Connoisseur

Hi Carl, am doing my Vais install this weekend. Could I ask did you earth the unit when you fitted the unit into your centre console box? If so was there a earth point nearby you used? Thanks for your help. Mike

Hi, Have you got the front/corner parking sensors switched on (green indicator in lh of instrument cluster)? If yes then each time you get close to a car/bus/lorry on either front corner you will get a series of bleeps untli the obstacle clears the sensor. Same if someone gets close to you. Sensor detects at all speeds with graphic indicator (full screen or small) appearing on centre screen. Happens on my 450h all the time........... hth Mike

New batteries in keyfob sorted eactly this for me..... hth Mike

A bit late maybe but this Lexus epc parts catalogue I find v. useful http://lexus-europe.epc-data.com/

Member Carl has installed a Vais MML from the States and I'm just about to do same. See this thread: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/97912-vais-mml-installed-in-gs450h/

Hi, You should be able to do it..........have a full read of this thread on a USA owners site. The solution seems to be in the timing as explained towards the end http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-third-generation/487011-turning-off-auto-door-lock-and-unlock-2.html hth Mike

Hi Well this is said while firmly crossing fingers! but over the winter I haven't been near my factory standard SC for 3 to 4 weeks on a number of occasions and it has always started first time on what is a 4 year old battery. Just saying to illustrate how a standard Lexus, even when 11 year old, can be absolutely fine on electrics. I am a ML fan in both my cars. Agree we can always find better aftermarket but the ML in the SC is powerful enough for me with great bass, and after 11 years is staying the course with zero problems (crosses fingers again!) Cheers Mike

Hi and welcome, you made a great choice I've been a 450h owner just two weeks longer than yourself, and if Manchester hadn't been so far away then the car you bought would have been on my list. Enjoy the car , and hope the few niggles are sorted soon. The Dealer I bought from is (albeit reluctantly) fitting a new rear brake caliper for me next week. Sale of Goods Act is wonderful thing! Mike

I'll be along to this meet. Look forward to meeting everybody. Mike

Carl, Thanks for answering my question and for responding on your Vaiss thread. I am still looking at a glove box location for ease but will review once i have got the MML unit. Michael

Nicely done - that is a v. neat instal. Have ordered the MML from the States myself and am looking at best location - what led to changing to the centre console? Regards C

Welcome Michael.Lovely car. Can`t say whether or not I`ve noticed if items are greyed out or not! I never let the fuel go below one quarter of the tank, so would not need to trust the amount of fuel remaining. The warranty you have been given is irrelevant as you receive a 6 month statutory warranty via the Sale of Goods Act. Google it and find out the details. Regards John Thanks for the compliments John, and the guidance. Am ringing dealer in the morning to explain will rely on SoGA not insurance. Have had a very competitive quote from Lexus dealer to replace the caliper so am aiming to get them to accept that otherwise it could cost them a lot more........... we'll see. Wasn't impressed - Dealer is part of Stratstone Group!

Only problem is getting enough time to drive it :) It's a great car all year round and in Summer is unbeatable. I've had zero issues. Important to ensure the cambelt/water pump and tensioners all done if up to 100k or 8/9 years old. Apart from that the only costs to me have been general servicing. The car will be 11 years old this summer and looks only like 2 or 3 years old. Build quality is superb and tho' it's a roadster not a sports, it is enjoyable to throw around on occasions in sport mode.......... Good service history is a must. hth Thank you, and thanks for the information and advice - really helpful; it's good to hear from a long term owner

Hello, Just bought a 2009 GS450h SE-L in Tuscan Olive so wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Great car, just need to sort out a sticking rear caliper pin- I see from posts it is a fairly common issue and I am willing to bet the Jag dealer i got the car from may be averse to paying for it! Hey ho, they gave me a 3 month insurance based 'warranty'. A couple of new owner questions that a search didn't instantly come up with answers for: First one is when driving there are no restrictions/greyed out buttons at all on access to the Lexus OEM phone/nav/music systems via the screen - is this a standard fit or has it been 'tweaked'?? Second - how accurate is the mpg/distance to go read outs on the instrument panel, i.e. if the car says there are 20 miles left, is that close to reality or not? I've ordered a Vaistech MML from the States so I can get fullish access to my iPod via the car controls. Still not sure where to put it - Vaiss say there may be an issue with charging of some iPad/iPhones if the USB extension is used. Any one experienced this? Thanks in advance for your help and assistance. I thought the SC430 showed understated power, until I drove the GS! C

