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I was given an ES F-Sport as a courtesy car today whilst my GS was in for a service.The Azure Blue is an awesome colour and even looks great on a wet, miserable day like today. I found that it is noticeably quicker than the GS when accelerating and a bit quieter at full throttle. Whilst I do agree with Linas.P about the coarse sounding engine when it is at full throttle, I don't need full throttle very often on my GS so it doesn't bother me that much. I suspect with the ES being quieter and accelerating quicker, I'd notice it even less. It would really benefit the car if Lexus could develop a smoother engine for it, maybe it is just not possible with a 4 cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine. The ride was definitely more jiggly than my GS, presumably because it is an F-Sport, but I think it is better on the big bumps. I'm not convinced that the road noise is much quieter than the GS though. Also, the suspension felt looser to me, not as controlled as the GS is. Whilst I think I could get used to driving it, my biggest problems are with the interior and equipment levels. If I went with the F-Sport, I'd lose the 12 inch screen and the internet connected functions and, surprisingly, the soft-close boot lid. The smaller display limits the options of what can be displayed on the same screen, including not showing cover art unless you make the media screen the main one. My GS shows it on the side screen too. I know these are small things, but it would make the ES feel like a step backwards unless I got the Takumi pack or model at £6k to £10k more than my GS and another £300 per year in car tax. The main thing though is the reduction in trim quality. The "wood style" trim on the F-Sport looks like cheap textured plastic to me, the window controls look no better than my Skoda Yeti and the volume control looks like it's off a cheap home radio. The hard plastic in front of the infotainment screen feels really cheap, as does the plastic on the door bins. All of these are much better to look at and feel on the GS. There is hard plastic on the centre console too, but this is covered by my leg, so it doesn't bother me too much. They've also changed the stalks so that they stay in position when you move them, I prefer the GS stalks that move back to the centre position when you let go as it feels more premium to me. Overall, I agree with most of what has been said in the reviews and I've been put off buying one. It is what I feared, a lower spec, lower quality model than the GS for a very similar price. I hoped that Lexus would tweak the quality a bit compared to the US version given that it is a new model here, but apparently not. The overall quality feels more higher-end Toyota than Lexus and the loss of some of the equipment I have on my (cheapest model) GS, means I'm very unlikely to change to it. It will be interesting to see how the Camry compares when it's released.

Two MOTs ago my 400h had an advisory that the rear bushes on the front arms were cracked and had excessive movement, which I witnessed for myself during the MOT. I bought a pair of arms and then proceeded to change them which was a right ball ache. It involved jacking the engine up as high as possible to remove the engine support to get at the mounting bolts or the arm. I then looked at the on line workshop manual and noted that the first step was "Remove the engine and transmission complete" glad I didn't get Lexus to quote for it.

Good turn out....

Never hear of this variant, but clealy one or two around. Maybe the satnav has an American acent, and keeps telling you to drive to Iraq and invade or maybe suggests going to Home Depot and taking some fencing pales to the Mexican Border.

The slot that you put your music CD's ( and movie DVD's if you have the multimedia system) is NOT the slot that the SatNav DVD lives. The SatNav DVD has it's own dedicated slot that is behind the clock bezel/fascia, this is removable with the two small watchmaker screwdriver looking tools that are stored in the spine of the cars toolkit in the boot. Try and do it without using a Metal screwdriver at step 3, if anything use plastic! And don't bother to dis-connect clock module. paul m.

Well as a precaution I fitted a new Koyo radiator today. I must say the original looked in very good condition. The thing is, you just don't know what's going on inside with those four rubber o rings, so is it worth the risk? Still, at least it gave me the opportunity to replace the rubber transmission hoses, and discover the fluid is a nice bright cherry red. Not too much skin removed from my right arm either! £114 for the radiator, £26 for Toyota red coolant and £10 for the hoses.

Sequential indicators? Too Audi. And "Too Audi" - since about 1984 - is the complete antithesis for me of anything "classy". [It would be a massive advance if more drivers would use their indicators whatever the flashing sequence (Lexus drivers excluded, obviously). Particularly Audi drivers...]

