Juicedrinker

It does seem to vary but not so much on the model as more to do with where you live I think and if you have a garage, park on private drive etc. I do have front and rear dash cam installed and LV have just reinsured my RC300H (2019) no issue at all and it only increased 23% from last year (fully comp, no claims protection, maximum legal cover, maximum personal injury insurance and an additional driver) @ £765.00.

Lexus RC Executive & performance, I queried this with the Lexus dealer Service Manager who sold it to me at the time and he said it was correct so I assumed as they are Lexus and use the registration number they must know best. I was pretty livid to say the least when I found out by pure chance (through an ex Toyota technician 7 months later on a Facebook page discussion) that it was wrong! The Lexus dealer said that It had happened to others but no apology or any form of redress offered.

Just in case this may affect anyone else, I found out two weeks ago that the service plan I had been paying for past 7 months was set up at the incorrect price because EMAC (who handle the Lexus plans) had my vehicle as a different model than it is. I own a RC300H and when I set up the 3 year plan including MOT's I questioned why it was so expensive and was told it was because of the 6 year service (that was part / included in it). However I felt it was still too high for two minor and one major service but got told all was correct by two other Lexus Dealers when I questioned it. A few weeks ago on a Facebook site I noted a person had just been quoted for the service and MOT plan which included the 6 year service and it was significantly less. Following confirmation of my concern with an ex Toyota technician (who was on the site at the time) I contacted Lexus HQ and they told me nothing to do with them and I needed to speak direct with EMAC and not the dealer who sold it to me. I contacted EMAC and they said nothing to do with them and I needed to speak with the Lexus dealer who sold me the plan. I emailed the dealer and a few days later they phoned and we went through everything again and apparently the EMAC system sometimes gets 2019 and 2020 RC300H and IS300H confused with the RCF 5 Litre V8 model instead! The upshot is that I was paying £18 per month more than I should of been (£450 for the plan term) and they actually had a car in for service a few days before and were expecting a RCF when it was a RC300H. No apology at all just told that it is a fault on the EMAC system that does not know the car is hybrid version from the number plate and defaults to RCF for 2019 and 2020 onwards!

Following on from my initial post regarding sub standard dealership service, I have just established yet another issue! Following a discussion on an RC Forum it turns out (the dealer who used to service my previous Lexus cars) that I then bought the 3 year service and MOT plan from.... has in fact overcharged me for this plan by a LOT! I queried it at the start but was told it was definitely correct and now I have found out that rather than charge me for an RC300H service plan they in fact charged me for an RCFV8 service plan at about £500 more!! What a complete bunch of muppets. I spoke with Lexus HQ this morning and they said nothing to do with them and I needed to speak with EMAC who handle that side of things. I then spoke to EMAC who said nothing to do with them and I need to speak with the dealer that sold me the plan, so I sent a long email to the dealer early this morning and am now awaiting their reply. Why oh why can they not do things right for crying out loud they are not some dodgy back street dealership, in fact I've never had issues with small privately run car dealers thinking about it. To summarise - My last Lexus went for its annual service and the dealer told me I imediateley needed new pads and discs all round. I challenged this as had new Lexus parts less than 20,000 miles before and the service manager got arsey and said 'if you know more than a Lexus technician perhaps you should work for us'. I took car to an independent MOT testing centre who I use and they said nothing wrong at all, a week later went to another Lexus dealer and they said pads about 30% worn and discs at least 3 years left on them at the mileage I was doing. Also while they had it they were worried and took me into workshop as very low on oil as in below the minimum. I told them and showed them it had been serviced the week before by Lexus and they then spent a good 30 minutes trying to locate a leak but couldn't find anything so they kindly topped up oil free of charge and told me to check oil weekly. Two months later I had used about 0.5 litres of oil and nowhere near the minimum on dipstick so clearly the original servicing dealer had failed to put correct amount of oil in! Then Lexus dealer I bought last years approved car from did not repair what was agreed with the salesman prior to delivery, short supplied me keys (got only 1) and had the wrong service completed on the car (!). I had to complain to Lexus HQ who jumped on the issues and got the dealer principle to contact me, I told him the issues and he said all had been arrange for the service department to sort out if I could lose the car for a few days. They gave me a loan car which had childrens and womens personal belongings in, was filthy inside and had womens underwear and clothing in carrier bags in the boot. It came back (in the end 10 days later) and they had not rectified two of the issues that I had sent it back for and the service department said they had not been instructed to even look at them. Then they emailed me and phoned me repeatedly one day a month later to say they were taking money from my card for the dash and rear cameras that were installed prior to delivery or they would need to pursue me for payment, yet I had already paid for them and had receipt of payment prior to the car being supplied to me in the first place . Then I went to book it in for its first service and MOT that is due in a few months and asked about the dealer rectifying something that I had originally complained about after receiving the car that will break at some point as its making a goddam awful noise and not operating properly and they refused and said they can only fix it when it has completely broken and not look at repairing it or rather stopping it from braking completely and anyway to just look at it would cost me about £150.00 minimum. I have owned and had a huge number / range of cars in my life privately and in business where I did over 50,000 miles per year for over 20 years and to be honest my Lexus experience is nowhere near the best that I have had. In fact incredibly the best I have had in past were with Honda, BMW and amazingly Alfa Romeo who couldn't have been nicer people to deal with. I am now wondering if it is more area based and how people are / act in the UK rather than the brand. My Honda, BMW and Alfa experience were all when I lived and worked up In Northumbria and Cumbria for a few years and the people there are simply amazing. I think down South most business people basically do not give a toss about anyone.

