tonyricha

PS the only slight downside is you will notice how badly some other people drive and why there are so many collisions,so few drivers obey the two second rule.

Yes I to am a qualified member,I took the IAM test in 2007 because as a high mileage driver (50K plus per year) my driving had become lazy and 2 speeding convictions meant I was worried about a ban. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and test, it has completly changed the way I drive meaning much greater safety (never get caught out now by looking so far ahead) and financial benefits in the way of reduced insurance premiums,improved fuel consumption figures and almost no break wear/ black front wheels. Hope you do it,so worthwile. Regards Tony

Just wondering has anybody tried LED bulbs in a Gen 3 GS? I think they would help see more in the reverse camera coz they are so much brighter and white light. Oh and Happy New Year to all LOC members.

are you sure it is not using the petrol engine to run the climate control/heat the cabin? this is the only way it can satisfy your request for a warm cabin, try reducing the inside temperature.

Hi be carefull, both of my HID headlights have been out, the 1st time the O/S just stopped but that turned out not to be the bulb but the ballaster? sorry that may be the wrong spelling, the next issue was the N/S which occasionally would not illuminate ( no dash warning so I never knew if it was lit or not) thankfully failed MOT on this so covered by warranty, was the bulb this time. I would be tempted to ask Lexus to check it out and I believe they have reduced the crazy price of bulbs, but they will solve the problem without a Halfords boy fiddling with it. I have now driven over 500 K with these bulbs with only 1 failure so it is rare. Regards Tony

Hi, when I started using my 450h I too was worried about the battery charge status display untill I read on here " ignore it all, trust the technology and just drive the car" all the worries gone and 156,000 miles later she still drives superbly and returns great MPG figures. Regards Tony

Hi, a few pitfalls here, if you have TPS it can be tricky removing the valves if you want the alloys properly done ie shot blasting before powder coating. Huge costs if the valves snap! My plastic mid spokes also looked awfull but my sprayer went over them with emery paper as it was only the lacquer lifting,now polished they look pretty good, I was going to replace them all till I reliased they are £32 each +VAT X20 which means you have £930 worth of plastic on all 4 wheels before any valves snap! Can be a very expensive refurbishment if it goes wrong. I did get a exchange price for wheels from Lexus but they did not know if the plastic spokes came with the new rims. I agree its best to contact your dealer 1st even if they offer a price share. Good luck Tony

My 450h is now over 155,000 with no faults, I would pay big figures to repair it because it is still way less than picking up huge depreciation on another newer car, it has been excellent value to now with no problems and good fuel consumption figures. I have never considered the ride quality to be poor on 18 inch alloys,just change the damper settings.

Hi and a warm welcone to LOC, may I suggest you go back to topic "GS450h mileage" on the previous page to get a feel for the quality/reliability of the Hybrid models,not certain but think any 300 would be about the same age as your Merc as the GS 300 was phased out about that time or shortly after. Go hybrid, you will not regret it! (unless you need a big boot)

Hi, I did the front sidelight bulbs on my 450h but only coz they looked yellow and often blew, I bought "Error free" LEDs simply because I was worried adout upsetting the ECU,they do look better but must say I am very satisfied with the headlights and the reverse lights? could be brighter for the reverse camera I guess but they are behind me! Will be interesting if you do the reverse lamps.

Hi, if its any help my GS450h is now over 150,000 still runs and charges perfectly and has NO faults. Batteries hold the charge better than ever.

if you are planning to keep the car consider the 2 year warranty as the 1 year price allways goes up when you buy the 2nd and it is payable monthly interest free direct debit. Enjoy the new motor ( probably didnt need me to tell you that doh! )

Hi Brian I contracted my service plan in July and she goes for 1st service tomorrow, they are not keen to work on the vehicle with just 1 monthly premium paid, sensible really given some folks attitude. Lexus Milton Keynes are a really good honest outfit, the 4 th Lexus outlet I tried but I have stayed with them for the last 3 years with no concerns. Suggest you ask for Paul Colby in aftercare, top bloke.Ask for Owners club discount, worked for me.

