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Hi, all cars have problems, my RX300 had a transfer problem at 45K, Lexus Sheffield quoted around 2k to fix, gearbox specialist in Doncaster did same job for £479. I would wager if Lexus has quoted £350 for fix you wouldnt have even turned your PC on, its just that its always 1k plus at Lexus, thats why they can afford beautiful showrooms, excellent coffee and service, and why you always get a luuurvly courtesy car. Like all main dealers not just Lexus they just change out probable parts until its fixed, do your best to stay clear of them when possible, Do some deep research on clublexus, over 400 000 RX300 sold in the US, so if it can go wrong it has gone wrong and chances are its on clublexus, the Americans do use some slightly different terms to describe certain things but its very self explanatory, also you can just join the club its free and post your exact problem! Cheers Jason

No good for me I am always at fault...

Duncan, the car maybe older... but it's only done 47k miles! - still a spring chicken... I am always suspicious of technicians who give you quotes based on an error code and without a thorough investigation. as suggested, I would trawl US sites... check here for instance: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/esp_search.php?query=CO274&type=gcs One post suggests that it could "just" be the brake pump. Another mentions a corroded loom. Can you go to another dealer for a second opinion?

I agree with pretty much everything on this thread. Having said that I ran a BMW 525d Auto, 3.0l Diesel for almost 5 years, only having covered 34k and without a single problem to speak of. In 2.5 years of the IS220d, it was in over 10 times for all sorts of issues. From my experience and that of the Lexus (Lexus dropped the IS220d in 2011), the car was seriously compromised right from start - dodgy final drive/gearing, 5th Injector woes etc, and I have said it so many times - if you buy a car from a manufacturer buy what the do best. With Lexus that means buy a Petrol Auto or a Hybrid.

Re dipping mirrors, on my 99 MK IV, if the mirror adjusting button is set to off, ie, in the centre position, neither mirror dips on reversing. If you set the adjustment switch to N/S, the offside mirror dips on reversing, and vice versa. I can't remember if I discovered that by accident, or whether it's in the handbook. Whichever, it's certainly a handy feature.

Engines with hydraulic tappets sometimes start with a rattle if they are worn and the oil is draining out of them, or during start up until the oil pressure builds up. Make sure your oil and filter are spot on, no old sludgy oil etc.

no, it's not that ..... I have had this happen twice to me in 11 years of Ls400 ownership. For some unknown reason, at any time of the day, from cold, the engine started with an excruciating 'orrible noise but THEN after immediately stopping, leaving to rest for a few minutes, everything was back to the usual sweetness. Put it down to the gremlins living in Kent Malc

Now that is proper truckers language, it does get worse when you ***** them off, usually by an idiot that cuts in front with inches to spare. That video would make a good sequal

I'm writing this within five minutes of taking both my Mk3 and Mk4 out for a 20-mile drive on this gorgeous day. In a nutshell I would agree that the Mk 4 is the better car. I find it more refined (if that is possible in an LS 400), more powerful and quieter than my Mk 3. I can't tell any difference between the two sound systems, but then, I'm 73 so I can't claim to be a good judge in this area. My two drives today in my mint LS 400s served to remind me how lucky I am. Pepe Dont put yourself down, 73 years of hard earnt knowledge in the University of Life. Doesn't come any better. Mike

I have not experienced the MK3 sound system but can vouch for the system in the Mk4. I have some pretty high end/professional equipment indoors and the system in my Lexus is on a par and in my opinion second to none. I listen to mainly Jazz & Blues and the warmth of sound you get with the system is just amazing. I have never heard bass (without trying to dislocate your vertebrae ) in a car that has the qualities this system has. Mike