rich1068

Should also mention that I had a suspicion the exhaust may be blowing a bit. Unfounded but Dave checked it out FOC anyway. And he showed me some maintenance mode witchcraft to make the engine run permanently so the exhaust can be checked. Two presses of the accelerator in Park, two in Neutral, two more in Park, start engine. Something like that anyway.

It is indeed. I keep looking at Lexus and Saab now. As well as Volvo. Bloody hell. However, I have realised that owning 3 cars is quite the ideal. Obviously more would be good but any less and you're just playing at it

Thanks to all 👍 I've never really had to consider all this before. I've either run new cars that have gone after 3 or 4 years or ones more at the banger end that you fix when they break. A proper service regime is something that's important to me with the IS and RX because (imho) they're special cars. So what I'd take from this is stick to the service book instructions but mix in a little common sense. I can live with that.

So exactly how often are you on Autotrader Glyn?

He likes a chat 👍

Just bumping this one. Turns out I even replied to it back in April. Who knew? Anyhoo, popped over today and a nicer bloke you couldn't hope to meet. I'd asked him to price up the plug replacement on my 400h but when I explained the situation he told me to leave them. Can't say fairer than that can you?

Why indeed. It's just when you hear more than once X years or XX thousand miles you start to believe it! I'm sticking with the basic service and that's that.

Well according to the two mechanics I've spoken to today (one Lexus specialist and one "regular" who I've known for years and is just... proper), yes. Because the advice I originally got from Krzysztof appears to be quite correct I don't know about the US intervals but I'm leaving them as they are. If you hadn't already guessed The plugs are 70 odd quid for a set of six but it's getting to the back three that takes the time.

So now I'm not entirely sure whether my plugs need doing at all.

Really? That's interesting. I've dug deep into the service history and the plugs on my RX 400h were done in April 2012 at 25k miles. So the car was 6 years old but if what you're saying is correct then it's another example of an owner getting their leg pulled by a dealer maybe? Currently my car has around 52-53k miles on it and really should only just be coming up to it's first plug change.

There are some additional items in my service handbook that are separate to the Intermediate or Full services. For instance, spark plug replacement is required at 60k miles but it does not say 60k miles or (eg) 6 years. It also says timing belt at 100k miles but it does not say 100k or (eg) 10 years though it's generally agreed here and elsewhere that the 10 year interval is just as important. However, with a comparatively minor item such as the air filter the handbook is quite clear that it should be replaced every 4 years or 40k miles. So how are we supposed to interpret these service items on vehicles like mine and others on here that haven't done 10-15k miles per year?

Finally got around to booking with Lexus Sheffield. The previous owner should have had an Intermediate or Minor Essential Service carried out in February '17. Instead they left it until September '17 and had an Essential Major Service carried out. So strictly speaking I can get away with an Intermediate or Essential Minor Service. As they'll apply the LOC discount to the Intermediate and it also includes the Hybrid Health Check it makes sense to go with that rather than Essential. Still with me? The price for this? £205.98 which I think you'll agree is not out of all reason considering I get the Lexus stamp and a courtesy car. However, I'm also due spark plugs and a brake fluid change. That pushes things up to £564.83 Just the basic service thanks...

Good. Get them off the road.

I'm with Linas on this. N/A remapping is a waste of time unless you're making other serious modifications. I doubt you'd notice a difference and I seriously doubt their 20bhp/18Nm claim. I don't own an IS250 but I've had plenty of cars tweaked.

I think I recall on some of the RX 400h the parking sensors were a dealer fit option and that for some reason there's a button to disable them near the tailgate and fuel cap release buttons (down and to the right of the steering wheel). Have a look round there and see if there's something you've inadvertently pressed.

And the good news continues. Just had my preferred non-Lexus mechanic give it a once over and apart from a small weld required where I'd imagine one of the original drivers seat spot welds is, it's good to go. So next Wednesday it's back for that and a good coating of Waxoyl. 60 quid. Might need new front shocks before the MOT next April.

The price of these cars is indeed ridiculous. And bulkheads notwithstanding, mostly cheap to fix too. And because I bought one the other week I found myself near Lincoln last night with a mate who was buying a '97 9000 CD Griffin V6 for 650 quid

I agree. I'd never go for the multimac thing. The number of times we swap cars, move seats, carry more than 5 or want to split the little sweethearts up. Just not that practical for us. Over the years I've realised making do or compromising just doesn't cut it.

Below the steering wheel, above the pedal assembly. Next to the bonnet release.

I'll look that up. Thank you.

I may have been sporting a flat cap. It's cold on the M1 with the roof down and no heaters to speak of.

Thank you! That is the 240 petrol but it's the ST-Line. Through Ford Business Lease it was cheaper than the hateful derv. And derv is hateful. The latest in a long line of family carriers that has included a wonderful XC90 with the built in middle booster and 7 seats, a first gen S-Max, one or two V70s with built in outer boosters and seven seats, a Touran and God knows what else. I did get everyone in our RX to go to Cornwall this year but that was because there was a shipping delay with the Ford and money did have to change hands with my 10 year old before he'd squash in between his brother and sister. You're welcome. The Multimac thing always gets suggested but I've never met anyone online that has got one. Probably because the usual pics of them make them look awful. That one in the BMW looks OK though. And I know for a fact that set up with regular seats wouldn't fit in a 5er because I've tried! You end up researching floorpans and rear bench widths an awful lot but usually it's seat belt buckles that do for your plans. One of mine is out of a seat now but in the past (in no particular order) I've tried the Merc GLE, VW Touareg, BMW 5 series/3 series/3 series GT, Audi A6, Jaguar XF and so many medium sized SUV/crossover things I've lost count. So, if your hypothetical question is related to something than may be cooking as we speak () go as big as you can with as many seats as possible. There are plenty of good cars that fit that description. Or if you must go for a five seater look into Volvos and their built in boosters. They're brilliant.

Went to my first Saab meet on Sunday. They're all old men with beards like me so I was as happy as a pig in muck. And they said very complementary things about my 9-3 too which was nice. One thing I have noticed. I proudly tell anyone who'll listen that it only cost 850 quid and watch for their astonished reaction. That doesn't happen with other Saab owners. These cars are just so cheap! I have been neglecting the RX recently though so I must turn my attention to that.

We have three children (now 10, 7 and 5) and over the years have had to consider this problem many times. And sorry Mr Vlad but you are mistaken. If the belts are there then it's perfectly fine to fit more than two seats. And I didn't read any of the subsequent links but unfortunately OP, you're a bit wrong too. Backless boosters are perfectly legal for smaller children if they were purchased/manufactured prior to February 2017. One of those really weak neither here nor there safety regs. Whether you'd want to use them is something else entirely. However, the main sticking point I've found is how the middle belt is positioned. Trust me I've tried dozens of estates, SUVs and MPVs and even if you can get three seats side by side, if the socket end of the seatbelt is recessed into the seat or is on some sort of firm but flexible attachment it's a complete non starter. The middle seat will sit on top of it and the child won't be able to buckle themselves up. You also won't be able to lean in and do it for them because the space is too tight or it's disappeared under the seat. This is currently our family wagon. Not a Q7, not diesel and certainly not French Basically, for your own sanity if you're part of a family of 5 or more and regularly transport them all over the place you need something that's designed for that job. Sanity being the key word there.

Another pic And the CEL is sorted. Split hose and a faulty breather valve. Took a local Saab specialist all of 30 seconds to find and fix. The Swedish Banger runs as sweet as nut now.