Should I stay away from Air Suspension on 3rd Gen 450h

[Jag-1978]

On my journey to by an 2013-2015 RX450h third gen premier model. After further reading I'm in a dilemma on the air suspensions and how likely it will be before it fails. Should I stay away and look at a non air suspension considering even Lexus moved away from it on their 4th Gen. One of the reasons why I swayed away from an X5 was all the issues they have had with failing air suspension bags. I was only considering the Premier model as i liked the additional seating functionality it gives with the bolster support and ML sound system. I'm keen on:

ML sound

reverse cam

HUD

Not sure if the F Sport has them

Jag

[Malc1]

Possibly a usual Lexus Lifetime Expectation on the Air System ……. 10 years/ 100k miles …… then you’re in “ old car “ mode and must expect everything to go pop ……… Lexus Relax Warranty should help if you’re going that route maybe 

Malc 

[Jag-1978]

The relax warranty according to Lexus is 10 years /100k. which will be due before the end of the year but then after that I'm on my own.. Lexus doesn't offer any other options for warranty extension after that date or mileage. I believe the Battery is covered until 15 year 150 miles if i continue to have an annual Battery check up £45..

I get the feeling that these air suspension RX models are more trouble than their are worth 

J

[Cypry 1]

Lexus do offer an extended warranty for 10 year + up to 150000mls which is about £550-00 per year up to 15 year old vehicles which is payable by interest free payments.

The vehicle will require servicing by Lexus and needs a health check which is free.

Well worth the money IMO.

[Jag-1978]

14 minutes ago, Cypry 1 said:

Lexus do offer an extended warranty for 10 year + up to 150000mls which is about £550-00 per year up to 15 year old vehicles which is payable by interest free payments.

The vehicle will require servicing by Lexus and needs a health check which is free.

Well worth the money IMO.

you are right I guess it depends which Lexus dealer you phone.. I just had a call with Lexus Coventry and they do something called a Lexus TWG warranty for 10 year plus cars and that costs £546. Subject to a inspection to see if the car is viable for the warranty. So that's good piece of mind. Lexus Birmingham and Lexus Solihull both said there is no such thing, interesting as they are both part of the same proprietary group Steven Eagleson I think so Coventry must be under another group.. Unless both dealers are not very knowledgeable 

[Tickedon]

31 minutes ago, Jag-1978 said:

you are right I guess it depends which Lexus dealer you phone.. I just had a call with Lexus Coventry and they do something called a Lexus TWG warranty for 10 year plus cars and that costs £546. Subject to an inspection to see if the car is viable for the warranty. So that's good piece of mind. Lexus Birmingham and Lexus Solihull both said there is no such thing, interesting as they are both part of the same proprietary group Steven Eagleson I think so Coventry must be under another group.. Unless both dealers are not very knowledgeable 

Yes, Lexus Coventry is part of “Listers”. 

[ColinBarber]

Shocks are explicitly excluded from the 10 year warranty - you need to carefully check if the 10+ year extended warranty doesn't excludes them too if you are thinking of an air suspension model.

The series III RX air suspension has been very reliable to date but they are getting to that age where we would expect to start to see failures. Personally I'd avoid unless you needed that feature (e.g. for low mobility and need the vehicle to be lower to get in/out) - from a comfort point of view the standard spring models are fine for most people.

[Bluemarlin]

1 hour ago, Jag-1978 said:

you are right I guess it depends which Lexus dealer you phone.. I just had a call with Lexus Coventry and they do something called a Lexus TWG warranty for 10 year plus cars and that costs £546. Subject to a inspection to see if the car is viable for the warranty. So that's good piece of mind. Lexus Birmingham and Lexus Solihull both said there is no such thing, interesting as they are both part of the same proprietary group Steven Eagleson I think so Coventry must be under another group.. Unless both dealers are not very knowledgeable 

It's less about being part of the same group and more about whether the individual dealer (or even staff member) knows about it. Often they're only aware of it if they've done one before. All dealers can provide it though, they just have to contact Lexus for the details.

I've just checked my 10yr plus warranty and shocks aren't listed as an excluded item. In addition, MOT protected parts are covered if they result in an MOT failure and front and rear shocks are listed  as protected parts.

[Jag-1978]

13 minutes ago, Bluemarlin said:

It's less about being part of the same group and more about whether the individual dealer (or even staff member) knows about it. Often they're only aware of it if they've done one before. All dealers can provide it though, they just have to contact Lexus for the details.

I've just checked my 10yr plus warranty and shocks aren't listed as an excluded item. In addition, MOT protected parts are covered if they result in an MOT failure and front and rear shocks are listed  as protected parts.

interesting If shocks are definitely covered in the extended warranty then thats piece of mind and makes the warranty worth it.

 

[Bluemarlin]

1 hour ago, Jag-1978 said:

interesting If shocks are definitely covered in the extended warranty then thats piece of mind and makes the warranty worth it.

 

Also worth noting that the 10yr plus warranty, unlike Relax,  also includes UK and European breakdown cover (Lexus branded but covered by the AA), which adds to its value.