Harrier Man

Great news Barry. Keep the news coming when you have a delivery estimate.

I started a new thread, "Hive App" which is related to this one. I would welcome people's experience on this particular aspect of the Wallbox installation. Thank you.

I noticed on the 450 Wallbox Installation thread that several people have been having charging problems. To educate myself, I looked up the Hive app on Google Play as I thought I would need to download this soon (when my car arrives). However, I have come up with more questions than answers. The Android app gets just 2.2 stars; very poor, and I wondered if the app was causing the charging problems rather than the charger itself? Oddly, the Apple version scores a more reasonable 4.5 stars. On reading the app descriptions, neither mention EV charging functions but I am looking at the right app because I followed the links from the hivehome.com website. This website does have a brief description of what the app can do for you but none of the functions look very useful to me and I didn't get a sense that I needed the app at all (previously I thought I did). Obviously the app does much more and will therefore be useful to some people but if these other functions aren't needed or wanted, is the app any use for just the EV charging with the Alfen charger installed by BG?

My turn to grin and be happy! Email from Lexus saying my car gone into build today. That surprised me as one of the Toyota websites had info that factory building the NX 450h+ was shutting down this week. No call from dealer yet but the email from Lexus was timed at 18:02 so they probably haven't caught up yet. App does reflect the new status 🙂 Paid deposit for my NX450h+ Premium on 4th Feb; order form dated 6th Feb. No fancy extras, cross rails and protection pack, assured no supply problems with either.

I wouldn't worry about the mechanical backlash but, decades ago when I was in my 20s, I was stopped by the police for having 'fruity sounding exhaust! Today, life is very different of course but I will refrain from any comments about our men and women in blue!

Thanks for the recommendation Phillip. I went on to purchase the IK Sprayer PRO 12. This model is more expensive as it has a larger capacity and can be pressurised through a Schrader valve as well as the in-built hand pump. I have used it twice now and appreciate that I only have to repressurise it twice to cover the whole vehicle. The Pro 12 holds enough liquid to do the whole car too. I went for Maxi Suds II from Chemical Guys on the recommendation of a What Car review. It doesn't foam up to the extent that you can't see the colour of the car (as appeared to be the case in some photos) but I'm not disappointed. Despite not following the instructions, all I did was spray the foam onto a car that hadn't been washed for 2 months and then rinsed it off, the results were very good. More significant was that it was very easy. Spray foam on, rinse off.

Not sure about independents but Lexus Edinburgh (not too far away) are going to give my car a ceramic coating (when it arrives!) as part of the purchase deal. Note that a ceramic coating professionally applied is not the same as using a ceramic snow foam.

The disadvantages of run-flats mentioned by Len are true, plus they are generally more expensive to buy. That might lead to a decision to go for non run-flats, like the CC but you need to think about the scenario if you do then get a puncture. Rely on the AA? Buy and carry a spare? Consider carrying a kit that seals the puncture and inflates the tyre. All have their disadvantages but, given that punctures are not that common (famous last words), the advantages of 'normal' tyres might win the day. The 450h+ manual does say on page 624 that the TPWS might not operate if a tyre has been replaced with a tyre that is not an original equipment tyre but others (John & Len) have explained this.

Thank you Michael. My guess is that it was designated "Internal use only" because it preceded the official launch but there is nothing 'secret' about it so I expect you'll be safe from the Lexus police! 😉 Enjoyed looking through it; the sort of information I like to see and isn't always easy to come by.

My (non-professional) advice from what I can see is to keep them for now and have a nice, full-tread depth tyre fitted for the winter. Bear in mind that your current tyres are worn so wet weather performance will be reduced. Be especially careful if we have a long hot spell followed by a heavy downpour. Drive safe.

I have noticed several owners have opted to have dashcams fitted. May I ask what reasons people have for doing so?

My reading of the 27 May news was that this covered "Adjustments to domestic production" which I initially took to mean that there would be fewer units for the Japanese market. However, it could (perhaps more likely with hindsight) be interpreted as all the Japanese factories reducing output and, as our NX's come from Japan, we could be affected - to the tune of another 5 days of shut-downs (all of next week).

