grantwils

We stay in Bishopton which was 2nd worst hit in the UK this week with 45cm of snow and deeper drifts. The RX350 might be a soft roader with no proper 4WD system but it was surprisingly good. Never got stuck once despite drifts over the bonnet. I ended up doing mercy missions for snowbound villagers getting bread, milk and medicines. Also did a few runs to local hospitals transporting staff. Obviously the Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S helped because I passed several stuck 4x4’s including XC90s, Ravs, CRVs, X-trails, etc. Also took the GS450H out which was awesome (also has Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S). The only thing it wasn’t great at was towing people stuck in ditches but that’s to be expected with no diff lock. This was down the sheltered bit at the side of the house. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I found a 2010 US brochure stating 17x7.5 and did a quick google to find they're also ET45. Same brochure suggests brakes are all the same. This is what it would look like: 17x7 ET50 would bring the calipers even closer to the spokes by 17.7mm... This is what I have and fronts don't fit (18x7 ET40) This is what I'm aiming for (with 17x7 ET35)

I've already asked admin to move it a few minutes ago when I checked for responses and realised there were none.

I want to run 7” winter rims on my S3 GS450h but the spare set I’ve got from her RX are ET35 which, technically, are 2.7mm closer to the calliper than ET45 8” rims which come as standard. There’s not a lot of clearance as standard so I’m nervous about going 2.7mm closer. I also don’t want to have to use spacers, even if they’re just 3mm. Has anyone else been using 7” ET35 on an S3 GS? Are S3 GS450h callipers any different to non-hybrid S3 GS? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Merc c200. Not CT200. But your point still applies! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So... lots to update but basically... the car has been back to the dealer twice for remedial works but that’s another story to be added later. In other news I’ve just been out in the snow with the winter tyres for a play. Damn this thing is a machine with the right tyres. I went for Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme S 235/55/19. I’ve used these tyres on all my 4x4s since 2010. To give you an idea here’s a pic from earlier this evening of the steep hill to get in/out our estate Sheet ice, untreated with cars abandoned and bumping into each other all over. I’ve just been out in the RX no that it’s empty. I stopped at the steepest point and floored it... a small amount of wheelspin then it accelerated well. Before I knew it I was doing over 40mph. Also, Roxy has had a little brother named Gus. I swapped my ‘14 c200 for a ‘09 GS450h (which will also be wearing Wintrac Xtreme S in the colder months). Fingers crossed Roxy won’t need any more trips back to Lexus and we can start enjoying her more. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m not that fussy! [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. I was the one being apologised to! My GS450h is Gus, as in Angus. It’s a boy. My wife’s RX350 is Roxy and is obviously a girl. We only started naming our cars after we bought a red SLK which had a nice note from the previous owner in the handbook explaining that he was called Manfred after Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen aka The Red Baron. My ‘15 Touareg was Rufus (numberplate started with RF). I think it’s cute but also stupid to name cars. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s a he not a she. His name is Gus (as in Angus). My car appears to be a collection of spare parts. I’ve got a brochure and it’s got lots of things it shouldn’t have which aren’t options. No nav or ML so it must be a base model but auto wipers, rear blind, rear side airbags, weren’t an option. Very strange. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So far it’s what I expected. The wheel ‘refurb’ they promised is a rattle can job which they’ve made an arse of which is the biggest disappointment. The bodywork isn’t as good as they said it was but I didn’t believe them anyway so it’s as I expected. So far seems to be an honest car. Alignment is out but they’ve agreed to pay for me to get it done nearer home. Got that in writing. I’ll take it to a local place with the hunter system so it will get done properly. Probably be £60-135 or so. There’s a couple of chips on the windscreen but they’ve said they’ll pay for a new windscreen if any cracks appear from the chips or the chips grow. I got that in writing as it’s a £500 windscreen AFAIK. On the plus side it has some things I didn’t think it would have such as rear blind and boot spoiler. I didn’t think they were on the base model. Heated seats aren’t very heated at all, is that normal? I’m hoping I can do some DIY improvements, nothing major just tidying up the bodywork, wheels, etc. I’m desperate to polish up the exhaust tips. The AFS seems different to the Mrs RX system. When you turn the lights on on the RX they move up/down/sideways and return to position. On the GS they just go up and down, no sideways sweep. Is that normal? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Back in Glasgow. 250miles at 75mph with a few opportunities to get the foot down. 36mpg. 14.5p/mile (brimmed the tank when I left and when I arrived home). Pleasantly surprised with the economy so far. Very comfortable car. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well. I’m at the hotel across the road. Been over for a look but can’t see the car. I assume it’s in the valet bay. Bring on tomorrow AM! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I heard that you should give the brakes a jab occasionally to keep the discs from corroding too much. Is that balls? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As per subject I’m on the lookout for 18x8j rims for my GS450h. I’ve got 18x7j for winters but I’m thinking about just getting another set of 18x8j. I’m in Glasgow but I know a company that will collect if you’re too far away. I’d just need you to cover them with cardboard and tape them up. Not too bothered about condition. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That would make 225/45/18 on 7j seem the obvious option then. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I use 8j I’ll go with standard sizes. My issue is I’ve got 2x sets of 7j rims that will fit the car so I’m trying to work out if Lexus offered a 7j fitting for GS in winter. On the continent it’s normal for manufacturers to supply a second set of rims for winter (often these are thinner rims with smaller diameter too). E.g on my 2015 Touareg it came with 20” rims, official VW winter set was 17” and half inch thinner. Same for my Merc. It has 18” as standard and official Merc winter set for the car are 16” with rears being 0.5” thinner (staggered as standard). Someone must know what Lexus offer as standard winter sizes for GS450h. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. What wheels do they run those sizes on 8j, 7.5j or 7j? 235/45 doesn't look ideal on 7j. 225/50 looks OK but it's £50 a corner more than 225/45 which also look OK.

How fussy is the GS450h Mk3 about wheels? I always run separate summer and winter wheel sets on all my cars for various reasons. I’ve got a set of 2007 RX350 rims and a set of Kia rims which will all fit (Kia needs spigot rings though). Both of these are 7j not the 8j that is standard on the GS450h. I’m fine with that and it’s normal to go thinner in winter but what tyre size should I go with? 225/45 or 215/45 I can also choose to use the rims that come on it and just get another identical set but I’m not convinced that’s necessary. Does anyone know what size winters Lexus offer in countries where a second set is mandatory? Do they recommend going thinner or staying at 8j 245s? Thanks in advance. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's been removed but Cached one is here: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aszXS8_ZmjEJ:https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/GS-450h/35-kmbljgn+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

No, but I've bought it anyway I'm in Glasgow and won't see it until I drive down to collect it. I'm just curious if anyone on here knew about it. I would normally avoid a 100k 8.5 year old car with 5 owners but full Lexus service history and Lexus warranty makes me feel better about it. Seems not a bad car for £8k.

It's GU59 VJM in black if that rings any bells.

Is there anyone who knows the history of the 2009 GS450h for sale at Stoke Lexus with 100K on the clock?

They don’t need to because... tyres. Even some old volvos were RWD with no traction control! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’d also dispute this. There’s a video I can’t find of it being very simply demonstrated with two identical sized cuts of summer and winter tyres on a sheet of ice. As they increase the angle the summer section slides off almost immediately. The winter rubber sticks well beyond 45 degrees. They also did it on a cold slab of plywood which had been in the freezer too. It’s entirely untrue to suggest winter tyres make no difference over summer on ice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You won’t need snow chains with Wintrac xtreme s. The only reason you’d need them is if they are a legal requirement to have. You’d never actually use them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk