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I just replaced my RX400h SE (that I'd had for 6 years) with an NX300h Premier with panoramic roof. I must be young and urban? Or a 49 year old victim of marketing... Anyway I love the NX. It's so slow compared to the RX once you get above about 40 but apart from that it's pretty impressive. Ok so there are a few odd things like the stereo not muting for the sat nav voice. Why, when a ten year old Lexus manages this? One question: I have a 64gb usb drive with 36gb of music. (Yes it's formatted as FAT32.) Each time I start the car it takes a minute or two before the browse button (or selection by voice) is enabled. Do others have the same problem? Or do I just need to try something else like a different usb drive...

Hi @Spacewagon52, That's a standalone HUD, plugs into the OBD port and reads from the ECU, programmable & trimmable for speed and RPM (the analogue speedo lies somewhat enthusiastically! Overreads by 8 or 9%) The orange 4.6 at the top is Litres/Hour but can display system voltage or odometer and 86 is the water temperature in degrees with a bargraph below. My phone lives on a sticky mount just visible in the centre running Waze for navigation. The standard speedo is not particularly well marked, only 20, 40, 60, 80 etc. shown and with the proliferation of speed cameras I need accurate speed clearly. The HUD needs a few days fiddling to get everything how you like it and a reasonable position on the provided self cling mat, then fit the supplied reflective film on the inside of the screen. It's a bit bright at night on unlit roads and driving into a low sun (in the UK haha) can wash it out a bit. I also shortened the nice flat cable it comes with and added a custom right angle connector as the socket on the HUD is on the left and also swapped the OBD plug casing though 180 degrees to suit a RHD car. The seller on eBay that it came from doesn't list that exact model now, but a search for HUD in vehicle parts shows loads of different varieties, although This one appears to be the same as mine and is around the same price. Andrew P.S. If you get one I've kept a note of my customisation/trimming values if you should want them......

I've just got back from my holiday so I'll sort mine out tomorrow when I'm not jet lagged 😆

Thank you for that Chris. I was secretly hoping that someone would come in and say something along those lines. I need to check but, I think that I am getting rather more than you did with the IS300h. I have a feeling that I am running at about 48mpg. I will have to do some more costings. My pension isn't great but I don't drink or smoke, my main pleasure comes from having a nice car and going out.

Hi all, Apologies for my diagnosis being slightly vague but I have an issue with my GS450h with 105k which has an incessant knocking noise coming from the front left side of the car. My first thought was exhaust bracket, as the rattling sounds like metal on metal however the exhaust is fine, with no movement. My next guess would be something suspension related however it has recently passed an MOT with no advisories. It had been suggested to me by a local garage that it could be something on the top suspension mount causing the noise, as it sounds like it is coming from that area, however another garage said it might be the differential, however neither garage were willing to investigate further, saying it would be main dealer. Has anyone had a similar experience of noise and what it could be?

Hello all, Newbie to Lexus ownership here having done the full Alan Partridge going from a Rover 800 to an LS430 via Norwich Airport thanks to a weekend in Amsterdam and the wonders of EU data and eBay... Joking aside I'm loving the LS, mine is an early 2001 Premium Pack on a Y-plate. 144K with full Lexus dealer history up to ~125k Fixed so far: Ride height sensor on the rear right (yes it seized then snapped) Polished and coated the headlights Replaced the HID's and put HID HB3 kit in the mains and fogs (I do a lot of driving in the fens) Swapped my private plate of the correct size and font (I'm a bit OCD with my number plates) Need to fix: Front discs and pads (well worn/warped) Knock from the nearside front suspension Both pre-cat O2 sensors (knackered heater circuits according to Techstream) Rust on boot lid (number plate lights) OEM ML radio/cd changer unit (previous owner replaced with a beatsonic unit and an Alpine ilx-700 and I like the look of the clean original) Want to do: AUX input bypassing CD changer as I have a Pure Highway 600 DAB/Bluetooth module to hide away in the glovebox. Mirror polish the alloys as they are knackered and need a refurb anyway - I saw a photo on google of a 430 with the original 17" alloys just mirror polished and it looked the Nuts. Dig out the DAS 6 from storage and polish the living daylights out of it! I'll be on here a fair bit in the future I think! All for now. Dusan

Interesting site to check for recalls. http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp Apparently there was a recall issued for earlier IS-Fs for the fuel pressure sensor gasket - http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=0287C84C22D21ADB80257D720035DB90&freeText=Blank&tx= Nothing mentioned about the airbags though...

Haha @gdh300 I bow to your superior knowledge! A quick Google of logos proves you correct, I do Dacia Dustbins a disservice! It will henceforth be known as a SsangYong Tw@toli!

