Kelraine

On the series II they're on a cam - I saw the dealer just grab the wiper arm and pull it and up they pop - I thought 'aaaahhh'. When you've changed the blades, you just push them down again. They think of everything. Don't know about the Mk. I though...

Yeah, there's no doubt that Lexus generally are reliable - and the IS200 result probably helps them there - but the GS300 seems a bit of an anomaly. I suspect the suspension and interior rattles have pulled things down a bit - I've not had any real problems with mine but seeing a result like that makes me wonder!

I thought Lexus had a reputation for reliability... this site seems to think otherwise: GS300 Reliability Apparently the average index is 112 and higer is worse. If you compare the GS to a 5-series BMW you'll see what I mean: 5 Series reliability What's going on here? Looks like Lexus need to pull their fingers out.

If you've just got the pre-facelift Lexus Premium sound system you'll need something like this: Autoleads Telemute It converts the car loom to an ISO loom, plugs into it and has a relay in it to isolate the drivers speaker. You'll also need to get at the 'mute' lead (should be on the wiring diagram). If you've got the Mark Levinson system then it's unlikely you'll be able to find anything that will do the job. Anyway, this setup works on my CD based navigator system - seems to work okay. Like I said in my earlier post - you might need to jumper over the subwoofer pins on this lead because I suspect they're not connected... Hope that helps - good luck!

I guess it's possible - although I've read a few posts on Parrot's own forums from other V3 owners with similar problems and they never got a useful reply. I think the sound quality is subjective - the sound quality of the parrot is definitely usable but compared to the quality of my old wired Nokia, it's poor. Just out of interest, which version of the V3 are you using?

I had mine profesionally installed - do you want to use an external speaker or connect it to the front speaker? The guy who installed mine used a box which contains a relay to do the speaker switching - I think the only non-standard thing then (the parrot plugs into it via a standard ISO connector) is the mute - also I remember he had to jumper over the subwoofer connection because the lead didn't connect that across.. However, if you haven't already bought a Parrot handsfree kit, I would recommend you don't. I personally think it's <insert favourite expletive> and would not recommend it. I used to have a hard-wired Nokia (HF-1 I think) kit in a Renault Laguna (installed it myself) - I could drive on a main road and many people had no idea I was in a car. With the Parrot in a GS300 (much quieter car), most people find it hard to hold a conversation and complain of hearing their voice echoed back to them and a huge amount of road / wind noise. Also, with my handset (a Motorola V3, with varying firmware versions) - it repeatedly drops calls, or I will hear the caller but they can't hear me, or worse it drops half of the calls and leaves the caller connected but won't allow the call to be terminated from the control panel. Customer support was not very good. It's cheap and it shows, unfortunately. Just my thoughts..

You didn't have a fob for another car with you by any chance? Just wondering...

When did you have the conversion done? I've heard bad things about valve wear when using LPG - I know the Flashlube system is supposed to prevent it but I'd like to hear it from someone who has used one for a few years with no problems! It would be a bit gutting to save loads of money on fuel only to have to spend it on having the valves sorted...

Hi I am going to have to commute a fair bit over the next year and the thought of getting through a tank of fuel every three days worries me a bit, so I've been thinking about an LPG conversion. Has anybody here had it done to a GS300? Were you happy with it and did it save you as much money as you thought? Could anyone recommend where to get it done? - is the GS300 a fairly straightforward conversion or does it need anything extra?

Thanks for the suggestions! The joints were replaced for 'parts only' - I'd had problems with the handling of the car since I got it and took it back on a few occasions where they couldn't find anything wrong - and on the service a few months after the warranty expired they reported that the lower ball joints were worn. I was obviously a little dischuffed and they agreed a deal on the replacement. The parts are about 65(ish) each from memory. I'd wondered about the shocks too - although they seem alright generally, no bouncing and they appear to dampen properly when I've tried 'bouncing' each corner - also it does it when the car's stationary, which I reckon points to a mounting or linkage of some sort. I'll have a look at the plate though - how would I be able to tell if it was worn?

My series II GS has developed a bit of a 'clunk' when I turn the wheel - even if I just wobble it a bit when it's stationary. I took it to the dealer who replaced the lower ball joints (which the said were worn and an independent garage had also had a look at) - although to be fair they didn't say it would cure the clunk. Anyway, it's still there - although Lexus say the suspension's fine. The independent reckoned there was some play in the upper ball joints but the dealer reckoned not. It seems to be worse when the weather's hot, but then that could just be coincidence.. Any ideas what it might be? I really hope it's nothing expensive!

Hi My car's recently started to make some very odd noises at high speeds. When I get up to almost exactly eighty (not in this country of course..) there is a very loud noise from the dash which sounds almost exactly like somebody playing a Kazoo, very badly. If I drop the speed, the noise goes away. I've tried turning the air conditioner on and off, fiddling with the speed of the blowers, all to no avail - the Kazoo player's still there and doesn't like me driving quickly. This has all started really recently - I'm wondering if it's to do with the heat maybe? It seemed to start after I had to do a very nasty emergency stop for someone on a roundabout, but I reckon it's probably just coincidence. Any ideas anyone? At the moment I'm using the tried and tested technique of turning up the stereo and ignoring it. Forgot to mention - it's a series II GS300 SE.