KentIS300

If it is like any other Lexus-Toyota check for sticky calipers, signs of wear on disks.

Regarding comments of it is pasts it's design life, I would not agree.

I had a Toyota Supra (1995 model, 3 years ago) and it was perfect apart from service items that I needed to change for the 1yr I had it. Sticky calipers the only problem and CrankShaft pulley seperating... common fault in these and some Lexus's apparently (Lexus had a recall for some models).

After the Supra bought my Lexus IS300 (2002 model( and that had 6 owners BUT I cherished it and made it like a new car, sticky calipers the only problem.

I now bought a Lexus GS300 (1998 model) with 2 owners from new and that also is a fantastic car!!, I had to change the throttle body but I see this as a service item as the car was 15yo when I bought it. Oh and yes... sticky calipers on this one as well.

So purely the expecations you have from a used car to be honest. You can expect it to be perfect and you always allow in the buying price for some repairs to be done in the near future :)

As you see the main problem that I can fault Toyota's Lexus's are Sticky/Seized Calipers.

So check for cambelt if it has been done

Calipers / Disks

And as previously said I would schedule at some point to change the gearbox oil (by the way Toyota does not sell the ATF oil to the public... they only sell it to you if they do the change them selves....).

Post arrived today with letter from VOSA saying my 2009 RX400h is on the recall list .......

Spoke to Lexus Ipswich who are now geared up to do the work and the vehicle is now booked in for 2 weeks time.

Hopefully get letter soon and can get it booked in at ipswich also. Still waiting for letter at minute.

I would call the Lexus central line to be honest and enquire that...

The dealer had no saying to me, I was firstly told by the main Lexus line (in the main website where you enter the number plate of the car and then it says if it is in the recall or not). That my car was part of the recall.

And then they transfered the line to the closest Lexus to me, to book the appointement.

I do not understand this, if your car is part of the recall, then you do not need to wait for the letter.

I would have never recevied the letter as I am the owner of the car less than a week (picked it up last Saturday).

I only got my '07 RX400h yesterday, gonne on the Lexus website insterted the number plate and it said tere is an outstanding safety recall for the car. And adviced to call in order to book an appointement.

I called them they passed me to the local dealer (Lexus Canterbury) and then to Toyota Motorline where the service dept is and the car is now booked with them for 23rd of October.

Funny enough though the guy on the recall line said it will be only a couple of hours to rectify...

The guy in the dealership said they need the car for 2 days! drop it in 23rd first thing morning pick it up 24th evening.

And also said they will supply a courtesy car but it is unlikely it will be a 450h ... lol so lets see, hope they will not give me a yaris! I will have a fit! lol

Cheers Phil,

It seems that the previous owner decided to keep the parcel self / cover and not hand it to the dealer when they did P/X

I might try to write to them and see if they have it still .... who knows.

Hello guys,

Just bought for one of my clientsa Lexus RX400h 2007 model with 58000miles on the clock.

Lovely car I must admit love the hybrid system, never had driven one before

And boy it is FAST!!! lol

Now there is a question, see the pictures? where does this thing go???

Also is there a parcel self? cover as standard on RX400h? as it did not have one.

oh and I just booked it for the 23rd of this month (a 2 day job as they said) to change the inverter as part of the recall that is on going. (although the car drives fine).

I would like to see what sort of courtesy car they will provide lol :)

Cheers

Vasilis.

Sounds good Chris

So we have 3 cars in total :)

I will message some of the others too as it seems to be a slow gathering this time :) :)

Bump!

Please help! We've now cleaned the throttle body, cleared all codes, adjusted the throttle position switch and changed the battery to a new Bosch unit but no luck. I have sent the throttle body to BBA Reman for reconditioning but am not convinced that this is the issue.

Has anyone had a similar issue and what did you do to repair it? Could it be an ECU issue?

Finally, if I buy and ECU from a breakers, can it be used or is it vehicle specific?

Please help! We've owned the car for 6 years and done 65000 miles in it and never changed even a lightbulb. We've only required normal servicing and consumables but now it's a giant paperweight that I can't move!

HELP!

Late response I know most likely you fixed the problem by now.

But I had a very similar problem with my GS300 (different engine as I understand the RX has the V6 and the GS has the I6) I got a used complete throttle body from eBay and fixed the issed for £40 delivered.

Looks like more for the 5th? ...

I usually go to a place with the car I need to get the paint from.

I have gonne for about 10 different cars and it's always been spot on. Even for my Cadillac which was not the easiest to find.

You will have to find the correct code for the car and then get the colour chart out ... in a nice sunny day and colour match the correct shade. (they should really not you :) )

Wow they are cheap at £105 !! and with 3yrs warranty ... mmm sounds tempting :) :)

By the way the steering ... is much improved now ... I think the tyres needed a bit of rolling around as they must have been off a car for a while.