Thats good to hear, at least some are still ok then

I just wondered if any other people are noticing that some Lexus dealers have been lowering their standards over the past few years. They may be fine with a persons PCP finance car (as they are in most cases going to get it back to sell on again so will probably nurture it as its to their advantage) but how are private purchase people finding things? Lexus have always tried to set themselves apart from other premium marques with their satisfaction scores / face to face dealings because lets face it in most cases they can not compete against the equivalent alternative marque offerings with far too limited engine choices and huge security / insurance problems for a start. I bought a 4 year old very low mileage Lexus from a main dealer last May as was very satisfied with my dealership experience over the previous 12 years with two older / high mileage Lexus cars. However the purchase of that 4 year old car last year was anything but smooth once they established I did not want it on PCP or HP, then issues with car on receipt that were hassle to get them to rectify. I will soon have it due for annual service and MOT and am going to the dealer that used to always service my older Lexus cars. Last year I had taken out a 3 year Lexus service and MOT plan with them and told them of a couple of concerns that I have, one minor and one potentialy major and they were obstructive, the one that may become a major issue I accept has not actually physically completely broken yet but you can clearly tell there is something that needs addressing urgently (the noise and movement show there is a big issue) or it will fail completely at some point and not something you want to fail on a car. They will not deal with it at all as said if it still works the fact that it is very noisy / clunky and temperamental in operation means that it still works and they will only deal with if it totally fails. I cant believe that I have to put up with the noise above my head and worry about using the moonroof in a supposedly premium car that cost me £34,000 from a main dealer that started having issues at 19,000 miles and is only 23,000 now. I also can't believe that they would rather it totally fail and then replace an expensive part rather than remedy / fix now and save future failure. I guess it could be because most mechanics at dealerships are not actually proper mechanics at all and just parts replacers so they have no idea how to preserve or repair but only replace. I had COMPLETELY the opposite experience with a 6 year old BMW bought from a main dealer and a 5 year old Honda from a main dealer when issues occurred within the first year. In fact with the BMW it wasn't even the cars fault it was my fiancees (at the time) feral kids and I told the dealer this and yet they / BMW replaced the parts (unbelievably!) under their approved car warranty as said a BMW should not have failure of components / should be hard wearing until at least 80,000 miles and the car had done 30,000. I know that they withdraw a few models from the UK market and major in USA and Japan and just wonder if maybe they will close their limited dealerships down and put inside other Toyota dealerships. I was planning on sticking with Lexus long term but the past years experience has meant that I am now focused on moving away to another brand in the next two years and in fact may go for an older ICE car / away from hybrid next time and just get proper local mechanics / engineers that I know service / repair it.

Couldn't agree more with you on this. I'm on my third Lexus BUT will not be getting a fourth if they do not sort out their appalling attitude to resolving their security weaknesses

@Skinnymangood choice, any tyre that works better in rain is a win with the UK's damp, drizzly, downpour type of weather that seems to increase every year. Unfortunately due to the country roads I have to drive on very frequently and also altitude of some places / hills I wont get away with summer tyres. Out of interest do you know what load rating your rear tyres have? I am trying to establish form Lexus what it should be as most tyre companies are saying 96/98 but a Lexus dealer put 94's on mine!

