John Adams

13 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

John. Have you noticed that you can’t have just the fan on - it always blows cold with the a/c on. There is an option to have the a/c come on with the Auto, but no matter what the setting, the fan always switches on the a/c ? My dealer is looking in to it  

Found a decent thing today. I miss the satellite view in the Sat Nav. In the Range Rover it was a built in option. Only problem was, it used a lot of data and about half way through a month it used look like a patchwork quilt as the monthly allowance had been exceeded. If you used CarPlay and Google Maps you lost the directions in the HUD. I found today, you can put a destination in the Sat Nav and then go into CarPlay Google Maps in satellite and the resolution is superb. You still get the directions in the HUD and voice from the Lexus Sat Nav as well as speed camera warnings. It’s a shame they don’t offer the satellite view, probably for the same reasons as the RR ran out of data allowance each month. I’m not concerned over the data usage on my phone as it’s a 5g with 80gb / month !

Hi Bob

I have mine set to climate concierge and auto which I always leave like that. The AC definitely does not come on unless I switch it on manually. I only switch it on if the car is misting up in rain or if the boss is too hot. 

I've just tried it with auto and climate concierge switched off and I can put just the fan on with no AC on. 

I tried Android auto but I find it a faff having to plug it in each time so I just use the normal screen which I find ok.

36 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

It was the nasal Aussie accent talking about USA prices that threw you ! 

It wasn't the accent that three me it was the booze. By the way, the video was first published early this morning

11 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

John. You didn’t mis-hear it - it’s in the title ! I couldn’t see when this was made - Tesla really shook the EV market up when overnight it discounted list prices by $ 10k. 
The EV world in the States will get even more disrupted later this year when cars and batteries that don’t have a stipulated percentage US parts and ‘minerals’ there is a loss of up to $7,500 in tax credits. Tesla can’t comply with the limits due to the constituents of the batteries. Similarly, now there is a price limit on the cost of the car to gain the tax discount - for saloons it’s $55k and for SUV’s $ 80k. Hence importers like Lexus and the Chinese companies will be fighting against US made cars with a $ 7,500 discount. 
The EU & UK are fighting over a 10% tax being applied from 2024 to EU & UK cars imported ! Ironically, this won’t affect diesel and petrol as it’s the batteries in EV’s that cannot be sourced in-country with the necessary percentage of home parts / constituents. 
I hadn’t realised that after Brexit and the adoption of WTO rules, all Chinese cars already have a 10% tariff applied. Japanese imports are subject to a tariff but it is on a reducing scale. 

Typical, UK government push EV’s then take away the discount on one and a home charger and then levy a tax on EV’s coming in but don’t do anything to support the battery factories needed to stay in their own tax credit system. Crazy. 

Hi Bob. I know it's in the title but that could just be clickbait. I tried to listen to the video but being slightly p**ed through my wife plying me with booze I could have missed the salient points. Water for me from now on!

I've just seen a You Tube video where it says they are discounting new RZ's in the USA by $10000 to try and shift them. I hope not because what happens in the US usually follows here.

Disclaimer: I might have listened wrong as I have just started on a sherry or two for medicinal purposes

29 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

Apologies for always appearing to be RZ defender, please remember I have come from a 2 year old Range Rover Velar that was in the garage 8 times in its 2 years I had it from new. Admittedly it was defective software and audio but drove me mad. Hopefully the RZ won’t suffer the same way. 
I understand that coming from previous Lexus’s you’re bound to compare but I think it is important to remember EV’s are different.
Say the lack of gas struts, the only reason to open the bonnet is to fill the screen wash - what 3 times a year ?

Unfortunately, most manufacturers are jumping on the cheaper eco bandwagon to provide anything bar leather. Range Rover charge £ 2k more for a vegan interior. I do miss the lush leather I had in my 2008 GS 450h but I don’t miss the poor quality leather in 3 new Merc’s and a new BMW. 
I had my car ceramic coated by a professional detailer - he said it was one of the best ‘factory finish’ cars he had detailed. I also noted in the tech spec I got from the web it confirmed that film paint protection was used instead of wax. 
Again, apologies for always looking on the bright side and perhaps not being as critical as I should be. 

