Losiho

Nobody has replied yet - I'll put my 2 cents in ;) I think the MY11s have the USB iPod socket standard in the centre armrest console. I can't think of any other changes.

To be an update model it needs to be either late 04 build or an 05 model to be an MY05 Update. Its a Jun 2004 built Sports Luxury model with factory upgrades like the 18" wheels but no bluetooth/phone feature to be found on sat nav screen. I think you have missed the whole point of factory upgrades when a person buys the car brand new from a dealer. As I said, I used to own a 2003 plated, November 2003 build (making it an MY04 model) RX330 Sport Luxury and it had no bluetooth and no phone button on the steering wheel. You seem to know what you're talking about, so your problem is obviously in capable hands.

If it has 18s and the phone button on the steering then it's an update model.

If the build date on your car is post-September 2004, most likely it is an MY05. Of course, there is an easier way to tell - do you have 17 or 18" wheels ? ;) Only MY05+ Sport Luxuries have 18s. My last RX was a 2003 RX330 Sport Luxury. I had 17" wheels and no phone button on my steering wheel.

I'd also ask these questions at a Toyota Kluger forum (if they have any), considering that it shares the same drivetrain with the 330. I'm sure they are plenty who have probably converted a Kluger to LPG.

My trip from home to work each day is exactly 5km (each way). Do the math......1855 kilogram 4WD doing short distances = I'm never going to get great fuel economy, no matter what fuel I use. Don't get me started on any ethanol blend fuel. Sugar belongs in my tea/coffee cup, not in my petrol tank . The sugar industry should stay the hell out of the motor industry. If an owner's manual says "at least 95 octane" or "premium preferred", I don't see the "economy" of using 91 octane.

As Danslex said, you always get better fuel economy with premium. I always record my fuel consumption figures every tank for every car I've owned (since 1993) and this has always been confirmed, not just with Lexus. There is also a subtle, but noticeable (to me) difference between the 98 octane brands. As I said, I prefer Caltex 98, simply because it has the throttle response I enjoy. I can notice the sluggish throttle response with BP almost as soon as I fill up with it (about 50km later). But, on the flipside, you get slightly better fuel economy with BP compared with Caltex. I'll never use Shell V Power - terrible throttle response, crap performance, but good fuel economy. There isn't a Mobil servo within cooee of my "normal route", so I never get to try Synergy 8000. Btw, are you sure Lexus say 91 octane is ok to use ? I'm pretty sure my RX350 owner's manual says "at least 95 octane".

I don't use anything other than 98 octane. Either Caltex Vortex 98 (preferred) or BP 98 (sluggish throttle response with this fuel). I'll never use Ethanol, even though Lexus say it's ok to use.......

He said he has the phone buttons on the steering wheel, which means he has the MY05 update model.

It'll only spray the headlights with water when the headlights are on. The nozzles pop up from the front bumper (the little square plastic caps below the headlight).

Had 5 Benzes in the family - their owner's manuals are nothing special. Jaguar, on the other hand, has a separate manual for the radio, CD changer, service/maintenance schedules, etc etc. More comprehensive than anyone.

Number 4 can't be done. Number 2 needs to be done by your dealer. Number 1 CAN be done without your dealer.....as others have said, get an owner's manual.

Lol ok well there you go, you learn something new everyday. I had no idea you could not input a destination into the sat nav while the car is moving - mind you, quite frankly, it's not something I'd want to do.

I'm a bit confused with your question. Are you trying to play DVDs whilst you are on the move ? What part of the sat nav / phone is not working on your car while your moving ? I don't understand

I dunno about the Celsior, but the Oz - delivered LS400 went to a 5 speed when the VVTi engine was released in late 1997.

Someone said Merc and BMW are nowhere near as expensive to service......I also have a 2000 W210 Merc E430 in my garage. I recently took it to a Merc Dealer for an "A Service" (Merc-speak for "minor" service). The car only has 80,000km on it. I got a phone call from the dealership 1.5 hrs after I dropped it off, with the following report - Needs new from brake rotors and pads Needs brake fluid changed, and coolant flushed Rad Cap is leaking / cannot hold pressure Transmission shifter bushing worn Transmission fluid change (which I asked for, as I don't trust "sealed for life" trannies) Spark Plugs need changing (twin spark, meaning 32 of them - $600 including labour alone) Fuel filter needs changing Total service bill ? $3,600, including parts and labour (and I supplied them with my own bottles of Mobil 1 0W40). My parents also owned an E30 BMW 318is years ago - apart from being an unreliable piece of junk, no service at a BMW dealer was ever under $1,000. Merc reliability ? My next door neighbour loves his 2008 E500 Elegance - numourous sunroof, Sat Nav, Tyre and Alternator problems. All in a brand new car. As for complaining to Lexus Australia - don't bother, they don't care. I had to complain about the treatment I received from Lexus of Brighton 3 separate times - they didn't do a thing. Will I buy another Lexus ? I dunno - even though my Merc is 9 years old and way out of warranty, my Merc dealer invitited me to, and I attended, the launch of the new W212 E Class. I purchased my RX350 brand new from Blackburn Lexus 5 months ago and was never once invited to an evening / launch for the new RX350, RX450H or IS250C - makes you wonder

How about a local Toyota Dealer ?

That's the first time I've heard of any manufacturer covering service costs in a used car warranty.....

No problem ;)

Actually, after checking the RX specs, I've discovered that the Parking Brake mechanism is a duo-servo drum at the rear of the brake system. It doesn't use the rear discs or pads at all.

If you only drove 200 metres with the Park Brake on, there's little chance that you damaged the brake discs of Park Brake. I have no idea about the mats, sorry. As for what needs to be replaced, the next service is the 40,000km service, which is a major service. Just the "usual" major service items get replaced, such as fuel filter, air filter, brake fluid, etc etc - none of which will be covered under warranty. As far as I know, there were/are only two official recalls for the RX330 - one is to replace a potential leaking brake master cylinder, and the other is the rubber trim around the grill surround (which usually comes adrift). Your car is the update 2005 model, so I think both should have been done by now....but check with your dealer anyway.

There should have been an audible warning beeper to inform you that the Parking Brake was still engaged when you drove off

Lexo - Can I also ask why you're thinking of a Murano in comparison to a RX400H ? I daresay the Murano would chew through more fuel than the RX350, let alone the Hybrid. I would've thought the more "natural" competition for the RX400H would be something like the diesel X5 or ML ?

Lexo is correct. I got my car during the 0% finance offer - shame that car finance isn't always 0% interest ! If anyone's interested, the model code for the RX330 is MCU38R. The RX350 (previous shape) is GSU35R. The previous RX400H is MHU38R. The new RX350 is GGL150. Lexo - Murano ? Hmmm I'm sure it's a good car underneath, but damn it's ugly..........

It was first registered in 2009, so as far as I'm concerned it's a 2009 car. FWIW, the build date is October 2008. And also FWIW, Subaru, for example, release the new model year change usually around September - October every year (eg, MY09 arrived in September 2008). From what I've seen in the trade, even an "MY09" registered in late 2008 is still considered to be a 2008 car. And I drove the new 2009 GGL RX350 about 3 days after they were released - I'm keeping my car thanks. No intentions of upgrading :P