Hunt.trophy

Hi, ive owned my series 3, 95 for about 18 months now and have logged every tank to date. Just curious as its such a large engine and im averaging 17-18 mpg mostly around town with the switch set to ECONOMY. Im going to run her from the next tank on POWER for a few tanks and see what the diff is to mpg.

Never thought to try it before, gota be worth a try.

cheers steve.

I will be very interested to hear your results.

There was a thread a while back disussing this too, and the conclusion seemed to be that around town there was not a big differecne and PWR button being on may have even been worse.

But it was better on a long run.

Be sure to keep us posted.

Thanks for the response re MPG.

I must say, that is news to me.

I was thinking of changing from my LS to the GS / GS hybrid some time ago and asked on the GS forum re fuel economy.

People were saying in general that mid twenties was very good and early thirties are almost unheard of.

I can't find that thread though, so no no proof.

However the point must be made that if you're driving a 3l or 4.3l fuel economy is a bit of moo point.

I've got near 38mpg on a long run, which in the GS forum is unheard of. However hear on the LS forum it seems common enough for cruise control set at 80mph and smooth driving for a few hours.

No other proof.

Ok Everyone!

I posted on the forum back in August 07 about getting a LS430 but bought another Alfa 166 instead, bit different but a still left field choice. Any way I really want a Lexus and seems only the LS will do. I obviously couldn't afford to buy a new LS as may be the case with many on here. The LS represents huge value for money but can I afford the upkeep? An Alfa 166 is not a cheap car to run, but even so it's much more reliable than one may imagine, this is my 3rd and have had few problems in 5 years. I just fancy a change and something less sporting. Sheffield roads are notoriously bad and the firm suspension is tiring.

Anyway my budget is 10 - 12K and I reckon I should be able to get an average mileage facelift 430. I have to consider the sixe of the car as I have permit street parking and no drive, but I believe the turning circle is 5mt compared to the Alfa's 10! Petrol not really a problem as the Alfa combined is about 29 so can I get the claimed 25 combined on the 430, if so not too bad.

I will obviously only buy with a full Lexus history and prod all the buttons, make sure it all works. Is there anything I really should look out for, suspension say or the problem I've read recently about the rear aircon.

Are there other Lexus owners out there who should have bought a Honda Accord but got the Lexus anyway, what have you experienced? I realise this is a big shout but I hope someone will share their views!

Thanks

Nick

Could I offer a spanner in the works? Have you thought about the latest model GS300? Sheffield Lexus have one within your price range. Since owning one of these I have never looked back, a wonderful car!

MMMMM looks nice, but if i bought a GS would I always be thinking what is the LS like?

YES, for sure.

They are different cars. The GS is super car, for sure. But the new GS still is not an LS.

The LS has that special something.

Drive both, you'll see what I mean.

Also fuel economy if driven softly might be better on the LS.

I think the LS600hL is the one to get if you had the cash. The inside is nicer than many 5* hotels I've been too.

The LS460 is nice, my Dad has one, but the LS600hL is in another league all together.

Great bit of info here, will use it now to stop the 'bong bong' coming on each time I start the car.

Does anyone have a step by step idiots guide to changing / checking / cleaning all or any of the filters?

WOW, that is a big difference. I have driven a fully loaded 2007 S600 and a fully loaded 2008 LS600hL and did not notice such a huge difference. The Lexus did everything smoother and quieter and had better toys inside but the Merc had the edge when it came comfort in the drivers seat - unusually.

Anyway, was just wondering, as I had not seen paper specs and didn't notice major differences between the two when I drove them.

Thanks for the info.

Did the same 200 mile drive with 'pwr etc' on and off. In my opinion, with it on, better driving experience and better fuel economy too - shockingly.

If you don't drive like a rally driver all day long, you'll get good fuel economy with the 'pwr etc' button on, it is also great as when you do need the POWER it is there so fast it leaves you stuck to the seat.

Leave it on.

