bugatti

I remember seeing this issue somewhere on this board before but want to check with all the owners once again..
Do you think the 330's engine is louder then other Lexus vehicles?

i just want to make sure i am not the only one.

thank in advance for everyone's input

johnnieliu

Yes. Maybe Lexus wanted to give this vehicle a more "sporty" feel, thus the louder engine growl. However, its quiter than the FX35's growl.

al503

I don't think the growl is too loud. I kinda like it.

vegeta

You are right bugati the 330 is prolly the noisiest of the models. I was surprised to find that out. I really didn't notice it when I test drove the car but after about 2 weeks of ownership I started to realize how noisy the engine really is. I drove the FX and it certainly has a growl. The 330 for sure does not have a growl. It's more of a vibrating buzz. I would prefer a growl to the puttering noise my 330 makes. To be fair though at low speeds it is rather quiet but any speed at all and it starts well...puttering. I don't know what else to call it. Actually I think it is the exhast system vibrating and transferring that to the rest of the car especially idling at a stop light.

bugatti

good to hear that others have the same experience. i do like the sound.
i do agree with Vegeta that at low RPM, it's quiet like other models.

al503

I agree. In normal, everyday driving (less then 3500 RPM) the engine is very quiet. However, a heavy right foot does get you the 'growl.'

eyebike

If the growl was sporty growl like some performance cars makes, it would be nice. But it's more irritating and noisy like a cheap Ford Escort when accelerating, just so out of character.

vegeta

Exactly eyebike!!! This little problem annoys me till no end. If they didn't want it to sound too sporty (to please everybody) why didn't hey just make it very quiet? I just don't get it. I truly believe it was an engineering mistake and too expensive to reengineer and hoped nobody would really notice. I love my 330 but that irritating buzzing vibration just kills me.


Veg

johnnieliu

vegeta, and eyebike hit the nail on the head. The RX330 doesn't have a growl but a noisy(irritating, ticking, clicking, buzzing, whatever) engine. The FX engine sound is a growl, much more pleasing the RX330. I seem to notice the noisy engine more when the car starts cold, but when it warms up, the noise from the engine subsides. I'm suspecting that maybe the engine noise is caused by the DOHCs hitting the valves. Maybe the valve, cam spacing was to high?

JL

vegeta

Thanks johnnieliu, I have been obsessing over this for a while now. I am a design and piping engineer with an oil refinery. THe valve thing is possible but I really think that the problem is not mechanical but harmonic. The engine starts to create a vibration between 1700 and 2100 rpms that turns into a noise that is felt throughout the entire car. I think the harmonic vibration is rearing it's ugly head in the exhast system as it is not hardpointed to the frame but hung. Being that it is the only thing attatched to the engine that is not firmly fastened down it pics up the vibes at certain rpms. I am in talks with my dealership in trying to get them to recognize it, but you know how that goes.


Veg

johnnieliu

vegeta,

Interesting. The noise I was refering to is when the car idles at about 700-800 RPM. I'll pay more attention at the 1700-2100 RPM range. Do you experience the noise/vibration in park/neutral at those RPM's or when your in drive?

If you theory is right, a simple fix would be to fasten the exhast system down in a couple of convenient locations.

JL

al503

Hey Johnnie,
I can't hear a thing under 1000 RPM even with the radio turned off. Between 1000 and 2500, I can barely make out any noise. The "growl" for me doesn't start until 3000-3500 depending on my throttle position. I'd take it in and see if your noise is not normal.
al

johnnieliu

al503,

Thats good you can't hear it. When I first test drove the first shipments of RX330 that came in last April/May, I also notice the "clicking" noise while idle at 700-800RPM's. I mentioned to the sales person about the noise, but he couldn't here it. When we did a second test drive, different vehicle, different dealership, I didn't notice the noise, but the car was already warmed up. I'll pay more attention to my vehicle as the car warms up. I still think the 700-800RMP idle noise are the valves clicking. No big deal, just being ****.

JL

al503

johnnie,
I'm with you about being **** with noises/rattles. I'm always the person who says "do/did you hear that rattle." Everyone in my family laughs at me cause they can't hear it. Many of my friends know this and they take me with them on test drives to see if there are any rattles/strange noises.

You paid ~$40K for a car. You have a right to be ****. Again, I think the clicking noise is not right and you should take it in and have them perform some type of diagnosis.
al503

johnnieliu

al503,

I'll definately have them examine the vehicle at the "one month checkup". Do you have you vehicle serviced at Lexus or Portland? How's their service?

JL