Mark W

Had Battery issues on both my GS and SC if left standing for a couple weeks - always flat. I bought an ABXAGM Battery part # AX570760

No problems since - It uses Absorbent Glass Mat and is dual cell - using similar tech to marine batteries for longevity plus normal car Battery for power output.

Definitely be careful as there are lots of Battery sites online that state batteries will fit the GS or SC and they don't. (mentioned by other poster too) although the above definitely fits my SC as a perfect fit. Can now leave my car for weeks without any issues.

Magnets - don't work and never will. You'd wonder why the auto industry spends billions of pounds a year on efficiency if it could be solved by a £2 magnet. The only effect they have is psychological - so save yourself some money and just be lighter with your right foot.

Petrol - supermarket petrol comes from exactly the same refineries as BP, Shell, Esso or any other oil companies. Its not a cheap version of petrol other than the price and if anyone states any different they are talking crap. In fact, due to the high turnover, it could actually be of better quality than some that has been sitting in a tank of a quiet village station for some time. Quality and maintenance of the tanks are key to the quality but it's always the same stuff that goes into them whether it's Esso, Shell or a supermarket (apart from the already mentioned points of additives)

There is only 2 times I have ever hated driving my Lexus cars and both times were when it snowed. It's not the moving part of driving - it's when you need to stop that they are just uncontrollable. My LS and GS were both pretty much the same. Crawling along without any throttle but touch the breaks gently and you are off - sliding until you hit something. (luckily for me it was always a kerb). For that reason I won't be driving my SC anywhere if it's snowed.

Guess it's mainly due to the weight and large tyres - rather than a fault of the car as such and any other car with same will behave in a similar way.

You will be surprised just how many places (including dealers) do not know how to balance wheels correctly.

Lexus cars seem particularly susceptible to vibration from wheels that are not perfectly balanced.

I spent a fortune in my GS replacing parts, getting the geo done and had the wheels balanced more times than I can remember by at least 10 different places (including 2 Lexus dealers) and never solved the vibration

I then took my car to Lexus Derby - and they did the trick - car felt so amazing smooth.

A few months later I needed new tyres - bought them online - drove to Lexus Derby - they fitted and balanced perfectly and again no vibration. All was fine until some idiot pulled out on me on dual carriageway and wrote my GS off - I've now got an SC and Lexus Derby will get a visit from me shortly to balance my tyres ;)

I'm now a member of the SC Club :)

Thanks for the info Paul...appreciated

Hi ,

Looking at 2 SC's Sunday - anything I should take particular attention to other than the usual (and that the roof works ok) ?

Read through quite a few posts and doesn't appear to be any common issues (in fact doesn't appear any at all) but would appreciate any input.

One will be due cambelt in the not too distant future - How much does a dealer typically charge?

Thanks for any advice

It might not be comparable to some of the tom-tom or other devices on the Market in terms of features etc but what I do like is, it's just there - no cables, power issues, loss of GPS signal or suction pad holder marks on your windscreen.

Mine never failed me and always got me there. That's what a sat nav should do :-)

Plug in an OBD reader and pull the codes. Will help identify - multiple codes (eg 4 or more sensors showing faults) indicates it's likely an issue with the loom for example (bs all 4 sensors failing)

Not sure if the 95 LS had seatbelt pre-tensioners? These will also cause the airbag (actually SRS not airbag) warning light to come on. Again multiple failure codes point to a wiring issue rather than a component sensor problem.

Finally - don't suggest messing about with it yourself - airbags are dangerous (explosive) and could do you severe harm - get a qualified person to look.

Officially written off today - agreement on price and cheque in post.

Decided to opt for a change and looking to add some cash and buy an SC430 instead of another GS

So if anyone know of one going, please let me know - gonna have to be ~2003 given the money I have

Cheers

My GS officially written off today - fancy a change so in the Market for a SC430 if anyone knows of one going.

Looking for ~2003 model given the money I have to spend.

Thanks

Sounds to me like you are the main driver. Be very careful.

Got to admit it seems a strange route to charge a phone. Also a theft risk surely?

If you really can't charge your phone at work using a plug and have to leave in the car - why don't you just switch it off being as you obviously can't answer it.

If you do need to keep on you can get solar power chargers for mobiles from maplins for a few quid - better than hacking away and running cables in your car.

However, if you do insist, there's a permanent 12v feed to the stereo (or sat nav if you've got one) you could take a feed from that.

Sorted the car kit - didn't need to remove satnav in the end as all the connectors conveniently located behind the glovebox. Turned out to be quite easy.

Wow - sorry to hear you lost yours too - sounds like you come off ok too?

Thanks for all the comments guys. Appears I spoke too soon on the feeling ok. Saturday morning woke up with severe neck pain and it got worse throughout the day. Apparently its normally the case that it takes 24-48 hours to start :(

Steve - thanks for the personal number plate info..luckily someone at work pointed it out to me and it was something that I wasnt aware of. You are correct, you need to get a letter from your insurance company stating they have no financial interest in the plate and fill out a retention form on with the DVLA as you point out. Another £105 that im going to have to fork out :( but better than losing the plate.

