New to the forum + GS 250

Lycan · April 22

Good Morning everyone,

I am new to the forums and new to Lexus ownership 🙂 Recently got myself a Lexus GS 250 (2012 Luxury ML) with about 76K miles on it and full service history from Lexus. Enjoying it so far. Is there anything I need to look out for from a maintenance perspective going forward or any recommendations please do let me know. Glad to be part of the forum and hope you all have a great day ahead.

IMG_7643 (Edited).HEIC IMG_7676(1).HEIC IMG_7696 (Edited).HEIC

lukash · April 23

Hello!

Great looking and well-kept car!

superatticman · April 23

Hi Lycan

Great choice of car there! Virtually identical to my GS250 Luxury with a tad over 70k on the clock. Gave mine a good wash, polish and wax today. Have to say the quality of paintwork on these cars is second to none.

As far as maintenance goes, in 6 years of ownership all I've ever done is have it serviced by the main dealer. They actually aren't as expensive as you may initially believe. Only bits I've had to replace have been consumables like discs and pads. The electronics and mechanical aspects have been absolutely rock solid.

They really are an extremely well built and superbly engineered car.

I'd like to think both of our cars have plenty of life left in them without needing anything but standard servicing.

Cheers.

Vlady · April 24

Nice car! I am wondering how it drives compared to 450h GS, I understand that GS faster but handling wise, it should be more agile would think.

What mpg can you get out of these engines, on a run? My average with 450h was 35mpg over 4 years.

Lycan · April 24

Thank you guys. Also that is a beautiful car superatticman. I see from the service history that the last owner (1 previous owner) did all services from Lexus with the last one being a 100k/10 year service (When the car was at the 70k miles). I assume this is a major service. My intention is to continue doing main dealer services. Do I just do 10 year / major services from now on out (next one at 80k?) or alternate between intermediate and major services at the main dealer every year / 10,000 miles?

Fuel economy wise I live in the city and have not done a lot of highway miles yet but seems to average around 26-30mpg or thereabouts for mostly in town with some dual carriage way driving that I have done in the 1-2 weeks I’ve had it. I will do a proper run of it over the next few weeks and come back with an update. How much should I expect on average mileage wise?

Overall seriously impressed with the refinement of this car and comfort. I have driven a Honda Civic in the past as well as a Ford Explorer (Dubai) so safe to say this is the first car of its kind in the UK and so far it feels so good to drive and handles impressively.

superatticman · April 24

On the motorway I tend to get between 38-42mpg depending on conditions. That driving at 70mph.

The 2.5L V6 isn't a particularly economical engine for its size as its an early 2000's design. However its tried and tested and extremely reliable. Don't be slightly alarmed if it sounds slightly diesel like, especially when cold. That's how they all sound. Injectors apparently.

Lycan · April 26

On 4/24/2024 at 8:21 PM, superatticman said:

On the motorway I tend to get between 38-42mpg depending on conditions. That driving at 70mph.

The 2.5L V6 isn't a particularly economical engine for its size as its an early 2000's design. However its tried and tested and extremely reliable. Don't be slightly alarmed if it sounds slightly diesel like, especially when cold. That's how they all sound. Injectors apparently.

That sounds good to me 🙂 Solid engines as well. Oh while I remember, is there a way to update the map on my car? Seems like the software version is nearly ten years or so out of date on it. Since there is no CarPlay or android auto available (unless there are options to get this setup somewhere using aftermarket units or kits) as far as I can tell

HensTeeth · April 26

4 hours ago, Lycan said:

Since there is no CarPlay or android auto available (unless there are options to get this setup somewhere using aftermarket units or kits) as far as I can tell

I've used this crowd a couple of times for map updates which seemed a respectable deal - others are available. Seems new maps for the earliest of the Gen 4 GS have stopped now, but you can get updated to 2022/3, which is good. I've idly wondered about installing a BeatSonic, Grom, or Carlinkit kit to get CarPlay, but not taken the plunge. Lots of chat about those systems on clublexus

Lycan · April 27

On 4/26/2024 at 12:01 PM, HensTeeth said:

I've used this crowd a couple of times for map updates which seemed a respectable deal - others are available. Seems new maps for the earliest of the Gen 4 GS have stopped now, but you can get updated to 2022/3, which is good. I've idly wondered about installing a BeatSonic, Grom, or Carlinkit kit to get CarPlay, but not taken the plunge. Lots of chat about those systems on clublexus

Thank you I will look into those options. Probably just the map update will suffice for now anwyay just so I don’t get caught out by the new road changes and bus gates around town 🙂

superatticman · May 7

Am probably going to do the sat nav update myself courtesy the company recommended above. Mine is still very much in 2013 mode.

Was pondering trading my GS along with my partners Juke for something newer that we could share.

However test driving various newer cars, mostly SUV type vehicles, none of them felt as solid or well finished as my GS. A couple of the dealers even commented that I should really hold onto a 70k Lexus with a full dealer history. "Loads of life left in that' etc.

I think they are right too...

Lycan · May 9

I hope the process is easy enough. I will get the update done in a month or so. Definitely loads of life left in these cars I imagine.

Currently the constant annoyance is bird poop and stone chips that have appeared on my front bumper. I know perhaps not the biggest concern really but I guess that is what you get when you live next to a port and in the city with a car parked in an uncovered car park eh? 🙂

HensTeeth · May 9

Anywhere with birds, they do that... Worse, much worse, I've noticed, when the car is was spotlessly clean.

If you're planning to update the maps yourself, the guidance they provide is decent, but make sure you use a decent USB stick. Doesn't have to be fast - I've tried a faster one, and it made no difference to how long it takes, which is best part of 80 minutes. I've done it twice now, and the first time I did it just sat in the drive with the car in Ready mode; the second I went for a drive.

superatticman · May 10

21 hours ago, HensTeeth said:

Anywhere with birds, they do that... Worse, much worse, I've noticed, when the car is was spotlessly clean.

If you're planning to update the maps yourself, the guidance they provide is decent, but make sure you use a decent USB stick. Doesn't have to be fast - I've tried a faster one, and it made no difference to how long it takes, which is best part of 80 minutes. I've done it twice now, and the first time I did it just sat in the drive with the car in Ready mode; the second I went for a drive.

Agreed. A branded USB stick is usually more reliable for prolonged software updates. Plus...some of the cheaper unbranded devices will fail to detect in non Windows based environments.

I've always found putting a layer of Carnuba wax on every 3-4 months helps with stuff like bird poo. It won't stop them crapping on your car but it does make it easier to remove!

Lycan · May 15

Ok will definitely bear it in mind. As far as servicing is concerned is it always best to only take it to the Lexus dealer closest to me for services or should I try and find a specialised garage within my city? So far the only servicing has been done by Lexus with the last one being done Feb 2023 at 75k miles.

Lycan · May 15

Correction I meant it had a major (I believe they call it the 100k or 10 year service?) service done at Lexus at 75,000 miles in Feb 2023 and then one from their dealer / reseller which I believe was just a basic service (oil and filter change and replace consumables, mechanical check before sale etx) at 76,000 miles in Feb 2024. I bought the car in April 2024 and I would imagine this year I will drive about 5000 - 6000 miles.

The next MOT is due in Feb 2025 as well so I was thinking get a service and MOT done together in Jan 2025. I am currently trying to determine whether to get it all done from Lexus Edinburgh or find a specialist locally and get a major / full service + MOT done. Any suggestions and thoughts welcome