colmcork

Hi there guys, after a long, long time I have finally managed to treat myself to a lovely 2004, Mica Blue GS 300 with 97000 miles on the clock and a two owner car. I have it quite a while now but have been far too busy to get around to doing anything with it ! The only 2 small issues I have are; The aerial mast is broken off, but the motor sounds to be working when the radio is powered on There is only one key with the car which will not open the boot lid using the button on the fob, but opens it fine manually. Are there any other models of Toyota or Lexus that share the same aerial mast, or can it be purchased as a seperate item from a lexus dealer? Is it difficult/ expensive to get a second key with working remotes from lexus? Any help is greatly appreciated guys, Thanks, Colm.

Hi there guys, it's been a while since I have been on here. Since I last posted I'v gone and gotten myself married, but much more importantly I'v also ( for only a very brief spell ) owned a 1998 LS 400. Un-fortunately though it didn't capture me the way my old GS 300 did. Therefore I have now settled it with myself that although not really needed, I am going to treat myself to a very fresh 2001 - 2005 GS 300. Think of it as a wedding present to myself . Anyhow, browsing through the auto trader I came across two cars, both 2003 plate, both in a lovely light-ish blue with cream interior, one with 63000 miles and the other with only 33000 miles, both dealer cars. The higher miler apparently has a F.S.H and is also based way down south which I am hoping means less possibility of underside corrosion. The lower miler is based in Sale in Cheshire I think ? Forgive my geography here but I believe it is in the upper-midlands?? Anyway it has no mention of service history and from the pictures the seats seem slightly more used than the higher mileage car. These cars are listed at £3985 and £4495, which to me sounds slightly over priced no? Although I have no problem in paying a little extra for a pristine example. Now as I am over here in the R.O.I it is not as easy as just go and have a look so if I do decide to travel I will need to have my mind made up beforehand. I would greatly appreciate any of your opinions on these cars regarding price etc. or if anyone has maybe viewed these cars or has any knowledge of them could they please let me know. As always thanks in advance guys, Colm.

Thanks phil. I actually never even thought of looking there. Hopefully something will turn up.

Hi there guys, I am looking for your help/ advice. Where would be the best place to source a Cd player for my Ls 400 over there in the UK? With my car being originally a UK supplied car it has the sat nav option and I am assuming that is why any of the Cd players I have sourced over here all have different ISO ports on the back of them. Are there any particular breakers etc. that any of you could recommend to me? I was thinking of splicing a new ISO connector into my old wiring loom but REALLY do not want to go down that road unless I have no other choice. All help greatly appreciated guys. ( p.s the ISO connector block in my car is rectangular with the top row having 3 pins, a space, and then 2 pins. The bottom row has 7 pins with pin number 6 being just a blank ).

Funnily enough jpj that is around the speed that mine is juddering at too. Is there a brake re-furb kit available from Lexus? I have done quite a few on supras so wouldn't mind tackling this myself. I cannot tell if the bonnet struts on mine are original or not, I cannot see any lexus markings but I do know that they are very stiff, in fact a little too stiff for my liking.

I really am happy with it, thanks guys. Today while I had the car just sitting stationary I managed to tune in most of the radio stations that I would want on it, so hopefully while on the move the reception will also follow me . I had the windscreen washer light shining out at me, but low and behold 5 litres of washing fluid managed to sort that out. Happy days. Air con is blowing ice cold and all 4 heated seats are nice and toasty. All that I have left to test electrically speaking are the headlight washers and I should be good to go. There is a wobble through the steering wheel when slowing/ braking so will have to sort this out, perhaps it is just as simple as a good wheel balancing and alignment. I may hold off on this a while however as I would like to fit a set of standard 16'' alloys with the correct tyre size for the car. It tramlines something awful at the moment with the wider tyres. The discs have almost no wear in them whatsoever so I am assuming these are reasonably new, but perhaps they are warped slightly. Should hopefully manage to post up a few pictures during the week.

