lowrideraz

I cannot figure out how to do a PM!!!!! All is lost.... all is lost.

Assuming you got my PM?

Lou

Well, It's my wife's ES and she's 62. Me, I'm 70 and drive an IS-F.

Lou

I sent you a PM

Lou

As you said in the other thread, no action here!!! I got Lexus to upgrade my DVD to version 8.1 for no charge, so I didn't have the hassle of doing it myself. Still waiting for your PM for other sites.

Lou

The cargo net, in my opinion, isn't worth the effort to install.

IMHO, the cargo net is the greatest invention since the glove compartment. There's always something in mine. It keeps things organized and in one place, and is a great place to hid things when the car is parked.

How can you not like the cargo net????

Lou

My wife's has a spoiler. She hates spoilers, this could have been a deal breaker when we bought it, but she really didn't seem to mind it on her ES. It is rather non obtrusive. It really doesn't look bad. It's a personal thing IMO. Get what appeals to you.

Lou

It's like a morgue in here. It seems all sections are pretty slow. The F especially. There are at least three other forums that I frequent with far more activity than we have here.

Send me a PM, and I'll give you info on the other sites.

Lou

Geezz, Thomas, how do find that stuff out!

I'll bet everyone wants to be your partner for a wild game of Trivial Pursuit!!~ :D

Not hard to do. Got this out of Wikipedia:

Many Lexus vehicles are manufactured in Toyota's Tahara plant, a highly sophisticated, computerized manufacturing plant in Japan.[129] In 2005, J.D. Power and Associates bestowed its Platinum award for worldwide plant quality on the Tahara plant, stating that it has the fewest defects of any manufacturing plant in the world.[130] It was the fourth consecutive year that the Tahara plant captured this award. In 2006, J.D. Power named the Kanji (Iwate) plant, then the site of ES and IS model production, as its recipient of the Platinum award for worldwide plant quality.[131]

Lexus manufacturing techniques include methods and standards of quality control that differ from Toyota models.[132][133] At the Tahara plant, separate assembly lines were developed for the manufacture of Lexus vehicles.[132][134] New molds and specialized manufacturing equipment were also developed for the Lexus production process.[134] Lexus plant workers, typically veteran technicians, are identified via repeated performance evaluations and ranked according to skill grade; only a select group of craftspeople are eligible to work on Lexus vehicles.[135] In addition, welding processes, body panel fit tolerances, and paint quality requirements are more stringent for Lexus models.[132][136] Wood inlays are matched by tree from sustainable plantations.[137][138]

Assembly sites by model[10][66]

Tahara, Aichi LS, GS, IS, GX

Kyushu, Fukuoka ES, IS, RX

Higashi Fuji, Shizuoka SC

Araco, Aichi LX

Cambridge, Ontario RX

Lexus engines are tested by stethoscope-equipped takumi (匠, Japanese for "master craftsmen") engineers to determine optimum performance.[106] These engineers are responsible for maintaining production standards at key points in the assembly process. Production Lexus vehicles are given extensive visual inspections for flaws, individually test-driven at high speeds, and subjected to vibration tests.[132]

The North American-market RX 350 (since the 2004 model year) is produced in the city of Cambridge, in Ontario, Canada, and is the first Lexus plant located outside of Japan. In addition to the Tahara factory, Lexus vehicles have been produced at the Araco, Kanji (Iwate), Kanji (Kanto Jidosha), Katashiki, and Kyushu plants in Japan.[10] As of 2008, most sedan and SUV production occurs in Japan at the Tahara, Aichi, plant in the Chūbu region, and at the Kyushu (Miyata), Fukuoka plant in the Kyūshū region.[66]

[edit]

Lou

As I remember it is PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) Valve. I don't think it's a replacement item on a Lexus. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Lou

On several occassions I have gone to my car to fine the windows down and the roof panel open. Ibelieve that this may be caused by items in the pocket or wife's purse pressing against the key fob. Never had this problem on other cars I've owned. Hope it doesn't happen while its raining.

You can have your dealer program this "feature" out. That was my choice and my wife's choice. I see no reason to open everything up with the fob.

