I am selling my 2006 BMW 750Li and am contemplating purchasing a 2008 LS460L (smoky granite / black, ML, touring, park guidance) and have a few questions...

1) My BMW has black wheels from brake dust...even 2 days after washing. Does the LS (touring) have the same problem?

2) How does the iPod interface work? Is this just an AUX input or do you get song title information and control? Does the iPod interface provide power to charge?

3) Is there any way to disable the cheesy graphics and keep the data on the display between the tack and speedo? (shows fuel economy, temp, etc)

4) I've been told that the dealer can disable the NAV / DVD lock without an aftermarket device. Is this correct?

5) I'm new to this forum but on the BMW 7ser forum there were common problems such as transmission issues, sunroof wind noise, electrical gremlins, etc. I've seen the discussions on the LS wind noise and have checked my VIN to be good. Are there any other 'common' problems with the LS?

6) I'm looking at a deal of $62,800+tt for an untitled demo with ~5,900 miles. Sound about right? Sticker is $80,994.

I appreciate any response. I bought my 750 just 12 months ago and have visited the shop 10...count 'em, 10 times in 15k miles. I'm taking a beating getting rid of this car now but I just can't have a POS any longer.

 

1) i think my ls460l also had similar problems, though not as severe

2) yes it's just aux input, no steering wheel controls at all. it doesn't charge the unit. you can get ipod integration kits like vaistech

3) cant' remember, but i don't think so

4) incorrect, it can't be done from lexus. you can get the override kit from prestigious, email them at chung@prestigioussociety.com if you want more info

5) wind noise is the most complaint i have read, i don't know of any other common issues

6) that sounds like a very good price. i am surprised they still have 08 left

 

#1 - S55 was worse but I hear Touring have different brake pads and leave more dust than non Touring. IMO its the price you pay for performance.

#5 - Only way to tell if you have wind noise is to drive the car and make up your own mind about wind noise - no VIN check that I'm aware of but I have not followed the "epic" thread in a week or so... I drove a bunch of LS's while testing and only found one that was what I considered BAD.

2) Aux is useless IMO!

3) Love the OLED here - no info on ability to disable.

Year old 750 - you must really want to get out of this car- -I can't imagine kicking it to the curb after such a short period of time... and I had a year #2 7 that had tons of issues as everyone knows.

 

Thanks for the info. I flew from Atlanta to Sarasota Florida on Tuesday and picked up my new LS. After all of the paperwork was signed I had 550 miles to play with some of the electronics. I absolutely love the car and particularly the touring package.

I have an appointment to have the windows tinted on Monday and will start looking for an iPod interface. I need to do something to get the full function of the screen in motion though I don't particualarly care for the Prestigious Society device due to the manual switch. Any wires I can cut or short to make this work?

 

3. Yes, press and hold the DISP button.
4. No, not on the newer cars. It was possible on older lexus cars
5. I think this is where you're going to enjoy owning a Lexus.
6. That sounds like a good price.

 

Thanks for number 3 joeyb! Losing those graphics makes a huge difference.