R.S.C.

Thanks all. I read somewhere that lights flickering meant the whole unit (not just the bulb needed changing) -though maybe be mistaken. It’s been 12months since the last service, so is due one even though not many miles this past year. Is it worth getting the ‘free’ warranty from a dealership or just go to a specialist? Any problems to be expected for a 10yr old Lexus that it’s worth having warranty for? Wouldn’t be able to get one after this year in any case. I wondered if it made sense to do a Lexus service for this one since it’s still in warranty so if any issues thrown up they might be covered.

Hi All, Time has flown by, it’s been just under year since I bought my GS450h from a Lexus dealership. The car has a one year warranty coming up to finishing. I’ve noticed the left headlight flickers occasionally and pulls to the left a little too. The car had a 90k service when I bought it and has done just under 5k miles this year. What’s the best thing to do with a service?? Another interim or the 100k service early? If I did an interim would I still get the new 1year warranty too? I am hoping that any issues with the car will be dealt with under the currently warranty when the car goes in for a service. Also seems like this may be the last extended warranty I’ll be able to get given the car will be over 10yrs old after this! Thanks in advance all 🙏🏽

Lexus Sidcup maintained they would not replace all tyres with a premium tyre at their cost. I copied in Lexus UK Customer Relations with all emails I sent so they are aware. As previous, I continued to express my disappointment at the quality of care, service, transparency and preparation. The discount they offered on a full set of tyres was circa £200. We have agreed on a set of Michelin Primacy 4 XL which will be ordered in at a cost of just under £300 to me. They will colllect/deliver the car. I still maintain that a brand like Lexus should ensure a high standard for any car they sell regardless of its age - age is not something that comes into safety or tyre performance and to use this as a reason to justify poor quality tyres is disappointing. Lexus UK haven’t commented specifically but at least there is some resolution with this case. Thanks to all for your advice and support through this, it has definitely helped. Sharing the experience may also help others to avoid these issues from the outset and flag-up some customer service issues. Much appreciated.

I think the cost saving is about £200 (Bridgestone RE050). I don’t have confidence in Lexus Sidcup. The car is great. I am disappointed by this purchase experience though. I thought I would write again to Lexus UK and may also share the discussion from this forum too - I expected a higher standard from a Lexus Dealership (unreasonable?). They dont offer the Michelin’s; I assume this is the same for the whole Jemca franchise.

Forgot to mention in my post earlier.... their alternative to budget or premium upgrade was to return the vehicle.... They specified Bridgestone Potenza’s. offered also continental or Yokohama but didn’t say which specifically. all of the above is confirmed in writing. I have to say I’m still surprised and a little disappointed by the standard that is being applied for these cars and customer service.

Nobody contacted me so I called them today. Apparently Lexus Sidcup are happy with fitting Budget FullRun FrunTwo Tyres and don't see the issue or concerns -despite spelling it out. They offered to replace the only two decent tyres (although both different models) on the car with the same FullRun for a full set! They then offered to replace all 4 tyres for a fee of £300 to cover the difference in cost of budget v premium....

This is the response I had from Lexus UK: “Unfortunately, it is hard for us to comment on conversations between you and Lexus Sidcup, as we were not privy to these. However, I have spoken with Lexus Sidcup who confirmed they would not fit premium tyres to a used car over 4 years old with 90,000 miles. Nevertheless, I recognise and understand your disappointment with the different tyres....” They said that a named person at Lexus Sidcup Will contact me to investigate, discuss and address concerns.

Fair points above - it certainly is something that I should have clarified/agreed in writing including the detail of what replacement tyres. Interesting reviews and I take the point that as long as they meet a minimum standard there is no reason why a company couldn't use them. However, I would have expected that an equivalent replacement to that originally specified for the car would have been used particularly by a Lexus Dealership; if they weren’t willing to pay for more than budget then the options should have been available for me to specify (though understand that perhaps I shouldn’t have assumed an equivalent standard to the original would be used) I’ll update once I have a reply to the email. Thanks all for your support and advice.

No. Not at all. I’ll follow the advice and write the whole experience down. Most of it was done already when I emailed following advice above (thank you!). I’ll add to it then send. I would have thought to Lexus UK alone with the suggestion of ‘if no satisfactory resolution then to ombudsmen H&S etc’ - unless you’d advise cc everyone from the outset??

I did have that as a phone conversation at which point the sales person said he would pass it up to the service manager who would contact me the next day. There was no contact. But an email the day after that from the sales person to say Service manager said they would not change the tyres.

Apparently the tyres are an acceptable standard and Lexus Sidcup won’t change them unless it’s at my cost. Disappointing that this is an acceptable tyre for the car through a Lexus Dealership. I may pass this up to Lexus UK as previously advised.

An update: had a brief conversation and had been told that all work was done in-house at Lexus Sidcup. They did replace those two tyres with the Fullrun FrunTwo budget tyres that they stock! There are other options but these were never discussed. The matter was passed up to the service manager who will be in contact tomorrow. (I’m surprised that they even stocked them!)

