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I took the GS down to the NEC classic show on Friday. Loaded the boot up with "just in case" stuff because apart from the drive back from Inverness I haven't really ventured very far in it. Needn't have worried because the car performed perfectly. Never missed a beat even when taking lengthy detours due to road closures and driving through a foot or more of water on one or two occasions. Have to say the air intake is very sensibly positioned! The car was absolutely filthy after all that so I took advantage of a break in the weather Sunday to give it a bit of a scrub up. Pretty much the usual pics again...

What a stunning colour in the sun and it’s better to drive in every way more than I remembered!

Reffering to the Lexus LS400 as an old Barge is sure to make you lots of friends on this forum think carefully what you write.

And just for Rich . . . Operation Smile

Hi everyone, Need some help here. Does anyone used Techstream in an IS300h? First of all, when connecting the car, model is not automatically loaded in Techstream. I have to chose 3 additional optiones: 1. IS300h model 2. year version (-1508) 3. radar cruise/others. Then I see no options under Unit Conversion or PSD & PBD operation. Someone has experience with this? Thanks, Bruno

So I recently managed to source a set of rear VLAND tail-lights for my IS250 for a very reasonable price. I didn't like the idea of how when the parking lights are off and you apply the brakes, only the outer section lights up. This is how the factory connectors are wired up, so it's not really a VLAND issue. On the normal OEM tail lights it's not a problem. But the VLAND design is more of the L shape and it seems incomplete when only the outer part of the L shape lights up. Ofcourse if the parking lights are on then there is no problem. But I cannot be driving around in the daytime with parking lights on and even if I did, that will cause my front LED's to be dim. So I did a 2 part modification. Part 1: If parking lights are off, make the inner part of the VLAND tail-lights light up when applying the brakes. Part 2: Use the puddle light circuit to light up the entire VLAND running lights and the front LED running lights. The puddle lights are powered by a 'square PWM signal' controlled by the main body ECU wth a MOSFET circuit that fades the puddle lights in and out. So it's not as simple as just tapping straight into the puddle light circuit. You can't just put a relay on it either because 1. power draw 2. it will cause the relay to buzz and wear out prematurely because the circuit is a digital ON/OFF signal to the puddle light bulbs without any analog smoothing. I used a logic board with a relay that has 'optically isolated' inputs meaning the current draw should never exceed 20mA so there is no chance of overload. Below are a few pics of my VLAND taillights installed and a video demonstrating my 2-part modification. In the two pictures below, the boot is not closed so it may look like the VLAND's are not aliged because of it.

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum but not to Lexus. I used to own an RX400h which I loved and always regretted selling. A Hyundai, Honda CRV, IQ and a Nissan qashqae later and I’m back! 😁 I’ve just purchased an 2016 RX450h luxury in pearl white. I’m hopefully picking it up at the weekend and I’m like a kid in a sweet shop! 👍

Whilst the number of ES owners would be considered small compared to some of the long standing Lexus model owners at least 3 forum members have discussed a possible meet if not this year then maybe early next year. It may be more practical for a Spring Time meet just to allow the winter to pass and for the weather to break. Only three I hear you say but from little acorns......... As with all enthusiastic owners of cars the venue is normally based on geographical access and facilities. Myself and two other Forum Members are based in Yorkshire, a truly huge county and although not advocating Yorkshire necessarily, the travelling issue for members has to be a consideration for everyone, hence suggesting somewhere that has the necessary amenities, refreshments, toilets, parking and anything else that makes a trip worthwhile. The most obvious type of location would be a country house, open to the public, where parking is usually available. The best locations often have access to large areas of grounds where vehicles congregate rather than parked up in car park areas. Harewood House near Harrogate would be a good example of this whereby you park on the grassed areas in front of the main house. It's hard to gauge if a meeting for like minded ES owners, or any Lexus owner for that matter, will be received as a good idea, hence throwing this open to members of the forum. For sure myself and the two other ES owners will meet going forward but maybe members reading this might have some ideas. Having owned other makes of cars over the years I was never disappointed at the turn out of long established clubs in terms of support and the general level of interest, indeed most attendees made a day of it splitting their time between the cars and the actual venue's amenities. Anyway this is just a toe in the water. Steve

