Your RX Maintenance/Repair costs

[djgrubber]

Hi All,

Taking into account that Lexus is a very reputable brand and exceeds in reliability polls, I have been wondering how much have you spent on repairs during your ownership period. I am curious at what age the costs started to build up. 

I have owned my car for 3 years so far and I bought it when it was 12 years old (1 previous owner with full history). At a mileage between 70-76k a few things came up and I needed to do some repairs  (rear wheel bearings, disc breaks, strut mounts, oil pan and a few other things). I like to keep my cars mint so I haven't spared a penny. However, recently I have started to wonder what kind of repairs I should expect in the future and for how long I should keep investing in the car before an upgrade. What are the common things that go wrong after 80k mileage and potential expenses ? 

I know it is a very general question about I am curious of your thoughts. 😊

[ColinBarber]

It's a big heavy car, suspension components are going to be the main thing that will wear over time/mileage.

[m4rkw]

3 hours ago, djgrubber said:

What are the common things that go wrong after 80k mileage and potential expenses ? 

I know it is a very general question about I am curious of your thoughts. 😊

I bought mine at 77k, now just shy of 100k. Control arms and an anti-rollbar link were the only real repair, everything else has been maintenance.

[Barry14UK]

Some people seem to need water pumps, maybe cheaper to fit on some models but certainly more expensive on the late RX cars due to heavy labour content.

Radiators are pretty lightweight on all cars and are subject to expansion and contraction.  I think I have replaced radiators or had them re-cored on almost all cars I have had including a Camry.  On most cars this has been quick and straightforward to do but I am concerned as other jobs, it might prove laborious like changing spark plugs to the rear bank on the Lexus RX models.

I suppose much depends on how well a car has been serviced and the mileage covered.  Older cars can also suffer from rust and it's easier to treat the underside early rather than dealt with it later if you are meaning to keep them for a long time.

[Nick W858]

Rx450h owned from 3 years old to current (9 years old). Mileage 70k at purchase - now 130k - has roughly visit £1200'per year to cover all servicing (Lexus Main dealer), tyres and any repairs which have been few and far between.

[PCM]

Rust underneath can be an issue with older cars.

Agree: water pump.

Keep those calliper pins greased! 

[m4rkw]

This is my maintenance record from when I got the car (it came with no history):

07/03/18 - 77334 - Alternator belt, spark plugs, oil, air filters - £108  (done by the dealer)
09/03/18 - 77528 - Transmission service - £300
27/03/18 - 78322 - Coolant and power steering fluid - £204.60
07/06/18 - 80065 - Wheel alignment - £83.40
10/07/18 - 80796 - Oil and air filters - £188.13
29/09/18 - 84460 - New Battery
02/11/18 - 85742 - Oil and filter - £100.89
21/01/19 - 86615 - Rust treatment and underseal - £154.43
24/01/19 - 86661 - Control arms and anti-rollbar link - £1119.39
20/06/19 - 90400 - Replaced air filter myself - £16.99
21/06/19 - 90406 - Oil and filter - £92.63
22/06/19 - 90410 - Replaced cabin filter myself - £19.03
25/06/19 - 90725 - Re-attached rear exhaust shield - £49.20
12/11/19 - 93609 - Oil and filter - £94.10
24/01/20 - 94537 - Spark plugs and brake fluid - £288.82
18/05/20 - 96613 - Oil and filter - £94.10
26/05/20 - 96640 - Replaced air filter (£34.72) and cabin filter (£20.10) myself
19/06/20 - 97386 - Transmission service and aircon service - £426.99
23/07/20 - 98201 - Front brakes and resolution of vibration from air resonator - £332.57

The invoice I got from the dealer did the alternator belt, spark plugs, oil and filters for only £108. I didn't really trust that they'd done all that properly so I planned to re-do it all. Also I did the second transmission service because it was much easier to get it done while I'm working from home than waiting until next year when I may not be.

[m4rkw]

All four tyres were replaced too at approx £120 per corner.

[djgrubber]

7 hours ago, m4rkw said:

This is my maintenance record from when I got the car (it came with no history):

07/03/18 - 77334 - Alternator belt, spark plugs, oil, air filters - £108  (done by the dealer)
09/03/18 - 77528 - Transmission service - £300
27/03/18 - 78322 - Coolant and power steering fluid - £204.60
07/06/18 - 80065 - Wheel alignment - £83.40
10/07/18 - 80796 - Oil and air filters - £188.13
29/09/18 - 84460 - New battery
02/11/18 - 85742 - Oil and filter - £100.89
21/01/19 - 86615 - Rust treatment and underseal - £154.43
24/01/19 - 86661 - Control arms and anti-rollbar link - £1119.39
20/06/19 - 90400 - Replaced air filter myself - £16.99
21/06/19 - 90406 - Oil and filter - £92.63
22/06/19 - 90410 - Replaced cabin filter myself - £19.03
25/06/19 - 90725 - Re-attached rear exhaust shield - £49.20
12/11/19 - 93609 - Oil and filter - £94.10
24/01/20 - 94537 - Spark plugs and brake fluid - £288.82
18/05/20 - 96613 - Oil and filter - £94.10
26/05/20 - 96640 - Replaced air filter (£34.72) and cabin filter (£20.10) myself
19/06/20 - 97386 - Transmission service and aircon service - £426.99
23/07/20 - 98201 - Front brakes and resolution of vibration from air resonator - £332.57

The invoice I got from the dealer did the alternator belt, spark plugs, oil and filters for only £108. I didn't really trust that they'd done all that properly so I planned to re-do it all. Also I did the second transmission service because it was much easier to get it done while I'm working from home than waiting until next year when I may not be.

