lexus-lover

The radio is not XM ready. You need to purchase and have installed an XM kit. I have done so, 2004 ES with navigation and ML. Kit cost around $369.00 from Sewell Lexus of Texas. However, I am uncertyain if the navigation unit is essential to have a kit installed in the 05. Would check it out at your dealership. Hope this helps. Mike

iammickey, Thanks for posting that info. Will have to check out the URL you sent a little later today. Do keep us posted. Mike

Congrats, Glad to hear that the installation went so well. I too had the kit installed in my 04 ES this week and my wife and I are enjoying the heck out of it. By the way, you mentioned that you will be getting the backup camera and Mic installed at a later date. Could you pass along some more info on that please. For one, is the camera now integratable into the ES and when you say "Mic" can I assume you are speaking about voice activation for the navi system . . . correct? If so, do you have any part numbers, etc.? Thanks and looking forward to hearing your response. Mike

Ken was correct, all ES's manufactured after July 2003 have the AM-Sat button on the navi panel. Confirmed this info with Darrel Diller, Sewell Lexus of Dallas. He also stated that the correct price for the XM kit from Sewell Lexus is $369.00, not $488.00 as I stated earlier. That indeed is a fantastic price. Again, Darrel's phone number at Sewell Lexus is 1 866 770-3099 and the web sight is www.lexus-parts.com Note, he also sells some parts on EBay. Mike

I forgot to mention that the antenna has rounded corners. Again, it is black, but I was told that it could be painted to match the color of your color. Also, if your dealer is asking a high price for the kit try giving Darrel Diller of Sewell Lexus, 1 866 770-3099 a call. I cannot see why your dealership would give you any problems with respect to having it installed, regardless of where you purchse it. Mike

The part number for the XM kit is: 86100-0W100. Again, there seems to be a wide range of prices for the kit. Remember, since the dealerships are privately owned they can set prices totally on their own. The production date or date my car was shipped from Japan was March 7, 2004-again, well ahead of the date that the parts guy at Keith Lexus stated. Also, the 05 ES 330 does not have Bluetooth, so have no idea what he may have been looking at when he gave out that info. By the way, you can find out all sorts of good stuff if you give your dealership a call an d speak to the parts guy. Once he has your VIN he can tell you when your car was shipped, what it has on it, engine number, etc. The antenna is mounted on the trunk lid. Mine is a few inches down from the top on the right side approx. 3/8-1/2" from the edge. It is a square box perhaps 3" x 3" x 3/4", is black in color. Again, I will get used to it and having XM is well worth the little cosmetic annoyance created by the antenna. Hope that answers most of your questions. Again, if you have the navi system with the AM-Sat button then you are set to go. Mike

Not certain about production date right now. Will check tomorrow. However, from what I understand the kit will work on your Es 330 as long as you have navi. If you have navi and the AM-Sat button then you should be set to go. I purchased my car in May so production date is well ahead of what Keith Lexus advised. I agree, the antenna is not great, but I will have it painted and what the hell, I really enjoy XM so I can surely put up with it. Mike

It's a done deal. Had the XM kit installed today and I am happy to report that it is working and sounding just great. The purchase price for the kit was $488.00 plus $185.00 for installation. I would seriously consider giving Darrel Diller of Sewell Lexus of Dallas a call if your local dealer does not have a good price for the kit. His phone number is 1 866 770-3099. The web sight for Sewell Lexus is: http://www.lexus-parts.com After I called XM Radio to activate the radio it was up and running only after about an 8 minute or so wait. So far, so good. My wife and I have to go out tonight so will do a little channel surfing. Thanks once again to everyone who took the time to answer my initial questions and for affording such great advice and news to all of us on this forum. Mike

The part arrived Tuesday. However, the price I origionally quoted is incorrect, the actual price is $488.00 plus installation. By the way, this is the same price that Sewell Lexus in Texas is selling the kit for. Installation is scheduled for Tues., Aug. 24. Again, will let everyone know how it went and how XM sounds. Mike

Go with already givven advice. Lots of info on this forum. Since you live in Tampa do not forget to give the Clearwater Lexus dealership a look-see. Lexus of Clearwater. I purchased my 2004 ES 330 from them and found them to be reasonable, at least worth checking them out. Welcome, this is a great forum. Mike

Sewell Lexus has great prices and super fast shipping. Have bought from them on a couple of ocassions. Local dealer is charging $536 for the part and $185 for installation. Again, will let everyone know about how it goes after installation. Oh yes, the part no. should be 86100-0W100. Mike

Called Keyes Lexus, spoke to Parts Dept. Mgr. and got the proper part no. for the XM kit for the ES 330. Part No. 86100 OW 100. Called my dealer and ordered same. Part expected to be in around Tues.-Wed. time frame. Once in I will schedulte installation. Will keep you all posted as to progress. Mike

