jainla

I saw on the Scosche website they may be developing an ipod kit for the 95-00 LS. Not sure what the capabilities will be or if it's any good but I know alot of people have been looking for a solution and it's the first I've heard of for the MKII LS. I think it said May '08?

I concur with previous comments; having the Vaistech unit in my LS430 has been fantastic. Usually the limitation with ipod integration is that on older systems the system can't handle a virtual CD changer with more than 6 or 10 disks. The Vaistech unit emulates an MD changer; which turns the first 100 playlists into 'virtual' MDs. You can also see the track and artist information on the nav screen; and I think the limit is about 1000 songs per playlist. I know that Dicelink/Denison has a new AVgateway product that supposedly works with the Mercedes fiber system and others (including Lexus) but it's very expensive and I haven't heard of anybody installing it. Ironically enough Toyota has announced it's own implementation of an ipod adaptor; from what I can tell it works almost exactly like the Vaistech system. Do you have the BMW system? I've heard it's really slow with a large ipod. The Mercedes system isn't much better; it works with the driver's instrument cluster mini-display screen only and steering wheel controls only. Honestly though having 100 playlists has always been enough for me. I'm a flipper; so putting the songs on the playlists is easier than trying to thumb through albums and artists and the like. It's not like I need another distraction on the road. However if you have a passenger the Vaistech unit can also be put into 'simple' mode where you can then manually select content from the screen and clickwheel.

Try taking a credit or business card and covering half of it with double stick tape and shoving it in there, grab the CD and gently pull it out. I had this happen to CD I had (retail actually) which just seemed to have really smooth laquer on it. CD came out; changer reset itself; no harm no foul. I think somehow the rollers slip when they get loaded into the system and the machine isn't quite sure if the disk is in or out. It happened when I tried to eject it I think.

Me too man...me too! Actually the first year LS430 has minimal issues; a steering column groan and trunk striker being misaligned come to mind. The dealer service dept can tell you if they apply to your car. You want real nightmares ask anybody about a first year ('00) S500. Stay away; stay far away. :)

It's funny because the leather in the LS 460 (and I believe maybe the 430) comes from Germany. I'm sure they have their own tanning process; the MB leather does have a very strong smell to it; I've know people that thought it was too much. The regular W220 S-class (non S600) have a fair amount of plastic. Does your car have the designo interior? I remember everything in the Designo cars (and the S600) is covered in leather, wood or alcantara; it's impressive. The LS 600h has everything; even the top of the dash and the tops of the doors covered in leather. PETA would have a field day. :)

Yes the LS matches the S feature for feature; but many buttons are absorbed by the touch screen. But on the S550 you now have: (drumroll please) THE CONTROL KNOB!!! Yuck. The S550 has some features that border on the sublime (the Distronic Plus is pretty cool) and some that are ridiculous (the 'active seats that hold you in turns). But it's mostly buried under Command; which is better than I-Drive but still not as easy or as quick to use as the touch screen. The LS 460 has for me almost too many buttons. I think the LS 460 has nicer materials; the S550 design looks a little more daring but to my touch the materials still feel cheap.

Actually Mark Levinson is a division of Harman International; which manufactures auto and home sound systems under the Harman Kardon; JBL, Infinity, Lexicon, Revel and Becker brands. Like Pioneersuby said I bet most of the 'Mark Levinson' automotive components might be shared with other Harman automotive brands (Harman Kardon in Mercedes and other brands; Lexicon for Rolls Royce; Infinity for some domestics). The dedicated Mark Levinson systems for the home can cost upwards of $100,000. For some reason many high end stereo speakers use very low resistance speakers; my friend has a pair of $8000 Silverline speakers that I think are rated at 2 ohms. He has a HUGE Plinus amp to drive them; it looks like you could roast a turkey on it or something. Nakamichi is still around; apparently they weren't too keen on having their systems controlled by touch screen (which explains why in the 98-00 LS you could have Nakamichi or Nav but not both). I remember their big claim to fame was precision tape decks...we can all see where THAT went. They make some lifestyle and automotive systems; but they are not nearly as prominent as they once were. The ML stereos have gotten very good notices; but Pioneersuby is right they are designed mostly for clarity and precision rather than overall impact. Also they are exclusive to Lexus while other brands (Harman Kardon, Panasonic ELS, Lexicon) can be found in many vehicles; so that adds some cachet. I would just take a CD if you are shopping (of music you listen to and know well; don't let the salesman use their demo) and decide if you think it's worth it. Also the cars are so quiet and have been well designed acoustically so even the 'base' sound systems are pretty good; these I think are still made by Pioneer. Oddly enough both Hiro Nakamichi and Mark Levinson have left their namesakes and founded other audio companies. mark levinson is a high end home stereo company. it sold its name to lexus when nakamchi went out of bvusiness as lexus high end stereo system. it produces none of the parts which are made by harmon carden the makers of toyotas jbl systems. mark levinson lexus systems use low watt high effeciency speakers of unusual ohm ratings. the speakers are matched to the car interior mark levinson systems sound quite well. of course they are light on bass by standards of aftermarket units which are so powerful that special equipment has to be installed or the battery will go dead. the mark levinson systems like the nakamichi systems they replaced have good clarity instead of body vibatiing bass. none of the components can be easily replaced with aftermarket units. the pioneer made standard lexus stereo systems are also produce good stereo sound by oem standards. the speakers lately have unusual ohm specifications not just 4 ohms like aftermarket. . the is350 pioneer made system speakers also are all 8 ohms just like the mark levinson systems so replacing with aftermarket speakers not recommended.

