Barry1000

I have recently bought an Ls 430 and have been so impressed that I am thinking if buying an Rx hybrid for my wife. The question that I have is that she extends to do mainly short journeys in town with the occasional long journey . Her total mileage is about 7,000 p.a..

The question I have is is it with buying a hybrid , because would the batteries get sufficiently charged up to drive round town or not,or does it not worth like this? If this is the case I might just as well pay less and buy a standard one.

I woudl be grateful for some advise.

Thanks

Barry

I think that you could be right this may account for a mile or two to the gallon! It is much more fun not having think quite so carefully about the fuel consumption all the time.

Barry

Having had the car retuned it is doing about 20 to 21 compared to 25 on petrol comparing the same sort of journeys which overall is not too bad. The car runs superbly on gas and it is impossible to tell it is running on gas instead of petrol. Overall I am pleased with the job.

I have just had my 430 converted to run on LPG by Profess in Wales. They seemed to have done a very good job but I Must confess that I am disappointed at the economy. On the runs that I do on petrol the car would average 25.5 to the gallon. On LPG covering the same type of journeys the car averages about 18. Has anyone had similar experience as I had hoped for at least 20 to 22.

I recently had my front screen changed due to a crack. Now that the screen has been changed the auto wipers do not work. They have tried replacing the sensor but this did not work. They then said that I should get it re calibrated by Lexus. When I spoke to Lexus they said that they can not re calibrate them, but will have a look at anyway. Has anyone had similar experiences?

I'm having the cam belt changed on the 430 which is now 10 years old but has only done 40,000 miles. I have seen reference to having the water pump changed at the same time in this forum as a matter if course. When I asked the main dealer about this (Lexus Cheltenham) they said that they would only change it if it shows signs of leaking. He said the pumps do not often go but do sometimes leak. What is the general opinion should I change it anyway?

I am shocked at the potential cost of this repair. Is this a common fault on a 460?

I wish you well in sorting it hopefully for a reasonable price!

I would be very interested to hear views about servicing experiences at main dealers compared to using local garages. In particular when having something more major done such as cam belt change is it more important to go to a main dealer? Clearly main dealers are very much more expensive but are they worth it. As a car becomes older the second hand value becomes less influenced by a service book full of main dealer service stamps although the sailabity may be improved.

I have just signed up to a main dealer plan over a few years but am wondering whether it may be a waste of money!

Thank you all very much for your replies. I can't believe how I thought it was faulty! It actually works perfectly and it was entirely pilot error!!

The replies were all very helpful

Barry

My sat nav plays up. when you go to use it sometimes it just will not let you set a destination. You have to wait until the option becomes available again. There seems to be an intermittent fault. Is it. Possible to swop the sat nav for a more up to date version? Alternatively should I invest in technology which allows me to project a more modern sat nav through he screen?

I look forward to views.

When they were produced in 2003 I am sure he were state of he art but they have moved on since then.

Barry

Thank you for your replies. I will try the wd40 and see what happens first and let you know e only had this car 3 weeks and think it is fantastic!

Barry

Where would be the best place to get a replacement motor from. From the main dealer they £240 plus vat. Are there any other sources to try? I have tried goggle but drawn a blank

Hi Mike

thank you for your reply. It is very re assuring that they seem to be a professional outfit. I think I will probably go ahead and have it done. I dont think that there is anything else that I need to know, unless anyone else out there can further reassure that it is ok to covert these cars. My wife is trying to talk me out of it following my experince with the Range Rover!

regards

Barry

Hi Mike

I have a 2003 ls430 which I am thinking of covering to lpg. What is the consumption like and have you been pleased with the job. Have you heard of any problems with lpg conversions on the ls430? I had a Landrover converted which developed head problems only to be told afterwards that it was a common problem with Landrover conversions. This has made me a little wary. We're you pleased with The job

I think it is a fantastic car and would hate to wreck it.

Regards

Barry