gareth1902

That's the thing, I can't really say I am dissatisfied with the GS450h. Ok I think the LS460 or LS600h is far better looking than my 2009 GS but overall the car is great. Just fancied the flagship model really and the extra refinements that come with it. Just can't decide if it's all worth it or I'm being silly!

Hi all. I don't know why but I have been having this urge lately to change my 2009 GS450h for an LS model. Don't really know why but just fancy the extra refinements with the LS. Problem is I can't even make my mind up between a LS460 or a LS600h. Quite fancy the hybrid as the road tax is obviously considerably less but naturally they seem to be harder to find and are far more expensive than the 460 model. The only 600h models I have seen in a decent price range have 130000 miles on the clock on a 08 plate. Anyway just looking for some advice really as to what you guys would suggest. Am I just being silly and is it even worth going from my GS450h to a LS460 or 600h? Also which of the LS models would be best? Finally would you consider a LS600h with mileage like 130000-140000 etc or is just madness to think about?? I know Lexus have a rep for going on and on and on but don't know about these hybrids which could be an expensive fix. Cheers in advance for your help and advice!

Hi all just wanted to introduce myself and say hi to all you good people. Having previously owned an IS200 and an IS250 I am now the proud owner of a 2009 GS450h. Delighted with the car so far, really flies! Shame about the boot space but hey ho! Anyway just wanted to say hello as I'll now be reading through all the GS threads now instead of the IS. Take care all!

Cheers mate that's just the kind of reply I was hoping for. I'll give that a try then.

Hi all. I got in the car today and the key completely came out of the fob and stuck in the ignition. I managed to get it out with a pair of pliers from the boot tool hit. I have known the key wasn't the best as I have superglued it together twice. I am now using the second key at the moment (the one with no boot button). Obviously I could just superglue the key back together again but this is only delaying the inevitable and really a new key is needed. I have checked all my books and can find no engine code. I know a new key from Lexus will be expensive so am just wondering more in hope than anything else if there is a cheaper option?? Cheers

Thanks Ormi for all your advice. I took your advice and went to the Lexus garage. They threw it on the diagnostic machine and fault code C1202 came up. They told me that I needed a new ABS Actuator and they warned me they were expensive. Pretty much backed up what my independent garage had told me. New ABS Actuator £642.43 (inc VAT), £11.76 for brake fluid (inc VAT) and £198 in labour (inc VAT). Total £852.19. I had to wait a week for the part to come in and the Lexus guy told me they are common faults which is why they had to wait so long to get more in. I must admit I didn't see that coming.

Well when I drove it to the garage the car seemed to drive ok to me. Obviously I could see the lights indicated some kind of brake issue so I was extra vigilant towards the brakes but it seemed to drive as normal and there was certainly no smoke or burning smells to suggest th wheels were getting that hot.

but it seems they are saying that the brakes are not releasing because of a fault with the ABS unit. So they are making it sound like it's not the heat from the brakes that is damaging the ABS unit but that a fault with the ABS is causing the brakes to not release.

no. This garaged serviced it a few months ago and advised me that the rear brakes were pitted because it had probably been standing a while before I bought it but they didn't tell me I needed new brakes it was just an advisory thing. Then all was fine until this morning when these lights appeared. I have always found this garage reliable and reasonable and they only do work that NEEDS doing rather than for the sake of it so I'd be very disappointed if they were as you say "trying to pull a fast one". However I am also reluctant to part with around a grand just like that without looking into things a little more. He didn't give me the actual fault code but he phoned me and told me that the rear brakes weren't releasing and getting hot when driving etc. He then told me that it could be an ABS issue or it may be something else and he'd look into it and get back to me. Then he rang me back after a couple of hours with the bad news about needing a new ABS thingy for 550 notes plus vat. It gave me a shock I can tell you as the car has only done 64000 miles so wasn't expecting much to go just yet!

Strange thing is that they say the ABS unit needs replacing but the ABS light is not even one that is on. Odd...

