Some question from new owner

[Shepherd]

Hi All

After owning an IS220d then IS250 SE , then... Honda Jazz... I have just bought a RX300 SE at 100K miles. Looks like the timing- belt will cost £300 to change at Lexus. I may also give Lexus essential servicing a try. The car colour is shiny, sky blue. It was sold as perlesent turquise, but I don't know if that is the real Lexus name for this. It has NAV and hands free. Bought it from a tiny little dealership in outskirts of Bradford so I don't think there will be too much point in me talking it back to dealer for small things.

I have a few questions,

1. Driver side mirror is very dark, even in day time. Almost like a brownish tint. The one on passenger side is fine. I think this might be a broken self dimming mirror. As I am not too bothered about self dimming can I just replace the mirror with some standard non-dimming one? Where to best look for it?

2. Is there any update disks for the navigation? The nav looks pretty dated but doesn't bother me much but if its easy enough to do I may update it

3. There is a tiny bit of a creak when turning at slow speeds, like when reverse parking in a bay. Should I be concerned? I think I am being picky here cause that sound is 100 times less that what the Jazz has been making for last year or so.

[bobmc]

I suspect you will need to live with the mirror or look to a breakers for a replacement as I wouldn't think a non-dimming version is available. 

Navigation disks are expensive from lexus but can sometimes be found on eBay for £80 or so. I think the newer disks just have more up to date road information and that the look'n'feel of the nav system is unchanged (including the inability to use full UK postcodes), but if you've owned two IS's before you'll know all about that.

My IS is a bit creaky at times (in the mornings especially) which I suspect is worn suspension bushes. Will probably need sorting at some point.

 

  

 

 

 

 

[katabrontes]

As to navigation I think you would be better to spend the money on either a dedicated SatNav or use one of the free programs on your smartphone.  The built system is pretty clunky by all accounts.

I had a similar noise on my ancient Toyota Surf on full lock which was due to the coil springs binding in the cups at one end.  A bit of grease sorted it out.

I wouldn't discount the "small local dealer". I bought my RX350 from a small garage and they were brilliant at sorting out warranty problems.  My experience of main dealers (with other brands) is that the service standards and quality of the work is no better than independents and often worse but their prices are much higher.  Given the age and mileage of your 300 I doubt you will gain anything by using Lexus for service.  Why not use your local guy?

[sorcerer]

You haven't said what year the car is but with 100k on the clock I'd guess at about 2005? I seem to remember reading on these forums somewhere that the latest Nav disk available for the Series 2 RX300 is about 2011, which is hopelessly out of date anyway. Plus, being DVD-based you can't add in your own POIs which makes it about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Get a TomTom or some other dash/screen-mounted proper satnav, they're far better.

I think Lexus charge £295 to change the timing belt but that doesn't include the tensioner/idler pulley or anything like that. Nor does it include the water pump, which you should do at the same time because 90% of the work to get to the belt would have to be done again to get to the pump if you did it at a different time. I got the whole job done for £350 at a local indy garage including all gaskets, pulleys etc., etc.

[ChrisKaye]

Plus with a pump change, they'll do the coolant which is then good for another 5+ years!

Totally agree about the sat nav comments too. Never use mine on the '53 plate RX300 I have!

Sent from my Iphone using Tapatalk

[Shepherd]

Hi all

Thanks for your replies. I got a quote from Lexus today, as you said £295 for belt + £350 if they find water pump leaking.

Also I had a play with the sat nav. I have to agree its quite useless. The maps are from 2004-05. Good thing is I was not expecting much from it :)

About the sound. Well I had a drive today with the windows open. This is a screeching sound from rear wheel on very low speeds. With windows closed the sound proofing does a good job at hiding the sounds. Could be a sticking caliper or warped rotter.

About the mirror, I think I am going to try one of the breakers on eBay. This doesn't seem too urgent as its not very annoying. Sorry forgot to say car is 54 Reg. Asked a local Toyota specialist they quoted £600 for the Belt and pump. I will see if any other indi comes closer to £350.

 

[doog442]

43 minutes ago, Shepherd said:

Could be a sticking caliper or warped rotter.

 

Might be a build up of rust on the outer edge of the disc rubbing against the disc plate. You will be surprised how this is mistaken for brake issues and even bearings - cost nothing to fix and worth discounting.

If its a sticky caliper you will feel the heat transferred onto the alloy wheel after a short run. You would expect the disc to be warm but not the alloy - worth a go.  

[Shepherd]

Hi again. I am looking for the colour code for touch up paint. Most sites mention to look in drivers door or under the hood for a big sticker / metal plate. Can't seem to find it in either place. In the IS250/220d it was in the door plus a metal stamped plate riveted to the boy behind the engine. 

In the door panel there is a small black sticker with whats seems as a VIN number on it and three digit code 110 under the VIN. Under the hood it is the same sticker on the passenger side. 

Is the 110 colour code? if not where can I find the colour code from? The service book says Turquoise. 

thanks

[Monte]

Hi,

As for the mirror you can look here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RIGHT-DRIVER-SIDE-WING-MIRROR-GLASS-HEATED-FOR-LEXUS-RX-300-350-400H-2003-2009-/391507741181?fits=Car+Make%3ALexus|Model%3ARX|Cars+Year%3A2005|Plat_Gen%3AMHU3_%2C+GSU3_%2C+MCU3_&hash=item5b27ae09fd:g:l64AAOSwaB5XjJh3

looks like 5 min DIY

hope this helps

 

[Shepherd]

Thanks for the link. Mirror ordered. Any hints on the colour code and vin plate question?

[Shepherd]

Hi ALL

Found it. The VIN number was in passenger door not drivers door . Also found paint code 8R8