First_Lexus

Mine attracts far less mud in this area since I had the side-steps fitted, but it is still far from ideal. I spray on some APC, leave for a couple of minutes, and then rinse out. Seems to work ok.

^^ No, nothing like that. Looking closely, the selector seems to have a lacquered finish. I think it is this that's breaking down, so a manufacturing defect seems most likely. The car is going into the dealer (again!) in a couple of weeks as the rear suspension has now started squeaking, so I'll add this to their list.

Noticed today that the silver finish is already wearing off the gear selector in my NX. Surprising as I've only covered 4K miles, don't rest my hand on the lever and nor do I wear a ring that might have damaged it. It looks as though there is an area on the top middle of the selector where the finish is breaking up. Anybody else noticed anything like that?

I'm very impressed. I've been Detailing for years, with good products, but seeing a pro get such results is a real pleasure. I picked up loads of tips too...

@as13 I'd say the results speak for themselves! I thought I was pretty good at cleaning and looking after my cars, but Chris at Summit Detailing has taken the level of shine to a different level - mainly using Gtechniq products. Interestingly, the ceramic coat applied by the dealer from new (at no cost) had been done quite well in most places...but wasn't present at all on the lower bodywork. Evidently whoever applied it didn't want to bend down . Anyway, it is now fully de-contaminated and protected......and my 14 year-old MINI Cooper is next, although that will be getting a more thorough 3 day treatment.

@as13 Didn't happen due to the weather over Easter. It's re-booked for Sunday..fingers crossed!

^^ Just to be contrary, I am the opposite. Having had all the gadgets over the years, I now go for mid-range cars and save money as I realised that I never or hardly ever used any of the gadgets. Mind you, only I drive my car so manually re-setting the seat and steering wheel is very rare. As long as a car has satnav and heated seats I'm happy. The most pointless gadget of all IMHO - voice control. The answer to a question that nobody asked...

Having read this thread for the first time today, all I can say is that it's a sorry story. My assumption is that Lexus wouldn't 'do' anything to help you as they were sure that there wasn't a manufacturing fault i.e. your car was within their tolerances. Bad design perhaps, but not a fault as such. I agree with others that the dealer could have done more to keep you satisfied after such a large purchase - a replacement car of another type wouldn't have cost them that much, and could have retained you as a customer for years to come. I've been led to believe that repeat customers are in a better position with this sort of thing as dealers and manufacturers are more certain that you will return to them - that certainly seemed to work with me and Honda...well, until I abandoned them for Lexus last year! Having had experience with some issues with new cars over the years, and having had an issue with my NX, I can say that from my experience Lexus UK and the dealer went above and beyond to resolve my issue. Yes, there were some 'sticky' moments early on but discussions were always constructive and polite. My worst experience was with VW, who frankly couldn't care less once you've made the mistake of buying one of their poorly manufactured vehicles. Regarding getting stories in the media, I was once told - by a dealer - that they absolutely didn't care about such stories as the impact was very short-lived. It would appear that in this case it didn't bother Lexus, that's for sure. Where it gets more interesting is if you have a friend who is actually a journalist for a major newspaper...

A colleague of mine had a Jaguar XE hire car for a month while his company car was fixed by the lease company (he drives an Audi A4 normally). While he liked it to drive, it was already rattling and had only done 5-6k miles. It didn't give an impression of high quality to me either, and that's why I wouldn't consider a Jag regardless of how much I like the look of them.

@FunkyboyI found the same when I had an F-Sport model when my standard Sport was at the dealer (not sure what model you had?). The standard suspension seems much quieter based on my experience, and tyres also make a big difference as noted by others. My NX is quieter on all levels than my previous Honda CRV, but I doubt it is as quiet as my saloon Accord was.

Really sorry to see this @Omegajb A few years ago a previous car was scratched - deliberately down the side - while in an upmarket hotel car park in Nottingham. The hotel refused to provide any CCTV and even told me that having a Watford FC sticker on the car up there was '...asking for trouble, Londoners aren't popular up here.' I didn't even know where to start with that but I never stayed there again. And neither did anybody else from my organisation which cost them a fortune in lost revenue. A year later it was taken over by a chain. I didn't shed any tears. Karma is a funny thing and hopefully the idiot that did this to your car will experience bad karma...

Have to say I've fallen back in love with my NX over the past few weeks. So quiet, so smooth, so comfortable...and hopefully no more issues! And having cleaned it at the weekend, it's looking great too. Happy days

Falkens for me based on previous experience. I've had most brands over the years, always mid-range or premium, and I've found Falken to be the best balance between price and performance. I've turned family members and friends onto them and they've been equally impressed.

