jiminkalamazoo

My two cents... I am also disappointed with Lexus. My GS350 has all kinds of little nuances that I am unhappy with; lots of little things I would never expect to see in a $50K automobile. Nor was the car well prepped when I took delivery (engine compartment was filthy, tire pressure was different in all 4 tires, rear headrest leather was damaged). Never had these kinds of problems with my 2006 Jeep GC Limited, my BMW's, my Acura RL's, my Mercedes.... Also, my local Lexus dealer has been less willing to work with me than Jeep and Acura dealers, and the dealer parts guys are real snobs. Even BMW dealer is more supportive than my Lexus dealer.

I really like the GS350; it is a cool looking Luxury Sedan and has awesome power. But this is my first and last Lexus. What really concerns me is how little support I might get form Lexus should the car ever need warrantee work in the next four years. Sadly, my new GS350 will likely go up for sale soon….

Jim in Kalamazoo....99 GS300.....I am sorry to hear all these complaints and problems with these newer cars.....like some of the other responders suggested,,,,,try another dealer....as the the four dealers in Michigan are overwelmingly great....up to including driving over 110 miles to pick up my car...leave me with a brand new (300-400 miles) loaner to go shoe everybody, and cheerfully return my car 2-3 days later with a ball cap of coffee cup on the front seat...they overnight things like new floor mats to me....and I used the extended warranty (7-year bumper to bumper which was well worth the $1,200. As the steroe display fizzled out, a door window regulator got very loud, and they put a spoiler on the deck lid comped. And Lexus Corporate sent me Belgium chocolates 2-3 times for completing evaluations.

A problem I bitched for years was the back lit gauge brillancy was all over the place,,,,sometime dimming out to nothing,

at night,,,,,,and the sunroof nylon slides creaked and cracked and actually "snapped"' like they were breaking. when they changed temperature guickly...... they gave me a song & dance and put "shims' in them but two of my brand new lonars did the very same damn thing....so my two notorious problems that i griped sbout for over five years they could never resolve!!

I an very much a lexus customerand think my 99 has treated me fine...it still looks & runs like new...always been garaged so wee'l see how many more years Ill get out it. I'm seeing many more parts available for do it yourselfers.when the first started out..they were pretty exclusive with parts and not many other dealers would go near a timing belt change!

Kind Regards....

I have a 2006 Gs 300....love the car alot......has about 15k on it i bought it used the 15k service is

400 bucks yipes.....how do i replace the cabin filter?? is it behind the glove box?

Thanks

Brad in Arizona

Brad, before you spend any money on filters, you really should pull a UFA (Used Filter Analysis) on your cabin filter.

Remove panel above glove box tray...then pull out plastic cover with small handle on it...then pull out filter tray and slide out filter. Dealer wants $39....I picked up three online for less than $45...it is amazing how quickly it will fill up with twigs, insects & crap....you probably dont have as many maple tree seeds or insects as we have in Michigan tho....

Jim in Kalamazoo.....

I'm considering a new GS for sometime this summer. On another Lexus forum, I came across a thread regarding the windshields of the GS's. I'm guessing the newer GS's if not all.

In the thread there are complaints that the windshields are not very durable. They easily chip, scratch and at times, even break.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253933

Unless I've missed a thread, I have not seen this complaint on this forum.

Any complaints regarding the windshields?

TIA

99 GS300 original owner.....I think it IS on the chincy side....lots of sand fleck marks like you get out west when they put sand on the highways when it snows...... I have a 928 and used to have an audi and rocks as big as golfballs would bounce off them without a mark.....they even sounded twice as thick as the GS!!

I understand non-factory original replacements can squeak and make obnocious noises!

Maybe it's just me, but I've come to notice quite a few squeaks and rattles (coming from the dash, mostly), but also some in the center console area. Anyone else?! I asked the dealer about it and they said that they'd have to remove the whole dash and do "sound proofing", similar to the sound proofing that they've had to do for many drivers side doors (from what I've read in the past).

Has anyone else had to have sound proofing done on their dash, though, and does it fit the bill? Or is this just going to be a waste of my time?!?

