Simon Hornby

To be honest I just sold my GS300 because of its lousy fuel consumption. I changed the air filter, O2 sensors, kept the tyres propoerly inflated etc. etc. and was getting at best low twenties. I think the car was as good as it could be.

Check out the link below - 24.8mpg combined for a brand new car!!

http://www.lexus.co.uk/approved_preowned/s...ERFORMANCE+DATA

The slightly detuned Legatos are a bit, but not much, better.

I think its more to do with the laws of physics - 1.7 tonnes of car with a 3 litre lump and auto is not going to be an economy car however well it is setup.

Much as I loved the car it had to go I simply can't affford this kind of fuel bill.

Simon

Swaps for a train set?

Might swap for your red Jag, Inspector

What reserve is on it

I put £1200 but this really is the bottom line. I hope I can get more than this.

I am gutted. I am having to sell my GS :tsktsk:

So Why not wish her well and have a look at my baby

*********************************************

At least I'll be able to keep the pictures!!

Simon

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i would say around 3.5k.. if you had the sport model then i would say 4k

Anyone wanna buy a 1993 GS300 - bargain at 2K !!

It depends. Go for OEM sensors if you want to fit them without any hassles, get universals if you don't mind

cutting a few wires and splicing. The end result is the same, it's just the time taken to fit them is different.

Honestly folks!!! The connector is just that - it is a plug with a wire coming out!!! - nothing to get too excited over. Just give it a quick clean before plugging it back in... common sense.

There is only 1 wire to join - I've used eletrical terminal block (avaliable in B&Q, Wilkinsons, Maplins etc etc for a few pence) and mummified it in insulating tape. This is a perfectly good electrical connection and is perfectly safe and efficient.

I paid £33 from the States (inc delivery) for all 3 although I have only fitted 2 as yet because I am not too keen on ripping out my carpet in a search for the rear access panel :duh:

Does anyone know exactly where it is before I make too much of a mess?

Please check earlier in the thread for the guys eBay name where I bought them.

Has it made a difference to the mpg? Well it's early days yet but the signs are good. I have done 120 miles on about £20 of optimax which is just under the magic 25mpg I am looking for. I'll tell better when I brim it next.

The fuel guage needle certainly isn't plummetting like it used to

But please do the job yourself - unless of course your on Beckhams' wages!! It really is a very simple and easy DIY job which I would imagine is very hard to get wrong.

If you can change a 13 amp plug yopu can do this job.

Now it's been a long time since I got my hands dirty under the bonnet but what a doddle of a job:D

All you need is a 12mm socket and a 3inch extention bar - mine came out of a £2.99 socket set I bought from a car booty!!

Just move the air hose to gain good access to the o2 sensor by loosning a few jubillee clips and shoving it out of the way. Undo the 2 12mm nuts holding it in - mine came off mercifully easily - the disconnect the electrical connector and that's it - the old one is out.

I then cut the connector from the old o2 sensor and spliced it onto the new one using terminal block aand loads of insulting tape.

Fitting is the reversal of the above and just as easy!!

To do both of the ones in the engine bay took me about an hour - and that's including a cup of tea!!

I then run the car for a few minutes half expecting the Engine Warning Light to come on but all I got was the grey-ish exhaust smoke that use to be, disappear as the car warmed up - it looks like they are working!!

Please folks don't wimp out and pay Lexus a fortune for this - if you can change a light bulb you can do this job. I paid £33 for 3 universal o2 sensors that came from the US in a week (over the Christmas period). It costs more than this for Lexus to tell you that they need changing. So for me this is a no-brainer - just do it!!

Now I am sure there are some lucky ones on this site who have fat cat salaries and can afford to pay the dealers but for us mere mortals we can learn a thing or two from the BMW fraternity and start doing a few jobs like this and save a fortune.

So this afternoon I'll see if I can find the last sensor!! - Under the carpet I believe!!

This may be of interest...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...8965&rd=1,1

ebay item 190058148965

I have just bougt 3 universal O2 Sensors with flanges from this guy. His ebay feedback is good and I contacted him to confirm that the are the right ones for a 1993 GS300 and will fit all 3 positions. His got back to me very quickly and seems very knowledgable.

It is worth contatcing him becuase he gave a discount on shipping for buying multiple items.

All 3 cost me £33.61 including p&p from the States ($18.00 x 3 = $10.00 P&P) :D

It Should take a week or so before they arrive so I'll keep you posted

Simon :D

This may be of interest...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...8965&rd=1,1

ebay item 190058148965

I have just bougt 3 universal O2 Sensors with flanges from this guy. His ebay feedback is good and I contacted him to confirm that the are the right ones for a 1993 GS300 and will fit all 3 positions. His got back to me very quickly and seems very knowledgable.

It is worth contatcing him becuase he gave a discount on shipping for buying multiple items.

