ZXSpectrum

Hi Sami I had looked at them but couldn't find the correct one that i needed. Can you link me to the one you have? When you say connects to a free CD Changer Port is that an extra socket on the rear of the unit? I am not sure if i have a spare port unless that is what the old ipod connection is using.

I have looked at the Vais modules and they do look easy to install but not 100% sure if they are compatible with the ML audio system. I will drop them an email to ask.

Unfortunately the ML audio doesn’t have any Aux or USB input from what I can tell. I already have the old style IPod connection that was available as an option that works through the head unit via the additional disc option and that could only play drop iPod playlists.

Well I posted a thread a while back regarding this but never sorted but after spending a load of money getting the batteries and engine sorted I want to finally get my phone connected to the car to listen to music and podcasts via Bluetooth. So what is the latest recommendations to do this? I do love the look of the Grom Audio Vline VL2 with Apple CarPlay but it’s out of my price range. I have seen the Vais unit which is much more affordable. Are there any other options available? My car is a 2006 GS450h with Mark Levinson Premium Audio.

I have just ordered some KYB rears and will be getting them fitted in a couple of weeks when I get my car back from having a load of engine work done. They are KYB part no 551108 They are showing as 104 each on AutoDoc but as I really needed them to get them sorted in a couple of weeks for MOT so managed to get them from EuroCarParts for 136 each. I have also ordered the 2 fronts from Autodoc as I am not in a great rush for them. They are 267 on EuroCarParts but ordered the same KYB parts 551106/551107 for 104 each. There are numerous eBay listings for the same parts loads cheaper but are a waste of time. Having tried to order them 3 times from different suppliers, I even confirmed they were in stock with a couple of them but after ordering the orders were cancelled. I will post back with my results of how the car feels when replaced. Worst case scenario I will have shocks on the car and I can get the originals refurbished over time.

Thanks. Door cards are fine it’s just the lower part of the b pillar trim (dark grey part under the seatbelt) and the drivers side centre console trim where your left knee rests.

Looks like there is a few Lexus breakers about, will put some requests to them and see if anything comes of it.

Thanks, I will give it a try. Not seen any round here with these cars in though.

Does anyone know if you can buy replacement interior trim panels at all? Although my car has done low mileage it gets my big ***** in and out daily for 9 years and there has been some holes worn in the lower B pillar trim and the right hand centre console cover (The one that pulls off to allow access to the centre console/head unit. I will get a couple of pics when i get chance. Has anyone replaced these? Any idea on how much i am looking at? I bet they are pretty expensive.

I had mine repaired locally and they replaced 2 sections with stainless.. Its been fine since.. Cost me £300. If you are anywhere near Derby its ETS in Normanton Area.

Thanks for that. The only issue I have with using Autodoc is that everyone I know that has used them have had over a month wait for parts. currently I am considering BC Racing Coilovers from Driftworks.

Just FYI anyone thinking of doing this. I have tried 3 different companies that were apparently showing stock of these KYB shocks even had a confirmation email from one stating they had stock and if I ordered I could get them for the weekend. On every occasion I have had the order cancelled and refunded.

I can’t remember. The pack was in very good condition apart from 1 cell that was dead and 3 that were not able to be refreshed to 5000ma like the rest of them so he replaced 1 foc and I paid for the other 3 to get the pack up to optimal.

Hi Andy, I had a very similar issue a little while ago. Replaced the main 12v battery (With a Yuasa) as there was a lot of green oxidisation round the negative terminal and it did not sort the issue. Ended up taking it down to Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions and he sorted the Hybrid battery for me. It was £850 all in but that may vary depending on how well the cells can be refreshed and how many need replacing. He really knows his stuff and provides an invaluable service for these cars. I dont believe you can read a hybrid battery fault using a standard OBD reader, i think you need a Mini-VCI cable with Techstream. This can be bought for about £25 on Amazon but for it to work you need a old laptop running a 32Bit OS (Windows 7 or 10) the software will install on 64Bit OS but you need a firmware/emulator for the Mini-VCI Cable that does come with it but does not work in a 64Bit environment.

