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Lexus RX 330 Maintenance and Repair

1861 messages,  Last post on Apr 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 330

    
 
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Messages Page 186 of 187

#1848 of 1861 Re: RX 330 timing belt cost and schedule? [mmm1] by jtmyob21

Jul 25, 2012 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: mmm1 (Jul 25, 2012 1:17 pm)
I obviously didn't let them BS me if I came here and asked the question, and told the dealer not to do the repair until I gave them the go ahead, which in no uncertain terms was going to happen until I could verify and get another opinion. I also went from the dealer to the office, so I don't have the manual with me - it's in my car, that is currently getting a broken lock fixed at the dealer. I was planning on pulling out the manual when I picked up my car this afternoon. So thank you for looking it up for me and for the information you provided. I just wish you would have been a little nicer about it, and not so condescending.

#1849 of 1861 Re: RX 330 timing belt cost and schedule? [jtmyob21] by rvm1

Jul 25, 2012 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: jtmyob21 (Jul 25, 2012 1:46 pm)
Everyone's advice is spot on even though some may come across differently. In any event, I had my timing belt changed at 88000 miles. I was advised to change the water pump at the same time and that made good sense since the labor to get to the timing belt also gets you to the pump and at that level of mileage I felt that it was prudent to replace the pump rather then have it break down while i am on the road. While the car was there I also had them replace the spark plugs wih new platinum ones and the wiring harness. The owners manual says to do that at 100k miles but I choose to do this at the same time as the other work. I also had them do air and cabin filter changes and an oil change and to check the rest of the drive train. All of this was done by a private auto repair guy for $1400.00.
I just turned 110k miles and it runs as smooths a kitten.
I normally do my own basic maintenance and leave the heavy lifting for my repair guy and the car is in top shape and I see no reason why I should not be able to turn 2oo k in a few more years.

#1850 of 1861 Re: RX 330 timing belt cost and schedule? [rvm1] by jtmyob21

Jul 25, 2012 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: rvm1 (Jul 25, 2012 2:27 pm)
Thanks, that's good to know. when I picked up my car from the dealer, the service advisor was gone for the day, so I casually asked another service advisor when the timing belt should be replaced. He answered the same as the other guy: 60000 miles or 6 years as recommended by the factory. I smiled, and didn't answer him, but I did ask for the number of the service manager. I then had a nice long conversation with the service department's general manager, who was googling what I was saying to him as we spoke (he pretty much admitted it). I asked him if he knew what the service manual recommended, because his staff was misquoting it. I then pointed him to the pages in the book that said 90,000 miles and 108 months. I even gave him the page number! Then I asked him how he felt I could trust his dealership when they lie right to my face and tell me that the timing belt on a car with 48,000 needs to be "urgently replaced" without them even having seen the car, and if it was that critical why hadn't they seen it or made the same recommendation when I brought my car in for scheduled maintenance exactly three weeks ago? I was there today for a broken door lock, not a con job. The general manager could only apologize repeatedly. Funny thing is, while I was in the phone with him, the service advisor was calling on the other line. His buddies at the dealer had called to tell him that I had asked for the manager's number. I didn't answer. Either way, they may have second thoughts before they try the con job on anyone else. But now I need a reputable mechanic to take my car to in Miami. Anyone know of anyone?

#1851 of 1861 rx330 cd changer is JUNK by texan19

Jul 26, 2012 (2:55 pm)

LEXUS refuse to face that RX330 cd changer is JUNK for luxury car. I had 300 and now 330. I will NEVER buy another LUXUS. I hope everyone else recognize that LEXUS has degraded to JUNK status in my book.for luxury cars. Benz will take care of any problems right away and LEXUS just wants $ to fix their own JUNK product. No recall coming!!! There are hundreds of cd changer (search on the internet) will NOT eject cd and the LEXUS dealer wanst ~$800 to replace and there is NO guaranty it will last for the new JUNK installed. Stay away from LEXUS!!!

