want to buy Rx450h - looking for advice

jumbojake · June 6, 2016

My wife loves my IS200d and is trying to choose between a Volvo XC60 and an RX450 (probably new'ish 3rd gen)

We had an Rx as a loan car once and loved it, but my main concern would be the servicing costs..... I normally do my own servicing, but not sure how far I can go with that with a hybrid, plus heard some stories about the gearbox and air suspension that might make home servicing tricky.

Anyone have any thoughts about servicing an Rx450?

Also, any recommendations on features to avoid and/or things we should be looking out for?

DanD · June 6, 2016

In terms of size, XC90 vs RX450h or XC60 vs NX300h/200T would probably make more sense... Anyway, the hybrid system is, to my knowledge at least, maintenance free, and the air suspension is only available on the top of the range models. I have driven cars with air and with conventional suspensions, and was happy that the difference in ride quality did not justify the extra costs associated with the air set up, in particular as it can be costly to repair.

Personally, I would leave the maintenance to the experts, and invest in an extended warranty. The RX is extremely reliable, but if you start to tinker with it and things go wrong (it is a complex car!), you will not get much support from Lexus. I find that servicing costs compare well with the competition. You may want to consider a service plan from your local dealer, which guarantees fixed prices... and becoming a gold member of this forum to secure a 15% discount on parts and labour.

(Am I in breach of the rules?)

jumbojake · June 6, 2016

Thanks for your reply, I've not had a great experience with my local Lexus dealer for servicing (or their warranty)...when you point out work that wasn't done, or done badly, they were very quick to point to the small print ... maybe just one dealer to avoid (note, they didn't recognize the gold membership discount either!). I ended up paying them over £400 for an oil change and map update, then doing the rest myself!

The IS200d is a normal car so servicing is straightforward ... but I appreciate the Rx is a bit more involved. Oil, filters, brakes should all be simple.

rayaans · June 6, 2016

Generally you should be able to service the RX yourself - might need to get someone to do the spark plugs at 60k though, apparently they're lodged halfway inside the engine and it needs a lot of dismantling.

The hybrid system itself is maintenance free so you shouldnt need to tinker with it.

The map updates are expensive and no point really getting them. Services are fixed price now - go for the service plans and you should be able to pay monthly.

jumbojake · June 16, 2016

OK, we're getting really close... but have a few questions we couldn't get confident answers from the dealer.

We're probably looking for a 2014/15 model (just before the change).

1# - is reversing camera standard base model (it isn't always listed in the adverts)

2# - does DVD + DAB only have single disc ? ( my 2012 IS has a 6disc CD changer)

3# - where in the range does advance fit?

rayaans · June 17, 2016

18 hours ago, jumbojake said:

OK, we're getting really close... but have a few questions we couldn't get confident answers from the dealer.

We're probably looking for a 2014/15 model (just before the change).

1# - is reversing camera standard base model (it isn't always listed in the adverts)

2# - does DVD + DAB only have single disc ? ( my 2012 IS has a 6disc CD changer)

3# - where in the range does advance fit?

The dealers are sometimes not great in terms of knowledge! You have come to the right place however! Generally, we know more about these cars than the dealers!!

Now to get onto your questions:

1) From 2012-2015 the 3RX had reversing camera as standard on all models. If in doubt, look for a small black camera on the right side above the number plate. Generally Luxury and above will have it as standard. Not many SE's around so not completely sure about them.

2) Only a single disc in all 3RX's. I believe this is because CD's dont get used anymore and USB/Aux is preferred

3) Advance model is between Luxury and F-Sport. It comes with different alloy wheels, either a sunroof or panoramic roof fitted as standard and a the front bumper from the F-Sport but without the honeycomb grill, instead making do with the slat type grill from the Luxury models. I believe the 2015 models added Mark Levinson audio to the list of standard equipment on the Advance trim along with new alloy design.

jumbojake · June 17, 2016

thanks for your reply Rayaans .... it's a shame they have done away with the 6disc audio ... my 2012 IS200d has it (as well as the aux & bluetooth) and saves a lot of faffing around with CD's when driving

If it has the DVD option, does that mean it has the HDD option also?

rayaans · June 17, 2016

3 hours ago, jumbojake said:

thanks for your reply Rayaans .... it's a shame they have done away with the 6disc audio ... my 2012 IS200d has it (as well as the aux & bluetooth) and saves a lot of faffing around with CD's when driving

If it has the DVD option, does that mean it has the HDD option also?

Generally I don't listen to CDs so one isn't too bad. I usually listen to songs via USB. It sounds better generally.

