Tinonline

That sums it up spot on. Even when you can diy it is rewarding and saves money but it can be a labour of love. Time is money and it’s ok to pay to have it done...even if you can do it with your eyes shut. Life can be busy and you know...takes time.

Mmm...chocolate discs, eaten before fitted... I gave up on non OE as some big disties have brand specs made to their cheaper requirements and costs. My Merc garage ended up sourcing the same brand through the dealer as there was a quality issue and they had constant warranty issues. But, it can be batches, it’s your choice and your budget. It was a few years ago and could/should be fixed by now.

Forgive me if you’ve read this before...I bought a good value battery: cheaper not premium for wife’s Jag. After 6 months there was a slow drain meaning battery flattened over time. Now Jags are legendary here as a component fails to go to sleep sucking out the charge. X2 garage visits, no cure. Telephone call with a local auto electrician...yes it’s the Lion battery I’ve had lots of trouble and I’m not charging you to come out until you’ve replaced it first. The reputable dealer swopped it without quibble and I paid an excess to get a quality brand. All about holding that charge. Sorted. No issues at all. £100 is ok as some are 130 +/-

Was that Lexus? I hate the way the garage trade quotes less VAT and I’d go as so far as to say that should be an illegal practice as it is deception. You have the right to cancel. My 400 took a L2880-YZZJC for £88.80 all in from Lexus in 2015.

Yep well I had a Brembo set up on my XKR and they are quality. They’ve gone more mass market over the past few years and if they’ve maintained their standards then they are probably an upgrade...as long as the pads have the same ceramic content as the Toyota.

Having bashed on about good quality non OE ok but OE better...wallet was out in preparation for Christmas hols. My brake warning lights/messages are on and I’ve the accompanying grinding. Genuine front discs and pads plus VAT and postage were £195 from Lexus Birmingham. That’s cheaper than many quality non OE parts.

Well you’ll need new discs obviously and Mintex or their distributors will be able to advise on the fitment. I know price can be very important but it is true you get what you pay for. I’d stick with OE but would work hard to get the best price. Especially with brakes as even quality replacements can be poor. I’ve had this from Renault, Merc, Porsche & Jag. Having said that, after a squeaky start, the Mintex set-up on my Jag are performing well. My LS400 will get OE. Need to replace front discs and pads.

Quite a few years ago it was common to send the shoes for a re-lining via your motor factor who would send them to a factory. There are a few clips and pins in attaching the shoes so there could be different versions. Having said that, surely they will be the same on cost control grounds in the manufacturing process. Blueprint will make them at a decent price but worth checking a dealership too. Are you sure they don’t require adjustment?

If you like or love the car then maintenance costs are just running costs. You have to do this in young vehicles and there are always surprises. A dealer probably won’t rob you but you pay top price. A non franchise will be less pennies but may not fit genuine parts. If you can do the work then you can save a lot of money. But not all have the time or ability. Don’t think about the £ value of the car but it’s overall running costs and whether you want to stick with it. There are good quality non OE parts but I now will stick to OE but will source on best price. I can get discs for £150 fr pair and pads £70 or a bit less. That’s good as they are genuine and will last for ages. For me, no labour... Some garages will fit your own parts and are happy to take the labour but the work will have limited warranty. btw all the parts you have replaced...are regular maintenance consumables and are through age or wear and tear. Future: cam belt, water pump, pulleys, suspension bushes, spark plugs (last for ages). World would have ended before you have had to scrap the car.😉

Yes I agree, pretty good stuff and a lot is rebadged and comes from top sources. Who would have thought that a Lexus dealer uses Shell Helix but you wouldn’t know🙃

Yes my bargain for Shell Helix for 5ltrs plus one was £21 but I’m in at £29 this year. Still ok. But the Jag is on TripleQ which is ok to be fair and cheap as chips...genuine filters only though.

On a long long run yes and even at a steady high cruise the mpg is good. Of course, as soon as you stop or are in town...mpg is slaughtered.

Toyota now use Pink. Red is still obtainable. Both are long life and take your pick.

Well the correct advice would be to fix it and not drive. I have on my wife’s Jag that had more leaks than Wales, even with a clapped water pump with steam rolling around at lights like a special effect...but the guage on normal. The repairs were not expensive, just time intensive and challenging so it had to wait. Needed a lot of parts by the way...cooling tower with thermostat housing and tough as to fit plus reservoir (awful job) oh and plastic drain plug that snapped on exit... I love Lexus... Cars often run a while before we discover the fault...at least you know.

Nice one...that’s a result😀👍 In the old days you could buy lengths of hose that you would cut to fit. Should not be too much £ and might be easier to pick one up from a Lexus dealer...genuine article that will fit like a glove. The way I do this type of running repair is to drain system down if coolant is old. Repair, then do a total refill. If a quick repair: cover the drive belt and just pull the hoses, clips of offending pipe, mop up and minimise splash and dropped fluid as much as...replace, then fill up via that front top bolt first. Then secure and torque, then fill up by main reservoir. Run up to temp adding as required: heater full on. For me I needed to top a couple of times over the next miles until the system seemed to settle and I never had to touch again. Forgive me as I’m sure you know all this but some may be interested if they have not done it before. Oh and there is always better advice out there!

Movement is normal under expansion and pressure. You might want to top up, engine cold, to the top mark. Cap off, heater on full, run the engine hot enough for the thermostat to open. You may have a small airlock or a leak. Observe safety precautions. (Also, when done and have secured the cap, keep an eye on the level during your motoring). Engine off: take top cover off and with a torch have a good look for damp patches or crystallised debris of coolant. Check hoses and clips. Bit belt and braces, but this is worth a quick check and slowest part is awaiting the engine to warm!

There was rebuild guide on a forum...of course you still have to get the kit and find a real mechanic if you don’t fancy doing it. It’s all bothering around with the motor idle on the drive.

Yep. Let’s look after each other as always and be fair and reasonable in the process. We’ll be fine.

Yes “misunderstanding” sums it up. Despite the news, we still have free speech. If you can’t express yourself legally or fear to do so, you can report your concerns to trading standards or the police. Bringing a libel case is very expensive and very risky. BlogLex of Brighton (any similarity or reference to any individual living or business is unintentional and coincidental) are unlikely to be able to spell “libel” given by their ads.

Surely you can get your unit reconditioned. Or buy a unit from the US if supply is poor here.

Very sorry to hear this. Simple case and you could take this to the small claims court given you have requested, ordered the correct part and have been mis-supplied. Restocking bllcks charge. There is no material cost. Even if it’s in small print. It won’t wash.

Your Lexus IS so damn good although if it looked like a Jag the world would know. We would be stuffed. It is fair to factually point to inconsistency in ads or from businesses. The only caveat is to be factual, ask questions without direct implication. There is a right of reply and judging by the way ads are removed, one might wonder whether some sellers are tapping the forum? Maybe not. (😜)

These cars are undervalued and if you want to run very cheaply you would just service using cheaper non Lexus parts. The 400 is an incredibly low £ maintenance compared with any other vehicle. Yes any. If you fit Lexus parts you fit and forget for a long term. Barge in looks maybe but not in nature. Put in sport mode and bury that peddle. Now see. For less the cost of a Ford or Fiat cam belt change, all my pulleys, pumps, belts, tensioner are ok for 90k miles. Genuine brakes will be same £ as a modern saloon but will last longer and perform in s different league. Please don’t believe a word of this so Lexus owners and enthusiasts can enjoy silly prices and a range of great cars. 😉 .

Hear, hear, hear. (Muttering from the back bench).

Wow that’s fab.