Hokyfan, Great news. A few questions if I might so that I can approach my local dealership with as much ammunition as I can. First, which kit did they install? Kit for the ES 330 or the one for the LS 430? What was the cost, parts and labor? Lastly, do you have a phone number, including area code for Keyes Lexus of Van Nuys? Any additional info will be helpful. By the way, how is it all working? Thanks so much. Mike

I promised I would get back to the forum when I heard any news and I did today. Unfortunately, it is not what I wanted to hear. I spoke to the service mgrs. and parts mgrs. in two local Lexus dealerships asking about the availability of the XM kit for the ES 330 and was advised that according to the info they had it was not going to be available for the 2004, but would be for the 05. I then called Lexus customer support and was further advised that it not only was not available for the 04, but that the kit, which is not available yet, for the 05 could not be retro-fitted to the 04. This is most disheartening. I have learned a valuable lesson, no way will I believe what I am told prior to the purchase of a new car. I was assured that at some point the kit for ES would be abailable and for those of you who own a 04 with navigation the button "sat" is on the control panel, ready and supposedly waiting. So, I hope someone can shead a more positive light on this subject. I cannot believe how uninformed some of these folks are, seemingly all having different info, etc. Waiting to hear from someone with perhaps good news that will make mine false. Mike

Have no idea about how this device works so was wondering if any of you have either heard of it or perhaps are using one. Any comments?

No shaking, no rattling, etc. Again, very smooth ride, best I have ever experienced. Bridtgestones on stock 16" rims. Would definently get thsoe struts checked out.

I have not seen the new ES yet, but sounds interesting. Did you note what the MSRP is? Also, what is the new wood trim? I have a2004 ES 330 Sport Model, nav and ML, Thunder Cloud Metallic myself and the only thing I really wish it came with is audio controls on the sterring wheel. The Bird's Eye Maple interior trim is awesome by the way. Let us know if you were able to get any pricing and thanks about the heads-up about the fact that they are now beginning to show up.

I have a 04 Es 330 Sport Design with the same tires you originally had on yours and have found no problems with the ride. True, not quite like the LS, but certainly the best ride I have ever had in a car. As suggested earlier would be worth taking a ride in another ES 330 to see if there is any decernable differences. Of course, ride quality is rather subjective, but then again . . .

Ricky, Am going to go with Mobil 1 and local dealer's reccommendation, 10W/30.

I have a new 2004 ES and am planning on switching to synthetic oil at my first oil change at 5000 miles. What brands do you guys and gals reccommend? Also, how about synthetic tranny fluid, etc.? Thanks . . .

Did lots of research on both vehicles on the Internet prior to our taking the TL and Es 330 out and about. For my money the ES is smoother, quieter, has a more luxurious interior and the fit and finish is second to none. It also has a better resale value, better track record with respect to repairs and is generally considered to be the cream of the cro in the near luxury category. To each his own of course, but everything I read coupled with the test drives of both and that I own my own ES 330 Sport Model you could not put me in anything else. As a side-bar we also had trouble with a 2003 Honda repair, a required part took over a month to be located. True, many not happen to Acura, but this left a very bad taste in my mouth. Let us know what you and your mom decide and hope others will give you their reasons for choosing to buy their ES.

Steve, I agree, it does not make any sense, but after speaking to my service mgr. I wonder if it is indeed true as he basically stated what Secondlex advised in his post. They too would do it, but would do so only if I knew that by their doing so the waranty on the nav unit and ML would be void. Even if that is not true, I am not willing to make the gamble. Do not need a potential long lasting dispute, if by waiting till the one designed for ES, is available which of course, will mean, that warranty issues and/or questions about it being perhaps voided will not be an issue. I love my ES, best car I have ever owned, but Lexus dealerships can be bothersome at times. I wish they would all be reading from the proverbial same sheet of music. OH well . . . !

My Service Mgr. called today. As Secondlex's svc. mgr. told him mine told me they could do it, but the warranty on the nav/ML would be void . . . my choice. Well, I have waited for awhile now so a few more weeks/months are worth the wait. would hate like hell to have the warranty voided just because I was impatient. . . not worth it. Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to respond. When I can get XM installed I will send a follow-up msg. regarding the installation, price and how well it seems to be working.

Have not heard anything from my service mgr. Glad to see that someone else has persued this matter with their dealereship. Obviously did not know that by using the kit designed for the LS on the ES would make nav system warranty void. Glad to hear that kit made specifically for the ES 330 will be available. Let's hope it is in August. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks too for checking with your service mgr.

Update . . . Spoke to the service mgr. at my local dealere a few minutes ago advising him of what I have learned regarding XM radio installation. He advised that he would do some checking on his own. This is a positive sign at least for prior being able to advise them of anything I had heard I was advised it could not be done period. Will keep you all abreast of what I hear. etc. Keep your collective fingers crossed . . . Oh yes, if you could would you please forward the name of your dealership, location and phone number. It too might help.