The twist centre caps arrived from the States Friday and were fitted by Saturday. For me the caps improve the look and stance of the car and are a tremendous improvement. With 10 bolts per cap to undo, some with the star thread stripped, it was a long job, tho' worth it. Mike

Hi Matt, Best to post your question in the 220/250 forums as the nav system instructions for our cars are different to your model. regards Mike

Cheers Paul, have had roof down at least once every day since I got the car. Not bored yet lol

Picked up yesterday morning and haven't really stopped since. Down to the south coast with roof down and big smiles.

These are the ones I'm getting fitted to my SC 430. They come with many recommendations, are a fair price and you can get them fitted with both parts and fitting guaranteed. I particularly like the fact that you can get the micro sensors which look very ok http://www.parkingse...ing_sensors.asp hth

lol, don't get the car now until Saturday...............................Dealer is replacing TPMS but didn't realise they have to be set up by a Lexus dealer. Still they are clearly doing a proper job - am hoping the weather lasts 'til Saturday as a trip down to Brighton and the coast is on the cards. Fingers crossed.............

Paul, Sounds like a great trip - am immediately envious, how comfortable is the car for you on long trips, especially the seats? I may go for newer alloys at some point, though by then I may just go for a newer 430! Thanks for the steer on spacesaver and luggage - on a euro trip would have to look to put bag or the tyre in the rear seat area. That's a great insurance price you got - I can't touch it though I need business use so not that surprised. Roll on Tuesday

to fill time between now and next Tuesday when I pick up the car I've been browsing the forums and learning about pie plate wheel trims (I have them), lack of room when the roof is down, getting rear parking sensors fitted etc. etc. Probably exactly what many other SC430 owners have gone through at one time or another, and I'm just the latest! Still, thought I'd post a bit of what I've discovered in case it might help others..... pie plate wheel centres/trims - the oem Lexus silver (not chrome) 5 spoke trims alternative are available on ebay.com in the States, tho. none seem to deliver to the UK. Prices range from $30 each up to $166 each!! or $299 for a set of four. Have ordered a $30 set for delivery to a friend in USA who is sending them on - cheaper than a new set of alloys I thought, as long as they fit! tinyurl.com/7x3ej6g fitted boot luggage - I had read on more than one .com Lexus forum about luggage produced for the boot tailored to fit in the space left with the roof down. Sets are on ebay.com at $133 + shipping and they do deliver to the UK - currently badged as 50% off the original price. The two bags get good reviews by owners and as we will be using our car for touring UK/Europe I wanted a set. Avoid ebay though and go direct to the maker's website and the cost is even cheaper - $99 plus shipping: http://www.roadtripl...age-Bags/Detail rear parking sensors - on my car set up the OEM lexus sensor kit I'm told doesn't mute the ICE, and was quoted £599 today by a Dealer to fit lol A place in Aylesbury I've used before will fit a high quality set for £240 inc painted which sounds more reasonable.... Have also just coughed up for the insurance so all that is left is to work up my story about the additional and essential costs of ownership of this great car to give to the SO tonight. That could be trickier lol. And all I need now is a spare wheel kit for the European trips - available from USA if you have $1000 + to spare..............hmm I wonder

Paul, hi and thanks for responding. On the cruise question it may have been the 'ACC' on the stalk that got me confused!

Hello, Today put my money down on a 2004 SC430 in Silver with Black interior so thought I'd introduce myself. Will be picking up in a week or so and it's going to be difficult waiting. Alloys are being refurbed and a full check and valet done. Great club and car, am happy to be joining the select few.... car had only been on sale for 1 day so no pics I can post from the Honda Dealer selling it - will post some tomorrow after I've been back after work to drool. Cheers Mike