http://lexus.letstalk.com will tell you what phones Lexus has 'approved' for use with their cars but search the forums; many people have used many bluetooth phones with success.

Is the NAV unit not routing or you can't hear sound coming out of it? If it's offline completely either the CPU croaked or perhaps the connectors are loose. The Nav computer is on the right hand side of the trunk under the flat panel to the right of the trunk floor. You will see/feel a slot in the front right hand side; this is the DVD slot loader. The plugs are on the back; I'm not sure if you have to remove the unit to unplug it or not. To do so you have to remove the screws and pull the unit up and wiggle it a bit. Removing the panels in the trunk is kind of a pain; the plastic clips can be pried out carefully with a flathead screwdriver; then the D-ring bolts need to be removed with I believe a 10mm wrench. The hooks for the cargo net are a pain; and there are also a bunch of clips; attached are a couple of pages from a PDF to help you out. From what I can see the amp connectors might be behind a metal support bracket. If the nav unit is online but not making any noise it's my bet that 1) the amp died or 2) some connector somewhere is loose. The nav system doesn't mute the radio; it just feeds into the left driver side channel. I'm not sure if the unit disconnects the speaker or just mixes into the signal going into the amp. Good luck!

I read somewhere that Toyota spent FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS to develop the 1uz-fe engine. In 1980's dollars. I still think it's one of the best V8s ever.

It still amazes me how well the original design has aged. The Jag and BMW look positively antique; the MB looks like a classic (I have a soft spot in my heart for the old 126). The LS looks like it could still be sold today. And they said the design was uninspired and derivative....

The MB reliability seems to be improving; and I hear the end of the W220 (06) was substantially better than the beginning. Good luck, when they run they are great cars. I still have mine (turns 27 this month). :) There is of course always the LS 600hL (if you can find one); maybe by next year you'll be able to get AWD in the LS 460?

I tend to agree; however I wouldn't bet out an LS-F powered by the LF-A's V10. That would be cool...

Is that where the seat filter is? How do you get it out?

This has been rumored for quite a while and nobody will confirm yea or ney. The only V12 that Toyota currently makes is the one in the JDM Century which makes less power than the V8 in the LS 460 or V8 hybrid in the 600h. It seems Lexus does not want to enter the hp war with the Germans; and this may be a good thing if they continue to go the 'green' route. Still I think there is probably a market for a more powerful car (LS-F?) or a more powerful version of the 600h. Maybe they will follow BMW's lead and turbocharge the LS's V8?

I might avoid buying an older car with air suspension as it will be costly to fix; but otherwise the LS are really sturdy cars.

You might call around and ask if your dealer will do it. I ordered mine pre-cut from Sewell and spent a couple days trying to figure out how to program it. Eventually I just gave up and went to Lexus of Santa Monica where they did it for free in about 10 minutes.