I took my wife's Toyota Aygo in for it's MOT a couple of days ago to find my local testing station had updated to the latest equipment. I do not know if this is compulsory for all testing stations, and who pays for the equipment. The cost of equipment must be substantial The test is now a one man test meaning a second person is not required to operate lights while the examiner checks them, rock the steering, or operate the brakes. Mirrors are fitted all round the ramp to check the lights, and a new ramp with what I can only call a wobble machine built in to each side to wobble the suspension, and steering without the examiner having to prize suspension parts with a bar. Talking to the examiner I found that the majority of vehicles failing the test were diesels. Many for having particulate filters removed, EGR valves blocked off or removed, and catalytic converters having internals removed. The Cat's he informed me if the innards are removed have no back pressure "a normal feature". He also said that if there were any doubts about the validity or integrity of a system he had been told by the MOT to fail it. It seems the ministry are getting tough on diesels. I am glad to say the Aygo past it's test for the fourth year in succession without any advisories. John.

To my way of thinking there should be more flexibility here. Whilst used fluid can degenerate with age as well as mileage, what is the point in replaceing s/plugs at 23500 miles when they will comfortably do 60,000? Surely, this item at least could be left and an adjustment made for the very considerable time saved and the cost of the plugs?

Had a 1st proper ride today after wheel alignment was done on Friday and new tyres (good year 4season vector gen 2) fitted, this is such a difference! I knew new tyres should be quite but not that quite, even compared to summer tyres new ones are much much quieter, I made a good choice!

Ive had most of my cars mapped it's really good for power and economy. Factory maps are more suited to everyone in all conditions where as a re map can be set to give more benefit on your personal driving style. Eg you can map for either power or economy or somewhere in the middle if you want best of both remap only benefits turbo cars tho so a no go on the 300h.

Welcome back,hoping you find the forum educational and informative 👍

Ask Richard at this place. http://www.hybridbatterysolutions.co.uk/

And a very generous offer it was - how could I not. In the spirit of things - I’ll match it when I get home too 👍 Loving the car, enjoying working out all the quirks of the menu system and was both surprised and delighted that the central Tacho display physically moves to reveal extra functions - I only ever test drove the non-F Sports so that was a Brucie Bonus.

Liam. It's more to do with it being a hybrid. The engine stops and "parks" it's self in one of two positions. If the engine has not reached or overrun that position the motor in the transmission that starts the engine will move it to the correct position ready for starting. If at all in doubt have a word with the dealer. John.

Firstly f you seriously looking to save up for LS600 get yourself a cheap runabout for now. Something with a small petrol engine.. Secondly it is a well known ancient wisdom: the cheaper the Lexus, the more money you'll have to spend keeping it in good nick. One thing i have learned in life: NO ONE will sell you a well looked after car for cheap. That just don't happen. Hence why i stopped looking for bottom priced cars long time ago. Paid top dollar for my current GS still have few niggles but the car has been maintained from new with no expense spared. I suggest you stay away from those cheap rundown moneypit 600Hs once you start looking.

Hi Kole, Wellllll, as coincidence has it - - I moved from my (rather wonderful) S500 to a 2014 RX-450h just two months ago. I just loved the S Class, - its comfort, its wonderful get-up-and-go (!) and its feeling of solid dependability. (I also achieved an annual ave of 30mpg - which was a surprise) The RX 450 is SO different, - - yes - the CVT box is strange at first, (and the car is nowhere near as quick) - but it's certainly quick enough, I'm achieving the same mpg around my hilly town journeys - but the plus factors are great: Excellent vision, wonderful comfort, and (at my age) it is SO much easier to climb down from a car, rather than climb out of it!. I wouldn't go back to the S500 now.

Cheers, it looks pristine in the photo but it’s not quite pristine, yet............. I did fettle the other 4 wheels that are on the car and they are pristine in real life. They had been refurbished and looked really good but when you looked close they needed doing. I spent an hour on each wheel with Farecla G3 and a lot of elbow grease then put some protection on but didn’t do the spare - it was hard work and I’d had enough after doing 4 wheels.

