PTE

Thought I'd let you know how this finishes. Took the car back to the bodyshop. They took it to an independent (who didn't have the diagnostic equipment needed) and then to a different Lexus Dealer (Southampton). The dealer managed to diagnose some kind of control unit/relay failure NOT steering column as per Lexus Reading. Total repair price £650 and the bodyshop asked me for a £200 contribution which I was happy to pay considering that the bodyshop had taken responsibility for resolving the issue and persisted in getting it resolved. So in all my car is fully functioning again and great service from BP Rolls in Andover who handled this all very professionally!

Thanks good info. I'll pursue this with Lexus and see what they say.

Thanks for your reply. No it was purchased from an independent. I will check if there is another dealer nearby. I was also wondering whether the part was shared with something from Toyata (Landcruiser?). It might be cheaper to purchase the Toyota branded part versus Lexus branded? The reason the car was in the bodyshop was to repair a dent in the boot...so it wasnt related. However the problem manifested at the bodyshop. I havent finished my conversation with them yet. Yes, tried physically moving the column to help it but nothing budges.

Thanks Wendle. I may try that option with Lexus Corporate. My car's just ticked over 60,000. When I try the button you can hear relays clicking and when you switch the engine off there is briefly the sound of a motor whirring and a very slight movement on the wheel. However since it is fully retracted there isnt anywhere for it to move to. I am sceptical that the motor has failed. It feels to me that it is an electrical glitch somewhere. But the dealer was largely disinterested. Disappointed with them really. I was expecting a bit more energy from them in their efforts to help rather than a dismissive...the motor's failed its £1300!!.

Hi I have had my 2005/55 GS430 for nearly a year and 20,000 miles. It has been faultless in that time. However following the disconnection of the battery (by a bodyshop who was doing some work on the car) I have found that the rake/tilt no longer works and it is locked in its fully retracted position. :tsktsk: I had to reset the electric windows and the seating memory but that was straightforward. However nothing seems to happen with the steering column. When I move the button to adjust it you can hear a relay or something clicking in the steering column but no motor movement. I have taken it to Lexus who have investigated it and told me the motor has failed and that it will be £1300+Labour+VAT to fix. :o Since this failed whilst it was in the car of the bodyshop I will present them with the bill. However this does seem incredibly expensive. And I wanted to know whether there is a known problem - and fix - that the dealer hasnt thought about? Or whether there is a cheaper way of sourcing the steering column motor mechanism. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Yes the 450H is a shade faster than the 430, just under 6 seconds to 60 versus just over for the 430 according what I have read. I think the 460 is faster than both but as you say very rare here in the UK. The 450H was launched about the same time or not long after and picked up the majority of sales. Other than the performance you dont really get a lot of benefit having a V8 since the car is so silent unless you really gun it you don't hear the engine. So I dont think you'd feel short changed by having a smaller engined V6+battery it probably quite suits the car. As for the villa we bought ours in 2007. Near Port Charlotte about 10 mins from the coast. We rent it out since that pays the mortgage!! We're heading out in a month. Cant wait!!

Thank you for the welcome and the advice. :) Will certainly bear this in mind when it comes to refreshing the tyres. Micheldever Tyres are conveniently my nearest tyre shop so they should be good for choice and price. Have tried the adaptive cruise control. Very smart bit of kit. It's a little bit nannying if you have it on the maximum distance setting. If you put it on the minimum distance setting then it works better since it allows you to maintain pace and overtake without automatically braking too soon which it is prone to do on the maximum setting. It's actually quite a rare car too. Usually when you buy a car all of a sudden you seem to see it everywhere. However I've only seen one and that ironically happened to be in my company carpark. I actually like the anonymity you get as well. However straight line performance is healthy and 4th gear seems to be pretty versatile on the motorway for most situations. It's interesting that Lexus are just not as widely accepted as German cars here in Europe. I think they offer a really refreshing alternative. Guess lack of a diesel really hampered adoption on the continent. Sorry O/T. Nice villa!! How long have you had it...? (we've got one on the Gulf Coast)...

Thanks for the comments... I've put a 1000 miles on the car in the last 2 weeks. And the waftability of it is really growing on me. I'm keeping it in the sports mode and using the tiptronic to get a bit more energy into the gear changes which feel a little slow if left to their own devices. You can faintly hear the V8 growl under hard acceleration but otherwise it is surreally silent..all the better for listening the ML hifi. I bought the car from an independent dealer. Dont know whether Lexus would be interested in putting a warranty on it. Full Lexus dealer SH. At the moment I dont think I'll bother. Compared to the X5 forums I was on before which were crammed full of posts on regular issues...they seem relatively few and far between on here which I can only take as a good thing :D

Hello, newbie here I have just bought a 2005 GS430 so I thought I would sign up to the board and say hello. :) I was getting a bit hacked off with the regular large expense of keeping my X5 on the road (+ suspect build quality) :tsktsk: and wanted a V8 that was going to be a good ownership proposition i.e. reliable. These cars seem really cheap at the moment. It was £13K with only 44K miles, demo + 1 owner. A lot of car for little money!! Never owned a Lexus so thought I would try one out and see if it lived up to its reputation. Since a lot of my driving is in traffic on the motorways I actually quite liked the idea of something that had a fairly relaxing ride, lots of toys and a great stereo which this has. I've done a 100 or so miles in it so far and whilst it is not the most involving car to drive it is supremely quiet and comfortable. Which I am rather getting to like the idea of. I think the 430 had a huge spec as standard (including the ML sound system which is great..!!) but I am not sure what other options there were that may have been added. Would be interested to know if anyone can direct me to the 2005 options list? Also the previous owner (an older fellow who I spoke to when I was checking out the history of the car) had just put on 4 new but cheap Enduro Runway tyres on. I'll live with them for the time being but when I need to change I do want to put something on that is more appropriate to the car. What brand is the standard fit and are there alternatives that anyone would recommend? Lastly would you bother with a warranty? Looking on the Lexus website it looks like my car could still qualify for their warranty at circa £700 or I could go down the after-market route which I suspect would be around £500ish. Having had one on the BMW it paid for itself big time. However I am wondering whether it is worth it with the Lexus? Appreciate your thoughts? Thanks PTE