Lexus rx300 2nd generation. Affordable luxury: the shortcomings of the used Lexus RX II

21.09.2019

01.03.2017

Lexus RX- a premium mid-size crossover manufactured by the Japanese company Toyota. Most car enthusiasts, at the mention of the Lexus brand, come to mind with the definition: prestigious, sophisticated, technological, and, most importantly, reliable car. If you agree with this statement, then, in principle, you will be right, however, even the most sophisticated and expensive cars have a large number of shortcomings and nuances. But what they are, and what you should pay attention to when choosing a Lexus RX with mileage in the secondary market, now let's try to figure it out.

A bit of history:
The Lexus RX was first introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in 1997, and the following year, serial production of the car was launched ( in the domestic market of Japan, the car was sold under the name "Toyota Harrier"). The second generation Lexus RX was introduced in January 2003 at the North American International Auto Show. Compared to the previous generation, the car has increased in size and changed many body parts, despite this, its appearance has not changed much. The main changes affected the interior decoration. From now on, even base trims are equipped with premium finishing materials and a large package of options that were previously available only in top trim levels. Starting from the second generation, the Lexus RX is produced not only in Japan, but also in Canada. The third generation Lexus RX debuted in 2009 at the Tokyo Auto Show. In 2015, the fourth generation of this model premiered at the New York Auto Show.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Lexus RX II with mileage

Traditionally, for Japanese cars, the Lexus RX II cannot boast of high-quality paintwork. As for the corrosion resistance of body elements, there are no complaints about them. The only place that requires special attention is the hood, the fact is that it is most prone to chipping, on which rust appears over time ( the problem is solved). Also, it is worth noting the weak windshield, even a small pebble flying out from under the wheels of the car in front can force the owner to pay a tidy bag to the dealer. Among the shortcomings of body equipment, it can be noted: a small resource of the rear wiper drive ( fails every 100,000 km), weak light and fogging of the head optics.

Engines

Lexus RX II was equipped only with gasoline power units, depending on the engine size, the car was assigned an index: 3.0 (204 hp) RX 300, 3.3 (233 hp) RX 330, 3.5 (276 hp) RX 350, hybrid version 3.3 (210 and 268 hp) RX 400h. All engines are quite reliable, but they cannot be called problem-free. For the most popular 3.5 engine, problems begin after 150,000 km. Most often, the current radiator adds trouble, many owners note that when using a non-original radiator, the problem does not recur so often. Also, the main disadvantages include failures in the work ECU. The problem is that the control unit is configured to the standards Euro 4, and, when using low-quality fuel, immediately displays an error message in the engine operation on the instrument panel. After diagnosis, the error code indicates a malfunction of the ignition coils, but after checking them, as a rule, it turns out that they are in good condition.

Often, on a run of 80-150 thousand km, the rubber section of the oil supply pipe from the cylinder block to the heads is depressurized. In order to prevent the problem from recurring, many experts recommend replacing the rubber section with a metal one. One of the biggest problems owners face Lexus RX 350, is the crackling of the valve timing clutch VVTi (found on other engines of this model). The problem is manifested by a loud rattle when starting the engine, the only way to eliminate the disadvantage is to replace this unit. The base 3.0 and 3.3 engines, like the top 3.5 engine, often face the risk of overheating due to a fluid cooling radiator. If you do not keep track of the level of antifreeze and overheat the engine, the consequences can be the most sad ( expensive engine repair).

Unlike the top motor ( has a timing chain drive), these power units are equipped with a belt drive Timing. According to the regulations, the belt replacement interval is prescribed every 100,000 km, but some owners recommend replacing a little earlier, since when the belt breaks, the valve pistons bend. All engines are sensitive to fuel quality, and if the car is refueled on untested gas station, problems with the catalyst and lambda probes are inevitable. Hybrid versions of the car are a rarity for our market. It is worth noting that buying a used car with a hybrid installation over the age of 7 years will not be entirely justified, since the battery life is not eternal, and their replacement will be very expensive. Of the shortcomings Lexus RX 400h failures in the control electronics of the hybrid installation can be noted, therefore, before buying such a car, it is necessary to carry out a full diagnosis on a specialized ONE HUNDRED.

Transmission

Lexus RX II is equipped only with an automatic five-speed transmission. Transmission is reliable but not exemplary in performance ( gear shifting is jerky). There are two ways to solve this drawback: the first is to replace the oil and filter; the second is flashing the transmission control unit. It is worth noting that none of the methods gives a guarantee that after solving the problem it will not recur after 5-10 thousand kilometers. If we talk about technical malfunctions, then there is nothing special to tell, with proper maintenance ( oil change every 40-50 thousand km) the transmission will last 250-300 thousand km. The biggest trouble that happens with these boxes is the leakage of the axle shaft seals ( replacement every 100,000 km).