Wow, this is very a comprehensive answer! Thank you! By the way did you do a timing belt with a water pump?

I was curious how much other Lexus drivers with an older RX spend on their cars. It seems that I was a bit unlucky with mine when it comes to repairs. When I bought the car it had 70050 miles in 2017 and the previous owner had done: spark plugs, pollen filter, new bonnet struts, new Battery, engine oil service, new tyres + it had all previous services on time.

My list of expenses is as follows (using local garage specializing in German/Japanese cars):

2018 - 70953 - passenger door switch , resealed two rear tyres, offside rear wheel bearing - £348.00

2018 - 72193 - engine oil+filter, front wiper blades, front caliper repair kit, brake service+ front and rear disk brakes and new pads, new bleed nipples, new brake fluid, parking break adjustment, anti roll bar link, MOT,  - £752.00

2018 - 72491 - offside rear diff seal  + new oil - £311.19

2019 - 73625 - new nearside rear drive shaft seal + oil  - £276,86

2019 - 74643 - nearside rear wheel bearing, MOT, rear breaks adjustment, aircon service £460.07

2019 - 75000 - centre exhaust repair/replacement (I had a small hole in it), renewed seized Battery clamp with bolts (they were corroded and seized so I decided to renew them to able to take out the Battery if I ever needed to change it), rear CV joint replaced with ABS ring (I had an error on the dash and ABS ring was corroded so needed to replace) - 529.96

2019 - 76200 - replacement of oil pan , new engine oil + filter, new strut mount offside + new front shock absorber cover - £396.00

So it comes to : £3470 - and all was spent within 6000 miles and 3 years of ownership which is a blooooody pain! Of course it is super neat now and it drives like a champ. But I still need to replace timing belt and pump. I know that they last till 100k, but I am worried that it needs doing due to age.

On top of that the auto leveling sensor turns on from time to time so probably needs cleaning and I want to renew underseal for a piece of mind. So probably another 1k in expenses. If it turns out that the bushes need replacement... ouch it will be another expensive year for my Lexus.😂, but I do hope that after so much work done it will last for at least 6 years and I will enjoy some trouble free motoring. 

[RgrWynne]

46 minutes ago, djgrubber said:

Wow, this is very comprehensive answer! Thank you! By the way did you do a timing belt with a water pump?

I was curious how much other Lexus drivers with an older RX spend on their cars. It seems that I was a bit unlucky with mine when it comes to repairs. When I bought the car it had 70050 miles in 2017 and the previous owner had done: spark plugs, pollen filter, new bonnet struts, new battery, engine oil service, new tyres + it had all previous services on time.

My list of expenses is as follows (using local garage specializing in German/Japanese cars):

2018 - 70953 - passenger door switch , resealed two rear tyres, offside rear wheel bearing - £348.00

2018 - 72193 - engine oil+filter, front wiper blades, front caliper repair kit, brake service+ front and rear disk brakes and new pads, new bleed nipples, new brake fluid, parking break adjustment, anti roll bar link, MOT,  - £752.00

2018 - 72491 - offside rear diff seal  + new oil - £311.19

2019 - 73625 - new nearside rear drive shaft seal + oil  - £276,86

2019 - 74643 - nearside rear wheel bearing, MOT, rear breaks adjustment, aircon service £460.07

2019 - 75000 - centre exhaust repair/replacement (I had a small hole in it), renewed seized battery clamp with bolts (they were corroded and seized so I decided to renew them to able to take out the battery if I ever needed to change it), rear CV joint replaced with ABS ring (I had an error on the dash and ABS ring was corroded so needed to replace) - 529.96

2019 - 76200 - replacement of oil pan , new engine oil + filter, new strut mount offside + new front shock absorber cover - £396.00

So it comes to : £3470 - and all was spent within 6000 miles and 3 years of ownership which is a blooooody pain! Of course it is super neat now and it drives like a champ. But I still need to replace timing belt and pump. I know that they last till 100k, but I am worried that it needs doing due to age.

On top of that the auto leveling sensor turns on from time to time so probably needs cleaning and I want to renew underseal for a piece of mind. So probably another 1k in expenses. If it turns out that the bushes need replacement... ouch it will be another expensive year for my Lexus.😂, but I do hope that after so much work done it will last for at least 6 years and I will enjoy some trouble free motoring. 

