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I used to get quotes from Lexus and Aviva but they have been consistently the most expensive so I don't bother asking anymore.

Yes, last time I looked at Costco if you buy 4 tyres you get £100. Their prices vary: last time I found a better price online elsewhere, time before Costco had best price so do your research.

Just to be clear: I used Lexus dealers, some in the South and some in the North.

My experience: I told the dealer the tyres I wanted and asked for a price which I compared with the best online price I could get (have followed this procedure for years) and they couldn't get close to the online price. In one instance I was told that the dealer couldn't get it for the online price! Then purchased the tyres I wanted at the best price I could get, had the tyres delivered to me, made an appointment and had the tyres fitted and balanced at the dealer, at cost. It does mean that I pay for the fitting/balancing twice (as online tyres price includes fitting) but I know the tyres are good and good price and they are fitted by the dealer so they know how to deal with the TPMS sensors. Have done this several times and have not been refused but then the dealer/s look after my car anyway.

My understanding is that the 600 is designated as 600 hl ( h for hybrid and L for long wheelbase) so all are the same length. The RSR has to do with the interior and much to do with the rear seats. So that RSR has two seats in the back and these seats have all kinds of goodies (recline, massage, etc) and also a large console which completely takes up the rear center space so one cannot seat anyone there as is the case with the standard 600hl which will accommodate 3 in the back. Just to give an idea I attach a picture. You can Google all of the info and I cannot add much as I have the standard 600hl.

Congratulations! Though I must say that is one of the few things that last on the Ls600 (after over 50000miles my brake pads were about 1 quarter used - I was getting a little concerned as I thought the report meant there was a quarter left and raised this with the service manager who corrected me!) but of course that is because it is a hybrid.

I wish I still had my Ls400. Or even the 430 but I must soldier on with the 600 and, of course, the 600 shares many of the problems of the 460 😭

Have a good look at this: https://youtu.be/UAb4gLA26nY?si=6dI8UGN-6iIpMOW1

Wise words Malc1. I would also suggest either the 400 or 430: they are both very comfortable and much more reliable than the 600 (it just has too many things to go wrong and all expensive to fix). Even the "Car Care Nut" says the 430 is the best Lexus. Ideally one would buy an Ls400 from the early years (so no interference engine to worry about) but finding a good from that era will be hard... Anyway you just might be lucky (and, of course, we all hope for that...) in your purchase of....whatever is smiling at you!

A company Stateside did a conversion but only for the 460. I asked them but nothing for the 600. Of course given the hybrid battery there's a considerable difference between the 460 and the 600.

"The car is a Lexus and in this regard is bulletproof both the engine and transmission..."? Engine maybe but the transmission is, by description, already problematic and I personally have experienced a transmission failure on a newer car (1998 model) and Lexus couldn't fix it ...

Hi Fran, I had a 1998 Ls400 and it was a wonderful car: very comfortable, very reliable in the 11 years I had it and when I had to let it go (about 5 years ago now) it was because Lexus could no longer source the solenoids for the transmission so eventually it just stopped working but just about everything else on it was working. I'm not a mechanic but from your description this car will need a lot of work and you will be fortunate if you can do the work which will save you a lot of money. But the parts will mostly be either very expensive and/or unavailable. If you are minded to undertake the project and are successful you'll find these cars very rewarding. They are luxury Toyotas.

Since you are persuaded that the 460 and 600 are so similar try Lexus for wheel alignment - they did mine at the beginning of the year - and the oil change (all included: labour, oil and filter, coffee/tea and biscuits) is only £184 at Lexus.

As for the AWD/4WD: what you are saying is as simplistic as saying that a Toyota Century and an original Land Rover Defender are cars! True but.... As for the Ls460 I can only suggest to do what I did: research for several years. And by the way my choice was then and would be now a Ls430. Number 1 I didn't want was a Ls600! I was well aware of the hybrid battery and air suspension problems but at the time I just couldn't find a decent 430. So I am strictly impartial: both the 460 and the 600 have serious issues now.

Sorry I forgot: especially with an engineer's eye there is a huge difference between AWD and 4WD.