Cotswold Pete

Always fancied an estate version of the LS, but would want the 4litre engine with it.

The real question is - Can you get more beer in the RX. I tried to persuade the good lady to consider an RX (she did look at a GS300) but she thinks all Lexus' are too big. But I guess the one advantage is being able to look over hedges as well in an RX. Well enjoy your Lexus, at least it is a well built motor.

Not an expert, but I wonder if what is happening is that one of the other ECU's is faulty enough to report a fault back to the main ECU. So the car thinks there is a major door/sunroof problem and feels unsafe to continue. Not sure if you can reset the other ECU's and see what happens. I assume disconnecting the other ECU's will not work, as the main system will still see a major problem. A bit weird I must say.

Nice colour, nice car, enjoy the driving (every day)

And if the back were a little longer, you could use it to get the Lexus to the garage.

Anyone who lumps a fellow employee needs to be brought to book one way or the other. I guess we do not know all the facts, but though I am not a Clarkson fan, we need characters to stir the mud at the bottom of the pond (just not hit people in the process) Clarkson likes lots of cars I am not so sure about, but then he dislikes many cars on which I agree with him on. I have many mates who like BMW even more than Clarkson, but then they like having a ride in the LS, just seem to think they are too expensive to run (wrong) and not cool enough! I guess money will win out in the need, as Top Gear is such a big money spinner.

Well a couple of my mates think I drive a drug dealer car, so maybe I should get the rear windows tinted (as I do have a few hoodies - good for pottering about the garden on a windy day), and then start parking up at the local bus station at midnight.

Had a mate who owned one back in the early 80's smooth ride, and I think they look great. For a car that came out 30 years before the 400, it is quite a thing of the future. Who knows, maybe in 2040 there will someone out there with a LS400 that is worth a mint!!!!! ...and how they will laugh at the Satnav and that "ye olde ancient CD player and cassette slot"

Graham, Good to hear it is all covered under warranty. As you say be interested to hear what the temp car will be - I guess anything less than a 600 will be slumming it. I must say the 400 makes me nervous about it's complexity (compared to my first ever Renault), and the 600 makes me think you need a degree in too many subjects to look after a 600.

I used a bit of 2 by 2 to hold the hood up while doing mine. Took about 15 minutes to do, but cannot remember details though do recall using just a couple of spanners. My new struts did come with simple instructions which all made sense, but threw them out once job done.

Had sciatica about 15 years ago from driving too much (220 miles a day, 5 days a week for 2 years). First thing was to go see an Osteopath who was able to get my spine straightened out, and from then I have been able to keep the lumbar regions in reasonable shape. I assume you have been to doctor etc etc. as the nerve being trapped can be for various reasons. But from my experience not sitting at the computer correctly makes a huge difference to how bad back gets as well, and I suseed to get a lot of leg tingling issues, (not sure if it was sciatica), but I found Yoga helped, and also used a technique to try and make my spine stay straight (this then keeps the tension on back more correct). Get a book, (or foam block) about 2 inches thick, place it on a floor, and then lie down so that your head (but not any part of the neck) is on the foam block. Then bring your knees up (keep feet on the ground), and then rock your knees side to side (keep feet on ground) for about 30 seconds. This helps level and straighten the spine. Then with your knees still up rest like that for about 30 minutes. (I tend to fall asleep when I do it - which is a good sign). Of course if it too painful to lie down, then this may not be a good idea to try. I do this after very long car journeys, as I find the LS not the best car seat in the world (find Saab's way better - and my wife's old Accord) for the ultimate support of the spine. I would suggest that once you have got sorted, then Yoga is good for keeping muscles and spine well balanced. One other thing is a ruddy good mattress, and if you think you need a new one, then try this company out. http://www.factory-beds-direct.co.uk/t-cs/

Ray, Given my last post said my brake was a bit 'rubbish', I have not had a chance to try it since I had rear pads changed about Xmas time. So last night I tried on a nice steep hill, and the brakes a heck of a lot better, could detect no creep, so it will be interesting to see what the MOT says in a months time. So maybe a weak brake means time to get pads checked out

I tried watching it, cars good, presenters would be better off on CBBC. I rather watch a programme where the director appreciated that adults like to be treated like adults

I assume you mean that the handbrake on the Mk4 is not as effective as a Mk3. I found this with the Mk4,(compared to my Mk2) though I find if I really stamp on the parking brake it does the job, but I put the transmission into Park. My local Lexus guy did say that there is some corrosion issues around the parking brake (did not understand all the details), but it passed the MOT. Maybe previous owners never used the brake, but I am old school, always use it (even at traffic lights) Seems an automatic has to be at least 18% effective to pass an MOT, way lower than a non-auto (as I recall from checking out DVLA). With MOT coming up soon, if the handbrake fails, I know I am looking at £300+ to sort, but if I have it done and then I can park on the North Face of the Eiger, I will let you know.