Many thanks John, that's very kind of you. But I think should be ok. The folks at Nippon have been helpful and offered me a good deal as I'm looking to buy both shocks, track rod ends and other stuff. Recommend them thus far if anyone needs bits. I assume the numbers are easy to see then? As would like to check what she's on before ordering. Cheers

+1 for the PO-40 ... works a treat...

The rear shocks are not handed so are both the same number. The fronts are handed, but the only difference is one small bracket that holds the cable for the ABS, and this is not a problem. The NS front shock on mine is 48520-80180. If it would be helpful to you I can look at the others on the car and give the numbers tomorrow. John.

I have just taken my spare alternator into a local specialist to be rebuilt, these independent specialists are very good, (or at least mine is) and they normally charge 65 to 100 pounds.

Having now had my NX Sport for just over a day after years with Honda (the last two being CRVs)... Likes - interior quality. I thought Honda were good. This is a different level. - a bonnet held up by gas struts rather than a manual stay. A small point but it screams attention to detail and quality. - how quiet and smooth it is. Almost spooky, even at 70 on the motorway. Dislikes - as others have said, a nav system that doesn't drop the radio volume when giving commands (although I love the standard nav, it's far more modern than my previous Honda) - the lack of an auto dimming rear view mirror. Astonishing on a £35k list price car imho. - the dab radio can't find a tenth of the stations that my last two Hondas could. Weird... So far, so very impressed. Which is why I chose it...

I live in the middle of rural Wiltshire, in a small village 3 miles from the nearest B road. This is Subaru / Land Rover / tractor / combine territory. The NX fits right in...

It should read between 13.8 volts and 14.2 volts at 2000 rpm if it is charging the battery, before you start changing the alternator put another battery on the car and recheck the voltage because the battery could be on its way out and taking a limited charge . The way to check the alternator is using a multimeter place the positive red probe on the alternator positive terminal and the black negative probe to a earth on the car not the alternator case. That way you take out the battery influence and get a true alternator output reading.

I can testify that 430 headlights respond well to a refurb. Sadly i don't have before pictures but they are transformed. I now have to get the dent away treatment as perfect paint work shows up all the little blemishes. Jon

To test whether it doesn't indeed have the dipping function. 1) Put the vehicle into reverse. Lower the mirror to what you want it to be when reversing. 2) Put the car in Drive - if it has dipping mirrors, it should go back to the position that it was on before.

I never had auto fold on locking mirrors on my 2007 SE-L ( I think it was added around 2009?) so I invested in a PO-40 module to achieve this. Had a slight hiccup after fitting in that the mirrors only folded upon Double Locking the car ( something I don't always do -naughty boy!) but I wanted them to fold on 1st stage locking so I could see from a distance that the car was at least locked to 1st stage! see my thread here Cheers Paul M.

Aging bones.....well, just aging! Am happier in a small car, buzzing about. Couldn't get comfortable in the XM.Looking for a Smart Forfour 1.5 auto-original version. I have many good car/Citroen memories. Owned several DSs. Went around Spain in '84 in my Traction Avant Commerciale (world's first hatchback?). Across France and Spain in the CX, etc... ....though one of my favourite cars was my Nissan S-Cargo; it brought smiles to everyone who saw it-and the driver. Spread smiles throughout the world?

If you fit 20 inch wheels your profile would be about 25 you will feel every bump on Uk roads. Headlight fit here.

hi, the Mk3 is 1995 - 1997 and a simple easy and straightforward car to own. Normal servicing is about all you need, everything mechanical and steering stuff lasts for 150/200k miles ( the life of most cars ), tyres aren't expensive, servicing by my indy isn't either. Longevity of the car and replacement parts is legendary. There was a Lexus recall on the Mk3 starter motor and if that's been done you will have a long component life' The cambelt and ancillaries is scheduled at 60k miles but in the USA it's at 100k miles ..... mine is next due in 2018 at 205k miles, ( the 100k time and 10 years ) Tyres I get about 20k miles, petrol, she takes 85.1 ltrs and when the orange warning light comes on there's usually about 100 miles left in the tank. My 2300mile trip around Scotland this month returned an average of 29.5 mpg but she usually gets about 25/27. in normal day to day running The supreme power and potential speed is fantastic, handling is far from cumbersome, she drives a dream and as fast or as slow as you wish, she always responds tirelessly and without effort. Parking is a doddle and she has a relatively small turning circle for such a big car. It's a much much better turning circle than the 56 plate Honda Legend I also have. A well looked after and serviced Ls400 will last you for ever if you wanted. Malc

Don't use too much mind and be careful where you put it or you'll get a smear on the glass every time you put the window back up.

