Tulpen

I've just had my annual service done at a Lexus Dealer here, in Holland. I had to have the 'major' service done - the car has 46,000 miles (74,000 km) on the clock. I did not need the coolant or spark plugs changed. The total cost was 541 Euro (430 pounds) and this included the Dutch version of the MOT.......the APK. Most garages here have a deal where, if you get the MOT done with the annual service, you get it at a greatly reduced price. The Dutch MOT requires the same checks carried out as in the UK........but there is one BIG difference. Once the garage has completed the MOT, they are required to call up the Dutch equivalent of the DVLA and report the results of the check. The DVLA can do one of two things.......authorise the granting of the MOT Certificate or, require the garage to hold the car for a couple of hours until an inspector from the DVLA calls round and checks the car personally. These DVLA checks are carried out on about 15% of all MOTs. If the inspector finds anything wrong, the garage gets a warning. Three warnings and it loses its MOT Licence. This means that: a. You can be pretty sure the check has been carried out properly. b. If you buy a car with a year's MOT, you can be reasonably happy that it has been checked to the required standard. However: If you are trying to get rid of a car, which has a few 'problems', there isn't much chance of the 'little garage on the corner' giving you a certificate because he's a mate. Swings and roundabouts :) I like the system.

The 400 had a facility for switching off the remote boot release button; the 460 has one also. I presume the 430 is the same. I don't suppose it's possible that you have somehow disabled that.

A poxy 460? Wash your mouth out! I was born and brought up in Moray (Elgin)........and would never use language like that. You must be an 'incomer'. :) :) :)

I can only tell you of my own experience. I owned an LS 400 for 15 years and, like you, found it very comfortable. Now I have a 460 and it is a different beast. The 'Comfort' selection on the air suspension gives a really soft ride, not unlike the 400. The problem, as I see it, is in the optional 19" wheels and low profile tyres. I have already said on another post that I'm actively looking to swap my 19" wheels for the standard size. The seats are different - having less padding. This is to accommodate the, built-in, cooling and ventilation system. It is a great car :)

FWIW.......my first Lexus (a 1994 LS 400, UK registered) had a timing belt replacement schedule of 64,000 miles. This just happens to be 100,000 kms. It always struck me as being too much of a coincidence.

Graham, Do you agree that the ride is different than on the LS400. I have no complaints about the ride on my LS 460 but, on the 19" rims, I do feel minor bumps more than I did on my LS 400. It's a minor quibble really.

Malc, I think part of the thinking may be that, if you can afford to buy a new LS, you are not 'poor'. :) However, for people like you and I who buy them (quite) a few years down the line, the bills can make your eyes water. While I agree with your sentiments about keeping your LS 400 'forever'.......there will come a day when it will become un-economical. Because of moving to Holland, I was forced to get rid of my 400 and bought a 460. It is a magnificent car but there are a lot more things to go wrong :(

Malc, New tyres can cause a problem with the OEM GPS (although not the one mentioned by OP) The GPS calculates things like distance travelled by the tyre diameter and needs to be recalibrated if new tyres are fitted.........or it does on the LS 460, according to the manual.

I have a 2007 LS460. Because it was the garage demonstrator it has 19" wheels also. The tyres are Dunlop SP Sport Maxx. If you are comparing it to the ride on the LS 400, then it is very different. You are right that you do feel minor bumps. I have already decided that I will fit the standard 18" wheels as soon as I can pick a set up at the right price. I'm sure you've checked the pressures. Be warned that the tyre sidewalls are vulnerable to kerb damage. I clipped a kerb, only slightly, and the resulting damage needed a new tyre.......240 Euros! If you do need tyre work done, make sure the garage doesn't throw away the valve stem (with the integral pressure sensor). My local KwikFit did just that and Lexus wanted to charge me almost 300 Euros for a replacement and calibration. When I went back to KwikFit they found the original sensor in their waste bin. They refitted it and it worked perfectly.