Bob, you are right with what you say. But my point about Lexus is that they always used to have the little touches that set them apart from other manufactures's which is now sadly lacking. I mentioned some of the things missing above. But for example, when the first touch screens came out they used to supply a screen cleaner spray. They also used to supply touch up paint with a proper tool kit. (which I never needed but you take my point) Also, every RX and GS I bought up to the last one came with a nice cover to put the tyre in if you had a puncture.  The last 2 RX's had nothing. It's little things like that which used to set them apart from other companies and I for one miss it.

4 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

The original IS didn’t, nor the CT or the current UX but you would expect it on the higher end models. 

I had the original IS 200 and then IS300 (which was the best car I had) and I am sure they had gas struts but of course it  could be my memory

29 minutes ago, F.A. said:

Fair enough.
I’ve had them corrode on both of our IS250s and RX450h. Our 2017 GSF came with silver plastic ones. 

On reflection, that probably is the reason they are now plastic. But I can honestly say that on the previous cars I have owned I've never had one corrode.

6 minutes ago, F.A. said:

I thought that Lexus had moved away from metal valve covers as they corrode and then can’t be removed. 
 

I too was disappointed with the quality of the Rz when I saw it in the show room. The paint on the black plastic / trim looked like it had been done with a rattle can and I don’t think I’ve even seen a Lexus which didn’t have gas struts for the bonnet. 

I've never had a Lexus valve cover corrode and my NX I bought last year had them

17 hours ago, talaipwros said:

Saw it in flesh for the first time and I have to say that I am unimpressed.

The quality of materials - at least their feel - is definitely lower than the one in my RX.

OK, the bar is set high, but the two cars cost roughly the same.

 

 

Have to agree about the quality of the materials which I think is a backward step against all the previous Lexus cars I have had. In particular the ultra suede looks cheap (to me) and I would much prefer leather particularly at this price point.

I've noticed penny pinching in other areas as well. My 15 month old NX450+ which I part exchanged came with a bag for the charging cable and a zipped bag containing a towel and a pair of Lexus branded gloves. The RZ came with nothing. Also, every Lexus I have had have had came with metal tyre valve covers. The RZ has plastic ones. Again, every top of the range Lexus came with passenger memory seats. The last 2 cars have had none for the passenger.  The list goes on.They just seem to be penny pinching whilst charging a premium price. Disappointing really.

Just another quick update. I travelled back yesterday and had a nightmare motorway trip with stop/start traffic most of the way. We also had rain for at least half the journey which obviously required wipers, lights and air con part of the time. Outside temp was around 5 deg lower than when I went down there. Overall I got a very disappointing 2.8miles/kwh. Doesn't bode well for the winter but we shall see.

Just an update on my first long trip in the RZ. This was a 195-mile trip mostly M5 and M5. As I was in no rush as I was leaving the car at a relative prior to going on holiday the next day.  I decided to see what the maximum range I could comfortably get.

We started out with 100% Battery and a range on the app showing  245 miles without AC and 195 miles with AC.

We started off in eco mode and only used the AC when absolutely necessary to stop the boss complaining. I set the cruise to 60mph throughout. The first 40 miles were across country with a 60mph limit.

I did a route plan on Zap Map and it wanted me to stop near Swindon on the M4 with a predicted 30% Battery left. This was too low for comfort for me so I decided to stop  at various service stations to see if I could get a top up. Our normal stop is Gordano services near Bristol which is around 2 hours from home. Now Gordano only has 2 Gridserve chargers but 1 has been out of service for at least the last couple of years so there was little chance of me finding it free when I got there.

On the way I stopped at 2 services before Bristol but all the chargers were  in use. Finally got to Gordano and of course the charger was in use, so I was getting a little anxious about getting a charge when I needed it. Arriving at Gordano we had completed 98 miles and the predicted range was showing  102 miles left and roughly a 50% charge left which I thought was good.

Got to the Swindon charger as per Zap Map  and there were 4 Instavolt  with 1 free which I used. Charging went without a problem, and I resumed my journey.

Got to the destination and the trip was saying I had done 3.1 miles/kwh which I thought was good.

Overall the car performed well although I am not convinced it is as comfortable as the NX I sold but we shall see.