All versions of the Lexus RX II are equipped with an all-wheel drive system ( an exception may be a car imported from the USA). This system is quite reliable, but despite this, you should not consider this car as a full-fledged SUV. In terms of transmission, that's it. No critical comments on the all-wheel drive clutch, cardan shafts and CV joints were noticed.

Features and disadvantages of running Lexus RX with mileage

Equipped with a fully independent suspension: struts of the type McPherson, behind - multi-link. In the basic configurations, all-metal spring struts are installed, in the top configuration, air struts are used, which allow you to adjust the ground clearance in the range from 155 to 210 mm. Both types of suspension are quite comfortable and cope well with the quality of our roads, but such suspension settings have a negative impact on the car's handling ( when cornering at medium and high speeds, the car rolls unpleasantly). The rear wheel bearings are considered the weakest point of the suspension, it is not uncommon for them to start buzzing after 20,000 km of run.

Racks and stabilizer bushings, on average, nursed for 30-50 thousand km. Shock absorbers and thrust bearings with medium loads live 80-100 km. The silent blocks of the front levers go about the same amount. Steering tips, ball bearings and front wheel bearings take care of 150,000 km. The rear suspension is more enduring and rarely presents unpleasant surprises in the form of malfunctions, any elements. So, for example, rear link rubber bands live about 100,000 km, and floating silent blocks can please you with a mileage of 100-150 thousand km.

Air suspension lasts up to 100,000 km ( air bellows and supports fail), but the cost of its repair will unpleasantly surprise ( the cost of one rack is 500-700 USD.). The compressor can last up to 200,000 km, but, as a rule, the valves begin to poison the air at a range of 150,000 km. Often, the air suspension fails due to rotten wiring. The weak point of the steering is the steering rack, it can start to flow after 100,000 km. If you pay attention to this ailment in time, you can finish with a slight fright and repair the rail ( Need to replace plastic bushings), otherwise you will have to change the entire node. Among the shortcomings of the brake system, one can single out the rapid wear of the front pads - 25-35 thousand km, and discs - 40-50 thousand km ( due to overheating, they lose geometry, replacing standard disks with ventilated ones helps to eliminate the problem e).

Salon

Salon Lexus RX II is made in the best traditions of the premium brand - an attractive design with the use of expensive finishing materials. And, here, the acoustic comfort leaves much to be desired. The fact is that over the years, the interior is filled with extraneous squeaks and knocks. As for the reliability of the electrics, there are no special comments on it, but, over the years, some elements will have to be replaced. One of the biggest troubles is the failure of the air conditioning compressor. It would seem that the problem is trifling, but in order to fix it, you have to lay out about 800 USD. Often, after removing the terminal from the battery, the power windows do not start to work correctly, in which case you will have to go to the service and reconfigure the control unit. When using pirated CD, there may be problems with CD changer, there are cases when, after another failure, repair of the player was required.

Outcome:

Even despite the rather low price of a used Lexus RX II, it still remains affordable only for people with a tight wallet, since even minor flaws will have to be paid a tidy sum to eliminate. If we talk about its reliability, then, despite its considerable age, the car remains quite reliable.

Advantages:

Quality interior trim materials.
The presence of all-wheel drive.
Rich equipment.

Flaws:

High fuel consumption ( 16-18 liters in the city).
High maintenance and repair costs.
Weak windshield.

One example of this popularity is the Lexus rx300, a Japanese-American handsome man with a memorable appearance that appealed to residents on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The debut show of the model took place in 1997, and it entered mass production a year later, in 1998. Initially, only the countries of North America were considered as the main sales market, but already in 2000. the car began to be sold in Europe, and quite successfully.

The main "trump card" that explains such interest in the model was its original, catchy design. Thanks to this, even today, after a considerable number of years, it looks quite worthy against the background of new generation SUVs.

First about the first generation

"Presentable" handsome man with elegant features

With dimensions: 4580 x 1816 x 1669 mm, the first generation of the car cannot be called miniature, but it also does not look like a “rough brute”. It affects belonging to the luxury class, even if not the highest level. The lines of the body are distinguished by pleasant softness and smoothness, which gives the car an elegant, “expensive” look. The "off-road" nature of the Lexus RX 300 is emphasized by roof rails, rather powerful bumpers located front and rear, as well as a spectacular radiator grille with a nameplate flaunting on it with the brand name of the brand.