On my third LS and have never found it to be an expensive car for up-keep and is totally reliable.

I have never had one issue with any of the three. My current LS430 has 110,000 miles on the clock and is still like new.

People often comment when they sit in how 'like new' it is.

Silent, comfortable, powerful, reliable and under stated.

When you have one, the novelty never wears off, I assure you.

How come the LS600h doesn't compare the S600?

Just curious for you to expand your opinion on this

Here we go again!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulyandlinda/2675556898/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulyandlinda/2674776883

You are right, the mercs look well. I loved having the windows tinted, so people couldn't see who was in the car.

I enjoyed watching people strain to see in.

Now in the silver one though, no one even looks at it, as it just looks like a big Anvensis, so no one notices.

:-)

I had a black LS400 and tinted the windows and it looked amazing. Have a sliver LS430 now and don't think a tint would suit it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulyandlinda...57606211137189/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulyandlinda...57606211137189/

Car looks great. Mint for 154k. Well done.

When I had a 1999 LS400 I had damp problems in the boot.

Never could find how the water was getting in.

I took everything out, dried it in the sunshine for a day, then drilled a couple of little holes from the inside out, of the wheel well, to let the water out, if it gathered again.

The boot then stayed perfectly dry for ever more, even though it rains every day in Ireland.

You'd want to be brave to drill a hole in the boot of your Lexus!

No... I keep the right arm on the wheel and the left arm on the very comfy arm rest...

One thing is for certain, these cars are bullet proof. So chances of getting a lemon are greatly reduced.

Good luck with the search, I assure you that nothing will compare to the joy of driving an LS. It learns your driving stlye, so the fun continues for ever.

I am 2 years in my 2001 LS430 with 103,000 on the clock. It is still like driving a new car and I drive it everyday.

* Service history is important *

Hi Pete, sorry the car has gone. I feel your pain, I am going to be selling mine soon.

Lost the job and just cannot justify the expense right now.

As soon as I am back on my feet I will buying a 2004 model, but who knows when that'll be.

Hi

Go to this site:

http://www.lexus-mapupdates.eu/

It's cheaper than buying at the dealer. (although the weak pound will not help as they charge in euros if I recall correctly.)

Get the details from your existing DVD to make sure you order the correct one.

Yep, that's the site I was talking about.

Hi Pete, how's the new motor suiting you?

The DVD is in the boot on one side under the boot-liner. It can be tricky to get the new DVD in to it.

There is a website from Lexus that you can purchase the new discs from, I just can't find it right now. Someone else might have the link for it.

Welcome to the club.

Great thread, thanks. I have a chip on my windscreen that could develop in to a crack, and I am dreading getting the new windscreen as I am sure that there would be issues with sensors etc...

I am fairly screwed, cause in Ireland, autoglass have not got the same reputation! Damn. My insurance will only do the 'free replacement' if it's done by Autoglass. So if I want it to be done by Lexus, I'll have to pay for it myself...

I hope you will still check in with us once in a while. Your knowledge base would be missed.

I hope the new cars works out for you as you hope.

It is threads like this that make this forum such a fantastic wealth of information. Well done Pete, this a great guide.

In the Lexus Dealer where my Dad buys his LS's they have a Sony erricson in the showroom and they use it to transfer the customers phone numbers and names to the car, as it is the only one that apparantly does a full transfer...

The vallet is a good idea. It has been about 2 months since I had it valleted last and it is due.

My main problem is that the car is so perfect and so reliable that I have every reason to keep it and no reason to moan about it. I suppose it is a very good problem to have really... I think I am spoilt...

I've got the fridge in the back and never used it.

As you say, I wouldn't ever get to use the electric seats in the back, and if someone dared switch the music I would be unforgiving...

The turing lights are a nice gadget that would keep me entertained for many night time drives.

Making the car go higher is also a little novelty that would keep me entertained in traffic...

I will indeed be sticking with what I got... I'm just depressed.