rosswf

Besides up to date maps :-) Car in question is an 05 plate LS430 with the original nav disc still in. If I upgrade, are there any major tweaks to the software - e.g. Full postcode input Quicker rerouting Any info much appreciated

They have actually, but only on the LS600h, as there is an LS600h and then an LS600hL. And in the US there is an LS460 and LS460L. All gets confusing though when they also have an SE-L version, which makes it look like a limo, like the old Merc 500SELs and such :duh: Yes - that's what was confusing me!! Thanks all for the info. Was a lot clearer when they launched and it was one model, one spec. They've moved away from that a fair bit now with all the add-on packs. I guess it's what the market wants but I always liked the idea of one price, no options, everything included.

Very helpful, thanks

Would appreciate some enlightenment on this as I've read the car specs and am no clearer. I know the latest LS comes in both standard and LWB versions. My question: In the UK, which of the LS460, LS460 SE and LS460 SE-L are LWB? My first thought was the LS460 SE-L - but looking at the official spec it just seems to be a more luxurious spec than the SE. Pasting that below. I should say I specifically want a non-LWB car if possible, but like the enhanced spec of the SE-L. Thanks in advance. LS 460: DVD satellite navigation with dynamic route guidance Parking assist monitor Dual zone climate control Leather upholstery Voice command function for audio, navigation, Bluetooth and climate control operation 10-speaker sound system Bluetooth connectivity Smart entry and start-up system Electrically adjustable front seats Memory settings for front seats, steering wheel and door mirrors Electrically adjustable rear head restraints 8in Electro Multi Vision touch-screen display 18in alloy wheels LS 460 SE adds: Power boot closer Mark Levinson 19-speaker premium hifi with 6-disc DVD autochanger Rear audio controls Power sunshades for rear doors Rear Seat Upgrade Pack including: Four-zone climate control with rear roof-mounted diffusers Rear cool box and wood console Air conditioned rear seats Electrically adjustable rear head restraints with memory setting Electric rear seat slide and recline Sunroof LS 460 SE-L adds: Advanced Safety Pack Intelligent Park Assist system 19in alloy wheels Card Key smart entry and start system Upholstery Upgrade Pack including: Semi-aniline leather upholstery and trim detailing Alcantara roof headlining and pillar finishing

Thanks Aquanuke, another helpful post. I don't have modding in my blood, though must say I like what you've done to yours. Any idea what sort of cost I'd be looking at including fitting for the coilovers and sway bars? (just roughly will do, the recent drop in the pound will affect it I realise).

Update to this - I passed on the car I was looking at as it turned out to not have had the suspension changes done (the seller didn't know, and Lexus HQ were friendly but not much help - eventually after 20 mins on the phone with the original dealer I got an answer). My understanding from that call was it was only done if the customer complained, and as such is not something that would be covered now it's out of warranty - and the dealer quoted 'up to 3 grand' to have the same work done now. Understood it's changing the runflats that makes the most difference, but the car I've already driven is a 55 plate, so not keen on having anything that rides worse than that car - so was wondering: when did Lexus began to fit this revised suspension setup as standard - was it 03 plate onwards? Thanks for all the help so far. Ross

Thanks both - very helpful and useful. Ian, I'll take you up on that (once I have the car) if you don't mind. I knew the sensors were there but had no idea it was such an issue changing the wheels over. £110 a wheel - ugh. Got to be done though. Aquanuke, those taillights do look nice - have to weigh that one up a bit though (the only downside for me of the more expensive Japanese cars - the complexity) As for the credit crunch, well I'm not flush by any means, but I figure this is the perfect time to buy things like this - when everyone else is selling. Savvy or stupid depending on your point of view. Ross

Duh - I obviously didn't search very well as I've now found answers to most of the above on several previous posts. Looks like I simply need to check under the bonnet or with the dealer to see if the suspension change has been done. Does anyone have answers to my last two questions though? Thanks Ross

Hi everyone, First post and have read the others but none seem to answer my exact question so any help very much appreciated. I've been a Lexus fan for some time now - 15 years in fact, ever since I persuaded the old man to give the GS300 a test drive in 1993 (he's now onto his second LS with an SC for the weekend). Bulletproof build quality and incredible refinement which I've not seen bettered by any other marque. Having looked at the Merc SL, I'm still leaning towards the SC - not least because the Merc commands a premium for similar spec and model year, and the build quality doesn't seem quite as good as it was on the previous SL. I know the SC styling polarises opinion but I've always liked it. In helping the old man buy his, I looked into the issues with runflat tires and handling, but as his was a 55 plate it had all been sorted by then. However, I'm looking at an 02/03 car, and would really appreciate some info on this issue and whether it's something I need to watch out for. Questions I have are: 1.) Which model year cars were affected? 2.) How did Lexus UK end up addressing the issue? Was it simply replacing the runflat tires with normal tires or were there changes to the suspension setup etc? 3.) Was this done as a standard part of servicing, or only on request, and was a charge made for doing it? 4.) Do I need to be concerned that it may not have been done on a preowned car? If it involved suspensions changes etc, how would I check? 5.) Have Lexus made updates to the handling since then on newer cars over and above these changes? If so can these be retrofitted? Thanks in advance for any help with that. The remaining questions I have are: 6.) What changes Lexus have made since introduction of the model? I'm aware of 6-speed transmission and LED lights on the 06 car, but are there any others? 7.) Is it possible to buy the alloys (or a 3rd party repro) separately from the current car and if so how much are they? The standard ones are fugly! Likewise the LED taillights. Cheers Rosswf