Hi,

I'm a proud owner of a 2001 L-Tuned GS430 which I bought last November. I drive it on the weekends since I travel weekly for work.

I need some help and feedback on several areas, if you can help I'd greatly appreciate a response:

1. Modifications? Where can I go to find out some mods for my GS430? I can't find a K&N filter either.

2. What's Lexus's 60,000 mile check up and do I need to do this? I usually try to avoid the dealer for fixes since they charge a premium, however, this car had 68K when I bought it and now has 74K. I know there is a recommended 90K maintenance (change timing belt) but what is recommended at 60K miles?

3. Leather upkeep - I've read about two different brands of leather maintenance products - one of which is Maguires, the other Lexol..? What leather solution is the best and where can I find this? Auto Zone and Wal Mart have only mid-grade level products. What is the process to maintain the leather seats?

4. Dome light - it hasn't worked since I got the car, I switched the bulb and it still didn't work. The passenger and driver dome lights work when you manually push the buttons but the automatic dome light (when door opens) doesn't work. Could this be a fuse issue?

5. Window tinting - I'd like to get my windows tinted, what do I need to know? I'd like them darker, but not too dark. Any vendors or types of tinting I should be aware of or stay away from? I also own a 1988 Toyota Supra TT that had the windows tinted aftermarket - - and the hot sun in Texas has caused the tinting to bubble up. I don't want that to happen w/ my Lexus (Eleanor).

6. Tires - The car has 18" Oz Salinas (nice) which are staggered, the rears are an inch wider than the fronts. (8 and 8.5 - I think). Both front and rears are 265 / 45 / 18, it's what came with the car, however, I was told 265's on the front are too big and could cause the rims to pop off the tire. Someone mentioned 235 to 245's would be the best bet. Is this true, and do I need to switch these 265's out of the front asap?

7. Navigation - Unfortunately she did not come with navigation system, however, I would like to install one - but not the bulky PDA looking ones that sit on the dash and look out of place, I would like to replace it with a factory OEM Lexus navigation unit. I have yet to find a Lexus GPS unit, but is this job possible? Is this too difficult and should I just give into the bulky GPS's sold at Circuit City?

8. Clear bra? What about adding a clear coated bra on the front of the car? I hear many people do this and it helps cut down on scratches. The car already has several small chips and I'd like to alleviate any additional wear and tear.

9. Speaker upgrades? I don't have the Mark Levinson or Nakachimi sound system, but it does sound great. Could anyone recommend some good speakers for the GS430 as an upgrade? Where should I look - Best Buy or Circuit City?

10. Key replacement - the automatic key I received has a lot of wear and tear. Lexus charges a ton for a replacement, so is there a more cheaper or better way of getting a new key and how can I program this? Does it have to be done by a Lexus dealer?

11. Plush carpet for the interior dash board. I'd like to have the whole dash and inside of the car in velvet or carpet, what do you think? (LOL - JK! I'm joshin' with ya, that's too tacky for me).

Well I thank you for reading my novel and hope to hear some great feedback.

Thanks!
Eli

 

Good questions, but with an `01 GS430 you need to post your question on the "Second Generation" forum. As an aside, installing a Lexus navigation system in a non-nav car would be a VERY expensive undertaking. You didn't mention it, so I'll ask: is the dome light switch on "Door" when you say it's not working? Also, in my opinion clear bras are a must.

Good luck!

 

DO SEARCH......

 

For leather care, the OEM lexus stuff is hard to beat. I have used Lexol, it works great but is not as easy to use as the Lexus OEM. Get it from Carson or Swewll. (Advertisers here)

You can find K&N's at any of the HP Mail order suppliers. Frankly, I have one but I would stick with the stock filter. You will gain no power from the K&N, if you over-oil it, as a lot of guys tend to do, you can screw up your MAF sensor.

On the dome light, check the switch. They can be set to not come on when the door is opened.

My car has M/L Audio with no nav. I checked into adding NAV, Not practical. Extremely expensive and and a ton of work. My next car will have NAV.

Your owners manual will tell you what you need to do with the 60K service. If you don't have one, Lexus will give you one free. Just register on their site.

Keys are a tough issue. When I got my car, it had one regular and one valet key. I had three extras made. They would work the doors but not start the car. I spent HOURS going through all of the procedures attempting to get them to work without success. Finally, took the car to the local Toyota dealership. Ten minutes and $30.00 later, they worked.

Welcome aboard and good luck

 

1. You're here. There should be enough ideas on this board to keep a smile on your face and a minus sign in your checkbook.

2. I would say that plugs, trans fluid, oil change and tire rotation should get you through if you haven't done these already. You may want to do your serpentine belt also. Others may correct me or chime in.

3. Check the detailing and car care sub-forum on ClubLexus.

4. can't help, but you should try to use search to see if this has been discussed (going to here "search" alot BTW)

5. Maybe the regional forum has a recommended shop locally. I don't understand what you mean when you say the sun caused the tint on your supra to bubble. Normally the bubbles are due to improper install of the film.

6. Brandon at TireRack.com and on the tire rack forum on this board should be able to get you all set up but it sounds like your current setup is a little fishy or at least not optimal for your wheel sizes (18x8F and 18x9.5R)

7. Been asked multiple times and only done once that I know of. Very cost prohibitive. Your better off going aftermarket especially since you are talking about upgrading your speakers.

8. If you only have a few existing chips you may want to get those professionally touched up and then install the clear bra. Personal preference plays in here.

9. See the audio forum and response to ? 7.

10. I got a valet key from Sewell Lexus (a vendor here) for a reasonable price and used the search to find a thread that had programming instructions that worked flawlessly.

11. I suggest you put the carpet on the outside of the car. You'd be the first and originality is very highly regarded here.

Welcome to CL and you absolutely have to post pics or risk angering the gods.

 

Also try Lexus.com for maintenance questions

elibutton...I like that!!

Dakrri