I went to drive my IS200 this morning and 2 lights appeared on the dash, namely the TRC OFF which was flashing and the (!) which was illuminated constantly. I managed to get to the local garage and the car seemed to drive ok (pretty normal). Anyway the mechanic said they'd plug it in to the diagnostic machine. Result is that the rear brakes have not been releasing and hence getting very hot and it appears the problem is....ABS unit needs replacing. Cost £550 + VAt + Labour. I must say I feel as sick as a parrot. I bought a Lexus on the basis that they were extremely reliable and then this happens. I know that it's part and parcel of motoring but just had a new bathroom a few days ago so could have really done without this. Ruddy cars!!

I had this problem and it turned out that the button was jammed. It took ages but I had to go around the button with a sharp knife to free it up. It now unlocks the boot when pressed for a couple of seconds.

Ok the new unit arrived today so I decided to try the bulb on its own (without the unit) just to see if the bulb had gone but to my surprise the bulb worked. However it needed pressing into the socket and jiggling slightly as if there may be a loose connection somewhere but at least the bulb worked so there is power actually going to the unit. We had the bulb lit for approx 10 seconds and a little smoke started to come off it (not steam) and you could smell smoke. I'm just wondering if this would be because the bulb had not been lit for so long or whether it would indicate another problem? I'm getting a new bulb but is it possible the socket it plugs into may need replacing too?

you'll find a 10mm spanner in the cars tool kit. Shows how much of a novice I am, didn't even realise the car had a tool kit until you told me. Many thanks for that. Managed to get the unit out and it was corroded beyond belief. Light obviously hadn't worked for years! Ordered another one off ebay now so just waiting for it to arrive. Hopefully fitting it will be as simple as taking the old one out. And hopefully that's a big wad of money saved without Lexus doing it! Thanks to all for the advice.

I think mine may be beyond a new bulb as I can see it looks quite brown and corroded inside where water has got in so I expect I'll need a whole new unit. I'll give it a try anyway.

No my set of spanners are 11mm to 19mm so when I tried the 11mm and found it was too big I guessed I needed a smaller one. So I need to get a 10mm one then. Thanks for the help

I have taken all your advice and I'll try and do it myself. I have a few little questions from you more experienced people in order to help me. Firstly I tried a 11mm spanner on the 2 bolts and it was too big. Anyone know what size I will need? Also when the bolts have been done how do you get the unit out? Do you push it through from the back and it pops out the front? Thanks in advance

I'd like to but I'd still need someone to fit it as I'm no good with cars so I'd probably end up breaking something.

Just spoke to Lexus. They will fit another fog light for £260 all in. Roughly £190 + vat for part and £30 + vat for labour

yes that's what I would have thought but they are adament that because it isn't an MOT failure point then they sold it in roadworthy condition.

Also how do you undo the bolts? Do you have to go in from the wheel arch or can you do it from the front?

If I get a new unit and put it in then would water still get in or is just the seals on the old unit that are the problem?

Yes I can just about see inside and it looks a little brownish around the bulb unlike the other one so my guess would be that the unit is finished. A new one it is then.... It's the drivers one with mine as well.

Hello all, I am a little confused and am hoping you good people may be able to help. I bought a 51 plate IS200 about a month ago. I put it in for a service/timing belt change last week and was informed that one of the front fogs don't work as there is water in the lens. I took it back to the garage today as they obviously knew it (or should have done) and was told that lights doesn't come under the warranty. In other words they're not interested. They told me that I need to buy a new unit as you can't just open it and change the bulb) and told me they found one on ebay for £89. They said it's easy to fix myself. I have looked in the handbook and it says to undo 2 screws and take the unit out then just replace the bulb and put the unit back in. So the book says the bulb can be changed but the garage said it can't. I need to know what I need to do and is it easy as I am a complete novice with car mechanics etc. Any info greatly received!!

MOT is due next April.