspension throws the body up but as speed increases yet more pressure is generated. I can understand reluctance of Lexis to approve these additional loads and stresses with a Pan roof but this should be made very clear for both original and subsequent purchasers as owners may well fit some sort of aftermarket rails if unaware.

The Michelin Cross Climates also greatly improved the ride quality on my RX450h but as a generalization I don't think SUV's ride as well as Lexus or other Premium saloons. My daughter has a 7 seater Kia Sorento and the ride is not brilliant too.

Congratulations looks good and very welcome insurance not increased.

I am sure the AA would have checked this in your case but the click click can also be down to a poor earth. Learnt this with my first proper car when I knew nothing about cars. Car would not always start just giving clicks sometimes, so got garage to check and the posts and terminal connectors were cleaned and reattached. Problem solved which cost me half a crown - well it was a long time ago!

You mean the one with a wife who seems to have a better comprehension of reality than him (which admittedly would not be difficult)?