Spacewagon52

Brilliant! Using Maxthon - thanks! Hi everyone! A few years back I bought a 12 year old LS 400 (1996) in gold and tan interior. It was not immaculate but what a fantastic car. It had a full Lexus service history and 107,000 miles on the clock. It was due a service when I bought it, but through circumstances I never quite got round to having it done. I kept it for a year, ran it as a classic (5,000 miles), and only spent money on 2 new tyres. I sold it because I had two Labradors and the Lexus was not being used enough. I really regret selling her. I am due to retire in August and as I only have one old dog left, I was considering buying an LS. As it will not be my main car, I would welcome opinions as to which model I should consider. I have the old dilemma of how much to spend – do I go for an older 400 LS or pay more for a later 430 LS? I have read some horror stories about the air suspension on the 430 LS – my other option would be to try and get a decent 400 LS but as I rely on garages for repairs and service, I wonder if the 400 LS might involve more repairs due to its age? Hope I have not opened up a can of worms. Your opinions would be most welcome. Dave from Sunny Kent.

Thanks I will try another provider - Explorer seems to be the problem.

Thanks but for some reason my clipboard will not paste into the LOC website - will try to find out why?

How do I paste into this box from WORD please?

Hi, I have used Lexus MK. They seem fine and serve the most fantastic coffee but.............you pay for it all. If you want to half (probably more) the labour then I know of a specialist who "knows LS400s well". Mine's been to him once and he did an outstanding job. He's in central Bedford, PM me if this is near enough. Steve Please can you tell me the name of the Lexus LS400 specialist in Bedford? I live in Kent but am prepared to travel for a reasonable service! I am afraid to ask a Lexus dealer! I have a 1996 LS400 with 107,000 on the clock with Full Lexus Service History

I am afraid we got stuck in a traffic jam. We managede to find Lexus Brighton (without a SAT NAV or map! I think we got their too early OR late so we headed for Madiera Drive. Then we really got jammed, so we did a u-turn and headed home! Really nice to chat with you at the pub. Hope to be able to meet you again when you meet at the Grasshopper. I would have liked to have spoken to more people - but the rain was against us hanging around outside the pub. Hope to chat with Graham sometime about his MIV LS 400. Hope to see you again at one of the monthly meets. Spacewagon52 (Dave H)

i would estimate arrival time to be between 10 and 10.30 departure time about 30 mins later Many thanks - hope to get to Grasshopper Inn around 10. Regards Spacewagon52

Will meet you at the Grasshopper Inn - About what time will you be arriving and what time will you set off from Grasshopper to Brighton? Many thanks - Glad I will not be the only LS400 there!

I have only recently bought an LS400 (1996 Mk3) and really love the car. Where do you intend getting it serviced? Lexus Dealer?

Will you be the ONLY LS there? I wish I could make it - there would be TWO of us!

Google

Many thanks - can't make Grasshopper this week but will try again as it would be a nice run for me up to Westerham. Very interested - depending on comittments - in the Brighton Run - sounds a good day out! Many thanks for the e-mail.

I would be interested - sounds like a good day out. Possibly my first meet. I wish i could work out how this computer works!!!

Hi, Had the oil and filter change done last tuesday, done 500 miles since and can barely hear the engine now. Thanks for the advice, perhaps a bit of muck causing temporary blockage somewhere? Do you always use a Lexus Dealership for your servicing? Will I have to bite the bullet???? LoL

Many thanks. I am a little surprised how expensive Lexus parts are! I have no experience of running other top models like Mercedes / BMW / Jaguar. I may need to get a part-time job to run my Lexus! Once again many thanks. I will look at the website!

Certainly sounds like the throttle body needs cleaning. I had a similar problem with my mk 3 at 196k, it would stall when i stopped after a run but would then re start and be fine until i next did 8-10 miles at a steady speed when it would stall again the next time i stopped. I found that whilst the tick over was low it didn't actually cut out if the air con was on as the tick over speed was a bit higher. In my case the throttle body was not only filthy but worn so i had to have it replaced, almost £600 at my local dealer. However the difference was fantastic, much smoother and fuel consumption improved too. Many thanks - this seems to be favourite at the moment - will possibly try to clean it myself - when the workshop manual arrives!!! Hope it does not need replacing!!!! £600!!! Was that at a Lexus dealer? Do you know how much the part (throttle body) cost? How much of the £600 was labour?

I am completely useless when it comes to mechanics but I have purchased a CD-ROM workshop manual so will try and check at the weekend! Many thanks for the advice. I suspect the throttle housing is probably dirty!!! OR it could be the EMU - sounds expensive! I am running my LS400 (1996) like a classic (weekends only) and am reluctant to take it to a Lexus dealer due to cost! Having said that it is a superb car - the best I have driven in 30 years of motoring!

My 1996 LS400 sometimes "hunts" when using cruise control. It gets quite uncomfortable as the engine seems to power and then decelerate. The speed remains constant but it is uncomfortable. It does not do this all the time??? Any suggestions? I am a new member and have found your forums VERY informative!

This August I purchased a 1996 (series3?) LS 400 with FULL Lexus service history. It is a superb car! The best I have ever driven! BUT..... It stalls at junctions after a long run. I have tightened the petrol cap - no good! It has 104,000 miles but is due for a "B" service - not by mileage but time (18 months) Any suggestions as my wife refuses to drive it! Has anyone used an independent LEXUS specialist in Kent? This is my "weekend" car - I am running it like a classic - low mileage and do not really wish to pay LEXUS service prices - £100 per hour labour! - (Quote of £450 for "B" Service). I am in a real dilemma as regards where to have it serviced. If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful. Even with the intermitant stalling it is a superb car for 11 years of age! I have used a local (to me!) garage for the last 6 years for all my MOTs and servicing and they have never had any problems doing whatever is needed. They are Pickwick Motor Co Ltd, The Old Forge, Dunn Street Rd, Gillingham. ME7 3LX -telephone: 01634 388048. I have no affiliation with them other than they look after my car for me when needed! Many thanks!

:D Found the site through US Lexus Club and Google

Not sure what happened to my last "post" ????? I get 27 mpg on longer runs - 17 miles to 200 mile runs. I think this is fantastic for a 4 litre automatic¬! Wuill try to keep PWR/ECT on next time I go to London!

Thanks for the comments. My car has the premium pack, which I did not mention. So when the A/C was on I also had the 'air purifier' on. This cools down the cool-box between the rear seats and also further purifies and dehumidifies the air in the car. Perhaps that accounts for the bigger difference. I don't usually have the 'Air Purifier' on all the time. But as I was keeping score, I thought I go from one extreme to the other. Interesting about the SAT-NAV screen. Would having the CD player on make any differnce to MPG?