New to be LS400 owner

[maxwellwd]

Hi all, have been thinking for a long long time to get myself an LS as my late father had one and always remember it as a gorgeous thing and wish I had never sold it when he passed away. Have struggled to find a decent one in good nick as these are getting old now. But I pick mine up next Monday, is this one in the link, although the listing is no longer active as I bought it :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-LS400-/282334756174?hash=item41bc767d4e:g:CdMAAOSwZQRYeLgL

It is an absolute minter with all issues sorted as per the old advisories on MOT's and a total of 117k. Also has the dynamic handling pack. Haven't been this excited in a long time to pick up a car! Will keep you posted once I receive 

[goldtop]

Congrats and welcome. :)

 

I didn't know the Mk3 had the DHP as an option. I can see the DHP wheels, but it has the DHP springs, too?

[maxwellwd]

I will double check, thought it did due to the wheels so thought that was a given? I take it the DHP wheels were an option when buying new

[cornershop]

Congrats, saw that on eBay and thought it looked well. I *think* your wheels have been retro fitted, I don't believe they were an option on mk3s based on recent research.

[Scribe]

Congratulations. 

I wonder if anyone on here is driving around in your father's old LS?

[maxwellwd]

I have often wondered that myself. It was a 96 Mk3 in the same green with about 77k on the clock. Sold to a chap who was from the south-west, Weymouth way I believe. I live on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent so the owner would certainly remember that, was back in 2009. There really aren't many of these cars around anymore I guess, or if there are the owners are keeping hold of them

[Scribe]

If you know the registration number you can do an MOT check to see whether the car's still on the road - I hope it is!  Having said that, I can't remember the last time I saw another 400 except for the 1991 Mk.1 that my mechanic is getting rid of.

[Chasdad]

I thought the dhp pack cars came with a wooden and leather steering wheel. I had thaton my watch list. I thought it was a mk4

[maxwellwd]

I thought the dhp pack cars came with a wooden and leather steering wheel. I had thaton my watch list. I thought it was a mk4

This car was registered August 97 so thinking one of the last before the mark 4?

Sent from The Isle Of Sheppey

[Chasdad]

Theres no pics of inside. Have you viewed it 

[cornershop]

Looks to have an aftermarket exhaust fitted too? How does it sound?

[Malc]

remember when I bought my Mk3 Ls400  N7GNT from ACLex on here in 2011 .....  he had converted it to DHP, different springs, wheels and all other stuff ............  white indicator lenses etc.

I asked for it all to be re-converted back to original, the original springs, wheels etc ......  which he did ok  ...  it's all original now i guess !

Malc

[maxwellwd]

Yes have had a look inside as fairly local to me, just a bit of wear on the leather armrest bit very very clean inside

Sent from The Isle Of Sheppey

[maxwellwd]

The exhaust has a slight blow, he said will sort before i pick up, only very slight mind. Would imagine is an aftermarket as you say it has chrome tips

Sent from The Isle Of Sheppey

[The-Acre]

Well done that man, you won't be sorry!  The exhaust blow is probably from the very common "Y" piece.  Lovely looking car.

[maxwellwd]

Thanks buddy, can't wait. When the weather is better will be getting a full dinitrol rust treatment underneath as there is a specialist near me. Will hopefully ensure the bodywork lasts a good few years to come

[Spacewagon52]

That green is really getting to me. Not a colour I would automatically choose but there is something special about that colour. Well done! You WILL enjoy!

[Scribe]

If it's the same colour as mine it looks great with the sun on it (as in the photos in the advert).  Earlier Mk.3s were made in a green so dark that it looked almost black.

[Haylands]

Lovely 400, I'm sure that will put a big grin on your face... keep it nice and it can only go up in value...

[maxwellwd]

Thats what im thinking, will only be doing 3-5k a year tops and will be well looked after so cant see me losing money on it after 2-3 years

Sent from The Isle Of Sheppey

[Spacewagon52]

They will become Classics - no question about that - I am personally not bothered what the value is ...... they are very special cars.

I have owned a Mk III and now a Mk IV.

The smell of the leather is the same - very special. Keep it quiet or everyone will want one!

[maxwellwd]

Thanks buddy :-) I intend to. How do S-Class mercs of a similar age hold up out of interest? Always preferred the LS400, but did like the old S class too of the mid 90s

[SHELLDRAKE]

Max that is a lovely car, just like mine

[goldtop]

21 hours ago, Chasdad said:

I thought the dhp pack cars came with a wooden and leather steering wheel. I had thaton my watch list. I thought it was a mk4

No, the posher steering wheel was a separate option, My '98 non-DHP has one, but my '00 DHP doesn't.

[Chasdad]

Well if i dont like the ellgrand ill be coming back to one . Will have to be that pale green colour though