Malc, I do about 12K per year, so I take a view that with 150K on the clock it is about time for the running gear to be needing an overhaul. My mechanic is an LS owner, so he knows what is needed, and at last MOT even though not picked up by MOT I was told some of the bushes were getting a little dodgy. To be fair I think £1400 seems fine(ish) so long as this means the car goes for another decade or more. What I need to do is check out prices of parts on Amayama and see if it makes sense to buy from them. I am not sure what state the front wishbones are in, but if the work gets the 400 back to a really nice ride, it makes more sense than trying to move on up to a 460 - which would be the only way forward, but a 460 at (say) £10K - £12K versus £1300, seems like sorting the 400 will be my choice, as it such a lovely car. When I had Omega and ended up spending a fortune on wishbone replacements, it seemed like not the best use of money, but with a Lexus a much better investment and would be nice to know that I am keeping a classic car on the road and using it every day as well.

Just had the service, and car running a lot smoother. But with MOT coming up in 5 weeks, been advised that the following are likely to be a fail (and probably explains the slightly odd ride) Front Tie Bar bushes worn Rear Top Wishbones worn Estimate to get it all done around £1300 -£1400 Mechanic charges £55 an hour, so any thoughts on this. I am not much of a suspension expert, but once these are sorted, is there likely to be anything else later on with big cost, there was no mention of any issues with front wishbones!

The only thing that bothers me is 'Receipts for Thousands'. Unless the services were darned expensive why would such a car have cost so much. As other say could be a hose gone, but could be lot worse. Does seem like the 430 (and any other car with combined cooling system is asking for trouble at some point) What ever you decide I hope it works out.

Top Gear - bit like a chinese take away, you have one and then feel hungry half an hour later. So if ever I am bothered to be in the room when my lad is watching it, I feel like I need some real TV afterwards (does not even need to be program about cars). Most of the time I leave the room and go do something useful

Have a look at this link if you want an idea of what's involved. http://www.clublexus.com/forums/lexus-audio-video-security-and-electronics/269156-how-to-build-and-hardwire-an-auxillary-input-to-oem-stereo.html Personally I find that you get pretty darned good sound my using one of those cassette adaptors and that this always give me control over wide range of volume. The issue is that some MP3 players struggle to drive an AUX socket properly (as in my good lady's Jag) which is not an issue by using cassette adaptor. Sure it is not last word in ultimate HiFi sound and you have a trailing wire into the cassette deck, but for £12 it works, and the Traffic Reports will still work, but it is good enough for everything from Baroque to Drum and Bass There is another posting which slices tracks inside the radio unit, and looks neat when finished, but you need a ground loop isolator fitted otherwise you get hum.

Great character is Guy Martin,and he is into cars,infact a very retro fast one ...............http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2790676/fastest-car-britain-grey-1967-volvo-daredevil-s-supercharged-family-estate-car-hit-205mph-thanks-788-horsepower-engine.html B) B) B) Paul, Good to know that Guy is an all round decent car nut. He is like an updated version of Fred Dibnah. A no nonsense bloke who likes things mechanical and total lack of bulls**t. I wonder if Fred could have got one of his traction engines to go over 200mph

Watched a few minutes and decided not for me, I like to see a bit of Chemistry not just between presenters but real affinity with the 'object'. That is why I prefer Guy Martin a man with a spanner and a hammer who knows what he's on about. Shame he is not into cars, but great to see him working to make anything mechanical run at 100%. I wonder what Guy would make of the LS if he got his hands on one

Never heard of Barums (though they are made in Czech republic), but 5000 miles is plainly stupid. For a bit more money invest in Falkens. I had a new set all around and since done just under 5000, and seem to be fine, with (I reckon) at least another 15K in them (if not more). What pressure have you been running at. I use 35PSI (as recommended in the Mk4 owners guide) also ran this pressure on previous LS. You could also try Nexen's they are hard wearing, cheaper than Falkens, but tramline like mad on motorways As to the rear coil spring, does sound a little over the top, though I am aware from experience with the good lady's motor, that £250 seems to be the number any dealer quotes for anything like this, and you have to haggle.

I also like the look of it, but not sure I would ever want to own one, but I guess if i did my son and his mates would be impressed. I wonder if the 3 subwoofers improve the sound? But someone of my age would look a bit silly driving this around in this sort of machine. And not being that mechanically minded would not be wanting to maintain all that extra gubbins.

What's with the full exhaust replacement, and all that replacing shocks etc, seem like a car that suffered in the past (maybe the roads are a bit rougher in Chatham) But for £900+ could be a bargain for someone.

Sure £1200 is a bit high, but then spending £1200 on an other car is going to be much more of a risk. Even if it only lasted a couple more years still a bargain. I would check out the ATF, I had mine fully replaced two months ago, makes a big difference to smoothness in torque convertor and niot much more than having just a normal drain and top-up