Do Not Sell My Personal Information Jump to content


GSLV6

Established Member
  • Posts

    739
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    21

 Content Type 

Profiles

Forums

Events

Store

Gallery

Tutorials

Lexus Owners Club

Gold Membership Discounts

Lexus Owners Club Video

News & Articles

Everything posted by GSLV6

  1. Speaking with Lexus, it appears changes to the power pack on the v6 included some enhancements to battery efficiency over the previous gens, plus the revised V6, to comply with tightening EU emissions regs resulted in both port and direct injection (clever move because it won't suffer the carboning up issues of direct injection nor the gas dilution of the oil resulting in more frequent oil changes being recommended) I was keen to compare longer term fuel efficiency. Most of my driving is done in normal mode, with a switch to Sport S+ for B road twists and turns. My previous F Sport managed a long term average of 28mpg (hilly area, mixed driving) with 32mpg being about it at 70mph M/way cruising, and the max I saw was 36mpg cross country on a 150 mile trip. The newer power train combined with improvements to drag coefficient with the more slanted front and rear screens have indeed seen a substantial improvement in overall fuel efficiency. A recent 250 mile round trip on motorways saw 37mpg and it's achieving roughly the same on cross country A roads, with shorter local trips up from 28 to 34mpg. That's a whopping 6pmg more than previous generations. It doesn't sound that impressive until compared with similar sized diesel suvs. A friend has a diesel X3 and he manages an average of 35mpg, so the last of the V6's actually betters to BMW diesel models. Impressive stuff. Performance-wise, the newer model has the older one licked as well, with mid range shove in Sport S+ being particularly impressive given the total absence of any CVT lag a with other modes, along with max power available from the electric motors instantly. The more that I drive the 4th gen, the more I like it. It lacks the all round visibility of older models and still doesn't feel as sporty or nimble as the overall balance of the Gen3 F-Sport, but to any naysayers who consider the F-Sport as a styling only exercise, think again....with adaptive stabilisers (dampers) and the S+ pack, the 4th gen is more definitely sportier to drive than standard or Takumi models without the same set up and packs an impressive punch when asked. Lexus have produced a gem in this model. Newer RX500+ models may be quicker still but my short acquaintance with one of those and with an RZ convinced my that the interior trim and finish on the 4th gen seems to have newer models licked on quality of interiors and little practical touches like the retention of the hinged door buckets. The not so good changes: Interior load space seems less (despite the figures) due to the increased rake of the rear door; the valve covers have gone from steel to plastic (although I've yet to hear of any issues with the RX covers) and the engine bay isn't as neat and tidy plus the newer F-Sport wheel spokes are more prone to being chipped as they protrude a longer way out than older 19 inch F Sport spokes. I also miss not having a manual door lift at the back but somewhere in the manual I think I read that the motor can be bypassed in the menu system to allow manual opening. Other than these relatively minor points, the 4th gen is a triumph of design and quality. The ride quality is particularly impressive. Quieter, more refined and smoother...at last it feels every bit the prestige model to drive that it always ought to have been.
  2. It's a sad reflection on UK society that true communities mainly only exist in some rural or semi rural parts, and that you cannot leave anything unlocked or unattended. I grew up in the late 60's and 70's and it wasn't unknown for people to go on holiday and return without houses being locked up! Car theft was a very rare occurrence and was the talk of the street if one ever happened. These days, you have to worry yourself silly about security, both of the home and the car. To anyone else reading this, I can only echo Len's comments. Irrespective of what model you drive, the following precautions should see your car at far less risk of becoming a theft statistic. I'll even put costs on some of these things to show that it's not a lot to invest: Disklok steering lock: With discount: £135....not a lot to reduce risk significantly? That or the Stoplock Pro Elite steering lock are both popular models Faraday box sold on amazon containing two key pouches and one key card pouch as well as a sturdy shielded box: £18...it's a no-brainer. Keep it in your bedroom, not near the front door. Wheel lock: Avoid no brand Chinese made cheap ones..they're next to useless. A decent one starts at around £80 and a really good one is around £140 (such as the Bulldog clamps or RAC endorsed Purpleline nemisis lock for a little more). Park your car facing the house to make it more awkward for a quick getaway. If you are fortunate and have a large enough driveway, park your car close to the garage or house and if your spouse has a car or you have a second small runabout, park it tight up behind your lexus. The noise and effort of having to shift the first car is likely enough to prevent any theft. The chances of even professional thieves targeting a prestige car with these simple precautions are very slim. Also, it pays, if you've been away, and particularly if at a hotel with accessible car park or at an airport car park, sweep the car for tracking devices (air tags found using an iphone or a cheap gps tracker detector available on amazon ). Mine was likely targeted due to a tracker fitted after I parked up at a hotel with work recently but fortunately they were disturbed....I got lucky.