Car is now back on my drive until they collect it - need to get all my stuff out including my Parrot car kit - had it professionally fitted but need to whip it out today. Anyone know how to remove the OEM SatNav as its not obvious and need to get that out to remove my car kit?

I'm currently driving for the dark side - theyve given me a brand new Merc E350 Estate....only 36 miles on the clock and that was the guy driving it from the lease place to my house. Nice motor and has more gadgets / tech than I could possibly list...But dont worry, I wont be defecting....Next car WILL be a Lexus :)

Glad you are OK injury wise. The car seems to have protected you quite well really. Will you be replacing with another GS430 if it is written off?

Absolutely :)

Firstly I hope you got out OK without injury that's the main thing,at this time it doesn't matter abut the car it's just a lump of metal.

It looks like the crumple zone worked and took most of the impact assisted by solid Lexus build quality,what speeds were involved?

I hope everything goes OK with the insurance and you find a suitable replacement.

Thanks guys.......thanks to the build quality and safety features i'm fine. Other than a large bang and the airbags going off I wouldnt have known that I'd been in a crash from the inside. Car did its job as you say.

I'm absolutely gutted as I'm 100% sure it will be a write off...Just spent £300 on new tires just over a week ago and the inside/outside was immaculate.

Only just under 40mph - but the car literally pulled straight infront of me and stopped.

Its only a car....but I'll miss her :(

Well, due to some person not looking where they were turning today, my lexus now looks like the below......

Looks like I'm now in the market for a new car....

:((

I have to congratulate Lexus Derby on the exceptional and friendly service they provided today.

They made me feel like a valued customer throughout the process (something I've unfortunately not experienced at most other dealers I've been to)

Lent me a new IS220 (for no charge), which I was escorted to and shown all the features and check I had no problems (Inc asking me if I was ok with a manual trans)

Updated me to let me know what the issue was, and fixed it for a very reasonable charge.

When I went to collect the car, they went through all the items on the inspection checklist, explaining each one clearly.

Multiple offers of a drink whilst I was waiting

My car valeted inside and out

Well done Lexus Derby and keep up the good work.

Others have much to learn from you!!!

Have to say I loved the new IS to drive too. Time to start saving ;-)

Doesn't a flashing airbag light usually mean it's possibly dangerous to drive as a serious fault with airbag?

If it's constantly lit- fault but de-activated and not a danger?

Suggesting taking out a bulb or covering up is a little irresponsible IMO - an airbag isan explosive device and I would get the fault checked out first.

Engine mgmt light, vsc light and the dreaded beeping sound meaning you going to have a huge bill :-((

Hi Gordon,

After having at least 3 replacement boxes I did a little digging around and the main problem (particularly with the original Sky+ boxes) is the hard drive overheats and over time it destroys it. Which isnt surprising as there is no fan (like you get in PC's) and the hard disk is working pretty much 24 hrs a day (as its always recording to allow you to rewind tv at any time)

Opened mine up after it failed again, bought a new hard drive (double the capacity) and kept the cover off.

Since then (touch wood) not a single problem and that was about 3 years ago.

I've been looking at the IO play adapter for bluetooth handsfree and audio playback from my iphone. seems like a decent bit of kit, I've tried to find a cable that will let me plug it into my GS300 mark 2 1999 with satnav. the best match I can find suggests a SOT 913 ISO converter cable which some websites say lexus upto 2005 and some say will not work with amplified systems.

Does anyone know if this lead or any other lead is the correct one for my car?

Many Thanks

We ordered a SOT-913 and another lead (can't remember the number of that one) to fit a parrot to a 2004 GS300 with Mark Levinson. I will let you know if it works when they turn up!

Just be aware when fitting Parrot kits - They use "French" ISO connections (Crazy I know - but there is a French International Standard !!!)

Everything is correct apart from the Ign power and Continuous power - which are reversed.

Parrot kit will work - but you'll have no end of problems with it until you correct these. You know you have them the right way around if you get a "goodbye" on the screen (if you have a parrot kit with a screen)

not all cars loose there value as much as a prestige vehicle, i bought a 57 plate fiesta in august 08 the same dealer is now selling the identical car for £500 more than i paid.

Not a completely fair comparison to your situation - 5 months vs 24 months (and a lot has changed since 2 years ago) plus dealer selling price vs trade in price.

Also....Its the cost to change thats important - not the value they put on your car.....taking a car to a dealer to take off your hands is never going to get you the best price for your car.

I feel for you, but no dealer wants extra cars on their forecourt at the moment - which is why they offered you an insulting figure - They just dont want it unless they know they can shift very quickly and make a few quid.

Also, having the correct equipment is no good if you have a monkey operating it - I know of 2 places local to me that have the same Hunter Hawkeye equipment as Tony (1 in derby, 1 in Hinckley) and having used them in the past I know they dont do the job - and thats a standard setup for a GS.

There are only 2 places in the country I currently trust - and WIM is the closest one for you.