Lexus4Me?

I'm hoping that I'm posting this in an appropriate spot. Moderators please move it if it should be somewhere else and accept my apologies. Found these odd items on my Mk4 GS450h Premier and I'd be pleased if someone could identify what they are and what they do. 1. In the floor of the boot. The first three images show this bit of plastic located in a recess milled in aluminium. 2. On the overhead console. The second three images show two small holes towards the back of the console which appear to contain screws, accessible only with something like a watchmaker's screwdriver. These screws do not hold the console in position. They may provide some adjustment for the auto-sensing wipers, the auto-sensing lights or the auto-main beam dip which are fitted to my car - all of which work surprisingly well. I've resisted twiddling the screws in case I stop them doing so. I'll be interested in your responses particularly if they are informed.

Thank you for that Robert. A very thorough reply indeed. When I checked the Lexus Portal your map data (2015/2016 ver 2) matches that for the 08 HDD system on the GS450h. I think mine is the EMVN (11 HDD) so the updates will, presumably be different. When I bought the car last November I understood, apparently mistakenly, that it would have the maps updated. When I realised, earlier this year, that they were still the original 2012 versions I contacted Lexus Leicester from whom I bought the car and have negotiated the update for about £80 (half price because of the misunderstanding). They told me that the latest version was Feb 2016 but because this differed from the (May 2015) details on the Lexus portal I deferred assuming that the updates would be yearly but here we are in June and the portal still claims May 2015 as the latest version. I await some further information. I hope you get on well with your GS. I'm still getting used to mine. I'm much more familiar with cars that are a bit rough and in my GS I feel I should be wearing a peaked cap sitting in the front while the real owner sits sedately in the back! I like the calm female voice on the car navigation but I don't find it as intuitive as Google maps on my phone. My girlfriend can usually sort out navigation on her phone before I've got the Lexus nav sorted out but that could be a bit of lack of experience. Had I got the earlier GS like yours I think I would have invested in the Vaistech equipment which apparently permits one to mirror one's mobile phone screen on the Lexus screen and control the phone from the remote or touchscreen in the car. Seems then one can have the latest Google maps for free. Sadly it won't work on the Mk 4 model I have (or rather what they sell for the Mk4 only provides the ability to programme the Navigation system or play a video with the car moving. UK models already permit the former and I've no intention of watching videos while I drive (My car does permit me to listen to them when in motion but I need to park to view them). Thanks again and happy motoring. Barry

That is interesting, KayCee. I've been waiting for the latest map data for Europe (UK in particular) to be released. I was told by the garage that it was February but I've delayed updating since the Lexus Portal for my model (2012 (Mk 4) GS 450h Premier) suggests that the most recent update was on 2015-05-1. I've assumed that my navigation system is "EMVN (11HDD)" rather than "08 Hard disk drive". Would you be kind enough to advise me what navigation system you are using and the map version date, please. When I do update I'll let you know about vibrancy and volume. You don't suppose that you are feeling euphoric for some reason and this had affected your perception?

As I understand it some of the Vaistech systems from the States, while not cheap, appear to permit one to use any app from ones mobile phone (Google Maps. TomTom etc. as well as the music apps and calling facilities) on the pre 2012 GS models. The phone screen is mimicked on the Lexus screen and the Lexus controls work the phone. I'd be interested to know if they work on the post 2012 models as well. Before anyone asks me a question I've yet to buy the car let alone the Vaistech system!

Thank you for your advice Rayann. It was the Sidcup car in which I went for a test drive. Pleasant but I'd struggle to live with the red leather. I think that the towing weight is 750kg/1000kg for two wheel/four wheel trailers and all I want to tow is a small rowing dinghy for picnics on the Broads. I think hybrids are OK for towing but the GS450h won't do well if one wants to reverse a caravan up a hill. I understand that has no reverse gear but just switches the electric motor into reverse and won't engage the engine. The downside is the cost of the tow-bar - from reading these forums I believe them to cost between £800 to £1200! So it could be worth hanging on to my old Y reg Octavia just for towing it won't fetch me anything if I sold it. Thanks for the advice on discounts. It gives me some idea of what I can expect. Yes, I'm sure the 300 is a great car but this is my once in a lifetime indulgence and I fancy some GRUNT! I'm a mite undecided about extended warranties. They are very reliable cars but contain some very expensive bits. Thanks again.