Lou

Hi Folks,

I just took my 2007 ES350 in for the regular 5000 mile service. The service manager calls me and tells me 2 things:

The mechanic noticed scuff marks on my rims and wants to work on the alignment for $170. I have never known the correlation between the scuff marks and alignment(very weird). I informed him that I moved from Chicago to Southern California, and those scuff marks (curb rash) is from parking close to curbs. I am getting kinda nervous about this dealership.

Secondly the said my rear brakes are at 25%(2.5mm) and need replacing. My car has 27000 miles and I don't drive that aggressively enough for the rear brakes to be almost completely gone at 27000 miles. Of course, the warranty for brakes is 25000 so I am SOL. The cost is $330 to replace them. I really don't feel like paying that in addition to the $135 I am paying for the 25000 service( the car has 27000 miles). Everything is fine otherwise.

I have heard about some TSIB issues in this forum, and want to know if I can call corporate for some restitution for these sub-quality brakes. On the other hand, I am checking with Big 'O Tires tomorrow, to see if it'll be way cheaper. Does anybody have any experience with them, and do they replace with good, and durable brakes?

I checked online and I can find rear Akenodo brake set for $63.95. If I choose that option, I'd just find a good shop to replace them for me. Is that a good brand?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I've heard that it's not too uncommon to have the rear brakes wear out first. Is that true?

Thanks!!

Banging the curb hard enough to cause curb rash, could very well knock the wheels out of alignment. I wouldn't fault the dealer here.

Akebono is one of the largest manufacturer's of brakes in the world. Look here:

http://www.akebonobrakes.com/

I would not be worried about using their products.

The rear brake wear issue seems to be a well documented one. I have read about it in other ES forums. However, at 27K miles, I would not expect Lexus to foot the bill on this, but it wouldn't hurt to pursue the matter further.

Lou

Personally I don't think these newer Mark Levinson systems are as good as the Nakamichi systems in the older cars.

+1. Neither do I. I had a 93 SC300 5MT with the Nak system. I replaced the 10" woofer and all the amplifiers. I left the head unit, the trunk mounted changer and all the other speakers alone. I had an amazing sound system in that car. Far superior to the ML system in my F.

Lou

Yep, I guess your right but since I am a newbie looking at a Lexus, I wanted some input good or bad. The dealer says it is heavily discounted at 24,995 (no navigation no mention of premium packages, etc). When I saw the ad it appeared too good to be true, there just had to be a reason for the price compared to other similar cars. But it just seems high for a base and being it was in a accident. Since it is at a Lexus dealer I don't think they would attempt to sell one with a salvage title.

You and Sharp had a good suggestion I may try to follow up on to see if they have the repair bill listing to show what was done. I wonder if they would let me speak to the original owner?

I bet the vehicle has at least the premium package. Base ES350s with cloth upholstery are extremely rare. The base car is only available in Tungsten or Smoky Graphite. BTW, IMHO, $25K is not that great for damaged and repaired '07. I picked up a brand new '08 for my wife in November for $31K and change.

Lou

Persistent engine knocking can lead to engine damage

Of course this statement holds true, as it has for many years, but concerning my Lexus using 87 octane fuel, I have NEVER heard knocking(pre-ignition). On all my previous ES's, '91, '94, 03, 07, I originally started using 93 octane fuel, but switched to 87 since I didn't find any performance or gas mileage differences.

Maybe you can tell me why the 6 cylinder Toyota Camry's requires regular grade fuel since the Lexus ES350 has the same basic engine....including the same compression ratio, etc. ;)

You are correct, the Camry and the ES share a compression ration of 10.8:1. However the ECU is tuned differently to ekk out a little more horsepower and torque from the ES. My wife went from a Camry V6 to an ES, and she tells me she can feel a difference in power. I haven't driven either of her cars to make a decision on that myself, but I believe what she says. Now, since we know the ECU is tuned for premium and Lexus tells us to use it. Why wouldn't we? As has been said above, this is a $40K car, why not treat it as one.

Lou

I think you know the answer to your question. You just want someone to ratify it. Of course it will effect resale value. How much, depends on the extent of the damage and the quality of the repair. Before you go you need to get a CARFAX report on the vehicle. It would also be nice if you could see the documents associated with the repair. I assume the car does not have a salvage title.

