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two threads merged, one removed.

Hi Richard I've just had my 60k/6yr full service done yesterday by my local Toyota main dealer and it's cost £364.21p - that's everything including new spark plugs. There were no other non-service items required. It's the first service I've had done on it as I've only owned it since February, all other services were done by Birmingham Lexus for the previous owner. I asked my Toyota dealer about servicing my 08 Lexus RX400h when I first bought it and enquired whether the fact that it's a hybrid made any difference and the service manager said basically it's just a big Prius, so nothing they aren't dealing with on a day to day basis I'm lucky in that my local Toyota main dealer is absolutely first class - I've been using them since I bought my brand new Hi Ace van back in 2003, which has now covered 120k miles and has full service history. Not sure if it's the quality of the van or the quality of the dealer service but in the 11 years and 120k miles that I've owned it, the only non-service repair that I've had on it was a new radiator about three years ago. Dan

ive had both - the 430 for 2 years - i do prefer the 430 but when i see i nice low mileage 400 my heart melts. I would say drive both and decide from there

Never ever read the comments under youtube videos or feel appalled at the decline of the English language and decency. You make a very valid point Pete, and as one who earlier in the year bought a Lexus and sold my S320 I can tell you that the Merc forums though extremely helpful in resolving the numerous problems of older Mercedes (and in some case younger ones) has far fewer persons waxing lyrical about their cars than here on this forum, though "Meets" are popular and most love their cars -warts an all. Perhaps Lexus sold far fewer LS's than Merc sold S Class with various engine sizes, to the UK? Problems I encountered with my S320 over six years (190k on the clock when bought) included some things prone to most older cars, Boot lock failure(squirt oil occasionally as rare to use a key as needed by Lexus if engine running), Immobiliser issues, annoying habit of not working when you wanted to leave a Garage forecourt, Rusty brake pipes, Key fob failure internal. Radiator failure in the Transmission internal cooler section (fortunately the rusty pipe lirerally fell off external to the Rad and right outside my house on returning home one day) I repaired in the driveway and Trannie not damaged. Air con not working and likely cost of repair prohibitive if diagnosed.( Lovely to experience the Air con in the Lexus which was another reason to purchase) Rust on wings and disintegration under doors (hidden by plastic skirt - no air venting for some reason) Electrical gremlins associated with loom disintegration. Though '96 and later year Cars didn't get the problem entirely. Experimental cabling was still used for electrical in/out door mirrors. Sometimes they wouldn't unfold until maybe a dozen attempts whilst driving. Drain problems, footwell and sunroof. I've said on here I loved the W140 and the video suggesting more room in the Lexus is false where the S Class is the LWB which has acres of room and I find the Lexus rather small internally. Not sure as to their remark on the subject. The Lexus has Superior paint bodywork as my car is 21 years old and only has blistering on one wing, astonishingly. I love the V8 engine having had two V8 S500's before the S320. I miss the soft closure doors but can just live with the Mirrors not retracting. The rides are similarly enjoyable though I have got bumache on a four hundred mile drive in the Lexus. The Lexus is more economic than the S320 on petrol although I had LPG on the Merc. Not sure I'm going to bother with LPG on the Lexus. Still spending loads of dosh on this Lexus which I find a bit annoying with Wishbone expense to come and a list of things yet to do from Seat repair to changing spark plugs, (nightmare but seen the thread) changing hazard warning bulb and fitting new Stereo system with Aux input. ( Tape attachment not recommended in Manual). The Pioneer system in the Merc also didn't have Aux at that time. The Lexus is a lovely car but will I keep it for six years as I did the S320? I think I'll have to after all the expense. The guy I bought the car from said it was known to be a rich mans car. I laughed at this. Now I know what he meant, as its cost me more than I paid for it by x 1.5 and counting. I personally wouldn't buy either a Merc or Lexus after the year 1998 because of the dreaded Suspension issues. £1000 a corner is a common expression on the Merc forum, though spare parts for Mercedes are certainly much cheaper than for Lexus. Difficult comparison to make and although the Star gives you that feeling of "superiority", I find the uniqueness of the Lexus Marque matches that feeling.

The Ls400 coz of it's propensity not to cost you the earth in on-going maintenance costs......... simple Malc

Bonnets are rubbish (I know of a good few people who had them replaced under warranty, Lexus know about it, but continue to use the same bonnet materials, even in the newer cars of today), if you are lucky, you should not have stone chips and rust spots all along the front directly under the bonnet grill. Wheels rust, loads of stories about them as well. Just ensure that the Cambelt is done if the car has done 100k miles, this is a must or you could have major issues later on. That being said, they are lovely cars, from the 1st Generation right up to todays RX450, so try and enjoy it.

i would imagine the price differential might be due to the likely need or other to replace just the belt itself and / or other parts thereat ! Malc

UPDATE - Initially sent the amp to caraudiorepairs in hove as have used them before for my mark 3 - they managed to diagnose the problem but couldnt fix as they couldnt get the parts (DSP Processor) So have to send it SVT Services - very good service - quick turnaround. Spent the morning putting it all back - all working fine now - total cost £285 For future reference: the amp is located inside the boot against the car body near the passenger side quarter glass. to get to it you have to remover the boot catch black plastic surround - remove the passenger side boot liner and you should be able to see - there are 2 x 10mm nuts to undo and 2 white plastic lugs which you have to pinch to release the unit. Once out you have to undo 6 more nuts which hold the amp to the holding frame - this frame also holds the rear parking sensor ECU - once i had removed the amp i plugged the parking sensor ECU back so i could still have a working reverse camera. Refitting is fairly straight forward albiet i did find getting one of the black gromets back in a challenge - spent 10 minutes trying to get it in as it was in the corner and access is difficult - had to lie in the boot!! - while i was there i gave it good vac to remove all the dust. Also fitted a new set of locking nuts as i had lost one and they were getting a bit rusty - the new ones come with steel cap and look nice - topped up the washer fluid and gave her interior a good vac and shine. Now just need to give her an interim service and a good wash and polish weather permitting.