Malc

hahahahaha ................... I said this earlier ..... the letter said " in excess of 70 mph " and of course it was BUT I don't know how much at all

India keyboards the same so we use GBP when there ! Malc

I'm shortly to find out about mine .... my indy is suggesting the Gates kit, belt, pulleys etc and waterpump, replace serpentine belt too and i guess there's some coolant issues too with the waterpump change. I'll let you know likely ££££ when I know more ...... still got about 2k miles to go before it's due to change though, about 2 months I think I'm expecting maybe around £600 ..... it's a long long job Malc

and in October I found there was the opportunity for a Speed Awareness Course at 80mph ................ bugger this car with zero morals about exceeding 70mph Malc

OMG, didn't quite realise running costs could be so monstrous ! Malc

I did think to offer-up my Mk3 but it's far from perfect ! Malc

Longevity of parts on these legendary Ls400s ........................... now on 202 k miles and still running on the original offside front and rear UCAs and 3 original springs .......... bloody marvellous Malc

the Ls460 AWD is indeed a very rare car in the UK, in fact there might only be just the ONE ! ( see the Ls 460 Forum quotes from time to time ) A good saloon alternative could be the Honda Legend SH-AWD for those snowy and icy days ! Malc

no I don't really think so, like you mention the ageing issues on degradation with the Ls400, owners of the Ls430 are seeing their own degradation issues. None of the above are to be at all unexpected on any car with miles and age running against it. It's just that Ls430 issues apply which don't to the Ls400 simply because the ls400 is a different car, e.g no windows to delaminate for instance. To say one demonizes is a bit strong imho Happy Christmas whatever Malc

I would just report it all to the insurers and deny any liability and tell them it was all the van driver's fault 100%. Explain the bullying aspect and the pressure to admit fault at that stressful time Pressure her insurers to NOT accept any liability on her part then let them run with it thereafter but constantly denying her insurers and their claims management company the opportunity to accept any fault in any degree, at least for the first 6 months of the claim. Malc

OMG what are they please ? Malc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS400-BEAST/282779752418?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49138%26meid%3Dac8257e9c3c54315ad5e4a4ef9fbf942%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D132436842966&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1 or this one even with LPG to sell prices do have to be somewhere near to sensible ! Malc

but how does this more realistically compare i wonder ? Malc https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS400-AUTO-1998/132436842966?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49138%26meid%3Dade5e3cdc4d740caa3eb789af3de358f%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D162816726991&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

I don't own and have never had a Ls430 BUT if my Forum memory serves me well: radiator issue above ( mixing with gearbox oil ) air suspension steering column adjustment motors stuck delaminated windows rust on driver's door ( and boot lid ? ) there's possibly some others but hey, these cars are now getting some age to them age and mileage is the main factor in degradation I guess ...... rare or common I know not Malc

Hi, I think this has in fact been this forum's quite major point about the Ls430 for maybe a year or more now ! it's just been hidden amongst other stuff from time to time and I guess not actually been a specific Forum Post in itself. But hey ho ............ it's Xmas and all things are good to all Men whatever Malc

it's an utter nonsense that there's zero service records .... unless the previous owner has died or gone gaga and all the paperwork is lost ( thrown out by executors ) then it is inconceivable that the owner didn't keep his records .... it's what one just does, especially when " looking after " a car and doing 3/4000 miles a year. I wouldn't believe the dealer, especially offering a filthy car for sale too However, all is not lost ............ a brand new MOT from YOUR service guy/MOT station before you buy it and at the dealer's expense and a full service after, addressing all and any issues, then maybe you should think about having it ...... at an acceptable price. Malc

in it's defence, I would say that yours is possibly that very rare Ls that actually ever has a rear seat passenger sorry i can't help Malc

hey was this on your " bucket list " by any chance ? Malc

decorum is in the eye of the beholder .................. these superb cars are designed for speed, acceleration and if one wishes ........................... tear-arsing around corners ......... so long as it's within the speed limit then just " go4it " I say Malc

I'm aware that Falken have stopped making the standard Ls400 size 225/60/16 which I personally found to be a " good " all round tyre and over many years and many 10's of '000 of miles Malc

Nigel, there's a solution to this and for which I spent many years searching ... there's a piece from a few of us on here about the issue and for me, my indy remedied the area just under the trim by the centre console arm by the cupholders I think it involved turning the volume/sensor down ..... been fine since If you wanted to travel down to Thanet, near Manston old airport, then my indy will no doubt book you in to sort it for you. Let me know if you wanted his number Malc

I think that if you approach a classic car restorer business you might find " old school " bodywork and spraying skills alive and kicking and at a sensible price too. Its a shame you're in Lancashire, my son-in-law is such a skills clever guy and works for such a business ................. but in Kent ! Malc

Ugh ! it's always a trade UP from a BMtroubleWu to a Lexus ......... sorry joking ( not really ) I'm a solid 15 years Ls400 man through and through and have had many other cars at the same time ( I owned a carsales business AND had a few BMWs too ) I doubt you will regret your trading-up to a Lexus Best wishes whatever Malc

brilliant result, well done .............. probably little more depreciation to come then Full Lexus service history and only 111k miles WOW, that's a result in my book Fortune often favours the brave .... but sometimes not Looks a great car Please keep us in the loop if you get any issues playing up Malc

Thank you so much guys. We are just sticking to the cambelt and peripherals at this time Best wishes Malc