WSandME

In 1992, I bought a 250TD Mercedes W124 diesel automatic 7-seater estate. It was fantastic. I went from 50k miles to 250k miles until I sold it in 2001 to buy my LS400. I don't often buy cars, but when I do, they're good 'uns, and I use them :~) Thanks for that - I hadn't even thought about the system being CanBus - It is, isn't it?

The symptom I have is slight "tramlining" - a wobble when going along white lines &c. But!!! I have checked the tyres in detail, and find that though they have good tread, they're quite old - a couple are 2011! I suspect they have hardened up a bit, developed "bad habits" and could do with replacement. I will not be defeated!!! I have an old Android phone, so the plan is to transfer to that, then to the car. Yup. That's good to know - If I can't get near that after a few decent runs, I'll start looking for reasons. I'm considering taking it to Lexus Bolton for the minimum service required in order to get / maintain the Hybrid warranty. I bought my LS400 in 2001 with 50k on it and have driven it until a couple of months ago. It now has 245,000 miles on it. I kept thinking that it was due to have some sort of major breakdown, and so was reluctant to do much in terms of maintenance, expecting to have to scrap it. I had the timing belt done a while ago, but it now needs quite a lot to bring it back up to desirability - and I wonder whether I have the energy, space, funds (and force of will over SWMBO!) to do it justice. I suppose my ideal would be a 2001 LS400 (VVT, <£500 tax &c..) - that, plus a little runaround, would do me until I can no longer drive :~) That'll do me. I worry because poor ability in that area might be a symptom of hybrid drive problems. Agree - I'll try LED as well (Worked great on my MHome)

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FQygWF7LBa1U%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQygWF7LBa1U&docid=bJOhJKxj8DWQ4M&tbnid=gXm0cgZ7Gqwo3M%3A&vet=10ahUKEwicnKaozPHXAhUFL8AKHQiLDBgQMwhMKA4wDg..i&w=1280&h=720&bih=1189&biw=1716&q=lexus 360 degree camera display&ved=0ahUKEwicnKaozPHXAhUFL8AKHQiLDBgQMwhMKA4wDg&iact=mrc&uact=8

Will do. Thanks.

Co-incidentally, I've just posted about my experience... The show so far...

Although I'm generally pleased with my '08 GS 450h SE, I had hoped that the whole experience would have been a larger step forward in comparison to my '96 LS400. There are two obvious plusses - the acceleration is better and smoother, and the fuel consumption is twice as good! The steering is oddly imprecise - someone opined that the characteristics of the electric steering system might be to blame? At fewer than 33k miles, the steering components should still be pristine. I suspect a 4-wheel alignment is in order? 12 years more "modern" and I still have a tape deck! Can't transfer my iPhone contacts. Sat Nav only handles partial Post Codes (will a maps update actually update the system as well, allowing full Postcode search?) Sadly, the comfort isn't as improved as I'd hoped: the seats aren't as good, individual control of headrests and seat belt height unavailable, interior space isn't as good, rear seats aren't heated. Front seats aren't cooled. No sunroof (not that I frequently used the one in the LS). Interior (LED) lighting is poor - in brightness, coverage and direction. Boot space is a joke. (I knew this when deciding on a 450h, and we both concluded that it wasn't a deal-breaker - now not so sure). Glove box is tiny - and why the divider? Can I just remove it?Fuel consumption is, frankly, disappointing - and unpredictable. Seems to do a lot better on M'way / longer trips, which is counter to what I expected from a hybrid. On a ~ 10 mile urban trip yesterday, the consumption was averaging < 15 mpg on the first half of the trip, but then approaching 40mpg on the latter half. Driving conditions and terrain were similar, and ancillaries unchanged, though I suppose that the engine was warming up for the first 3-4 minutes and charging the traction battery? I haven't managed to travel more than 200 yards or > 10 mph on pure electric - even though I've been really well-behaved with my right foot. I would not complain about sub-18mpg when "enjoying" the drive, but I expected better than 28mpg when being angelic! Worst of all? No V8 soundtrack!

Ah! Thanks - I'll try that (Reset). I have seen the central display - but that is just a copy of the value on the big screen (to the right of "Best Past Consumption"). Thinking about it - the Reset would not necessarily put the "Best" value into the memory, just the one the driver selects at Reset time?

First off, I studied the detailing story here: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=382716 I’m kicking myself now that I didn’t take any before - after photos for my own reference. First I applied Wynns High-Foam Upholstery Cleaner which I happened to have lying around! and cleaned off. This removed surface soiling, but it became apparent the soiling was deep - in fact it looked as though oil had seeped up through the hinge at the bottom of the pedal and soaked into the carpet. Similarly around the plastic of the footrest. I then sprayed a dilute (20:1) solution of AutoSmart G101 with a garden sprayer, while simultaneously hoovering it up using my aqua-vac. Rinse and repeat. I did the same to the Lexus car mats, and they’re just about acceptable, but I’m happy enough with the ebay mats I’ve put in now for everyday use.

After collecting my 2008 GS 450h, I lifted the car mats (cream coloured mats and carpet) to discover a nasty stain at the base of the accelerator pedal, and around the foot rest. I have cleaned it up as well as I can, but it will never look good. I've cleaned the mats, and bought a cheap set to cater for the cr@p that will inevitably find its way into the car from our unmade road. I have as yet been unsuccessful in trying to track down availability of new / replacement carpets, or information about how big a job it would be to replace them. Has anyone any experience in this field?

