Front Parking Sensors?

[Chunky1234]

So I pick up my MY17 IS300h in a couple of weeks, waving goodbye to my 7 year old CT200h!  However, the one thing I will desperately miss will be front parking sensors.

I have asked the dealer and there is no option.  I have asked a couple of independent companies that specialise in parking sensors but again no joy.

So, have you guys managed to get them fitted and working and if so some advice on what you have fitted, cost and reliability?

Thanks in advance.

[rayaans]

Has it just got rear parking sensors already fitted? You can get front parking sensors fitted but they may have a different tone and look to the rear ones. 

Also, not really sure why you need them? Presumably you can see out the front and the bonnet is pretty normal in size.

Point is, you'll get used to it. If in doubt just don't go forward - sounds obvious but it's true

[Chunky1234]

Thanks. Rears being fitted by the dealer but there is no option from the dealer for front ones.  Having had them on both my previous Lexus I would really feel lost without them.

Have you had them retro fitted to the Front?

[NemesisUK]

You could try the guys at Unique Car Sound & Security based in Light.w.a.t.e.r in Surrey. They do retrofits both official and non OEM. 

I've used them numerous times on my Mercedes, excellent service.

[Mr Vlad]

Might be a silly question Chunky but why don't you buy a car with them on already?

[Chunky1234]

Mr Vlad....... if I could afford it I would but sometimes the wallet has to rule the head!

[Chunky1234]

Thanks guys for helping so far but has anyone had them fitted?  Feedback would be useful.  The dealer did say that someone did have them fitted but due to the large grill they could only be corner mounted in the bumper and therefore did not give full frontal cover?

[NemesisUK]

According to the CT owner's handbook the factory fitted sensors are only in the corners,  so front coverage is as designed, only at the corners.

Any position marks on your bumper? It may be you would require a different pattern bumper, depending what's behind those corners?

[Chunky1234]

Hi there

I have a CT currently and you are correct but they are more forward facing as they are positioned on the front of the bumper.  The holes on the IS that fitters would use are facing left and right if that makes sense, and cars with them fitted at the factory use a different grill which has 2 forward facing sensors.

I have found a local car HiFi centre which will attempt it and build 2 brackets for the grill plus a canbus for £900!!  Yes £900, which even I just can't afford......

I think I will just have to live without them.......

[rayaans]

19 hours ago, Chunky1234 said:

Thanks. Rears being fitted by the dealer but there is no option from the dealer for front ones.  Having had them on both my previous Lexus I would really feel lost without them.

Have you had them retro fitted to the Front?

Both my cars have them fitted from the factory so not an issue for me.

However, I can't see why they can't fit them onto the IS because the NX Sport has the option of front and rear parking sensors fitted by the dealer.

Its an aftermarket add on in dealer disguise so instead of putting a 4 input unit in, they'd just need to get a 6 input unit as they would only fit to the front sides in the IS as the OEM factory parking sensors have 2 on the sides and 2 in the actual grill.

[Chunky1234]

Thanks Rayanns. The grill on the advance does not have the sensor holes, not even blanked, so I would need to swap the grill, that on its own is £500 according to the dealer!  There is just no easy way to fit them, which is why when I have asked a couple of the larger installation companies (just Google parking sensors) and you will know who I mean both said that they were unable to fit them.

I am having the rears fitted by the dealer but even then they do not integrate with rear camera, just a buzzer.  They are only fully integrated on the rear if specified at the factory.... or so I have been LED to believe.

I am guessing I will have to do without unless someone on here has managed to get it done!

[LennyLexus]

I used a parking sensor specialist for my IS200, he used to fronts and rears for £280 (around four years ago). Looks like he has fully retired now. 

http://www.roadradio.com/parking-sensors/

This place does the full shabang for £360 including a full colour match. That's what I would expect to pay £400 tops, there are loads of parking sensor specialists around..

[rayaans]

4 hours ago, Chunky1234 said:

Thanks Rayanns. The grill on the advance does not have the sensor holes, not even blanked, so I would need to swap the grill, that on its own is £500 according to the dealer!  There is just no easy way to fit them, which is why when I have asked a couple of the larger installation companies (just Google parking sensors) and you will know who I mean both said that they were unable to fit them.

