Connoisseur

edited out, as I see the mods point......... :)

Great car, with great warranty Carl eh.......... What did you think though as each issue was followed by another? Even with the warranty surely you started to wonder......... But I do understand. Had mine for 3 months and its not been w'out issues but everytime I step in, push the button and relax back then I remember why I bought a Lexus, and not another make. Pleased it's all got sorted. How is the Vais unit for you? Have just added Alpine EZI DAB to mine........

Now that is worth knowing more about -have you got a link to the thread/post?

In September we are taking our 2004 SC430 on a European road trip to Mercia in Spain and back. Storage space with roof down inc. the rear seat is good enough for two of us for the fortnight, but it is a convertible, so space is limited and as with the Merc. ingenuity can be required!. imho roof seals are good, the drivers door seal around the mirror housing/tweeter can wear out so worth checking and replacing, as with all roof seals. Currently it's my daily driver car and has never let me down (wood firmly being touched!). In my experience tyre noise is really about the tyres chosen. Continentals on mine are quiet enough for me, and I too am picky. I would be more concerned about service history than mileage particularly. It's a great (verging on bullet proof) V8 engine and ancillaries. Just make absolutely sure the serpentine belt has been changed and that the car has been cared for. Later models have improved autobox and bluetooth etc. In the end it is a convertible, so limited space, great comfort, great engine and relaxing to drive. Good luck with your research... M

It's a pleasure and thanks for your thank you. Like you I don't believe in fill for life fluids - I changed my SC430 diff oil recently at 90k; looked ok but (v small) bits of metal stuck to the magnet suggest never done before - they are best out imo. Will do the same for the transmission later this year. On my GS the diff oil will be changed at the 6 year service in October. My auto box is ECVT (so no gear change so faster response:) ) not sure what that needs but I always lean towards change - nothing lasts for ever...... hth

Just a caution from a US site, the centre vents are warned to be part of the dash unit and extreme caution is advised..

Go here and fill in your car age/type/mileage details. It's a USA site but the key maintenance details are little/no different. Worth a nose round the site in any case........ http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info/my-lexus/service/maintenance-schedule.do hth

There is also something I've read about making sure small oil filters in the head get changed regulalry (not a service item). Will see if i can find it...........

Just switched off my driver side seat belt buzzer, thank you! Same procedure applies for passenger side by plugging passenger belt in after following the instructions hth

Shame :( as a check found the full procedure which is: 1. turn car off and lock it. 2. open car back up, press the power button just once to turn on battery only (no foot on brake pedal) 3. hold down tyre system button until it bleeps/display changes Good luck

The EZI Dab comes with a USB input for iPhone/iPod or USB stick/MP3 input, plus an aux input but I will be using it for DAB as I have a Vais in the centre storage which gives me great iPod/USB/MP3. The EZI Dab is on run out but widely available; I got mine new from a Citroen dealer on ebay, circa £125; there are some silly prices around but circa £130 for a brand new and boxed unit is all you should pay. Wherever from the unit comes with its own wiring loom which can be used on all cars, even if it says Citroen/Peugeot specific it is in fact for all. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALPINE-EZI-DAB-DIGITAL-RADIO-INTERFACE-/131509738116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e9e975a84 Details of fit in case they help are Aerial in top lh corner of front windscreen then running behind pillar trim; a good aerial is a must with these, the internal ones are not really up to the job. I've got this http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic_DEGA-T4002_telescopic_glass_mount_DAB_car_aerial.html .......a useful site with plenty of advice Ezi DAB main box is going in space behind/below HU; box needs permanent live + switched live + earth. Switched live from cigar lighter feed; perm live from fuse box in cabin and the very small but well built control unit on a Brodit mount on LH of console - the control unit will fit stealth in the ashtray with door closed when not in use and only come out when in use . Will try to get some pics and post when done. hth

31.5!! Nice one. From speaking to a few owners I know the car returns better mpg with 'power' switch on. I've just changed the plugs on mine and while nowhere near 31 am getting 2mpg more on runs so averaging 26/27 now.

Coincidence - I'm fitting the Alpine Ezi Dab to my 09 450h this weekend. It's an Alpine badged Pure unit and better because of the range of display colour options it offers over the Pure. Chose it for the quality and reviews after much research, and because it offers three connection options: fm transmit; fm direct inject and aux in. Have rejected the FM direct inject as it would mean running cable up and down the car because my GS FM aerial goes from the rear screen to the tuner in the boot and not up to the front (yours may be different?); So am going with fm transmit with aux in as a backup. Let me know if details of fit/aerial and power would be of interest.. hth

Sounds like a great drive. I'm averaging low to mid 30's at the moment (even tho' am still at the stage of enjoying the loud pedal) so am looking forward to seeing what a long run gives.... It might be worth re initialising the system (manual page 458) to see the fault clears, and/or battery disconnect; otherwise it could be an iffy tyre pressure monitor on one wheel which I suspect is where the Lexus dealer has you caught! Will be interested in hearing how you get on - am sure I will be dealing with same at some point... Good luck

from the manual: when the instrument panel light control switch is turned to minimum, the foot lights, inside door handle lights and shift lever light will turn off if the interior lights, personal ights and steering spot light remain on when the door is not fully closed, or the interior light switch is in DOOR position, then the lights will go off automatically after 20 minutes hth Mike

Hi Shaun, Too long since i lived in Gloucester to give a recommendation but this page on Honest John has helped me a few times: www.good-garage-guide.honestjohn.co.uk Otherwise if you want someone you can absolutely trust and are prepared to travel then a day out in Warwickshire will have the whole job done by the independent who looks after my SC, and no arm and leg prices. Mike

Is tihs of interest? The seller is Lexus/Toyota Cambridge (Lancaster Group), my local dealer. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-Genuine-Key-Fob-For-GS300-430-460-450H-LEXUS-GS-ONLY-05-11-RRP-250-/291428862388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43da8389b4 M

some pics/how to of your instal if/when you do the job would be a great help;)

To answer my own question, in case it is of help to another member: I now know that there is no coax FM/AM aerial feed to the HeadUnit in the GS450h. The rear screen diversity aerial coax feeds directly into the amp/tuner unit in the boot, which then sends a signal output to the head unit at the front. Am not going to run two coax cables ot the rear to allow direct inject, esp. as am not sure it would be straightforward! Instead will try the FM transmit option, and if that doesn't work will feed the DAB unit output to the aux socket in the centre box. My car has the Mark Levinson set up but I have found nothing to suggest the arrangement is any different in non ML cars. Mike

I'm looking for an ignition switched live and permanent live for an install I'm doing (Alpine Ezi DAB unit) but don't know of one in the roof - could you use the int. lamp feed with an inline switch (and fuse)? So for me the switched live is looking like the cigar lighter in the console and the permanent live either from a spare in one of the fuse boxes, or there is a permanent live at the OBD port. Good luck and if I find out more will let you know. It seems GS450h electrics may be a bit of an unexplored area.......... ps is it worth popping the large plastic trim cover off adjacent to the roof lamps? If the sunroof loom is there it might be visible for testing with a multimeter?