Whilst obviously it is a pain to have to spend money, there is not a car on this earth, that does not require spending money on at some point. Therefore it should follow you have a rewarding time in future, which I trust you do , cheers, Roger was 

[m4rkw]

1 hour ago, djgrubber said:

Wow, this is very a comprehensive answer! Thank you! By the way did you do a timing belt with a water pump? 

No my car is a gen2 harrier, chain-driven 2.4L.

[m4rkw]

By the way I haven’t completed the survey because it seems people with repairs between £1500-£2000 have been excluded.

[m4rkw]

100k today 🙂

[djgrubber]

40 minutes ago, m4rkw said:

By the way I haven’t completed the survey because it seems people with repairs between £1500-£2000 have been excluded.

Oh good point, I will update it later!

Congratulations on reaching the 100k ! 😁

[ColinBarber]

Series I RX300 - purchased at 77k miles, kept for 5 years and sold at 114k miles. No real expense other than regular servicing, tyres, one sidelight bulb and a couple of O2 sensors.

Series II RX400h - purchased around 65k miles, kept for 5 years and sold at 105k miles. Servicing, tyres, 12v aux Battery, two front brake disks and a brake sliding pin + rubber.

10 years old and/or 100k miles is really the limit for me to get out before any issues arise.

[m4rkw]

11 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

10 years old and/or 100k miles is really the limit for me to get out before any issues arise.

Total opposite of me haha. I think mid-2000s is the sweet spot, anything much newer has too much expensive technology in it. But that said I've never bought a car newer than 2008 so maybe toyota/lexus would be ok.

[plastic orange]

Here's my record of ownership and my opinion of my wife's Rx 300:

Basically, my wife loved it - and still does, but it's very rusty underneath with the supports for the undertrays falling off and everything cable tied together for security. This and the constant water leaks are the main reason for moving it on. It is however immaculate inside, external bodywork has minimal rust and still looks and drives great - apart from a very annoying downshift on the slightest gradient. Average fuel consumption is around 21mpg, so we're trying a diesel this time. We are trading it in next week for a 3 year old Seat Ateca 190hp with 4wd. This drives nicer than the lexus, and handles very well and is totally rattle free unlike the RX. My daughter in law just traded her RX in for a Mitsubishi Outlander, so there will be no RX's in the family now. However, i still have my LS400, and my son has his Altezza. Here's my record of ownership, but not all costs shown:

 

2/3/2015

Purchased fully serviced including Cambelt – 101300 miles

Wiper Blades 

New spare tyre and wheel powder coated

 

28/10/15

MOT 104137 miles 

9/3/2016

Bonnet strut – SGS £48 -  106085 miles 2 year warranty

 

11/03/2016 – 106125 miles

Oil and filter change – Mobil 3000 and K@N Filter

Trans oil sump drain and refill – 5 litre Toyota T 4 fluid    

Transfer Box drain and refill  - EP?

Diff oil drain and refill GL5 Synthetic

Rear handbrake shoes and pads, new caliper – O/S 

July? 2016

Front pads - pagid 

25/10/16 109369 miles

MOT

O/S front wheel bearing

O/S rear anti roll bar link bush

£258.30 

 

7/03/2017 110963 miles

2 new rear tailgate struts – SGS £97 2 year warranty

Problems with struts not working as should – ongoing

 2/04/2017

Front wiper blades – Costco (Bosch)

 10/04/2017

Oil and filter change 111600

Mobil 3000 and Toyota filter 

26/03/2018

2 x Michelin Lattitude sport tyres – front - 116236 miles

 5/06/2018

Rear brake pads and free slides £80. - 117110 miles

 

8/08/2018 

Oil and filter change – Mobil 1 0/40 and wix filter

5 litres Toyota T4 trans fluid change. 118115 miles 

5/11/2018

MOT – 118,997 miles

 20/2/19

120245 miles

Replace noisy front wheel bearing - guessed as Offside – was wrong - £160 wasted 

6/03/19

120675 miles

Replace other (noisy) n/s front wheel bearing and new discs and pads - £389.23

 

8/08/2019

122781 miles

Centre section of exhaust replaced by Pipe Dynamics, stainless steel lifetime warranty £250

 

30/08/2019

122867 miles

Oil (0-40 Mobil 1), oil filter (Wix) , air filter change and cabin filter change (both Bosch)

 

5/11/2019

 

123920 miles £694.44

Mot

Rear brake overhaul:

2 x handbrake cables

2 x discs

Pads

Hand brake shoes

Hand brake fitting kit

 

5/03/2020

125614 miles – 6 x Denso iridium spark plugs SK20R11 £150

Changed as I’d no idea of when last done, but as it turned out they were good. 

 

29/06/2020

125880 miles – new nearside front calliper fitted. Stuck piston and perished dust seal on old one during lockdown and lack of use, so replaced - £203.76.

Battery going soft , will monitor as car has had little use during lockdown.

 

9/09/2020

 Saying goodbye