Neil E

If the shocks are worn, new shocks should make some difference, the newer car is better but the suspension is still not great hence so many swap to adjustable coil-overs. If you frequently drive the SC in a spirited fashion then yes the newer one is well worth it. The gearbox, the ride and the later tech improvement do make it a little more enjoyable but if yours is a nice example with no advisories that just needs a shock refresh and you are otherwise happy with how it performs, I doubt that it's worth it. Lexus may still supply replacement door speakers or you might find a good one from a damaged later car. As you're in Sussex contacting Heuts at Hove would probably be a quick way of fixing it, some people have swapped the door bass units for Alpine oval speakers successfully. They are usually 4 ohm instead of 8 ohm but seem to work fine and are easy to fit.

I just love the detail on this project Rob. Branded stylized heat-shield......it puts the heat wrap on my headers to shame.🤣

Hi Paul, I don't think you have anything to offer an apology for. I've met a lot of the guys on LW and though none could be described as 'normal,' some are not slow to share an opinion but they're all good folk. I feel slightly (only very slightly) sorry for the dealers but not the members. They will laugh at you, with you and at themselves. The thread has kept everyone entertained for a few days. The forum is not exactly overrun or over-stretched with SC430 faults to help with or modifications to deliberate on, it's a major event if someone washes a car or puts air in the tyres. Most of the TUF build thread consists of exhaust, suspension, sensible upgrades, subtle cosmetic changes, cleaning, waxing, maintenance and preservation. It's a very nice machine and will serve you well. Just for a laugh, now that you like silver, why not post again for a re-assessment of the one in Glasgow. 🤣🤣

Yes and we were very well behaved, no doughnuts or loud music, no high speed drifting or anything antisocial.🙂

Thanks Phil, good to see you again. Seeing such a nice Celsior has got me searching LS 460/600 adverts. An 5.0 LSF would suit me perfectly but still can't seem to find one.🤣

Sussex South Coast mini meet this afternoon for a leisurely SC430 demo. Needless to say I was more interested in Phil's immaculate Celsior but we took the SC for a short trip along the A27. @The-Acre This might interest you. Check with Nengun https://www.nengun.com/ I think the type 2 is for the 3UZ. https://www.beatsonicusa.com/stereo/stereo-installation-kits/toyota-lexus/ls-430/beat-sonic-sla-23afb.html https://www.caraudioexpress.co.uk/beat-sonic-mva-23l The LS430 adaptor is the Beat-Sonic MVA-23L but there are different versions so it needs to be checked with Beat-Sonic that it's the same for the Celsior as there will be a subtle difference or two in the wiring. Metra option again from the US but I think there are some UK distributors.

Great video Thomas. Lovely roads to drive on. Did you bag any Munros on the tour? I shall be up in the Highlands again before the year is out I'm sure.

Hi Eddie if you find an SC430 with a good service history it should serve you well. Apart from the usual routine maintenance they give very little cause for concern and indeed as you might expect are very rewarding to drive. As Thomas says the cambelt and water-pump service is essential. If you search through the threads you will soon see the common items for discussion but it's rare to come across any serious failing on a car that's been maintained correctly. Most things are fairly easy to deal with. Are you looking for a 6 speed face-lift model?

There are indeed a number of clever fixes and resets. This is always a good place to start the search. Some of it is buried in the murky depths of the owners manual and some of it can only be picked up from lurking in the dark corners of the various Lexus forums. Here's another weird thing. I've never understood why but after the steering wheel is extended to it furthest setting if you flick the switch several times more, the column will extend just a smidge further. I don't know if it's to get access to something or what, it just baffles me. You can programme keys, reset window switches, reset seat controls, VSC, check engine lights, zero point calibration and lots of other cool stuff you may never need to know or use. No one knows it all, except perhaps Colin. 🙂

Shocks seem to be a common failure on the GS but a fairly simple fix and it does make driving so much more enjoyable. It was the first thing I did to my GS430 after cambelt and water-pump service. Beginning to think a GS450 would make sense to munch the work miles.

The mounting kit and the cover may be hard to find but some of the Lexus/Toyota 17 inch space-saver wheels with 114.3 PCD may fit. I think mine came from an earlier Soarer.

It needs a revision to tidy it up but it is quite versatile and a good bit of fun to mess with. Phil, any time you think it's okay, you're feeling brave enough (in either seat) give me a shout and I will head South. A sunny day would be best.

