branshew

I just came across the Consumer Reports where they rated the Bosch last in their comparison of side by side models. Apparently it didn't fare too well in the "Temperature Performance" category. Of course CR's description of Temp Performance is so vague that it's hard to tell what that really means. I'm not sure if that means that the actual temp settings didn't match the programmed ones or what. It was excellent or above average in all other measured categories. Funny that a White Westinghouse model was rated higher as was a Galaxy? brand (never heard of them). I won't let CR sway me too much though. Although I find CR helpful for some things, I think that they tend to be too nit-picky and get hung up about minor details a lot of the time. Just look at some of their car reviews.

I found the answer to the timing belt question (90K), but still need some help on the others. Thanks

Wife wants a SUV for the growing family and I have been looking at Land Cruisers and LX 470. I have an LS 400 and had an ES300 in the past, but this is my first post in the LX forum. I'm hoping you guys can help me out. Was Stability Control available in 1999? If so was it an option or standard? (I'm NOT talking about traction control - 2 different systems.) What is the recommended timing belt change interval on these - 90K? Is this an interference type engine? I was looking at 00 - 02 range and not for a '99, but I have come across one w/ only 65 K miles on it. The price is good and carfax is clean. Anything else to watch out for on the '99s?

We're getting ready to re-model our kitchen and have settled on a Bosch Dishwasher and Bosch Dual Fuel slide-in range. Bosch also has a promo right now where if you buy a Bosch refrigerator, a bosh range or oven, and a Bosh vent hood or microwave, you can get the dishwasher for free. I haven't setled on a range hood, but I know that we'll need one. I have a Bosch washer & dryer and have had the dishwasher before at our last house. I also have several Bosch power tools, and I am convinced that they make excellent consumer products (except for some of their German car components). I know that the Bosch refrigerators are relatively new to the market and don't have much history. Does anyone have any experience with them? While the free dishwasher would be nice, I don't want to be a guinea pig for their trial run on refrigeration.

What??? I take it that the hybrid wasn't for ecological concerns since you just went to the most gas guzzling product in the Lexus lineup.

I was looking at used vehicles. More bang for the buck that way. From my previous experiences with Ford products, I will never own another one so that would rule out the Lincoln. While the Escalade is nice, it is so close to the Yukon Denali (save a little nicer interior) that the price difference doesn't really sway me. It is also one of the top stolen vehicles in the USA. I wouldn't want to put my wife & kids in a position to be car-jacked. Besides - all of the used Escalades that I have seen around here have 22" rims on them and last I checked - that wasn't good for towing or driving on the beach. Subarbazine - I won't buy a SUV unless it is 4WD. I've seen quite a few Suburbans on the beach over the years. (I've even seen a few RX300s??) If you let enough air out of the tires it helps the cushion so they don't sink as much.

I've tried to like the minivan, but I just can't get there. While they do have some solid points, I would feel like a complete middle aged dork-dad every time I was behind the wheel (no offense meant to those that do drive them). My family has a house on the outer banks of NC and we go there several times a year. A perk of a SUV would be that I could drive it on the beach and take the kids to Carova to see the wild horses, but again - that's only a few times a year (like the use of the 3rd row seats). I also have my eye on a small boat in the near future and towing capacity would be nice. The Sienna would be my only minivan choice. The Odyssey has had too many transmission issues over the years 98es - I think the "burban" is too big myself.

To clarify, we have 2 adults and 2 kids (+ 1 dog) in the family right now which takes all of the space in our wagon. We want something a little larger in terms of vehicle capacity. The debate with my wife is whether or not we really need seating for 6 as the 3rd row seats would only be used on occasion around town. Any longer trip and the car seats would get moved back to the 3rd row so that the adults could have the 2nd row. I say that we don't need them and that we can just drive 2 cars on those occasions, but my wife wants the capability. I just don't see the need to go that much larger for the 10 - 12 times a year that we would use the capacity. If it were up to me we would get a 4-Runner and be done with it, but with all of the nagging right now I am thinking possibly Land Cruiser, Sequioa or Tahoe/Yukon. I like the Tahoe/Yukon more than the Sequoia, but I realize that the Sequoia would probably be more reliable in the end. My sister in law has a Sequoia and the handling feels sloppier than the Tahoe/Yukon (not that any of those boats handle really well to begin with). I'm looking used and not at any Mercedes products

The wife wants a larger automobile. The family is growing and we had a hard time packing for vacation last summer in the VW Passat Wagon (although that car had served us well for many years) I just can't do a minivan. I've looked at newer ones and tried to like them. I know that they have come a long way from the 1st gen Caravan that my parents had when I was a kid, but I just can't do it. Seating for 6 - 7 is a big request for her since we end up having to take 2 cars most places whenever her parents are in town. I know that the 3rd row jumpseats are a joke in most SUVs, but they'll hardly ever be used (which is the battle that I have with her anyway as to why we really need seating for 6-7 to begin with). I'd like to stick w/ Toyota so that gives me the Sequoia (or if I win the battle over the extra seating I can add the RX, 4-Runner, and highlander). I have found a rare good deal on an '02 Land Cruiser w/ less than 45K on the ODO. It seems to fit most of the requirements. Any thoughts???