On domestic roads, you can most often see the RX 300 of "American" or "Canadian" origin, although "Europeans" among them are also not so rare. At the same time, among the distinguishing features that the latter possess, it is worth noting:

the presence of seventeen-inch wheels;
greater rigidity and strength of their suspension;
higher cost.

The first generation of the model was produced in several configurations, and the poorest of them, the basic version, included:

a complete set of electric drives;
airbags;
CD player;
leather upholstery (for American versions), etc.

At the same time, all car systems function quite smoothly and accurately and do not “bug out”. Moreover, this also applies to cars with a fairly decent mileage.

Of the small problems with the external part that can “emerge” during the operation of the car, it is worth noting the decay of the wiring in the turn signals located in the bumpers. As a rule, people from the American continent “sin” with this. You can get rid of this trouble without much effort, and the cost of restoring the performance of the turn signals will be quite acceptable for the wallet: about $ 30.

Lots of space, lots of gadgets

As for the ergonomics of the cabin, there is nothing to complain about here. There is plenty of space there, in addition, the seats are quite comfortable and convenient, they have electric adjustments, so that they can be perfectly located during the trip. The driver's seat has a travel range of 17mm, so it can accommodate a person of any height. The information content of the dashboard is high, all devices are located in such a way that they are really very simple and convenient to use. Another positive point: the high quality of sound insulation, which is why the cabin is always quiet and comfortable, no engine noise or extraneous sounds are heard.

Some motorists, however, note minor problems with leather trim, which is slightly wiped off over time on the folds and sidewalls. But, this is more of a nitpick than a categorical remark. In addition, such unpleasant phenomena can be completely avoided by caring for your “iron friend” properly. And, in general, the interior of the car deserves a strong and solid "five".

"Driving force

The first generation Lexus RX 300 was equipped with the only engine option 3.0-liter 24-valve 223-horsepower V6 (201-horsepower - in the European configuration) with variable valve timing, tested and well-proven on other members of the Toyota family.

Such a “heart” under the hood makes the car quite frisky and fast, “forcing” to pick up speed at 100 km / h in 9 seconds. It would seem that the maximum speed should also have a very decent value, but not in this case. The manufacturers decided that too much acceleration of a car of this class could be dangerous for the driver himself and those around him, so they artificially limited its maximum permissible speed to “decent” and “powerful” 180 km / h.

It is especially pleasant that such a car, which has very impressive parameters and power, has a relatively low fuel consumption. According to the reviews of the owners, slowly moving along the city streets, he "eats" about 13-14 liters. On the highway, this figure fluctuates around the mark: 11-16 liters (this is at a speed of 110 and 160 km / h, respectively).

According to the majority of fans of the model, it’s simply not possible to say something negative and critical about the car’s engine.

Chassis and box

In addition, the technical equipment of the first generation RX 300 included:

a permanent all-wheel drive system equipped with an interaxle differential, the blocking of which was carried out using a viscous coupling.
"automatic" with four steps;
disc type brakes, the front of which were ventilated.

As for the driving characteristics of the car, they can be “christened” “somewhat specific”. Problems arise with its maneuverability at high speeds. The car seems to start to float on the move, to nod off when braking (and even when replacing shock absorbers and springs, this problem is not solved), but on the “broken” asphalt surface, the RX 300 feels just fine. So, where everyone is barely trudging, afraid to gain more than 50 km / h, you can proudly ride it, gaining at least a hundred.

Among the features faced by the owners of this stylish and luxurious luxury car, one can note the possibility of burning through the middle part of its muffler, or rather, its corrugated insert.

A mandatory procedure associated with extending the life of a car is to replace its timing belt, which must be done after every hundred thousand kilometers, as well as to replace spark plugs, which sometimes have the feature of failing on our gasoline. In this case, a branded set of candles will cost about $ 90, and a regular one - $ 20-30. The operation to replace the timing belt will “pull” a much larger amount: together with the replacement of rollers and drive belts, it will cost about 250-300 dollars.

As for the box (recall, the car is equipped only with an “automatic” with four steps), it is also distinguished by reliability and durability. Some motorists, however, note its "old-fashioned" and "thoughtfulness", but for a calm, careful ride, it is quite suitable.

By the way, using original good quality oil for it will help to avoid problems with gearbox repair. So you can significantly extend its life and avoid costly repairs. And, separately, the gearbox can be bought at one of the American e-Bay auctions. At the same time, its price will be about $ 1,500 for a version restored at the factory.

