Malc

specifically this one I would like to understand some detail please ........... just inquisitive you know Thanks Malc

I did, he told me to go and " do one " hence I told my insurers in the first instance, he said he was going through his own insurers, the AA ( alcoholics anonymous ! ) I'll keep my powder dry for now 😉 Malc

well here we go fellas update on my crunch 20th August Saga's loss adjusters have just called to advise me the write-off value is £1400 after my piccys etc ( she cost me £1400 in June 2011 100k miles back ) now on 223k miles ............. less the excess, less the buyback, less a new MOT, but NOT having to re-insure, the existing carries on unabated ..... would leave me with about £650 to then pay for the knock to be fixed, say £150 .......... advised them to hold it all in abeyance until I actually hear from Saga the outcome, or progress with the claim on the 3rd party ! ( at least to maybe reclaim my excess etc ) I'll call them end of next week, it's only been 16 days or so ! OR I have the option it seems to just drop MY insce claim for this and carry on as normal, no money, no new MOT, just the cost and inconvenience of having the door fixed ( a 2hr job I'm advised ) Cest Le Vie I'll update if anyone's interested in the outcome Malc

I'm sure someone will appear to advise you accordingly BUT my thoughts are simple really, Lexus spent several £ billion to make your Ls400 model, the very very first Lexus, the very best car in it's class ( and more ) some 30+ years ago and with I believe 195/60/15 ? tyres , wheels and brakes to match .... Dunlop even produced the specific tyre for this car too, the DZ8 ? not sure I would be changing what was in it's day " perfection " just my twopenny worth Malc

you're doing well my indy tells me it's akin to spending the same amount of time changing the cambelt et al ( 8 hrs ? ) Malc

absolutely devastating news there, so so sad .............. it looks terminal from an insurance point of view tbh, they would w/o your car for a blemish on the bumper I was side swiped by an 02 plate Porsche Boxter on the 20th, whacked his nearside front wing into my rear offside door moving onto a roundabout....... initial insurance estimate for my door repair for insurers is @£1500 BUT to just push and pull and leave a couple of tiny creases it might cost a tenth of that he's happy to tell me ... no paint needed fortunately The insurers will insist on a new door etc etc etc ..... now with Saga my insurers, I've told them I'm keeping the car as there's no structural damage just cosmetic, she drives perfectly as usual BUT they would write her off given the chance ( they won't get it ) I surmise so just seeing where this all takes me I didn't report it to you guys, wanted to wait to see what transpires first 👻 BUT Bluesman, she looks desperately sad and my heart goes out to you, your cherished steed Anything we can do to help ? Malc

there are prior posts on here about just replacing the component parts to the starter motor, simple parts with minimal costs too, just a few£££ I think ( maybe I'm wrong ? ) that Steve2006 had some input here too Just a thought Malc

Best wishes with this challenging job Had you had a Mk3 this was subject to a freebie recall Malc

just wondering if you might get them for a more sensible price imported from Amayama in Japan I know my ancient stuff, all original Lexus / Toyota parts, imported and after all carriage, duty, vat and fees works out about 50% of UK Lexus / Toyota prices Just a thought Malc

when I replaced mine at the Toyota dealer / Lexus in Canterbury in January ( it specifically fits the Mk3 hole ) the guy told me that the original battery which lasted about 12 years or so would have been Japanese Yuasa battery supplied but that the new Yuasa's aren't now that robust he thought Malc

check when and if the UCAs have been replaced ever and with genuine parts .. it's reached that sort of mileage tbh big expensive job, the parts are £250 each even from Amayama ( all-up costs tho ) Malc

what a delightful looking car ..... wasn't aware they had 4WD too Malc

hmmm....... I remember 8 years ago I paid £1400 for mine with 123k miles and Full Lexus Service History ( the last one btw ) from ACLex on here and I didn't get the cheapest available by far on pricing but I know I did from quality and everything else that matters to us Ls400 owners and I'm thinking she will last another 10 years maybe too hopefully Malc

really ? sounds like maybe a heat shield coming loose ? Malc

looks a bit alright to me tbh if it has a new clean MOT and the underside hasn't suffered from garden rust affect factor in £££ dosh for the cambelt pulleys and waterpump , coolant too, then not too expensive at £1500 maybe Malc

I'd imagine almost any competent mechanic could do this job tbh so i shouldn't worry too much about finding that specialist Malc

have we seen thoughts on here about this " fixed price " thingy ? that it doesn't include pulleys or waterpump etc AND that they want to charge extra labour for the whole job again when doing the waterpump in the same job just take care with what they actually offer to do Malc

you will also be replacing the coolant too and probably the alternator belt ( extra costs there ) ...... that's what occurred with mine last year cost should be bits and pieces plus about 8 hrs labour ...... so anywhere between maybe £700 and £1000 The Gates kit should be fine, not all my pulleys etc needed changing at the 205k miles 3rd cambelt change in 2018 The prior change at 105k was at Lexus though so I don't know exactly what they did Malc

happily the old design then, you know where you are with those, the new Turkish Delight might have different tread patterns or who knows what but if they aren't might you be able to tell the difference if there's a change in the tread pattern I wonder Malc

are these the original manufactured ones' or the new Turkish variety ? ( maybe we should call them Turkish Delight ! ) Malc

what a glorious end though Malc

you could send him a personal message on here too ! Malc

this looks stunning, the MOT history's a little challenging though maybe Malc

without Traction Control I leave mine at home in such conditions Malc

I'm not at all sure cars are generally an " investment " might do better buying £15k of FTSE 100 shares in an ISA a car needs maintenance and garaging, insuring etc and if you actually drive it, well, it would get dirty and depreciate the investment Buy it and use it is the best way forward with a car of this age, not putting it in aspic Investments are a different kettle of fish so please don't kid oneself it's going to be one Malc