Tinonline

My record was recently for 5 ltrs +1 free on a further offer including delivery for £27.67 total for Shell Helix. Oh I was happy. From Opie.

Surely £141 for a minor ?

Interesting. Current infrastructure and costs couldn't release lower cost capacity across the board. But they have a big untapped market out here for another service brand for older vehicles. To include Toyota brand. Not just servicing and nominal parts discounts but competitive repairs.

Oh well...most jobs have a hitch and they're not plain easy. You need research, time and the right tools. Maybe a fall back plan like calling in a mobile mechanic if you really get stopped. You'll be surprised at what you can do. Its all about practice and experience but you have to work on it to get it. This forum is great with great members so you can get coached through a job or issue step by step. As I did with a cambelt change. Gives you the confidence to keep going... 😀

You need a ramp and a gynochologist to work on Jags😉 The Ford or ZF gearboxes are awful, engines and systems are just too prone. If they made them like Lexus they'd have the world.

I'd like to do it myself. Doesn't look too bad a job. As usual it's the finding OE at the best price...I'm not sure it's worth going for replacements but...OE batches change over time. theyve done a good job for 17 years and 80k miles, I'd like same again.

Hi my friends I've spent hours on the wife's S Type with a common coolant leak issue: one area resolved after much fiddly surgery and a few bob with another leakage to rectify. The good new is the LS400 whistled though it's MOT. I do have a problem scrubbing the front inside of the tyres though despite having the tracking done. I know the MOT guy very well and he was adamant there was no play in the front suspension. But I know there is wear with soft to cracking lower strut bushes and grease leaking from both lower ball joint...but no play. Although he can do the tracking he conceded that it was a better move going somewhere with top quality equipment...like the Hunter set-ups. I think it's worth replacing the ball joints and lower control arm bushes... Wife is now driving the Lexus out of necessity and although a bit daunted on the size (a first time complaint on that score she said...what does that mean?) the idea of a SC430 with the reliability/quality of Lexus is very appealing. Jags really pss me off. They are terrible to work on.

Lovely...some work to do... Servicing is a quick win. I got a genuine oil filter on line for a good price from. Lexus dealer Birmingham Lexus fab service. Oil from Opie fully synthetic Shell Helix as used by my local Lex dealer. i think my plugs also came from Opie and on offer, they're quite a few £'s. I opted for Denso the OE. Air filter and cabin I got blueprint but I note some great prices on line for genuine. Im still yet to touch the gearbox...I'll stick to OE here. If you've a high miler I'd go for new filter too. Worth checking throttle cable play. Brakes: wheels off to inspect and clean, reapply grease on pads if all well. I'm sticking with OE again here as the pads are ceramic and heat fade is minimal and they are soft and smooth. Lots of non OE fitted but ok. They can squeak but when bedded in they're fine. Now I'll beg others to comment on the well known issue of leaky boots. Bet my wheels are worse than yours! 🙄

Yep I've used them. No complaints and some of their sales offers are excellent. I don't go for the cheapest, even with taxes and postage they're good.

Not many left... One of my first posts suggested my Lexus was a journey and I'd sell it to get something flash. I wouldn't part with it. Even wife and cool kids have respect and think it's a "cotch" car.

Well, it's not my LS but S type jag. Small car drove into it rippling dent to front wing and a scape to reflector. Inspected this morning...first words out well it'll be a right off... Oh no it won't. Non fault so it will be repaired to as was - in perfect condition. Small dent but it'll need blending and panel gap will need sorting which will cost more than the car. "yes most people who own old cars don't understand the work and costs involved..." So said the engineer. Wife on the same page so she won't let anyone take it until the repair details are discussed. Insurance duly told- you don't write this off...or else.

More like 125k or 250k miles then...

At 25k it won't have any problems surely. What advisories are listed?

I think it's a decent motor and you want it...then it's a great bargaining point as replacing these items correctly is not cheap etc etc.. Requisite huffing and puffing and a reluctant purchase you go home with said car smiling. Of course check for cambelt change etc. You can do pita route or other! Just remember - only one Lexus per household...they are in very short supply.

Yes but all in all if it's straight with a few quid off it's still a lot of car for the money. Looks better than mine but my interior, so to speak, is better and a new battery and belts are a project if you diy it. All negotiation points as long as the mileage and MOT history are straight.

Well it's a shame to take another wagon off the trail. It'll make them more rare in the UK and one day they will be imported from the US to satisfy the classic market. on the other hand...provides quality, genuine well priced parts. Depends upon your time an effort in shifting parts or that quick sale.

Yes they look like the parts. Do shop around as you can do quite well. It's an opportunity to learn...you need to give yourself time and there's plenty of help via the forum. Difficulty is relative as some simple jobs can be fiddly. You do need the right tools though...including a torque wrench. I've spent too long improvising because of tool kit limitations. That impacts costs too. anyway... your call.

Well if you can do the belt...I'm sure you can do the bearing or pulley stuff.

Must be an internal practice and policy in place. Any with twitter accounts can comment hashtagging Admiral. We are permitted to level allegations. I'll post it as a warning.

Lexus 400's are rarer than an iceberg lettuce. Should be restricted to one per household.

Shirash I agree Looks like minimum of an hour's labour they are quoting, but should be free if part of a cambelt job as it comes off anyway... What happened to goodwill or a nominal tenner if has to be recorded...? Takes a pro a few minutes. Takes me ages as the belt is actually a wriggly snake that slides off a pulley just as you get it over the tricky bit...

I've had Pagid on Renault and Porsche and suffered, Mintex on Jag after initial noise have settled and are fine. Brembo discs on XKR with Jag pads stop so fast you have to check vehicles behind you. (As spec). lexus pads are ceramic. Why? They are soft and shed heat to lower brake fade. I'm wary of the "banking" factor where rubbish is passed off as OE and who is to say? Greed...££££ Bit like rubbish food full of fillers, sugar salt. That never happens. Misselling, fibbing politicians, cons. Life is perfect. So how can we tell?

Yes. Peter that's my point too. I got an article on the issue of spare parts from Car Mechanic now posted under resources on this forum... It does not matter who makes what, if the integrity and quality are spot on, but who's to know? At least if it has Lexus/Toyota numbers and source I have a higher level of confidence. My non Jag water pump and the replacement thermostat tower for example are both cheaper and are upgraded replacements over the real deal. Why, are MB brake pads perfect and those available cheaper from motor factors from the same manufacturer not: they squeal so badly an MB non franchise dealer had to give up and get them from MB? The MB spec was different clearly. They should be graded and specified but that's more regulation, tape, admin, policing. As you know...because I keep on banging on about it...I fitted a Gates kit when it came to a cambelt change plus non Lexus pulleys and waterpump, I have a Blueprint air filter and cabin filter. Thermostat from can't remember whom. Put original Denso plugs in and always use a Lexus oil filter. My hobby is shopping round for discounted prices so generally there is nil to not too bad a difference from original to replacement. If it's too cheap then what do we expect? When the prices of our cars starts to rise and we are driving classics, then I will ensure all parts are "genuine". Always a great talking point is this subject!

Great news! Congrats

I'm on the U turn over parts - these will be fine btw. I want guaranteed quality now so I've used Gates and Blueprint but for brakes I'll stick with Lexus. Particularly as I now own up to loving the car and it's a long-term thing. I'd bite the bullet and source genuine kit - use your gold card or haggle as applicable. The original pads are very high quality with ceramic and have a good life span and performance. You might want to replace the hand brake shoes whilst you are there... Pays your money...takes your choice. Simon