Ls400 V Bmw 740I

thatfatbloke · August 14, 2013

After having to scrap my beloved LS400 MK3 a couple of years ago now,I have always wanted to get back in the Lexus saddle. However on looking at the usual sites for an LS (I may be in a position to buy another next month)I kept coming across the old 7-Series Beemers. To cut a long story short I came across a website specialising in the E38 7's - and what a site, Nothing has been missed. This hasn't necessarily changed my views on the LS.there is still a very good chance I'll get another,but what an incredible website for someone like me who is 'mechanically challenged'. I wish there was one as detailed for the LS.

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Index.htm

If the link is not allowed I will remove of course.

cruisermark · August 14, 2013

yes indeed very detailed and i suspect if you are mechanically able then you can save a lot of money just sorting out the problems yourself - however the layout of the website and information representation is very unorthadox and can certainly be improved vastly.

I used to own a BMW 728i blue with cream leather and widescreen sat nav - very nice cars - but no way as good as the LS - got rid of it after i couldnt sort a electrical problem which drained the Battery every 4-5 days

LexIS200Sport · August 14, 2013

wow... nice find! Hopefully I'll find some tips that could apply to my E65 too.

Thanks for sharing! :zee:

Bluesman · August 14, 2013

Must be me, what a nightmare of a site. It should have a warning for us older folk that this is a hardcore info site.

You do realise that we are die hard LS fans and that you have more chance of converting the pope into becoming a pimp in Detroit.

Mike

thatfatbloke · August 14, 2013

I was merely pointing out that for us non-techno's,the site is understandable for a change. I may not be capable of doing anything too complicated to a car,but with this sort of info I would stand a good chance of getting the right diagnosis of the problem which is half the battle.

I wasn't trying to 'convert' anyone onto anything. Just wish there was a similar site for the LS. Not everybody has wads of cash to chuck at a problem,and have to run a car on a shoestring. The main reason I was looking for another LS is the fact that I didn't spend a penny on my old one in the nine months I had her,which to me balances the whole scenario of a juicy motor over virtually zero parts costs.That's why I'm currently running an old Merc. 300TE. I just think it's time for something a bit more 'modern' but not absolutely bristling with technology,because as soon as I get behind the wheel it's bound to go wrong!.

Anyway,it's looking 75/25 in favour of the LS at the moment. Quite a few scary issues with the BMW. I'll be on the lookout for a MK3 for around a grand - but not silver. They do exist!. It's finding one that's available when I have the cash that's always the problem.

Cruisermark summed it up really. BMW,'very nice cars,but no way as good as the LS'.

Rupert Dubreaux · August 14, 2013

thatfatbloke hi,what is wrong with silver ?

From another fat bloke .

thatfatbloke · August 14, 2013

Car colours are a funny old thing Rupert. I suppose there's not a lot wrong with silver,I just associate silver with rep's cars for some reason.I'd get over it if the car was good!. Some say gold is the dogs while others say it looks 'tacky'. Spookily enough I've just been looking at a gold LS on Fleabay and I think it quite suits it. Trouble is the car is up in the land of cloth caps and whippet racing, but looks a nice motor for £1295. Both mine and my wife's Merc's are green,some people wont entertain green at all. My old LS was as 'black as your hat' with tinted rear windows - a pimps motor some said. I loved it. Can't win!.

VijayA · August 14, 2013

Evening came across this site which has what seems like useful information on diy for our cars lexls.com

Bluesman · August 14, 2013

I was merely pointing out that for us non-techno's,the site is understandable for a change. I may not be capable of doing anything too complicated to a car,but with this sort of info I would stand a good chance of getting the right diagnosis of the problem which is half the battle.

I wasn't trying to 'convert' anyone onto anything. Just wish there was a similar site for the LS. Not everybody has wads of cash to chuck at a problem,and have to run a car on a shoestring. The main reason I was looking for another LS is the fact that I didn't spend a penny on my old one in the nine months I had her,which to me balances the whole scenario of a juicy motor over virtually zero parts costs.That's why I'm currently running an old Merc. 300TE. I just think it's time for something a bit more 'modern' but not absolutely bristling with technology,because as soon as I get behind the wheel it's bound to go wrong!.

Anyway,it's looking 75/25 in favour of the LS at the moment. Quite a few scary issues with the BMW. I'll be on the lookout for a MK3 for around a grand - but not silver. They do exist!. It's finding one that's available when I have the cash that's always the problem.

Cruisermark summed it up really. BMW,'very nice cars,but no way as good as the LS'.

I was being light hearted about the site, the problem apart from the mess it looks is that you have to take that what they say is wrong with the car has been correctly diagnosed.

To demonstrate how bad the site is designed I thought they were selling those cars but spend 15 mins adjusting the old eyes and it turns out it isn't.