They also have one of the early traction control commercials on there..which weren't nearly as common. I think Nissan also made one for the Altima; both rebutting and complementing Lexus at the same time; using similar lighting they were like "our 13k car is almost as smooth as this 40k car." Brilliant piece of marketing. I still remember the launch ad; with the car driving through the countryside. I haven't see that one anywhere.

dude that sucks..glad it came off. Yes Miami has a fantastic car population; when I lived there I used to see the new Lambos; the new Rolls; anything fancy seems to come there even before LA. It's a hard environment though; sun and sand and rain. Lots of rain. And lots of SUVs...for a place where the highest point is only 17 ft above sea level... :D

The air filter for the 1st gen LS430 is behind the lower glovebox; you can open the glovebox; remove the back panel insert and then just pull it out. I think the filters are about $30-40 at Sewell; and they are also available at most Toyota dealerships (it's a standard Toyota part). I think they have activated charcoal on one side (so they will be dark this is normal); the other side not sure. The rear filter may be the same type (for the UL models). He might have been suggesting the fuel filter; not sure where that is. I think the LS430 has more than one.

I was told by a dealer that the newer shocks last a little longer; about 100-150k miles; but again your mileage may vary. Usually the system develops a leak; which eventually burns out the compressor. Depending on how much you drive every year it might be a bit of a risk; especially at this age.

The amp is in the trunk; on the right side behind the wheel well. The LS430 is a little different in that the amp is on almost all the time; the nav system has to be able to feed into it when the radio/CD is not running. The radio/CD player themselves turn on and off but the amp stays powered. I know some people have had issues with the amp overheating; perhaps this damage has manefested itself in some kind of malfunction. I know there is someone here who has a good handle on amps; you can also usually find them on fleabay for around $400 or so. The computer they are talking about would be the Telephone transceiver and or Lexus Link (mayday) cpu; also in the trunk. Does your car(s) have either the built in phone or Lexus link option? Nothing to report yet. I am still working on it. I know it's not the radio, as I swapped it out with another one and it did the same thing. I am suspecting the AMP. I was told by Lexus that there is an audio control computer that switches the sound from various inputs, like the Lexus Link system, CD, Tape, etc. It is not in the radio, so I would have to assume it's in the amlpifier.

Styling points aside; the 3 big things that the first gen LS430 doesn't have are the backup camera; keyless go and bluetooth integration. The 6 speed transmission seems to be more academic; nobody in the motoring press seems to notice much difference in performance between the 5 and 6 speed autobox. The TSBs for the '01 LS are mostly for noise; a noisy windshield gasket; a noisy steering column; and a striker plate that doesn't close sometimes in the trunk. I know my car had the steering column replaced and the striker adjusted; I've not had any issues. None of the other issues seem to apply to my car (it's a late production '01). None of these issues are real deal breakers; and I'm sure a Lexus dealer could tell you if they apply to your particular car. The early '04 cars do have a transmission and fuel pump recall however. I haven't had any issues with my '01, but I think my next LS will be an '05 or '06 UL LS430 in Flint Mica... :) So far the LS430 seems to be holding its value better than the LS400; but it may be because the 430 has many more gizmos and gadgets; also factory nav was more popular.

I'm right there with you (on the fence that is). The pro of not having it done are you keep the buttons should someone somewhere invent an aftermarket system that plugs into the existing wiring harness. The cons are that you have to listen to the message every time you start the car. The plug is a big white plug near the nav unit; if you want to take apart the harness you can just unplug it (it goes in at the same junction point the portable phone would go in). This would deactivate the unit; you would probably loose the ability to record and the lights on the panel would no longer go on. If I can find the photo I'll post it. I think they just unplug it and replace the sunglass holder cover with one that does not have the buttons (or they could replace the whole roof console who knows). I don't think they actually remove the ECU. Anybody who's had this done have any details? I think the deadline is end of this month. Update: here's the pic. the connector is the one with the X...the part attached to the car is the connector to the speakers in the car; the connector to the right/top of it is the one with Lexus Link system and the connector to the stereo.

There is also a company in Germany (THB BURY) that makes cradles very similar to the Lexus convenience kit offered in the UK: http://www.bury.com/en/hands-free-car-kits...m-9-ad-on-unit/ I'v seen them for sale here on Ebay; they aren't that expensive. They also have some bluetooth kits you can look into. Personally I would stick with a bluetooth system as it's telephone agnostic; I've gone through 3 phones in the year and a half I've had mine. Also Tellphone makes a new system designed to integrate with the car's NAV screen (if you've got one). I'm sure it costs a fortune but I've heard good things about the Raytel kits: http://www.tellphone.com/index.php?option=...&Itemid=222 You still need to mount the controller somewhere but it looks cool. Good luck!