Hi guys just a quick up-date. Well I am now the very proud owner of a 1998 Mk iv Ls 400. 137,000 miles on the clock, maroon in colour and it has the sat nav, wood trim and sunroof options so well pleased with her :). As buying a car goes I did it totally *****-ways. Bought in the dark, no service history, car running after a two hour journey, a seller that seemed very dodgy, and I didn't even take it for a test drive. Oh dear. Having got it home and taken the time to examine it properly I must say that I really am delighted with my investment. The paint work is far from immaculate, but it is 14 years old after all. There are 4 new tyres on it, what feel like 4 new brake discs, the transmission fluid is a lovely cherry colour, the engine oil a golden brown and just general signs that the basics at the very least have been well maintained. The downsides are that, the paint work isn't great and the lacquer has lifted particularly along the drivers side, the cd changer is missing ( a replacement has been sourced, hopefully ), the wheels are 17 inch lexus 10 spoke? with very wide tyres, 245/50/17, I am not fully happy with the reception through the radio, yet, and finally there is a blow somewhere along the exhaust. I'm not sure though if that last one is a downside as my god does it sound ferocious . Anyways as soon as i figure out how to up-load pictures I will post a few up and see what ye think. Oh and I also forgot to mention I got it at an extremely good price.

This may be a stupid question, but do you have any idea what this GPS unit looks like? The reason I ask is that I have my 1998 sat nav model somewhat stripped at the front passenger side, both glove boxes and some of the footwell panels. I can have a poke around and see if we are in the general area, it may well save you stripping yours for no reason. I also have most of the boot stripped out if it helps ?

Thanks for the replies guys. Steve, as soon as I familiarise myself with up-loading photo's I will post a few up, along with the car itself, but I'm just not that advanced yet . To try and explain it, there is only one white connector. It has 7 pins across the bottom row, and 5 pins across the top row. On the row with the 7 pins, pin number 6 ( counting from left to right ) is actually just an ''empty'' slot. Therefore it is an 11 wire connector. It is approx 25mm in width by 10 mm in height. I enquired from a local guy today who has a GS 300 breaking and he confirmed that the cd changer in that is only a 10 pin connector, and is almost square in shape with 5 pins in each row. I have however managed to source an Ls 400 breaking, 2000 reg. I am hoping that this will be an exact match with my 1998 even though mine is the sat nav model. I should have it by tuesday so fingers crossed. I will keep ye posted.

I think you may have misunderstood me Dale, I am not asking about a cd changer from a 400, but rather will one from another model lexus be a direct replacement? My quick search did not turn up any answers to this, but thanks all the same for your reply.

Hi there guys, I have recently purchased a mkiv ls 400 and will fill ye in on the details when I have a little more time this evening. But for now my question is this; In the sat nav model can the cd changer in the glovebox be replaced with one from another lexus, say a GS 300? Apparently a previous owner removed it as it was faulty and the unit has since gone missing. Funnily enough i still have the 6 disc cartridge holder, just no cd player! All help appreciated guys as a quick search on here has not turned up anything for me.

Hi Martin, I just checked mine tonight and yes, the gear selector on the centre console does light up. I also found where the sat nav disc is installed, open the boot and on the passenger side floor of the boot you fold back a small section of carpet and under there lies a disc holder/ player.

There are actually two for sale in Galway ( I think Galway anyway ) , One reg is 98 G 400 and the other is 99 G 400. Coincidence. That 98 one has no service history and is in need of the belt changed so I will avoid. I have managed however to poke out another possible 3 for sale, again all up in Galway. A black 98, not in super condition, a MINT maroon 99, a little reluctant to part with it and possibly over priced, and a98/9 silver, condition un-known so far. The hunt continues. I have looked at that blue one on carzone many times and it seems like a nice straight car. It also has the DHP if I am not mistaken, no?

Hi Martin, The one I am hoping to view over the weekend is a maroon/ plum coloured one.My second choice after the black.It is A 1998 UK spec car with 136,000 miles on it, the seller however seems to be a bit of a complete timewaster. Two phone numbers and two e-mail addresses. It is not looking too promising so the search is on-going I'm afraid. Have you purchased your second one yet? Is it the one on carzone that you are after?

Thanks again Ambermarine for your reply, You have helped put my mind at ease with that answer. I am hoping to look/ purchase over the weekend if I get the chance to. As I had ruled out a model with the sat nav I really hadn't my homework done and didn't know much about it which was putting me off. Hopefully the car will turn out to be as described when I get there, I will keep ye up-dated.