General questions from new owner...
05-28-16, 09:36 PM
#31
Lexus Test Driver
Very nice, congrats! Yours is the most loaded 11-12' SWB AWD I have seen, I thought they did away with the nice comfort plus pack for the 11-12's. That is a cool looking trim, and I am envious of that nice extended leather you have!
Funny thing is I found mine in Madison, WI as well (at a nice Audi dealership) and brought my car in to Lexus Madison for a PPI. However, the guy took one glance at my car, a late build '12 with factory warranty remaining and only 17k mi, and didn't even bother doing the PPI. Told me to save my money and if something went wrong, warranty would cover it. Guess they must be doing well to turn down $$ haha.
Enjoy the car!
Funny thing is I found mine in Madison, WI as well (at a nice Audi dealership) and brought my car in to Lexus Madison for a PPI. However, the guy took one glance at my car, a late build '12 with factory warranty remaining and only 17k mi, and didn't even bother doing the PPI. Told me to save my money and if something went wrong, warranty would cover it. Guess they must be doing well to turn down $$ haha.
Enjoy the car!
05-29-16, 05:35 AM
#32
Pole Position
Thanks.
05-29-16, 07:08 AM
#33
Intermediate
Congrats on the new ride. I recently upgraded from a '97 LS400 to a '12 LS460 Sport and couldn't be happier.
05-29-16, 09:42 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
The urge to tinker will soon pass
Nice car and color! Congrats. As for what to clean the paw prints off with, try Lexol. They make a cleaner as well as a conditioner. Mother's now makes a product called "VLR" which cleans, conditions and protects vinyl, leather, and rubber.
Last edited by roadfrog; 05-30-16 at 10:42 AM.
05-29-16, 06:35 PM
#35
Pole Position
Well this was my experience doing them myself. It's a doable job for someone with some experience working on cars, I wouldn't attempt it if that experience only extended to oil changes, etc. The parts are readily available almost anywhere, towards the end of the thread I posted a 10,000 mile update on how the aftermarket parts are holding up (they're doing fine). There are other threads on the site with people's different experiences with various avenues for replacement...dealer, independent, just doing the bushings, etc. I only supplied pictures, it probably would have been better if I had made a video.
05-30-16, 06:14 AM
#36
Pole Position
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...tures-etc.html
Well this was my experience doing them myself. It's a doable job for someone with some experience working on cars, I wouldn't attempt it if that experience only extended to oil changes, etc. The parts are readily available almost anywhere, towards the end of the thread I posted a 10,000 mile update on how the aftermarket parts are holding up (they're doing fine). There are other threads on the site with people's different experiences with various avenues for replacement...dealer, independent, just doing the bushings, etc. I only supplied pictures, it probably would have been better if I had made a video.
Well this was my experience doing them myself. It's a doable job for someone with some experience working on cars, I wouldn't attempt it if that experience only extended to oil changes, etc. The parts are readily available almost anywhere, towards the end of the thread I posted a 10,000 mile update on how the aftermarket parts are holding up (they're doing fine). There are other threads on the site with people's different experiences with various avenues for replacement...dealer, independent, just doing the bushings, etc. I only supplied pictures, it probably would have been better if I had made a video.
This forum is quite valuable.. with people like you and others, posting such useful information!
05-30-16, 09:02 AM
#37
Well.......If your like most people here at CL (me included), it won't pass at all. LOL. I'm 54 and am always looking at something to do to my ride. In fact, today I'll be tinkering on it, installing Doublebase's exhaust vents for that slightly more growly sound.
Nice car and color! Congrats. As for what to clean the paw prints off with, try Lexol. They make a cleaner as well as a conditioner. Mother's now makes a product called "VLR" which cleans, conditions and protects vinyl, leather, and rubber.
Nice car and color! Congrats. As for what to clean the paw prints off with, try Lexol. They make a cleaner as well as a conditioner. Mother's now makes a product called "VLR" which cleans, conditions and protects vinyl, leather, and rubber.
Gonna have to slap a lawsuit on ya! Hehehehe. Just kidding! 
05-30-16, 10:45 AM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
05-30-16, 10:56 AM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
I worry about after market parts. Often, they are made in china or India - with low quality forgings or castings.. If I were to have them changed, I would probably like to go the route of retaining the original parts
05-30-16, 01:23 PM
#40
Pole Position
05-30-16, 01:34 PM
#41
Pole Position
You supplying the pictures was quite useful and it was nice of you to post them. I worry about after market parts. Often, they are made in china or India - with low quality forgings or castings.. If I were to have them changed, I would probably like to go the route of retaining the original parts and installing only the teflon bushings, about which someone else posted on this forum.
