Junxus

You were told correct. With the Lexus set up it is one or the other. The unit uses the Sat mode on the radio. I have XM Sat in my other cars and prefer the Ipod as I can control what I listen too. There are other after market units that can provide both and the install must be the same.

:P I am not screaming. Just stating my opinion. I traded my GMC Denali XL (my car) for a BMW X5 (I pick it up on Friday). Now Dad and Mom are happy. I think the target market for the RX is for woman anyway. My wife says she likes the RX.

I did research the car. It was for my wife, and the issues, the nav and other things she did not care about (she never uses the Nav she just wanted the rear view camera). She likes the look and the way it drives. When the wife is happy everyone in the house is happy. I am sure she would post positive vs negative things regarding the RX. But my answer to the post is as stated earlier. The RX is fine for the wife but not for me. When the weather is good she prefers her Jag. People should not ask for alternatives to the RX and not be able to accept other opinions.

I WOULD SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY AND PURCHASE A BMW X3 OR X5 OR BENZ. ML350. I HATE, YES HATE MY WIFES 2008 RX350. THE DEAL WAS GOOD, BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. THE RX IS 5 YEAR OLD TECHNOLOGY. THE NAV DOES NOT HAVE REAL TIME TRAFFIC, THE CAR IS GOING TO LOOK OLD WHEN THE 2010 MODEL COMES OUT AND I THINK THE BUILD QUALITY IS SLIPPING BIG TIME. BMW STILL HAS SERVICE INCLUDED. I TRADE BEFORE THE WARRENTY IS UP SO LONG TERM SERVICE ISSUES IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR ME. WITH LEXUS YOU GET THE LUXURY LOOK AT MUCH LOWER PRICE. THE GERMAN OFFERINGS HAVE A MORE ROBUST AWD/4WD SYSTEM.

I installed the factory Ipod interface and it works great. The whole job was about 1.5 hrs. The hardest part was to remove and drill the hole in the glove box. I think an easier way would be to just route the cable over the top of the glove box and not have to drill a hole or remove the glove box. This would save half of the install time.

Sorry for the delay in posting the info. I have been car shopping to trade the 08 RX for a MB or BMW. Well I did not take any photos but I can share my words. You need to apply some Dynamat Extreme or some other brand material to the top, side and front of the brake booster, (the large round part behind the master cylinder) also apply 2-3 layers over the check valve itself (the plastic "L" shaped piece with the rubber hose connected to it.) The strips on the booster are 2.5 in. wide x 7 in. long (sides 3 req.), 4 in. x 7 in (front 2 req.) and 1.5 in x 4 in on the check valve itself (2-3 req.). I had to remove the air filter housing (2 screws and a clamp, easy) to access the booster because my arms were to big. The whole job is no more than 30 minutes. If Lexus HQ reads this they should be able to implement a similar solution in production and give the dealers a TSB for RX already on the road!!!! :chairshot:

:D :D I added Dynamat Extreme to the hatch floor, quarters and the inner and outer door skins. The car is 8db quieter per the db meter I borrowed from the safety guy at work. I tested before on the same road at around the same temp. etc. I purchased 2 bulk packs on ebay for a total of $230.00 including shipping. The local radio shop wanted $600.00. If I count my time as hobby time, then I saved a good chunk of money. The radio sounds better, and the doors are solid, like a German car or better. The passing traffic noise is almost completely gone.

The RX350 has a viscous clutch, per Lexus HQ email I received. All the issues have been addressed. I corrected the brake booster noise (see my other post). I added Dynamat to the hatch floor, quarter panels, inner and outer door skins and the car is quiet. 8db reduction at 70 MPH (per a db meter I borrowed from the safety guy at work). (Yes, I tested the car before the install on the same road at around the same temp. etc) The doors now have a quality thunk like a German car!!!!!!!!!! Lexus HQ gave me a Ipod adapter and a hitch setup for no charge (I had to install them) due to all the issues my car had. Time will tell if the RX will be good. I am a very happy now and as time passes all the issues will be forgotten. B)

I used a scope and found the noise to be coming from the brake booster check valve. The dealer agrees and will order one. I put some Dynamat on the Brake booster and the check valve. The noise is gone!!!!!! :) I am happy now!