And being the ran flats did not help with those uber hard side walls! lol

Still I have a bit of "knock" on the steering column over hard pot holes... must be a bush somewhere along the steering that has a slack, need to look into it.

I know a car of 15yo cannot be perfect :) especially when it comes to bushes.

It does make a big difference! :)

That was the first thing I done to ours when we got it.

It seems impossible to start without jumping before.

And now it is purely controleable.

I do like the stance of the suspension the sport has though .... :(

it will be hard to find a suspension of the sport model in a good condition.

Don't mind the fuel consumption as I use the Megane as my daily commuter, the GS is purely for joy :)

Insurance is not charging me more, as I am on a trade policy, they're not bothered with cosmetics... they are only interested in heavy modifying ie serious super charging Subaru Imprezas ... etc

Already looking for some after 2000 rear lights to replace my old style ones.

PS This is the lip ..

Hello guys,

I am in two minds.... about the original sport wing... I have found one for £50 but I am not sure I will like it on the car.

I might prefer a boot lip instead :( ...?

Also would you have any suggestions on lowering springs ? nothing mad... just 25-35mm .... enough to justify the change from 16" to the 18" sport wheels.

And improve the driveability of the car as since I put bigger wheels ... it cries for a bit lowering to make the steering more acurate.

I have always used Eibach's on my previous cars including my IS300 I had.

But ... I don't want to spend that kind of money,

Any suggestions that I can have a nice ride (not choppy or hard) and a good low budget?

Cheers

Vasilis.

Just a reminder on how the car looks now.

The 300 should only have 1 cable (it is drive by wire) cruise control has nocable either.

Unless it was a change between the MK2 and MK2 Facelift throttle body.

Notice on the picture the cable on the back.

Only difference is that the calbe comes from the left side on the UK models instead of the left side as it shows in the picture.

Have a look here

just came accross on here

http://www.carpages.co.uk/lexus/lexus-advanced-technology-pack-14-06-13.asp

Job well done :)

.... they might do.

Good luck in finding them thought ... I think I was very lucky!!!

Well this has been an early start ... could not sleep so I woke up at 6:00 and started fitting the new complete throttle body!

Started at 6:00 and completed at 8:00 and now everything works perfect regarding the throttle and no more limp mode!!!

And ...at 9:30 tadddaaa the wheels arrived :) :)

and now are on the car.

Tyres are Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT all around .... with loads of life left on them

They do say Run On Flat on them .... don't have a clue if they are run flats ...

Fronts are 245/45 R18 and rears are 275/40 R18

I managed to install the centre caps of the original 16" wheels on the 18" Sport wheels ... lol I think they look nice actually :)

Before I start

Old Whels

New wheels

BIG Difference!!!

My trick ... to make do .. centre cap lol

All cleaned up (wheels only)

Is it only the VSC or any other light along?

I know many will call me crazy ...

My CL500 had Dunlop SP Sport tyres ...

nice ones but noisy I found.

Great value for money and great performance tyres also ulta quiet are the Kuhmo's I had them on my Mercedes and Also on my Lexus IS300 and they never let me down with loads of grip too.

Then Avon's used to have the ZZ3 and they did stick on the wet road like nothing else.

Hi John,

Welcome :)

I must admit having owned the IS300 (same engine) and now the GS300 ... I do understand the response the throttle has. It has an urge to take off with the slightest.

I noticed that my GS300 had a slack on the accelerator cable on the throttle body, once I adjusted it with no slack ... it is way more controlable.

Have a look if there is any slack there.

Cheers

Vasilis.

I think what I will miss the most ... will be the feeling of the rear end having the LSD on the IS, while I (think) I do not have it on the GS.

Haven't tried to spin it off yet lol

MAF sensor in the list of things doing too

:)

I am ordering the Full Throttle Body plus a MAF sensor .... then at least I have a couple of spares to play with. If cleaning does not do anything.

By the way ... to correct my previous posts.

ABS light does not come on.

I only have EML light to start with , and then when the car slows down to lets say 20mph then I get the VSC/VSC OFF lights as well.

I assume the VSC is directly linked to the throttle body in order to work properly.

The EML light comes on ... only when coasting, but prior it coming on, the throttle response gets noticeably slaggish! and slow.

I am suspecting the throttle motor,,,

Very nice wheels

What's it like sitting from IS300 to GS300?

The GS is much heavier on the ride feel compared to the IS SportCross.

Although they have the same engine the GS feels a tad slower... but after I replace the throttle body... might feel even faster lol.

The interior of the GS though it much much nicer place to spend miles in ;) and more spacious :)

OK for definite my throttle body has a problem ...

when the car is cold ... and for about 15mins of driving... it all works great!

Then as the car warms up and getting close to the junctions the throttle response becomes lazy ... and it keeps going in limp mode.

I might try to clean it tomorrow morning and see what I might get from it.

But for sure I will order that cheap used one to see if I have any improvement.