#1852 of 1861 Re: RX 330 timing belt cost and schedule? [jtmyob21] by steve_ HOST

Jul 27, 2012 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: jtmyob21 (Jul 25, 2012 7:29 pm)
I then pointed him to the pages in the book that said 90,000 miles and 108 months.
 
Brilliant.
 
Please visit our Dealer Ratings and Reviews page and write a review about your experience.
 
For future reference when you're at your office, you can get the maintenance schedules here:
 
Edmunds Car Maintenance Guide

#1854 of 1861 Buying a used RX and other ideas by paul1307

Aug 05, 2012 (7:08 pm)

Having just gone through the bulk of this blog, and looking at a 2005 RX 330 to buy I thought I'd add some two cents.
 
I have a '98 GS 400, bought in 2001 with 24,000 miles, a lease turn-in. It now has over 165,000 miles and I expect it to run for quite some time. It gets regular dealer maintenance at the scheduled time. While I did my own maintenance when I was much younger, cars have gotten much more complex since then. Except for tires and the odd battery, very little "repair" maintenance has been required. I'd be surprised if it won't run 300,000 miles, though it will probably become classified as an antique before then. I'd expect the same out of any Lexus that has gotten regular periodic maintenance at the proper intervals and has had regular oil changes on schedule. Maintenance equals insurance; don't neglect it.
 
The 2004 RX was a new model, and on the web there is a lot of discussion of problems in the earlier-built vehicles. New models are always new engineering that does not have millions of miles in service to back up its efficacy; that engineering is being tested on the early-adopters of the technology, as in any new technology. Personally, I'll avoid 2004 RXs just on principal, given a choice on a 2005 or a 2003 (without air shocks, please).
 
Lexus maintenance isn't cheap; but then, no one's maintenance is cheap unless you do all your own work. it's generally preventive maintenance, and I've owned Honda's that needed timing belt and water pump replacement at 90,000 miles, and it isn't that much cheaper. You're buying insurance which factors in to the cost of ownership.
 
When a writer says they have a bad CD player and "they're never going to buy another Lexus" I get a chuckle. For fun you should research any other manufacturer on this site and see what kinds of problems users are experiencing. I researched the Hyundai SUV and the complaints are amazing in their severity, and the term dealer service is an oxymoron. I've had good and bad service by Lexus dealers, and I go to the best service center, not the worst. I've never had anyone try to talk me into service that wasn't needed. If I ever have any doubts or questions I ask to talk directly to the mechanic who in every case has been very helpful, courteous, and willing to share all the particulars of the problem. Sometimes I even understand most of what they're saying, but I'm engaged and they're flattered to think someone is interested in what they do and in their opinion. Most helpful. Always be your first source of knowledge as the owner above who checked the service manual (RTFM) as their own source of information. Yes, as Frank Burns once noted, "You have to aggle-ha or they won't espect-ra oo-ya." But be respectful and knowledgeable and you get a lot further.
 
I noted "cost of ownership" above. I Had two Mercedes SC-560's, sequentially over a ten year period before I bought my Lexus GS-400. Average cost of ownership, to include service and maintenance, tires and batteries averaged out at $500/mo, something I didn't realize at the time. When I did realize it I drove to the Lexus dealer next door and started looking.
 
Some of my experiences: Tires - forget what the manual says for tire pressure. At best that applies only to the factory tires and even then it's probably too low (to give a more comfortable ride supposedly, at the cost of premature tire wear). I use the "85% of maximum inflation pressure" rule. The Michelin tires on my GS have a max pressure rating of 50 PSI; they're inflated to 42 PSI for regular drive, 44 PSI for road trips. The Bridgestone tires before the had a max pressure of 40, so I kept them at 34, and 36 respectively. If you can look across the tire tread from the side of the car and see any cupping in the middle of the tread you're going to have poor handling, and you might get 12,000 miles on the tires before the outsides of the tires are worn while the centers still have good tread. And under-inflated tires get terrible gas mileage while "properly-inflated" tires (using my 85% rule) get great mileage. And the ride is no rougher for it either, assuming your shocks are doing their job.
 
