dipstick

I think the DVD version kicked in during October 2000. Look at the arrangement of buttons around the screen. If there are buttons down the left edge it's CD, no buttons and it's DVD. A 99 is almost certainly CD if I'm right (and is considerably cheaper to get a later version of than a DVD).

Reckon you're right Mike - and thanks for the info. I guess Lexus don't know their own cars! I did look for sensors but saw none so I guess that confirms it. Oh well, the dealer will agree to fitting as third party product in the price so it has to be that route I guess. But aside from that, looking forward to the car a lot!

Thanks Mike - I'ver never been so confused! All the reviews of a 2000 plate LS430 I've read say it DOES have sensors. Lexus UK have now responded and say it does too, but that they can be turned off, so they think that's what happened. So now the dealer is looking for the on/off option Lexus tell me is there. Does this email from Lexus UK make sense? And how much is it to add the rear view camera option? Quote: ----------------------- Thank you for your email. The Lexus LS430 Series 1 (from Sept 1998) should be fitted with an Ultrasonic parking system as standard. I have checked and I can confirm that it is possible to switch off the parking sensors on the LS430. Please refer to the owners manual (Lexus Park Assist) To the right hand of the steering below the auto mirror switch there is a switch with a P with a triangle. This switches the sensors on or off. -----------------------

Thanks for your answer. Well, the ad said "parking sensors". I put it into reverse but at no point did anything beep at me, and at last the sales guy said "stop, I don't think it's got sensors after all". There is no external evidence of any sensors. I then looked in the manual to see what it says and the only thing was the park assist stuff, and it was evident the car didn't have that. So from your reply I guess it should have just the ultrasonic sensors - are they hidden in the bumper somewhere out of sight, and why wouldn't they beep, any idea? Or could it be they really aren't there would you think?

Well, taken the plunge - put the deposit down today on a 2000 X plate LS430, trading in the GS *sniff* Slight confusion though; car was advertised as having parking sensors. Couldn't actually find them, and the manual shows a photo of a "park assist" button on the dash, but no such button is there. But the uk spec sheet says it has parking sensors, and so does the Lexus website. Dealer isn't a Lexus dealer (car does have flsh though!) so doesn't know; got him to agree to fit third party sensors in the price. But DO all LS430s have the sensors and I've not found the button or do some do, some don't? Anyone know? If it's got them hidden somewhere I can tell him not to bother!

We've bought a few of these servers and I can recommend European Electronique as a reliable and cost effective firm to deal with. 01865 883300

I HAVE actually made money on the internet - by selling books on eBay. Few hundred quid a month, but it takes a LOT of time so it's a bit of a labour of love. Good fun though and not unwelcome cash. It can be done.

No, it will be me who is the last person to own one - don't understand the point of the things!

I hate you. Wasting my life with crabs now. WHY can't I move that darned Wilbur?

Ach, a cake and I missed it! Bah! TVR is back at garage already...Lex has never had to do that! Lawks! Lucky I have her to fall back on then. Actually, got given a Saab as a courtesy car yesterday - never been in one before but was AMAZING! 12 years old, 140k and not a rattle, loads of toys I wouldn't have expected in a car of that age, and the ride and quietness was pretty much as good as my GS! I was bowled over, frankly. Anyonbe else know about Saabs?

Too kind sir. Now I'm smiling. Eeyore.

..no no, it's fine, don't worry about it, it's not like I was hoping for a cake or anything, after all I only post here a few times a year and I know you lot are all busy. Anyway deliberately chose NOT to drive the Lex yesterday and drive the new TVR instead. How about that for cutting off my nose to spite my face. I should have listened to my mother.

£1383

You sure that isn't Horwich?

Oh dear oh dear. That was a lot of hype and no substance to be sure. Dreadful.

"Having being caught short on the way to the hospital the couple pulled into a Lexus showroom where she conceived in the back of one their cars. " Conceived on the way to the hospital? Blimey! Not only is that a medical miracle, but if Lexus let you do *that* in the back of their showroom cars then that's what I call customer service. I'm off to my dealer.

Want to swap your LS for my GS mate? :D

Virgin do this automatically every month - over £30 spend you get ten percent back. They also only charge 3p per text if it's Virgin to Virgin.

That's interesting Daniel. Shame that Lexus Oxford aren't being very helpful - are you thinking of moving away from the Lexus network to independent yet anyway though, at that age of car? £20 fillups do sound attractive, but then again it's a long payback period - sounds as if it works for you though. I've seen mention of the resetting problem you mention, but mine has never done it, miraculously, so perhaps it's not an inherent fault in the design, rather a case of some do some don't. Colin, I had missed that post - maybe I blinked.

The Sellotape idea is a good un, although I don't think it will stick well enough from just prodding. I'll give it a go though. Thanks for that. Also, thank you to Daniel, and welcome to the GS ranks mate - must have missed your entrance. As it were. LPG? Tell us all! How much, what's it like, mpg...I toyed with it but decided it was not cost effective for my mileage. Did you buy the car with it already done?

Such stars - thanks guys. I'll invest £2.98 at Halfords and get two new ones again then - just hope my competence levels don't result in two more bulbs disappearing inside the cluster for all eternity. Be a lovely surprise for the next owner, that.

One of the tail lights on my GS has been dodgy for a while - it doesn't reliably come on. (The orange indicator on the dash to warn of a failed bulb has never come on) I discovered that by tapping the rear lens the bulb will illuminate. Once it does it stays on happily until the lights are turned off, so it's not like a loose connection that fails on bumps or anything. However, that situation is clearly crap so I bought a nice new bulb. (Which fell out when I fitted it and is now rattling around irretrievably inside the lens cover. Sigh.) Anyway, I replaced the OLD bulb, which has reverted to the "sometimes it fails to come on until you tap the lens cover" behaviour - and joy and delight now the other side does the same. So it's not bulbs - must be wiring somewhere, you'd think, but on both sides? Any clues from electrical bods before I pay £110 an hour for a dealer to prod at it gloomily and diagnose a four grand part with a smirk?

20º C all year, passenger and driver.

Bah. Entered twice, lost twice. That's 6p you owe me!

£68? Crikey, I was quoted £120 for a replacement side mirror glass on a manky RENAULT about eight years ago, so that seems quite reasonable to me! No, I don't want one thank you.