scandy

Thanks for the info

Hi all, Hope someone has had this - I have a GS430 sport Mk2 and recently after refueling after a little while the check engine light comes on, had it checked and no codes. Disconnecting the battery for about a minute clears it and it's fine for sometimes a week or two or until you fill up again and then it can be a week before the light comes on again. Also replaced the petrol cap with an OEM part as I noticed when I take the petrol cap off the 'whoosh' sound is now gone but the new petrol cap did not restore the pressure as it used to be so no change. No idling issues, MPG still 30 odd on a long motorway run so not using any more fuel and starts perfectly. Suspect the EVAC system but can live with it as would cost more than the car is worth probably to get to the bottom of it. Anyone had this in case it's a simple fix? Thanks in advance.

Are the MK2 GS's affected by this or is it only from MK3 onwards? Not seen anything that they are or ever heard of this problem in them.

In case anyone is not aware E10 fuel is being introduced ('forced') on us next year and is an EU directive which we will be applying - this can seriously damage engines if they are not built to work with the increased Ethanol content of the fuel: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/104126/e10-petrol-be-uk-standard-wont-work-1m-older-cars List of non compatible cars is in a link at the end of the article - for Lexus owners any car made before 1998 may not be compatible and these engines are affected: • IS250 2.5 litre V6 with engine 4GR-FSE made between August 2005 and September 2007, GS300 3.0 litre V6 with engine 3GR-FSE made between January 2005 and September 2007., LS460 4.6 litre V8 with engine 1UR-FSE made between August 2006 and September 2007 Surprised at the modern cars being in that list but good to know.

My GS430 Mk2 (2003) is up to 61k miles now and from what I have seen it could be an idea to consider a transmission fluid change, but there seems to be little information about it anywhere in terms of when to do it specifically for the GS430. Has anyone done this on their GS430 Mk2 and if so is it every 60k miles to do so? Thanks in advance.

Can't take a picture of mine as it's in for its annual service currently but sport is written in both of the back curved windows on either side of the car - nice looking car by the way - my 2001 sport was in the same colour.

As it's registered before July 2003 it will be a dealer created sport - the only difference I could find between the pre and post July 2003 cars was slightly sharper handling on the July 2003 car as I had a 2001 430 sport before that. As I mentioned externally they look identical even down to the sport written in the back side windows and on the front lip spoiler. Either way as I said I much prefer the trade off of better handling vs ride in comparison to the standard car.

Basically suspension height (20 mm lower) better handling, 18" alloy wheels and different front grill plus rear spoiler - the sport whether dealer modified or the July 2003 model should have much tighter handling and a harder ride than the GS430 SE. GS430 sport cars between 2001 - June 2003 do handle differently from the July 2003 ones (as owned both), the July 2003 ones have (in my opinion) slightly sharper handling but the 2001 onwards GS430 sport cars still handle much better than the standard car. The 2001 - July 2003 cars were dealer modified I believe and look externally identical to the post July 2003 cars, but Lexus officially launched the GS430 sport (and relaunched the GS300 sport with smaller lip spoiler) in July 2003 in the UK. Looking at the attached press release they added some additional interior features as well. Suggest you test drive one as the ride is much stiffer than the standard SE car and may not to be everyone's taste as unlike modern cars, there is no air suspension to tune (or go wrong!). Attached the official Lexus press release from July 2003 which might help. the-new-lexus-gs300-and-gs430-sport.pdf

I don't know if this might help? http://media.toyota.co.uk/2003/07/the-new-lexus-gs300-and-gs430-sport/ Had a 2001 430 sport and the 2003/4 one and the 2003 one definitely drove differently to the 2001 version as it felt tighter through corners. Sure the 2001 was lowered as well but can't remember. However as tigerfish says he has his on different springs so likely better than either of them! Should add, if you do find an 03/04 one the only 'official' GS430 sport colours were black, silver and canterbury blue.

Congratulations on the purchase of the GS430, yes that's correct - each time you refuel it resets this counter and then bases this on fuel consumption since you put fuel in. So if you put some fuel in and then went straight onto say a dual carriageway or motorway, then that would explain that figure. Agree with all the other comments regarding the fuel consumption for the GS430, also I think even at independents you would have found the LS400 more expensive to service most probably. Having had an LS400 back in the day both lovely cars for different reasons. Enjoy your GS.

Have had both and currently have the GS430 Mk 2 sport, standard GS430 is a bit softer ride wise but is more likely to wallow slightly round corners but not much in it to be honest ride quality wise as Tiger Fish says. Sport is the pick IMO as it is just as comfortable on motorways as it is on twisty country roads, handles much better than the standard GS430.

Make sure none of the brake calipers are sticking, just had mine replaced on the drivers rear as it kept sticking - to be fair it's an 11 year old car now so worth checking before buying.

GS430 sports are getting quite rare now ( 126 in 2013 according to how many left website), however as Colin says they are an old car with a big engine so for a lot of people they could be trouble - even though ironically if they have been looked after and properly serviced, they make a great buy. Saw one on Autotrader 4 or 5 months ago that had done 215k miles and was up for £1,500 - silver with black leather and was the 2001 dealer one not the 2003 model from the factory - interior had worn very well too.

Interestingly just had mine done for an O2 sensor at 49k miles, seems to be between 46k and 66k the sensor goes? Still as I said in the earlier post compared to other cars you can't really complain after 10 years!

Hope this is ok to post a link but this is the official press release if I remember copied here from July 2003: http://www.carpages.co.uk/lexus/lexus_the_new_gs300_sport_and_gs430_sport_part_1_04_07_03.asp