We will be travelling back home tomorrow so it will be interesting to see what happens with Friday traffic.

2 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

Even if they changed their mind about protecting the battery I can’t seem them going through all the testing again for say 30 miles more range. A couple of weeks ago, I read that Lexus was warning the dealers against exaggerating the range but explain why it was more accurate than other marques and stress the 90% after 10 years. 
I am definitely finding that even in the hot (for UK) weather and a lot of 70 mph driving that the 220 miles / 180 miles is accurate and doesn’t plunge like some others. As I said in an earlier post - it may not be the best range but it probably is the most accurate !

Hi Bob,

Well I just woke up and saw your comment. As I said in a previous comment, Toyota  have issued a software update for the BZ4 to increase the range by reducing the buffer and I should imagine this will apply to the RZ as well.  When I get back I will report on my near 200 mile motorway journey. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Anyway off to breakfast!

23 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

John. That is disappointing and sounds a bit strange. When you say it showed 195 that must have been with the a/c going full blast ?  Did you turn that off and see the range go to about 230+. In all my journeys the loss for the a/c is max 45 miles. 
apologies for the really stupid question - was it at 100% when at 195 ? 
Good luck with the drive the hols. 

Bob, I was told they had charged it to 100% but I am not sure they did. I only put the aircon on when it was raining to stop steaming up but it was on for most of the journey.

I have just finished charging at home and it is saying on the app 245 miles without aircon and 196 miles with.

I will be driving just under 200 miles on the motorway Tuesday to park the car up at a relatives for 2 weeks whilst on holiday. The forecast is good weather with no rain so I intend to have a steady drive in econ mode at about 60mph to see what the range is.

I think Saturday was a bad day to make a judgement what with the weather and bad traffic and I am hoping for much better going forward. I will let you know on my return.

On 6/9/2023 at 9:11 PM, wivenhoe said:

John - hope all goes well and you enjoy the drive tomorrow - looks like you’ll be seeing what the minimum range is as you’ll have the vented seat and a/c on full blast. Ask the handover guy about the Concierge function - my dealer didn’t have a clue how it worked !

Hi Bob.Just a brief update. Picked up the car 10am Saturday morning. Everything fine and was expecting a nice drive back on the motorway to do a range check. Fully charged and showing 194 miles. The drive back though was horrid. Heavy stop/start traffic and then heavy rain with a  thunderstorm meaning my nice new car didn't stay clean for long. Obviously lights, wipers and air con were on. At some parts of the journey we didn't get above 45mph with the traffic and weather. Finally got home and the range left was only 35 miles which was disappointing and suggests a range of 147 miles. I'll get a better idea later this week when we go on holiday and have my first experience of rapid chargers. All I need to do now is find a decent car wash. I would do it myself as I always do but we still have an hosepipe ban down here. 

2 minutes ago, RXtoNX said:

Locking wheel nuts hardly present any deterrent to thief's these days. 
My local mechanic removed all 4 of mine without damage to the wheels on my RX when I lost the key in under 5 minutes

It might not be a deterrent but they should still be supplied with the car, same with the second key. If they did get nicked, why should I lose my no claims bonus because of Lexus?

46 minutes ago, DouglasGB said:

Finally picked up my 450h+ on 8th June 2023 order was placed on 25th June 2022, so not quite a year !

No wheel nuts, owners manual or service handbook and of course only one key fob.

Dealers doesn't think the wheel nuts will be forthcoming - what are other peoples experiences regarding wheel nuts ?

Thanks

Graham

I'm picking up my new RZ tomorrow and the locking wheel nuts may take "a few months" according to the dealer. I've asked if Lexus will be picking up the tab if the wheels are stolen and I've yet to have a reply. The second key should be with me in a couple of months. No handbook as they expect you to download them now. Not good enough when you are spending that amount of money

9 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

John. Hope you have an enjoyable handover with a fully charged car to have a relaxing and uneventful journey home. Make sure you get the guy handing over to turn the warning bongs off or down. I think you’ll have about 90 miles left when you hook up at home. 
“Hey Lexus” make my journey enjoyable !

