nancyd

Hi! I'm back . . . I thought I'd check in to see what's new . . . came across the post re tires. Some of you might recall the nightmare I had with my Lexus 330 that came with Dunlops. To make a long story - and I mean a long story - short: I now have Michelin's on the car. The dealer had to replace them. I had the car in their shop for over a week (reminder: I live 100+ miles from the dealer). To their credit (after I refused to take another day away from my two businesses) they drove up to pick up my car and dropped off a Lexus SUV (sorry, numbers escape me), pearl white and comfy. When they returned my car it had Michelins on it. I'm still not 100% convinced the vibration was/is with the tires. I'm ultra sensitive to road feel and, quite frankly, I still want to say my Avalon was a smoother riding vehicle. This past weekend I finally hit 3,000 miles -- so perhaps I'm still in break-in mode. I was a passenger in the car (very unusual) and from my vantage point I could feel every single bump in the road - annoyingly so. And darn that automatic down shift from 5th to 4th! The first couple of times it happened, I was sure something was wrong with the transmission. The sensation is very noticeable - almost feels as if I was touching the brake, that's how much the car responds. There is a hill (lots of these in northern New Hampshire) that I have to go down each day and I'm usually going between 45-50 miles an hour at the crest of the hill. I usually have to slow the car down a bit as I get closer to the bottom and it's then that I feel the down shift. I'm getting used to it, but it's different than anything I ever experienced before. Just some recent observations. Oh, by the way - I'm also not convinced that the Mark Levinson sound system is any better than what I had in the Avalon (JVC or JBL). The Avalon sound system was as superior a system as any we've ever had. I'm still waiting for my ears to adjust to the new system. The Levinson system does not have the full body sound I have come to appreciate! And the sound controls seem lacking in variability. Has anyone done any speaker modifications in their ES 330? Nancy D.

You both are right on! It does take getting used to. I'm also getting used to the transmission shifting when I'm going downhill at about 45 - 50 and I step on the brake. Boy, what a sensation. BTW - my car is in the shop for the third time re the tires. I cannot tell you how frustrated I am with this issue. The Dunlaps are being removed and Michelins going on! We'll see . . .

Really nice pictures. What do you use to get that glossy shine? I've had a white "pearlized" Avalon 5 years ago and it never looked shiny like your car does! The Onyx Blue color on my new Lexus (now up to 1600 miles for those folks who are wondering how the ride/tires are doing - see my previous posts) shows every spec of dust and dirt. I'd love to get it so shiny and smooth that the dirt falls off, rather than sticks to it!

Just caught your post about the Nav system. My husband is a computer expert . . . but even he was challenged with the instructions. But after a few minutes he figured it out. We thought we wouldn't have much use for the system up here in northern NH/VT, but we tested it this weekend on a very familiar drive - even though we knew full well where we were and were going, it was "WAY COOL" to be instructed so accurately by a pleasant (albeit slightly monotone) female voice and bell tones. We're taking a family member to the Manchester Airport and will use the Nav system to be sure! Jay, don't give up. I'll ask my husband to read your post - he may have some tips on navigating the navigator system.

Well, I picked up the car yesterday, Saturday the 17th. The car was aligned, the steering wheel is straight, the car does not pull to the left and the cosmetic "blemishes" were fixed. Wheel vibration . . . still there, but not as pronounced. All four tires were supposedly replaced - with yet more Dunlops. My husband is convinced that what I am feeling is the tire design and that until they wear some, I'll continue to feel this vibration. I'm a big girl and perhaps my butt is ultra-sensitive? Anyway, if the "new" tires need to have some mileage on them before I sense a smoother ride - so be it. I'll be patient and bide my time until the 5,000 mile service check; at the rate I put mileage on the car it will be time to put snows on the car before this! This is all so strange to me. My husband and I have bought new so many cars: Volvo's, Toyota's, an Audi, Buick, Mazda's, Honda's, Pontiac's, and now a Lexus - and this is the first new car that I've had to break in the tires! I'll stay in touch. Love to see what everyone has to say about their cars. Sorry to hear about Stevej's car getting hit - IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE!