  3. Ditto. Any extra security such as a steering wheel lock used? Had an attempted theft on mine last week but they scarpered when confronted.
  4. No. You change it in settings once and it should remain visual only when you next start the car. At least that what it does in mine.
  5. Yes. Should be on all new models. I have it on my 4th gen. It basically raises alerts, with the posted speed limit showing on the HUD, which turns red if you exceed the S/l, but also triggers an annoying alarm bell, which thankfully can be toggled off in the menus. The EU are introducing mandatory limiters in all new cars which physically limit speeds using RSA cameras together with GPS, but defeatable within the menu system, so you can exceed the limits at your own risk. Personally, I think there's far too much interference in personal freedoms and whilst I'm not condoning speeding, I strongly object to the one state EU trampling personal freedoms as whatever is bound over within the EU gets bound over here too in relation to motoring and car manufacturing requirements.
  6. It can't come soon enough...I disturbed would be thieves just last night poking around the car on my driveway at 2:20am with a torch. They'd parked up, engine running,in a panel van. They scarpered as soon as they saw me. As I live at the end of a cul de sac, it wasn't opportunistic.
  7. Whatever they come up with, no system is infallible, but a combination layered system using plates, immobiliser, tracker and decent steering lock will make it an unattractive enough proposition not to bother with, unlike Landrovers/Rangerovers/Kias/Hyundais/Porche cars all of whom don't seem to have addressed their vulnerabilities yet. Theives would have to be tooled up to deal with all of those things making it a lot longer than a 40 second getaway, and a noisy affair at that. Chances of being caught are probably too great for them to bother. Statistically, even a decent steering lock would put off most of them. They'l always take the easier option as it's low risk.
  8. I believe that the solution is a combination of what you have done with some software updates. I understand that it's a Ghost tracker/immobiliser they're using. If they dare charge....we all have it in our interests to shout very loudly and involve the press.
  9. I was informed yesterday that UK dealers wouldn't be getting the software or trackers for another two weeks so they may be doing a roll out distribution by area?
  10. It's a bit more than mere speculation. It's rock solid confirmation from someone at Lexus. There's no way any manufacturer these days will move away from canbus, it's in everything these days. Software fixes as I understand it, are not possible with the current ECU as they don't employ a separate security systems ecu, meaning that any software fix can (eventually with the right software hack) be hacked via the canbus system. The only solution, other than a complete redesign and implementation of a dual canbus with separate security ECU linked to start up, doors etc, is apparently to introduce a means of immobilisation separate to the main canbus, which makes perfect sense and will (hopefully) prevent theft. In effect, it's not hackable unless some form is access is possible via the OBD port but even then, the proprietary software should be designed and coded to avoid hack attacks. I don't see what else they can really do. That, the steel plates, a tracker and separate immobiliser are more than most vulnerable makes are provided with. Let's wait and see. For now, sensible steps include a steering wheel lock and to disable your wireless access so the key is needed. It takes seconds to do using the buttons on your key fob which are pressed in a certain order (see you tube for details).
  11. I was told this morning (cannot state who, but it's a reliable source) that all dealers are being contact within the next two weeks to start rolling out the long overdue canbus fix. As many of us suspected, whilst they cannot (not permitted) give out exact details until then, it will include a Ghost Tracker and some form of additional immobiliser. Who, exactly, pays for the tracker subscription hasn't been announced yet. It is finally happening folks so hopefully insurance premiums next year will become more realistic...