Completely agree with all of that

Scam confirmed... here is the same car for sale with a private seller on Autotrader for £10,500. I imagine this seller has no idea about his photos having been used in the ebay scam ad. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201902225206879?sort=distance&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&make=LEXUS&model=RX 400H&postcode=pl219da&page=1 and the ebay ad https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-RX-400h-3-3-Executive/123681593167

Let me get it MOT'd first(and taxxed), then I'll run a quarter of the M25 and let y'all know if it ran like a Swiss watch? Does that imply it runs smoothly unlike a watch that tick tocks? Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

To CB, I did remove the DVD to check the serial number on the disc. I looked at a couple of youtube videos but the instructions posted by Texas are much clearer. The one thing I would advise is to use a small sucker to pull the panel out if you can get hold of one, less so likely to mark the front panel with a screw driver head. To Womble72, so were you the one with the red ISF further into the car park at the Hare pub Chelmsford thats a great colour for the ISF. Might catch you at the next meet at the Hare on the first saturday the 6th April. Cheers.

Herbie, many thanks for pointing it out: I completely missed the link button and assumed it would become an active link automatically - my fault. However I'm a bit surprised that you'd need to sign up, as I made the link public. I'll double check next time I do it.

Hi Will When I went to look at my car the owner had run the battery flat by leaving the radio on whilst hoovering and cleaning it. A breakdown service had jump started it but connected the leads wrong and the car was quite poorly when we got there, wouldn't start at all but random bits still worked. Car was trailered to local garage who found a blown fuse, it took them a few days as it wasn't at all easy to locate. They had to order a replacement in as it was a special one. This is what the owner told us when we went back a week later to buy the car.......so there may be a fuse somewhere you have overlooked? If the car won't run over 2500 rpm and the OBD shows a fault code for the throttle actuator mechanism maybe you should sort that out first as the 2 things are probably related. Good luck Scott

I am not sure that the paint protection offered by Lexus would help against stone chips. To my knowledge, it is no more than a superficial, hand applied coating that helps keep the car looking clean for longer.

I believe the belt is one of those "additional" items that arent included in the service plan. Everything else should be covered however.

Worth noting that Lexus will highlight any issues no matter how small. They are very thorough on their inspection as Ive been told it can come back to bite them if they dont report on everything seen. The quote I believe is generated automatically. Replacing the arms is easier than removing the bushes hence why the quote is so high. A decent mechanic should be able to change the bushes with a press machine. As the car is 6, nearly 7 years old, its not unheard of to have rubber perishing. Mine was 5 years old when I sold it and it did not have any bushes crack so I would personally change them out.

Jon, find myself with same dilemma, but having sorted most of the future problems, radiator, air con pipes, all new brakes, discs, tyres, sub woofer etc. etc, I came to the conclusion that I would be driving another Lexus, at some point having to do the same. I do about 7k miles per year, so mine should continue now for a decent time without further large outlay....... but it is very tempting, for not really a large cost to change. I think I am too attached to mine, but plan in future to change for an LC 500, the last V8 probably to be made, when the prices become more sensible. I think in your situation I would go with my heart , good luck Roger

Had to Google the Cullinan. Eww. That and the Bentley Bo'Selecta are ghastly vehicles.

Hi Basil, I've had my (2014 Advance) CT for nearly three years - my first hybrid. I love it, and when I come to change it, perhaps later this year, I wouldn't have anything other than another hybrid Lexus. It is FAULTLESSLY reliable - not even a light-bulb has gone. The dealership is so civilised compared with others (and I have had just about everything over the years), and customers are treated with great courtesy. It really is quite a different experience from any other make. To answer your questions: * The footbrake takes approximately one minute to get used to - perhaps two at the outside. To me, it immediately seemed logical. * Look at owner / customer satisfaction reviews, compared with motoring journalists: the people who know what they're talking about and actually own one, love it. Does it behave /look /get driven like the average BMW? No. That's certainly a plus as far as I'm concerned... * As a town car, it is SO relaxed - it's the most 'zen' car I've ever driven. It puts the driver into a world where peace, calm, civility and concern for the planet quickly matter rather more than racing an idiot with a comedy exhaust away from the lights. I think it would be impossible NOT to like this car in an urban environment. * I'm no expert on the car market, so couldn't advise you on buying new or nearly new. I would point out how durable they are, though, so I wouldn't necessarily focus getting one with 'delivery' miles. What I WOULD do next time around is focus on spec: in my opinion, the Premier is worth having if you can find one. Is it perfect? 80% of the time, yes, but of course there are negatives: the ride on rough roads can be harsh, road noise at speed on poor surfaces can intrude (tyre choices are critical - mine is now on Crossclimates, which are very good), and it took me quite a long time to learn how to use the 'Sport' setting in order to maximise overtaking power. (Until you do, it is easy to make the revs flare with little impact on progress, as the journalists do...) Talk to other owners - I've never spoken to one who didn't love it.

