Barry14UK

The RX cars are nice as you are aware and also probably as reliable as they come but when they do go wrong they are expensive and involved to repair. My elder daughter and her husband have 4 children and are delighted with their Kia Sorento automatic with Pan roof which has a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty. As a diesel it gives very similar mpg to my RX although acceleration is a big slower. There are more hard plastics than on the RX but the seats are comfortable. Service costs are so much cheaper than Lexus so on budget and needing large SUV worth checking out. Like me with the Lexus, she and her husband prefer after market TomTom as sat nav. I did several journeys in it last week and although not as premium as a Lexus it's a lot cheaper to buy and run with good reliability and comfort.

My 3rd Gen RX450h passed it's MOT test here in Devon on 3rd September without any advisories, so I felt confident to visit my daughter in Surrey and after a few days stop at Lexus Cheltenham en route home for a minor service on 14th September. That was about 550 miles after the MOT and with the mileage at 41,202 miles. I mentioned to Lexus Cheltenham that I felt there was a slight fluttering of the suspension which I could hear as well as sense so asked if all was as well as it should be. I had just arrived at Stroud in a new loan car I had been provided with and was about to collect my sister and her husband for lunch when I had mobile call advising me that one of the front struts needed replacement and the other was almost as bad so both needed to be replaced. I was told that the car should not be driven without these struts being replaced - just what I needed to put the dampeners on my lunch! I expressed my surprise and disappointment that this should happen on a top spec Premier with only 41K miles, particularly as the car had been well cared for and serviced by them for the from new previous lady owner. I had also taken care of it , especially over speed humps and the car had continued to be serviced by them. I mentioned this was a known problem with air struts on earlier generations but believed 41K miles would be early replacement even for them. I was told that replacing with coil overs would detract from the superior ride being provided by the air suspension of the 'Premier' model and that a car so modified would become less valuable. I was told that the rears were OK (at present) but that I could get a 2 year extended warranty which would include replacing these for just shy of £1,000. In the circumstances, I was told the struts were provided at cost and I got various rates of discount on different things being a 'Gold Member' (and probably sympathy!) which they reckon saved me just over £400. The all in cost including the minor service was £2273.94. I think Cheltenham have been fair with me but feel one should not have to pay for new air struts at this sort of mileage. Maybe this is why they were dropped for the 4th Gen cars. Since the new struts were fitted, I noticed on the drive home that the car seems to pitch more from front to rear as evidenced by the the head lights tending to cover shorter and longer distances. I really wished I had sampled an RX with normal coil springs before going for the Premier model and suggest anybody else looking for an RX does this. It's just that I have always bought the top model of previous cars although these have always been a few years old.

"or go with SE-L and risk Air" You might be interested in a post I will be making later today having first got a bit of shut eye and got details to hand about my very expensive visit to Lexus Cheltenham yesterday!

Just a thought that may be of interest. When I bought my car it had to have HUD and indeed I found this very good from the point of view of being able to check speed with the slighted lowering of my focus. However, I found the Lexus sat nav very poor so I fitted a 6 inch TomTom slightly to to right and above the steering wheel and this shows actual speed limit next to the speed you are doing and only requires a slight momentary glance to the right as it's in peripheral view. I still use the HUD as as a speed check but have to say it would not have been such a 'must have' had I realized the TomTom would serve almost as well for checking speed and far better as a sat nav.

If nobody can answer your question, you may be able to get an answer from Lexus if you give them your VIN number. This is what I did with a BMW dealer for one of their cars and I received the full spec so similar approach may work with Lexus.

Hope insurers look at it this way Herbie, for the benefit of those that have done modifications. Some are more flexible than others and Insurers sometimes hedge their risk and refer to underwriters for their opinion, particularly when a car is modified. Setting aside adding value, they are particularly concerned that changes to brakes, suspension and engine performance may be used to enable a car to be used to drive the car harder or in competition. (The latter would of course be extremely unlikely with an RX). Another insurer told me that changing the grill in front of my radiator would have to be reported because it increased the air flow and power to the engine. I had to point out that the air supply for combustion came from under the side of the front wing in that particular car, where it was fed directly into the standard unmodified air cleaner box, so nothing to do with air passing through the aforementioned grill. The reason I asked about insurers reaction, was because my car has air suspension and it is likely that I might change to springs eventually.