Hello! Sorry I've been away from the forum for a few days! I've been extremely busy at work. I've been driving a 2003 ES300 dealer loaner for the past week. What a difference in the ride! Tomorrow (Saturday) I am once again picking up my "new" Lexus from the dealer. I was told by the salesperson that the vehicle has four new tires on it (two of the original new tires could not be balanced, so they were removed), it's been aligned, and the front struts? were rotated - and the steering wheel is straight. The cosmetic blemishes that were on the car when we picked it up have also been taken care of. I cannot say enough about the efforts being made to resolve the issues with the car. Nor to the kind and thoughtful suggestions from all the nice folks who have responded to my posts. I'll let you know how things go . . . nancyd

Steve - I wish I had the time to do detail work. I love cleaning every nook and cranny on a car . . . I've been known to be obsessive about the process of cleaning and waxing a car. As soon as the weather turns decent (missed a great opportunity yesterday - but had to bring the car to the dealer), I will do my own version of detailing the Lexus. I really want to love the car - so I have great hopes for the resolution of the problem with the tires. Though I have noted the posts of cautionary tales regarding the costs of parts and service by the Lexus service centers . . . I tried to get on to the site for Dealer ratings and I did - but once I accepted the "agreement," I couldn't go anywhere else. Any clues? Thanks -

Steve: Thanks for the heads up about the brushless washing . . . I've done it twice already . . . irreparable damage?

Steve: I saw the XM radio at the dealer today. Great sound. Though it has way too many stations - many are too obscure. Good luck.

Good afternoon --- Well, I finally got enough miles on my Lexus to warrant bringing it in for the resolution to the vibration. I refused, and told the dealership so, to wait for another 500 miles to bring the car in. My husband and I shared the drive, 103 miles from my door to the Lexus dealer, and he definitely felt the vibration at various speeds. All but the first 7 and the last 2 miles were Interstate driving. While many of our roads in northern NH can be pretty tough this time of year (frost heaves still shrinking), our Interstate system is reasonably smooth. I am so impressed with the exchanges of dialogues on this forum! Everyone is extremely helpful and more than anything else - honest. It's nice to know I'm not alone and that I can share my concerns and thoughts with other Lexus owners. So ---- the car is there with the dealer for a week!!! I own two businesses and this is an extremely busy time of the year for us, and I cannot afford to take another day out of the office - so I have to do this car thing on a Saturday or Sunday. I have a loaner: a 2003 Lexus ES300 with 6,000 miles on it. What a difference in the ride in this model compared to our new Lexus. Not a vibration to be felt (well almost - we felt a slight vibration at 85 mph) and a much more responsive gas pedal. The funny thing is that the new Lexus has a rattle/squeak on the small stretch of "back roads" and the same rattle/squeak happens with the loaner! It is coming from the dashboard. My husband will drive me crazy with pushing and prodding until he finds it . . . heaven help me. Anyone see any problems with his spraying a small bit of WD40 in the spaces between different types of materials? In closing - when we arrived at the Lexus dealer they were hopping with customers! Our salesperson was waiting on three customers at the same time - with positives outcomes for him, I hope. We spoke with the dealership manager briefly - who was fully aware of our concerns with the tire thing . . . he promised to resolve the matter to our satisfaction - even to put 4 new tires on the car. But, I've read other posts about all-season tires vs. summer or performance tires. So, what would the best tires be for us up here in northern NH.? I had snow tires put on my previous car - an Avalon. I always took the Avalon to a local auto service/tire dealer who treats all customers like friends and neighbors, which we all are up here . . . and I trusted his judgement implicitly. He suggested snow tires for the car. I was so secure with the Avalon with snow tires and we get the worst kinds of winter weather up here! I had to continually remind myself to drive more cautiously, as the car performed beautifully with these tires. Yes, they were noisy and rode hard - but I, and my passengers were safe! One last question - what is the best kind of wax/polish to use on my new Lexus? The color of the car is Blue Onyx and as I suspected it would, it shows every speck of dust/dirt, so I'll be washing (brushless) it often. Thanks for everyone's help! I'll keep you all posted on the outcome of our vibration problem.

