I have the white specs several have had on this board. Bergstrom Lexus of Appleton Wi will be replacing the heater core. I inquired of the availability of the OEM XM kit to put in at the same time, and they are no longer available, even a parts check nationwide showed nothing. They will install the Vais kit while they have the dash apart for the core. Drop off one day, pickup the next, will be supplied with a loaner. I will pay around 700 for parts and labor on the XM portion, the CPO coverage will take care of the heater core replacement. They have been an excellent dealership to deal with. Open house this weekend to showcase their expanded service bays, plus the new CT200H will available for test drives.

 

I was at my Lexus dealership Friday and the technician took me to the parts department to show me the XM unit. It was the SoundLinQ2 (Model SL2xD2) - XM Satellite Radio Interface:

http://www.vaistech.com/products/sl2xD2.php

He quoted me a price of $599 installed. He also told me this unit is installed in the rear of the RX and plugs into the amp.

When I got home, I checked the VAIStech site and found the unit sells for $249. You can email VAIS tech support and they will email you a list of recommended installers in your area, if you're interested in saving some $.

 

I had this unit installed for $60 at a local custom audio shop. Went under the left kick panel on passenger side. I just have the sound sytem that comes with the Nav package. Is it the ML system that requires rear install?

 

There is a module that plugs into the back of the radio and the antenna must be on the outside of the vehicle also. Looking for XM within the current Nav.
At least that is the instructions that I saw on the VAIS website.

 

My Lexus does not have the ML system on Nav.

 

What are the "white specs"?

 

From all the other threads on this it would appear it is the anti-bacterial coating that starts to degrade. Many others have done the hard work, one thread even posts the spec sheet on the white particles. Search on heater core and you will find considerable info on this site.