A word of advice: when buying a Lexus RX 300, look at the station where you can diagnose its transmission. And do not be afraid if the inspection reveals any problems with it, since such cases with "three hundred" are quite common. The bulkhead process will take no more than a few days, after which it will serve for a long time.

Not for dirt, but for comfort

The next key point: the suspension of the car. But, even here it is difficult to find any really serious problems and shortcomings that require significant investment. Both front and rear, the first generation RX 300 has an independent suspension type, with all the complexity of its design, distinguished by reliability and durability. But the price of spare parts and accessories for this model is very tangible. For example, work on installing bushings and stabilization struts will cost $80-100, and replacing shock absorber support bearings will cost about $100 each.

In general, in order to enjoy driving this wonderful car for a long time, it is enough to follow a few simple rules:

Avoid slippage. Do not forget that this is not exactly an SUV, so mud, clay and other slippery surfaces are not your field of activity!
Do not tow. Remember that the car was created for completely different purposes.
Do not try to turn your car into a race car. You still won’t be able to “rush” from a traffic light and “make” a more powerful and high-speed BMW X5, and you will inflict damage on your “iron horse”.

Now about the second generation

Changes for the better

If you are looking for something more, then you should pay attention to the representatives of the next, second generation of the model, which was produced from 2003 to 2009. Thanks to the restyling, the RX 300 has become even more attractive and elegant.

Firstly, it is slightly "bigger" than its progenitor. The overall dimensions of the car are: 4740 x 1845 x 1680 mm, with a wheelbase length of 2720 mm and a ground clearance of 190 mm.

Secondly, he retained his best features, which, after a little refinement, became even more expressive. In front of the crossover, there are original large-sized headlights that have a triangular shape, the lower side of which borders on the bumper of the car. The hood of the car has acquired even smoother, streamlined lines. The same trapezoid-shaped false radiator grille, decorated with the brand's logo, is located here.

An additional air duct appeared in the front bumper, as well as a lower plastic protection. In addition, unpainted "off-road type" plastic elements are found on the rear bumper and boxes of the car. Large doors, massive wheel arches and a powerful rear roof pillar, together with swollen wings and high-mounted optical instruments, also give spectacularity and extravagance to its appearance, forming a solid, monumental structure with a “sporty overtones”.

The rear window looks very original, which received a greater slope compared to the first generation of the model, as well as its rear lights, which, thanks to the presence of LED elements, look unusually attractive in the evening. And, of course, describing the numerous advantages of this luxurious "handsome", one cannot fail to note its aerodynamic qualities, with a value of 0.33 Cx, which are the best in their class.

Necessary components of comfort, and even more

Even in its most modest, basic version (which costs around $54,900), the second generation RX 300 has a truly rich outfit. This includes:

leather upholstery;
dual-zone climate control function;
stabilization system;
xenon, etc.

Fully justifying its belonging to the luxury category, the interior of the RX 300 is distinguished by good taste and sophistication. Creativity and originality of the top panel of the car are given by two vertical elements, painted "aluminum". In addition, there is also traditional wood trim, although in this case it plays rather a secondary character, and on the steering wheel rim, in general, it looks a little out of place. However, this is more of a quibble than a specific comment.

The “sporty” nature of the car is reminiscent of the design of wells “recessed” into the surface, with instruments placed in them, equipped with a special backlight that lights up when the ignition is turned on. The quality of the plastic is very decent, and all the elements perfectly match each other in color and texture. In a word - excellent performance, which is worth the money. Note that all of the above are the real opinions of the owners of this car.

In principle, reviews of the second generation Lexus rx300 are mostly enthusiastic and satisfied, but motorists also note the presence of small flaws that this “Mr. Perfection” still has. For example, some of them indicate an insufficient amount of free space in the rear seats, so that when trying to “stretch your legs”, a tall person may experience some problems, as well as the presence of squeaks in the cabin.

Another “but” is insufficient soundproofing of the cabin. In addition, the absence of an MP3 player can be called a minor shortcoming of the basic version of 2005. But, this is not essential.

Naturally, after all, a car of this class, price and category simply has to be quite attractive and comfortable. Something else is much more important: what is inside him.

For slow trips

As for the technical equipment of the restyled version, under its hood, the manufacturers left the old, transversely located “six”, working in tandem with the “automatic”. The latter, however, acquired another step - the fifth. An all-wheel drive system equipped with a center differential, a rack-and-pinion steering wheel and independent type candle suspensions remained in place.