Thanks,

Nerves rattling here! After many years of an absolutely silent vehicle running sitting still or on the open road.....the past couple of years my 99 GS300 developed a vibration that sets off when you pull up to a stop light/sign with the brake on. It dissapears immediately when your foot is removed from the brake and is undetectable when in motion. It has been getting louder the past few years and nobody has a clue how to track it down short of dissasembling the enterior dash assembly. If I could only figure where to stick that chewing gum!!..but it sounds like it is deep inside....I just keep the radio up a little louder!!

Jim in Kalamazoo

I am also looking to replace my original Yokos (non RF/GS300 RWD) with a new set. I have 23k on them and the noise is terrible. I am thinking of the Michelin Pilot MXV4 or the Michelin Pilot Primacy. Anyone have any experience or recommendation on these two tires?

Hi there...after putting 100K on 2 sets of Goodyears, I let my tire guy sell me the Michelin Exalto A/s's...said he went to all these Michelin seminars and they wer the "up & coming" tire in their entire lineup! I was totally dissapointed with them as they were loud & very hard ride. I gave them a 3-4 month chance to settle in...but it never happened. I mentioned it to the guy 2-3 times giving him the opportunity to "bite" and make me a happier camper.. (He also tires up my 928 and Expedition...so its not like I don't give him some business)...and I work right across the street from him!!

Well....I was complaining about them all over town and it finally got back to him and he called me and wanted to try again....this time the Primacy MXV4's...what a world of difference....those Exaltos were NOT the tire for the GS300!! That car is ALL ABOUT comfort & quietness! Stay away from the Exalto's!

HELLO...

I HAVE A 1998 LEXUS GS300 (126Kmi) WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, I CLEARED THE CODE AND IT CAME BACK, IM GETTING: P0155 HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR CIRCUIT BANK 2 SENSOR 1. I WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND REPAIR THIS MYSELF. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE IN THE CAR THIS O2 SENSOR IS LOCATED SO THAT I CAN GET TO IT? AND IS THERE ANYTING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THIS SENSOR??

PLEASE HELP....

My 99 GS300 Just turned 100K with the same symptom. I'm going on a trip to check the gas mileage...it appears the dealer doesnt change these things with scheduled maintenence as I reviewed 9 years of expensive maintenence bills and do not see a thing. Mine has two........ both visable from under hood on right side....one in front of the header cat and one behind. Ibelieve it is DENSO (Toyota) Part Number 234-4209.....$44.99 ea at oxygensensor4less.com My friendly lexus dealers want $129 or more which is typical for them.

The third one further back goes into the large cat just under the front door jam...haven't researched the part number of thi one yet, however it appears the same.. mine are four wire sensors (they preheat)...... one & two wire models will work but not till the exhaust heats up to 600 degrees.

Also visit www.autotap.com/OXYGENSENSORSppc_oxygen_sensors.html

Good Luck...let us know how you make out.

Jim in Kalamazoo

My GS400 has 147,700 miles on it. Black/black, regular service and very strong. My best vehicle ever.

99 GS 300.....Have you 100K plus owners replaced the oxygen sensors (how many in total for the 300??) yet??...and the charcoal filter?? and fuel filter after removing the gas tank and fuel pump??!!%&% Just what's that noise??...should the fuel pump and filter bereplaced after 100K? My dealer has give me all the scheduled service intervals, but I don't see these items listed in the astronomical bills he issues me?? Great Car though Jim in Kalamazoo...Pls advise.

Hey Gang!

Brand new pround owner of a 1999 GS400...It rocks! But can't satand the huge yellow warnings about airbags on the visors. Anyone have any success in removing those without a mess or damaging the visor material? Thanks

Kurt in Sunny San Diego

1999 Gs 400 78,090

Jim in Kalamazoo....same here...they were off in a week. A very experienced "sticker peeler" I used the medium heat from a hair dryer with very gentle pull. It took a while.... but they came off in one piece and I can even stick them back on in case the next owner happens to be "tort happy" lawyer. I remember gently wiping leftover residue off with a mild solvent. No trace of them whatsoever! There stored in the owners manual and look new.