This year I bought 150,000,160,000 and 170,000 mile services for £881.18 plus VAT, I think 1 major and 2 inters? full service plan not Lexus Essential which I feel is very good value. Apart from rear calipers and valve springs all done on the warranty this car has needed nothing (said touching wood!) not needed a battery or even air con re gas, oh and door mirrors because they stopped dipping when reverse selected, I expected a re program but they changed both units. These are good quality strong cars, ignore scare problems about the battery pack, mine holds the battery charge better than ever now, the only slight issue is the horrid noise on cold start up but its said to be quite normal and no worse with age. Those brakes were the original pads as well as discs but I do use the tip tronic to slow the car as I hate black front wheels, this helps to keep the battery charge up.

Hi Brian not sure what you mean you mileage is creeping up, how high? My 450 h has just passed 150,000 miles with no issues and no real faults, well the cruise control sometimes make a small mistake by thinking the car in lane two is a collission risk when we are in lane 3 so it alarms and brakes but I am ready for this. Everything else works perfectly and the car still looks a million dollars,has been completly reliable,returns good fuel economy( average 35.2 over the last 130,000 since trip re set) and pulls strongly. It has turned out to be the cheapest car I have ever used because no repair or time off road costs.Just put the 4th set of tyres on it and changed all the brake discs and pads for the 1st time at 135,000 but only because MOT station issued a caution notice the discs were worn but still performed well. I buy a service contract from Lexus Milton Keynes who collect it from my home near Huntingdon and return it the same day serviced and beautifully cleaned, interest free and discount fo Gold members on LOC, superb service and not expensive. I normally change my car after 3 years but have no plan to change the 450h yet as it is perfect and still makes me grin with the performance every day. There may be cars with higher mileage than mine out there, would be interesting to hear? Regards Tony

Hi, welcome to LOC and yes good choice of wheels, I cover about the same weekly mileage in my 450h and will never go back to diesel. Drove one last week YUK ! what a row when stuck in traffic. Enjoy

No never touch it other than top up the screenwash and dip the oil once (never needed any) between dealer servicies, just changed the brake pads and discs, thought they must be due after 135,000 miles but even the pads had life left in them! rear discs had rusted and looked un sightly, was reluctant because the brakes were still very strong with no shimmey but dealer/MOT station advising discs were getting worn.

Yeah, mine sounds really rough and raw for about 10 seconds after a cold start then just sounds quite rough for another 60ish seconds then ok, got no worse over the last 130,000 miles and had it checked out by Lexus MK who tell me its ok, nil oil consumption so I aint gonna worry just turn the radio up and drive.

Do you only stop the motor after a run? if I shunt my 300 ie turn it round or drive short distance the tappets do not always re set when I try to re start it, turns over at very high speed coz there is little or no compression with the valve timing out?

Hi and a warm welcome to LOC, please dont wait for a service light to come on as there is not one, it is every 10K alternating between minor and major services. Good to hear how pleased you are with the car, mine has done 100K more than yours with no issues, still looks and drives perfectly,not even had the air con serviced yet! cheapest car I have ever owned by good economy and no repair bills. Enjoy, regards Tony

Hi Paul, if you are considering keeping the car for a while ask dealer for a 24 month quote, it is about 10% less than 12 months X2 but they then can not increase the price for the 2nd 12 month period.

Has it got a LPG conversion?

Hi, I have got a set of original unused Lexus front pads for a IS 300 Sportcross in my garage,I think they are the same pads as the GS? your for the postage costs if you want them. Tony

I called the technical department at Pirelli asking about the problems I was having with P Zeros only to be told these tyres are not tested on or recommended for these cars yet my GS was supplied by a Lexus centre on Pirelli tyres. Avoid !

Enjoy and take care, glad to see the sunroof option!