First thing to point out is that the CVT in your audi really was a CVT. The "e-CVT" in the Lexus Hybrids isn't - it's rather clever and incredibly simple system that doesn't have any clutches, bands or chains, very few moving parts and basically never wears out (millions of prius cabs can't be wrong). However, the driving feel is sort of akin to a CVT, in that the engine can hold a speed (ie rpm) and the car can accelerate. The thing is that, with the GS at least, this rarely happens for any particular length of time. A slip-road acceleration from 30-70 lasts maybe 3-4 seconds during which time the revs rise and so there's maybe 2 seconds of static revs. It's not some constant "drone" as many motoring journalists have written (watch the Fifth Gear review - they complain about it while driving pegged down bruntingthorpe runway. Not realistic!) The actual driving characteristics of the eCVT are pretty good, once you learn to ignore the disconnect between sound and speed. When accelerating, you get continuous linear acceleration much more like an EV (and my other car is a Tesla) - you don't have the horrible lumpiness of torque at the wheels that occurs with a turbodiesel combined with discrete gears (whether manual or auto). However, I will obviously concede that an S class is going to be a damn sight smoother than most cars in this regard! The other huge benefit of the eCVT is that it allows the car to cruise along with the engine ticking over at 1000rpm at all legal UK motorway speeds (and quite some way beyond). As you can see from my sig below, our GS450h with similar (but not the same) drivetrain returns a real world average of 37mpg which is absolutely phenomenal for a 340bhp petrol car. Our previous 2011 Volvo V70 Diesel returned 38mpg. Ultimately it's a matter of fitness for purpose. The eCVT won't ever win friends among those that want to carve up country roads, heel-and-toeing downshifts, etc (ie most of the motoring press). But then again, is a ~2 tonne squidgy luxury SUV going to win friends there anyway, regardless of its transmission? It is fabulous for smooth progress - when driven at 5 tenths to 6 tenths the GS450h gathers speed without making a fuss. It doesn't have the neck-snapping party piece of the Tesla, but instead it has an uncanny ability to be doing 30 and then just a few seconds later be doing 60 in such a way that your passengers didn't even notice the change. As for your last point.... Space, the RX is a pretty spacious vehicle. Maybe not as spacious for 4 passengers as an LWB S, but I doubt you'd have many complaints. Pace... it's quick enough, but not one for a B-road hustle. Grace - not quite there with the S class, but that's really a very high bar. The RX will attract less attention and will mostly get on with being comfortable and unobtrusive.

Ok, I have been using hybrids now for 10 years, my first car was a 2004 Prius, when I bought it the mileage was 114,000 when I sold it I was up about the 235,000 mark. Today, it’s mileage is 330,000 miles, I know the owner, he bought it to use as a taxi, ran it for 6 months and then upgraded, he handed this one to his daughter who uses it for town running. It has never had any replacement battery cells, nor has the transmission given any issues, the car is 15 years old now and the owner does admit he doesn’t get the battery performance that he used to he is still getting mid to late 40’s out of it. I have never had to do anything to the batteries on any of my hybrids, IMO they will easily last the life of the vehicle Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry Peter.HJ is Honest John in The Daily Telegraph. The best Motoring Correspondence bar none. Hybrid Batteries are now warranted for 15 years from manufacture by Lexus, subject to Annual Checks.. NonE OF THE VEHICLES REFERRED TO ABOVE HAVE HAD A FAILURE IN THE Hybrid Battery.

I have a 2013 is300h Premier that I purchased from new, it really is the best car I have ever had, I regularly get around 30 to 35,000 miles from the tyres I had the front brake pads and discs changed for the first time since new at 140,000 miles and the current mileage is 154,000 miles still on the original brake pads and discs on the rear from new. Driving it normally I get between 48 and 54 miles per gallon. Also servicing costs are less than my old car which was a 4-wheel drive Nissan Qashqai. After six years of very pleasurable driving it looks like new, it drives like new. Never let me down, love the Lexus brand and will not change to another manufacturer. Many thanks to Lexus Birmingham who have been excellent and serviced the car every 10000 miles since I purchased it from them in August 2013.