Possibly a stupid question, Is it an electronic alarm inside the car or could it be the wear indicators on the brake pads? when you say you can hear it when the car is in neutral is that while the car is stopped in neutral or rolling in neutral?

Just to bump this as i am looking to get them replaced. Has anyone done this yet? KYB Rear shocks for GS300 are currently £150 a pair from a company on Ebay. I have seen the video of the guy that replaced the front ones with GS300 struts and went straight in with no issues. I dont mean to seem as if i am penny pinching but currently i dont have the money to spend on 2 x £300+ each when i can get a full set and replace front disks and pads at the same price for similar money. I am just trying to get the car running and driving a little better (And pass its MOT in Sept) for a little while until i can afford to replace the car. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Sorry to bump this. What sort of issues/symptoms would it cause (Apart from pushing all the fluid through the system) if the calipers were replaced (Hoses clamped) and then bled as normal? I had a strange thing happen where when i drove to work(about 6 miles) the car would be fine but when i drove home later in the day about half way home i would get what felt like a slight vibration from the rear passenger side. It was like BRRRRRRRRRRRRR when the brake was pressed. We re-bled them again at the weekend and checked the pads were seated correctly but just checking if it happens again. Thanks.

I have looked into this and apparently it can be done. I think I am going to do the rears with them as the cheapest I can currently find are about £300 each and i can get a pair of KYB for GS300 for £149 the pair! I think I can get the whole car done with new KYB GS300 shocks for a little more than 1 of the Lexus GS450h OEM rear shocks. I am just really doing some parts to the car to get a bit more life out of it till I can get some money saved up to change it a couple of years down the line.

Just to update this. I took my GS450h to Richard and he sorted my issue out. I took it down on a Saturday and collected the following Saturday (I am not sure if this is available for everyone as i am not too far from him). He replaced 4 of the cells in total and refreshed the rest of the cells to over 5000Ma and he says apart from the ones replaced the rest were in great shape. The car has driven fine since the refurb and the Hybrid Battery seems to charge and last very well i am even sure that i am getting better fuel economy but that may be a mixture of the refurbished battery pack and refurbished rear calipers/brakes. Great Service by a very knowledgeable guy at a great price. Highly recommended to anyone with hybrid battery issues. Thanks Richard Now onto the Shock Absorbers

I did send the seller an email but as i was desperate to get the car back together at the weekend i ordered them anyway. Received an email last night and he states he purchases them from a US company and he believes they originate from a Chinese manufacturer made to their specs. He has sold a lot of these kits as well as loads from the same company for different manufacturers vehicles and has had no issues with them at all and their fitting and quality have always been great. He says he is also happy for me to return should they not fit correctly or have any quality issues which is fair enough and he has 100% feedback. Received them this morning and they seem to be the correct ones and they quality seems good. They are silver btw if anyone interested. 🙂

I just called Bigg Red and its not a set that they can get. I have asked the ebay seller where they are manufactured. I have checked the clips in the pic and cross referenced with the ones from the diagram and they look identical.

I am sending mine off tomorrow and will call them to check about the accessories.

Does anyone have any links to accessory kits, springs and pins, for the rear calipers for 2006 Lexus GS450h? I am sending my calipers off to bigg red this week and the springs are not in great shape so thought it would be an idea to replace them all while doing the calipers, disks and pads. I have found these on eBay but just checking it’s the correct ones and right price. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303993511497?hash=item46c76cde49:g:h-YAAOSwfZtbDs9p thanks.

Hahaha... Richard, you must be a bloody mind reader! I was going to give you a call this afternoon to discuss but I got a little busy! I will call you tomorrow at lunchtime if that is convenient for you?

Well after finally getting a laptop i can use with the techstream software it is diagnosing the error as P0A80 Replace Hybrid Battery pack.. 😞