Want the car facts on a Lexus you're looking to buy? Go to the Lexus site; Google Lexus and go to the site for Lexus owners. Put in the VIN, and look for the maintenance records and you'll see every visit to the dealer service department and what was done. If you're buying used this is a good first step; if the vehicle you're looking hasn't had any Lexus service you should factor that into your offer for the car. Your friendly used-car dealer will tell you the owner "probably got the maintenance done but Lexus forgot to post it," or "they probably had the maintenance done somewhere else." Poppycock, I say. They probably skipped it because they knew they were going to trade the vehicle in, didn't want to spend the money, and didn't give a darn. The more expensive the home, I've found, the less the owners do to maintain it, and I've largely found it to be true in cars as well.
 
Prices vary area by area. In Tampa, a 2005 RX can for anything between $12,500 up to over $20,000; in Venice, 100 miles away, a 2005 might cost between $15,000 and over $22,000. Do mileages vary? Sure, but mostly it's the area where the vehicles are being sold, and yes, mileage is a huge factor, especially over 100,000. But that's to your advantage as a buyer.
 
Honestly? Most dealers by their used cars at national online auctions, bidding online for what they want, cleaning them up and hoping for a profit when they sell. They're not likely to do much in the way of maintenance except change oil and shine up the tires, or replace them with cheap tires. Location, location, location.
 
A non-working headlight may be innocuous, you may think, but expensive to fix, something you're likely to only find out after you buy the car; unless you read these blogs first, for example. Make the seller fix it first, or lower your offer to cover its repair. Then seal the leaking cover to prevent further, future damage according to instructions in this blog.
 
Test drive on a freeway at speed-limit-plus-nine; any issues? Test drive over the roughest road surface you can find and listen for rattles, shaking, shimmying, etc. If you can't immediately locate the source, assume it will be expensive to fix (it is a Lexus afterall). Lower your offer or look elsewhere.
 
RTFM after you buy the car and familiarize yourself with how to reset things after the battery has been disconnected; at least know them as symptoms of a battery disconnect and remember that the remedy is in the manual. Likewise for all other user-adjustable controls. Lest you think "it's broke and will be expensive to fix," when, in fact, it's a simple procedure described in the manual. RTFM. You'll save aggravation if not time and money. RTFM.

#1855 of 1861 2004 RX330 AWD by jodar96

Aug 06, 2012 (11:56 am)

Bought our in Nov 2008 with 38K miles. The original Goodyear tires were worn out. Put Bridgsetone Dueler Alenza on it. They wear great and are quiet. The RX has 82K miles now. With the exception of a leaky radiator that I replaced myself and came to to find out Lexus had a extended warranty on, The car has been decent. oil/filter changes at 5K miles, coolant every other year, one battery and one set of brake pads. I just replaced the front rotors for the first time. It drives well. Both exterior and interior have worn well. It had/has the annoying headlight condensation that I fixed with someone's suggestion here.
 
It has a few squeaks and occasional rattles. The car is 8 years old. I am happy with the way it has held up.
 
Joe
 
 

#1856 of 1861 Re: 2004 RX330 AWD [jodar96] by rvm1

Aug 06, 2012 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: jodar96 (Aug 06, 2012 11:56 am)
Contact the Lexus folks directly and request reimbursement for the cost of the radiator. They won't cover the labor since you did it but they should cover the materials costs. Explain that when you bought the car the seller did not inform you of any outstanding service bulletins and that you found out after you had completed the repair.
You have nothing to lose except mailing costs. Include a copy of the invoice for the radiator.

#1857 of 1861 Re: Buying a used RX and other ideas [paul1307] by kyra9ts

Feb 17, 2013 (2:26 am)

Replying to: paul1307 (Aug 05, 2012 7:08 pm)
paul1307: I just wanted to thank you for your excellent detailed post! I am considering buying a 2006 RX330 right now & your post gave me some great info to check into for this particular vehicle. ~ appreciated the advice!

Messages Page 186 of 187

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