Navigation: DVD Update
Anyway, as far as the install goes, on the LS430 the Nav DVD is in the trunk, right-hand side, under a trim panel. If you pop out a couple of screws, you can tilt up the DVD player just far enough to eject the CD.
There is a button on the front of the unit that slides back and forth, when you slide this button it will open the disc slot. Then you press the button down (or actually I think you press down on the space next to the button that you uncovered by sliding it, and this will eject the DVD.
Pop in the new DVD, and slide the button back to close the slot.
-jim-
I'm guessing the price difference is purely dealer mark-up profit.
For example, my local dealer here (Lexus of Bellevue) actually charges $599 for the update, and another Lexus dealer not too far away charges only $499.
So I'm sure it's dealer profit mark-up. The new-car sales dept of my local dealer also had to write up a PO for $599 to cover mine...
-Hendry
You may be right re the dealer markup on the DVD. The weird thing is that I bought two keys at the same time, and these were priced considerably *less* than what I expected.
I bought my LS430 from a non-Lexus dealer in Dallas and he only had the card-key and one Master key. I called the local Lexus dealer and was quoted $234 for a master key, $75 for a valet key, plus $65 for programming them.
My local dealership charged me a total of $200 for both keys, and no charge to program. Of course I don't know what the price should be, so this may still be high....
The cost of some of the replacement parts on the 430 is staggering. I picked up some reference sheets that show parts cost for most parts on the vehicle. Some examples (approx costs from memory):
Nav display: $4,000+
Nav computer: $5,000+
Radar cruise sensor, $3,000+
Sonar parking sensors (each) $275
Steering wheel (wood) $2,400
I recently installed XM radio and am thinking of mounting the control head on the flip-down wood panel that covers the CD changer. I checked the price of the wood panel to see what it would cost if I screwed it up, or for a replacement to put the car back in "factory" condition. It's about $300!
-jim-
Here's their website:
http://www.seattlelexus.com/index.html
(800)446-8413
good luck,
Hendry
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

The salesman said that the changes were minimal (to which I said that this was not true since I knew better). We are now waiting for a call from the service manager to see what they say.
My question is: Does anyone have a listing of all the chances in the new version of the navi for the RX300 series? I need all the ammo I can get

Thanks!
DrArt
Doesn't matter if actual changes are minimal or not, fact is your car should have come with the new update (FOR FREE). They will try to convince you that changes are very minimal, blah .... blah... blah... just so they can save money and not having to give you one for free. If you're going to Canada, basically, the new update DOES cover Canada, the old does NOT.
So it's your call... If they consider having Canadian coverage is minimal, they ought to go back to school.
I had big big arguements with my dealership and corporate on this issue. However, now it's all settled, got the free update, and I'm a happy camper again.
-Hendry
I called and got the info about which areas are new and which are updated (she went too fast...) but some of them:
17 new areas in US including: Fresno, StLouis, Florida Keys, Bakersfield, Lincoln NE, Eugene OR, TX, AL, KY, IDAHO (I'm assuming some new areas in those states).
5 new areas in Canada, including Montreal, Ontario, Toronto plus I believe the highway system
Also has expanded coverage in:
Philly, Pitsburg, Detroit, Chicago, NYC, DC, Virginia, Seattle, San Francisco, Memphis, Orlando.
She still quoted me 400 MSRP which is way too much for something that should have come in my 2002 model (bought in January)
Art
This kind of pricing scam, combined with their outrageous "recommended" service intervals, puts Lexus dealers' parts and service near the bottom of my list of the people I trust.
By the way, I believe that if you ask your parts manager for the list of the "minimal" changes, he'll have the one you got over the phone ... mine did.
BTW, on the parts manager's document I noticed, that the dealer's price for the upgrade is $349 only and $499 is MSRP!
I was told, by Lexus Customer Satisfaction, in August, 2001, that the 2001 update would be available in the fall of 2001. I became available in late May, 2002, 8 months late.