And one of the undoubted advantages of a car (which, by the way, was noted by most of its owners) is its excellent driving performance. He reacts with the same calmness to small dents in the asphalt and obstacles like tram tracks, etc., passing them unusually soft and smooth. However, more serious potholes and pits can cause considerable damage to its suspension, so it’s better not to “test it for strength”.

Some motorists note a somewhat rapid wear of the brake pads of a car, but this rather depends on the personal nature of the ride and the characteristics of its operation. The cost of the work is about 4 thousand rubles.

In addition, like the representatives of the first generation, the RX 300 2 has a feature related to the maneuverability of the car at high speeds. On a rutted road, it loses stability a little, so in this situation, sharp acceleration and overtaking can end in failure. Still, setting "speed records" is not for him.

Of the other possible "weaknesses" of the second generation, it is also worth noting:

frequent leakage in the gearbox, eliminated by removing the engine and gearbox of the car.
sweating of the power steering tube;
failure of the air suspension, fraught with the replacement of all its racks.

We can say that most of the financial costs associated with the replacement of failed consumables. As for the serious units and components of the car, they serve almost flawlessly, without reminding of themselves unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, the Lexus RX 300 cannot be called “cheap” to handle, but you didn’t expect this from a car of this class and level, right? Agree, a car that can deliver real pleasure not only to its passengers, but also to the person who drives it, is worth it, isn't it?

For the first time the second generation of the mid-size crossover Lexus RX (Toyota Harier in Japan) was presented to fans of the brand in January 2003 at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The second-generation Lexus RX crossover was produced from 2003 to 2009 and produced at factories in Japan and Canada, in 2010 it was replaced by the third-generation Lexus RX.

The appearance of the 2003 Lexus RX model largely inherited the successful design of the previous generation - the first crossover of the Japanese company Lexus. At a cursory glance of an inexperienced motorist - it was easy to confuse representatives of two generations, especially in the front of the body, but there were certainly differences.

The second-generation Lexus RX has grown in size, in comparison with its predecessor, its dimensions have increased in length by 165 mm (up to 4740 mm), in width by 29 mm (up to 1845 mm), in height by 11 mm (up to 1680 mm), wheel dimensions base by 100 mm (2720 mm), the ground clearance remained at the level of 190 mm (with the air suspension installed, the ground clearance is from 170 mm to 215 mm). The front of the crossover is with large triangular headlights, the lower side bordering on the bumper. Between them, on a flowing hood, there is a neat trapezoidal false radiator grille with smooth curved corners. The front bumper with an additional air duct from below bears plastic protection, crossover unpainted plastic is present on the boxes and the rear bumper. Profile of the second generation Lexus RX - with large doors, large wheel arches, easily accommodating "rollers" 225/60 R17 or 235/55 R18, with a powerful rear roof pillar, which, together with swollen wings and highly climbed lighting fixtures, forms a monumental stern. The sloping roofline and heavily swept-up pillars give the body a sporty, unstoppable look. The spoiler, located above the sloping glass of the fifth door, seems not superfluous. Rear "crystal" chandeliers with LED lamps look amazing, especially at night.
The aerodynamics of the Lexus RX is the best in the class, only 0.33 Cx. Such a good result was made possible thanks to the installation of aerodynamic bumpers, a spoiler and generally smooth contours of the crossover body. As a result, the designers quite succeeded in the image of a swift devourer of kilometers of freeways.

The interior of Lexus cars amazes the average car owner with high-quality materials and a high, almost standard level of assembly and equipment. But for the owners of such cars, this is the norm.
The 2nd generation Lexus RX shows full electrification inside. Comfortable leather seats - with a lot of electric adjustments, the steering column helpfully enters the dashboard when getting in and out of the car. The steering wheel is optimally sized for the driver, pleasantly tactile and perfect in grip. The three deep wells of the dashboard are completely dark, but as soon as you insert the key into the ignition, they come to life and give birth to an enchanting performance. The front dashboard is massive, but just enough to fit harmoniously into the interior of a large crossover. The center console is stylishly framed on the sides with metal-like overlays, it houses music controls, climate control, in the most saturated versions, a touch-screen with a rear-view camera and a GPS navigator. At the bottom of the console at high tide, a stylish automatic control lever. There is no transmission tunnel in the cabin, in front you can easily change places with the driver, but in the back, the passenger sitting in the middle does not have to feel deprived of space. In the second row it is convenient and comfortable, the rear seats move on skids, the backrests change the angle of inclination. The luggage compartment is well organized and, thanks to the placement of the spare tire on the outside under the bottom, easily accommodates from 440 to 2130 liters of cargo. The rear door is optionally equipped with an electric drive. Cars sold in Russia had rich equipment: climate control, full power accessories, leather trim, Lexus signature music (maybe even Mark Levinson), xenon, a sunroof, eight airbags and a lot of other useful and necessary gadgets.