It was great to get along to the Touchdown Café and meet up with everyone who attended so thanks @Flytvr for arranging. I hope I can hang around a bit longer next time. Your RCF's on show guys mean I need to revisit my savings plan and as @Cezar B demonstrated you can get a full grown adult in the back so there is no good reason not to have one. That's me convinced, just the wife and the bank manager to go then.

Actually it's just me moving around a lot. While I'm sure Hirsch are still a force to reckoned with I'm pretty sure NoobTune can offer all that for a fraction of the cost. I went to see Karl a couple of weeks ago and my Aero is ridiculous now. Anyhoo, the OP isn't going to buy a Saab. Even though he should Did I mention how cheap they are?

Having to dim the daytime running lights to be able to see the indicator seems like a design fault to me and why would you want to copy Audi. Not a fan of sequential indicators myself, but each to their own.

I once took my other car, a VW Bora TDI to KwikFit for an oil change about 4 years ago. I normally do it myself but was a bit lazy at the time so thought I would let them do it. I asked the guy behind the counter if he knew it needed oil specifically for Pumpe Duse engines and he said yer, we have all sorts of oils. They proceeded to put it on the ramp and after about 20 minutes, the manager came to me and said "did I know that the starter motor is faulty and that the exhaust needed replacing?" I played dumb and asked how much. I can't remember how much he quoted but it was in the hundreds. Now, I had owned the car since 2005 and knew it intimately. It had never failed to turn over and start and it had recently been through an MOT and I am one of those people that work on my own cars having been professionally involved in car repairs and plant machinery on an LPG plant in Algeria. I knew he was talking cheval merde. After that episode, I could not stop thinking had they used the correct oil or just put some bulk type stuff in. I changed it a week later myself for oil of the correct spec. I would not go near a KwikFIt again!

Well that is right - they are not comparing it against Volvo S90 T8 plug-in hybrid, but rather cheapest possible option with 2.0L diesel. What is surprising from whole review is that both cars they review and all the optional choices have diesel engines. I understand that 2.0L diesel is often cheapest version of the car and they just trying to make comparative review ~kind of like for like, but in current "political" climate this seems ignorant and misinformed. Almost funniest quote from entire article is this - "Use maximum throttle and it’s more audible, but not much noisier than a diesel rival.". That is what I was saying all along - 300h is "trashy" engine, in the way that obviously it is quieter than diesel whilst simply idling or cruising (wow what an achievement, this is like saying faster than 1 legged dog), but when step on the accelerator it really makes harsh and nasty rattle. I mean when petrol engine is "not much noisier than diesel"... that is pretty awful petrol engine. Finally, I have said it before and will say it again - Lexus put themselves in stupid position comparing ES with 5-Series/E-Class... they are not there, it is wrong class, GS (being arguable much better car already failed there).. and now they introducing half class lower car for the same class - it is destined to fail. If they would have positioned themselves rather at small 4-door coupes class, that would have been a win! I can easily see the car coming on top or close second in comparison against MB CLA, BMW-Grand 4, WV Arteon... But not against BMW 5

Hi owned this for about 3 months now, still getting to know it, loving it so far 🧐🧐🧐

Thanks for all the comments, Its interesting Lexus offer a service with local specialists @olliesgrandad @d3ron and at a competitive price. I previously ruled out going to my local dealer expecting the price to be eye watering if they were even were interested. (Although having had a number or IS 200's back in the day we all know what wheel corrosion is about so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. I do like the dark silver with the white car @DAW and that's the colour I was going with but until I bought the new set so the old ones need something else which in the end I think will be a winter set. Fair point @NemesisUK about matt wheels looking dirty but I use the car regularly so regrettably so does the car. Although I have been surprised however how quick I'm picking up little tar spots on the paint but that's another matter. As for brake dust and wheel cleaning! I bought some Bilt Hamber wheel cleaner and its simply brilliant. Spray on, leave for a few mins, and you can see and smell it working. Just takes a thorough rinse off and its done.

Good luck with the MOT

One should not rely on the P engagement when on a hill as this will put a lot of strain on the pawl and is certainly not a safe way to leave the car. It may even prove difficult to re-engage D as you have to overcome the force against the pawl. The parking brake should definitely hold the car on any incline that will be encountered. On my car I do notice a very slight movement when releasing the footbrake after applying the parking brake but we are talking mm and not the extensive distance the car moved in the video. There is definitely something amiss there. I would get it checked asap as it is a) dangerous and b) liable to damage the gearbox if that is used to hold the car on an incline

Bit of a cold start the other day!