Cotswold Pete

Had a good read of some other postings (should be working, but the boss is not around), and seems like could be a lot of fun and games if flanges are the problem. Does seem odd to have such a weakness in the system. Sounds like I need to get my Lexus chap to have a look at and at least let me know what is likely to be the scenario, and then take it from there. I know he will want to do a 'proper' job, but not keen if flanges are the problem and the hoo-haa that will entail. The missus will go bonkers if the car needs a lot more wonga spent on it.

Noticed on the way into work, that I am getting the exhaust grumble situation. Will need to get looked at. From scouring the forum the common problem is likely to be the Y joint, though just poking nose under parked LS, not easy to tell if this is exactly where the problem is coming from. Just wanted to ask if it is not the Y joint, is there anything else I should be looking out for. I assume the welding job is quite simple, but if anyone has used a good garage in the Cheltenham / Gloucester area, would be easier than taking it to my place, which is Gas & Go in Swindon. I also assume once it starts to blow it will last little while before it becomes a complete roar. Any advice welcome.

Finding way around the cab, know what you mean, I was still discovering new things after two years, and maybe there are things still yet to uncover!!

I thought the Omega was pretty good, did many a drive to Scotland in it, but a 15 year old LS versus 15 year old Omega, no competition. if there is one minor complaint I would say the Philips RadioHead in the Omega was (is) way better than the Toyota electronics which seems to be nowhere near as sensitive, but having driven Vauxhalls on and off for 25 years, always found their radios to be good, with Ford Electronics coming a close second. You should have no prob selling the 3.2, they are still a popular car for anyone who has not driven and LS. I had a 2.5, best i could get out of it was 38mpg, best I have got out of LS is 36 (same run down the M5 at old doddering old g*t speed)

I recall Kate being on Top Gear many moons ago (or is my memory playing tricks). Maybe she is the foil to James' logical witticisms - or maybe it's going to be a 'Who has the most hair' sort of program. James May and Guy Martin would be a more worthy viewing slot when it comes to building things

Just read the post, and previous to LS I had Omega. No comparison, and as for any costs, I feel it is an investment with the LS, but I spent a fair bit on the Omega over 6 years, but never felt like an investment. Spent £2K getting the car through last MOT, but that is £2K that will last for the next 10 years or more. I would certainly recommend using someone who has solid Lexus experience, with my first LS, used my Omega chap, but he was not the best bet for the LS, when it came to running gear issues.

Just re-insured the LS, and discovered something of a shock, when Admiral asked me a this question. 'Had I reported any incidences to the police in last 5 years'. I said I had because my car was keyed back last Xmas, but never claimed, and was never going to. Result was a £60 jump in premium I of course declined this less than tasty offer, and managed to get insurance for £198 (RAC) to cover me for my daily usage (13,000 miles a year). The reason for Admiral upping it by so much, was because it might happen again, well b*gger me, is that not why we have insurance, and I only reported it to the police because if it has been some tw*t doing over more than one car, they have got the little monkey bang to rights. Lesson learnt, but one day when all the databases are really linked together, then we'll be in trouble!?!?!?!

How long did they take to do the job.

Agree with all those choices. I disagree with the earlier post about old vs young. I am no spring chicken but I like Chris Evans. he is enthusiastic and clearly very intelligent. His TV programmes to date happened to be aimed at younger viewers but his style may be dictated by the content, which for Top Gear will be different. CE is no spring chicken himself and you may be surprised at how interesting he makes the programme. As for radio 2, it is indistinguishable from radio 1 and plays utter crap and fluff most of the time. Steve Wright mostly plays disco music from the 70s, Ken Bruce is brilliant, Jeremy Vine is good (apart from the occasional stupid question - like asking that old Spitfire pilot what it was like baling out with an ejector seat) . Terry Wogan is still very good, as is Graham Norton but I suspect they are told what music to play. God knows what their intended demographic is. Elaine Paige probably gets her choice of show tunes on a Sunday but she is utterly unbearable. I have largely stopped listening to radio 2 as I am sick of the inane, homogeneous crap they insist on playing Having been brought up on a diet of John Peel (under the bed covers listener back in 1971), Bob Harrison, Mark & Lard to name a few, the radio these days is utter tripe, with the few nuggets of gold in there. Quite like Dermot O'Leary on saturdays, and used to like Zane Lowe, but he seems to have gone off the boil (and talks more than all other DJ's put together) I do sometime listen to Chris Evans on the way to work, when I have had enough of John Humphries acting like a petulant terrier. But I have found myself more and more using the CD player in the car, as at least I only have myself to blame if the music is rubbish. Actually just had a thought (crazy one) how about getting Marc and Lard to present Top Gear, with Lisa Tarbuck as the token member of the other s*x, that would be something different to see.

