The-Acre

I would like to take the credit but the effort belongs to the previous owner, although I try to carry it on. It is possible to get it back to the way it should be, it'll just take some effort. I think it's one of the best colours these cars were produced with. I've noticed Toyota are using it again, or very close to it, I've seen it a lot on the Avensis.

Mine is the same colour and I bought a dual action polisher, it makes a massive difference. I think that regardless of how much polish goes on top, it needs to have that deep layer of grime removed first. Maybe use a clay bar? Have a search on YouTube, there are loads of tips.

Ford are now producing a 1 litre Focus. My Volvo has the tried and tested 5 pot diesel which is a tough engine, if not a bit dated, but they are dropping it, in fact they are dropping diesels altogether with the biggest engine being a 2 litre petrol with some producing 215 bhp. On Monday I drove a diesel Jag, it was awful. Someone was admiring my LS yesterday, asking me "is it a 3 litre?" I get a real kick out of saying 4.3 and hearing the gasp! I checked the oil yesterday, clear and light gold, and everything still works as it should. Not bad for a fifteen year old. I wonder how many 1 litre 15 year old Focus's we'll be seeing in the future.

Once you've owned an LS you've got the disease, it's sadly incurable, even with therapy, you'll be back!

I agree with the need to change both. I changed one on my last LS and the difference was massive, so much so it looked daft.

Insurance premiums have risen for all drivers this year but it also depends on postcode (as well as age) so I can't complain that my LS and my Volvo premiums this year were both below £200. For over 40 years I've paid the extra for no claim protection but never made a claim, but I bet if I did claim my premium would go up next time, so you have to wonder how much of a con it is.

I'm with you on this. I bought some Denso blades, again, not cheap. After just a few weeks they were juddering and squealing. Next I bought some fairly cheap ones (can't remember which) and they were fine. I have also found Bosch to be good.

It could also be damp getting in from blocked sunroof drains or from the front doors by the tweeters, or perhaps you're just a moist fellow!

When I had my MK4 LS400 I would occasionally get a loud creaking from the rear, it always happened when driving in stop start traffic in London, especially in the hot weather, it creaked over every bump, as soon as I got back out on the open road it stopped. I always assumed it was a bush, and probably one near the exhaust as it must have got hot causing the creaking. I never got around to sorting it as it only happened in those conditions which became less as I took the car to London less. Spraying the bushes can help but it won't cure it and they'll need replacing, but it may help identify the problem.

I would also suspect an oxygen sensor but as suggested get it plugged in for a diagnostic.

Welcome back Ian, good to hear from you, lots of new members for you to get acquainted with! Phil

Maybe disconnect the battery for a couple of mins, it seems to work for resetting various clitch's

I think they're both great cars to drive, and unlike any car I've owned the Lexus is the only one I've always looked for an excuse to go somewhere in, simply because it's such a pleasure. I'm not sure I could say the difference between the two is that noticeable but I just prefer the interior of the LS430. It has a fine cabin and is a nice place to be.....but so is the LS400. However, if I was offered a swap for the 60's Cadillac I saw at a show today I'd do it, just for the fun of having something so enormous there would be absolutely nowhere to park it!

Does look nice, the wheels really suit it as well.

It feels really bad, like it's going to break but it does come off OK. There are a couple of YouTube vids on it that may help.

Much better, nice colour car as well.

I did the very same with mine, works a treat.

Excellent, thank you.

I've not looked into that, I'm not aware of any product on the market.

Take the seal off and reseal with clear silicone or buy a new length of seal, very common. Car looks fab!

Thanks gents for the suggestions, I'll give both products a go. It's always difficult with a dark car in a hard water area. As soon as the weather cools I'll really put some effort into it as the paintwork is nice and has a very deep rich colour when polished well, people are usually amazed considering it's age.

I'm starting to feel short changed, even guilty now after only washing and drying mine this week! Actually, where we live the water is dreadful, if it has the chance to even sit on the car for more than a few seconds there are marks all over it. I'm told it's got a lot to do with the heavy chalk deposits in the south downs where most of our water comes from.

Wow, 62 replies on cleaning a car, can't wait for the tsunami of responses when I have a real problem!

It reminds me of a post I made ages ago asking if anyone had discovered buttons they didn't know they had. I found one yesterday. Because I never sit in the back I didn't know the rear AC had its own temperature control, the dog loved it!

Well done that man, always good when a recommendation works out.