Connoisseur

Me, swmbo and the SC430 are driving to southern Spain and back first half of September so 27th works for me. If it has to be earlier then have a good 'un :)

M

Most likely not changed - iirc plugs schedule is for change at 90k+ so the car may be on its originals. In the States many owners swap them after 30 to 60k miles. If changing then imo v. important to fit NGK Iridium plugs (OEM).

M

The interval for plugs on GS430 (same engine) recommended 5yrs/60k. Lexus Coventry changed the plugs on mine when I bought it in 2008 but I haven't changed them since as although 7 years it has only done 27k since and runs perfectly.

I guess that's down to different cars having different service needs/schedules.....

Worth it so the car 'forgets' previous patterns etc.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/tutorials/article/17-resetting-sc430-engine-ecu/

Most likely not changed - iirc plugs schedule is for change at 90k+ so the car may be on its originals. In the States many owners swap them after 30 to 60k miles. If changing then imo v. important to fit NGK iridium plugs (OEM).

M

Basic I know but with the V8 engine first I'd be checking/swapping out the plugs as a new set made considerable difference to me.

I started to experience a Battery drain problem 2 months ago; prior to that I had left my SC430 undriven in the garage for up to 4 weeks without any issue - would always start on first turn; I know the car was fitted with Tracker from new and it hasn't been removed.

So when the problems started (setting aside the need to also fit a new starter motor!) I got the original (11 year old) Battery bench tested and it was shot, not holding much of a charge at all. New Battery fitted (and new starter motor) and the car was transformed. It now sits happily for weeks again, though I do have one new issue which I have read about elsewhere - if I leave phone/iPod plugged into the cubby power socket and then switch off and lock the car then the alarm will sound repeatedly until it is unplugged.......

In a week's time we are taking the car to Murcia in southern Spain and back on a european road trip - 3000 miles plus, so a good run out :)

Sorry to hear of your woes. As above suggest contact with Lexus UK to get things sorted. In the meantime and as some compensation here's the iPod integration owners manual for download:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbcziraqx8pb9xj/iPod%20integration%20owners%20manual.pdf?dl=0

Good luck

Just in case - if your car is like some other Lexi then the sat nav instructions come via the drivers side speaker(s) only. It may be worth checking that this speaker is not set 'low' in the audio system set up.........

Great job, esp. the mirrors ;) Wish I had your skills..........

M

Bummer!! sorry to see that.........

Could it have been a cycle pedal?

clay bar'd and then waxed the paintwork on my GS (pic). Weather permitting (!) will finish off with the bumpers and deep clean all glass tomorrow; then use the clay bar on and polish the alloys.......

if the Dealer has not been around long then that is one thing; if he has been in business a long time then he could give in w'out too much fuss because the cost/hassle of not doing so could be high.

Either way, you could:

1. lodge a formal complaint with trading standards as it is then on their records

2. speak nicely to the guy and ask him again to replace the discs - if he still says no then go to your local newspaper and radio with the story

3. write a blog about your experiences and put it on the web - then send him a link ;)

hth

Have a read here http://www.tradingstandards.uk/advice/problemswithvehicles-sum6.cfm

hi. Ive just bought an is 200 sport and had the same issue. Had it serviced and its warped brake discs causing issue, no idea if this is a common occurrence. A pity the dealer (Plympton car centre) has a warranty so crap it more or less only covers the cigarette lighter, so gonna have to pay for that to be done :(

If you have just bought the car then, by law the Dealer you bought from is responsible for sorting your disc problem, not you (for up to 6 months after purchase). The Sale of Goods Act covers this. Obviously all will be relative to the price paid but warped discs on a just sold car are down to the Dealer, not you. Worth taking the car back and asking them to sort...........

For full details do a web search on car purchase and sale of goods act.........

hth

John,

Good news........and interesting. Do you know is it possible to programme DRL's (daytime running lights) on your 450h? I understand the USA GS450h came with so I was idly wondering whether it might be a techstream setting to turn off/on?

Back on topic..............today I took out the SC with the roof down under a gorgeous summer hot sun. Getting it fettled for our 3000 mile euro road trip[ in September. Cannot wait..

Yes it is very sad to see that happen, esp. to a good old Lexus. There were plenty of warnings issued..there are a lot of pics on the media of that white Nissan (350Z?) in the background. A very costly incident for the owner's insurance..

Thank you much appreciated. Lots of hiding places in the SC thankfully. Am considering doing a trip blog (nothing too boring but lots of pictures) so will try to post a few pics here.

we're starting off from Dunkerque (not Calais ;) ), then heading to Charleroi before going south, all to avoid the Paris ring road and get more countryside driving, then Reims, Dijon, Lyon, C-F, Millau then down to Montpelier over the border to Valencia before getting to Murcia.

I love driving in Europe but have not done anything like this length of trip. If I'm lucky will get 28 to 30 mpg from the V8 on the long runs so aiming to map fuel stops as carefully as rest stops he heh.

Speed cameras? Will use cruise to avoid getting caught if I can, but it is oh so easy to stretch the legs!

Thanks again

M

Thanks Normski, very helpful. Definitely HID's on the SC430, will now check the beam pattern, and print out the letter!

Thanks also for the Millau Bridge tip; we will be approaching from Clermont Ferrand so will stop at that viewpoint :)

M

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/102422-ls400-on-bbc-weather/ :)

Hi,

can't find an answer to this via search so:

2004 SC430. Do I need to fit headlamp adaptors for a 3000 mile trip to Murcia, Spain and back I'm doing in September, orare they not required?

We are going via the Millau Bridge, not to be missed apparently.

Thanks for guidance

M

Wrap was about £22 or so per metre +vat. Nah no wastage, I've wrapped dozens of cars now so pretty confident in only ordering what I need! Used 14 metres of vinyl which also allowed enough for door shuts (have yet to do these).

Any ideas how the mirror covers come off, are they just clipped in or do I need to remove the whole lot to get to them?

Chris

this pdf shows the mirror assembly and casing https://www.dropbox.com/s/vobg6e6sll8zm1b

/GS%20door%20mirror%20assembly.pdf?dl=0

....and this from You Tube shows the procedure; the car shown is an IS but the procedure should be exactly same for your 3 GS. Watch from 7mins 15 secs in. I'd caution that care is required, but you clearly know what you are doing........ :)

o

hth

wow, great looking car. Thanks for sharing your pics! What are the material costs of the wrap, if you don't mind me asking?

am sure others will be along soon with RX specific info. If it helps in the meantime I recently fitted a Vais MML to my GS450h; it has provided me with full iPod steering wheel and touch screen controls and has worked perfectly since.

Very happy to recommend the company and its products - custom duties can be a pain (circa £50) but well worth it for what you get, as long that is as you have checked your car has the correct sat nav generation unit fitted.

hth

Excellent! That is very good to hear...........thanks

Have a check of the bonnet, is there any rust right at the front of the bonnet towards the headlights, I say this because thet are prone to rust around that area and if it is, take it to your local lexus dealer, you have a 12 year corrosion warranty and they will fit a brand new bonnet on it.

Just a thought - won't the 12 year warranty only apply if the car has a full Lexus history with anti-corrosion checks done?