Whether it it makes little or no difference is not the point, as what is material are the terms and conditions you agree to and upon which a policy is issued. My policy is with Ageas, a leading insurer. I quote from what they say in their document. "Vehicle changed in any way from the manufacturer's standard specification? This would include changes to the bodywork (such as spoilers or body kits), changes to suspension or brakes, cosmetic changes (such as alloy wheels or paint), changes affecting performance......all changes made from the manufacturer's standard specification must be disclosed......) Such requirements are typical of many Insurers. Another policy I had was with LV on my BMW. I had to report the fact that I had fitted the small boot spoiler and the front bumper from the sport version of my E39 to my standard car. BMW give identical speed for both so really more cosmetic. I also reported I had fitted the later wheels from an E60 but keeping the standard tyres. I was immediately charged an increase in premium. Had I not told them and the car had been in an accident, they could have wriggled out of a claim or reduced the amount paid out. It's always worth checking your policy as some Insurers will not even provide standard cover if alterations are contemplated to suspension or performance enhancing.

Interested to know reaction of insurer to this mod and whether it results in appreciable increase in premium.

I have had a rip in a side wall that that would have been beyond the scope of sealant to close. Fortunately, I had full size spare in the car I was driving. I would not be happy to drive without at least having a space saver. I see that at least some RAV 4 models have space savers and wonder whether this is an option for your wife's car? The initial cost of doing this would would be more than a pressurized tin of sealant but it would be provide better cover. These spares may be available on ebay but are detailed here-https://www.partsgateway.co.uk/toyota-parts/rav4/space-saver-wheel Interesting comments on Honest John site https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/49698/why-doesn-t-the-rav4-come-with-a-spare-wheel-

I think if you read this read this thread through you will find that I have made several suggestions for which I have been thanked and I don't require any lessons from you on protocol, so don't make me an excuse for a link that did not help greatly. It seems to me you have a bit more apologizing to do.

would have thought this question would have been asked before and an answer available

Sorry can't get to my records at present but if you contact Lexus Direct they will give you current price. Lexus Cheltenham emailed me a few weeks back saying they were giving 20% discount on accessories but I think this offer expired at the end of August. You could enquire whether they would still do this discount for you which I believe some other dealerships offered also and compare with what Lexus Direct are offering.

This is a question that owners raise from time to time including me as demand for decent used ones seems to exceed availability. I bought mine from Lexus Direct, a Lexus Dealer at Swindon who sometimes contributes to threads of this club. They posted them to me at an inclusive price of less than Mark's link asked. The new ones come with the extra length bolts you need to fit these plus gaskets etc, so if you buy second hand make sure you get these parts. Mine included a diagram which showed applicable from 2008 on so would be suitable for your model. I also decided to buy the optional 2 cross rails that fit to the side rails from Lexus Direct at a discounted price.

Great result, the sort of service that makes you want to look to keep with a particular dealer. My car is having it's rather delayed 'Essential Service' at Cheltenham next week.

Isn't this the type that has been found to be ineffective on the RX400 and also the extra weight increases noise and vibration. What is needed is a cage that does not touch any part of the exhaust but allows sufficient, though very minimal movement of the exhaust to stop contact with it.

As a good customer of Lexus Cheltenham whose business they will hope to retain, I would ask they extend a bit of goodwill if not covered by warranty.

I suppose it is model dependent. I know I could replace the space saver on my RX450h with a full size wheel in my car but it requires a replacement cover panel which has a step of an inch or so and therefore the luggage space is reduced. I suppose it would be possible to raise the existing cover with blocks as a less attractive option to the one Lexus sell for my model. If you have no spare at present, maybe you could check whether a space saver which has a less wider tyre would do the job. I believe that if you need to use the space saver, you must not exceed 50mph.