No worries Matt. Happy to help out my fellow F'er's!

Seals on cars, no matter how well built they are, will degrade over time allowing moisture in. I suggest getting some drying bags to remove excess humidity. Running the aircon should quickly clear any mist on the inside as it's dry air.

Hello Connor. I have had my 98 LS400 MK4 for 8 years now and during that time she has only broken down once, (Oxygen sensor} She has 155000 miles and apart from battery tyres and annual servicing she has cost me nothing. I have never owned a car where after 8 years I still look forward to getting into her and go for a drive. She still looks a million $s when she's been washed and polished. She is comfortable, she is amazingly fast when you need here to be, the sound system is amazing. I love my Lexi.

Yep, again Ian is spot on. It is rare for the EGR Valve to actually fail and need replacing. Mostly it is just full of carbon deposits and needs a good clean to get it working properly again. Brake cleaner, screwdriver and a wire brush are usually all that is needed to give it a scrub. It is also simple and quick to remove once you get the hang of all the tips and tricks.

I am averaging 39mpg in my gen 4 RX450H FSport vs 42mpg long term average on my IS300H doing exactly the same daily commute. I was initially a little worried that the difference would be significantly worse but I am very happy with what I am getting, esp for such a large heavy car. In fact I hardly notice any difference in the cost of filling up each month.

Happy for the end of October Pete, gives everybody a fair crack of the whip to get their order in. Grateful for you or your friends couriering them over to us. 👍🏻 Matt

That's a super-looking vehicle! Lexus specs can be very odd but it comes with the territory. The whole brand is based on a "take it or leave it" approach, which actually maximises profitably. A Q5 can be bought in the UK in literally several million combinations (choices of transmission, fuel, interior, huge options list, etc); an NX is available in a few hundred. Choice has served Audi well but the advantage of the latter is you know what you get and it is easier to plan ahead with manufacturing - Audi outsells Lexus 12:1 in the UK but it won't be twelve times as profitable. Anyway, enough of that - enjoy your new vehicle!

1) I believe the Sport spec doesn't have that function. The dipping mirrors are only available if you have memory seats which is only available on F-Sport with Premier pack or on the Premier trim. This is because if there's no memory function, the mirrors don't know which position to go back to. 2) The Parking pack is a dealer fitted option and doesn't come from the factory. Therefore, its not connected to the central screen in any way so you will only hear audible beeps. The Luxury and above grades come with factory fitted parking sensors which feed to the central screen. 3) no idea on DAB, don't use it much as FM sounds better to my ears.

A friend and me rolled the rear fenders of my ISF with a roller fender and a heat gun. My friend had already done it on 2 or 3 cars before. In 1h30 we had made the 2 fenders.

As John above says I would change both although not essential, and this way you will only pay for tracking once. There is a place in Birmingham "not a Lexus dealer" that does genuine shocks, and other parts at good prices I'll see if I can dig out the name, and address. John.

I'd change both, if one is gone the other won't be far behind. Counting turns is good for initial set up but I'd have the tracking checked because it's a lot cheaper than a pair of tyres.

A coil over system could be a better option, which solves the recurring situation. Cost per corner is less than stock set up but you can't just change one corner, so initial cost is more.

The only shocks that fit with full functionality are Lexus, and I have not found any for under £265 for one rear shock. I did some checking a while ago, and it looks as though the ordinary GS shocks of the same year will fit the GS450H, but you loose the ride stiffness control. There is no hole down the top of the shock threaded rod where the adjuster is. The track rod end is easy to change, and again no special tools are needed. To remove the tapered stud just give the outside of the ring it fits through a good smack with a hammer. This distorts the ring momentarily and the tapper stud pops out. You will not damage anything by doing this. John.

The issue with the shock absorbers is bad particularly with the high cost of replacement, but I have found that with a thought a way of re filling, and sealing them at reasonable cost. The high voltage battery is not such an issue as there will always be plenty of spare 6 cell modules available from the Prius that uses the same parts. I can see that in the future it will be possible to use lithium batteries as a replacement source as costs are falling rapidly. Or may be even supper capacitors. There is much going on in this area. With Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions also doing sterling work in this area keeping costs more than reasonable. They only known "common" issue with the transmission is the oil pump bearings that can be replaced at little cost. An auto transmission from almost any car would cost more to replace than the HV battery. The auto transmissions being less reliable at high miles than the battery in the GS. John.

Try wiping the seals with some silicone lubricant.

Just had mine done. Fixed price servicing is £795 fitted, but it actually worked out cheaper to get the shocks, pay the labour and then apply my Lexus Owners Club discount - came out around £740 fitted.