Just Breaking The Ice.

[Jusme]

Hi to everyone, just joined, bought my LS430 2 weeks ago. Love the car, but scared of the invoices I found in the service history wallet. Anyone know of any recommended garages (Non lexus) in Lincolshire? Thanking you in anticipation..

[Malc]

... invoices for ??? has all the troublesome stuff already been done ?

Malc

[Bluesman]

Hi Rob and welcome to the LOC. Can you give us a flavour of what the invoices cover? Mike.

[Jusme]

Hi Mike & Malc, problems I have already found.. Aircon not working. Warning on dash, 'tyre pressure low'.(seller had just had 3 new tyres fitted,) Last evening I thought I would try the suspension, not knowing how high it raises? hit the button and noticed.... 'nothing' except, the sound of a pump 'thumping' away?? The car drives beautifully, cosmetically it is fabulous for a 2004 car.

'Invoices' run from 2008 - 2014. mainly servicing.....

2008. Mileage 58605. 'Check for satnav/guidance not working, check blue tooth operation, check parking sensors not working, check for fault codes, recalibrate system........ £99:95.+VAT

2009. Mileage 69349. 70000/5 year service. £255:81.

2009. Mileage 67338. Check wipers in stock. £8.50. (£8.50 just to check stock???) Supply and fit 2 wipers. £61.38.

2009. Mileage 60923. 60000/5year service. £415:61. (Both front brake discs have corrosion on both faces.

2009. Mileage 70481. Check Battery goes flat easily. replace front brake discs and pads. £391:79.

2010. Mileage 71996. s/f new Battery. L28800-YZZAH/Battery. L28800-YZZJD. £93:83.

2011 Mileage 81472. MOT. 80000 service. VHC. Diagnostic check. Was & Vac. £494:58.

2011 Mileage 86559. Visual SR. (No attention required.) Replace bank 2. 1 oxygen sensor. Wash & V. £304:80.

2012 Mileage 91456. VHC. (Wear to rear brakes.) 90000 service. MOT. £289:37.

2014. Mileage 102400. Essential care minor service. MOT. VHC. (Front discs corroded.NS back box, heat shield detached.)

Having gone through these invoices I am even more worried now. I asked the seller if the belt had been changed? I was assured it had..

Please understand that I have been a long time Omega owner and my brain is stuck in that mode. Servicing/repairs done by 'expert' members of the forum for a nominal price or.....'Beer tokens'!! Many members break Omegas, hence good parts are usually readily available. As previously stated by me, I was prepared for a significant increase in costs, but sticking to Lexus recommendations and using recommended fluids and parts, puts this car right out of my reach 'financially'... A shame because I love the car. Being, and driving like an 'old fart', surprisingly I find it as economical on petrol as my 3.2 Omega.

.

[Malc]

........ well there you have it .................. a full and comprehensive service record since 2008 that's just a bit naff .............

cambelt renewal should be at 100k miles .... you should have an invoice for that together with the sticker from Lexus on the engine area somewhere.

and the air suspension is the subject of much forum advice here................... suggest you check that out too.

Back exhaust boxes are mild steel and you should also think about the preventative remedy for the gearbox / radiator trouble that might be lying ahead for you.

Oh, and if there's rust spots on the centre of the driver's door you might be ok to get in quick to Lexus under the 12 year warranty to have the door sorted.

Good luck and hope that you really don't have any problems.

Malc

[Malc]

sorry, I should have suggested ...........

..... get the rust warranty stuff sorted first having got much Lexus service history THEN have any other servicing work etc done by a reputable independent ... those front pads and discs costs at Lexus were probably at least double what you would pay anywhere else.

The wiper rubbers, which is all you would really need, are about £20 a pair from Lexus / Toyota........ not £70 !!! . that's criminal what was charged.

And if the air suspension is suspect then there's current forum advices about replacing cost effectively too.

Malc

[Jusme]

Many thanks for your replies and help Malc, very much appreciated. Can't find any rust on the body, and the wheels were shotblasted, painted and lacquered, so no problems there, (at the moment.) Sticker on engine. Belt changed 9-5-13 @ 97500 miles. There is no invoice for that date, and reading on the forum that these stickers are '10 a penny', should I contact the dealer being used at the time? I know to some 'eurocarparts' is a dirty word, but they have brake discs at £53:99. each. Pads £31:49. Wipers from £6:29. As already stated I have no idea of the lift on the suspension, but nowhere near a Citroen I would imagine? Thank you once again, I'll look up the relative suspension/ radiator/gearbox subjects... :winky:

[Malc]

.. I would get a copy of the invoice from whichever company did the cambelt change ................ just to be certain.

the wiper blades last many years from Lexus / Toyota ( mine are on their 4th year and done prob 35k miles and still operate fine . I doubt others would tbh.)

pads and discs I really don't know, my indy does all of that and his costs to me are a mere trifle AND they last well and don't make 'orrible noises etc that other forum members on here sometimes suffer from.