Had not seen an update for a little while so assumed you were out on the road munching M3s and assorted unsuspecting exotica.🤣

Looking good Lee. @Nicnac on here recommends POR15. I have no first hand experience of it but Nick knows his stuff. When I get time that's what I shall use, https://www.frost.co.uk/how-do-i-use-por-15-rust-preventive-paint/?gclid=CjwKCAjwn9v7BRBqEiwAbq1Ey6sfIYBWm0DQBlzGWT88WIzUyx6wg399sVhYNzQmJdwPTO8DVCV9jxoCIzUQAvD_BwE

Welcome Paul, as John has advised, Richard Walker is a good source for a decent SC430. I think he's just acquired another nice one but I think it's the earlier model. I would offer you mine at a bargain price but it's the 2006 higher tax model and it doesn't have the ML hifi any more. There are different versions of it but yes all SC430s came with the ML audio as standard.

Good advice John. Step ladder on order too.

Good question, I think most of the top brands offer rim protection on low profile tyres but I haven't seen a rating based on the level of protection. I doubt there's much difference between those that offer it. Doing a quick search didn't reveal anything very helpful. I pick the brand I like (Continental, Michelin or Hankook for Winters) and then just check its rim protector and avoid kerbs as much as possible as the protection from scrapes and scratches is very limited. You can get add on rim protection like Alloygators and the stick on lips but again protection is only good for very low impact and they aren't the most attractive things. Even comparing pictures up close it's hard to judge. Here are my recent Contis, I've definitely seen more obviously proud protection lips than these in the past but comparing them to the latest Michelin. Pirelli, Toyo, Uniroyal, and a few others I couldn't see much difference at all.

Thanks guys it really is a bit OTT but it's a car to have fun in and to experiment with so that's the spirit of the thing. Phil, as the captain of a Celsior, I think you have earned your wings.

Hi David you're very welcome. The splitter cable sounds like a good solution. My car is on its second Alpine so now has an INE-W987D HU and many other silly enhancements to improve the audio experience over stock. It's a long (not so) well documented story but if you like the stock look, I would give it a miss. My car is not for the SC430 purist 🤣🙃 but a Soarer fan might understand the intent. There's some good threads on cameras worth searching. WiL 44 has the best solution I've seen so far.

Just a few minor updates as I haven't posted here for a while. New wheels, extended rear spoiler, newer head unit, Sprint-Booster, paintwork re-fresh where required. Otherwise nothing too radical apart from the OBD/Ipad install which got a mention in another thread. I did try to sell it a while ago but it's a bit too much of a scary proposition for most sane folk so I've carried on with a few more minor tweaks and changes. I like the addition of the Ipad and the OBD2 info in real time so the next task is to improve the quality of the screen surround.

I quite like the idea of an SC440, that must be the quicker one.🙂 It's so long since I actually used the standard head unit I can't remember what it did and sometimes we mad SC owners forget to state the obvious. So checking my archives, I think the confusion is in the fact that the facelift doesn't actually have an external CD multi-changer. The 6 disc CD unit is part of the head unit itself. It should say 6 disc on the front of it. Apologies I didn't add to the discussion on LW as I thought the others had explained but clearly they can't always be trusted with audio questions despite the fact that some are indeed highly qualified in these matters. Probably too busy debating less important matters like politics, the meaning of life or the weather. We wait ages for a fault to appear on an SC430, Usually it gets dealt with in a couple of sentences and a picture or two and we all go back to the waiting room. I took mine apart just to see how it worked after replacing it with an Alpine. You load the 6 CDs into the head unit one at a time slowly until it's full. Hope that clears it up.

Good luck keeping pace with it and it's probably got revolving number plates.🤣

The autobox fluid is supposed to last a lifetime, it's not an immediate or major concern but it is well worth doing and always use the correct fluid from Lexus. Nicnac on here and LW did an excellent piece on it.

My car fits the description but it clearly wasn't me as I don't have a dog. 🤣 I can't think of anyone we know resident in that area but WiL44 might have been coming back from Le Mans. (Not sure if he went) If it was, then that would have been a rare sighting of a very special car. Low mileage, air-ride, wide wheels, private plate, custom V8 growling exhaust, dark blue with a distinctive silver roof. Lots of subtle mods. I could just ask but it's worth speculating for an excuse to post the picture.😎

We would usually politely suggest the owner clears out the door pocket. After 15 years of hard use, the door speakers can occasionally flap a bit I suppose.