Zuke

I'll be buying a caravan shortly and was wondering the capabilities of the RX450h. According to some google searches 1500k is it's towing max. others say 2000k. For my budget (10kish)I would be looking an earlier model.

Has anybody any experience with the RX450h towing? I can't say right now but for what I'm looking at 1500kg is a fair weight van.  

Fuel economy would also be of interest, insurance groups etc .

Hi,

      I'll soon be buying a caravan. Not sure of the weight just yet but from what I'm looking at it might be around the 1500kg. I have an IS 250 at the moment (that I love) but its not suitable for that sort of weight.

So I was thinking, as you do, Land Rover Freelander/Discovery but I hear a lot of horror stories about them . The RX450H look a capable beast and there are a few around in my price bracket. What's putting me off though is possible Battery failure.

At my price range they would be getting on and, as everything, nothing lasts for ever. I believe a few of you chaps tow with the RX450h. What advice or recommendations do you have ?

My other choice would be a Toyota Land Cruiser.  

22 hours ago, Ozzay said:

I went Scotland for the NC500 in my IS250. Down there I found pumps Unleaded 95 without the E numbers. E10 won't hurt I didn't notice a difference in performance I must have used it twice at least out there I think I filled up 4 or 5 tanks worth in my whole journey.

The trip is evolving more in the direction of the west coast, Mull Skye Oban.. but we may tootle up that way, the joys of being retired Oz. Good to know it wont kill the car. Are there any additives that might help?

9 hours ago, GMB said:

If it happens when you go over ridges, speed bumps etc then have a look at the boot lid. Mine was/is badly adjusted and the boot lid was lightly banging against the body/bumper area. I have temporarily fixed it with a bit of draught excluder. Worth a look anyway?  There is no adjustment on the bump stops and I cannot find any longer ones so maybe Lexus can adjust it at the next service for a princely sum?

Hiya Gray, no it's definitely only when the brakes are slightly applied. It used to be a single bump but lately it has doubled to bump bump. 

I think this noise, that comes from the back end, has been there since I have owned the car. For some reason it has now started to bug me .

I only hear it at very low (5mph ish or less) under slight braking. Couldn't say if it was at a full wheel turn.

Any ideas ?

The main reason for asking is we are about to go up to Scotland touring in the car. There does seem to be a reasonable amount of petrol stations with E5, from what I'm reading, if I'm stuck , the odd tank, or half tank of E10 will be ok.

Previous to the switch to mainly E10 I used standard unleaded, which was E5. Since now only running on premium, Vpower etc I have noticed a gain in performance. Also MPG seems to have improved .  

Apparently my IS250 2007 can not take E10 petrol.

What exactly is the problem there? 

34 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

Yeah... I think for IS250 it is like 600kg limit (from memory), so indeed it is not they best choice of the car to use. Not that it can't be used, but just not great.

@Zuke - Landrovers in principle capable, but they are just horribly unreliable, not a joke neighbour bought Discovery, was very happy for 3 months and then engine seized. So I would not recommend, all sort of issues, electrical, mechanical, computer issues, besides you most likely going to get diesel, at which point it will not be ULEZ compliant and why have limitations like that. Plus you don't want "Luton to happen" to your car, so perhaps just stay away from that brand altogether.

What about Lexus RX 400h, they would cost about the same as IS250, so you likely would be able to change the car without paying anything to upgrade. Or if you want to upgrade then RX450h from little bit later years. For MPG they are not amazing, despite being hybrids they are still large cars, so I would say ~32-38MPG would be tops, when towing caravan probably add 20% more consumption. But in grand scheme of thing they would be comparable to other SUVs. Probably will not match diesel Discovery that could do 40-50MPG, but not having to replace seized engine is quite positive!

34 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

Yeah... I think for IS250 it is like 600kg limit (from memory), so indeed it is not they best choice of the car to use. Not that it can't be used, but just not great.

@Zuke - Landrovers in principle capable, but they are just horribly unreliable, not a joke neighbour bought Discovery, was very happy for 3 months and then engine seized. So I would not recommend, all sort of issues, electrical, mechanical, computer issues, besides you most likely going to get diesel, at which point it will not be ULEZ compliant and why have limitations like that. Plus you don't want "Luton to happen" to your car, so perhaps just stay away from that brand altogether.

