Malc

Hey guys, let's not get bogged down in this relative trivia .............. . whatever we say or do there's nowt that we individually, nor with our Lexii, are going to significantly do to stop, curtail, improve, lessen or whatever with global warming ... is there .. well. not in our lifetimes nor in those of our nearest and dearest. ........ Lexii are for enjoying and I guess we are the fortunate few who can afford the luxury of running our wonderful cars ....... the little us petrolheads use in our 4+ ltr limos and contaminate is insignificant by the standards of Govt / Council owned diesels that are still chucking out obnoxious black stuff.... that we see every day. If the Govt really wants to stop this pollution it needs to do summat more demanding with it's own influence closer to home........ like using less vehicle movements either on it's own account or through contractors vehicles. Malc Now shoot me down in flames ........... . well, provided they don't add to the global warming that is :outforcount:

Just a thought ............. . has Benfur still got any bits for sale ................. . he used to break Ls's and is/was a member on here Malc

I'm confused ...... Lexii or Mrs G ?? Malc

If aficionados have been reading this forum and the uncertainty of some upgraded features of a 430,including the change from stainless steel to mild steel exhausts and other costly potential issues . then it really shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. With most other marques, a 10 year old car isn't far off scrap anyway !!...... let alone a 20 year old, but when it gets to 25, like the very early Ls400s, well, they might just become collectable. The 400 seems enduring maybe. Malc

You just might get some very strange handling and odd tread wearing if you change from the standard ........... they were 16" standard for a reason I guess ! What would I know ............. just that Toyota spent zillions getting the car we have today and Dunlop actually made the DZ8 ( or D8Z is it ) tyre for the Ls400 specifically too....... and 16". Malc

If it's not LPGd does that make it a simpler and therefore a less expensive process ? the repair kit as you see it is only £13 ! Malc

The other problem with " save the planet " new diesels is the cost of a new particulate filter........... . changed every now and again I guess,and on the new BMW ( small one I think ) is @£1400 .. yes one thousand four hundred pounds !!! Makes our golden oldies just that .............. GOLD Malc

Depends if you're having the waterpump changed too ............... add £100 maybe ................ . to the possible £450 or so for the cambelt change stuff ................. it's a very very long job ! Malc

You can never use a Ls too much ...................... just not possible .................... it's designed to be driven 24/7 Malc

What a pretty car ............. hope you sort out your accelleration issue Malc

If I remember correctly, the Mk1 and Mk2 have a single rear cig lighter point by the centre rear airvents ........ the Mk3 has one on each rear door rest ............. for those guys that haven't experienced this upgrade. Malc

I have Falkens all round too ....... the fronts seem to last about 20k miles and the rears will I think about 40k ................ just had a slow puncture repaired in a new rear tyre I bought for my Spain trip @8000 miles ago now and the tyre looks new still ................ . the sodding screw that came out was about 4 inches long ... ***** !!! Malc

another right decision made then ............. well done Malc

If it's a Cat C or D the insurers will write it off for your purposes unless of course you buy the wreckage from them and put it back on the road and all that entails ! . ask Steve2006 about this, I think he knows best ! It wouldn't be easy, depends on the extent of damage I guess....... insurers will generally only replace parts with genuine Lexus parts .... hence even tiny damage writes the car off. e.g. I remember reading somewhere that the wiper arm system at OEM prices is @£1000. Then you will be in the position of maybe putting a few hundred or so ( maybe less ) towards replacing your beloved. When my Mk2 was vandalised to write-off 3+ years ago ( at 42k miles I think ) I battled with the insurers and got enough to buy my Mk3 and have £500 left over ............ a result !!!! Just hope you're never put into that position....... but I'm sure you will do the right deal at the time. Malc

Back to snow and ice mode ............. I guess it's using those specialist tyres AND having traction control too maybe ? ........ which the earlier cars just don't possess. Is that correct ? Malc

Stelvio Pass Steve ...... a challenge I would envisage BUT driving thru Spanish mountain terrain in some of the national parks looks to be quite similar ( from google searches )............. really was a bit scary from time to time..... and I did think of my brother-in-law who did a Pirelli, Stelvio Pass endeavour many years ago now ( 20+ ) , in his mini with a co-driver. Don't doubt the Stelvio Pass would be easy peasy in the Lexus ................ with concentration,...................... in summer ! Malc

These cars were built for long distance cruising, they are a joy to drive ................ and with confidence. Remember I did 6060 miles in 5 weeks this March/April driving thru' France Spain and Portugal. I didn't doubt for one minute that my car would perform other than effortlessly in all sorts of troubling terrain. Malc ps What it does hate tho' is snow and ice, just won't behave itself so I try to not use it in those conditions............ mountain ( dry ) roads are effortless tho' M

btw, have you got tinted glass ? .................or are all Lss' tinted !! Looks good Malc

The black paint flaking is common ............. . the strips come as standard black whenever you have a new windscreen fitted, it's part of the kit. .... well that's what happened when my Mk2 screen had to be replaced. Mine are now doing that too, don't know of any solution that wouldn't involve physically repainting .............. or just leaving till the inevitable smack on the windscreen and a new one ! Malc

George, just keep it ...... doubtful you will get your £2000 or even close at this time sadly................ I paid £1400 .......... 3 years ago now for mine ( Mk3 ) with ( now 160k miles ) full Lexus service history from the parts manager at Lexus Poole Dorset ( his own car ) ... and I know I may have paid over the odds on that day BUT was happy to, owing to the car's provenance etc. Today I guess my car is worth possibly what I paid for it ( maybe ) and I won't be selling anytime soon either. If you think you may buy another next year, then to ensure you don't miss out on any price rises ............ just hang on to your existing and use that. I doubt it will depreciate any more in value than it is today. If you can store the car and look after it whilst it's not being used then do so ......... I really do think that these are classic cars in the making. Malc

On my 6060 mile trip around Spain and Portugal earlier this year you may remember I had to open the bonnet three times ( I think ) .............. to top up the wash bottle ............ one rarely, if ever, has to check anything else under the bonnet in normal motoring activity ......... these are amazing cars you know..... and even the dash light tells you when the wash bottle is nearing empty too . I suppose the bonnet struts are a bit of a luxury really ................ you don't need them unless you're doing the engine checks and mechanics yourself All oil levels etc. usually last right thru' till the next service. Malc

You don't need such a large piece of timber ........ I used a short length of broom handle on my Mk1 ................. rather more upmarket Malc

the light-ups, then permanently off, sound quite normal to me Malc

I did read a while ago, on the USA site I think, that the point of cambelt destruction on the Ls is 150k miles. I've never read of one on here, or heard of one anywhere to my knowledge, going kaput. Malc

Just a thought .............. . lovely car looking car, well done. If it is a real DHP car, specialist suspension etc ............. then you would probably want to ( or should ) stay with the 17" tyres coz of the performance you will NEED from them specifically .................... rather than the run-of-the-mill 16" tyres performance !! Someone else with the knowledge of this on here should be able to clarify ............. guys ?? Malc