Boca I hope I don't have to buy an OEM but you're the first one that I've heard that the refoam job didn't last. Never heard of anyone saying they DID last for a long time either, though! We'll see. I think our audio systems suck. We mainly listen to AM talk radio (me) or classical music (the wife) so we don't stress the sub much if at all.

 

With time they will..just like all electronics.

 

The design of the angle at which the subwoofer is positioned on the rear deck destroys the speaker because of the contact with the sun. They redesigned the position on the later models. Although my fooam held up, the coil in the cone starting rattling and I'm sure if I found a place to recone the speaker it would work. I still have the old speaker which probably has value to someone considering how expensive they are new. However, it is a cheap speaker and care should be taken as not to destroy it prematurely once replaced or refoamed.

 

I have an 04 Ls430 and I suspect the amp is dying. Everything still works but when I turn on ignition all speakers make a hissing/crackle noise for about 2 secs. Once on, everything works fine, its just when you turn it on. Happens most times now whereas before it didnt happen much. Looks like I'll have to get the amp repaired at a big cost in my country. I think its about $600 to $ 800 to fix over here! Very very disappointing. This car is looked after in everyway and was $180k when brand new over here and this amps only lasted 11yrs. Very bad. I had a 97 es300 previously which was much older and the factory sound and amp was waaaay better and nothing ever failed. Ive even had to replace the sub and the front door speakers also a few years ago...all replaced with factory parts.