Mike246

On my '98 GS300, I recall that there is a lamp to indicate that the sidelights are on. If so, it has failed although opening the door to exit sounds a buzzer if the lights remain on. Is there indeed a lamp and if so, how do I remove the binnacle to replace it?

John, Thanks for your response. I am suspecting the master cylinder, ABS pump or something equally wallet-purging. These items are not available on the aftermarket. Do you happen to know the name of the repair specialist?

My beloved '98 GS300 brake warning light comes on about once a month and a small amount of brake fluid is needed to rectify this. Have anyone experienced similar or know where the leak may be occurring?

Just to close-off this post and inform anyone who may encounter the same issue, I have now resolved it. Turns out it's an easy DIY job. Retract the door aperture surround seal to expose the headlining edge, remove the passenger grab handle and sunshade mount. It is then possible to get a hand into the location where the fixed and flexible pipes meet to rejoin. The GS300 fights on to live another day!

Mine's a '98 Mk2 GS300 with sunroof. I have rainwater coming into the car which collects on the nearside A-pillar trim (about half-way down) and drips onto the passenger's floorpan. I have cleared as best as possible the four sunroof drains using a telephone cable pair and inspected the door and windscreen seals which appear to be in order. I'm a bit stumped. Has anyone else experienced this?

As a matter of fact I do . . . . and a long memory!

James (fetchez la vache) dropped a bombshell in his write-up by stating that the upholstery is synthetic. He was gracious enough to follow this with an apology in case he has spoiled my intended purchase. I have not been idle since learning of this. I have had an ES F-sport Takumi Pack on order since February for July delivery. The options have been carefully considered and where necessary discussed further with the supplying dealership. The upholstery has not been discussed as I was in no doubt from Lexus' on-line brochure (there isn't a printed one) that leather is standard on the F-Sport - Pages 40 & 53 confirm this. I took this up with Lexus Customer Service. They referred this and came back within a couple of days to confirm that the seats are synthetic and therefore the on-line brochure is wrong. I discussed with them the option of changing tor a base model with Premium Pack (as SH20) and Rich Cream leather - they told me that I would have to have a brown fascia whereas I would wish for black; in doing this I would have to forego the Takumi Pack as ordered which includes the larger satnav screen. As a general point, many people would prefer leather on a premium car, some might prefer synthetic, others may not be bothered and there may be ethical views. Staining on light leather could be a nightmare. Certainly on a car of this stature and price I would expect no less than quality leather. I raised this issue on the US owners' forum and was told that their ES comes with synthetic seats however an upgrade to perforated leather is available. First-Lexus makes an interesting point that he would prefer suede. My 1998 GS300 SE has leather which has stood the test of time in the 20 years I have owned it. The non-SE version came with Alcantara - a super Italian suede-like material which was tactile, hard-wearing and as expensive per-metre as leather. In any event if the car was delivered with plastic seats contrary to Lexus published spec I would hand it back so I am indebted to James for his observations. So what am I to do? I've considered this carefully and decided that I am going to cancel my order this coming week and buy a Mazda. It's not a hybrid but it comes with quality leather upholstery, all of the goodies including Apple CarPlay and a powered trunk. It will be delivered in 2 weeks and costs £10k less than the ES. I have three Lexus models in the driveway and this will be the first non-Lexus I will have bought in the last 15 years. This is the first negative post I have ever made regarding Lexus.

My '98 GS300 which I've owned for 20 years has done 200k and purrs like new. It's questionable which of us will last the longest. All the same, I might try my local Waitrose car park tomorrow and see what shows up.

Hmm, I'm more than a little concerned as clearly you know what you are about when it comes to the ES. The online brochure quotes the F-Sport seats as leather on some pages and Tahara (no mention of leather) in others. I've found one or two other matters of detail which are also at variance. I'm going to have a chat with Lexus Customer Services tomorrow and I have a loan ES booked for Tuesday. I'll report back.

James, Well that's certainly a detailed report - astounding if you tapped it into your iPhone! Other readers no doubt will pick-up on your assertion that the F-Sport seat coverings are synthetic. This seems so unlikely for a £40k Lexus and is at variance with the spec in the online brochure. If this is the case, I have concerns about the vehicle I have on order. Can you re-visit this?

Well, I've asked the question and your responses are conclusive. I'm not sure if it is worth the extra £4k or whether I would use the head-up display but that's the direction I'm taking. So, if anyone wants an F-Sport non-Takumi in Mercury Grey with a red interior for immediate delivery, my local dealership has one up for grabs.