This forum is quite valuable.. with people like you and others, posting such useful information!
This forum is quite valuable.. with people like you and others, posting such useful information!
The only arm I considered replacing just the bushing in was the rearward facing lowers because they don't have a ball joint on the end, instead it slips over the ball joint that is pressed into the steering knuckle. Good luck with whatever you do, it's not that big of a job. Any halfway reputable place should be able to handle the entire job in around three hours...I bet most could do it in two (I bet there are experienced Lexus techs doing it in an hour and a half).
05-31-16, 04:20 PM
#42
Driver School Candidate
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Very nice, congrats! Yours is the most loaded 11-12' SWB AWD I have seen, I thought they did away with the nice comfort plus pack for the 11-12's. That is a cool looking trim, and I am envious of that nice extended leather you have!
Funny thing is I found mine in Madison, WI as well (at a nice Audi dealership) and brought my car in to Lexus Madison for a PPI. However, the guy took one glance at my car, a late build '12 with factory warranty remaining and only 17k mi, and didn't even bother doing the PPI. Told me to save my money and if something went wrong, warranty would cover it. Guess they must be doing well to turn down $$ haha.
Enjoy the car!
Funny thing is I found mine in Madison, WI as well (at a nice Audi dealership) and brought my car in to Lexus Madison for a PPI. However, the guy took one glance at my car, a late build '12 with factory warranty remaining and only 17k mi, and didn't even bother doing the PPI. Told me to save my money and if something went wrong, warranty would cover it. Guess they must be doing well to turn down $$ haha.
Enjoy the car!
I noticed that you're on the factory 18's also (at least, your pic shows them). Do you know why they didn't offer the 19's on the AWD cars? Is/was there something more all-weatherness about the 18's? I want to find a set. But I don't want to screw w/ the intended dynamics of the car. I can't help but think that there was something about that combination that they purposefully left out.
05-31-16, 04:23 PM
#43
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Well.......If your like most people here at CL (me included), it won't pass at all. LOL. I'm 54 and am always looking at something to do to my ride. In fact, today I'll be tinkering on it, installing 7milesout exhaust vents for that slightly more growly sound.
Nice car and color! Congrats. As for what to clean the paw prints off with, try Lexol. They make a cleaner as well as a conditioner. Mother's now makes a product called "VLR" which cleans, conditions and protects vinyl, leather, and rubber.
Nice car and color! Congrats. As for what to clean the paw prints off with, try Lexol. They make a cleaner as well as a conditioner. Mother's now makes a product called "VLR" which cleans, conditions and protects vinyl, leather, and rubber.
So we'll see how Lexus of Madison handles clients, after they have their money.
06-01-16, 07:31 PM
#44
Lexus Test Driver
Noice!
I noticed that you're on the factory 18's also (at least, your pic shows them). Do you know why they didn't offer the 19's on the AWD cars? Is/was there something more all-weatherness about the 18's? I want to find a set. But I don't want to screw w/ the intended dynamics of the car. I can't help but think that there was something about that combination that they purposefully left out.
I noticed that you're on the factory 18's also (at least, your pic shows them). Do you know why they didn't offer the 19's on the AWD cars? Is/was there something more all-weatherness about the 18's? I want to find a set. But I don't want to screw w/ the intended dynamics of the car. I can't help but think that there was something about that combination that they purposefully left out.
Oh well, new rims esp OEM/high quality ones = $$$$, then before you know it lowering suspension for that perfect ride height with spacers, maybe a bodykit now that the rest of car is bit more aggressive? It goes on and on, and maybe it's for the best that I don't have the $$ to do all that LOL!
06-01-16, 09:21 PM
#45
Lexus Test Driver
Yup rocking the stock 18s. For a big flaship car, you would think they would try make cooler looking wheels and put it on a more aggressive stance. I really don't know why they never offered 19s OEM. It actually really perplexes me as the 600hL were all AWD and they all ran the bigger muti-spoke 19s. My initial guess is that heavier wheels might be harder on the AWD system, but a few members with 600s have modded theirs (with some pretty sweet rims I might add) and I never saw a complaint about damage to the drivetrain.
Oh well, new rims esp OEM/high quality ones = $$$$, then before you know it lowering suspension for that perfect ride height with spacers, maybe a bodykit now that the rest of car is bit more aggressive? It goes on and on, and maybe it's for the best that I don't have the $$ to do all that LOL!
Oh well, new rims esp OEM/high quality ones = $$$$, then before you know it lowering suspension for that perfect ride height with spacers, maybe a bodykit now that the rest of car is bit more aggressive? It goes on and on, and maybe it's for the best that I don't have the $$ to do all that LOL!