SW03ES

I've always liked that generation S class too and I've looked at a few of them since I'm starting to look around. One thing I've noticed, and maybe I'm alone in this, but that generation S Class is starting to get outdated in terms of its styling. I don't know why I feel that way, but for some reason the 04-06 LS430s seem to hold their style to me a little better...I dunno. But they are great cars, not as reliable as a Lexus but the newer ones are better than the 00s, 01s etc.

I think probably an '06 LS430 (or an '07 LS460 if the right one came along) or a new ES350 or GS350.

Its every 5,000 miles per Lexus. The dealer may tell you 3,000, just do what the manufacturer says...5,000 miles. As for your BMW, I would not consult your BMW manual for advice about maintaining your Lexus. Your Lexus comes with its own manual and maintenance schedule. Personally I've always thought BMW oil change intervals were so long because they include maintenance during the warranty period under the warranty.

Yes, make sure you invest in good quality touring tires for these cars, and make sure the tire pressure is set to the Lexus spec on the doorframe. The tires are so important on a Lexus. With the right set of tires it will shock you how smooth and quiet it is at every drive. I've also never driven an LS430 with the 18 inch wheels that are common on the 05 and 06. That may make a difference. I've driven the LS460 with 18s, but it uses a higher sidewall tire than the 430. It rides like a dream on the 17s.

I'd buy that too, its probably true of most of the luxury SUV buyers.

The OP is missing a crucial point, he keeps talking about "leasing from this dealer" etc. You don't lease from the dealer, you lease from whatever bank they source the lease to (whether it be Lexus Financial or some other bank). The dealer is a RETAIL facility, you purchased a vehicle from them...and you financed it via a lease. The dealer got paid as if you had bought the car. They're done and are not recieving any continuing profit from you because of your lease. All the dealers here offer pickup and dropoff, whether you bought the vehicle from them or not. You don't have to have the vehicle serviced by the leasing or selling dealer, any dealer will do it. Or you can find a good independent mechanic that can service your Lexus and save you some money, now might be the perfect time to do that. I do agree with you that in this era of cutting back services and perks dealers need to be aware of how these changes are affecting their customers. I agree that your service advisor should know you well enough to know you always like the pickup and dropoff service and could have given you a heads up. I think most customers are understanding of the needs for these kinds of cuts vs the only other option, an increase in prices which they are trying to avoid. The thing is, we customers just want to be told and we want it explained to us. Its a bummer, this service is kind of a part of owning your Lexus you enjoy, I get that.

All you can do is touch them up with touchup paint. I'd have a clearbra put on the car. As for the scratches on the doors, can you describe them a little better? Can you feel them with your fingernail?

The infamous "Mr B" is no longer with us ;) So discuss away!

If you like bass you actually might not have been impressed by the ML system either. It focuses on clarity and its not really a bassy system. My previous car had a bassy JBL audio system and adjusting to the ML took a little time. Personally I don't think these newer Mark Levinson systems are as good as the Nakamichi systems in the older cars.

Bren, are you sure they're the OEM Lexus refills? Have you clayed the windshield? I've never had anything but great performance from the OEM blades. The Icons are okay, I've had them about 3 months now I guess. They've very quiet, but they miss a small peice of the windshield down on the passenger side near the base of the glass, they still deposit rubber on the glass where they stop and change direction, and they are starting to leave some streaky water trails. I wouldn't buy them again and I plan to refill the OEM wiper frames with OEM refills soon and replace them.

I have no doubt he's ben doing this for 20 years...people don't realize what he's selling is not what he makes it out to be. Nothing wrong with that, how could they know that? But it is absolutely 100% not possible to bond teflon to a car, or a plane, or anything like that. it takes bare metal and temperatures of over 600 deg to apply a teflon coating, and even then teflon is not clear. Your car or plane would look like a nonstick pan. Dealers sell $1200 paint protection systems that are nothing but an application of a $4 bulk sealant all the time. Plenty of people do business unscrupulously and are very successful, and remain successful for many years. I've been detailing cars for over 10 years, there just simply is no such product that can be applied to a painted surface such as that of a car or plane. You can continue to believe him, or just do a little research on the subject for yourself. You will come to the conclusion we are correct.