  12. On mine, you just select destination, and where it says "address" there's a section for postcode (no "page 2" on mine). Just type it in and off you go. You can also use apple play or android, hook up your phone and use Apple or Google Maps which give a better system anyway. My lexus satnav got me lost before deciding it was lost the other day and I don't trust it to use it any more. I just use apple maps or Waze.
  13. I rather suspect that they are keeping dealerships informed but are asking them to say nothing for now. The answers I got were all framed in the same formulaic way, clearly they've been briefed.
  14. I agree. They are also deliberately hiding the canbus security issue on used sales to potential customers and letting them discover it themselves come insurance quote time. Watchdog or some similar public shaming is overdue on this. @omegatt It's not jus Lexus, it's Toyota, Porsche, Landrover, Kia, Hyundai and others too. Hard truth is that luxury and performance cars, plus popular crossover/SUV cars are all targets for theives. I was in your shoes and decided, on balance, that with some additional security, it was still worth sticking with Lexus for the reasons that drew you to them. You're better selling your car privately and buying a one or two year old RX. I'd personally avoid electric vehicles until the next generation power source arrives.
  15. Welcome Kev, you're not the first and won't be the last to back into something! I did similar in my last RX, unfortunately for my mate, it was his prized classic 8 series BMW V8 convertible parked behind me! I ended up paying for both repairs and laughed it off, eventually. Wishing you good health to enjoy.
  16. Not to those who've had to do this. I recently read about a Porsche customer who had to replace his battery pack at the eye watering cost of £42K. The car was less than 10 yrs old. I also have a friend with a ten year old Nissan leaf who cannot use it for longer journeys as the effective range has dropped off way more than manufacturer claimed. He knows it isn't worth anything on the used market as a result, so uses it for all his local trips and still likes it, but I'd be concerned about used values/depreciation of any 10 yr old EV. That's not really old for a car. Up until recent years, all my used cars were 5 to 10 yr old petrol engined cars and if well maintained, I knew buying at 80K miles was a safe bet and looked after, they'd give another 70K miles. I wouldn't risk any used EV. If they go wrong, costs can write off any residual value left in them and it's more an urban myth to suggest they don't go wrong. The future may indeed be EVs, but current LiIon packs are the present, not the future and my personal opinion is that the devastation to the planet, that mining Lithium involves, never mind the disposal/recycling costs makes them environmentally unsound. When a greener solution is found, then I'll consider one. That's just my personal view but backed by keeping an open mind, informed by reports from reliable sources. You don't have to justify your own choices, just ensure you're well informed and happy with your purchase.
  17. As mentioned, the 12v battery failing doesn't, on the RX, affect when the engine kicks in. The charging circuit is powered from the HV NiCad-mH side (you can check the circuit via the workshop manual of you have access to one) I've had two auxiliary batteries fail and neither time when they were on their way out did it make any difference to the main engine running.
  18. The 12v battery doesn't provide the starting nor any motive power at all. It is purely used as an auxiliary battery with the main HV hybrid batteries doing the starting and motive power. A failing 12v battery may not hold a charge so will need replacing or a battery placed in parallel to start the car to allow the diagnostics (powered from the 12V) and motor control circuit to control the start up via the hybrid battery circuit. It will make no difference at all to mpg if it was a failing 12v battery as the charge indicator on the dash is purely for the hybrid battery. The separate warning of low battery in the message box indicates auxiliary battery charge and it's normal for this to shut systems down when it reaches a certain point of discharge, or to trigger other warning messages. It is charged via a rectified charging circuit from the hybrid circuit and the low amperage charge it takes will have no effect on economy.
  19. I think that they have already got the solution, which won't be a hardware replacement in terms of CANBUS architecture. That would bankrupt Lexus due to the implications. It may just be speculation but I can't see anything they can offer except for an "approved" immobiliser operable without recourse to the CANBUS system so that it cannot be hacked, or by re-writing ecu software such that it has to look for the thumbs up from the discrete immobiliser, involving some form of ECU reflash. What they delay is for I don't understand as this has been known about for a good few years but swept under the carpets in the vain hope there wouldn't be the backlash by customers against them. Ask yourself, would Lexus have been pushed into doing something if no complaints had been made, of their own honest volition? of course not. It'll be a least cost sticking plaster, but in their defense, at least they are seemingly addressing it. It may not prevent attempted theft so owners are still advised to add a visible deterrent in the form of steering wheel locks, wheel locks or both to make it an unattractive target. They may surprise us yet, so worth giving them the benefit of doubt, and wait and see. If they truly do value existing customers, whatever is offered will be fit for purpose. If it isn't, they'll lose a heck of a lot of UK customers.