Specifications Lexus RX 2nd generation- a typical representative of the "SUV". This is a crossover with a permanent all-wheel drive system, implemented through the operation of free differentials and electronic imitation of locks (TRC). Front and rear independent suspension on MacPherson struts with anti-roll bars and coil springs (option pneumatic elements), power steering, disc brakes with ABC EBD and VSC stabilization system.

For the 2003-2006 Lexus RX, two petrol six-cylinder engines were offered. The American version of the Lexus RX330 (230 hp) and the European Lexus RX300 (204 hp), three years after the start of production, they were replaced by the Lexus RX 350 (276 hp). All engines were aggregated only with a 5-speed automatic. In 2005, the complex hybrid Lexus RX 400h appeared - its sales in Europe were even greater than those of its gasoline brothers.

The driving characteristics of the second generation Lexus RX are striking in the softness of the suspension (regardless of conventional or pneumatic), absolute indifference to the poor quality of Russian asphalt, honed handling, stability at high speeds (up to a maximum speed of 200 km / h), excellent sound and noise insulation of the cabin. At any speed, Lexus RX gives a feeling of swiftness, but at the same time reliability and complete calmness, it seems that it is simply impossible to knock it off the trajectory of movement. Many owners consider this car to be the best crossover of all the analogues present on the market. Off-road, the Japanese Express becomes helpless and, accordingly, useless, even light off-road is a stumbling block for it. When the wheels slip, the electronics choke the engine and doom the Lexus RX to a stop in hard-to-reach places. Its element is autobahns, while driving a Lexus RX crossover you can easily drive a thousand kilometers without rest, just remember to refuel it. Average fuel consumption is 12.5-15 liters depending on driving style.

There are a lot of offers on the secondary market for the sale of the second generation Lexus RX. The price in Russia for a used Lexus RX crossover in 2012 ranges from 800,000 rubles for a 2003 car to 1,400,000 rubles for a well-groomed 2009 copy.

The Lexus brand was lit up relatively recently, in 1989. And in such a short time, by automotive standards, it has become very popular not only in Russia, but throughout the world. The reason is the legendary reliability and high build quality of this brand's products. In fact, Lexus are Toyota models ennobled and refined to technical perfection, in which everything was in perfect order with reliability.

Initially, cars of this brand were intended for the American market. But, as soon as users got a taste of the newcomer, Lexus began to spread rapidly to other markets. Naturally, used cars - then they were mostly Lexus LS400 and ES300 sedans - soon appeared in Russia, where they proved themselves well. Therefore, the RX300, launched in 1998, was doomed to success with our audience.

NO CHOICE

Naturally, almost all the first generation Lexus RX300 present on our market are of American origin. And only a small part is accounted for by copies imported from Europe or previously sold new in Russia. They were much more expensive than the overseas versions, and they appeared already towards the end, when the model was ending its conveyor life. Therefore, they did not receive such mass distribution. From America or Canada, the RX300 was occasionally brought with front-wheel drive and a 2.2-liter “four” under the hood. However, we still consider all-wheel drive to be the “correct” Lexus ...

A potential client will certainly not have questions about the configuration of a used "three hundred". All cars were equipped with power accessories (glasses, heated mirrors and seats), frontal airbags (there were also side airbags on the "Americans"), climate control, alloy wheels and an automatic transmission. Moreover, the interiors of all American cars were trimmed with genuine leather in three colors: black, gray or light cream. Russian and European versions are sometimes found with velor upholstery. A used Lexus RX300 is also rare without a power sunroof, xenon headlights and power seats.

ENGINE

The car is built on the platform of the Toyota Camry business sedan. Therefore, the Lexus RX300 borrowed from him the chassis, transmission and engine. The 3-liter V6, depending on the origin of the car, produced 201 hp. in European specification or 223 hp in the American. The motor is very reliable, unpretentious and durable. True, when the model began to appear in large quantities on the Russian market, and these were mainly American RX300s, its engines were neglected. The fact is that the Yankees are trying to save money when servicing a car. And even in modern high-tech engines, they pour cheap mineral oil, often not observing the terms of its replacement. As a result, in the engines of three or four year old specimens, the oil was often a jelly-like mass. But here's what's interesting - the "sixes" continued to work.