Rayann, Yes, that's been my thinking to date however a non-Takumi F-Sport has come along and I need to decide. A further factor is that the Takumi pack hikes the Vehicle Tax up into the stealth band.

I need to make a swift decision regarding the ES I have on order. The Takumi Pack includes the 12.3 inch navigation, Mark Levinson sound system, uprated front lights and a few other bits and bobs. Any views on whether this is worth having for £ 4,000 extra would be welcome? On a 42 month PCP (my calculations equate to) an additional £ 60 per month.

Hi Sloth, A warm welcome. It is interesting that you are taking delivery at the end of this month and your car is not yet built. I thought I got in early with my order and have been promised July. Just 700 build slots are allocated for the UK. So far as colour is concerned, this is personal choice. There are some interesting colours available and I would not fancy the white. I've gone for Mercury Grey and the red upholstery - the black seems just ordinary. Also the Takumi pack to get the larger screen and some other bits. The reviews on the UK ES300 have been a bit 3 out of 5, including the Auto Express report. That doesn't put me off. The US car has several differences apart from the engine. It is built in Kentucky rather than Japan and hybrid is not a big feature in the range. It's a shame that the panoramic roof (front section opens) available on the US version never made it over here. Keep us posted!

I ordered on 9 February and given a month of July, actual date unspecified.

Dan, Your post prompts a thought - I wonder how well the ES is selling and whether your dealer is giving you hype. Maybe you are dealing with Southampton or Guildford both of whom I have bought cars from and they are both first-class. The ES has received moderate reviews from the motoring press and from one or two on this forum. It seems that the initial build for the UK has been for dealers showroom and demo and it was always intended that delivery of customers' cars would be July onwards with a quota for 2019 of 700. From my point of view I back my own judgement and am part-exchanging my '14 GS250 for an ES which will be delivered in July. After you have driven the ES in April, do come back and let us all know your thoughts.

Steve, Echoing what Keith has said, it's a good review and no mistake. Notwithstanding all else, it seems strange that the reversing camera is so naff. I would be interested to hear from the few on this forum who have taken delivery of their ES models and have comments on your list of 'Cons'.

Ged, The issue with my former Jag (and my friend's Mercedes apparently) is that there is half a second lag when you need a fast getaway. There are a few major roundabouts in the area where entering from minor roads at busy times is not for the feint-hearted. You need to spot a gap and react quickly. The Jag was not up to it however from what you have said the ES combination does not suffer from this.

Ged, Many thanks for that. It all sound quite workable. I raised the stop-start issue as I had a Jag with this which was a real irritation and I was in a friend's Merc today which has the same effect on him. I'm relieved to hear that the ES does not have this.

Ged, A few questions as you have taken delivery and are therefore the expert . . . - the binnacle shows the speedo with an outer ring to indicate rpm. Is there an option for displaying the two meters side by side, as in most cars? - does it have stop-start and car this be switched out of service? - is the parking brake automatically applied/released? Mike

Ged, Personally I could live without the rain-sensing wipers but this makes your point no less valid. According to the features list in the brochure you get rain-sensing wipers in the ES300h if you take the optional Premium Pack or on the F-Sport if you take the Tech & Safety Pack. The Tech & Safety Pack is included in the optional Takumi Pack. Lexus have done themselves no favours in the way they have bundled all their goodies. My beef is that to get the rather desirable 12.3" central area display you have to go to the F-Sport with the Takumi pack as minimum. Returning to your rain-sensing wipers, they could have included this in the basic model as standard, just like you get on a Ford or a Fiat.

Good for you Steve. I would have done the same. I would urge a placard demonstration outside Lexus GB's offices and stay until they promise a fix. If there's time we could do the House of Commons and Boeing's UK offices and maybe they will get their finger out as well.

Steve, I too have a delivery month of July with no specific date. I wonder how Lexus are doing with advance orders for the ES given that it is a fabulous looking car with a 3 out of 5 rating from the motoring press. Certainly doesn't put me off! Out of interest, which version and colour are you going for? Regarding the USB socket, Lexus seem to have missed a trick with the design of the receptacle.

Hi Habu, Lexus UK have not yet posted the ES manual on its website. I guess they are still trying to work out what all the buttons do. However there is some good news. Googling 'Lexus ES Owner's Manual' took me to the US site where the manual for the 2019 ES350 can be downloaded. It makes for some great reading!

It is unimaginable that a car in this price range and so many settings comes without user manuals. I'm not impressed. Given a 4-month lead time they should be supplying the manuals upon placing the order. I'll be having a word with my dealer.