NemesisUK

Sorry, I didn't explain myself very well. I meant when one reaches one's destination and parks up waiting, is it possible to stop the Hybrid system, a/c, lights etc.. but keep the audio playing. I know I can press the Start button but that then kills the audio and I have to press it again, as you say, without depressing the brake pedal, to get audio back.

Ditto, I'd like to know f this is possible as well. Even better for me would be a way of the steering wheel raising but not retracting, as it lowers again as it nears the fully retracted position. On a slight tangent, is it possible to switch off the hybrid system (IGN off) but without switching the audio system off, as in stopping and waiting for one's passenger to arrive?

Yes, ETA is very useful, (I often tried to beat it but that's another story ) and I would use Google maps to pinpoint my destination, transferring that to the Merc COMAND system. Voice control of the sat nav is superior in the Lexus but then it is 12yrs newer..

Correct, an AMG Not sure of the respective insurance groups but I'd imagine the RC, being brand new and a hybrid, wouldn't be far behind the 12yr old CLS in repair costs? When I changed from my Mercedes C270cdi to the AMG my annual premium effectively halved!! How a 467bhp supercharged V8 petrol car could be cheaper to insure than a 180bhp diesel burner was beyond me...

Coming from Mercedes, I'm used to only 5 digit Post Code input. I mainly used the sat nav for traffic congestion notifications, which the Merc system was very good at. Still early days with the Lexus system but seems ok and fairly accurate. The cost of the map updates isn't horrendous when viewed as cost over version lifespan

My experience with Lexus insurance is the opposite to yours. When changing from my CLS55 to my new RC300h my current insurer issued a £20 rebate reducing my annual premium to just £180. Lexus wanted to charge me £400/yr on a like for like policy.

It's just the area under the parked wipers that is heated.

If memory serves, it was the supply to the power socket in the centre console. You really need to meter the connections

I've never understood why manufactures don't reset the Auto-wiper function when the IGN is cycled? Would prevent inadvertent operation on dry or frozen screens..

Be aware your handbook describes many options that may not be not installed on your car. Do you have a button that corresponds to this option?

By pressing the Start button but without depressing the brake pedal?

Firstly, it's always worth reiterating one will always read more posts regarding problems on a forum, than good news stories. The vast majority of car owners are not members of forums (fora??) so one is never really sure of the relative reliability simply by reading the web.. Bit like working in a hospital and thinking everybody is sick Mercedes certainly are no more or less reliable than the majority of marques. That said their modern diesels if they do breakdown, are prone to very expensive problems. Petrols much better and cheaper to repair/maintain. My two Mercedes, one a 270cdi, was very reliable needing nothing more than normal service related items and a few wear related parts. It covered 140k miles. The second a 55k AMG was equally reliable but hugely more expensive to maintain...

As I posted before, are you sure it's not using electric to pull away? The engine cutting in only to warm up and provide heat to the cabin?

Mercedes do have complete service records, all digital now. Accessible only by dealers or indies with the official Xentry online diagnostic software.

Not Eco mode, EV mode. Do you have the separate button labelled EV? Forces the car to run only with the electric motor.

I think you'll need to have a poke around the under-bonnet fuse box with a multimeter..

I had a pair of those Osrams fitted to my Merc, replacing the OEM fog lamps. Gave me drls and all original foglamp welcome home functionality. Excellent product, looked very OEM. Guys who fitted them took switched and permanent live feeds directly from the fusebox.

Not sure it'll prove anything but if the car goes into EV mode and moves it would suggest there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the hybrid system? I've noted a number of times the ICE fires up but it's not driving the wheels, simply generating heat for the cabin. Motion is via the traction battery. The Energy display shows no power flow from ICE to the wheels but the engine is running...

Is it the same if you press the EV button immediately after starting?

How about Mercedes and it's ABC hydraulic suspension struts? Failure not uncommon at 50k miles and looking at £1k per corner minimum. Lexus or any other marque don't have to justify their prices, you pay or walk. As they are still a profitable concern is guess most people pay. Many are returning customers

Sonunds like good business sense. Owner spends on Lexus services and gets a few £k better px, balances out for the dealership. Prospective owner goes for an approved used and gets a serviced car with warranty.

Merry Christmas Vasileios I see now how you've made the comparisons. Yes peculiar, some of these corporate machinations but they must fulfil some global target. The point regarding spares support could be very relevant..

"Over priced" only when making an invalid comparison? What would it cost to purchase and import such a model? Lexus sell massively more cars in the USA, their relative ranking in the luxury market is, I suspect, somewhat lower than here in the UK and that would be mostly due to the cost of said models. I feel Lexus wish to maintain their status here and can afford to 'loose' sales in the UK in the knowledge they can shift the numbers in the States. I've always thought it a fuitile excercise to check prices across markets, just leads to disappointment...

Merry Christmas to one and all, have a great day with those you love and hold dear..

My only experience of my Lexus dealer (Swindon) has been the purchase and handover of my new RC. I can honestly say they have been everything I expected from a luxury marque. First rate. Considerate, communicative, accommodating. Yes, I realise this stage of interaction is about getting my custom and money ..... If they turn out anything close to MB Swindon in respect to customer service I'll be very happy