The new ones don't have HDD. It was on the older models

ColinBarber · June 18, 2016

On 16 June 2016 at 11:15 PM, jumbojake said:

1# - is reversing camera standard base model (it isn't always listed in the adverts)

No, on the pre-facelift models (2009-2012) the SE could be selected with or without the Nav option. Without Nav there is no camera. Post facelift I'm not sure if Nav was even an option on the SE grade.

There is more information on the grades here:

DanD · June 20, 2016

On ‎17‎/‎06‎/‎2016 at 6:04 PM, rayaans said:

The dealers are sometimes not great in terms of knowledge! You have come to the right place however! Generally, we know more about these cars than the dealers!!

Now to get onto your questions:

1) From 2012-2015 the 3RX had reversing camera as standard on all models. If in doubt, look for a small black camera on the right side above the number plate. Generally Luxury and above will have it as standard. Not many SE's around so not completely sure about them.

2) Only a single disc in all 3RX's. I believe this is because CD's dont get used anymore and USB/Aux is preferred

3) Advance model is between Luxury and F-Sport. It comes with different alloy wheels, either a sunroof or panoramic roof fitted as standard and a the front bumper from the F-Sport but without the honeycomb grill, instead making do with the slat type grill from the Luxury models. I believe the 2015 models added Mark Levinson audio to the list of standard equipment on the Advance trim along with new alloy design.

Rayaan, are you saying that in the 2012 facelift, the RX lost the dash-mounted 6 CD player?

rayaans · June 20, 2016

1 hour ago, DanD said:

Rayaan, are you saying that in the 2012 facelift, the RX lost the dash-mounted 6 CD player?

Yes they don't have them anymore

jumbojake · June 26, 2016

Been looking at a few now, seen all sorts of variations, like 6cd auto changers on 2015 models and others without ... either a inaccurate advert or just Lexus fitting bits at the end of the production run.

Anyway, we've seen talk of some models having a 'snow mode' .... does anyone know what this is and what models or options that comes with ?

Same for adaptive cruise control... see it in the old brochure, not seen an advert yet with it fitted .... is it standard?

ColinBarber · June 26, 2016

36 minutes ago, jumbojake said:

Anyway, we've seen talk of some models having a 'snow mode' .... does anyone know what this is and what models or options that comes with ?

Same for adaptive cruise control... see it in the old brochure, not seen an advert yet with it fitted .... is it standard?

Have you looked at the equipment spec list already linked in this thread and sticky at the top of the RX forum? That states what models have ACC.

All the RX450h have snow mode, along with ECO and EV drive modes. This reduced throttle response, alters the traction control and applies more use of the rear electric motor which all help with improved traction in snowy conditions. The facelift models gain a forth drive mode, sport mode for greater throttle response.

ColinBarber · June 26, 2016

34 minutes ago, jumbojake said:

Been looking at a few now, seen all sorts of variations, like 6cd auto changers on 2015 models and others without ... either a inaccurate advert or just Lexus fitting bits at the end of the production run.

All grades are well documented, there are no end of run bits. On facelift models the base SE grade has a 6 CD changer, all other grades get an upgraded audio system which has single disc DVD player.

jumbojake · June 26, 2016

Yes, that's my point, what's for sale doesn't seem to match the published specs ... so seen a few advance edition models with 6cd changer, or maybe the dealer adverts are misleading. Salesmen we have spoken to don't seem so sure, contradicting themselves.

ColinBarber · June 26, 2016

very common for websites to be incorrect (including the Lexus used car site) and salesman not to know the full spec. You often find a website automatically pulls through certain specs that are incorrect, or based on pre-facelift information. Always best to try and confirm via the pictures if you can.

rayaans · June 26, 2016

Snow mode starts the RX off in the "2nd gear" so to speak - makes it difficult to slip, the whole car feels very heavy and doesn't slip as much as it would do if you were in normal mode.

The 2016 4th Gen RX do NOT have a snow mode, all the others do.

Best way to check for ACC is the steering wheel. I believe the models with ACC has a picture of a car with waves coming out of the front under the enter button

jumbojake · June 26, 2016

OK. .. the deed is done ... pickup a white 65 plate advance next week, doesn't have dvd, only single CD. Bit disapointed by the 2% discount, but managed to get them upto the same trade in price as webuyanycar, which was a bit harder than I expected.

So, soon to be a 2 Lexus household!

rayaans · June 27, 2016

18 hours ago, jumbojake said:

OK. .. the deed is done ... pickup a white 65 plate advance next week, doesn't have dvd, only single CD. Bit disapointed by the 2% discount, but managed to get them upto the same trade in price as webuyanycar, which was a bit harder than I expected.

So, soon to be a 2 Lexus household!

Generally they only give about £500-1000 on used car sales - unless they really really want to get rid of the car!