I am having the rears fitted by the dealer but even then they do not integrate with rear camera, just a buzzer.  They are only fully integrated on the rear if specified at the factory.... or so I have been led to believe.

I am guessing I will have to do without unless someone on here has managed to get it done!

I've just realised why that is. It's because the front bumper has sensors for the pop up hood behind it so nothing to drill through unless you're drilling in the corners

[DanD]

I came across this, which might be of interest. No idea of costs etc.

 

http://www.proxel.com/en/installation/bumper-sample/parking-sensor-lexus.html

[rayaans]

17 minutes ago, DanD said:

I came across this, which might be of interest. No idea of costs etc.

 

http://www.proxel.com/en/installation/bumper-sample/parking-sensor-lexus.html

Might be doable behind the grill but not behind the bit under the bumper as there's no space due to the pop up hood sensors and gubbins

[Chunky1234]

I looked at this type of solution but doing some homework uncovered that this system is not very reliable and tbh if you can't rely on it then there is no point having it!

I am still on the hunt.  I was sent the attached image but then another reputable car electronics fitting company said that where the front sensors had been placed would leave a massive blind spot on the very front.

So, the story continues and please keep the ideas coming.....

[ST100]

Hi ,Hope this helps, ive got a 17my Advance with aftermarket front and rear parking sensors , fitted by Bristol Lexus from new . the front sensors are fitted in the space between the point of the tick! of the daylight  running lights and the pinched waist of the spindle grill. The other two are about 2 inches away from the plastic inserts in the air scoops towards the outside  corner,  therefore still mainly front facing,but can pick up  bollards and cyclist no bother four in total , seem to work ok but must be aftermarket as the switch is a cheap round looking thing mounted on a blanking plate .They also look ok in the above positions. 

hope that makes sense  

Steve

 

[Chunky1234]

Thanks Steve.  The company that supplied me with the image also said that canbus works with these and my IS, therefore doing away with the switch, they would charge about £350 fitted.  My reputable car electronics company said they have not fitted them to an IS but would make it work and look like a factory fit, but for £750!

I am torn and the dealers are as much use as a handbrake on a canoe on this subject, great for everything Lexus but once you step out from all things Lexus they just seem to have no great advice.  Don't get me wrong I am not knocking them but I find it hard to believe that 2 dealers have never had or seen front parking sensors fitted......

I pick up the car in a couple of weeks so will wait to see what the rears look like (flush or not).  If not flush I might just go for the image option and canbus.......

[ST100]

The position on the pic is about the same on the inner sensors , but the outer ones are at the top point of the black plastic insert on just a slightly lower level than the inner ones unlike your pic , the edge of the intake lip does partialy obscure the line of sight of the sensor though. They are a nice flush fit tho , and if they ever pack up i would just leave them i think.When i purchased the car the sales mans first line was " The Advance does not come with front or rear parking sensors, but we fitted them at the customers request!. It sounds like you are finding a reluctance to fit them rather than its impossible to do so .

I wish you all the best in your search 

Steve

  

[Chunky1234]

Thanks Steve.  I seem to spend my time looking at is300's to see if they have them fitted.  Big ask but if you get a chance then maybe upload a picture?  I was told that flush fit cannot be canbus controlled which is probably why you have your switch.....

[ST100]

Will try and get a pic in the morning for you . the sensors are on all the time but can be turn off briefly if needed they also appear to be connected to the foot parking brake which  shuts the front ones up when you engage it. 

[Chunky1234]

Thank you!

[ST100]

Hi Mark , hope these help can take more if you like 

Steve

[rayaans]

2 hours ago, Chunky1234 said:

I looked at this type of solution but doing some homework uncovered that this system is not very reliable and tbh if you can't rely on it then there is no point having it!

I am still on the hunt.  I was sent the attached image but then another reputable car electronics fitting company said that where the front sensors had been placed would leave a massive blind spot on the very front.

So, the story continues and please keep the ideas coming.....

Yes looking at that it would leave a blindspot at the very front. 

However, having said that I wouldn't think that the blindspot would be that much of an issue

The sensors won't be picking up very narrow objects like thin poles anyway, my factory fit ones certainly don't.  

[Chunky1234]

Thanks Steve that really helps.