Replacing The Standard Sat Nav

[colmcork]

Hi there guys,

As the title reads, is it possible to replace the factory fitted sat nav console on the mkiv Ls 400 with the centre console of a non sat nav model? The reason I ask is that I MAY have found one with sat nav as standard but am not all that keen on them. It is originally a UK supplied car and I am un-sure if it is possible/ troublesome to convert it to use for our Irish roads? Any help would be much appreciated here guys.

[ambermarine]

Hi Colm

The display head is not just for the Navigation it also displays the air conditioning controls and the Audio controls through touch screen interface,I can understand your problem with the exclusive UK coverage which was out of date the day they produced it .

To all intents and purposes the system is fairly good if your operating it on a broad scale and not wanting the latest cameras and radar checks but if you are driving within the law you don't need those.

The changes on roads and streets will affect anyone depending on the usage if you are a taxi or delivery driver the system will be useless but if you are using it to get from A to B it will do fine.

I think that the cd for the Irish Republic will be available somewhere as Lexus are established there check out your Local Lexus dealer. Failing that you could always do what I did on my Mark 1 stick a garmin on the screen and in the glovebox when not in use.

[colmcork]

Hi there Ambermarine, thanks for the reply.

On reading back over my post I actually didn't make myself clear, what I was trying to get at was that I dont particularly want any sat nav, I just dont need one. But if the screen is used for radio/ C.D and climate control then I guess it wont be displaying maps or directions continously, which is what was putting me off one.

As a touch screen are these controls troublesome at all? Also does it affect the quality of the radio/ sound system? If I can manage to get an up-dated sat nav disc for it then all the better but don't really see that being necessary. I have found a nice mkiv and this whole sat nav is the only thing concerning me. Hopefully will get to have a look at it over the weekend.

Comments from anyone who has the sat nav model are greatly appreciated guys, and thanks again.

[ambermarine]

Hi there Ambermarine, thanks for the reply.

On reading back over my post I actually didn't make myself clear, what I was trying to get at was that I dont particularly want any sat nav, I just dont need one. But if the screen is used for radio/ C.D and climate control then I guess it wont be displaying maps or directions continously, which is what was putting me off one.

As a touch screen are these controls troublesome at all? Also does it affect the quality of the radio/ sound system? If I can manage to get an up-dated sat nav disc for it then all the better but don't really see that being necessary. I have found a nice mkiv and this whole sat nav is the only thing concerning me. Hopefully will get to have a look at it over the weekend.

Comments from anyone who has the sat nav model are greatly appreciated guys, and thanks again.

Hi Colm

I have a 98 ls400 and it as the same system you are talking about.

The system displays on the screen at start up and then if you are not wanting to use it switch to the radio /cd/tape interface or the climate control interface or if you don't want anything on the display you can have a blank screen, the various presets in place will operate the sound system or climate control as normal .The control buttons are on the facia surround and designate the various afore mentioned functions and are simple to operate and understand.The touch screen control comes into play on each seperate function and is a superb quality interface for all of the functions non of which interfere with the other.Its a Lexus, enough said.

[Bluesman]

Hi there Ambermarine, thanks for the reply.

On reading back over my post I actually didn't make myself clear, what I was trying to get at was that I dont particularly want any sat nav, I just dont need one. But if the screen is used for radio/ C.D and climate control then I guess it wont be displaying maps or directions continously, which is what was putting me off one.

As a touch screen are these controls troublesome at all? Also does it affect the quality of the radio/ sound system? If I can manage to get an up-dated sat nav disc for it then all the better but don't really see that being necessary. I have found a nice mkiv and this whole sat nav is the only thing concerning me. Hopefully will get to have a look at it over the weekend.

Comments from anyone who has the sat nav model are greatly appreciated guys, and thanks again.

Hi Colm

I have a 98 ls400 and it as the same system you are talking about.

The system displays on the screen at start up and then if you are not wanting to use it switch to the radio /cd/tape interface or the climate control interface or if you don't want anything on the display you can have a blank screen, the various presets in place will operate the sound system or climate control as normal .The control buttons are on the facia surround and designate the various afore mentioned functions and are simple to operate and understand.The touch screen control comes into play on each seperate function and is a superb quality interface for all of the functions non of which interfere with the other.Its a Lexus, enough said.

I agree with everything you have said.

I have sometimes run both the Lexus Sat Nav and the TomTom (sad or what) the two things that let the Lexus Sat Nav is no postcode input and of course there has been a lot of building in the UK since my Lexus was put on the roads.

Just use it as Ambermarine has said because its a great interface.

Mike

[colmcork]

Thanks again Ambermarine for your reply, You have helped put my mind at ease with that answer.