Here's another idea - Take your car to somewhere other than NOVA area. In Va Beach I have never had a smog test for inspection.

I have used super glue on an older VW remote where metal met plastic and it didn't hold. Plastic on plastic may be OK. It's worth a shot. If you fix it then good. If not then you're right back where you started less a few bucks for glue. You could always find a replacement on eBay.

Bimmer forums are more active because BMWs break down more often and/or because there are a lot of high school kids burining through their parents money modding their 3 series. That is, after all, why most people come to the forums - for a problem fix or to ask whether their 19's will clear with a 2" drop. Since Lexus cars are so damn reliable and most owners aren't out there adding the latest chrome accessory to their interior it can sometimes make for a less active forum. I personally haven't posted here in quite some time. I've been too busy moving, renovating, and dealing w/ work that I haven't had the time to post.

Chance are that he would hear that in any gear, and it shouild be more pronounced when turning the wheel side to side. IMHO the Lexus engines tend to be whiney engines in terms of sound. I thought that about my first ES and still about my LS. Check the tranny fluid and make sure it is up to spec as to level and color. May be time for a change. It would also help if you defined "whine" a little better. Is it continuous, only when the car is warming up, when turning, high pitched, like a squeal or scream, etc...

There's no such thing as a cheap BMW. Buy one cheap and you'll be spending it on repairs to get the car back to par or spend more and get one that has been well maintained - not cheap either way. I have driven a 318i and a 318ti. While I prefer the looks of the "i" over the "ti", they're basically the same car in terms of drive and handling with the "ti" reaping the benefits of being a little lighter. The ti just looks so half-assed for BMW - the 3 isn't that big to begin with, why did they need to shave 12 inches off the car? You'd have to get a manual tranny in either "i" or "ti" to make the most of the 4 cyl engine. That being said, BMWs are nice cars, but I would look for a 6 cyl. model (323, 325, etc.) German 4 bangers were notoriously underpowered and better designed for the European market until the late 1990's when VW/Audi and MB used forced air in some of their 4 cyl engines to bring up the HP & torque while still being thrifty. You also said she wants a mid-sized car and that rules out the "ti" for certain. If you can find a well maintained B5 VW Passat (MY'98-'00), that will give you a German feel, styling, and safety for @ $7K. Spend a little more and you can get one w/ AWD which is noce in the winters up there. Relaibility may be on the down side with German cars, but there is something to be said about their construction and aesthetics that just keeps drawing me to them. While I love My LS, It feels so out of touch with the road when compared to my A4. Toysrme - I don't know where you live, but I never met any women around here that got horny over a Camry or Maxima. (If they did - I may not want to meet them anyway.)

Only repair I've found is to tap on the dash while underway and the needle(s) jump into place.

They should. I think the bolt pattern is the same, but I'm not sure about the offset.

If you can hear the motor running when it should be going up or down then you only need a mast. If you don't hear the motor running then you may need a whole new unit.

you could try here for some new "knockoffs" in that range: Capital

You're right. CA is beautiful (until you start looking at real estate prices).

Your car has a timing belt not a chain. 1) 1 & 3 could be related. Does item 1 happen while accelerating? Check the fuel filter and injectors 2) Probably a mount or bushing somewhere in the trany or driveshaft supports. Fluid flush may not hurt either. 3) See # 1. Also could be something in the vacuum or pcv system. You may want to check hoses & valves Monarch has some good suggestions as well.

Before we send you on a wild goose chase through your engine bay it would help to know what the smell actually smells like: Burn't Oil = oil leak or sloppy refill at oil change Burnt/Coolant (kind of a sweet smell) = coolant leak Burnt Dexron = PS leak or transmission fluid leak Burnt Rubber/Plastic = rubber/plastic rubbing against a moving part of the engine or touching a hot part of the engine, maybe slipping belt. It could be any number of things, but it's hard to speculate w/o more info. Any spots on your driveway?

The problem may not be in the cooling system. It may very well be in the instrument cluster. On the older LS models (mine included), the needles start to go after a while. My speedo and tach both stick initially in the 0 position, but then break free after a tap on the dash or after driving a mile or two. You could put in a new third party coolant temp sensor and gauge or replace your cluster w/ one from a wrecked car.

A new IS would be an upgrade over the '90 LS in my opinion. It is a considerably smaller car so if you're a big guy then you may regret it, but based onthe mileage on your LS it seems like you don't spend much time inthe car. I don't know about the car market in HI, but you would have a hard time getting $7k for your LS around here - even with the low miles.

I vote for the rotors. You can feel the fronts through the steering wheel.

I have VAG-COM loaded on my laptop for my Audi and VW and it is a great resource. Not only can I read and reset CEL fault codes, but I can access and log all sorts of engine, ABS, transmission, etc. information in real time for diagnostic purposes. I can change engine management settings and others such as locking (i.e. to automatically lock doors at 10 MPH), re-code a new transponder key, etc... I have seen Alex Pepper's OBD-2 ScanTool program. My LS doesn't have any fancy controls like the newer generation of cars so I only need something basic. Shareware is even better. Anyone using anything good?