-
Posts
8,531 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
101
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Store
Gallery
Tutorials
Lexus Owners Club
Gold Membership Discounts
Lexus Owners Club Video
News & Articles
Everything posted by The-Acre
-
When I bought mine early this year it had a very dark nearside mirror, I bought one from a breakers which turned out not to have the original glass so that went back. I then bought a stick on one for £9 but managed to get the black edging to cover it so it looks fine. It still heats up, just takes slightly longer but not much. It's a bit dirty today but this is it in place. And obviously it isn't self dimming but better than the £250 I was quoted for a genuine replacement.
-
It was changed about 4k ago by Lexus. It's fine now and hasn't done it before today.
-
Having had a week in Cornwall enjoying the odd pint of Rattler cider, it seems to have followed me home! I started the LS this morning after standing for over a week and it sounded like a knackered diesel for about 3 seconds. I realise it's the hydraulic valves, but is this normal? I seem to remember it happening briefly to an LS400 that I once had. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
-
There is a post that appeared recently showing how to do this but you would have to search for it. I don't think you need to worry about the knee air bag. Is yours a facelift model? The pre facelift doesn't have the knee airbag but either way it won't be a problem. A little edit. After just driving mine to work I would ignore what i said about the airbag. I'm not sure where it's located as mine doesn't have one, although I can't imagine it's in the steering column housing, but obviously you need to be sure.
-
Interestingly this subject comes up every year at this time. There's something about the change in the weather in November/December that causes this. When we get to about January it seems to be less of a problem, no idea why.
-
A rumble sounds more like a bearing. When you select drive it changes the speed of the engine slightly which in turn could increase or decrease an alien sound. It's so difficult when you don't have it in front of you to make more suggestions, but as I said, I would be taking the serpentine belt off to eliminate that area because it's so easy to do. The belt is 86" long and goes around 7 components, so that's a lot to eliminate for 5-10 minutes work.
-
Does it go away when it's warmed up? I think others are suggesting that the transmission may be contaminated with coolant, I'm not sure that would give you a whine. Could it be coming from one of the serpentine belt pulleys/idlers/tensioner. Putting it in drive changes the load on the engine which can affect noises from the belt area. If it were mine I'd think of taking off the belt and running the engine for a few seconds to see if it still whines. It takes 5 mins to remove it, info on YouTube. A good time to replace the belt as well. I changed mine 3 weeks ago as it was squealing on start up, all fine now though.
-
It seems to me that these cars are worth what they are worth to you. I've seen yours, and I know it's good, and that you've had it for some time. For me it would be a no brainer spending money on it. I wouldn't feel the same about my previous Vectra or similar cars though. There really is something (almost irritating) about these big Lexus cars that gets under your skin!
-
On my last LS430 I had problems with the rear sensors, one was replaced but the other was easily taken apart, cleaned and resealed. So even if the sensors do play up they can very easily be taken off and repaired, it's generally only water damage where the seals fail. Maybe people are too quick to replace when repairs are possible and cheap.
-
The LS430 is also much safer with more air bags etc. When I insured my first LS430 I questioned why it was less than the 400, the reply was "because it's a safer car" I still have a soft spot for the LS400 though. Someone round the corner from me has one, a late X reg in lovely condition, an impressive looking car.
-
I believe the air suspension issue is less common than it's made out to be. If it does need replacing the cost is around £950 to fit conventional springs. Given the low prices that the LS430 can be bought for, and the way preventative measures for other possible failures can be taken care of for relatively low cost, I think the LS430 eclipses the LS400. Earlier this year I went back to an LS400, and although it clearly has its merits, the LS430 is a beautifully engineered machine, which in my opinion is superior. I speak as someone who has owned three LS400's and two LS430's. Just my thoughts.