Aceshigh

I started a thread on this RIGHT before you in this Lexus forum and the other one.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=52455

The other forum

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388184

This is how you program a remote.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56782

I have gotten 2 VERY different responses between this forum and the other.

But so far as I can tell in 1998 Lexus STARTED putting transponders in keys.

So you will need your "Master" key to make a new one.

God help ya if you don't have your master key.

I was told Lexus can "Will you" (charity) a new ECM ($1,000) 1 time for each Lexus but you have to pay 2 hours labor to install it.

If you lost your master key, this is your only option, THEN you will have to have a Master key made (~$150)

You can get a blank off Ebay but make SURE it has a transponder in it.

Then you can try to find a local locksmith that does it....so far I'm in the

Chicago burbs and I found 1 that does it for $75 and I bought a non transponder key for $11 shipped.

I have 2 ES300's. 1st is a 1998 , 2nd is a 1997 - bought for my mother.

I recently purchased them with VERY low miles and carfax report verified.

Obviously not totally fault proof , but they were extremely clean soo.....

Anyways.....my 98 ES300 I lost my remote and my key, but I have a 2nd key

which has a bigger plastic head on it, but I have no idea which was the master.

Both started my car, and I'm not sure if they had transponders in them or not.

Both keys looked like this....for both vehicles.

I did some searches on this forum already and came up with vague info just

like Lexus dealership gave me. They will "charity" me a new ECM and I have to

pay for 2 hours labor and then buy a $150 master key and have them program it,

etc etc......plus a new 3 button remote....I'm looking at $300.

Now I talked to some other people and they told me they got these keys on Ebay

cut by a Locksmith and they work just fine in their RX300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LEXUS-ES300...emZ150305283990

Thoughts?? They flat out say NO TRANSPONDER chip in them and they are "master keys"

so I'm not sure what the real difference is between a master and a non-master valet key.

I'm familiar with the whole Lexus dealer solution and it's not an option for me.

Buy www.autotap.com , it's an invaluable tool for OBDII compliant vehicles for identifying codes.

O2 sensor maybe. Fuel filter clogged, who knows.

ES350 17" here.

You have any rubbing issues??

I noticed these are 1" wider then the stock rims that came on the '98 ES300 that I'm picking up.

15 x 6J width is stock. I was checking these GS350 rims out, but they are 7.5" wide rims.....not sure if a spacer is necessary

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SET-OF-OEM-...bayphotohosting

I'm 34

I just bought a 97 ES300 67K on it (legit) for my mother 2 months ago.

Liked it so much,

I just bought a 98 ES300 55K 1 owner (legit) for myself today

and came here to get some info.

I've been a GM loyalist my whole life and this is my pride and joy.

$30,000 invested since I was 21 , my 2nd car I ever owned. '

So after years of research I have finally gave up on GM .....and I'm trying out Lexus.

Forgot to mention, what Backspacing is needed for an ES300 all around ??

Just picked up my 2nd Lexus ES300

2 months ago

Bought one for my mother, '97 Silver/Beige 67K 2 owners , $7500 cash Carfax verified.

Bought one for myself today, '98 Black/Gray 55K 1 owner, $9000 + tax (Dealership) Carfax verified.

Purpose is to replace my SUV gas guzzler as my daily driver backup vehicle.

I'm looking at rims and options right now to see what my best bets are for size.

I don't want to sacrifice TOO much ride quality , so 20" are out of the question.

I'm looking mainly at 17" and 18" options, so post em up and lets see those rides. B)