juanders

Is version 4.1 the lastest version? Doeas anyone know when it was released?

I have read most of the posts here for the DVD navigation updates and in certain ways they differ in information. I of course realize that information is very hard to come by (why won't Lexus share?). I am interested in updating the DVD for my navigation system which is still running on same data from when I bought the car Jan 2004. The dealer wants $315.00 for it. When I asked the version date he said, "whatever is on the new cars" but woudl not give any other info. I read here that it was updated in Jan 06 but somewhere else it said they get updated on October. Well its almost October and i would rather not pay mucho bucks for something that is already outdated. Is there any solid info out there on update cycles? Also, some of you mentioned you can buy it elsewhere and save the installation cost. Who can I buy from? Come on guys, I know you are the experts on all things Lexus.

I seriously disagree with the writer who stated "the market shows no evidence that this is true. What the market DOES show is that SUV buyers don't care at all about fuel economy. In fact, all of the consumer research puts fuel economy right at the bottom of the list with power in the middle, room and features being the most important" I bought my RX330 based on the best of MOST worlds. I loved the zoom and power of the FX45 but its mileage was and attrocious. I loved the rugged solid feel of other SUVs such as the BMW but the cargo was laughable. So in my opinion buyers are getting very very knowledgeable about all/most cars specifically through the internet before they buy. The Prius is a case in point. The power is not impressive, the features are probably no greater than any other econo car (no leather seats available) so its only high selling point is the mileage/technology ad the impressive mileage. What feature would prompt a buyer to the Hummer except massive size. So it is my thought that in some cases mileage be dammed but this is mostly for the people that perhaps have more money than sense.

It could be either. I know mine was built in Japan as some option combinations (Sports suspension) with others are still only built in Japan. A place to check is of course the sticker. It list the assemby factory location

There is acute story I heard or saw somewhere that a driver thought the indicator looked too much like a set of headphones. He kept replacing the batteries on his headphones and the light still stayed on until he brought it to the dealer.

I had the dealer install them although at a very high mark up, but it would be something I would not want to tackle.

I agree, The Performance package is excellent. To my knowledge I was only the second one to get it in my town Charlotte, NC and it added a lot of wait as these were not and perhaps are still assembled only in Japan. It feels a bit weird at times to hear the car lower itself. Caveat, the one item that I miss are of course the wood steering etc, but what I really miss, the dealer would not addit as they are concerned about changes) is the hitch. Also, you I could not add a towing package. PS. the wife loves it!!!

I have the running boards (chrome bars) on my and in my opinion it is the one thing that sets if off from all the others. They look terrific. They stand out from the crowd and true I will say that ptractically my wife nor I use them very much to step into the car as it also has the sports suspension, but for looks they add thta special touch. I also have the polished wheels and together make for a fantastic looking package. Oops, on second thought, I advise all readers NOT to get them, I want my RX330 to stay different from the rest.

A good source has always been Weathertech. I used them in my RX300 and now in my 330. weathertech.com

I have not installed them yet on my 330 but had them on my 300. They are very, very easy to install.

I had the same car. According to Lexus the answer is NO. They are totally incompatible. Antena, locations for DVD, electronics, etc. You may want to try an aftermarket solution. ither way, you are going to pay big bucks

Did we get off topic or what. The question was/is compare BMW X5/X3 to RX.

I went through the same exercize. The X5 although a great car failed in several items. Most important in my opinion was the cargo capacity which is about half that of the 330 when compared by square feet. Second was options, several options are not available on the X5 or not as effective such as 6 CD changer. In the X5 is trunk mounted, dealer installed and very high price, nav system on X5 hard to use with a mouse like input using a button below the screen. No adaptive speed control, mileage lower, dashboard dated, tinted windows only as option with Sports package, basic X% reasonably priced but builds up pretty fast with options needed to match 330. Last but not least, from reliability studies the X5 needed more repairs than any Lexus product according t Consumer reports. So, in my honest and humble opinion. You get more for your $$$ with the 330. If you however must have that BMW badge in front with the perceived but not always evident perormance then the X5 is your choice. The very limited cargo capacity is what kept me in Lexus when I needed to replace my RX300

Great that a dealer has them in stock, I spoke with my dealer a moment ago and he states he does not have them nor does he know about them being available from Lexus which may mean that your dealer is getting them specially made. At $140 they are pricey but still perhaps worth it. Would you give us the name and number of yourv dealer so we may contavct them? Have you checked them out yet? Opinions?

according to my dealer, The RX 330 comes with version 3 of the DVD Nav system software. Version 4 is not yet available for the RX 330 and not expected to be available until later this year $300.00