Diesel Do Nicely Brian

I have just had my first claim on my extended warranty (took it out at the very end of July after I bought the car, replaced the rear shock (£800) and the 100+ service (£595) and MOT at Lexus - before discounts). My passenger headlamp (main lamp and full beam lamp) was misting up when I bought the car, but causing no issue (and one back taillight too). It was on my list of jobs to strip the front end and dry it out, reseal it etc. However, the light stopped working - dead - one night, and dead for days, even when I tried swapping bulbs left to right, hairdryer on it etc. Called Lexus, got it booked in for inspection a few days later - in the interim it started working again! Diagnosed by Lexus as a failing ECU (the ballast) the seal no longer working on the lense and needed a new bulb - £937 fitted! Waited to hear back from warranty when filed, did tonnes of research and was ready to do all the work myself (new ballast, pair of bulbs, strip & reseal lamp etc). Came back - fully approved - all cost covered. The car is 9 years and 10 months old today. The warranty has now paid for itself in one go!! Always been good for me in the past - both Toyota and Lexus ext. warranty.

Indeed - the performance of the GS450h is SUPERB and acceleration on a par with a typical Impreza, however the Impreza engine (especially any STI variant and EVERY import) needs 97RON+ fuel, and imports need that PLUS octane booster. My GS is more economical with BP Ultimate or Shell V Power than normal unleaded, but not quite enough to justify the difference in cost, as yet.

The reason I mentioned avoiding supermarkets and using decent duel (i.e. Shell, BP etc) is after speaking to several mechanic friends and different dealers over the last few years/several makes where they have had issues (specifically diesels) with higher proportions of bio-fuel being added to bulk up (and bring down the cost of) the cheap supermarket fuels. It was not to specifically recommend using premium fuels such as Shell V-Power or BP Ultimate (which I'd use in a performance car that needs it like my Impreza's etc).

A decent detailing company will take around 2 to 3 days, and be around £250-£300 so that is bang on the money. The quality products they will use will be at least £50 of that price and will involve at least 20 hours labour so very good value for money. Powder coating the wheels for £360 + VAT is pretty typical. You may be able to shop around and get them done for around £300 all in. Unusual for a detailing company to do that kind of work - they usually just focus on paint correction and machine work/protection. They'll probably sub-contract it.

It's relentless power and really comes into it's stride post 30mph. Lexus GS450h VS BMW 335i

I'd quite like to do this, but would likely need a step by step to do it - although it's probably actually pretty straightforward with the right parts!

Thanks bobmc - it's gradually getting there. The garage is the next project being done just now.

These are the guys I used, but there is also one called GTV on eBay. eBay Link Contact them and ask - they both have a lot more than listed on eBay as they are breaking multiple cars.

Thanks guys. Here is the progress/detail thread: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=382716 Brian.

Get your car to a detailer (NOT a valeter) and get them to do a stage 1 (or2, or 3 depending on how bad) and the car will look better than when it left the factory! Here's some shots of mine today, after machine polishing and a good clean up using good quality products (it has 3 coats of HD wax, and 1 of Collinite 476S):

Quite a few on eBay from a GS450h. I have bought quite a few bits from a scrappy/car parts retailer in Lithuania - both DTV and GTV I think they are called have several wheels for a GS450h including an all wooden one. Also, if it's an SE-L make sure it has the adaptive cruise control button.

Essentially yes - although I was told when I asked this question in advance of buying any car that they simply would not cover the part that was found to need repaired. In my case, I knew the car needed rear shocks as it failed it's MOT on them so I had them replace them at the same time as a 100+ service for peace of mind. Lexus then MOT'd the car and it passed with no advisories and a clean bill of health. The 2 years warranty also includes 2 years Lexus Personal Membership Roadside Assistance (normally £130 a year) for you and personal membership for your spouse too if they live at the same address. Brian.

No - Lexus Extended Warranty can be applied to any used car before it's 10th birthday/140,000 miles. Makes buying a car outside the dealer network much less risky, as it can go under warranty.

Lexus Edinburgh have a 60 plate in stock, £14995 (not silver). Looks in decent shape when I looked at it on the forecourt the other day. Link below: Lexus GS450h Remember also that you can put ANY Lexus up to 10 years old/140,000 miles under manufacturers warranty following a half hour inspection (or service).

Keep using decent fuel though, avoiding supermarkets!

What age/model/price/location was it?

Indeed. I had worried about it as I transport equipment, but it's easily as good as a hatch type boot and similar to many 3 series of the same age. Opening is a decent size and it's surprising what can be squeezed in with a bit of fettling!

Here it is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331158214775?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Good quality, not the greatest fit, but will do the job. I'd get one without the lip over the edge if ordering from them as it will likely fit better.

Very welcome. Hopefully that helped.

And another different one (running pram, no wheels as they detach):

and the actual pram built up:

I have taken pics with 3 different prams in the boot - just uploading them to Flikr now for you :)

Hi. I'll try to get you a couple of pics with various prams in the boot from mine today 👍 The boot is actually alright but not cavernous but no worse than an IS for me. Brian

What age is the car/what dealer? Also, does the 450h have a cam belt - thought it had a chain... Brian.