It would seem to flush the engine, and it will gain a second life. In no case. Old deposits may rise and clog the oil line. There were even cases when the motor jammed. But you need to change the oil. In this case, mechanics recommend sparing therapy - pour special semi-synthetic oil into the engine and renew it together with the filter, first after 2 thousand km, and then less often, gradually increasing the intervals until the oil channels are cleared. Engine diagnostics on the RX300 usually involves removing the valve cover. After that, the condition of the oil channels is checked in detail. At specialized service stations, it costs only 1000 rubles.

The motor resource of the engine is at least 300 thousand km. Today, the mileage of 10-year-old crossovers from Lexus is just approaching this mark. Therefore, when buying a car, remember that major repairs will cost at least 80,000 rubles. Which, in general, is not so expensive.

From chemical reagents, the lower radiator tank corrodes and loses its tightness. By the way, a lid can also provoke a leak, the bypass valve of which eventually begins to open at a higher pressure, which leads to an increased effect on the welds of the tank. The radiator costs 10,000 rubles.

TRANSMISSION

The Lexus RX300 was equipped with permanent all-wheel drive (although there were also front-wheel drive) with torque distribution equally between the front and rear axles. The center differential was partially blocked by a viscous coupling, transferring traction to the wheels, which have better grip. Therefore, the crossover demonstrates stable and confident movement on slippery surfaces. The transmission is hassle-free. Although, if desired, it can be ruined by using the crossover as a tractor on heavy off-road, for which this Lexus is not intended. Therefore, before buying, it is necessary to lift the car on a lift to determine how it was operated.

The automatic 4-speed transmission is the same as on the Camry, for a more solid and heavy RX300 turned out to be rather weak. On early copies, even "the planetary gear was torn." However, after the modernization of 2001, the automatic transmission became more reliable. At least this problem has not made itself felt. The resource of the "machine" is 200 thousand km. After that - a major overhaul, however, with the obligatory replacement of the oil pump, filter and clutch kit. The issue price is 50,000 rubles.

Keep in mind: regular, according to Toyota regulations - after 40 thousand km, oil renewal in all units and automatic transmissions will significantly save on repairs.

CHASSIS AND BODY

Suspension Lexus RX300 - MacPherson struts front and rear - with minor modifications and strengthening of some of its elements borrowed from the same Camry. The survivability of the chassis is amazing. If the car is not driven headlong over potholes and gullies, most of its parts take care of 150 thousand km or more. Perhaps the only weak point of the RX300 suspension was the support bearings of the front shock absorber struts, which on some instances (about every third) could knock after 80 thousand km.

The RX300 fully independent suspension parts themselves are durable and relatively inexpensive. For example, the lower ball joint of the shock absorber strut takes care of an average of 150-200 thousand km and costs only 1800 rubles. For a luxury brand, this is considered cheap.

However, if there was such a problem, then the former owner must have already managed to replace the worn-out supports with a part (at 4250 rubles apiece) of a new model. The front wheel bearing buzzing up to 150 thousand kilometers (5400 rubles) indicates that earlier this wheel landed in a decent hole, and at high speed. Otherwise, beautiful Marquise, everything is fine. Even the stabilizer struts (set - 3900 rubles) can withstand up to 100 thousand km, and the rear ones - even longer. Ball bearings (1800 rubles each) nurse up to 200 thousand km. Shock absorber struts (5000 rubles each), front and rear, "live" a little less - an average of 150 thousand km. The rest of the chassis parts are durable.

The steering rack is strong and durable. Even if they felt a backlash in it, this is not a reason to rush to the service in anticipation of its imminent replacement. It is usually enough to tighten the locknuts, and you can safely go on.

Brake discs (3300-4000 rubles each) withstand three pad replacements (4200 rubles) or about 100 thousand kilometers. True, in order not to get on the money and not to update the brake calipers ahead of time, with each replacement, their guide pins should be treated with graphite grease. ABS sensors (5800 rubles each), which are installed one per wheel, refuse road salt. The middle part of the exhaust silencer is quite durable. She survives up to seven Russian winters. True, after that you will have to spend money on replacing it, and this is about 25,000 rubles. Over time, a converter that costs from 20,000 rubles can fail from low-quality fuel. Approximately the same amount, 150–200 thousand km, was also allocated to oxygen sensors - lambda probes. The part costs about 5000 rubles, and 1200 will have to be paid for a replacement. It often happens that the mounting brackets rot or the corrugation of the exhaust pipe bursts

The middle part of the exhaust silencer is quite durable. She survives up to seven Russian winters. True, after that you will have to spend money on replacing it, and this is about 25,000 rubles. Over time, a converter that costs from 20,000 rubles can fail from low-quality fuel. Approximately the same amount, 150–200 thousand km, was also allocated to oxygen sensors - lambda probes. The part costs about 5000 rubles, and 1200 will have to be paid for a replacement. It often happens that the mounting brackets rot or the corrugation of the exhaust pipe bursts

The body of the Lexus RX300 is strong and not friendly with corrosion. But he also has one weak point - the hood begins to "bloom" early and becomes covered with rusty spots. True, repairs are inexpensive. At a specialized service, it will be repainted for 10,000 rubles. From chemical reagents, the radiator grille dims and becomes stained. This is the misfortune of almost all foreign cars operated in Russia.

