I finally upgraded from a 1998 Honda Accord EX-V6 to my first Lexus GS350 on Saturday from Park Place Lexus in Grapevine, TX. Since my budget could only afford a used Lexus, I opted to purchase my brother's vehicle since it was near the end lease agreement. Therefore, 60K miles, fully loaded, Nav, ML, and 18in chrome rims with summer tires for $27,500 driveout w/ TTL.

I've been scoping Club Lexus here for several months and picked up some F-Sport parts back in July when there was still a discount (Exhaust, Intake, Springs and Sways). Yesterday, I put on the F-Sport exhaust and intake and all I can say is WOW...Since it was made by Lexus, I did not expect much noise, and you really don't hear too much when the windows are up...but with windows down around 6-7K RPM, it gets really really loud (noticeably loud). At cruising highway speeds of 75-80 MPH, you hear a light droning especially if you are using cruise control up and down slopes.

I am very happy with how the GS rides and definitely don't want to compromise its suspension so I will more than likely be looking to sell the F-Sport Springs (w/ Tein silencers included for Front and Rear to help reduce any noise) brand new, and unopened with packing slip still attached for $250 (saves you tax, shipping, and you get free silencers) to anybody interested in the Dallas/Fort Worth area over Thanksgiving break.

I do plan on installing the F-Sport sways, but only when the newly redesigned bushings are released for the Front sway because I would die if my car made knocking noises.

I have yet to install the Scosche Ipod Adapter for 2004-up Lexus and will hopefully get it done here today or tomorrow; I also purchased the rocker switch that was recommended by a Club Lexus member from drillspot to override the Nav functionality while driving and will also be doing that MOD at the same time.

One last question I have is for those who have had problems with their passenger side HID lamp. I've ordered OEM Philips 4300K D4S replacements from ebay for $79 shipped for the set. I'm hoping that this will correct the problem and restore lighting.

My problem started when I pulled into the garage Saturday night and the right lamp went out. I then turned off the lights and turned them back on. According to the reflection, the passenger lamp initially lights up for maybe 2 seconds and turns off. I'm hoping that it is not the ballast and in fact, I have no idea how to get to the bulbs to swap them and Lexus sure gives little to no instructions as to replacing them.

For those who have swapped out their HID bulbs, do you just turn your tire and go through the plastic sidewall cover above the tire and behind the headlight assembly?

 

Congrats man but you will want to lower it at some point. Id keep those springs for a month or two before you sell them. The 3rd Gen GS looks so much better dropped.

 

Congrats on the new ride......you will love it. Is there any way that you can put a sound clip of what the F-Sports Exhaust sounds like? Because not a lot of member up here has that exhaust set up. And is it a axle back or cat back? Thanks

 

congrats on the purchase.. i agree w/ chancellor.. i really think you should keep your springs and have them installed, you won't compromise a lot for that amount of drop. GS looks so much better when it's lowered..

you turn the wheel and go through plastic well only for the fog light replacement..

 

i really wanted to lower my car, but too many people report problems with inner tire wear due to negative camber..since there is no camber kit for the 3rd gen GS..it is a problem because i need for my tires to last more than a year of highway driving..

so do i go through the plastic for both the low beams and fog lights?

 

Great upgrade, welcome and congrats!

 

congrats! welcome!

 

congrats and welcome

 

Bulbs are easy to swap, remove the engine covers, and you will see a round flat cover covering the bulb housing...it twists off and you have access to the bulb.

 

UPDATE: Got around to installing the Scosche AXIPTA and ran into a minor problem. After swapping the plugs and installing the module, i plugged in my ipod, turned it on and switched the radio to SAT. There was an overlapping of SAT radio with ipod music. After calling customer service, it turns out not to be compatible with the Lexus GS350's equipped with Mark Levinson sound systems. Nonetheless I don't have a subscription to SIRIUS so I figured if I unplugged the module (located in the trunk) I might be able to savage the situation and not have wasted money buying the ipod adapter module. Unplugged the module in the trunk, switched the radio to SAT once again and crystal clear ipod music. Since I got a real good deal on the adapter, I could care less. But for those looking for an Ipod adapter, save your money and invest in the ones that have video capability as well, its worth it!

I also received shipment of the D4S phillips 4300's and swapped out both bulbs. Turns out that my ballast is perfectly fine (knock on wood) and that it was just the passenger bulb that was near term.