LS600hl Import

LS600owner · December 20, 2022

I am looking to buy a LS600h/l and some Japan import models have recently become available on Autotrader. If anyone could help on with following, that would be appreciated as there is very little information out there on import spec LS600s

-Sat Nav has been confirmed as not working and it is not possible to re-set maps to UK. Hard coded it seems? One option is to install a wireless Car Play system, does anyone have any experience of the Beat Sonic system which is like a Grom but compatible with later generation LS models?

-Might there be an issue with OBD diagnostic connectivity, eg given Japan car origin? Only way to find out might be to take to Lexus dealer to check? Am not sure if OBD language is locally set or always English?

-Same for Hybrid Health Check, which import cars do not have documentation for. Even though a low age/mileage car, this is worth getting checked out. Not sure if check is via OBD or in car settings accessible by dealer?

Thoughts, feedback would be welcome from the Lexus owners club community!

Thanks

James

Spock66 · December 20, 2022

30 minutes ago, LS600owner said:

Thoughts, feedback would be welcome from the Lexus owners club community!

I'd suggest checking with your local Lexus dealer what support they could provide, worst case would be they refuse to work on it.

Exdee · December 21, 2022

I have a LS460 import. Satnav can't be set to Non-Japanese Maps. I tried using sd cards from UK cars but they don't work. I am using Grom and it works great.

The car connects fine via OBD and the ECU reads in English. I customised some settings via Techstream.

I don't take my car to Lexus for routine servicing but it has been to them once for some advanced technical work and they were quite happy to work on it.

David W Jones · December 21, 2022

Hi James

I note the issues you raise in respect of imported Lexus and am surprised that a huge company such as Lexus cannot provide easy solutions for you.

I have not advertised it yet but I will be selling my UK LS600hL with about 63k miles. The motor is 61 reg in premium messa red with black aniline leather seats. Car is beautiful and drives perfect with full Lexus history. We have loved owning this car and enjoyed to the max, now it is time to move on with something different and pass on the immaculate Lexus for someone else to enjoy. Wherever you get your LS600hL from you will experience a truly amazing drive. Good luck.

Malc1 · December 21, 2022

20 hours ago, LS600owner said:

Sat Nav has been confirmed as not working and it is not possible to re-set maps to UK. Hard coded it seems?

I'd be inclined to just abandon any thoughts of using the in-car satnav and just use your Iphone Maps whatever . these are always upto date and functionality is usually brilliant

I abandoned thoughts of a Jap Import car when faced with the real prospect of buying one from a member here . seeing and knowing that the icons on the screen couldn't be changed to full English seemed to irrationally concern me ............. not the satnav however coz of my thoughts above !

Surely there's someone, professional somewhere that can simply change all that Jap stuff to Full English AND the in-car satnav eh !

Good luck

Malc

Exdee · December 22, 2022

The newer lexus vehicles including the 2012+ LS in Japan has text written on the physical buttons in the car in English.
You can also change the language to English in the menu on the infotainment system although some text is permanently coded in Japanese.
Functionality like Climate Control, Bluetooth etc is very much useable with English menus and no guess work.
I suspect the hardware for the infotainment system is different so it's not a case of flashing a different regions software.

LS600owner · December 28, 2022

Many thanks for the helpful feedback. Speaking with a local Lexus dealer confirms that there should be no issue with OBD comms but they need to see the car to confirm. Regarding the Japanese text which remains, this is hard coded and cannot be changed via software menus or Techstream. So translation will required, especially for any error message that appear on central screen between speedometer and rev counter

A web search showed that in the US and NZ there are companies that can reprogram the previous gen LS software to all English but it is a system out job, nothing here in the UK for the post 2013 models, probably because there are so few of them.

Still thinking about an import model, the two advertised on Autotrader look like very good value but seem ‘cheap’ if you see what similar models are going for via Japanese car import web sites. More investigation required!

Thanks again

James