  20. Well, having had an RZ for a few days in Takumi spec, I have to say I was bitterly disappointed with the interior. Cheaper looking than my RX4, no hinged door bins, less storage and call me a cynic, but once you get over the performance, real world range is a let down for such a premium priced car. In fact, it makes more sense to buy one in Toyota colours or the Subaru EV which is the exact same vehicle with a cheaper interior still. The overall quality is not reflected in the price imho. The Takumi spec and F-Sport Takumi pack RX4's I personally think are head and shoulders better on interior quality and more practical. Some people will have to have one for the badge, but there's as good if not better for less elsewhere. Whilst we're talking depreciation, the true cost only drops out when you consider the cost of replacing a clapped out battery pack. You can effectively buy a new car for the cost of a battery replacement, which is one of my gripes about most EVs. There's nothing green about them, except they defer where the pollution appears and countries mining Lithium are where the very "un-green" offset to any green credentials goes. There may be nothing coming out of the on existent tail pipe but that's just offset to the fossil fuel powered power stations. It makes people feel better as it takes the fumes away from built up areas but in total life terms, it's all an illusion. I just can't see any argument for them presently which is why I cannot personally justify spending on one. I appreciate others will not share this view. Freedom of choice at least remains with us for now until the government gestapo force us all over to the dark side.
  21. Indeed I do. From a standing start, GPS shows the 60 sprint in a little under 7 seconds which is almost a second quicker than claimed. The real punch though isn't in this "off at the lights" measure, it's in the 40-70 range where it reacts more like a 3 litre turbo diesel, thanks to the instant torque of the electric motors. They must have re-tuned the mapping in sport + over the RX3 sport setting because there's significantly more shove, enough to push me back into the seat. Makes for effortless overtakes when needed. Even with spirited driving, it's settled down to a 33mpg average too, with one or two longer cross country runs at over 36mpg, so slightly better on fuel as well. The adaptive dampers make a big difference. Almost no body roll, and combined with the speed variable weighted steering, handles impressively on twisty roads. Changing the tyres from the OEM ones to Turance 6 Enliten tyres was a good move. Way more grip (especially in the wet) and less road noise.
  22. Well, I came full circle back to Lexus after looking at Volvo XC60 and 90 models, Mazda cX5 and CX60's, Kia and a few others. Volvos didn't do any engine options I wanted and lots of reports of niggling faults despite the lovely interiors. Ride quality so-so. CX5 too small for my needs, CX60 priced too high imho, as looking at year old higher spec models they were all over £40K and the interiors not up to lexus standards plus reports of issues with the over stressed turbo engine models plus way too much plastic used under the bonnet, including for the cooling and interior heating systems. Ride quality no-where near as good as the 4th gen RX models. I immediately discounted Kia as they and Hyundai both have the very same canbus vulnerability as the Lexus, Toyota, Porsche, landrover and ford cars. Bought a very nice Rx4 in the end with steel plate mods plus additional security and despite the galling insurance premium, couldn't be happier with the car. No other model yet offers the same blend of interior quality, ride quality and reliability. Performance is laughably understated by Lexus and all the same responses from reviewers saying this is no sports SUV equally laughable. It flies in sport + mode.
  23. I also spoke with them just last week and they told me different. I pushed the issue and they said that Lexus UK still hadn't told dealerships when or what the fix would be, and it is overdue from April. They've been saying June/July since April but bet your bottom dollar that what you were told doesn't mean dealers have had any confirmation at all yet. All I could get out of them was it would be "software based" and work in conjunction with the steel plates. To me, that signifies a retrofitted immobiliser.
×
×
  • Create New...