Advices in buying a Gs 450h.

[GolfMk1Vr6]

Hello!

I’m planning to buy a LHD Lexus Gs450h from 2008-2011. I like everything about this car and i know it is a reliable car like every Lexus but reading some of the topics on this forum it makes me step back a little. So i have the following questions:

• SHOCK ABSORBERS. Is the problem with the shock absorbers that bad as it people says? After the replacement of the shock absorbers with new OEM ones the oil leaking problem is solved for a longer period of time? I mean, this was a problem for just the factory absorbers and it got solved on the newer parts or the newer parts are the same?
• ACTIVE STABILIZER (APSSS): I saw an invoice on Mobile.de from a Gs450h owner that was including a part related to this system (STABI-ACTUATOR 48860-30040) and which costs 5600 euros at Lexus dealer that scares me a lot. Somebody on another forum is  saying ,,There simply is no comparison between the GS 450h with APSSS and the other cars. The combination of the h's quick throttle response and the ability of the APSSS to reduce body roll makes it a blast to drive through these curves.” source: APSSS GS 450h Opinions.. What do you think about it, is it worth it or an eventual problem makes it not?
• HYBRID BATTERY: Im trying to find a car that has the Battery replaced in a Toyota/Lexus service so i could extend it’s warranty by checking the hybrid system annually. I know that the bad cells can be replaced cheaper but i don’t think the repair could compare to a new Battery.
• As they are pretty rare and expensive in Europe, would you take in consideration a RX400H? I’m not a big fan of it’s design actually but it’s much practical than the GS and i think cheaper to fix.

Can anybody share his reliability experience with his Gs450h? Any other advices of what to check before buying a model like this? Do you know somebody who sell one? Thank you!

[OldTrout]

Welcome. This is a great place to come with questions. I can help with two and someone else can perhaps answer the others.

Shock absorbers. Yes they fail (quicker than they should), the only replacements are from Lexus and they are expensive. However I believe it is possible to refurbish them and the improved seals may well last longer.

Hybrid Battery. The hybrid Battery health check not covers you up to 15 years. The fact that Lexus extended to 15 from 10 does suggest that the Battery is very reliable.

John

 

[GolfMk1Vr6]

Thank you @OldTrout for your answer.

Regarding the hybrid Battery warranty. This statement is available for Mk3 Gs450h too? : "With each Hybrid Health Check, you receive an extra 1 year or 10,000 mile (whichever comes sooner) hybrid Battery warranty extension, until your vehicle is 15 years old. Terms and conditions apply."

Also to qualify for the warranty, every owner has to do the Hybrid Health Check every year from the purchase of the car? 

Thank you!

 

 

[Farqui]

@GolfMk1Vr6, yes the Hybrid Healthcheck has recently been extended to 15 years and does cover the mk3 GS.  My vehicle missed a years check when it popped over the then 10 year limit but the local dealer confirmed it was still valid to continue.  The traction Battery can also be repaired by independent specialist s much cheaper than dealer prices.

I've had my GS450h for just over 2 years and it's been a great car, comfy, reliable, powerful and is a real sleeper.  

The dampers are known to be weak but I've found that my local dealer blatantly lied about leaking shocks which I knew were bone dry.  They were also inspected by a local engineer, have since passed 2 MOT's without issue and drive just fine.  So take dealer reports with a pinch of salt.  For the record my car has had some shocks replaced under previous owners (were they needed?) and the vehicle is now approaching 120k miles.

As the mk3's are getting on a bit now, the exhausts often blow but the car still runs quiet.  I had the rear and middle section replaced with a stainless custom set-up for a fraction of the OEM cost (which isn't stainless).

I thought APSSS was a rare option and is a pricey to repair, my local indi recounted a few costly stories to me over a brew.

The mk3 GS boot is small but works well for the two of us.  When we trip to the continent we pop on a back box which then easily accommodates 4 folks with their luggage.

I find that the hybrid set-up and CVT work well together and means that neither the engine nor motors are particularly stressed, which I hope bodes well in the long run.

If you have any other questions then fire away.

[OldTrout]

@GolfMk1Vr6 Just looked for APSSS in my Owners Manual. It is not mentioned but what is mentioned is Active stabiliser suspension system which according to Wikipedia is the same thing. I don't have it and I understand that if you do, you get another 12V Battery in your already small boot.

Whoever wrote "The combination of the 450h's quick throttle response and the ability of the APSSS to reduce body roll makes it a blast to drive through these curves.” obviously had much more supportive seats than mine. Reducing body roll does not reduce the forces on the driver to slide sideways out of the seat.

Do any Mk3 450h owners have this option fitted? Is it worth it?

Whatever, if the 450hs are as rare as you say in Europe you may not get the choice.

John

[GolfMk1Vr6]

Hi everbody! Thanks for sharing your experiences and opinions regarding my questions.

@OldTrout

Instead of a spare tire, in the trunk you should have these ,,electronics"(see picture atttached) if your car is equipped with APSSS. The part that breaks most often on this system is 48860-30040 and it is very costly to chaneg (almost 6000 euros on Lexus Dealer, i saw this part new on a website for 2.500$ but it's still very expensive) and looks like this:

[OldTrout]

@GolfMk1Vr6 Thank you for the explanation. I don't think I'm missing out not having it and I did not know it came at the expense of the spare wheel although that does keep boot space.

Have Toyopta/Lexus stopped using this technique to reduce body roll? Was it ever fitted to the F cars or the LC?

John

 

[GolfMk1Vr6]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Stabilizer_Suspension_System

Quote

Vehicles that have offered Active Power Stabilizer Suspension System (APSSS) to date, listed by model year (system was offered as an option): 

• 2006 Lexus GS 350
• 2006 Lexus GS 430
• 2006 Lexus GS 450h
• 2008 Lexus GS 460
• 2008 Lexus LS 600h
• 2008 Lexus LS 600h L
• 2010 Lexus RX 450h
• 2013 Lexus LS 600h F SPORT Active Stabiliser System

I don't trust it's 100% sure.

[Bug Just]

On 6/12/2019 at 5:41 PM, OldTrout said:

 

Whoever wrote "The combination of the 450h's quick throttle response and the ability of the APSSS to reduce body roll makes it a blast to drive through these curves.” obviously had much more supportive seats than mine. Reducing body roll does not reduce the forces on the driver to slide sideways out of the seat.

 

I'd say the same. the GS isn't a back lane car for me, and I've had some of those in the past. 

I love it, its properly rapid when I feel the need, but its a big luxury car and behaves like one. 

If it gets away from you on a corner it's a big lump to gather up again.