I can't speak directly regarding the BG installed Alfen charger or the Hive app as I have no car to test them on - yet! However, before I went the Lexus route, I enquired about a Rolec charger because they were guaranteeing installation before the grant deadline expired. They put me onto a local, independent company who provided me with 2 quotes, neither of which was for a Rolec charger. When I enquired why, they said they had experienced reliability issues with them. This appears to be confirmed by a local restaurant who still haven't got working chargers after 3 months of the main boxes being installed. This was my experience in February and of course things do change. I have no axes to grind, just reporting what I was told at the time.

Official news on factory closures planned for June can be found here: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/37370481.html Article dated 24 May. There were 9 days in May when the NX450h+ line was closed, with 2 days planned for June. Hopefully this reflects encouraging news that the parts shortages have eased, albeit slightly.

Exciting news. For you and me. My 450h Premium ordered 6th Feb. Having read that James' 450h went into build today, I immediately went onto the Lexus Link app and my portal on the Lexus UK website but both show order still being processed 😞 Surprised by your delivery times. I had read (Starlight 18 Dec 21) build times as short as 2-5 days and been told 8-10 days. Also told (by dealer) that shipping should take 38-40 days but ship is too big for UK ports so has to go to Rotterdam and be transferred to a smaller ship. Could be a delay there. Once unloaded in UK, vehicle goes to ?? if options such as tow bar need fitting. If not, goes straight to dealer (couple of days). Dealer can normally turn it round within 72 hours. All this gleaned from various forum posts and from dealer. Even then, there are still many points and reasons why delivery times change. Keeping my fingers, and toes, crossed for us all.

Thanks Chris, very good news. Just need my car now so I can try it out whilst supping a cup of their excellent coffee!

Thanks for the clarification Chris. Photo from a restaurant I pass sometimes shows the red-sign Tesla charger on the right and I guess the white/silver/grey on the left. I think this had a Type 2 connector that should be compatible with my NX but I don't remember seeing a display or key pad to allow me to pay. So, was I right when I said I thought one had to have a Tesla account to use it?

That's very good. I shall be very happy if I can achieve that sort of distance. What mode were you in? Did you have Eco engaged?

Hi Lucas, You don't specify what year. If it's anything like new vehicle delivery dates, perhaps we're talking 2023! LOL 😉

Great news! Always good to hear when someone takes delivery of their vehicle. Even though it's not mine, it still feels like a victory and makes me feel better. Guess you're all charged up as I post this and out for a run ... Enjoy!

Sorry, the link: https://www.lexus-tech.eu/Aim/Aim.aspx?pubtype=AIM&menuitem=1

This link has installation instructions for several accessories; including the wiring kit and for the different types of tow bar available. Lot of work and looks quite tricky in places. Guess it depends on how confident you are with a spanner. My concern would be the taking apart and replacing of the trim so as not to spoil the Lexus build quality and the possibility of introducing rattles and squeaks. Good luck if you go for it (maybe make a video?).

I went to the website to look up the cost for CY as I knew I had seen it but, low behold, it was no longer shown. Found out why after a chat with my dealer this afternoon. Lexus cannot get the tow bar and wiring harness at the moment. Situation so bad that many who ordered tow bars are having their order (for the tow bar) cancelled and no new orders are being taken (hence why the option is no longer listed on the website). My dealer thinks it could be a while before this option is reinstated.

Thanks Adrian. That ties in. Starting to feel there is some consistency in delivery dates coming through, which hasn't always felt to be the case.

Just had the call-back from my dealer. He could only tell me for certain that 'my' car hasn't been allocated a build slot yet and that parts made in Asia are delayed because of covid. He now reckons it will be 3 months before I can take delivery; That's on par with the August estimate Joe's dealer gave him. Ah well, time to read the 1300 pages of the manual again and to watch again Deep Dive 1 and 2 😉