The-Acre

Wow, that's beautiful. You must be so proud of her (or him). I bet that's more of a head turner than any Lexus!

True enough. Have you ever posted pictures of the Triumph? Be in interesting to see it.

FOUR! Maybe we should start a new post to see who has the most cars. It makes my two seem like small change!

The transmission problems are well over exaggerated. Yes they have gone as you know, but it's the exception rather than the rule. The precaution as we know is a new radiator, not too expensive and very easy to do. The entire suspension can be replaced with coilovers for around £1200 or less if it goes kaput. So the eye watering high cost of repairs can be avoided. Remember the LS430 still basically has the same bullet proof engine as the 400. An even cheaper precaution re the transmission would be to simply disconnect the fluid unions on the radiator, clean, replace the o rings and re tighten, it's rust around the o rings that cause the problem. Although replacement gives you the added confidence of a new radiator and fresh coolant.

Actually I think the wheels look pretty good as well! If I didn't have two cars already I'd be after that.

And you managed to keep the poppy!!!

What a shame. Seems a tad cheap surely? It's a beautiful looking specimen.

If it drives OK then it's not likely to be transmission either, it may well be something minor. Keep us posted as it's always interesting to hear of the outcome.

If it happens in park I guess that would rule out differential noise. When you say it's from the rear, it could be the sound just transferring to the rear. I say that because on a car I had just a couple of years ago I nearly changed the exhaust due to a knocking at the rear, it turned out to be the radiator mountings!

It does sound a bit like the power steering pump in the video, almost as annoying as the guy himself!

It could be from a wheel bearing, does it happen when turning slightly or turning slightly harder like roundabouts etc? It could even be as simple as a tyre.

I had the very same with my MK4. I found driving through places like London in hot weather it was very noticeable, I put it down to the excessive heat generated from underneath. As soon as I got on the open road it stopped. To be honest I never did anything about it as it only happened in very hot weather, and being England.......

So when you consider repair bills are the thing that most of us are afraid of, you've done amazingly well! Testament to the build quality. Not too many German cars would match that record I would suggest.

I would certainly trust Blueprint parts but anything else I wouldn't, there's been some horror stories with cheap ball joints. Blueprint though do have a good reputation.

This may have been mentioned before and I've missed it. I've always wondered if these motors can be rebuilt, now I see someone on eBay doing just that. So I'm wondering what's involved, and if it can be done with some basic info.

This may have been mentioned before and I've missed it. I've always wondered if these motors can be rebuilt, now I see someone on eBay doing just that. So I'm wondering what's involved, and if it can be done with some basic info.

The thing about Cat D is that often it's a fairly minor repair, by that I mean a panel or similar. My previous estate was written off but I bought it back for peanuts, bought a used bumper, had it painted with some minor work on the tail gate and it was fine. I wouldn't ever be put off by it if I had evidence of the damage. Obviously if the damage was mechanical, i.e. steering/suspension or maybe chassis I'd avoid it, but a door or bumper wouldn't bother me too much.

I wouldn't concern yourself too much over the gearbox problem, it's not that common. I did change the radiator on my first one just in case, and it was clearly on the way out in regards of corrosion at the transmission fluid union. I also changed the radiator in my current one as a precaution, but it didn't look bad at all. I would get it done in due course just for the peace of mind, but I wouldn't loose sleep over it!

I agree with all of that. Look after the seats and they'll continue looking good for a long time. And on a day like this the cold air up the unmentionables is a treat!

The part that annoys me above all is the way the majority of bikers ignore the speed limit, not all, but most. Overtaking in heavy traffic I'm fine with, that's one advantage of a bike, but I'm constantly overtaken by bikers when I'm driving within the limit.

Welcome to the LOC Rob. Like yours, mine has only main dealer history, and two previous owners. It's good to get one with that kind of past, it gives you more confidence. You'll be smitten now though, nothing else will do! As said, we look forward to some photos. And if you ever find yourself in West Sussex give me a shout, it'll be interesting to compare the facelift model to mine.

So is the pump the culprit re the whine?

On the early one is was often simply a case of replacing an o ring, but as I say, I'm not sure about the later one. Someone will be able to give you more info soon I'm sure.

This was often the problem with the early LS400, the power steering fluid leaking onto the alternator and damaging it. It was an easy repair but I'm not sure about the MK4

The passenger, he must have been over 6.6! (and probably still is!!) Although I'm not sure the video will play.... TS_N7865.MOV