Steve: The psi is at 28. My husband said if we put air in up to 30 the ride would be harder. Personally, I have not heard back from the salesperson, or the dealership re my email of yesterday. My husband said he called the salesperson and has already mentioned "getting out of the deal." Gosh, I'd hate to go to this extreme over tires?

Steve - You're so great for trying to help! My husband will check the tire pressure in the morning. The tires will be COLD! I have to share a funny story with you about the day we picked up the Lexus: The car was in the showroom and I was sitting in the driver's seat and my husband was in the back seat while the sales person was "introducing" us to all the features. The salesperson was called away so my husband came to the front seat and when he opened the passenger door it creaked . . . we had the same creaky door in the Avalon and my husband found a loose screw on the door hinge . . . when the salesman came back to the Lexus, my husband showed him how the door creaked upon opening and closing. The salesman was suprised as "the cars go through a 120 point check." My husband asked the salesman to get a wrench and he'd fix it. The salesman actually tightened the screw and was dumbfounded that it worked!!! I suggested to the salesperson that this creaky door problem be added to the 120 point check process.

For the record ---- I live 100 miles from the dealership. The car now has 800 +/- miles on it. Only 585 are my miles. Just tonight I've emailed a lengthy note to the salesperson and two of the service consultants re the increasingly aggrevating vibration. Not only does the car pull to the left even more than it did before - the alignment of the steering wheel is not straight or level to the eye. When I am going straight down the road, the steering wheel is slanted slightly to the left. I have high expectations that the dealer will make it right! The salesman is terrific! Many years ago I had a beautiful 1988 Pontiac Bonneville SSE. I had snow tires mounted on the car and when I left the garage the steering wheel was so cockeyed I couldn't tell whether I was going straight or turning a corner . . . YIKES! Needless to say, I've been very sensitive to this kind of problem. Never happened in any of my cars since - until now. nancyd

Steve - Thanks for the insight into the JBL vs. ML systems. You're right on about the tires! They're Dunlop's. With this information I'll be better able to talk intelligently to the folks at the dealership! It's a shame that I'll have to wait so long to get this matter addressed. BTW - we almost got the same color car you did. We only saw the color chip at first - we really thought the color would be more black with a cherry or burnt orange hue. The Avalon was Cognac Brown and in the four years we had it we NEVER saw another brown Avalon. We like not seeing ourselves coming and going . . . the color we ultimately selected is dark blue. While it's not unusual, it's very nice and reminds me of our first "new" car: a 19651/2 Ford Mustang (with white leather interior) and an 8 cylinder - if we'd only knew then what we know now!

Thanks to all who have responded to my message! This forum process is an informal and informative method of "talking" to other Lexus owners. The car is one week old today. I'm home with a cold and the car won't be driven today - however, snow is being predicted tonight and into tomorrow - so I'll be anxious to see how it handles in these weather conditions. I had snow tires on my Avalon and it was the most wonderful car to drive in all weather. There is still a noticeable vibration in the car and it does pull to the left. My husband feels it on the passenger side more than he did on the driver side. He thinks it could be a tire with a broken cord? He is not a fan of Dunlop tires - he says we've had them before and that we've had problems. I've read a few messages on the Mark Levinson sound system. I had a JVC system in the Avalon and it was the most wonderful sound system I have ever had in a vehicle. Are my ears deceiving me, but I'd swear the JVC system was better? There doesn't seem to be quite the depth of sound in the Mark Levinson system. Can't explain it better.