I've had my car for over a week and everything seems to be working. All these threads about problems with the ES350 make this forum look like Mercedes or Audi forum. Today I finally found something very un-Lexus-like. I noticed the chrome trim pieces accenting the side windows do not align. This is something I expected from Hyundai 15 years ago, but not a brand new +$40K Lexus. Here are some pics. Check to see if you have the same problems. It's something I will bring up with the dealer for the first servicing.

Both sides

 

Interesting.

 

This is something I've found on nearly all the ES350s I've cared to examine. I actually made sure my doors were level during my inspection when I first picked up the car as I'd noticed this earlier. Doors seem to either be flushly aligned with the car OR the front doors are level, but often stick out slightly from the rear doors. My front doors stick out slightly and don't align perfectly with the rear doors.

I actually examined a 2003 LS430 on the weekend and see where all the DNA comes from for the ES350. The door seals, design and even window rubbers all look like they've been cloned onto the ES350. The LS was built like a work of art - everything was perfectly aligned. From panel to panel - including doors - it was just like one smooth flowing part. I was very impressed by this on the LS.

 

SDLS430,

Unfortunately, my car looks exactly like yours, both sides! But didn't notice this until you mentioned it...

 

Hmm, I know front doors are usually sticking out slightly... something to do with eddies and aerodynamics so that shouldn't be a problem, I don't think. If the LS' front doors are flush with the rear, that probably means the gap between the front and rear door is small enough that "skimming" occurs in the air flow, rather than turbulent eddies.

 

Yes.....Interesting....

 

SDLS

Mine is like that and the 2 loaners I have driven are like it as well.

I wondered if it was adding to my wind noise until I noticed top of doors seemed aligned which is odd considering lower are not.

 

SDLS,

The drivers side and likely passenger side can be adjusted upward, the door that is where it latches, I know that because when I got it back from service one of the times it was in someone had adjusted it, drivers side door, up not quite an 1/8th of an inch, perhaps better described as a strong 1/16th of inch adjustment.

There is a limit to how much it can be adjusted though if you look at the bottom of the door and the top of door where it meets rear door and where front of door meets A pillar area. It will never align from what I can see.

My passenger side currently is as your images, my driver's side was as your images, though slightly better since someone adjusted it.

I had mentioned that and the trunk lip alignment at bottom where gasket material was showing but they all seem to ride slightly high back there.

 

I have it to. Doesn't bother me, but it is noticeable through the sideviews sometimes.

 

By robots?

 

Could this misalignment be a contributor to the wind noise some owners are experiencing?

 

Is this typical for first year Lexus models? I have no reference point, but it seems like there are a lot of problems with this ES.

 

I had a similar problem in my RX and my uncle and I figured out we had to manipulate the door hinge upward a bit to get the fit just right.

 

I'll have to take a closer look at mine to see exactly how much off it is but FWIW it wasn't nearly as off as the one depicted in the pic in this thread.

Also FWIW--my Acura TL-S had similar alignment issues; dealer was able to get it pretty close but not perfect...I guess there's only so much tolerance to work with.

 

I think even the mighty LS430 had problems in 2003 when they first came out. I have a newer build ES and don't notice any wind or tranny problems.

Sam