draco

Car went into Toyota a few weeks back for it's 200000km service. There were some problems that they identified and that I thought I should get a second opinion on. I opted yesterday to have the timing belt and water pump replaced and actually got it done at a Lexus dealership (as they were the cheapest of anyone else , basically Lexus charged me $900 and everyone else was north of $1000).

I asked them to verify these claims of problems and got the following report back. The 2 reports are basically the same and hence I am up for a bill of around ~$6000. The break down is as follows:

• Steering Rack (not bad so potentially the last item on the list that could be done) - ~$1600
• Tin Sump ~ $550
• Rocker Cover Gasket Rears - ~550
• Main Rear Engine Seal - $3000

To make matters worse, the main rear engine seal does require attention sooner rather than later.

Now I guess the decision that I still have to make is, whether or not it is worth spending basically $6000 dollars on a 200000km car (even though I love my car). Now spending ~$6000 (with the already $3000 spent on it for other things in the past year including the recent timing belt replacement) has me concerned.

I know that these cars are reliable and I adore them, but I can't help feeling "what's next". Most likely nothing major, but then you never know. More correctly, depending on what's next what is it going to cost me. Provided that nothing else goes "bad", the car might get another 100000kms on the clock if I'm lucky.

Do I attempt to trade-in (knowing that I will get ripped by the dealer on account of the km's - technically it's 196000 but they will see it as 200000)? Do I just repair and keep going (which financially is not sound)? Do I justify spending more money to upgrade (get a lower k Lexus replacement) to avoid potential issues or spend money on repairs and live in hope that nothing major occurs between now and date X?

Thought's?

rtbrjason

Damn.. that repair bill scares the crap out of me. What year is yours? I just bought a 2004 with 73k miles (117,000km) and was thinking this car would be good to go with basic maintenance for many years.

draco

Well the RX330 was released here in Australia in 2003 (year before US). The one thing that the Lexus service rep advised was that it looks as though lubrication of the seal during service may have caused this as it becomes dry with age and hence these problems can occur (whether or not that is actually a valid point or not don't know). Generally maintenance will keep it going, but guess luck of the draw sometimes.

RXPhil

Are you using Synthetic oil? Is your car leaving an oil stain on your driveway? From either the rack and pinion or the rear main?

draco

Not sure what oil has been used by the servicing areas, but I would suspect they would go by the hand book. At this stage, not it's not leaving any oil on the driveway. The Lexus servicing guy actually said the most likely reason for that is that the oil is probably seeping (or pouring depending on how bad it is) when driving as that is when the oil would move about; whereas at stand still you probably wouldn't see that occur.

HtownBlue

You know how much oil 3000 dollars buys? A lot. A whole lot. Unless the leak is severe, simply continue to add oil as needed. A quart every 3000 miles is hardly a major concern as long as the level remains high.

RXPhil

Leave your car running in the driveway. It'll start leaking. If it doesn't leak anything there he's trying to fish for work. I've had a rear main seal to on two of my my cars. They always leaked like a *****, and would continue to leak out once the car was off until the oil settled. Until you see oil in your driveway and look to see exactly where it's leaking from under the car. I would assume he's fishing for work.

That goes for everything on that list except, I'm sure the rack n pinion is leaking keep an eye on the fluid level for now. And $1600 for a rack replacement is outrageous. Www.rackdoctor.net and bring the rack to an independent shop.

RX330inFL

Please keep in mind that draco is in Australia. Everything is more expensive there, to some degree, due to the exchange rate and even having such a part shipped there is prohibitively expensive.

draco

Car parts for Japanese cars and stuff around the Asia regions tends to be cheaper, given they're geographically quite close. It's one of the main reason I would never buy a European car as just to repair one of those out of warranty is very expensive (the other reason being of course that I am a Lexus Fan and love these cars).

I could trade it in, but the only downer on that is that it's what's called a Sports version (Australia had 2 versions of the RX, the Sports and the Sports Luxury. The luxury got ML stereo, Nav, rear camera whereas the Sport didn't). To me it would be a minor step back and I would lose some additional aftermarket features added. The bonus being that it's exactly half of the km's I have now for a car that's 1 year younger (2004 as opposed to mine being a 2003).

Alternatively I could always trade it in and get a GS, but then I have to think about 2 kids (youngest being 2 and the second one due soon) and carting all their things on family outings and trips. Of course, price would also be subjective on trade-in value on a 200000 km car.

What to do? What to do......

I have in the interim contacted some specialists to see if I can somehow get the bill down from it's current $6K figure by going to them direct, so will see how that plays out.

thomas1

I would try some AUTO RX oil treatment for the rear main...Some on the old RX300 have used this and the seal soften and the leak stopped. It can be found online...As for the rest, pay me a trip to Australia and I will sneak the parts in and put them on for vacation time...just kidding. Best of luck to you. I agree add oil if the Auto RX doesn't work....way cheaper.

RX330inFL

Sorry, I should have been more specific. My reference was in obtaining parts from the US to have shipped to you. Makes little sense to provide links to Sewell and similar shops other than as a reference.

draco

Reference specifics realised. However in saying that there are some parts that I can actually get from Sewell that would be cheaper (even with freight) than buying here locally. Of course most of these items tend to be on smaller size rather than large and bulky items.

Went to go see a 2005 model with 124000 kilometers on the clock today to replace my existing one. Also will be heading out to see a Hybrid (2008 400h) tomorrow to potentially purchase as well.

draco

The Hybrid that I saw looks way better than the 2005 RX330 that I saw, so I am quite keen on that one. As I mentioned it is a 2008 400H and it has done 129000km's. Now just to get over my fear of never owning a hybrid and tip my toe in the water.............. (looking for reassurance in the Hybrid section ==> https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...ml#post8349506)

draco

Alas so it passes that my RX330 is now gone and being driven by a new owner.

I have my eye on a RX400h and waiting for the results of the inspection report, which will be tomorrow morning my time. Will keep you informed.

draco

The inspection came back with a 70% mechanical rating and a 60% interior and 60% exterior rating. Mechanically okay, but the car has had a number of bumps here and there and all but the driver's door and driver's quarter panel have been repaired and painted (the report apparently indicates a lot of bondo having being used). The car also pulls a little to the left, so there might be something else there, but at this stage I guess I will have to let it go and go have a look at a late model RX330 (can't find any 350's without shipping interstate).