Hello @Skinnyman, I have just seen this old post and just been through months of thinkng about what to do as need all season tyres ideally Vector 4 Seasons. How did you get on in the end? Did you go 255/35/R19 or other? What tyres did you opt for? Thanks, Charlie

Sorry only just seen your message. Its interesting as I have experience of both Cross Climates+ and also of Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons (Gen 1 & 2). For all year round use as of course all seasons are intended for the Michelins are brilliant as an all rounder however that being said on the two different cars (RWD and FWS) that my partner has had that I've used Vector 4 Seasons on over 8 years there is a clear difference when it comes to more severe winter ands heavy rain. The 4 seasons are clearly a winter tyre with summer 'modification' rather than the Michelin being a summer tyre with winter modification. Luckily my partner only does very low mileage because the 4 seasons do have more noticeable wear if used during Spring and Summer whereas the Michelins (as you will know) last for ages! As we have particularly bad standing water in the area that I commute daily and its also often very cold due to altitude changes I decided to go for 4 seasons Gen 3 as they have incredible ability in the wet and very good in snow. I will then switch back to the Bridgestones in March / April. Fortunately for me I have a friend who has a tyre company so swapping them over each time is minimal cost and done at my home.

Sorry to jump i on this late but I had Michelin Cross Climates on my last IS for 4 years and did over 30k miles and they were absolutely brilliant. No pull to left or right, great in wet and especially snow. From what you had been told the tread pattern of a Cross Climate should not have been ok - but in fact it was and I am about to get them fitted to my RC300H.

Hi David, well I received the missing key card and a spare key fob last night!! So when I can get to Lexus Swindon they said they will pair them up and set up global opening and closing free of charge as I’ve used them for years!!! Now that’s really great service 😀 I took out the three year service plan with Lexus Swindon, I can’t fault them at all with every dealing that I’ve had with them. I hope that you are getting good service / support with your chosen dealer

Hiya, thanks for asking. No unfortunately it isn't and I am not able to get to a Lexus dealer anywhere near me. The nearest is Reading (and following how they dealt with me just over a year ago) I would never go there again. Swindon which is the dealer I like is not open on Saturdays and I am unable to have any time off work during the week until next year . I have just been told (after 6 months) that I should of had a Lexus Key Card with the car! So the dealer is going to try and get that to me and I will ask Swindon Lexus to programme it when I am in there.

Hello everyone, Bought a 2019 RC300H back in May and have had experience of Toyota hybrids before (also have a 2018 Yaris for past 3 years which my partner drives daily). Whilst the Yaris typically loses 10-15% MPG during the colder days I've noticed the RC has dropped around 20-25% on the same types of temperature days. I guess its because the hybrid battery is less efficient due to the cold, the increased resistance on the tyres, size / weight of vehicle and large interior to heat up. It possibly also doesn't help because of the E10 fuel. Out of interest has anyone tried Super unleaded during winter months and if so has the reduced Ethanol content increased MPG enough to more than offset the increased cost? Thanks, Charlie

Thanks for the reply I will need to make a special trip to a Lexus dealer

I lived in the North of Gran Canaria for a couple of years and whilst nowhere near as hot as where the tourists go to (in the South of the Island) for at least 8 months of the year average daily temps were in mid 20's to low 30's. Its incredible that we survived, ran businesses, people went to schools (not air conditioned most), socialised and in my case did lots of sport and fitness training. We didn't have warnings every day about making sure we drink fluid, protect ourselves, warnings of business and school closures etc etc. Heck they didn't even have the Spanish siesta over there but we all got on with our daily lives and most people there moaned when rain in the winter and temps below 22c. Oh and we never had water rationing either because they bhad good reservoir systems and desalienaited water from the sea in the city of Las Palmas!!! My friends who still live there thinks its laughable, no actually ridiculous how our National news spreads fear and panic at every opportunity and talks about slightly warm days over here as the end of the World whereas over in Gran Can in the evening once it is below 23c most Spanish put on jackets or scarfs around their necks to keep warm. Surely if things are really this bad here in the UK then why don't we have places like Brighton, Southampton and Bournemouth have desalienation plants and the locals can use as much of the sea water as they like and if there is global warming and the coastal towns did this that would help lower the rising sea levels which is a win win situation.

Hi @Jgtcracer thanks for the reply. I know my daytime running lights are operating as is my main beam (which is excellent). I will get them checked for alignment as it has only been MOT'd recently and a major service. Yep I can't actually drive at anything over 50mph safely as the range lit upfront is very poor. I am actually going to a out into the countryside tomorrow evening to look after a friends house and dogs for a few hours and am my fiance wnat me to drive her Yaris as last time I was in my RC I had to drive back at well under 40mph whenever a car came from the other direction and had to knock full beam off and she said it scared her how it went from extremely long to extremely short range of vision each time. The time before that we took the Yaris and I could safely see ahead to do 50mph.