Car arrived on 22nd

Thanks all. The car is a 4th generation. This is the car I originally went to see (premier) and test drive with one other (f-sport; a year or two newer and lower mileage) at Sidcup. When we (my dad and I) got there they told me that someone had put a holding deposit on the premier (the one I wanted) so we could look at it but not drive it. The f-sport was still available though. The f-sport was lovely but out of budget. While looking around the premier I noticed a few small scuffs on the rear bumper but didn't pay a huge amount of attention to all details since it was ‘sold’. A few days later I received a call saying the buyer for the premier pulled out for finance reasons and the car was available if I wanted it. I was assured it felt the same to drive since it was the same engine but possibly more comfortable based on the suspension and a few extra adjustments on seats. Also, some aesthetic differences. I could return it if I wasn’t happy. We discussed on the phone and agreed a reduced price (few hundred pounds), the 90k service to be done, delivery of the car, bumper respray (and any SMART body repairs the car needed -though obviously I don’t expect a used car to look brand new), alloys to be checked over, any tyres close to needing a change to be changed and a full tank of fuel. Pretty good deal I thought. Some is in writing by means of a confirmation email by me regarding points we discussed. I have an email saying both bumpers were resprayed, all marks and scratches removed (though spotted a few on body panels) and all four wheels changed. I asked if they meant tyres or alloys but no detail. On the phone I was told two tyres were replaced. I didn't ask which brand because I assumed these would be the same as the car was originally specified with being a Lexus dealership. I took delivery when it was raining and only really got to see the car properly the next day which is when I noticed the shortcomings. I missed the person I dealt with at Lexus when I called today but will speak with them tomorrow. They were helpful when we first spoke and it seemed like they tried to ensure the car was in good condition which is why it surprised me that the tyres were poor. ‘Replaced 4 wheels’ and two tyres (new tread blue line still just visible on them); the other two are both Michelin (one pilot sport 3 and one primacy). I’m sure its easily resolved and clearly I should have asked but wouldn’t have expected a budget tyre -being a Lexus dealership assumed Bridgestones.

Am I allowed to share dealership info on here or PM?

Thanks Linas.P The only reason I asked re Japanese/other was because in japan they only use super unleaded hence running my other cars on it. Completely take your point and its good to know the ECU will detect and vary as needed. Re tyres...I was going to call the dealership today and if I don’t get anywhere I will go direct to Lexus UK -completely agree with you but did want to sound it out and be sure I wasn’t being unreasonable!

Hi All, Finally did it! - I’ve now got a 2012 GS450h! -Really is a stunning car! I have a few questions and these are likely to be really basic for everyone here -I’m completely new to Lexus and hybrid cars. I’d appreciate your thoughts. Whenever I start the car, it sounds quite noisy and loud -it may just be my expectation but I thought it would be a little quieter. It may be that when I start off in electric and then the engine comes on I don’t notice it as much. Not something that stood out so much when I test drove it.(its just had its 90k service by a lexus dealership -where I purchased the car) While ticking over, just popped the bonnet to have a look around etc, and its sounded again quite tappety -is that normal for this engine? I noticed the oil was on the lower third of the dipstick marks but the engine was running at the time so will check again once the car has been at rest for a short while. Is the noise oil related? Or normal for this sort of engine? Fuel - I’ve had Japanese imports for many years now and have always run them on super unleaded. I know that I don’t need to run the GS450h on super but does anyone on the forum do that? Worth it? Beneficial to the engine etc? Two tyres were changed by the Lexus dealership before delivery...... they’ve been changed to Fullrun Fruntwo! Not a decent tyre from what I’ve read and surprised me that the dealership would put on such budget tyres. Heard some horror stories......worth changing? I’ve never cut corners on brakes and tyres for obvious reasons. Thanks, R

Do service plans cover just the 10k mileage services or the essential major/minor? I’ve seen a car with approx 90k miles (2012 reg). It will have its 90k service. If I take a service plan out does it cover the expensive 100k service or is it just the essential major/minor? Whats the purpose then of the major/minor? Just to cover those services less than a year but not a significant mileage?? Extended warranty makes sense too.....but then all adds up per month.... peace of mind I guess..... Thanks all.

Thank you

Hi All, I’m looking to buy a used Lexus. I’ve seen one at Sidcup Lexus and the same spec at another non-lexus dealership (further away from me). The one at Sidcup is about £1500 more money and comes with 1yr warranty. The non-Lexus dealership car has 1yr extended warranty remaining. Are there any reasons to buy particularly from a Lexus dealership?? Any benefits/advantages? Or maybe try and haggle them down?

Thanks for the replies...hope I get to enjoy the car as much as you have! Not a huge amount of choice for the budget I was trying to stick to.....£12k-ish. Was hoping for a 300h for economy and tax but not much choice.... Options GS450 Premier 2012 107k miles, GS450h F-sport 2012 105k miles, GS300h F-sport 2013 87k miles. Would the mileage be a put off? If I add on a Lexus warranty and continue to cover then that should be a pretty safe bet for future repair costs etc?? Thanks

Hi All, I’m new to the forum and have been looking at getting a Lexus. Obviously heard great things about the cars. The IS seems great but I like the idea of just a little more room throughout with the GS. So, I think the GS330h it is! I am quite keen to go for a high spec one.....so either premier or F-sport then realised the cost! It got me thinking about whether an IS would be the same as the GS with just the size difference if bought in the same spec. So a few questions to the experts on here (everyone here, except me!): Is an IS300h Premier/F-sport the same as the GS300h Premier/F-sport other than size? Seen a low priced GS300h with FLSH. If I go for this, 2013 with ~90k on it, would you recommend getting an extended warranty? Would you get an extended warranty anyway regardless of which Lexus and mileage? Is there anything in particular it does cover that is a known issue? Assume having this and buying the car from a non-Lexus dealership is a pretty safe bet?? What are the associated running cost? Services etc and I assume with the warranty the sting is taken out of it a little? I have heard about the very firm suspension on the F-sport (I am not too concerned about this coming from Subaru’s) But aside from premier would any other trim be recommended -I would quite like a very luxury feel -its going to be a daily drive in mixed traffic and the unpredictable standstill around london! Thanks in advance for any advice that you can give - its much appreciated. R