Well my car is still at the dealer. The noise is caused by the brake booster. Lexus is aware of the issue (why don't they fix it) instead of shipping cars with known defects. Lexus claims they have no solution at this time. "Some cars are louder than others" I drove a 08 Japan built one with 9 miles on it and it was louder than my 08, however the 08 loaner with 12K miles on it is 50% better. The vibration travels from the booster over the brake assy. and over to the brace under the dash down to the fuse / relay box under the dash where it ends as a noise. This is per the Lexus chassis engineer that was involved in resolving / identifying my issue. I will attempt to resolve the problem myself and if I do I will post my solution. Wish me luck. '

Well my car will not be complete until tomorrow. The wind noise was repaired (I can not say as I have not driven it.) The buzzing noise is a design flaw in the brake booster assy. Lexus knows of the issue but continues to build cars with the problem. Some are louder than others. I drove a new 08 from Japan and it was louder than my 08 but the loaner I have is 50% better. The vibration travels from the booster up the brake pedal assy. and terminates at the fuse / relay panel. I will have to isolate the noise and repair it my self. I will post the repair if Iam successful. What a POS!!! Lexus HQ wants to offer me some free service. I want a new car or buy back. I hope a Lexus person reads these posts!!! The Pursuit of Perfection is just a Pursuit of Money. Did they forget about repeat buyers.

I agree, I think he should consider Mercedes. Lexus' quality is not what it used to be. Well, I have been getting on with my life. The update on my RX is it is still at the dealer. They have replaced both roof rack rails, vanity mirror and front grill, cargo cover and repaired the door handle and replaced 3 body plugs that were missing. They are still looking to solve the buzzing noise under the dash when the brake is applied at idle in park or drive and the wind noise issues as well as a couple other problems. The 08 RX loaner has none of the issues mine has (loaner 12K miles). It is also built in Canada. I would like Lexus to exchange the car for a RX built in Japan or do a buy back and will purchase a RX400 for a few extra dollars. I wanted a GS AWD but have read other posts that they have issues and Consumer Reports no longer recommends the GS AWD do to quality issues. I want to give Lexus a try.

They agree with the noise being there. At this time they will keep my car until Tue. next week to sort things out. I will post the outcome. I hope things can be corrected so I do not have to spend more money to get out of this car. To trade for a GSAWD with Levinson $10K and my RX. To trade for a MB ML350 Edition 10 is $17K and my RX. If things do not go well with the RX I will most likely trade for the GS. If things go well I will save $10K. :D

The car was not in the showroom. It was located in the customer delivery area! the customer was do in at noon time to pick up their new car. The service guy called a tech to get a new battery out of stock and get it in the car ASAP. Hey, look at it this way, this was the best place for it to happen. I think we did the dealer and the customer a favor by finding it this way before they did. I have to say my loaner RX is much quieter than my RX. I called the service writer and told him what I thought about the loaner.

My 08 RX will be at the dealer for several days until they can correct and / or repair all the issues. They do agree with the wind noise and dash noise. The 08 RX loaner has no wind noise, and a lot, a real lot less road noise. Same tires. The dash has the noise but very, very little. They tell me on the QT that they have seen a marked increase in warranty service on all models except the LS. They and Lexus are aware of the issues and are working to resolve the issues. They point out that is the suppliers of parts to Lexus of Canada that are the root of the problems not so much the Lexus plant. That is true, but when you put your name on it you own it, problems and all. The funny thing is they took me over to a 09 in the shop that was to be picked up by its new owner today to see if the dash noise was present, and guess what? The car was dead! I just looked at the service people and said "need I say more." i will post more when I get the RX back. I hope it will be good news. Yes, one roof rack rail was backward. They both are overly loose and will be repaired.