@rayaansyes that is a really good point made! I will go to my friends MOT testing station and ask him to adjust if he can within the parameters allowed.

Thank you @rayaans, I assumed there would be adjustments under the bonnet but as it has only been MOT’d a few months ago assumed they would have checked however saying that as long as they are not too high or in wrong direction they may have left as was. My fiancé was shocked the first time I needed to sue them a few weeks ago she couldn’t understand how limited the distance lit was and said she would never drive it in the dark. I then drove her Yaris on the same route and couldn’t believe the difference with that car. Having said all this I actually haven’t looked at the lights when they are on myself thinking about it, as only recently serviced and MOT’d by Lexus never thought to. I will check them tomorrow as maybe one of the LED’s isn’t working!

Hello… thanks it’s a post facelift model. The issue for me is that I spend a lot of time on country roads / away from any other forms of lighting (every day) which is great if on full beam but not great if cars on other side of road which they often are and I’m on dipped. Of course now the night are drawing in I am driving home on these roads when dark

Hello @DavidCM, thanks for the reply but no I have the auto high beam working that’s set up and when on high beam it’s brilliant - it’s the dipped beam that is appallingly bad / short throw. I drove over 40k per year for 25 years on business and have had loads of cars and never any car since late 80’s has had such a poor distance when on dipped. If I’m on a National speed limit road with a car coming from other direction (and therefore high beam off) I have to reduce speed to under 35mph as can not see far enough ahead for safe driving. On same road which I use to drive home everyday from work can still safely do 50mph in both the Yaris and MX5 on dipped as the throw of their lights is far greater than that of the RC and my previous IS250!

Hi all, Very pleased with my RC300H apart from two things.. the poor graphic quality sat nav which I may change but more importanlty the main beam!!! I've never had LED lights before and was looking forward to them but whilst on main beam they are excellent on dipped they are atrocious and the worst lights I have had on a car since the mid 80's. I realise that they are self levelling and it has a clean MOT and would have been tested for that but has anyone else thought the same or come up with a solution? My fiances Yaris Hybrid and my MX5 dipped lights are far better. I should highlight (pardon the pun) its not the brightness of the light its the throw that is shocking. I live and drive out in countryside / remote areas a lot and whilst main beam is great as soon as you have to knock back to dipped it is downright dangerous as very little view ahead.

Hi @rayaans, sorry there are crossed wires here, a person was refering to a recent battle that I had with Toyota to get a warranty fault repaired and that I did not want to go through the same thing with Lexus.

@DavidCM Ha ha ha very good..... there could well of been a Lexus Reading van as we are not that far from there!

Hello @NemesisUK it was Hendy Toyota in Christchurch Dorset. Basically I lived in Christchurch for nearly 30 years and so have a lot of friends there, places that I know really well, close family graves to visit often so am in and out of area at least once per month and bought the Yaris form them. It is convenient for me for basic work like MOT and service but if it ever needs a large job done on it under warranty then I will have to use somewhere local like Reading as can't risk having to get back from Christchurch by train. To be honest it was all a bit of a shambles when I initially bought the car, my fiance loved it but I noted a bad scratch on bumper and quite large dent on passenger door (which I knew could be sorted by paintless dent removal) plus passenger door handle didn't feel right in operation and it had only done 3,400 miles. I ordered a rear bumper protector and arranged to collect the car a week later once they had fitted the protector, removed the dent and sorted out the scratch on the bumper. When I went to collect the car the sales lady told me all had been done except she forgot to have the boot protector fitted. However whilst improved there was still a small dent left on the passenger door, the scratch had not been touched on the bumper also. She said she was told it had been done as best as possible which was a bizarre statement as the scratch on bumper had not been touched at all as per the photos I showed her that I had taken. She apologised but of course the person who was meant to do it was not at work that day, also my fiances car was being part ex'd so insurance and tax finishing that day. I took the car and said I will have to get the things sorted out myself, sales lady said she had put the bumper protecter in the boot. Got home a couple of hours later and bumper protector not in boot, phoned the sales lady and she had it behind her desk so had to post it to me. Paid a paintless dent remover that I know through my work and he completely removed the passenger door dent, I bought the correct Toyota paint and repaired the scratch so that it is gone and fitted the bumper protector myself. A few weeks later I went to Reading Toyota as not happy about passenger door handle and they said that yes it was not working properly but it is just wear and tear so not under warranty! I said how can a car that has only done (at that time) 4,000 miles have a door handle failing especially a passenger door handle that would have had less use than a drivers door and they said they didnt know but it is considered wear and tear so she has had to put up with it because I am not paying for the door handle mechanism when I paid a lot for the car in the first place.