200,000 miles and climbing every month.... Service performed, cost and issues......
08-29-12, 05:46 AM
#151
Just started a new job where I drive 3000-4000 miles a month. This thread is inspirational. I'm thinking between a 2006 GS430 or a 2008 GS350.
How do you deal with your cars depreciating so fast and justifying driving a luxury car? I tried to buy a 2008 scion XB to use for work but after 2 months, I regret selling my 2004 GS430, I wish I would have just used that as my road warrior.
How do you deal with your cars depreciating so fast and justifying driving a luxury car? I tried to buy a 2008 scion XB to use for work but after 2 months, I regret selling my 2004 GS430, I wish I would have just used that as my road warrior.
I drive a 300 AWD because I got a good deal on it, and all of the maintenance was performed like clockwork. From what I understand, the 300 does not suffer from the cam gear noise/rattle disease. I'm looking forward to the day I hit 200k miles with it.
In all honesty, get whatever you have available to you that was well maintained and go from there.
09-03-12, 03:44 AM
#152
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My 30k service is around the corner. Checked with stealership and they are charging me $900 for it!! Luckily, I found this thread! Gonna do it myself and buy parts from toyota instead of lexus to save at least $50. Thanks mmade22! Can't wait to check your 150k write-up.
09-03-12, 06:09 AM
#153
Thank you for this Great Informative thread.
I noticed that differential fluid was not mentioned in this thread, is this also a DIY thing ?
In the manual of my GS430, it says the fluid required is "Synthetic API GL-5 SAE 75W90" but the one Sewell sell is "Synthetic API GL-5 SAE 75W85", are they compatible?
I noticed that differential fluid was not mentioned in this thread, is this also a DIY thing ?
In the manual of my GS430, it says the fluid required is "Synthetic API GL-5 SAE 75W90" but the one Sewell sell is "Synthetic API GL-5 SAE 75W85", are they compatible?
Sewell being a dealership, would have to offer approved fluids only, unless explicitly stated - but that's a veritable minefield to get involved in.
As always, it's best to go directly to the source and ask - then you have it in black and white should there be any issues.
10-17-12, 05:56 PM
#154
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Added a couple of long cabinets, computer screeen mount, ipad mount, retractable air hose and some under cabinet lighting.
photobucket.com/albums/b68/jmahler22/172_zpsef359ed0.jpg[/IMG]
You would think I work for Toyota....
Just started a new job where I drive 3000-4000 miles a month. This thread is inspirational. I'm thinking between a 2006 GS430 or a 2008 GS350.
How do you deal with your cars depreciating so fast and justifying driving a luxury car? I tried to buy a 2008 scion XB to use for work but after 2 months, I regret selling my 2004 GS430, I wish I would have just used that as my road warrior.
How do you deal with your cars depreciating so fast and justifying driving a luxury car? I tried to buy a 2008 scion XB to use for work but after 2 months, I regret selling my 2004 GS430, I wish I would have just used that as my road warrior.
My 30k service is around the corner. Checked with stealership and they are charging me $900 for it!! Luckily, I found this thread! Gonna do it myself and buy parts from toyota instead of lexus to save at least $50. Thanks mmade22! Can't wait to check your 150k write-up.
Well, a lot has happened since the last time I posted. I've been working my *** off and driving the car all over as usual. MY car has been a keeper and I couldn't be happier with it. I currently have 153,000 miles on her and she shows no signs of it.
I did get a nice crack in the windshield so the guys from Lexus came out to my house and installed a brand new one.
Ahh, how nice it is to have a brand new windshield after 130,000 miles!!
Heres the story.....
At about 125-130k I got two new tires installed on my MRR 19 inch wheels. I had a vibration so I brought it to the tire shop that Tire Rack had me go to and sure enough, one was bad. They replaced it and I still had a vibration. They were telling me the tires were fine but that my struts were bad. I knew that couldn't be but I really couldn't deal with the ride.
I returned the front two tires back to Tire Rack and I ordered four new 18 inch tires for my new OEM rims and installed them on the car. The vibration was gone but I had already bought the struts. I figured 130k on struts that were lowered with F-sport springs were due to be changed.
I went ahead and put my car back to the stock form. I replacwed the struts and all with all brand new ones from Lexus. The car rides like brand new again and I am not going back to my aftermarket rims. My rims are in the black market if anyone is interested.
The strut process....
New boots
The spring compressor tool.
Doing the work
Stock parts going back in..
The car is riding high but its riding right.
Let me back up a few months. Here is my 120,000 mile service....
-Spark Plugs
-Air Filter cleaning
-Cabin filter
-Oil change
-Seafoam treatment
-Brake Fluid flush
-Had the Dealer do another Transmission flush (every 60k)
Where and how I do the Seafoam treatment
Place a new tube in its place, start the WARM engine and very slowly allow the tube to suck the Seafoam into the engine without allowing it to stall. Wait 15 minutes and then drive it off onto the hwy to blow out the smoke.
Then after all cools down, its time to change the spark plugs
This F-Sport air filter really keeps the dirt out
I did the brake flush with my brake bleeder machine but I didn't take any pictures of that.
Every month like clock work, I changed the oil and cleaned the air filter ever 15k.
Today the car sits with 153,000 miles. She has been fantastic and I came to the last page in my owners manual on the maintenance chart. It ends at 150,000 so I guess I start back at page one with 5,000 miles
10-17-12, 06:09 PM
#155
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Here is the 150k service:
The page in the owners manual ends at 150k and so I guess I will start back at 5,000 miles for my 155,000 mile service
I went one step further and decided to change the rear differental oil. It was really clean and it could of went longer but it's no big deal.
