Malc

Danbobnix ..... wouldn't really expect to see a Ls400 on classic car websites just yet !!! The only one's I would like to see there, if any, would be very early pristine Ls400s from 1990 and prior ... so very few left and I for one think that they, and they alone,might command a premium. After all, Classic cars really shouldn't be younger than 25 years ........ should they BUT all Ls400s are I think POTENTIAL classics Malc

Errrrrrrrrrrm .......... cam chains do actually snap, break and cause mayhem too when they go ! The Nissan cam chain breakage causes massive cost damage.............. friend's personal experience and it is a 60,000 service ( change ) item on that same Nissan and costs nigh on £2k to do. Malc

Seems a bit short on piccys methinks ! also when was the cambeltt done ( if at all yet ) and that will set you back several £'00s. Also how on earth can one get 40k+ miles from the front tyres, just not possible. I manage about 20k fronts and up to double that rears. Btw, I've had Ls400s for 12 years+ now and I think I'm correct with the tyres forecasts Bit expensive maybe Malc

I remember, back a few years now, I drove a P reg ( yes that long ago ) BMW 540i for a short while and even I felt it was a Driver's car. Superb, and I compared it to the Ls400 I had at the time and decided the Lexus was going to be far less prone to huge bills .......... and the 540i was going to be a little too sensitive to my not so delicate handling and be a bit of a financial drain to me. Been with Ls400s forever now it seems Malc

Maybe it's simply coz you're on DHP and 17's. My ordinary Falken 16's are giving plenty of life ! Malc

Ahhhh ... 9 years on and even I'm looking a bit older and tired ......... bet your Ls looks better than me tho............

Lovely looking car, must get round to washing and polishing mine again soon !! Malc

The Mk1, 2 and 4 have exposed separate front fog lamps, the Mk3 has them integrated into the headlamp assembly. Malc

I think this has been around on here somewhere before !!! I remember the piccy with the double glazing broken down. And with Full Lexus History I guess the cam belt has been changed at 105.000 too Good looking car .......... they always look good with a bit of a clean-up and a polish :) Malc

Maybe the periodic vibrations could be wheel balancing issues !! Malc

Just used SGS for replacement gas struts for my Mazda 323F rear window. Not in their portfolio ( BG model, car too old 1994 ) so they had the old ones sent to them and made new copies to fit .... and they do....... and the same price as the later model one's too. And a 2 year warranty. The old couldn't be re-gassed, they had snapped, fatigue, on the irretrievable ball joint and had to be replaced. Not bad, BUT they took a bit longer to sort them than they initially told me but all's ok now. Malc

Thank you Malc

just a thought ........ i really ( personally ) wouldn't go down the " going to court route " ...... it really will take over your life, make you sad and unhappy ( unless you're a masochist ) and if you do eventually win, or after years the other insurers settle " out of court " you will be so relieved and really, really wish that you had settled amicably at the outset, possibly some years earlier !!! Courts are for giving the lawyers loads of dosh ..... to be avoided for your own peace of mind and sanity ! Chill out, de-stress and reflect ......... before you go hammer and tongs and headlong into that dark abyss. Malc

Hi guys, now just back from my Fjord experience, wow, it's great but you wouldn't want the cost of living in Norway that's for sure !!! Anyway, where were we with my Q ?? having read the answers I'm still not certain if there is a definitive Ls600 answer on NOT having to need the hybrid pack to function ........ does it really need an electric system to go backwards ??? Malc

Ok guys, Steve, I'm more than happy to cover the cost etc of further ECU capacitors if you're able to get them for me. You're doing a great service for us. Many thanks. Malc

But the answer to my Q is ??? Malc

Guys, I'm starting this thread even tho' I'm about to go away for a two week cruise to the Norwegian fjords. As you may have read, I'm aghast that the hybrid batteries stuff on the Ls600 is scheduled to last 8 years. Rather than just worrying about replacing them at a probable zillion ££££££s WHAT IF one just didn't, and simply ran the car on petrol ? Thoughts please ...... Thanks Malc

Don't know if this will help at all ....... Chris Vince ( on here ) fixed my Mk2 instrument panel, just popped it out and soldered whatever ............... he might be able to guide you. Malc

The Y pipe on your Mk3; I read somewhere on here that Lexus will sell you one for @£600. the simple alternative is a welding job, mine cost me @£30 and has now lasted 2 x MOTs and sounds good so far. Malc

Oh my, just reading on the USA Lexus forum re Ls600 ..... the Hybrid stuff is expected to last all of 8, YES 8 years. A pair of new headlights @ $10,000 ( in 2007 tho ) Think my Ls400 going to have to last forever !! Malc

Huh, a garage .......... if i get a Ls600 it will most ceratinly fit ok ...... in the open. Not used a garage for a car .... hmmm..... ever !!! Malc

Ls460 is probably an excellent car too. I must admit that when the time came I was going to go straight for the 460 and bypass the 430 BUT with the 600s collapsing in value / price I think that's maybe the way I will be going .... but a long while off yet tho' Remember my son-in-law, ( car body sprayer etc ) a couple of years ago had a Ls600 in for a bonnet spray and fix etc ( minor front end damage ) ..... a £7000 job ............ of which £4k was the gadget in the front of the rad that told the car when to stop, but as with most things it wasn't quite quick enough ! Malc

Well.me too of course, not many others would drive a Ls400 .......... but the 600, it's growing on me even though I haven't yet seen one to my knowledge ! When a £100,000 car at 6 years old only commands £13k .......... . and a trade in value of probably @ £ 8k, then I know it's only going to be a year or two before they are not a lot greater than scrap value !!! Keeping them on the road with inexpensive parts will be the challenge and that's of course why the present residual values are just about bugger all. Let's review all this in a couple of years. My Ls400 is still going ok and she loves me to bits I'm sure, after all, she costs me more in food and lodging than anything else in my family !!! The Ls600 will become an old man's car too, after all, who but old geezers with a pot of cash would want to keep an ancient relic on the road ............ a bit akin to a roman chariot maybe Malc

probably a Ls600 the way the prices are collapsing !! Malc

Oh dear then, .................. I have 6 capacitors in my replacement kit !!! Malc