Lou

Your owner's manual gives you specific instructions on how to do this this. It's funny, the recommended services manual for my F recommends the battery be changed every 12 mos or 10K miles. The recommended services manual for my wife's ES makes no such recommendation

Remotes and batteries are the same for both cars.

Lou

My wife has an '08 ES, and I put 300 miles in one day on it last month. I noticed no such issue.

Lou

It seems are neighbors to the north are really restricted when it comes to options. I went to the Canadian Lexus site to see what the OP was talking about, and yep, in Canada you can only get the ML on a 4th level up package identified as UL. Again, any audio stores in your area? Can Crutchfield help you?

Lou

I'll take care of No. 1. The programming that happens at the 1K mile mark, is a modification of the standard settings your car originally came with. They're called personalized settings by Lexus. You should have received a flyer with the manuals and paperwork you got with your ES. This flyer lists the settings that can be changed, and your options for these changes. You check off various boxes in the flyer. You give that to the service advisor on your visit. This should have been explained to you when you picked up the vehicle.

Concerning No. 2, I really have no idea. My wife has the Lexus Premium Audio system in her ES, and she likes it very much, however she is no audiophile. I have the ML system in my ISF, and have no complaints. Are there any audio stores in your town where you can go for advice? You might also call Crutchfield to see if they can help you.

Lou

No, I didn't find your comments offensive at all. I just didn't see the relevance. Most, if not all Lexus dealers chrome the wheels of a lot of their stock. Probably more of a Western US thing than Eastern. I had chrome wheels on my SC300 back in '93. I had to replace the wheels after 4 years with aftermarket alloys because 3 of the 4 wheels were leaking air around the bead when they started to peal from the inside. Nothing I did got rid of the problem. I've since grown to dislike the look and the weight they add. A big thumps down from me on chrome wheels.

Lou

^^^^This is the ES Forum in 2008/2009. What does your response have to with the present day or the ES350?

Lou

It's my belief that Lexus does not offer Chrome wheels. AFAIK, each dealer sends stock OEM wheels to local chrome plating shops for Chrome Plating. If you look at any Lexus catalog, you will not find any mention of a factory chrome wheel option.

Lou

Yep, actually when shopping for my wife's ES, the dealer had one the same color (the cloth interior ones are available only in Tungsten Pearl or Smoky Granite Mica) but only had the Preferred Package, no all weather mats, like the one on EBay. BTW, the one on EBay is priced OK, but no bargain.

Lou

There is no difference between a Base '08 or an '09 Lexus ES 350. There is however a difference in the option pricing. I have not seen an MSRP sticker of an '09 yet, but I have read the Lexus introduction information. It says:

The Premium Plus Package is available in a "Luxury Value Edition" for $1,280. It makes no mention of the Premium Package which was $1,280 on the '08s. The Premium Plus Package was $2,480. on the '08s. So the MSRP of the Premium Plus Package appears to be $1,200. lower. The Pebble Beach Edition is also $1,200. lower, and the Ultra Luxury Package is $1,500. lower. It should also be noted that the '09 brochure makes no mention of the Premium Package. The color change involved replacing Royal Ruby Metallic with Matador Red Mica.

With all the above being said, I bought my wife a brand new '08 with the Premium Package and she loves it. BTW, three weeks later, I bought myself a brand new '08 IS-F. I fell in love with it while buying her car, and couldn't get it out of my mind.

Lou

Not bad! to bad about the crush bends though. You would have had much better flow with the mandrel bends. I also would have put a bit more space between the pipes before they seperate to the mufflers. The pic might just make that look closer than what they really are though too. the welds do look pretty clean though. (that's how you can really tell if they did a good job or not.)

Not really, the 5" radius bends keeps things flowing pretty good in the pipe. A smaller radius would have caused restriction. as far as space, there isn't much, and there are two tack welds on the bottom and top of the resonators to keep them apart. If you look at the two aftermarket systems available for the F, you'll see that they run pretty close together also. Thanks for the comments.

Lou