RussellB

Thanks for your reply Tony. That's a shame that it can't be done. I may ask my local dealer just in case they know. I'm mindful of the fact that FM radio will be discontinued by 2015 and I'll either still have the car then or be looking to change at about that time.

I'll take a look at that Pure Digital thing though. You are not the only person to recommend it but I'd just like something without wires and controllable from the central console.

Russell.

Hi

I've just been looking at the the Lexus website and noticed that the 2010 GS 450h now has DAB radio as an option. Does anyone know/have an educated guess whether the DAB module can be retrofitted to an existing mk 3 GS?

Russell.

One of the settings in the menu is to have the screen always revert back to the nav screen - you have this switched on at the mo.

If you switch that off, then the system will remain on whichever screen you switch to. Should be pretty easy to find, but if you can't I'll have a look for you to find out exactly where in the menu it is.

Thanks, I'll have a dig around in the menus. Now I know it's possible I should be able to find out how.

Russell.

Hi,

I wonder if it's possible to turn off the Satnav in a Mk 3 GS? 99% of the journeys that I make I don't need the satnav for and it's annoying to have it always displaying. I'd rather have the radio/CD display but I can't seem to make that stay on the display for more that 10 seconds or so before the satnav pops up again.

Anyone got any ideas?

Russell.

Hi,

I'm still looking at Lexus GS 300 and I've noticed that there seems to be a step change in prices between examples from early 2006 to those in late 2006. On the Se model I see that the 14 speaker system became standard around Sep 2006 (or at least they all have it after that date) but it seems to have been standard on the SE-L since launch.

It strikes me that with road tax being half price on pre March 2006 models (I think) and the lower price I should look there.

Is there anything else that I'm missing?

Russell

Better try another one first, dont let it put you off the gs, in case it does have a problem, you may love the next one. Someone may have had it on demo and damaged it and brought it back and you were next in the car.

The dealer told me i could have one for a day once they have taxed the one i was in, just human error not taxing yours.

The dealer rang me back today. They looked at the car and found something wrong with a wheel. They're having it fixed and I'll have it for a long weekend for round 2. Honestly, I'd rather try another one but at least if they get this one wrong again my mind will be made up

Russell.

Good afternoon everyone. I am totally confused but then again as I get older it seems to get worse. But, are there two different systems of Mark Levinson audio system fitted to the 450h and if there is how on earth do you tell the difference. I have seen cars advertised with a 10 speaker system and others with a Mark Leveinson audio on different se-l of the same year and month.

I have listened to a number of systems fitted to different 450h's and the sound is always the same....thin with very little base, I have adjusted the base and treble but with little noticeable difference. Sop if anyone can throw oany light on the subject....Thanks a lot

I've noticed that too. Current cars of SE and above all have the 14 speaker system and base models have 10 speakers. I think that has been the case since September 2006. However, I've seen a number of late 2005/early 2006 GS advertised as having Mark Levinson 10 Speaker audio, both 300 and 450.

I had a 300SE-L at the weekend that definitely had the 14 speaker system. It was brilliant with vocals and acoustic music, really brilliant with some medieval music, however it didn't handle the thumping bass lines of the latest Prodigy album as well as the Bose system in my Audi.

Russell

I would agree with tony's sentiments. Just one thing to add. It will run on the electric motor at 30 on a flat road, and upto 40 down a slight incline.

Paul

Just picking up on Russel's comment about the steering on this GS300, I think the steering is the only poor area on the GS range, it does requirs attention at all times due to a tendancy to follow any faults in the road surface, my 450h suffers badly and has had the steering rack changed and the MK2 GS300 I previously owned was just as bad.

Tony

I'm waiting to see if the dealer agrees that their demo has been badly kerbed. If not I'd say that the GS was undriveable. In the one I drove my arms were aching through fighting the steering after a few minutes, honestly I was surprised that a franchised Lexus dealer let something this bad out as a demo car. Incidently it didn't have a tax disk either so I think was basic incompetence. Very surprising given the reputation that Lexus dealers try to live up to. Considering the demo was also an approved Used Lexus I'm very rapidly considering a BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar instead. I really wanted to love the Lexus but this was one so bad that if it's typical it's a death knell for the marque. So I can't believe that it was typical. I wait to hear and will keep you informed.

Russell.

Guys, im looking at the 450h, as i seem to be sitting high up in the IS i tried and didn't feel comfortable.

So would you mind if i asked a couple of questions please,regarding the hybrid, at what speed does the engine cut in on the 450h, ie what is the top speed in electric mode only and also how long does it go on battery power alone.

Ive got to say, the one i sat in was realy comfortable and with any luck ill get it for a day to try out, which im realy looking forward to.

Hi,

like yourself I've been looking at the GS 450h and 300 so the figures I'm about to give you are from lots of reading over past few weeks rather than actual experience. Someone else on here may be able to give you real life figures. It will do about 15mph top speed on electric alone and it'll do somewhere between a mile and a mile and a half on Battery alone. I guess the motor will cut in around the 15mph mark.

Incidently, I've had an '08 plate GS 300 SE-L on loan for the weekend from my local dealer. It's outside my house now and due to go back tomorrow. I'd agree with you that it's a very comfortable car to sit in. However, I think that there's something wrong with the steering on this particular example. So much so that I do not like driving it. I'm sure you won't have the same experience.

Russell.

Hello,

There's a fold down panel between the seats that you can put things through but not large enough for bookcases etc. I transported a 2 meter tree this way, minus a few leaves all was ok!

I'm starting a new job soon which involves a 500mile per week commute. I'm offsetting the cost of the fuel for comfort and reliability. These engines can amass a huge mileage so I should be ok until I change car, probably for a GS hybrid, if they make the boot bigger!!!!!

Hmmm....that fold down panel sounds interesting. I must find a GS300 to have a look at. My local dealer had only a 2006 GS450h and the boot really is tiny on that. I'm not sure you'd get a set of golf clubs in it. I went to look last Saturday and it was only on my way to my allotment later that it occured to me that I'd need to transport my rake, bean sticks etc down there.

Ouch that commute sounds like hard work. I spent some time working in Swindon and that's a 130mile round trip for me so I sympathise with the comfortable car requirements.

Good luck with the hybrid. Apart from the boot it seemed a very nice car. The dealer was offering a roof box to make up for the lack of boot space. It occured to me that would undo the fuel savings of the hybrid but I may be wrong.

Russell.

Thanks for all of that.

I had considered the GS300 for much the same reasons as you. It's a lovely car and doesn't come with the same image as BMW, Audi etc.

However, that non-folding rear seat is probably going to be a showstopper for me. I have things that are 1.5-2m long that I need to move on a weekly basis and someone told me that the seats fold on SE models but not on base ones. Ah well, shame

Regarding lpg, it was just a thought. I don't really do enough mileage to justify the cost of the conversion. But my job is not secure and I could easily end up with a new job and a commute that would justify it.

Thanks again for your advice.

Russell.

Hi All,

I'm new to Lexus, never owned one but always admired from afar since seeing the original LS years ago. I'm considering buying a Mk III GS 300 SE, probably a late 2006/early 2007 example.

However, I've read a few conflicting statements on various parts of the Internet. I wonder if anyone on here can shed any light on these:

Do the rear seats on the GS 300 SE fold down to allow long items to be carried?

Does the GS 300 engine really need to be revved hard to produce much power?

Are there really no independent garages capable for servicing Lexus cars in the Reading area?

Anyone got any experience of running one of these on lpg?

Thanks,

Russell