volvo2lexus

Has anyone managed to get an Ipod kit fitted into their Lexus GS (MK 3)? If so which one and how much was installation? Or does anyone know an ICE dealer who could do a proper job? (Lancs/Manchester area). cheers

Super - many thanks Mike and all. Now solved.

Does anyone know what commands the 2005 GS300 recognises via it's voice recognition system? So far I've found out that I can use the following words as commands: Cooler Higher Warmer FM radio CD Home Although they don't always work :p. Is there a list of all the voice commands you can use? Thanks

My osr shock absorber is leaking and I wanted to find out peoples opinions on replacement. They say it's best to replace in pairs so apart from Lexus OEM does anyone have a recommendation for an equivalent (cheaper) make and what I might be looking at in terms of cost? Also my front pads are running at 40% worn but the discs have are lipped causing a small amount of wheel wobble at low speed. I'm assuming that I'd need to change pads if I change the discs so is it worth getting them done? If so does anyone have recommendations for makes/cost? Finally - a phone question, does anyone know if it's possible to re-name the speed dial options so that the phone numbers appear as peoples names rather than their numbers? (2006 model GS300) Thanks

Just to update this with the result in case it helps anyone in the future - the VSC light was caused by an Oxygen sensor which was replaced - bank 1 sensor 2. I had new HID lamps fitted (these were £150).

Thanks. Just a quick one - are the sidelight bulbs and xenon bulbs relatively easy (and cheap) to replace? One of each is gone and they don't look that easy to access.

Hi all. I'm new to this part of the forum but not new to Lexus (I've had a 2001 GS300 sport and an LS400). Yesterday I picked up a 2005 GS300 which I bought privately and it has a Lexus warranty until next March. But today I had the dreaded check VSC light come on. It was fine driving back yesterday (about 170 miles) no issues whatsoever. The only thing I did was fill the tank up before I left - (it was showing a 30 mile range). So drove back home - all fine and then started the car earlier today and the light came on. Did some detective work here and on the web and one potential issue is the petrol cap. I undid it and re- tightened it until it clicked to no avail. I then took the car for a short drive, came back, switched off, switched on again and still the same. I then undid the petrol cap again, tightened it fully again and switched on again and now it's cleared. I'm going to get Lexus to check it anyway. The passenger side sidelight bulb is out. Even that doesn't look like a straight forward job to replace. Any opinions on the above and what the problem may have been/could be? thanks

I don't think there is a difference save for the number plate. But isn't it odd? We all know that good ones are hard to find. So here's one which seems to tick all the boxes, excellent condition, DHP wheels, big fat history file with recent cam belt. Surely he would know himself how difficult it is to find a car as good as this one appears to be so why sell it for something which is marginally newer and which will (I assume) be wearing his private number plate on it so disguising the age of the vehicle anyway? The mind boggles. In fact I think you've just confirmed in my mind that this may not be the one for me this time.

Thanks Messi - that's good to know. If he's already a forum member I'm sure he'll be willing to discuss his love of the car! The only thing that concerns me is when people sell a car after such a short time with it. Either it's got a problem or they're a trader. Other reasons like "My wife doesn't like it" or "It's too big for the wife" or "She wanted blue instead of black" etc I don't buy for one moment. But I'm sure genuine ones do happen - if someone loses their job or the car is for sale through bereavement etc. The car does look very good - as a forum member has put in a good word I'd be tempted to find out more. But I always look at the possibility of having to sell my car in a hurry in the future and how negative it looks if there have been previous owners who've only had it a short while. LS400's seem to come up quite frequently, good ones not so much. My budget is £2500 and not a penny more. I'm confident that will get me another good 400. And thanks Phil !

Hi everyone - I'm sure no-one will remember me but I had an LS400 Mark IV in 2010 which I sold just over a year later. And now I find myself missing the car enough that I fancy getting into one again. Lexus love I guess :). I've been keeping an eye out for a while but as usual, there are people masquerading as private sellers when they are really traders, then there are the ones who obviously don't like to communicate via email. And the ones who never respond to the questions you've asked and instead give their own answers, carefully omitting the other answers you want. There is what looks like a reasonable 400 here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-LEXUS-LS400-BALMORAL-BRONZE-LIMITED-EDITION-D-H-P-F-L-S-H-LONG-MOT-AND-TAX-/380593423597?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item589d22c4ed But I'm not really enamoured by the seller. I've noticed that he sells LS400's a lot and always has a reason as to why they are not right for him. Reasons have ranged from "Wife doesn't like the colour", "I've got too many", "I'm after a 430", "I want a ......." the list goes on. Yet I see the word "honest" in the descriptions! A friend has actually met the seller and he comes across as very charming but when he asked how long he'd had one LS400 he said about 6 months - in actual fact it turned out to be 2. I have cash available and the second time around I think I know what to look for in terms of common problems on Mark IV's. Question is "Would you go to a seller like the above if you felt a little uncomfortable about it even if they had what looks like a reasonable car?

Don't forget the tyres are quite pricey too Chris!

I'm in Lancs near Blackpool - be good to meet up. In Lakes almost every other week so happy to meet up somewhere good for all of us.

I think I'm ready to let the old girl go now. I had an ebay ad up a couple of months ago but pulled it because I wanted to keep the car. But it is an additional car and at the moment my personal scenario means something has to give. 1998/S MARK 4 in Balmoral Bronze/cream leather. (Balmoral is slightly darker than gold) 191,000 miles (I've done around 2000-ish in the last 9 months). 18 stamps 2 documented cambelt changes (main dealer - last one at 138k). 3 keys including valet key and 2 remote fobs. Recent oil change/front brakes and discs/wheel bearing/calcium battery/pollen filter/brake lines. (All in last 2000 miles). Folder of receipts for work done. MOT mid Sep. If this goes on general sale I will probably put 12 months on for the seller. Excellent condition - a couple of minor bumper scuffs but no big dents or anything. All manuals in leather folder. And more...... You are welcome to contact me and have a look and extended test drive if you wish (local roads/dual carriageway and motorway) - I'm in Lancs. I can probably get the car up on ramps at the garage who carry out my work (they are ex BMW main dealer) so you can see the condition of the underside as well and check out bushes/arms/balljoints etc. I won't put a price up as it looks too much like an ad but just into four figures will buy it - or pm me :)

My guess is it's a personal import.

Quick question on your ad - what do you mean by trade sale? Are you a trader only selling to another trader? Or a trader selling to a retail customer - if the latter surely it is a retail sale?