Thanks for the kind words Bob, but unfortunately it isn't going to happen today. For some reason there has been a delay in getting the car delivered from Derby. It is now at the dealers and I have seen a video of it and the agreed delivery date now is this Saturday. The air was blue when I found out -this Monday- as I had all the insurance sorted out etc which I have had to re arrange. I will try and find out the reason for the delay when I collect the car. I have never had a problem like this with any Lexus I have bought before. Given this, I  feel even more apprehensive and I hope I have done the right thing. Time will tell and fingers crossed.

11 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

Actual range after first 1,035 miles. In reasonably hot weather, 70mph for more than 50% of the time, with aircon on high for about 70% of the time I have used 336Kw which equates to consumption of 3.08 miles to the Kw. With a usable 64Kw = 197 miles which is what the car reports, so it confirms the range indicated can be relied upon. Not the best range but maybe the most reliable one !

 

Based on the test drives I had, I was expecting about 3miles/kwh. Be interesting to see what it does when the winter comes. I am picking mine up on Wednesday and have a drive of 112 miles to get home. About 70 miles motorway and the rest 60mph A roads.  Lets see if I get near or better than that.

33 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

I calmed my range anxiety by proving the range indicated is if anything pessimistic. I then put the aircon on full blast and I then know that is the expected minimum. Take 30% off and look for a Rapid charger in that area. 
Reassure yourself by the fact that 10% - 80% takes the time for a cuppa and then you have circa 200 miles. 
I did notice yesterday that the front seats go down to horizontal to lie on - probably for when you want to charge to 100% !

Have you done many rapid charges yet? Zap map says that I only need to charge once on my journey when they indicate I should have 25% left. My problem is that if I get there and  the chargers are  full I have to go to a back up plan which will make me nervous. My view at the moment is charge when I can not when I need to  and I might stop early even though it will take longer. As I say, once I have done it -hopefully without problems- it will give me confidence for the future

2 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

John - that’s unfortunate as Lexus would have claimed the subsidy and your address can only have one. That said, as the cabling will all be up to capacity you’ll only need a new box. BUT the Hypervolt box is £ 660 plus fitting.
As the Pod Point was ‘dumb’ I did a lot of research before buying the Hypervolt and it seemed to come out as one of the best for the App / data control.  
Good luck with the 200 mile drive - the charging curve shows if you charge when the battery is over 50% it takes an age. The last 20% I think takes as long as the 10 - 80% so nerves of steel required ! 

"The last 20% I think takes as long as the 10 - 80% so nerves of steel required ! "

Well that's made me feel better this morning!!!

31 minutes ago, wivenhoe said:

John - I use Zap Map and it gives up to the minute availability of chargers, when they were last used or out of service. BP Pulse seem to have a lot out of service but they’re not Rapid ones. Looking at the Rapid chargers from Osprey, IONITY, & Instavolt, Gridserve and Shell all seem to have mostly in service Rapid chargers. All are expensive - range from about 65p to 80p per Kw instead of 34p soon to be 30p at home. But even 80p is still in line with petrol. Say 10% - 80% is 70% x 64kw x 80p for say 190 miles = 27p / mile. SUV (doing 0-60 in 5s) say 30 mpg = 23p / mile. 
I have seen Tesla have opened up some of their charging network to non-Teslas. I haven’t looked into which one in the UK or the cost of an adaptor to fit their hyper chargers. 
Which charger did you go with at home. I don’t have 3 phase so limited to 7kw - it was my second charger and went with a Hypervolt with a 7m tethered cable, seems to be excellent and does everything needed and has a very reliable App. I have had this over a year. My previous Pod Point was only 3.5Kw and failed after 5 years - no complaint as the government subsidy meant I paid £ 100 for it !

 

Bob, yes I have Zap Map and all the charging apps set up in anticipation. I've also got the Tesla app because there is a location near Wokingham which I go past regularly when visiting the outlaws. I've seen it on You Tube and it has the standard CCS cable. I'm really not bothered  -within reason- about cost as I am more interested in availability.  I'll be doing a 200 mile trip there in 3 weeks and I have a lot of charger locations marked out for the trip just in case the first one is full or broken. Once I get the first trip done I might feel more confident.

