Lexus Owners (To share driving experience and advise)

[Hutan]

58 minutes ago, Earthboy said:

you mean the previous generation? the current one is on a new platform. the steering feel of the new model is much better the the previous gen.

Sorry to confused you... I am referring to NVH. The previous model seem better than new. 

[Wheelslover]

3 hours ago, Toeknee_33 said:

For ride comfort, can i ask which Benz to ES?

For maintenance, assuming you are buying new, should be troublefree for next few years to come.

C180 to ES or ES hybrid...looking at the promotion, seem very attractive. I was told ES is comparable to E class but less trouble and cheaper. 

[Wheelslover]

1 hour ago, Hutan said:

Sorry to confused you... I am referring to NVH. The previous model seem better than new. 

Exactly what i felt when I sat inside the ES during motor show. But just don’t know how it handles on the road.

[t0y0ta]

32 minutes ago, Wheelslover said:

C180 to ES or ES hybrid...looking at the promotion, seem very attractive. I was told ES is comparable to E class but less trouble and cheaper. 

Maintenance cost may be slightly higher for normal (small) servicing, as it is twice a year compared to conti is once a year. Large (those 40,000 km type) I heard the Merc servicing is super expensive, so maybe nett nett they are around equal.

conti have service credit to draw down from, while Lexus, you either negotiate a number of free servicing otherwise you have to pay.

 

[Soya]

1 hour ago, Wheelslover said:

Exactly what i felt when I sat inside the ES during motor show. But just don’t know how it handles on the road.

How do u judge a car's NVH when it's a stationary display at a motor show?.....

 

[Wheelslover]

2 hours ago, t0y0ta said:

Maintenance cost may be slightly higher for normal (small) servicing, as it is twice a year compared to conti is once a year. Large (those 40,000 km type) I heard the Merc servicing is super expensive, so maybe nett nett they are around equal.

conti have service credit to draw down from, while Lexus, you either negotiate a number of free servicing otherwise you have to pay.

 

thanks for your feedback

[Wheelslover]

1 hour ago, Soya said:

How do u judge a car's NVH when it's a stationary display at a motor show?.....

 

What is NVH? i sat inside felt the interior ambient, soft leather, sharp display...etc made me feel shiok. Didnt test drive, not sure how i feel on the road, asking for advise here.

[Soya]

NVH = Noise, Vibration, Harshness

"What causes NVH?

Noise, vibration and harshness are caused by the car's mechanical and electrical systems, as well as the car's interaction with road surfaces and its passage through the air.

The main sources of NVH in a car are its engine, drivetrain and tyres, as well as the sound of airflow along its body."

That's why I'm puzzled how one measures NVH on a stationary car at a motor show....lol

 

[Jeffreybry]

On 11/29/2011 at 1:55 PM, Unitek said:

i had a RX300 for over 5 years. Among the 10+ cars that i have driven last 18 years, the RX has the least maintenance.

It also has the best sound insulation. i have even sound proof the whole SUV which probably added a 10kg to its weight.

 

FC is terrible. i get around 6km/l. One major problem i had is the cracks on the dashboard. i was told some conditioning might have prevented it.

 

Also, service from BM has been top notch.

👍

[AlexNgTP]

I am driving ES300H since Nov2014. Not much isssue which need to change any part. I only get warranty replacement of hybrid battery at 5 years mark. Reaching 6 years in Nov for 150k Km now.  Quiet driving is the key  ! 
 

I think only drawback is that Turning angle not good due to front wheel drive as Meced Turing angle is good( rear wheel drive). So need to make bigger turn when U-turn. 

[MR2SBA]

Have owned and driven many Lexus and BMW over the years.

Hope my experience below is helpful.

Agree with earlier comment that older Lexus (e.g. GS300) is better at NVH, but newer ones (e.g. GS350) are dynamically more enjoyable.

My BMW ( and my brother’s Merc) has a more rigid chassis, better road feel, reasonably close NVH performance, but the maintenance cost, whether with Performance Motors, C&C or outside workshop, is definitely higher.

Lexus is definitely cheaper to maintain, trouble free even after my stretched case of 160,000 km.

Whilst the major components of BMW and Mercedes like engine and gearbox are ok, it is the auxiliary components like brakes, windscreen washer etc that failed. Small stuff but nonetheless very irritating.

Performance Motors and C&C business model of milking customers from after sales is not helpful.  Paying $5,000 for brake disc and pad replacement at 50,000 km is never heard of with Lexus agent BMS.  My average servicing at BMS never breach $400-500 per servicing.

[alphard96]

On 5/18/2020 at 1:10 PM, Wheelslover said:

C180 to ES or ES hybrid...looking at the promotion, seem very attractive. I was told ES is comparable to E class but less trouble and cheaper. 

Congrats, go for it, its generally an upgrade both in terms of size and specs from C class to ES

- longer car, cavernous rear leg room with no middle hump

- smoother acceleration (generally lexus drivetrain better than 7g tronic)

- better specs (eg memory front seats, ventilation seat, sunroof, Blind spot monitor, radar cruise control, rear side window blinds,  rear blinds, better sound system -unless your merc equipped with burmester)

- less minor issues (u know merc sometimes - juddering wiper, error code, higher brake dust, slightly noisier idling engine noise perceived from outside)

However take note

1) ES generally low slung, driver's vision may be slightly affected with limited driver's head room and rear suspension may bottom up easily (careful when fully loaded while running over carpark hump)

2) Navigation system can be outdated and not cheap to ask Borneo to upgrade (may take few mths too in the past)

ps I've owned both C200 W205 and 6th generation ES300h.....

[t0y0ta]

On 5/21/2020 at 5:57 PM, AlexNgTP said:

I am driving ES300H since Nov2014. Not much isssue which need to change any part. I only get warranty replacement of hybrid battery at 5 years mark. Reaching 6 years in Nov for 150k Km now.  Quiet driving is the key  ! 
 

I think only drawback is that Turning angle not good due to front wheel drive as Meced Turing angle is good( rear wheel drive). So need to make bigger turn when U-turn. 

RWD cars always have slightly better turning radius (which Merc C, E, S are).

ES is FWD

[t0y0ta]

1 hour ago, alphard96 said:

 

 2) Navigation system can be outdated and not cheap to ask Borneo to upgrade (may take few mths too in the past)

 

The newer models (since end 2019 in SG) ES now come with Apple Carplay and Andriod Auto - so no more need to tinkle with the built-in Nav. Just use Apple Maps, WAZE or Google Maps.

[oleoleole]

It is my dream to own an ES before I'm 40. Always drools when I see the ES300H parked at my place's CP. But the price and road tax is so prohibitive.. 

[Dna_engine]

On 5/23/2020 at 10:39 AM, oleoleole said:

It is my dream to own an ES before I'm 40. Always drools when I see the ES300H parked at my place's CP. But the price and road tax is so prohibitive.. 

By the time you are 40 and can afford it, your heart should be some where else 😉

[oleoleole]

On 5/30/2020 at 2:10 AM, Dna_engine said:

By the time you are 40 and can afford it, your heart should be some where else 😉

Haha, ain't it always 🙂

[DK3410]

On 5/30/2020 at 2:10 AM, Dna_engine said:

By the time you are 40 and can afford it, your heart should be some where else 😉

No leh. My heart will always be with Lexus.

Owning a car is a lot like marriage. Get one that is reliable and will be with you for the rest of your life. There are other sexier models out there sure, but you will realize what's important to you when you're 40.