Malc

.......... I don't mind the dumbing down for the USA market with NO leather ....... maybe if the author of the article had driven one with leather his perceptions might have been rather more refined and appreciative .................. and experienced " soul " as we know it Malc

.... I'll be really interested to know if you do manage to ascend the north face of the Eiger .... I might go there for my next trip if you do !!!! Malc

......... nice to know the subtle differences ....... I doubt I would have fathomed them myself. GREAT article and many thanks for finding it. Malc

Been some 7+ years since I had my Mk1 ..... until then the very best car I had driven ....... ever .......... and I drove most of what we had on our garage forecourt ... . Bentley, RR, Aston Martin, Jag etc . the Ls400 was the very best daily driving car I could have wished for..................... on reflection, guess it wallowed a bit, 15 inch brakes and wheels didn't compare to the hugging and braking performance of the Mk2 on 16" stuff.. and I loved my Mk2 ....... it seemed markedly better than the Mk1. Engine performance ....... well tbh I can't really tell now the probable slightly appreciable difference in the Mks, all being superb with 4ltr power. I do like the PWR mode in my Mk3, which I leave it in for my daily drive, it's just magical. Looks, well, I do really like the Mk1 and Mk2 bodystyle best, but then I am old and a bit old fashioned in my outlook ...... preferring say the 1961 E Type Jag to later models and the 1960's RRs.. I think good well kept Mk1s will be very collectable at some time .............. but possibly not very useable as a daily driver coz one wants to keep classics for sunny days and in cotton wool a bit too. That's what I like about my Mk3, it's a very useable daily driver that can be used, is worth bugger all and irreplaceable except with another Ls400. Malc

Brian ..... I was reading somewhere that the average life expectancy of the hybrid battery ( pack ? ) is @8 years, yes EIGHT years ............. My Mk3 will outlast that methinks ! .... and my Mk3 is only 20 this year ............. nearly a veritable classic I guess ............ Malc

..... 88k miles sounds brilliant and with a full service history ..... but can you see the actual service history sheets and see the stamps ? Immaculate, well, the front bumper is scuffed for starters !!! and if that's immaculate and a lack of sensible photos, well, I don't know :eerrrmm: Malc

...... quite agree with your sentiments. If this is the first bushes you've had on this car ever then they have done ok. I know that certain of mine were changed at about 120k by the previous owner and even when checked specifically at last year's MOT ( 154k ) was told that everything seemed in order and no undue wear ( hope that stays this year too, especially for the UCAs ). £1300, a drop in the ocean really. What would you change the car for and not spend a fortune ? ( rhetorical Q ) ................ spend the dosh and enjoy several more years of superb and comparatively inexpensive motoring. Malc I keep thinking about a 460 or 600 too BUT tbhonest I really can't see that I would get any appreciably better comfort / reliability / safety or lower running costs than I attain from my Mk3. If I was to make the change then I would be doing it now, well over the next two months or so with these tax changes in the Pension Rules ..... OR I could spend the dosh on rather more adventurous holidays .... and maybe take the Lexus away more around Europe.................. just convinced myself I guess

......maybe ask the previous owner if he can shed any light on these things ! Malc

........ I would get a couple of competitive quotes ..... what's the mileage between the last MOT and now and were they an Advisory at the last MOT ? Malc

..... sounds like you have a simple to fix issue with an otherwise wonderful car .............. prob take your guy 10 mins to adjust ( hopes ) Malc

. welcome to the LOClub John ................ we are all gentle ....... maybe best to get the battery cells checked out, a simple 5 min job with the right kit and person. Good luck with it all Malc

This is very different to my Mk3 cowling arrangement and I can't remember the fix on my Mk1 or Mk2 tbh. BUT it looks a bit short as you say but also you seem to have two bolt fixing lugs where there aren't any to fix to. maybe you have the incorrect ( or part ) cowling there and someone has changed it for summat just plain wrong. sorry I can't help Malc

........ mine have always fitted well ...... can you put up some, photos for us to see ? Malc

...... with the cambelt change interval ..... as has been advised here, the 60k miles 6 years on the Ls400s up to the vvti is as stated at 100k miles and 10 years. HOWEVER .. in the US of A the Ls400 ( all models ) specifies, it seems, 100k miles for the cambelt change............. they are of course the same engines as in the UK cars !! Engines ( ex the non-interference Mk1s and Mk2s ) will be caused catastrophic issues when the cambelt snaps. However, there is no discernible advice to my knowledge that a cambelt has ever gone pop below 150k miles due to simple wear and tear of the belt, other than when maybe the waterpump has failed. That figure I read on a USA forum somewhere as the probable tipping point. The early Mks had cambelts made of kevlar ( literally bomb proof ) but I haven't yet determined the construction properties of those later OEM cambelts. For my own car, a Mk3 with 166k miles now and 2 cambelt changes done by Lexus, I shall be leaving the next change to 205k miles ( 100k since the last change ) at which time I shall have the waterpump changed ( unless there are tell tale signs prior at which that will also bring forward the cambelt change.) Malc On other less robust cars one might expect to change a cambelt at 60k miles and 6 years. We did have an Alfa Romeo once at the garage that enlightened us to the probabillity of cam belt changes at 15k miles ........... and the Alfa Dealer workshops were ALWAYS full of cars with engine damage where owners followed the service schedules of 60k and 6 years changes ... and came 'orribly unstuck !

petrolhead222 ............ how about suing him thru the Small Claims Court procedure for his breach of verbal contract ? This would stop him dead in his tracks and you would probably get somewhere useful. Also report him to the police for theft too AND bring to their notice his illegal activities of " clocking " the miles on cars generally. And also tell your local Trading Standards what you're doing. And if you're a RAC or AA Member then I would get them on-side too. And your local MP ( if he's honest ) Malc

...... we could be if all the people who have been adversely affected report him to Trading Standards there's probably more than enough evidence with this forum to mount an investigation that could be pursued to prosecution. Malc

I have a pot of Fiebings Inc product ............ . to use sometime, reminds me I must have a go at it when the weather is rather more clement ........... I don't have a garage to do it in Malc

............... whatever the lexuschap has done with your car registration he has broken his verbal contract with you and in theory is liable at law to you ......... I would report him to Trading Standards as a starter. Malc

...... I renewed again with my usual broker with a coy called Markerstudy. Tried Swinton ( who insure my classic Triumph ) and even with the £75 off they were still miles out .... and Saga ( who I vowed never to deal with again ) and they were dearer too. Malc

.............. my partner bought me the dvd with the Ls400 and 5 ? others on ..................... you don't need to buy the box set ....... they'll always repeat them on Quest Malc

My Mk3 is a better car all round than the Mk1 and Mk2 I have had Malc

SGS ................. it may be that they haven't done those specific boot struts before of course ....... if that's the case they will remanufacture or rebuild your existing ones bespoke for you and not too expensive I would think. They were very helpful when I needed new hatchback struts for my 1994 Mazda 323f ....... they had the old ones back and remanufactured me brand new ones ( they had snapped off, age and rust took its toll ) ---- a new strut line for them too Malc

.... still wonder why they put on those crap looking wheels too ......... Malc

aha ............... so the Irish are going to pay down the Greek debt then !!! :outforcount: Malc

.... so Malcolmdc ........ just how much was this rare beast ? I know price is a bit irrelevant ( or irreverent to ask ) .................. you'd be hard pressed to find another similar whatever the cost Malc