PGLex

Just go back from a round trip to Scotland and back in a day (about 650 miles today) and i would say the car is faultless. The seats are fantastic and i adjusted the lumber support a bit on the way home. Got out the car at either end with no aches or pains. PG

Via Cars main screen. You can repeat/random play via cars screen. There are a few other options as well. Once the ipod's in the glove box i don't touch it. You can't select Genre and then choose an album you want which is a bit annoying, but if you select the album you want before you plug it into the car, it will play "last selected" as the car calls it. PG

I have the Lexus IPod connector. The comments you have are correct, but you are not limited to 6 playlists only. Its scrolls through in 6's, so after the first 6 you get the IPod's 7th playlist,but it comes up as number 1 again. I control mine via the dash change disc button or on the steering wheel. It scrolls through in alphabetical order, or plays the wholeIPod contents. I get the track name, and playlist on the screen, but not the artist. I usually have mine on random play, and it works great. Like another poster said you will never need a CD again. PG

You are right to be cautious. I have a 06 plate 300 bought second hand and have just had the ECU and 2x sensors done under Lexu warranty. Lucky for me i bought via Lexus dealer otherwise i would have no warranty and a £3k bill. Also worth checking if your car is affected by a recall letter. Brake master cylinder. Possible leak meaning replacement seal required Wiring loom to fuel pump. I assume new connection required. PG

Just got my GS as well, and with built in sat nav have also wanted speed camera detector as a seperate thing. I have just started using my old BEL 550 Euro again. It works really well, and i am finding that only about 30% of camera's are live. Be careful though it doesn't pick up SPEC camera's or other hot spot warnings a Tom Tom or similar GPS based one would give. I have started using it as i already had it, and it works fine. Other current detectors seem to be monthly update fees etc and warn of all positions and not just highlighting live ones. Swings and roundabouts really PG

Hi,Just thought i would add my few pennies worth. I have had the IS200 years ago and have to say i loved it. About 6 months ago a got rid of a A5 (2.0T Sline) company car and bought a GS300, hence back onto LOC forums. Well the A5 is certainly a very beautiful car to look at, but the reality of it was, it was very small inside (rear) and getting 2 small kis in and out was difficult. The ride on mine was not great. It used to tram line a lot. I changed the 2 front tyres for a different make and it did make a big difference though. Fuel consumption on the 2.0T was around 38MPG with combined driving. It did always make me smile in the morning due to its looks, but if i was spending my own money i honestly don't think i would get another. My 2001 A4 had a much better ride. Having jumped back into a Lexus, i can say I could not be happier. I would stick with Lexus myself, but maybe take an A5 for a test drive. Don't let he twinkly lights fool you (although other cars did get out of the way quite quickly with them on) PG

Hi i just read your post, and have just added a new topic that may be relevant. I a nut shell below. I have had the check VSC lights come a few times over the last couple of weeks. I didn't have the loss of power some have had so assumed (incorrectly)this not to be the faulty ECU issue. I was still awaiting the recall works to the fuel pump wiring and brake cylinder, and so decided to call Lexus Derby and get the car booked in to get the Check VSC issue checked out and complete the works to the brakes (fuel pump parts still not available). When i dropped the car off, i explained that i new about the faulty ECU issue and that even if this was not the issue now, i would expect it to be covered if it happened in the future. They said they had never claimed for this under extended warrenty before. They said they would run the diagnostics and check the fault i had. The results showed i did have the faulty ECU issue. The first problem i had was that they queried the validity of my warrenty as i had not had the car serviced by a Lexus dealer. I emailed them proof that i had had it serviced in line with the Lexus service schedule by a local garage at the correct time. This seemed to resolve this issue. They submitted a warrenty claim for the ECU and later confirmed that it had been accepted. They commented that Lexus had extended the cover on this item to include more cars? Not 100% sure what they meant by this, but it would appear that this known issue is being covered on more vehicles than previously. They ordered the parts and i am picking the car up in the morning. I would suggest that anyone who has a warrenty left and has experienced the Check VSC light and then it resets itself, to visit Lexus and get them to run a check on their car. The car stores the faults it has and you may find that you had the same issue i had. If your lucky you may also get this potentially very expensive repair done under warrenty before it runs out. Hope this helps PG

Thanks to all those that have posted info about the faulty ECU and oxygen sensors. The information proved very helpful so i am posting my recent experience hoping that it may be helpful to others also. I have had the check VSC lights come a few times over the last couple of weeks. I didn't have the loss of power some have had so assumed (incorrectly)this not to be the faulty ECU issue. I was still awaiting the recall works to the fuel pump wiring and brake cylinder, and so decided to call Lexus Derby and get the car booked in to get the Check VSC issue checked out and complete the works to the brakes (fuel pump parts still not available). When i dropped the car off, i explained that i new about the faulty ECU issue and that even if this was not the issue now, i would expect it to be covered if it happened in the future. They said they had never claimed for this under extended warrenty before. They said they would run the diagnostics and check the fault i had. The results showed i did have the faulty ECU issue. The first problem i had was that they queried the validity of my warrenty as i had not had the car serviced by a Lexus dealer. I emailed them proof that i had had it serviced in line with the Lexus service schedule by a local garage at the correct time. This seemed to resolve this issue. They submitted a warrenty claim for the ECU and later confirmed that it had been accepted. They commented that Lexus had extended the cover on this item to include more cars? Not 100% sure what they meant by this, but it would appear that this known issue is being covered on more vehicles than previously. They ordered the parts and i am picking the car up in the morning. I would suggest that anyone who has a warrenty left and has experienced the Check VSC light and then it resets itself, to visit Lexus and get them to run a check on their car. The car stores the faults it has and you may find that you had the same issue i had. If your lucky you may also get this potentially very expensive repair done under warrenty before it runs out. Thanks again to those that posted info, it has saved me a large repair bill. PG