All 3 cost me £33.61 including p&p from the States ($18.00 x 3 = $10.00 P&P) :D

It Should take a week or so before they arrive so I'll keep you posted

Simon :D

They Arrived today - I'll have a go at the weekend to fit them!!! ;D

This may be of interest...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...8965&rd=1,1

eBay item 190058148965

I have just bougt 3 universal O2 Sensors with flanges from this guy. His eBay feedback is good and I contacted him to confirm that the are the right ones for a 1993 GS300 and will fit all 3 positions. His got back to me very quickly and seems very knowledgable.

It is worth contatcing him becuase he gave a discount on shipping for buying multiple items.

All 3 cost me £33.61 including p&p from the States ($18.00 x 3 = $10.00 P&P) :D

It Should take a week or so before they arrive so I'll keep you posted

Simon :D

Depends how it is configured, if the fueling is controlled by the stock ECU then yes. or if the new ECU is wired upto the lambda sensors then yes. Im not really sure how LPG is fitted to be honest.

Its just open loop and closed loop. If your o2 sensors are goosed they will either provide false readings or the ECU wont use them to determine how to adjust the fueling at all it will just use the lookup tables on the ECU. This is never spot on as its just a generic set.

Hence you loose bhp and mpg.

I wouldn't go more than 30k without giving them a check and clean at least. They are relativley cheap, easy to check / replace and really do make a dramatic impact on the running on the car.

If your cars obd 1 then you can test them with a blowtorch and a multimeter but it may just be better to buy new ones :)

Have a look at this... I did a search for my 1993 Mk1 and this is what I found.

http://www.automedicsupply.com/catalog.php...3.0L+exc.+Calif.

They charge $25 to ship to the UK but with the dollar being as weak as it is it makes for a good deal

A look at the car Iand I can see 2 sensors 1 under the air intake and 1 on the exhaust downpipe. So Iam assuming there are only 2. They both appear to be single wire types so should be, rust permitting, easy to replace.

By the way my mpg has improved quite a bit for the sake of a new air filter!!! Well worth the 18 Quid!!!

where are they on a mk1?, had a look can only find on that looks sorto like it on the exhaust manifold

i think mines drinking alot of fuel 150 miles to half o tank,

(mileage 120 odd thousand)

Steve

Just had a look on my mk1 - I am gonna do this one myself and the sensor is very accessible!!! My Fuel consumption is plain unacceptable!! Ok I have an old car but It has been well maintained so I do not see any reason why it can't perform close to spec. To chage the senor looks like a 30 minute job which usually means it will take all day - but hey, think of the savings!!!

I'll also use 10w30 (allowed according to the handbook) and bung in some ptfe like slick 50, maybe even a K&N - I'll get this bloody thing doing at least 25mpg if it kills me!!

the sound of air rushing is a normal thing.

ur oxygen sensors are probably worn out, hence your high fuel consumption. get the diagnostic codes read to be sure. oxygen sensors wear out from 60k miles, and affect your fuel consumption in a BIG way..

I have to say that i was reading a manual on the LS400 and could not beleive that the GS300 was on par with fuel rating of the LS400

Even though the LS400 is v8 and the GS a v6.

that's explained because the V8 is a much more modern engine than the inline six of the GS range. plus, the gearing is much shorter on the GS (for quicker acceleration), plus the LS has the best aerodynamics of any Lexus model, also making it very quiet on wind noise!

Thanks Maneesh - Sensors, diagnosis - sounds expensive!!! The car has done 148K and drives superbly. It has just passed its MOT and the emissions etc were fine. For the diagnosis does the car have to go to one of those overpriced tarted-up Toyota dealers or can any decent garage sort this. On my old BMW to do the ecu diagnosis you just hit the accelerator 10 in 5 secons and the dash board lights will flash any error codes. Is there a similar procedure for the GS300 do you know?

Hi, I have recently bought a 1993 GS300 which I have to admit has grown on me. But I have to ask about reasonable fuel consumption. I have just filled up having done 282 miles it took 65 litres. This works out at about 21mpg. According to the Yahoo revue of the GS300 it should do about 26 and they a bloke flogging his on eBay at the moment claiming to be able to get 32 out of his. What is the real situation?

Now the car is due for a service so I would expect things to improve a bit after it's done. But there may be another clue to this poor performance...

When I open the tank to fill up there is the sound of rushing air from the filler cap. Is there a vent tube in the tank which could be blocked? Could this have a bearing on the fuel consumption? Any Ideas....

Does anyone know of any good Lexus technical web-sites?

Simon

Hi, Has any one got or know were i can purhase or borrow, a socket to fit the antenna nut on my gs300 se 1999, only im going to change the mast and fit a new one,from Lexus.

Or can i borrow one from a lexus dealer.

Dont fancy the idea of useing a screwdriver incase i scratch the paintwork.

Would appreiceate any help.

SOMEONE MUST KNOW SOMETHING

I used an ordinary plumbers pipe wrench to get mine off - low tech but it works. Just grip the nut and turn anti clockwise - just be careful of the paint.

