dm124ES

I installed the PIAAs but I'm not really happy. They create this bluish area in the housing with a pale yellow light. Maybe those Texons, with their true yellow glass construction, would be better at producing a yellow light than the rainbow-like PIAA glass. I'll check it out!

I replaced the LCD on my 1998 about 5 days ago. It was easy. The whole job took about an hour and the part was ordered Wednesday night and at my doorstep Friday morning. By 8pm Friday night, I was cruising to a clear screen. You can do it too!! Thanks for the write up!

26 and a 1998 ES300. I bought it for the luxury aspect and I'm not looking to make any mods other than lighting, newer alarm, and a newer tint... for now. Probably a 20% chance I'll change my mind.

Here's an interesting one for ya... My stock radio display has an area that seems to be warped or maybe the actual LCD crystal is touching up against the clear plastic in front of it. This area displays all of the black items in that area usually when the weather is cold or just average. BUT, on hot days like today, the screen is PERFECT. Science would say that hot days would cause the screen to warp from expansion, but in this case, its opposite. What gives? Obviously the display works, just not all the time. I'm thinking the unit needs to be taken apart and "cleaned". I'm hoping I don't have to buy a new LCD although I heard it could be as little as $95 for the part. Anyone experienced this phenomenon? Believe it, it's PERFECT on a really HOT day. Maybe its a summer only radio!!

Added Silverstar "clear" incandescent amber lights to the corners. I kinda hate that bluish look they have when the car isn't off but the ricer look of white turn signals takes away from the luxury look of the car. IMO of course. I'll post the pics when this whole project is over. Also, just purchased the PIAA Plasma Ion Crystal yellow foggys that someone mentioned were almost identical to the color output to the yellow fogs that came on the 92-96 ES models. I didn't know that those little round fogs came standard...??? IMO, they don't look all that great on the ES in terms of placement, but obviously people like them because they still have them on the car. Should arrive by the end of the week. As far as the headlights, I thought Philips Diamond Vision bulbs look pretty good. A tad expensive, but has anyone with a 97-01 model have any recommendations? I thought the Silverstar Ultras go quick for the money? Could be wrong.

Guess you didn't see that part. From what I've read, yellow actually IMPROVES cutting through fog. I happen to live in San Diego where we do get fog from time to time, but not much rain. Visibility issues aren't really a prob. Like I said, this is about the look of the car. My eyesight is great enough... I'll manage. I checked out the PIAA Plasma Yellow Ions and found some online for a good price. I sure wish someone has had some of the cheaper ones to offer some advice on their reliability/look. With the yellow fogs out of the way, the headlights/high beams questions remain.

As far money goes, $25-$30 for a pair of headlight bulbs. And maybe the same for the fogs. Throw in shipping for all... around $80. If you add the high beams, another $25-$30 for the pair. Add shipping costs and total around $120. I've seen the PIAA Plasma Ions for $50 with free ship, but then I see these TeXon's for half the price. Both were on eBay. I remember spending $40 total for my Mazda headlights. And I know, its a Mazda versus a Lexus, but we're also just talking about light bulbs!

I used to be all about the hyper white/bluish look for headlights (H7) and fogs (H3). I was enlightened upon buying my car that Lexus is known for its yellow fogs although they didn't come on the 1998 ES300. I thought it'd be nice and wanted to purchase them (at first I thought, "yellow? what the...?" but the more I thought about it, it just makes sense... the enlightenment). Has anyone with an ES in the 3rd gen bought bulb replacements for the hyper white/bluish headlights or yellow fogs look?? I'm looking for a bright yellow, not amber at all. There are some of those iffy eBay ones, but in my past experiences, I bought some eBay bulbs for a Mazda 626 and they never gave me a problem for over two years that I had the car. I saw some TeXon yellow fogs at a good price... anyone had these or know anything about them?? Also, I don't use the high beams (9005) that much, but I might as well get those too right? Any advice about any bulb model would be helpful. And yes, I'm doing it for the look!

OK here's the shine! Like liquid... Left side Bicycle reflection Dive into the hood That dot by the light is a small chip... the smudge on the gray is just a reflection (whew!) Check out the bird flying! Front The Roster. I built a great team!

Today was the day in SO CAL. We've had some really cloudy days that periodically created some light misty rain. That kinda put my wash plans on hold for the entire week. This morning was clear and sunny. I woke up at 7 and started the process at 7:30. After a little over three hours, I was done. I'll post the pics on Monday. The car looks great. If I was a little more experienced with polish, I might have added that step, but I heard that it the part that requires the most care when applying. It was my first time claying and I watched as some of those little particles came off the paint... just like described. I had to go out and buy another microfiber towel... you just can't get enough of those things!!

Hello All, I just recently became the proud owner of a 1998 Lexus ES300. She's a two-toned, Diamond White Pearl over Pewter, tan leather interior, gem that was babied and loved before I acquired her. The car looks like it took a trip through time and landed here in 2008. The car had one owner and became a Certified Pre-Owned from a Lexus dealership. Let me tell you the car is immaculate. No accidents and not a ding anywhere. All services performed at the dealership (I've got all the records on it) with mileages listed. All tuneups done within a few thousand miles of the recommended service. The shine on this car and the cleanliness of the engine bay are still top notch. Having owned a few cars in the past that aren't worth the time and effort of keeping the look up, I've vowed to keep this car shining. One of the best parts is that the previous owner kept the entire car bone stock. The wheels, stereo, CD changer... all original. I'm actually digging the Premium Sound System so I might actually resist the urge to put a system in it. The bass already sounds pretty good for stock although I like "bumpin'" when I drive around. With all that out of the way... I want to post pics but after I wash/wax/detail her for the first time. I don't really have too much experience with the products I've gotten, but after looking around online and reading some Lexus forums, here's what I've come up with as far as the plan I'm going to use this weekend. Pre rinse Heavy shampoo wash Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash S and C (microfiber chenille wash mitts) Rinse, but leave it lightly dampened for... Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit Microfiber buff Light shampoo wash Rinse Microfiber dry Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax Microfiber buff Blue Magic Headlight Cleaner Meguiar's All Wheel Cleaner Meguiar's Hot Rims Tire Shine (stock rims! ;) ) Touch up microfiber dry any remaining wet areas Between washes California Car Duster Meguiar's Quik Detailing Spray Microfiber buff From what I read, maybe there should be a polish added after the Tech Wax part...??? I heard the Clay kit is on an "as needed" basis. What's the deal with not using a circular motion when washing the car or buffing? Seems a circular motion would be the most effective in buffing/washing if I rinse the mitts really well each time... thoughts?? I'd read through all the posts but honestly, this is how I'll have piece of mind knowing if someone could read my plan and comment back with their experiences or to let me know if I'm missing a step. THANK YOU!! dm124ES