Hi, My 2006 GS300 has just had the "check VSC" message 3 times in about 2 weeks. It still hasn't had the re-call works done yet, so have been speaking to Lexus Derby about getting this booked. I was intending getting the 2x recall items done, at the same time get the diagnostic check on the VSC error. Yesterday morning i noticed a slight noise of rubbing brake discs as i reversed out the drive (VSC light still on). A bit of driving and later that day started the car. No VSC light. This morning i had no brake noise and no VSC light. Is it possible that a sticking brake disc could cause the VSC error, and whilst driving it free's up and clears error next time you re-start the car? I will get the full report from Lexus Derby when it goes in.One of the recall items is a master cylinder brake seal. Could this cause a sticking brake? Any advise appreciated. PG

Brief update. Lexus Milton Kenynes still have no parts to carry out the work Maybe in the new year? PG

I have recently brought another Lexus after many years of German cars. The GS i have (2006) is averaging about 34-35 MPG in the last 3 months. I don't drive particularly hard, but don't hang about either. Round town it does drop a bit, but again take it easy, and you may be surprised. I have covered about 10,000 trouble free miles, and would have to say its still an absolute pleasure jumping in and knowing i have a 600 mile round trip in front of me. Effortless driving, and very comfortable. About a month ago i had a re-call letter from Lexus regarding Fuel pump wiring + Master cylinder seal. So it may be worth checking if your car may be affected by this. I popped into Lexus Milton keynes last week and they still have no parts in stock to do the job, but did say thay are unaware of any problems with these two issues, and that it was a precautionary re-call. I will be getting mine serviced next week (not at Lexus Milton Keynes as they wanted £450 for the pleasure of changing oil and filters), but am not expecting any issues. I have had Lexus IS in he past and would say that the overall Lexus driving experience is different to German. You feel like you have chosen a less obvious but better choice, and have been rewarded for doing so with plenty of driver gadgets and ample comfort. Sitting in traffic amongst the sea of BMW, Audi and Mercedes you do feel a little more unique and i kinda like that. Good luck with the new car PG

I have also paired a BB Curve to my GS without issue. I must be fairly straight forward as i didn't read any manuals. Just made the phone visable, told car to search for phone and paired then transfered contacts. All contacts now come upon the screen. Sounds like a dodgy phone to me. Only issue I have is that when calling someone, the radio/cd doesn't cut out until the other person has answered. (unless dialling from one touch on the screen, then I hear the ringing). This can be a bit off putting as you don't hear the other person say "hello". Still if that the only complaint it can't be bad. PG

Well had plenty of snow and ice so far, and no problems (other than other drivers). Just taking my time and being easy on throttle and steering. The snow setting seems to help a bit, but no real problems to report. It could definatley be a bit lively (if i drive like a BMW driver) but the Lexus is a bit more grown up than that. (Cue plenty of people defending BMW drivers) Could do with the snow going soon though.

Also got my letter. Any idea how long the car will be at Lexus for? I assume a decent courtesy car wil be provided.

Hi all, Had my GS for about 3 months and covered about 8000 faultless miles. I have to say even driving to Scotland and back in a day for a meeting was not a problem. Luxury and comfort and wafting every where i go. I have had a few cars, and this one was brought with big miles in mind, and seems perfect. I just have a small concern about driving in the snow and ice with rear wheel drive and a heavy car. Has anyone any thoughts / advice. I was concidering getting some snow chains. Has anyone else tried them? Any feedback would be good, just so i know if i have to pinch the wifes X3 when the snow comes. Cheers PGLEX

Not sure it helps you, but i have those wheels on my 2006 300se-l. I think they were standard. Not 100% sure

Hi, Can't help with alot of your queries, but i did find a hidden menu the other day when fiddling. Holding INFO button in, and turning lights on and off three times, brings up a hidden / service menu. Some of the settings there relate to the reversing guidance lines. Not sure its what you want, but may be a start. Good luck PG

Hi Chaps, Just a quick note. I found a secret menu when playing with my GS300. Press and hold info button Turn lights on then off three times. This brings up a secret menu. One setting is for bluetooth volume for sent and recieved voices. I turned mine up to +1 and its much louder. People havn't said i sound quite, so i left the sent voice setting alone. Hope this helps PG

HI all, New member asking question for first time, so please be kind if its already been asked. I have just got an '06 GS 300SE-L (beautiful by the way), and the dealer said it would play DVD movies on the sat nav screen. So far i have no been able to make this work. I have seen some comments about being in park etc, but still no luck. Its a standard UK car with ML sound system. I had the dealer fit the ipod cable before i agreed to buy it as well. So it has everything i want. The icing on the cake would be to play DVD movies. An help apprecaited. Having movies on the move, amy be nice as well, but not essential. Ca anyone help? :) + Small note. I found a hidden menu by holding in the INFO button and turning the lights on and off three times. This enabled me to turn the phone volume up a bit as it was a bit quiet. Not sue what all the other items were, but i didn't want to fiddle to muc as the car is new for me.