alphacat

My battery drain problem was solved with a new battery in the end. Even though I know there was a tracker fitted that had not been properly removed the real issue was the car was nearly 10 years old with the original battery and if old batteries are under constant battery drain conditions they don't recover and the charge drops more quickly than it would with a newer battery in top condition. I was convinced my battery was ok as I tried battery testers I used a voltmeter and observed it charging up etc . In the end I fitted a new battery a Varta silver Seal 4 year warranty bought on the internet delivered in a day and I fitted in in 15 minutes. Cost £68. Result... on the old battery when run down it would charge up with the engine running at 14.3 volts. even when on a long run this would only drop to about 13.9 volts .. The new battery charges at 14.3 volts and after about 30 minutes this has dropped to 13.4 volts. I use a digital voltmeter fitted to the 12 volt cig lighter socket. Bought from amazon. I have allowed the car to stand for over 2 weeks and the battery voltage is still 12.2V on the old battery that would be down to 11.3 volts and starting would have been touch and go. Job done. Sold the car sadly but only need one car...

I have a Nov 2005 460 SC and its got all the Mk 2 adds 6 speed box upgraded instruments and suspension. The 6 speed box is a dream and I have compared it to the BMW box on a 335 my son had. Its so much better than the BMW engine braking and kick down on the Lexus are much superior. This could be because the BMW was a diesel (chipped to 330bhp) .. But I just love the Lexus 6 speed auto.. I don't know of any car that does 80mph at only 2000 rpm like the 430sc and so quiet...The sound system is the best there is. Problems are mainly battery drain (number of issues but if its never had a tracker fitted it may be ok). I also Have a Jag and like that too but the 430SC is special.

If by clicking you mean the solenoid engaging but the starter motor not turning that's what happens with a battery not holding its charge... Or loose battery terminals. Less likely a dodgy starting motor but if it starts at all I don't think its the starter motor.

Yes dealers are the most important reason not to buy a car in the first place. never have so many been ripped off by so few. I am so glad I am an engineer and know some very capable motor engineers.. They have saved me thousands of £s over the years. dealers would have cost me double. They are getting worse too and they have the support of most manufacturers. But the fact is they even rip the manufacturers of on warranty claims. The dichotomy is this.... if the manufacturers make a reliable car the dealers don't get income apart from sales and cant run a competitive business. If the manufacturers make an unreliable product the fact will get through and sales will fall . Today this is more true than ever. What some manufacturers are now doing (and this goes particularly for second level up market marques like BMW , Lexus, Audi and Mercs ) is to have a policy of 'Claw Back' by this means they recover money from the sale spares to enhance their dealers and their own profits. Some parts of these cars can now cost thousands.. Steering arm for a 5 series £3500, Audi flywheel (standard failure) £2000 = fitting and they go at 30000 miles etc etc etc. Built in Obsolescence is now common and includes substantial labour.ie Audi S4 and S5 V8 timing chain guides (made of nylon and ear after as little as 40000 miles).

I have heard of that problem before. On one post somewhere it mentions listening for the ML amplifier after the ignition is turned off 'humming'. I even tried listening all around my car in the boot etc. to see if it was a similar issue.

I am disgusted and upset to find out Lexus have sponsored Channel 4 TV to produce a completely false and inappropriate misleading docudrama which focus on denigrating UKIP.. UKIP The First 100 Days is a fabrication based on lies and ignorance solely made to misinform and frighten people who are considering their choices for May 7th general and local elections. I have made my representations to Lexus and received a reply that indicated they supported thought provoking drama. Of course this documentary drama was really political biased fabrication and I understand UKIP have taken this for legal advice. There is no excuse for any car company or distribution company to try and influence UK voters with lies and mistruths. This program was full of these and more. Even the some of the companies mentioned on this farce have denied the events they portrayed could or would ever happen. I am disgusted with Lexus and have made my feeling known to them and will continue to make sure Lexus is confronted with its decision to back such defamatory media. I was about to buy a new or nearly new GS 450h and have had my 430SC for 3 years. I will not consider a Lexus now until they retract their support from Channel 4 and make it clear they don't agree with such political interference in the form of drama. There is soon to be a 430SC on the market although I feel like burning it. Those of us who love our country and want its freedom don't deserve to have such lies and mistruths supported by those who profit from our purchases.

The ML kit is the best no doubt about it... ditch it if you must but you only get what you pay for...

I have heard of that one from the amplifier on MK one models. There is a company (in the UK) that refurbishes them and sells them at a fraction of the cost of a new one. New amplifiers cost in the region of £2000 + fully refurbished and guaranteed £700..

Mine does have a sticker in the service book saying the car is fitted with the uprated suspension. I have driven a later model (2008)and its the same I have drive a 2002 model at its dire. The ride is fine on mine the road holding is acceptable but the handling is only just... I really wouldn't want to push my car around bends like I can my 4 wheel drive Jag. I would think a late Mk 2 with better anti roll and coil overs would be an improvement..

Any extra power on a 430 SC will make it dangerous. Its a great ride but road holding even on the mk 2 isn't up to over 300bhp even with the best tyres fitted. No point in these sort of mods without doing it properly and that means so much money your better off changing cars.

Glad to say a Black SC 430 with red leather isn't a UK option. Far too down market.. The blacks are as most fitted with black, ivory or tan... with walnut or maple wood. Of course its all in the best possible taste........... Mine is ivory and black ... with walnut...stunning... In the US they really don't care and sometimes eat with only a fork..

There is no real spec change since late 2005. My November 2005 mark 2 (6) speed is just the same as later models. It has the best 6 speed auto box ever made I am convinced of that. So don't think you cant get a mark 2 before 2006 you can. Some are 4 or 5 k cheaper than later models and even have less miles. I wouldn't touch a 5 speed auto model and of course the driving controls and indication is much improved on mark 2 models.

I have a battery drain issue and once my car was left long enough for everything to be flat. I mean completely flat had to use the key in the lock to enter the car. But I had no problems with the entertainment system it just reset itself when I had recharged the battery.

Is it the supply to a tracker? Most trackers and their supply are hidden. But some are not hidden well. in my view most battery drain issues are not due to the battery but the drain and Lexus do not make a car that would have a battery drain likely to make starting impossible after only a few weeks. Most of these issues are due to after market fit and that is 99 times out of 100 due to a tracker. I know my car was fitted with one once I found the Ariel lead clipped to the rear parking sensor cable. But where it draws power from I am still not sure. Just been diving in Thailand for 12 days and left my car at the airport on return it started no problem. But I have a battery meter and it showed less than 12 volts so it had drained. Its not the battery itself as I have had the car SORN for a few months and disconnected the battery while it was SORN on reconnection it had nearly 13 volts so had held its charge very well. Battery drain issues are not the car they are down to aftermarket issues. As far as I am concerned.