Isn't a 'moon' roof what most understand to be a 'sun' roof where cross rails are sold by Lexus to fit to the side rails and this is OK to a prescribed overall weight limit? What is in question is whether the same applies with the pan roof which covers a much greater area. Lexus should make a definitive statement on this, at least in respect of the rails they supply themselves with an upper overall weight limit. I can understand that they may be unwilling to advise on any after market rails that may be provided by any manufacturer.

Nice looking model but if used as a regular car upcoming bills could be considerable. If looking for this sort of car I think I would go for something like this if mileage can be shown to be genuine and under car work in particular not extensive and car looks good whendry too. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-LEXUS-LS430-FULLY-LOADED-WITH-EVERY-EXTRA-POSSIBLE-LS-430-NOT-400-PX/283998008561?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3Dc90692899fa94cafb81fa8135dfa32b9%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D203092844872%26itm%3D283998008561%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Rather an old and lapsed thread but maybe worth updating, particularly for potential Lexus RX owners. My car is just over 5 years old with sub 41,000 miles. (Very few miles have been added since March). I want to retain good value in the car and in this respect will stay with service by Lexus main dealer for the next two or three years, albeit using the 'essential service'. I was previously told the cost for the minor 'essential service' was £245 but apparently there has been a price rise in July which means it is now £275 at Cheltenham, this includes the hybrid battery check but not the MOT. Somebody did say much further back in this thread that being a 'Gold' Member secured a discount on 'essential service' but this is contrary to what I understood would be the case so I will ask when I take it in for the service this month. I am aware that Lexus main dealers are part of several groups. Do they have nevertheless operate an identical service price structure do you know? I know Lexus Direct located in Swindon discount the price of at least some parts and I wonder if they are less expensive on servicing, something I will look into for the future.

The V8 added cost and complication that was not necessary as the 530 did all that was needed and some, unless you were going to track it. I have just broken a sports model for parts and to finish upgrading my 530SE to sports look, something I started doing a few years back. I am torn between doing a couple of minor jobs and putting it up for sale or keeping it. Some previous 5 series are going up in price and I am sure the E39 will do so too in due course. I have replaced all the usual culprits and the car is relatively simple and cheap to service and maintain compared to the RX. Were it not for my degenerating back, I would have kept it in use. Incidentally, the E39 was one of the cars largely designed by Joji Nagashima, a Japanese designer. Anyway, the reason I mentioned it in this thread was when I retrofitted genuine Xenons to replace the very poor halogen dipped beams , I had to fit the leveling sensors etc, whereas if it it been the Touring version this would have required minimal work as that version had self leveling rear suspension.

Interesting question. The term 'self leveling' usually applies where the rear suspension includes the ability to adjust the rear end to compensate for increased heavy load thereby keeping car level. Thus my E39 BMW saloon with just springs is not self leveling whereas the equivalent estate model which (BMW call Touring) still with springs but incorporating a load compensating device is considered self leveling. My 3rd Gen RX450h has air suspension but although you can operate this to raise or lower the car to operate within certain speeds, I don't believe it is self leveling in the usually accepted meaning of the term as I don't think it compensates the rear for load. Incidentally, Lexus dropped air suspension on the 4th Gen RX450h.

I have been under the impression that it was the lower models of a marque's range that just had one reversing and one fog light. I can't remember having less than two of each in the last 25 years and not all of them were the top models. There was a thread sometime ago when somebody complained that even with two reversing lights he could not see to back up in certain circumstances and I believe fitted more powerful LEDs or some other modification. Of course back up lights are not intended to serve as rearward driving lights but are to warn other drivers of the maneuver.

It's difficult to see from pic whether this is all down to the leather (synthetic?) being stretched perhaps by the driver sitting on the edge of the seat and swiveling his/her legs over or if the seat material beneath (foam?) has been crushed too. It seems to me that you need an opinion from a specialist trimmer. Alternatively, you could ask Lexus whether they sell replacement covers. Had it been black there would have been a chance of getting a seat from a breakers but the seat on this particular car seems to be brown and less frequently found. Certainly it greatly detracts as is.

Always happy to learn https://www.hella.com/techworld/uk/Technical/Car-electronics-and-electrics/Activated-charcoal-canister-3446/