Malc

isn't the aerial stuck !! .......... £1500 tops ............... blemish on the paint above the S in Lexus on the boot ............... and the rear of the front seats leather marks too maybe. Not bad for a 20 y/o car BUT it is 20 and not collectible yet as a classic Malc

Just make sure there are no warning lights coming on after the repair .............. hopes there is a real need for a repair rather than just some weird and wonderful electrical gremiln !!! Malc

Maybe this is a bit odd ....... my Mk3 Ls400 self locks with all doors closed and even if the windows are open, no matter how far. And the alarm doesn't go off in that situation. You wouldn't be keeping your dog in the car without an open window or two !!! Malc

seems like you haver had a battle on your hands the timeline it's all taken to get the car booked in !!! Malc

You could try a specialist key cutter somewhere. I know when I had to have spare keys for my Mk2 it was easy peasy and they worked well and about a fiver each !. BUT I do understand that some marques and models require dopey priced keys to be cut coz of the electronic bits inside and I don't know if the Mk3 is of that nature. just go ask and they will tell you if they can do it I'm sure. if they can't then maybe it's Lexus for a new key with remote and dopey priced programming Malc

I think that your sad experience just about convinces us Ls400 diehards that we should stay just as that ........... diehard Ls400 owners whilst we can. I'd be so miffed at having to find £1500 for summat that should never go wrong on a Lexus ............. but just seems to ...... the repair for the similar issue on the Ls400 is pennies by comparison. Your repair cost for heavens sake is the value or more of many of our Ls400 cars !!! Malc

Sadly there are other posts raised in these columns relating to specific Ls430 issues which don't arise with the Ls400 !!!! ....................... Hopes you have just been terribly unlucky right now and once resolved your Ls430 will be as sweet as a nut for years to come. Malc

When u get the rear bumper sensors be warned, don't be complacent that they will see all ............ years ago I had an upmarket Merc with those rear sensors, Sadly they don't show the low stubby posts in the ground that whack the bumper coz they fall outside of the sensor beam ................... and you can't see them from your mirrors either. Malc

I just use my mirrors to reverse and park ..................... seems to work ok ( most of the time anyway ) Malc

goldtop .............. hahahahaha ....... fancy asking the Ls forum which car you should keep .... you know the answer of course. ................... if you don't keep the Ls I'll take it off your hands for £50 Malc

and the amazing thing is that whilst almost classic and of some age, as a lot now are, we owners can still hammer them along motorways and autobahns, up mountains like goats and traverse thousands of miles without a whim and in the full likely knowledge that our " classics " will be none the worse for being substantially used and indeed, even polish up like a new car at the end of it all ................ indeed rather better than a timeless classic coz timeless classics one has to constantly revere and pamper to ............ the Ls400 just seemingly, enjoys a hard drive and thrives upon it. There are very few cars in this world that one would be able to treat in such a way at this age ( mine's 19 next month ) and be confident of continuing longevity. Malc

on the Q of rust on the driver's door tho' ............ this is not uncommon on the 430 and owners have had the warranty work done by Lexus for free so I understand from this forum BUT you have to get it done within the 12 year warranty period. Suffice to say that I am a little miffed that even on my Ls400 those damned rust spots are emerging in that self same spot and that's after only 19 years. Malc

Just remembering ......... in September 2012 we did 2800 miles travelling from Kent to and around Scotland and back in 15 days ...... effortless of course !! Malc

Graham ....... in your 60's .... you have the elixir of youth don't you ???? Just go and do it. I've never worried about doing anything to do with travel in my life ........ in the full knowledge that I could never do it later in life when I just physically couldn't ................. In my late 30's I went trekking in the Himalayas out of Khatmandu and trekking in the Andes in my early 40's and down to Tierra del Fuego camping ..... I know I just couldn't do that now, too knackered, sadly, ( at 64 ) ............. SO Graham, get the car serviced and just GO4IT ........ you don't want to look back on life when you physically can't do it and say " I wonder " and " if only ". Malc sorry, it's the sage in me coming out

Did you have to lift the bonnet at all .................. to replenish the windscreenwasher reservoir ? Well done, these are wonderful dream limo cruisers and ideal for that Grand Tour ............. the Lexus Ls400 GT ....... armchair comfort with all the power and speed and acceleration you will ever need. Why only 2600 miles ??????? Malc

Well done and many congratulations ................ ****, why on earth have a Ford Focus when a Lexus Ls400 will do !!!! Malc

Both mine are slightly deteriorating with feint red marks appearing; doesn't affect vision or operational needs at all ( yet ). Think it's just old age and maybe the heated elements in them slightly deteriorating maybe. Not worried yet at all though. Malc

Why worry about heated seats ....... when one's bum is as big as mine the lack of heat to get thru' the natural padded insulation is of little concern Malc

just checked my rear bumper, lower section is same as skirt and the upper is body colour, the chrome strip in the middle segregates the colours. Guess all standard Ls400s might be the same ! Malc

I don't think it's an " avoid liability " issue from Lexus, it's just what most normal cars with an auto box need to have when fitting a towbar..................... just in case someone is tempted to tow a caravan or a boat for some distance, so's not to potentially cause irreparable gearbox damage.......... ce la vie Sorry I can't help with your query, someone will very soon I would think ! Malc

Are you doing anything about ensuring the gearbox doesn't overheat ??? ............. having the oil cooler fitted ? Malc

I use GSi insurance ............ broker.............. 01227 772775 Malc

The part you're looking for might just be not toooooo expensive at Lexus ?? ..... and easily available maybe. Just thinking that the battery for my Mk3 was easily available and less expensive than anywhere else purchasing it from Lexus / Toyota .... and nice coffee, papers and delightful young lady dealing with it all. Malc

Test Lexus.... ask then to suggest solving the light problem and likely cost ............ before you commit to it ............. and then judge if you want to continue with Lexus main dealer costwise generally ! Btw, welcome to this illustrious club Malc

I always get my indy to take my cars for their independent MOTs ( at annual service time too ) to ensure things like blown bulbs etc are simply fixed on the spot and the tester can continue ! And I only get charged just the full £54 ( is it that ? ) for the MOT .... and of course the annual service and anything untoward that the MOT might require doing to pass, and maybe to sort out some potential advisory or other that will need doing before the next service. Seems to work ok for me and keeps me on the road usually for another full year without grief........... nor undue expense nor inconvenience Malc