I am hoping to look/ purchase over the weekend if I get the chance to. As I had ruled out a model with the sat nav I really hadn't my homework done and didn't know much about it which was putting me off. Hopefully the car will turn out to be as described when I get there, I will keep ye up-dated.

[black400]

Did you find the black one you were after, and good luck with your new motor

[colmcork]

Hi Martin,

The one I am hoping to view over the weekend is a maroon/ plum coloured one.My second choice after the black.It is A 1998 UK spec car with 136,000 miles on it, the seller however seems to be a bit of a complete timewaster. Two phone numbers and two e-mail addresses. It is not looking too promising so the search is on-going I'm afraid. Have you purchased your second one yet? Is it the one on carzone that you are after?

[black400]

Ye gave a deposite no service history or nct , more worried about the nct , but when i pick it up i will have time to do any work i find it needs.fingers crossed but it ticks all the boxes.one problem that would trow a spsnner in the works is the dash lighting is playing up , they say they will sort it .i hope so.the one in galway looks good high mils but could be a cheap buy?

[colmcork]

There are actually two for sale in Galway ( I think Galway anyway ) , One reg is 98 G 400 and the other is 99 G 400. Coincidence. That 98 one has no service history and is in need of the belt changed so I will avoid.

I have managed however to poke out another possible 3 for sale, again all up in Galway. A black 98, not in super condition, a MINT maroon 99, a little reluctant to part with it and possibly over priced, and a98/9 silver, condition un-known so far. The hunt continues.

I have looked at that blue one on carzone many times and it seems like a nice straight car. It also has the DHP if I am not mistaken, no?

[black400]

(Dhp? ) the green on on same page in galway full sh, nct and timming belt done, but i dont like green and not realy a upgrade of sorts.

[colmcork]

Hi guys just a quick up-date.

Well I am now the very proud owner of a 1998 Mk iv Ls 400. 137,000 miles on the clock, maroon in colour and it has the sat nav, wood trim and sunroof options so well pleased with her :).

As buying a car goes I did it totally *****-ways. Bought in the dark, no service history, car running after a two hour journey, a seller that seemed very dodgy, and I didn't even take it for a test drive. Oh dear.

Having got it home and taken the time to examine it properly I must say that I really am delighted with my investment. The paint work is far from immaculate, but it is 14 years old after all. There are 4 new tyres on it, what feel like 4 new brake discs, the transmission fluid is a lovely cherry colour, the engine oil a golden brown and just general signs that the basics at the very least have been well maintained.

The downsides are that, the paint work isn't great and the lacquer has lifted particularly along the drivers side, the cd changer is missing ( a replacement has been sourced, hopefully ), the wheels are 17 inch lexus 10 spoke? with very wide tyres, 245/50/17, I am not fully happy with the reception through the radio, yet, and finally there is a blow somewhere along the exhaust. I'm not sure though if that last one is a downside as my god does it sound ferocious .

Anyways as soon as i figure out how to up-load pictures I will post a few up and see what ye think.

Oh and I also forgot to mention I got it at an extremely good price.

[jpjsavage]

Congratulations on your purchase! I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures. Enjoy your new ride :)

[black400]

Hi colm , have to agree with you on the radio reception very flat , a paint shop should sort you out at a good price. glad your happy with it

[colmcork]

I really am happy with it, thanks guys. Today while I had the car just sitting stationary I managed to tune in most of the radio stations that I would want on it, so hopefully while on the move the reception will also follow me .

I had the windscreen washer light shining out at me, but low and behold 5 litres of washing fluid managed to sort that out. Happy days. Air con is blowing ice cold and all 4 heated seats are nice and toasty. All that I have left to test electrically speaking are the headlight washers and I should be good to go.

There is a wobble through the steering wheel when slowing/ braking so will have to sort this out, perhaps it is just as simple as a good wheel balancing and alignment. I may hold off on this a while however as I would like to fit a set of standard 16'' alloys with the correct tyre size for the car. It tramlines something awful at the moment with the wider tyres. The discs have almost no wear in them whatsoever so I am assuming these are reasonably new, but perhaps they are warped slightly.

Should hopefully manage to post up a few pictures during the week.

[jpjsavage]

I had the juddering under braking (from around 60 down to 40). I had mine serviced last week and my mechanic cleaned the discs and took the front calipers apart, cleaned them up and reassembled/realigned them. Problem solved! I was expecting a bill for new front discs so that was a nice surprise.

Also, I managed to change the struts the bonnet today with new ones from www.strutsdirect.co.uk. Feeling quite pleased with myself!

[colmcork]

Funnily enough jpj that is around the speed that mine is juddering at too. Is there a brake re-furb kit available from Lexus? I have done quite a few on supras so wouldn't mind tackling this myself.

I cannot tell if the bonnet struts on mine are original or not, I cannot see any lexus markings but I do know that they are very stiff, in fact a little too stiff for my liking.