I hope I'm permitted to continue with this thread that I started fifteen months ago. If not please advise me. I've got a year older so have a years less driving years to look forward to before I travel horizontal in a the back of big black vehicle so I'm thinking to pour a bit more cash into buying a car. Mk 4 GS450h, with the bigger boot, have got cheaper so I may just be able to afford one now. I've been for a test drive and it was very nice although I can't say I was blown away. I've noticed on this forum the dreadful way Tony Richa was treated and I'm not without considerable concern that these complicated cars could turn out to be nightmares unless one can find someone who really understands them. I've also realised that with the sort of money I'll be paying I'll be losing over £100 per week in depreciation (scary) so fuel economy is really neither here nor there. I fancy buying an F sport unless anyone can give me a good reason not to. I expect that those who could afford new vehicles in 2012 may soon be changing them as the warranty period expires so I'm waiting for the September plate change to see what I can get. Looks like it will cost me a bit over £25,000. So any buying advise please? Things to look for, how much I might manage to negotiate the price down, where to get a towbar that doesn't cost more than my present car is worth etc. I'd be pleased to consider any gems you have to offer. I live in Norwich, Norfolk, UK. In anticipation, my thanks

Hmm Exdee that was my impression too - flawed but beautiful. Good idea John, have a test drive and try to fit in my gear, but I'm pretty certain that I'll only get a fraction of what I sometimes carry in the boot but I might be won over by the rest of it and be prepared to use the rear seats as stowage - I'm unlikely to be travelling with four up plus luggage but I'd miss a folding back seat. As for the rest of your comments they match my view almost exactly. Lower mpg than stated even on long journeys but for most of my motoring career I've lived with around 25mpg (1952 1 and a half litre Riley, '66 GT Cortina, Hilman Holbay Hunter, 2.0 l Alfetta, various big Renaults (20's and 25), Honda Prelude and only fairly recently a relatively (but not extremely so) frugal 1.6 Octavia with a huge boot)) and to get a 3.5l mill with all that poke - the mpg seems quite acceptable. Thanks for all replies, Barry

Thanks you all, helpful responses, TessL460 I think that the LS460 might be just a bit too much in terms of fuel consumption and possibly size, although I've not checked the latter. What impressed me about the GS450h was the competitively good fuel figures (although I view the official ones a might doubtfully) and the impressive performance. I like the idea of using the batteries for economy and performance - surely it must be the way to go. Yes John and royoftherovers, I'd looked at comments on batteries and you may be right but I'm looking to keep it a long time and not buying new so need to be a mite careful about things. It won't take long for the car to depreciate below the cost of a new set of batteries. But on balance I agree with you and I'm inclined to go hybrid and keep my fingers crossed. Ah May 2012 - two years ago. Hmm can I wait until prices for the M4 model drops to my budget? At my age probably not since the vehicle after is likely to be big and black and I'll be travelling alone, supine in the back . Yes two full golf bags is a significant load but I tend to travel heavy and wonder how I would cope with the supermarket boxes/cases for a holiday. Thanks again, you are all helping me find my way to a decision. Barry

Hi, I'm a newbee and this is my first posting. Good to be here. I'm looking for a used car. I'm retired do about 6,000 miles a year so fuel consumption isn't quite such a big deal, want to spend less than £20,000 aim to keep the vehicle for maybe 10 years and would like something post 2010 with mileage less than about 30,000. I'm looking for something a bit upmarket and something which is quite quick. I've considered BMW Series 3 with a 3 or 3.5l engine but they are a bit small, perhaps an BMW 530i, Audi A5 would do or an A6 (quite fancy a coupe) but the BMWs and Audis are a bit pricey for what you get. I was very impressed by the GS450h spec, had a sit in one and thought the finish and the goodies impressive but oh that tiny boot and I'm a bit wary about batteries and so much complexity in the long term. Oh and I'd like to tow a light rowing dinghy. Could anyone tell me when the larger boot was introduced into the GS450h, please? I seem to think there were two increases in size but I don't know when on UK models. The most recent cars appear to have a reasonable boot size. Does anyone know of any way to modify the battery placement in the older models to the new spec? Although the cars are complex and batteries must eventually fail but my internet research doesn't indicate that there are many more problems than on a simpler car from another manufacturer. Any advice or comments please. Any suggestions for an alternative purchase? I hope I've done this correctly. Thanks.