I reset everything when I collected my 450h, but after two tankfuls, the "Best Past Fuel Consumption" on the Info screen remains displaying _ _ . _ The Trip consumption does update Any ideas? I can't see anything in the manual.

I used the provided cigar lighter power supply, modded to connect to the rear view mirror wiring... My dashcam is a mini0801 c/w gps bases - one for my car, one for my motorhome. Move the camera as required. Futs very neatly between mirror and screen.

I have a similar bald patch in the back of my LS400... caused by me foolishly carrying a new battery in the back and having to brake sharply as a kid ran across the road. Swift mop up wasn't swift enough :-(

That video has answered my initial question. It very much looks like the V6 is quite capable of achieving the advertised potential unaided, and continuously (fuel tank allowing!). I'm seriously impressed with the performance from what's been described as a "Pensioner's Car", but travelling at ~260kmph at night with traffic? I've seen too many Russian dashcam videos :~) Interesting responses, guys, Thanks all.

MG1? Motor/Generator? I have a lot to learn :~)

I had seen that video, but I hadn't noticed the battery status. Pity it didn't show how much charge was recouped on deceleration, or whether that speed could have been maintained without battery assistance. My (imaginary) trip to the 'ring is enticing me :~)

In comparison, my '96 LS400, when I gave it a chance in Germany a few years back, managed an easy 150mph from its 290 ? hp, and that's a bigger older car. Funny how quickly your exit comes up at that speed! Cost me a 40 km round trip to the next exit and back!

I've had mine just over a week now and am very happy. However, I've been thinking about the characteristics of this hybrid system. For 99% of driving, I can't see a problem, but... Let's imagine I'm on the Autobahn. Start off with a full tank and hybrid battery full. Foot down and KEEP IT DOWN. Fantastic performance until the hybrid battery is exhausted. So, will I find my top speed is limited below 155mph??? After all, I'll only have the ICE, and that will presumably be diverting some power to recharging the Hybrid stack? How long between setting off at maximum performance before the hybrid stack is exhausted? Before people get their dander up - I'm not being serious - just wondering

This... Why do I need a dashcam? As it happens, I also have a dashcam fitted in my motorhome and now have something like a terabyte of video data which should keep me occupied in my dotage as I try to edit it into something memorable and/or entertaining

Just an update to my first post: I collected the 2008 GS450h last Friday. I've done about 200 miles in it and up to now, I'm relatively pleased. MPG history display shows many bars above 40mpg, but average seems to be settling at ~ 35mpg. I'm not worried (yet) as I suppose I'll get better at eking out the last mpg (Hmmm, given the performance, maybe not!). This being my first drive in a hybrid, I'm not sure whether the "oddities" are just typical of how a CVT / Hybrid drives. There is a "smell" to the car which I suppose is to be expected given its age, but after reading the threads on here about detailing a 450h, I shall set about bottoming it - just as soon as it stops p*ssing down. I shall also try to remember to take some before / during / after photos. I think at least /some/ of the smell emanates from the "rubber" boot tray, which , although branded "Lexus", smell just like the cheap plastic crap you get from China. There are a few features which I have on my LS400 which I'd read about and assumed were standard on GS's which aren't in fact present on mine - sunroof, powered seat-belt adjustment, rear seat heat, rear armrest storage, under-seat storage box, and some which I'd hoped were there in addition: seat cooling front and rear, smart-phone integration. In the meantime, a question for GS nnnh owners: How often do you manage to get a full stack of green bars on the display - and is it necessarily desirable to get to that state? Finally, many thanks to all the contributors on here - one example of how you've helped is the thread on the failing hybrid pump - the description of the transition between gear regimes had me worried when I first went through the 50 - 70 mph stage under power and noticed a sub-1-second hesitation. However, I have since done 50-70 under /FULL/ power, and no hesitation. I'm hoping I have just succeeded in its first "Italian Tuneup"!

I've had a good look at the car. In fact the seller pointed out that he had indeed re-finished the rear n/s bumper due to the owner "forgetting he had a gate post" :~)

Impact Bodyshop & Repairs Ltd Richard Clayton Owler Ings Road Brighouse West Yorkshire HD6 1EJ

I'm old enough to know that a warranty from a back-street garage is worth exactly the paper its printed on. In this case, the "garage" is in fact a body-shop and doesn't do mechanical work (I asked, as I thought he might be able to do some work on my LS400). It became clear early on that he was selling for a friend (I asked about a warranty). I just wasn't aware at the time of the ramifications of that fact. I am not convinced an HPI check would be worth it - especially as their terms and conditions (for the warranty) state: "You must buy at the private seller's address as shown on the V5, and confirm their identity". I've done / will do the checks re. MOT & mileage history, Service History, Reg. No. vs. VIN. I think I've done enough now to go ahead with the deal.

Update: I've just spoken to the garage and they say they will arrange a letter from the owner's daughter "confirming" authority to sell. It really does sound as though the garage is doing a favour for an old friend.

I'm just having a bit of a wobble after it occurred to me that the transaction might not be straightforward: Seller is a garage, but says he's selling for an old friend who has stopped driving due to Alzheimers. I've seen the V5 and service records, and it appears the garage has other documents said to relate to change from cherished plates and possibly original receipts &c. I've paid a deposit by credit card to the garage, but I'm now wondering who I should be paying, who should give me a receipt, who signs the V5 &c.... What would the panel do?

Hi, Lee, Hoping to pick it up on Friday - will have new MOT and 12V battery. I suppose it could do with one new alloy (kerbed - ugly but safe) I am not 100% sure what options it has yet. After reading an online owners manual (USA / Canada version) I'm going to have a lot of checking to do!