The magnetic plug is pretty clean compared to whern I did it at 100k.
So that is it for now guys. The car has been great and regardless of the miles on the odometer, she looks look like a low milage one. I will update everyone in the future as things come up. Take care!
Here was a picture I took on Monday on my way out to TN
The page in the owners manual ends at 150k and so I guess I will start back at 5,000 miles for my 155,000 mile service
I went one step further and decided to change the rear differental oil. It was really clean and it could of went longer but it's no big deal.
The magnetic plug is pretty clean compared to whern I did it at 100k.
So that is it for now guys. The car has been great and regardless of the miles on the odometer, she looks look like a low milage one. I will update everyone in the future as things come up. Take care!
Here was a picture I took on Monday on my way out to TN
04-06-13, 06:40 PM
#158
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Thanks for the pics! You have inspired me to do the 60k service myself! Was the transmission service done with BG transmission fluid? Since your post was Dec 2010, were you happy with the BG flush?
Last edited by gary0871; 04-06-13 at 06:48 PM.
04-07-13, 12:50 AM
#159
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I had the bolts from some of my machine parts I used from Japan. They are a M8*20. You should be able to get them at Lowes or a good hardware store who carries metric.
Part 4:
Well, the tires finally came in on Monday so I had them mounted and balanced and brought them home and installed them on the car. I really love this rim style and because the specs are right and the spoke comes all the way to the edge, it makes the rims appear (my opinion) bigger than they are.
I will let you be the judge:
The springs have settled and the new tires are on so I went down to the brand new Firestone and signed the GS to a lifetime alignment on the Hunter machine and I'm glad I did.
Before and after:
I ordered the DRL kit from V-leds with the LED setup and I have to say, I am happy with the results. They could have had a drawing with the kit on how it is hooked up but I figured it out.
The V-leds kit complete with all that you need:
Old and New:
I took all the covers off and removed the airbox to run all the wires and do a clean install:
With the covers on the wires are all hidden.
I got the parking LED lights and these little bad boys really do the job!
Parking lights on the top and the DRL and highbeam light in the center:
Time to install the 3000k HID fogs:
The parking lights only:
The DRL:
The hid fogs and all the lights on:
That's all I got for the end of the year. I'm waiting for the ML+ to come hopefully by this weekend but I don't see myself installing the unit until next weekend.
Enjoy the pictures guys and have a great New Years!!
Part 4:
Well, the tires finally came in on Monday so I had them mounted and balanced and brought them home and installed them on the car. I really love this rim style and because the specs are right and the spoke comes all the way to the edge, it makes the rims appear (my opinion) bigger than they are.
I will let you be the judge:
The springs have settled and the new tires are on so I went down to the brand new Firestone and signed the GS to a lifetime alignment on the Hunter machine and I'm glad I did.
Before and after:
I ordered the DRL kit from V-leds with the LED setup and I have to say, I am happy with the results. They could have had a drawing with the kit on how it is hooked up but I figured it out.
The V-leds kit complete with all that you need:
Old and New:
I took all the covers off and removed the airbox to run all the wires and do a clean install:
With the covers on the wires are all hidden.
I got the parking LED lights and these little bad boys really do the job!
Parking lights on the top and the DRL and highbeam light in the center:
Time to install the 3000k HID fogs:
The parking lights only:
The DRL:
The hid fogs and all the lights on:
That's all I got for the end of the year. I'm waiting for the ML+ to come hopefully by this weekend but I don't see myself installing the unit until next weekend.
Enjoy the pictures guys and have a great New Years!!
nice work... you gotta nice garage!! LOL
04-07-13, 12:57 AM
#162
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[QUOTE=mmade22;6014634]Part 1:
Hello Fellas!
I purchased my 2007 Lexus GS 350 White Pearl with the Mark&Levinson, parking assist and rear shade from a friend back in September of this year.
I got it with 46k on the odometer. I am a technician by trade who works on complex machinery from Japan so I have had some time with tools in my hands. Driving this car 5,000 miles every 30 days, I need to do all the work myself to save some money and time.
At 46k, I gave the car an oil change, tire rotation and a complete detail in and out. I also had a clear bra put on and had all the minor door dings taken out.
The car when I just got it. The TL I owned and sold in one hour with 215k on the odometer. I did all the work to that car and it served me well. I plan on doing the same to the GS.
i got the same 2 cars in my garage. A TLS and a GS350 lol
Hello Fellas!
I purchased my 2007 Lexus GS 350 White Pearl with the Mark&Levinson, parking assist and rear shade from a friend back in September of this year.
I got it with 46k on the odometer. I am a technician by trade who works on complex machinery from Japan so I have had some time with tools in my hands. Driving this car 5,000 miles every 30 days, I need to do all the work myself to save some money and time.
At 46k, I gave the car an oil change, tire rotation and a complete detail in and out. I also had a clear bra put on and had all the minor door dings taken out.
The car when I just got it. The TL I owned and sold in one hour with 215k on the odometer. I did all the work to that car and it served me well. I plan on doing the same to the GS.
i got the same 2 cars in my garage. A TLS and a GS350 lol
04-09-13, 11:36 PM
#164
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pm me if you need the complete instructions.
I was on here looking for factory rear shock with the active suspension. If anyone has a set for sale please pm me, thanks.
