David Chan

9 hours ago, Malc said:

David, I think you're in with a bunch of shisters tbh ......  I would find an upfront and more honest garage to deal with for the future ......  these guys just want to empty your pockets methinks ..........  a year later and THEY have saved you £2k  .......  Main Stealer Dealer eh !

 

Malc

Yes you're right! They certainly haven't filled me with confidence (Lexus Plymouth)

On 11/9/2021 at 5:49 PM, Vadim said:

1. If it is just a light knocking noise from the shock absorbers, it can be harmless (there are reports of knocking valves from new, but that did not affect the longevity of the struts).

2. Swapping from air to coil suspension is possible, but too expensive (besides the struts you’ll have to replace rear wishbones which hold the springs, as they differ for spring and air suspension). But the biggest trouble is to make the computer happy when you switch off the air pump. Note that an error in air suspension system turns off some other systems like traction control. After all parts and labour are considered, you may find it more convenient to keep air suspension.

3. Make a thorough diagnostics to identify the source of the noise. It can be shocks, top mount, top mount nuts, stabiliser links, steering rods, engine mounts, ball joints etc.etc. Mind that RX also has a motor on the stabiliser bar, which prevents body rolling (photo below) and can also cause noise. When you know what causes noise exactly, it may appear a much smaller job to fix, or you can decide to live with it.

Also I would not take the level of diagnostics expertise of lexus dealership for granted - it still depends on the skill of the mechanic who do the job and can be better or worse than that of a no-name garage nearby.

Motor on front stabiliser bar:

Thanks Vadim, that's very helpful. The repeat interim service this week found that the air shock absorbers were fine on visual inspection (they didn't do a road test this year) so I don't have to make any rash decisions for now. 

Thank you all for your replies.

I have clarified the shock absorber issue with the Lexus dealer and their engineer.

Last year during the road test on the 'full' service, they heard a 'knocking' sound although on visual inspection, it looked good. They therefore advised that I had it changed last year which I refused (thankfully).

When I sent it in for the interim service last week, the same engineer who did it last year said it looked completely fine and therefore doesn't need replacing.

They apologised for asking me to replace it last year and we shall await the full service next year before I make any rash decisions so for now I will be keeping the car.

I will find out about the spark plugs as well.

2 hours ago, steve2006 said:

I’m assuming that the “big” service including spark plugs was done at 6 years rather than mileage based (60,000) so if that is the case no biggies again until 120,000 or 12 years.

https://www.lexusofsarasota.com/lexus-rx-450h-maintenance-schedule/

The biggest cause of wear on any car in the UK is the poor road qualities we all pay to have maintained!!! So suspension components, as you have already discovered, are the prime failure area. Wishbones, ball joints, ARB components to name a few.

Everything else is generally reliable 😀

Thanks Steve that's very helpful. Much appreciated. 

Hi

I have a low mileage (54k) 8 year old RX450h - are there any potential major routine repairs / replacement parts that I should expect over the next 2-5 years?

My front air shock absorbers apparently needs changing (£2k) so I am trying to decide if there are any potential 'big' service costs coming my way  soon.

Thank you

David

5 hours ago, Barry14UK said:

Well my fronts were knocking at circa 40K miles on a 2015 car and one boot had slipped down.  It had been previously held up by a zip tie.  The car had been bought new from Lexus Cheltenham and all services done by them. I was the second owner and the car has not been thrashed. These two struts cost about 2K and that was after Cheltenham and I secured about £200 off in goodwill but even then it was conditional  that the £200 was put towards an extended warranty (which was available at the time).  £2,000 is more than I have spent on the the necessary parts on my E39 BMW in the 14 or so years I have had it! 

Wow, good to know, thank you 

7 hours ago, serbarry said:

If Lexus does not replace them under warranty I would consider the opinion of another mechanic/garage before spending £2,000. 

Good idea, thanks

Thanks PCM and Mike, all very helpful.

PCM - Yes I did get it from Lexus and I will be checking if they will replace them under warranty but I doubt it.

Mike - agreed. The second hand market is crazy as you say. I would have to downgrade if I were to sell up and get another car. I'll have a think. I'm not a big fan of leasing if I can help it.

I've been reading this thread with interest..

I've got a 2013 RX450h with only 54k miles and after a year of purchase, Lexus recommended that I replace both front air shock absorbers as they were 'knocking' at a cost of £2k. It came as a shock (pun unintended) and I left it without replacing for a year now and am due another service soon.

1. If I don't replace them, will it cause damage to other car parts?

2. Someone mentioned the option of changing the air to a coil system? (sorry for my ignorance if it doesn't make sense..) Is this possible?

3. I bought the car for 19k a couple of years ago and I've had a few valuations for about 19.5k now. I'm trying to decide if it's worth pouring £2k + along with new tyres (they are due for a change soon) or if I should simply sell it and consider leasing/buying another car.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you

David