What about Lexus RX 400h, they would cost about the same as IS250, so you likely would be able to change the car without paying anything to upgrade. Or if you want to upgrade then RX450h from little bit later years. For MPG they are not amazing, despite being hybrids they are still large cars, so I would say ~32-38MPG would be tops, when towing caravan probably add 20% more consumption. But in grand scheme of thing they would be comparable to other SUVs. Probably will not match diesel Discovery that could do 40-50MPG, but not having to replace seized engine is quite positive!

Hi Linas, From questions I have posted here and in other places I have always been given to believe the the IS250 is not recommended for any form of towing. An earlier post from Johnatg

"I don't see why you shouldn't tow a caravan. Just check the weight limits in the Owners manual. 

The car has adequate power and torque and it would be way better than a Landie or a Rangie. " got me looking in the owners manual. All I can find on towing is how to switch off the parking sensors.

Looking in the log book it gives 1500 braked and 560 unbraked.  I don't know just yet how that translates to the size of van I'm looking for but I have always thought the IS250 a bit underpowered myself.

The RX 400h is a good choice for what I'm thinking I need. 

3 hours ago, AWC said:

I've towed a caravan with a RX for the past 15 years and have no complaints.

Hiya Alex, what sort of mileage you getting

2 hours ago, johnatg said:

I don't see why you shouldn't tow a caravan. Just check the weight limits in the Owners manual. 

The car has adequate power and torque and it would be way better than a Landie or a Rangie. 

Hiya John. Are you referring to the IS250 ? 

So I think I've established that my IS250 isn't for towing, even though Witter make a towing bracket to suit.

Bit earl next year I'm going to buy a caravan and so will be changing my car for something more capable.

First thoughts are Land/range Rover but I hear lots of good reports and equal amounts of bad.

Various post on Youtube about various Lexus vehicles that may be suitable but I reckon you guys would, through experience, know what to look for.

Really not looking forward to selling my IS250 at all but such is life eh.

MPG and towing limits are the main thing of course, but I would rather stick with Lexus if Possible.

5 hours ago, H3XME said:

Hi Alan,

If you use your car for regular driving (no racing or anything), I'd suggest any OE products. It's the same product at the end of the day, especially as far as discs go, with pads I'd go for some more known brands. There is absolutely no point spending premium on OEM (genuine "Lexus") parts.

Front Discs from Ferodo (very good aftermarket brake manufacturer) - £84 for both - https://www.autodoc.co.uk/ferodo/11012031

Front pads from Ferodo to go with the discs > £49 - https://www.autodoc.co.uk/ferodo/1508204

You can find cheaper alternatives to both, but I'd personally go with these..good proven brand and doesn't cost an arm.

 

Hiya Lucas,

                   my thoughts exactly. brembo at £45 or as you say plenty other well known brands.  

                                                                                                                                                                         Cheers mate .

I know this will have been done many times, but what are you guys recommending for discs and pads for 2007 IS250

                                                                                                                                                                        Cheers,

                                                                                                                                                                                        Alan

8 hours ago, madasahatter said:

I did the exact same when mine came on, over 3 years ago now.

And Im presuming it worked Keith? 

Does this work ?

Hi All,

          very Icey here in Warrington, the VSC light has been flashing on ice, as it should, but for some reason it has stayed on now with a check engine light as well.. any ideas ??    

Left a window open on my car earlier this week (2007 IS250) so closed it using the key.

Since then the windows are opening for no reason. 

Doesn't happen straight away, no idea how long it takes but again this morning the windows are open ??

Nearside rear window, if I don't put the window lock on for the back comes down pretty much all the time to about half way ? Strange... any Ideas ??

Hi ,

This has probably been asked before, but I'm thinking of fitting (having fitted) a tow bar to my IS250 2007 .

Not for a caravan, just a small trailer for camping and stuff to the tip, nothing heavy !! 

Just phoned my local fitters but they have nothing listed ?

Surely there must be one made for the IS250 ?

Any ideas ??

Passed it MOT today with two advisories .

brake pads getting low on the front and a tyre .

So, albeit it will have been done to death , I would be grateful for any recommendation of both please chaps .

I see on the Lexus genuine parts site ,pads for £ 45    ??

Ill look tomorrow at the tyres but if they are all low, then all four at once me thinks.

                                                                                                                Cheers !

                                                                                                                                              Alan.

This guy has the same tool and housing , also the same crappy fit ! 

I think it was made for this type of housing...mine isn't like this one .

This is the one I bought .