S

You can replace just the mast

I have a brand new OEM Electric Aerial mast you can for for £15 if you want it. I bought it from the US for my aerial which I have since found out is completely knackered so I've had to replace the whole thing. Please email me at simon@hornby.net if you're interested.

The GS is known for having a coarse ride when compared with E class, A6 and 5 series, even on the 16 inch wheels.

Over my time I have had a 535i BMW and an E Class Merc, OK I know I havent had my GS300 for long but::

I disagree neither of these come close to the ride quiteness and build quality of the Lexus, put a 1994 BMW next to my series 1 GS and the BMW is ready for the scrapyard, and the Merc (if its a diesel) is trashed out as a mini cab, and these have rubbish wallowy rides

I had a BMW 5 series owner come up to me in Tescos Car Park and he was interesed as he was thinking about buying another car and had been recomended a Lexus, and could he have a look

Like all men with new toys, I showed him around, when he got in the car to play with the steering wheel and bits and pieces, he said jeesh you do a load of miles, I told him it was a 1994 he refused to believe it, he reckoned his 3 yr old Beemer was rubbish compared to a 12 yr old Lexus, and the worst bit of his Beemer he said was the rattles and hard ride

Now here's a thing. I have just bought a 1993 GS300 and still have my 1993 BMW525TD. Both cars were registered within a couple of months of each other. The Beemer has done 243000 miles and the Lexus 148000. Both cars are great for different reasons. Firstly the BMW is far more comfortable than the Lexus. The driving position is much more ergonomic and the leather seats are slightly firmer and give better support. The Lexus is of course quieter at the lights as it is a petrol car. The boot on the Lexus is tiny considering the size of the car as it is half taken up with petrol tank - why didn't Toyota put it underneath like most manufacturers? Now to the wheels - The Lexus has standard 225/55/16 tyres and the BMW 225/60/15's on BBS alloys - they both hold the road nicely and pick up pretty much the same amount of road noise. The ride in the BMW is more refined than the Lexus, nowt to do with the wheel size and more to do with good design I suspect. The steering wheel in the BMW stays where you left it and as they got the driving position right.

Now about the looks - the Pininfarina designed BMW is a classic. It is stylish and has one of the most areodynamic bodies around and as for the poor old GS300, well talk about a bland plain Jane!!! I can only find it is my local Asda car park because it sticks out a foot further than the average Mondeo!!

The GS300 is a lot quicker than the Beemer and has a much more modern interior. There's no a/c on the 525 but ther climate control is more flexible. My GS300 has a grey interior which looks really classy and has better storage. But the BMW has a bigger grin factor - it simply is more fun to drive.

I suppose the long and the short of the comparison between the 2 cars is that they are both great cars from two great companies. Both have strengths and weaknesses. I have a dilemma, which one to keep? As for wheel sizes - if all you want to do is tart up plain Jane go for it with whopper wheels and buy a subscription to Max Power mag. If you want a great handling car with genuine character and loads of smiles per gallon, look towards Munich.

Hi All,

Being a new Lexus owner having just bought an old 1993 GS300, I was wondering if there are such things as specialist Lexus scrappies. I have driven BMW for years and can get them fixed for next to nothing by going to the right places. You can pay an arm and a leg at the "wrong" places!!

Now, whilst I love the smoothness and all of the goodies of the GS300 I am concerned about the rip-off prices that seem to be charged for spares. So are there any decent, reasonably priced Lexus scrappies about?

For example I need a repalcement passenger door mirror shell ( in"Bordeaux" - maroon to you and me - if poss), electric aerial - mine won't retract fully and a set of decent grey mats. Any suggestions?

Simon

Also, Where's the best place for service parts?

Hi Folks, Bit of a daft one this. I've just bought my 1st Lexus, a 1993 GS300 which has a tyre with a slow puncture. The trouble is I don't have the key for the locking wheel nut.

Now maybe I'm being a muppet, but ,seeing how the car has every conceivable extra I am assuming that these are standard items ie a nut with 3 locating holes in it. Can these be replaced or do I have get my drill out??? Or is there an easy-ish way to get it off??

Any advice would be much appreciated

Simon

go to the dealer they will have a box of locking nut keys to get yours off ( for a small fee !! )

Thanks for the advice folks. I'll leg it to my nearest Kwik Fit armed with the replacement lockers I've just bought off eBay for £4.20!!! - Who says owning a Lexus is expensive!!!

Hi Folks, Bit of a daft one this. I've just bought my 1st Lexus, a 1993 GS300 which has a tyre with a slow puncture. The trouble is I don't have the key for the locking wheel nut.

Now maybe I'm being a muppet, but ,seeing how the car has every conceivable extra I am assuming that these are standard items ie a nut with 3 locating holes in it. Can these be replaced or do I have get my drill out??? Or is there an easy-ish way to get it off??

Any advice would be much appreciated

Simon