I will give the new presenters a fair chance, no trio is going to be the same as the original, but why they have a to have a female, just for the sake of it is political correctness gone mad. Certainly not Jodie Kidd, just coz she likes fast cars is no reason, would rather have Julie Walters, at least she has a sense of humour. If the show ends up being naff, then one less program to bother about.

I reckon it has just been back the future, check the car out for Michael J Fox finger prints

Agree on the question of tyres, I have found cheap tyres on the LS can be quiet, but the grip tends to be an issue. Road surface also makes a huge difference, especially on concrete surfaces, where I have found continentals to be better. Have found the falkens the best all rounder, and improve tramlining I have had with other tyres, and the continentals are far worse for tramlining. So it is going to be a compromise given the variability of UK roads.

One way of getting noticed by the boys in blue. As ever I prefer the understated body line of the original LS, but can see why cheap access to 290BHP is appealing to some lads

Is there a link to see

From experience with other CD loaders, it sounds like the CD system knows it has 6 disks, but the laser reader is not able to read the contents of the disk headers. On normal home system I have had problems with, this means the laser arm is not working, and there could be several reasons why it has failed, from failed laser, stick track guides, to failed wiring to laser head. So it sounds like the laser assembly is not working, and I would guess the only way to resolve is replace the CD unit. Not a nice situation to be in, as on a normal stereo at home not too bad to get at, but an in car unit, a heck of lot more fiddly work. Best of luck with getting it sorted.

Some interesting firsts, and I guess Lexus will be able to add a few others. The low reflecting screen in the 430 would be good in the 400, it is not so easy to read in sunlight

All that TLC now means a car that should go on for many years. No doubt there will be other expenses, but to me it's like I am preserving history, rather than spending money while waiting to send the car off to the scrapper. Have not been to the Loire Valley for 30 years, but I recall most roads as being traffic free (out of holiday season), and some great villages and chateaus to be enjoyed.

Looking forward to hearing a 'manned-up' LS. Always though the horn made the car sound like the one that Noddy drove around in.

I think maybe he is a she (if based on ebay name). Given that they have only sold Moshi stuff in past, could be that they are doing a mate a favour even though they have not used ebay much just lately. Sounds to me like this will need a bit if cash spent on it, but like any LS if done properly no reason why it should be a problem. Does seem like the actual owner has not treated it with the respect it deserves, but then with my first LS, I took liberties with a number of things, as I did not realise at that time I was the owner of a very special car that may well go down in the history books of 'Cars you really ought to try'.

Not so sure about the styling, but sure as heck a great way to drive around Europe.

Agree with all the comments. My Mk4 is now on 157K miles, and just spent £1200 at last MOT getting a whole bunch of work done on broken spring and read suspension arms. I do not appear to have any issues with front upper control arms, as these can be a fair old cost. It seems to me that around the 140,000 to 180,000 range is when the running gear needs work on, though have heard of some done 250,00 with no issues. However the car is so solid once it has money spent on it, then no reason why it should not go for another 15 years. With my other cars I always felt any money spent on them was merely delaying the inevitable trip to scrap heap, but never felt that with the LS, because it should outlast me if looked after.

Not my total cup of tea, but I would rather this than a 430 which to me seems too much like a Merc lookie-likie Which is why if I decide to move away from my 400 it will be a 460.

I would add that M+S underwear last longer then average and are good value, so maybe they could make pistons!!!!

a Mk4 400 is the one to go for if you want a solid, relatively simple motor. The challenge would be withdrawal of parts as Mk4 is now a 16/17 year old model and I assume at some point Lexus will stop supply - though USA no doubt will be able to help keep them going. If not a 400 then I personally would go for the 460, and spend £600+ having a stainless steel built. I would also think the 460 electronics would be using 21st century electronics, where as the LS400 is using fundamentally late 80's early 90's electronics, and that may have a bearing on how long touch screens and ECUs last for. Also I think any of the LS benefit from being used every week or even every day, rather than being used for the special occasions. Any LS is built like a brick outhouse and so long as you have one that has been looked after, then a way better bet than other luxury marques in terms of reliability when nearly two decades old

Long time since I seen a Zephyr, as a kid they were so cool compared to my dads Austin Cambridge. I used to work in a petrol station in the mid 70's, and used to get 'odd' contraptions like these cars coming in, always good fun to chat with the owners.