Used the Sonax BSD for the first time this morning. I see what you mean about it being a bit 'grabby' @rayaans - one of the fussier QDs I've used - but the finish is good, with the flake in the metallic being more noticeable. That's impressive for a QD. I will be interested to use the various QDs I've got over the Summer and come to a conclusion on which I prefer. The CarPro Re-Load is excellent, as is the Auto-Perfection Clarity, especially given the price. The Bilt-Hamber requires the paint to be in really good condition otherwise it's a pain to use. My all time favourite for ease of use and finish is the Dodo Red Mist, but I haven't got any of that at the moment. Will use up a couple of those I do have before deciding what to order next.

I don't have premium navigation, but isn't that area just the 'upper' map showing a 'shadow' in order in indicate that it is 'on top'? It doesn't look like a fault to me...did the dealer think it was?

I’m just having the ‘protection detail’ to sort it out after the Winter. Living down here in a remote setting my car has got dirtier than any I’ve ever owned, so I decided to get it professionally sorted. It only takes one day. At the same time we will discuss my 2004 MINI as although I’ve owned it from new and never used it during Winter (and only a couple of times in the rain!) there are a couple of areas that could do with correction. It has always been carefully cleaned by me, only using Swissvax products, so I’ll be seeing how good these guys are with the NX before deciding whether to let them loose on the MINI!!

I use step-ladders, have done for years. I'm not very steady on my feet so need the stability. I'm very careful around the paintwork though... I'm having my NX professionally sorted by Summit Detailing on Good Friday. That will get it into a good post-Winter position for me to maintain through the year. Worth having done once a year imho. https://summit-detailing.co.uk/

I wonder if my issue was the same, but they didn't want to tell me because of my previous issues? Curious that the exact same symptoms could be resolved with a bit of cleaning on one car but a new part on another...I'm probably being paranoid!

Fingers crossed you are all right and in a few months this will all be a distant memory! I certainly hope so...

Don't get me wrong, I do like the NX a lot. The drive is excellent, as is the interior. I just can't get over the feeling - having bought the brand specifically based on a reputation for quality - that the 'quality' may be a bit superficial. The paintwork seems very brittle, and the interior plastics seem to mark quite easily in comparison to Honda. Looking at the various courtesy cars I've had those issues don't just affect my NX either. Who knows, maybe I'll have no further issues and in a couple of years I will be looking at another Lexus. I just can't see that at this moment due to my disappointment with the issues I've had and the nagging feeling that I'll have more. A friend of mine who works 'in the business' tells me that Lexus quality is still at or near the top of the tree but isn't what it was a few years ago. Maybe my NX is symptomatic of that. I fully accept there are many here who have had no issues - I'm sure there are on Alfa/Renault/Ford forums as well - and I accept that Lexus are much better than most. The trouble is when you've had the experience that I have, regardless of trying to stay positive, it does colour your view. Inevitable really.

Lexus Swindon made a point of saying that the groaning suspension wasn't a fault - rather it was routine maintenance caused by road conditions. That makes me doubt Lexus quality TBH. I've never heard of anything like that on any other cars I've owned, and those include Renaults! I won't be asking for a new car. I bought the NX on a PCP, and residual values are strong. I'll keep it for another 18-24 months (I've already had it for 6) then chop it in for the new Honda CR-V Hybrid which is already available in the US and will be available here in Autumn 2019. My feelings having owned plenty of Hondas is that they feel more thoroughly engineered. The interior quality isn't as 'premium' nor is the design as 'cutting edge.' However, they feel more robust to me, and certainly the design is more thoughtful for the user in a number of ways. If I have any disappointment at all with the way Lexus have handled my issues it is that at no stage did they approach me to offer a replacement. I had to put that onto the table and push it, which is when the original manufacturing issue was identified as 'minor' (I have no way of knowing if I was told the truth, but I think I was) and when the wheels/side-steps were offered as compensation. Even then, Lexus wouldn't give me everything I asked for, rejecting my request for two free services as well. I like the NX, but ultimately my confidence in the Lexus brand has been shaken to a level where it is unlikely to be recovered. While it is under warranty I'll keep it. Before the warranty expires, I'll move back to Honda.

From memory mine had 8 miles on the odo on collection.

I change insurer almost every year. Every other year I end up with Admiral as their quotes are so much cheaper for 'new' customers. Madness. As others have said, costs seem to be very location/car/job/age specific. I know people who swear by Direct Line, but over the years their quotes are almost always about double the cheapest. They aren't able to explain why. LV have never been competitive for my motor insurance, but are excellent for my home insurance. Go figure...

I've ordered the Sonax BSD this morning. Will be interesting to see how it compares to the other detailers I've used / got - I'll post thoughts once I've got it and used it over the ceramic coating (which seems to be holding up very well so far after 6 months).

I've had the second issue, but assume it is a normal characteristic. Only seems to happen in low temperatures, so I guess the car needs more power for lights/heat/heated seats etc. than the batteries alone can offer? Not had the hill hold issue, that sounds like one to have looked at. My car had a manufacturing defect which was relatively minor but took ages to identify and then resolve. The Lexus UK engineer who finally worked it out said he'd never seen a Lexus with such a fault leave the factory. Lexus had the car for almost three months while they sorted it.