Anyone with experience of Lexus RXs? 2004-2009ish?
Discussion
Morning all.
Tried to do a search, but it seems to be down at the mo. Thinking of trading my Outback up to a last generation RX.
Are they really expensive to run? Is the Mark Levinson stereo standard? Any info or ownership experience would be great. How do they handle the miles?
Cheers chaps.
Tried to do a search, but it seems to be down at the mo. Thinking of trading my Outback up to a last generation RX.
Are they really expensive to run? Is the Mark Levinson stereo standard? Any info or ownership experience would be great. How do they handle the miles?
Cheers chaps.
Working for Lexus I feel I have some experience with these (hopefully)
Certain things to look out for;
- they wear the inner edge of the front tyres a lot quicker than the rest of the tyre so always check the inner edge. This is unfortunatly how they are, non-camber adjustable so you will just have to live with it.
- rear calipers like seizing on the sliders and can sometimes require replacing depending on how bad the dirt build up is inside the slider chamber.
- handbrake cables seize up. Noone really knows why they do but we suspect it's just where they're not used and just bumped into park when stationary
- the big services are every 60k which is spark plug replacement where the inlet manifold has to be removed. 100k is the cambelt.
- the power steering pumps are prone to leaking which could involve replacing the pump and/or the steering fluid pipes.
- radiators are prone to leaking on the n/s so look at the coolant level
- there is an ongoing recall on the RX400h which involves replacing the hybrid inverter module but only cars with a certain VIN are affected
Those are the main problems/issues that I can remember off the top of my head.
As for the Mark Levinson stereo I don't think it's standard fit on all of them but a lot of them do have it and you should definitely look to buy one if it has Mark Levinson.
I'm guessing you are aware that there are 3 different models within the 2nd (MCU35 if you wanted to know that) generation. The RX300, RX350 and the RX400h.
The 350 is the only one not belt driven so that won't require a cambelt replacement as it's chain driven. The 350 is also the least economic as it's a 3.5 V6 so if you're after economy then the 300 or 400h is your options, of which I would lean more towards the 400h as, when driven correctly, you will get better MPG with the hybrid.
As for the driving feel, they are you're typical SUV really, high up, rather rolly but that's to be expected I feel.
The interior is a very nice place to be though, heated seats, full-screen sat-nav, climate control, electric seats with memory function, full leather etc.
Obviously I do have bias but I personally can't really think of anything on the used market that can offer what a fully loaded RX can.
Hope that helps dude.
(bloody better I spent ages racking my brain for this lol)
Certain things to look out for;
- they wear the inner edge of the front tyres a lot quicker than the rest of the tyre so always check the inner edge. This is unfortunatly how they are, non-camber adjustable so you will just have to live with it.
- rear calipers like seizing on the sliders and can sometimes require replacing depending on how bad the dirt build up is inside the slider chamber.
- handbrake cables seize up. Noone really knows why they do but we suspect it's just where they're not used and just bumped into park when stationary
- the big services are every 60k which is spark plug replacement where the inlet manifold has to be removed. 100k is the cambelt.
- the power steering pumps are prone to leaking which could involve replacing the pump and/or the steering fluid pipes.
- radiators are prone to leaking on the n/s so look at the coolant level
- there is an ongoing recall on the RX400h which involves replacing the hybrid inverter module but only cars with a certain VIN are affected
Those are the main problems/issues that I can remember off the top of my head.
As for the Mark Levinson stereo I don't think it's standard fit on all of them but a lot of them do have it and you should definitely look to buy one if it has Mark Levinson.
I'm guessing you are aware that there are 3 different models within the 2nd (MCU35 if you wanted to know that) generation. The RX300, RX350 and the RX400h.
The 350 is the only one not belt driven so that won't require a cambelt replacement as it's chain driven. The 350 is also the least economic as it's a 3.5 V6 so if you're after economy then the 300 or 400h is your options, of which I would lean more towards the 400h as, when driven correctly, you will get better MPG with the hybrid.
As for the driving feel, they are you're typical SUV really, high up, rather rolly but that's to be expected I feel.
The interior is a very nice place to be though, heated seats, full-screen sat-nav, climate control, electric seats with memory function, full leather etc.
Obviously I do have bias but I personally can't really think of anything on the used market that can offer what a fully loaded RX can.
Hope that helps dude.
(bloody better I spent ages racking my brain for this lol)
lexusboy said:
- rear calipers like seizing on the sliders and can sometimes require replacing depending on how bad the dirt build up is inside the slider chamber.
That's interesting. A colleague's IS250 had its rear caliper replaced at a recent service. I thought they were stitching him up.Luke. said:
Sam, that's a brilliant post. Thanks you very much for taking the time.
Though have to say that little list makes slightly daunting reading for a mechanical novice.Though I'm guessing they're pretty reliable on the whole. Are servicing costs fairly pricey?
Cheers.
Like I said the most expensive services are every 60k and 100k. On average you're looking about £6-700 roughly for the 60k and about £8-900 for the 100k providing it doesn't need any other work. Though have to say that little list makes slightly daunting reading for a mechanical novice.Though I'm guessing they're pretty reliable on the whole. Are servicing costs fairly pricey?
Cheers.
I really don't want to put you off but I have seen bills of £3k+ when the car has needed, tyres, brakes, cables all at the same time.
But, like you said, overall they are very reliable as I've only ever seen one come in on the back of a truck when someone jumped started a 300 the wrong way round and it blew a load of fuses.
lexusboy said:
Luke. said:
Sam, that's a brilliant post. Thanks you very much for taking the time.
Though have to say that little list makes slightly daunting reading for a mechanical novice.Though I'm guessing they're pretty reliable on the whole. Are servicing costs fairly pricey?
Cheers.
Like I said the most expensive services are every 60k and 100k. On average you're looking about £6-700 roughly for the 60k and about £8-900 for the 100k providing it doesn't need any other work. Though have to say that little list makes slightly daunting reading for a mechanical novice.Though I'm guessing they're pretty reliable on the whole. Are servicing costs fairly pricey?
Cheers.
I really don't want to put you off but I have seen bills of £3k+ when the car has needed, tyres, brakes, cables all at the same time.
But, like you said, overall they are very reliable as I've only ever seen one come in on the back of a truck when someone jumped started a 300 the wrong way round and it blew a load of fuses.
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