lexus gs450h

[wjwren]

Anyone on here have one and your thoughts, looking 06 plate. Few for sale with replacement batteries, doesnt fill me with confidence

[Chris-S]

That battery on those is a small NiMH pack, which is relatively cheap to have fixed after-market, so I wouldn’t let that bother you too much TBH. Given it is NiMH then it will always have a relatively short lifespan. It’s a simple enough thing to consider DIY repair if you have a mind to.

I did look at the GS as an option when looking for a new car a while back. Ultimately, it was a bit big for our needs but impressed with how it drove for a big comfy chair.

[LasseV]

Chris-S said:

That battery on those is a small NiMH pack, which is relatively cheap to have fixed after-market, so I wouldn’t let that bother you too much TBH. Given it is NiMH then it will always have a relatively short lifespan. It’s a simple enough thing to consider DIY repair if you have a mind to.

I did look at the GS as an option when looking for a new car a while back. Ultimately, it was a bit big for our needs but impressed with how it drove for a big comfy chair.

I fear that NiMH is far more reliable than lithium packs. My gen 2 Prius is with original battery pack (13 years old). In Lexus they seems to last little bit less. I would say no to repair, yes for brand new battery pack.

[wjwren]

WHen you say cheap and DIY-able what sort of costs are we talking.

[LasseV]

wjwren said:

WHen you say cheap and DIY-able what sort of costs are we talking.

Not sure, but it seems so that those repairs doesn't last. I would phone your local Lexus dealer and ask price for new battery pack. Should be region of 2k or so. After that you have a reliable car at least for 8 years or so.

[Chris-S]

LasseV said:

I fear that NiMH is far more reliable than lithium packs. My gen 2 Prius is with original battery pack (13 years old). In Lexus they seems to last little bit less. I would say no to repair, yes for brand new battery pack.

This prompted me to do a bit of digging, and yes, a new OEM pack does look like the better option for long term reliability. Happy to be corrected.

I confess to being genuinely surprised at how well the early NiMH packs are lasting in these cars. My experiences with NiMH in other industrial and professional applications have not been so positive!

Every day is a school day

[DJP31]

Chris-S said:

LasseV said:

I fear that NiMH is far more reliable than lithium packs. My gen 2 Prius is with original battery pack (13 years old). In Lexus they seems to last little bit less. I would say no to repair, yes for brand new battery pack.

This prompted me to do a bit of digging, and yes, a new OEM pack does look like the better option for long term reliability. Happy to be corrected.

I confess to being genuinely surprised at how well the early NiMH packs are lasting in these cars. My experiences with NiMH in other industrial and professional applications have not been so positive!

Every day is a school day

I think Lexus have the battery management side of things tied down nicely. On both the hybrids I had (IS300h & NX300h) the engine would take over as soon as battery reached 20% or 80% at the other end. That’s the ideal operating range for these types of batteries.

[TUS373]

I have a Lexus RX400h. 9 years old and 130,000 miles from new. As the only owner I know the car's history and have had all servicing done by Lexus dealers who do a hybrid healthcheck. Still absolutely fine with respect to NiMh battery pack and motors. Quality is more than market hype.