With regards the home charger, Lexus supplied me with the free  Hive charger last year which I use with the NX. It works but the app is useless as it often fails to communicate because we are in a poor reception area. Wifi would be better but Hive are not interested in sorting out the problem 

10 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

John - range is remaining accurate and about the same as before. As I am writing this the car is at 82% charged and 192 or 155. I tried the radiant heater yesterday - did seem to be efficient and with the heated seat was definitely warm enough. No idea what it will be like in -5c. 
No new niggles. I’m in exchanges with Customer Service on the second key, locking wheel nut, whether the Keyless is UWB, ‘canbus theft deterrent plate and the Remote Park. 
Really odd today - Customer Service said the Remote Parking hardware was not fitted - I won’t bore you with their explanation. BUT, tried the Advance Park for the first time today and fiddled about when an image came up asking to select from arrows pointing forward or back. I selected forward and the screen came up saying - Remote Park, exit the vehicle with the key and use the App to control the car (or something like that). I have asked CS if this means the car does have the hardware but it’s the App that needs developing - hopefully that is correct so it could just be a download of the updated Lexus Link App.
Similarly the web says the App should have Send To Car (destinations) but it isn’t in the App. 
On the good news front, I used Sport mode today - I thought it definitely made the car feel ‘tighter’ and ‘sporty’ - didn’t seem to diminish the range more than Normal. I don’t understand the reviewers criticisms of having to delve deep into menus to change the mode - there is a shortcut screen with it on which is accessed by an icon on the main screen. There are loads of shortcuts on there but I can’t find a way to personalise them - yet. 
The difference between 1 and 4 brake regen is very noticeable. I’m having fun trying to judge it - little things ………  Similarly, the door opening still puts a smile on my face each time I get in  

I normally use Spotify but thought I would try much higher definition tracks from Apple Music and Tidal. In my Velar it didn’t seem to make much difference on the Meridian 3D 14 speaker system but it certainly did on the Mark Levison !  I’ve cancelled Spotify. 
Hope everything remains on track for you collecting your car next week. 
 

 

Thanks for the update Bob. My delivery has gone back 2 days and is now 7 June due to a delay in Derby. I've been told that that have to put in a warranty claim (??) for the second key and I should get it in a couple of months. The locking wheels nuts might take a couple of months also. I asked them to confirm that if by any chance my wheels should get stolen Lexus will pick up the tab so that it doesn't cost me anything on my insurance etc. So far the silence has been deafening !

Still wondering if I have made the right decision. Time will tell.  A lot of scare stories in the Times yesterday and today about lack of  public chargers etc. and the usual anti EV guff from the comments.

On 5/28/2023 at 12:26 PM, wivenhoe said:

John - let’s hope you are right. I had a quick look and Toyota said the original buffer was 8% and they were going to reduce that after criticisms. The RZ buffer is 72kw - 64kw so over 10%. If they were to halve it then the unheated range increases to about 240  

Hi Bob

Any update on range yet or problems/niggles?

I saw a You Tube video yesterday by Bjorn Nyland about the Toyota BZ4. Apparently it has had a software update which now shows the percentage SOC and also more importantly they have reduced the buffer in the Battery to give a bit more range.  I assume this update will come to the Lexus soon, hopefully before I take delivery

10 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

John - welcome to early owners club from next week. I seem to currently be the only owner on here - perhaps the others are too busy reading the manual. 
This is one car you really have to read the flipping manual for - 700 pages for the car and 300+ for the multimedia so lucky it’s a bank holiday. No doubt you have already downloaded both books. 
It will be good to exchange ranges and good & not so good points. I have found out that the few very minor grumbles I have with the systems are caused by Euro regulations and not Lexus being over cautious. 
Which and colour have you gone for ?
 

Hi Bob

Yes, I downloaded the manual some time back and have been working through it. I've also been downloading Zap Map and a few charging apps on my phone in preparation.

Puzzled to know what the grumbles are caused by Euro regulations.

I've gone for Sonic Platinum Takumi model.  I'm also pleasantly surprised by the insurance costs. I was expecting a steep increase but all I have to pay is £40 more than my NX. I suppose being an old g*t also helps.

Delivery is on 5 June so not long to wait and I will update you then.

All the best and have a good weekend