Still don't like the site its an absolute mess. Mike

The-Acre · August 14, 2013

Car colours are a funny old thing Rupert. I suppose there's not a lot wrong with silver,I just associate silver with rep's cars for some reason.I'd get over it if the car was good!. Some say gold is the dogs while others say it looks 'tacky'. Spookily enough I've just been looking at a gold LS on Fleabay and I think it quite suits it. Trouble is the car is up in the land of cloth caps and whippet racing, but looks a nice motor for £1295. Both mine and my wife's Merc's are green,some people wont entertain green at all. My old LS was as 'black as your hat' with tinted rear windows - a pimps motor some said. I loved it. Can't win!.

Where in Sussex are you then?

Phil

thatfatbloke · August 15, 2013

Phil - I'm in jolly old Eastbourne. Rarely see any LS's around Eastbourne but my job entails me driving all over East Sussex,where I see a few of them. I know of two around Rye and quite often see a 'J' plater around the Uckfield area. Used to be one in Hastings at The Bourne but haven't seen it for a while. Never see one for sale though I'm afraid.

The-Acre · August 15, 2013

Phil - I'm in jolly old Eastbourne. Rarely see any LS's around Eastbourne but my job entails me driving all over East Sussex,where I see a few of them. I know of two around Rye and quite often see a 'J' plater around the Uckfield area. Used to be one in Hastings at The Bourne but haven't seen it for a while. Never see one for sale though I'm afraid.

We had a "mini LS400 meet" yesterday evening at a pub just off the A24 between Worthing and Horsham, where we had 3 LS400's. I rarely see one around here, but as I was driving over to meet the others I saw one going in the other direction. 4 in one evening! We hope to do it again, so maybe when you get your car you can have a jolly jaunt over to join us, or we could come your way.

Phil

Bluesbreaker · August 15, 2013

I had a 7-series back in the early 80's, bought it with 12,000 on the clock,2.8litre,Lapis Blue was the colour,for its time,it was considered a luxury car,but I always hankered after the larger engined model, lovely car, -having said that though,70,000 miles, and two years later,the transmission, steering assembly,suspension, in fact, the whole car generally, despite being looked after and serviced regularly by a BMW garage, was showing signs of real wear and tear, I wasn't impressed, and sold it,never to entertain owning a Beemer again, far superior engineering in a Lexus anyway. .......

LexIS200Sport · August 15, 2013

My 745i just turned 10 this year and has travelled 130k miles. In that span, it has needed the following major work:

Gearbox replaced at 80k miles
Engine out job to fix a leaking internal coolant pipe at 100k miles (common problem with the BMW N62 engines, apparently)

Both were out-of-warranty jobs by the way. It's a good thing that the previous owner was the manager of a BMW dealership, because the old receipts shows a figure north of £3000 for parts alone...

But at least it has chains so no timing belt replacements to worry about! :P

Malc · August 15, 2013

The chains on some cars do actually SNAP !!! My nephew has a Nissan ( whatever, big bugger ) and the chain has to be replaced at 60,000 miles :megaangry:

Malc

LexIS200Sport · August 15, 2013

ooo that's not good. We have an X-Trail in the household and that has travelled 120k miles so far on the original chain and tensioner with no problems. Bad luck I guess...

thatfatbloke · August 16, 2013

An LS it is then. Having made the decision has made me feel sort of 'safe'. That feeling you get when caught outside in a storm,but then find shelter. Makes you feel all - well,goosebumpy and safe. I'll get me coat. Look out LS sellers,thatfatbloke's on his way!.

The-Acre · August 16, 2013

An LS it is then. Having made the decision has made me feel sort of 'safe'. That feeling you get when caught outside in a storm,but then find shelter. Makes you feel all - well,goosebumpy and safe. I'll get me coat. Look out LS sellers,thatfatbloke's on his way!.

Wise choice my man, you know it makes sense. Happy hunting!

Phil

Rupert Dubreaux · August 16, 2013

An LS it is then. Having made the decision has made me feel sort of 'safe'. That feeling you get when caught outside in a storm,but then find shelter. Makes you feel all - well,goosebumpy and safe. I'll get me coat. Look out LS sellers,thatfatbloke's on his way!.

I get that feeling every time when getting into an LS ,the opposite feeling when getting in my Daughters Corsa or any other toy car.

It will be good to have you back on here, good luck with your search for an LS.

Malc · August 18, 2013

LexIS200sport ............ it's the Nissan Pathfinder diesel that definitely requires the cam chain changing at 60k miles, often that's just before it puts a hole through the engine ........... a common and known and Nissan acknowledged ( by the dealers ) fault !! ................... and it's a £900 job.

Malc