Good luck :outforcount:

Malc

[Jusme]

I have just e-mailed the previous owner about the timing belt, hopefully I'll get confirmation? An independent is something I need, I hope there may be a member/members near me that might be able to point me in the right direction..??

[cruisermark]

the tyre pressure monitor just needs to be resent - look under the drivers side dash - near the pedals - one is for the keyless entry the other one is to reset the tyre pressure which you just press and hold for about 5 seconds.

The suspension: you wont see much rise - mine rises roughly about an inch - you can hear a slight hum when the compressor starts and then switches off after a short interval. normally these cars sit slightly raised at the front - thats normal - i always flick the switch often just to keep the suspension parts moving as keeping it stuck in one mode does it no good - rise the suspension once in a while and also put it in sports mode.

IF you do have suspension problems then if you want a trouble free fix then lexus is the only way - in the past a member had some parts replaced at an independant garage and had problems getting the suspension back up again - he ended up taking it to lexus - the good news is that suspension problems are far and few between on the facelift 430s

Brake parts: try to stick reputable brand such as blueprint/feroddo - dont go for the cheapest otherwise you will get noises and groans and braking wont be as smooth.

does you steering tilt/retract work?

[9690phil]

Regarding noise from pump, if it's like a drumming noise that's a £8.50p fix. Can be done yourself or a garage about 30mins work.

[Jusme]

Hi and thanks to Mark and Phil. I had found a section on here reference resetting the tyre pressure monitor. Hope I won't need brake parts just yet, in truth the ones I was looking at were 'Pagid'..? Also found in the very useful sections on here about flicking the switches now and again, makes 'good sense'.. Yes Phil it was like a continuous little roll on a drum, not very audible but, when you are listening for something......? Would love to be able to tackle many jobs myself, having been a mechanic (of sorts?) back in the days of steam TV, but I'm afraid age and illness won't allow, (sad swine ain't I.) another reason I am so concerned about repair prices....... AT LEXUS... Thanks again for the info.. :winky:

[cruisermark]

pagids have a good reputation aswell - when i do mine next i will use pagid discs with ferodo pads - just dont want any noise from braking

[Jusme]

Sorry for not replying about the steering Mark, but yes, yes it does work very smoothly. Had worries initially with it retracting all the time. Then I read on here about 'wiggling' the wheel. Issue fixed.

[9690phil]

If you look on eBay for Lexus air suspension pump bushes they come in pack of three they will solve your noise it will be silent when replaced if it's like a drumming noise your getting.

[lordturns]

Rob, a very big welcome to the LOC. I live in Lincs too and think nothing of driving my LS400 down to Japex in Kings Langley - they specialise in Japanese cars and they know the LS range very well.

[Jusme]

Thank you for that Phil...

[Jusme]

Thank you for your Welcome Jeremy. Thank you for the 'heads up', but isn't a 270 mile round trip kind of defeating the object? Saving money in my case. I have to imagine and hope that there's a reputable and capable garage between Lincoln and London..? No offence. I have made a note of the name, thanks.

[Titch LS]

Rob, as Jeremy says, Japex really are excellent. Only a small set up, but the real deal. I know it's a long way for you but I doubt you'll find a better indy for your LS. I use them myself. 10/10

[Malc]

........ and the joy of driving a necessary 270 miles in your wonderful limo isn't a bad thing either tbh :outforcount:

Malc

[Jusme]

Now that is something I cannot argue with Malc, but. Missus can't walk and I need to be home to let the carers in 3 times a day, not to mention my fear at 'er indoors' setting herself alight puffing away at her ciggies all day... (oooops! I just did mention it?) My excursions away from home are limited to about an hour out shopping... All together now. 'ahhhhh, poor old boy'.

[Jusme]

As I said previously Brian, thanks, and I have bookmarked their site....

[lordturns]

Rob - 270 miles is quite a way....I do 194 miles round trip to Japex, so not too bad. Japex will save you money, they don't charge the earth for labour, go way way beyond what many garages do and they are family run and owned. The time/cost ratio is easily worthit in my humble opinion.

Just for you 'ahhhhh poor old boy' :outforcount:

[Cotswold Pete]

Just read the post, and previous to LS I had Omega.

No comparison, and as for any costs, I feel it is an investment with the LS, but I spent a fair bit on the Omega over 6 years, but never felt like an investment.

Spent £2K getting the car through last MOT, but that is £2K that will last for the next 10 years or more.

I would certainly recommend using someone who has solid Lexus experience, with my first LS, used my Omega chap, but he was not the best bet for the LS, when it came to running gear issues.

[Jusme]

OK. OK. Jeremy, you've 'sold me' on Japex, how long have you owned it??? :winky: Hi Pete, I had Omegas for a number of years, 'dunno why'? But I did like them, especially the 3.2 parked on my drive. (Must get it advertised.) You mention £2K on your Lexus, my Omega stands me in at £7K so it was time for a change. Now just got to get someone to buy it and the 3ltr further down my drive. thing is Pete, until buying this Lexus I thought the Omega was a fairly good car......