hallsteg

I have a Mk2 RX300 SEL with the wood (?) trim around the gear lever and on the sliding centre box. The 400h has alloy in these parts. I have read and believe it may be possible to replace the wood with the alloy ones which I want to do because it will be more in line with the alloy centre console. I dont mind the wood in the door trims or rear centre arm rest as they are away from the centre console. Has anyone done this and if so, where did you get the parts and how easy is it to do - do you have instructions for doing it? Cheers Steve

I've got front ones fitted to mine with a separate switch just under the steering column to switch them on and off. They were fitted by the previous owner and are now no longer working (probably a dud sensor) but as I pretty much know where the bumper is I can get very close to other cars without touching them so dont need them. Will get round to getting them sorted sometime. It can be done - sorry dont know where they were fitted though as my car came with no paperwork.

Guys, To revert back to the issue at the start (i.e. battery drainage on RX300 - not RX400h) just to advise you that it looks like it has been sorted. My car was a finance reposession and from what I understand it was lying around in a yard somewhere for around 6-9 months or so while the legalities of ownership were sorted out. During this time I believe one of the cells in the battery deteriorated/failed (due to not being used) and would not charge and hence the whole battery was working well below standard (approx 5/6ths power). New battery is now in place and everything seems back to Lexus normal standards - just waiting for the bill now!!! Thanks for the help and you can now go back to the 400h discussion again. Steve.

I have only owned the SEL for a week or so but have already had to jump start it a couple of times - embarrasing being jump started by an old Audi! Maybe I am playing with the toys a bit too much but after opening and closing the power rear door 2 or 3 times and trying to suss out the Sat Nav for a while I dont think I am putting too much drainage on the battery. What experience have you had out there? Is this common or do I have a problem with the battery or alternator not charging the battery.

Thanks for that Damer. Owners Manual finally arrived but now realise that there is a separate one for the Sat Nav system (trying to get it ordered). Managed to figure out most of the simple operations with the Sat Nav but the Map button also has 'Voice' under it. I assume this means you can programme voice commands to the system. Anyone know how to do this? Also trying to figure out how to get the screen to go darker at night. The Menu has some functions in it to set up the screen in Day and Night mode but seems to make little difference (wrt to light intensity) no matter which combinations of Auto, 1, 2, 3 or 4 are chosen. Any thoughts? Cheers Steve

Hi guys, I have just changed my GS300 for a 2003/53 RX300 SEL (Mk 2). The car has no owner manual at this moment, one is on order, but I noticed a switch/button below the wing mirror control called 'AFS' which can be switched off (light comes up on dashboard to warn when it is switched off). Problem is, I dont know what I am switching off! Can anyone advise what this relates to? It may be something to do with the adaptive front lighting or the front and rear parking sensors (which were fitted to this car). I am aware of the (usual) Lexus Alloy Wheel issues (this one has had all four replaced under warranty) and the 'sluggish/lurching' gear box (which does not seem to be a problem with this car)(yet!) but was wondering if you were aware of any other 'common' issues with this car? I bought the car from an independant dealer and it has only around 1 month left on the standard 3 year warranty so am hoping to find any issues before it runs out. All comments appreciated. Cheers. Steve

Thanks for the info folks - sounds to me like I should look to replace the control arm bushings first. I read up about the Daizen Front Control Arm Bushing Set on the Sewell parts web page and the problems they describe seem to fit the bill. Is replacing these an easy job to do for a willing, if not very capable, home mechanic? Do you know where I can find instructions for doing it?

Car now done 80k (last 50k by me) and been running on GY Eagle F1's since I bought it (although had a set of Michelin Pilot Sport on 30k ago). Lexus told me there was no play in the wheels when I complained early on - but as I said, I dont think they were too interested! Has got worse since then however.

Some advice please? I have had a 99T GS300 SE for 4 years now and for the past couple of years the handling has been getting progressively worse. The car seems to have a mind of its own when driving along the road and will often begin to veer to one side or the other without any apparent external influence (like a big wind hitting it from the side - but on a windless day). There's plenty of grip there to pull it back but it is rather unnerving and subsequently becomes tiresome to drive. In addition I sometimes get bad vibration through the steering wheel when driving aong at 50 - 70 mph, often on smooth dual carriageway, but it does not seem too bad when braking - so not warpped discs? I recently had a full 4 wheel steering and alignment check done but they reported nothing (not sure about the local garage though!) and the handling has not improved since - tires/wheels are in good nick. I love the car otherwise and, if I could get this issue sorted, would keep it for a few years yet but am getting close to selling it on as I am getting fed up with it. Any help on what to look for at my next service visit to the garage would be appreciated. P.S. I live in North East Scotland (Aberdeen) - any advice on best garages around me (not Lexus dealers as they not interested in my old car now) - I am willing to travel (within reason) to get this sorted!!!

Anybody out there had a problem with leaking hydraulics from the tensioner for the timing belt. Just put my car in for timing belt replacement and routine service and was advised of this. I had not seen any leaking hydraulic fluid under the car after being park, so consequently doubt this problem - doesnt sound like Lexus/Toyota either - sounds more like a typical Land Rover problem. Makes me doubt the garage - £50 odd plus labour to replace it in addition to the rest Need to know if I am getting ripped off!

Managed to get the mirror out of the housing last night and it now looks like what Lexus were quoting me £167 for was the mirror itself plus the a black plastic mounting plate and a wiring loom coming out of it. This is one assembly that would not normally come apart. I dont think they wer wuoting the motors as I had originally understood. Anyway, makes the £100 for the complete wing mirror look a bargain. :D Anyone want a wing mirror assembly less the mirror?

As I understood it, that was for the mirror plate plus the little motor bits behind it but did not include the housing/paint job etc. They would not quote me for the glass plate on its own - said it came as an assembly with the motor bits etc. Like duffyt, it was still useable but it ruins the look of the car and after a year I had had enough of it. Mk 2 is Photochromatic glass - dont know if Mk 1 is? Expensive I know but will make me happier :D

Did you get the Glass? I have the same problem - was quoted £167 +VAT from Lexus for a replacement so went round to my breakers and got a complete mirror assembly in pristine condition for £100 inc VAT. Was it difficult to replace the glass? Any advice? Anybody needing a mirror assembly without the glass?

Second Hand market is rubbish just now. Been trying to sell my 99 GS300 SE for the last month (only asking Glass Trade Price) and, appart from the usual magazines/organisations trying to get you to advertise with them, I have had only one call and that was from a chancer offering 4 grand below book price. Told him to go take a hike

Colin, Can you advise if there were any specific changes to the engine (other than spark plugs and engine cover) which allowed them to increase the belt change from 63k to 100k, i.e. has anything about the belt changed? My prefacelift model is at 62k and therefore due the belt change soon - in your opion, is it safe to delay to 100k? I understand it is a non-interference engine and therefore if worst happened it would just need the belt replaced - can you confirm this? I dont want to pay for something that is not needed! Cheers.