The vast majority of these overseas-origin luxury crossovers were fitted with a power sunroof.

The RX300 has a poorly designed body in terms of aerodynamics. Many owners complain about poor visibility in inclement weather due to side mirrors and front windows quickly splattered with dirt. Often the windshield with heating in the wiper area cracks. And here, by the way, contrary to the generally accepted opinion, a Chinese-made “headband” is very well suited - for only 3,000 rubles. with installation.

Outcome

The car is practically devoid of weaknesses. By and large, the potential owner of the Lexus RX300 will only have to face the natural wear and tear of the engine and gearbox. But their recovery is not ruinous. In addition, you can always bargain for the amount of the upcoming repair of defects that have surfaced during the diagnosis. The European and Russian versions look more preferable, even if they are more expensive than the "American". And a copy with a minimum real mileage is a guarantee that nothing will happen to the car in the coming years.

The second generation of the Lexus RX mid-size crossover (called the Toyota Harrier in Japan) was introduced in 2003. The car of the XU30 series looks very similar to its predecessor, but still has conspicuous differences - a sharper front end, a powerful rear pillar shifted back and a large rear spoiler. The version, equipped with a three-liter V6 engine, is called the RX 300 and was intended for the European market. The new generation RX300 has become 16 centimeters longer and 3.5 centimeters wider, the wheelbase has increased from 2619 mm to 2715 mm - all this has made the interior more spacious. As a member of the elite category, the Lexus RX 300 offers premium comfort, which is facilitated by the exquisite quality of the interior, excellent noise isolation and saturation with equipment.

Even the standard (R1) equipment of the Lexus RX 300 is very rich. It has climate control, cruise control, full power accessories (glasses, mirrors), central locking with remote control and immobilizer, heated windshield in the area of the wiper blades, heated seats, radio (8 speakers) with tuner with RDS and with CD -changer (6 discs), electric front seats with memory for two drivers, leather interior. The R2 version is even richer. The rear door is opened with the help of an electric drive with artificial intelligence: if something gets under the closing door, the electronics immediately stop closing and lift the door back up. The R3 package features a sunroof, Mark Levinson audio system (11 speakers), etc.

Under the hood of the Lexus RX300 is a 3.0-liter V6 petrol with a return of 204 hp. This is a fairly omnivorous and unpretentious 1MZ-FE engine, which is considered one of the most reliable Toyota power units. The engine meets the Euro4 environmental standard, the average fuel consumption is 12.2 liters per 100 km. To replace the RX300 in 2006, the RX350 was offered for the European market with a 3.5-liter 2GR-FE engine with 276 hp. - This is a significantly more dynamic option, which, moreover, is highly economical.

The five-door station wagon Lexus RX 300 is a classic crossover. Bearing body - with developed spars. The chassis of the Lexus RX includes independent all-wheel suspension with McPherson-type shock absorbers with anti-roll bar front and rear, both mounted on separate subframes. The air suspension raises the body by 30 mm and increases the ground clearance to 220 mm - it is attached to the R2 and RЗ versions. On conventional springs, as on "pneumatics" in the normal position, the ground clearance is 185 mm. The RX300 comes standard with permanent all-wheel drive.

The Lexus RX300 security systems include front and front side airbags (curtain airbags and a knee airbag are an option), three-point seat belts with pretensioners, cruise control, ABS, EBD, BA brake systems, and a stability control system. The latter imitates the blocking of cross-axle differentials, increasing patency and helping to get under way on slippery surfaces. The new generation also features LED brake lights and adaptive xenon headlights controlled by Intelligent AFS (a first for SUVs).

The 300th Lexus is the most popular version in its family. Perhaps the Lexus RX is not as spectacular and sporty as its "branded" European peers like the Mercedes M-Class or BMW X5, but significantly more affordable. Thanks to a very reliable engine and an equally reliable and simple chassis, the car is unpretentious in maintenance, and the overall high quality and level of performance allow even used cars of the first generation to remain in service for a long time, not to mention more recent cars of this generation.