Its a big step up in terms of quality and ride and drive from ANY other Lexus product. In fact, I forget how different the LS is when its been a while since I've driven one. You'll be blown away. The other models are really nice, but the LS is a totally different level.

I've always just used lemon pledge.

Just because its a $40,000 car you shouldn't try it out to see what you think of all the features? The "Lexus Premium" sound is the base sound, to me it sounds like the base sound in most every other car I've driven which is why if there is a sound upgrade then I always get it. Since I care about sound...I check out the sound. Unfortunately the panoramic sunroof is a feature of the Ultra Luxury package which includes the Mark Levinson audio. Its only about $2k more, and you get upgraded wheels, upgraded leather, more seat adjustments, the panoramic roof and the ML audio. I'd buy it just for the audio, its a great package. It seems to me that you should have done a little more research into the available packages and what comes with them. I don't have an issue with you not likng the standard audio, like I said I always buy upgrade audio when I buy cars, what I have an isue with is you complaining that the base audio is not the best stereo you've ever had. Yes its a luxury car, but you get a whole lot with the ES for the money, they have to cut costs somewhere. Thats why there is an audio upgrade available. Your 530i was $15,000 more expensive than the ES...I'd hope it would have a better stereo. Its not "shocking"...its the base stereo in a car whose target buyer is 65+...why would they care about BASS? Anyways its not a big deal, I'd take the car to a good high end audio shop and tell them what you're looking for and get suggestions. They'll be able to replace the stock sub under the parcel shelf in the rear (its not under the seat) Ypu can do it yourself, just go to the "INFO" menu and there will be a button for maintenance reminders. Just set a reminder for service every 5,000 miles. The dealer will know what the car needs, and the maintenance schedule has what is required at each stop. You can set it to tell you what the service is, but you will have to go in and program and type in what the services entail yourself. It doesn't have the whole service schedule in the system like the BMW does, Lexus doesn't do that.

Thats great! I'm glad it works...

What you're talking about is dealer holdback and you're right, for Lexus its 2% of the base MSRP, before options. So the base MSRP for an LS460 is what, $65k? so 2% of that is $1300, well less than $3000 below invoice.

If this guy says he's applying a "powder based" teflon to your car...or your plane...he's taking you for a ride. What he's saying he's doing is not possible, he's just applying a wax and taking your money...

Your nav data is probably 9 years old...I bet it would suck. I'd update the data, you can buy them at www.sewellpartsonline.com for about $250.

Thats why they have audio options... Personally I would have spent time with both the non-UL and UL car to decide if I wanted to upgrade. Thats what I did when I bought my car years ago... The 1,000 mile maintenance is a customer service stop, they'll wash and vacuum the car and make sure you have no issues, they also will do any LPS setting changes you may want done. The car will display the "Maint Reqd" light every 5,000 miles, and will display service reminders as you set through the nav system. It won't remind you about the 1k.

Nice buy RX! I have a client that has an S Type 4.0 the same year and he is very happy with it.

To each their own, I've been very happy with my Lexus nav system for going on 6 years now...

Try a chemical cleaner, like Klasse AIO (see the detailing forum...or consult a detailer) Thats very odd...

Its definately an RX, you can tell by the wheels and by the trim on the doors. Sorry to be such a killjoy LOL

Your Lexus has version 7.1, 2007 maps. The map year is always a year behind the model year. So yes, version 8.1 is out, check the link above and see if its worth it. I'd wait another year probably.

I'm sure, just do a google search for lloyd mats. You can order color swatches too to pick the right color. You can only buy them online.