GrahamG

Anyone tried Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres for their LS430? They are offered as both a normal tyre and a run flat version. Strangely the external road noise is less for the run flat format. Yes, the external noise is not the same as that experienced in the cabin but for both versions tyre noise is very low and I want to preserve the quietness of the LS as much as possible. I know the reasons why run flat tyres are hated by many but for my wife's car they may offer the advantage of being more robust and keeping her going. These tyres also include a protective kerb band which might save the alloys a little.

Adam, what exactly is the procedure with disconnecting the battery? What position is the ignition switch while we disconnect?

Mike very interested in your opinion of the RX400h. Do you remember the Ebay source for the Sat Nav update please?

I followed Michael's example and went for the same update disc for £30 and it loaded straight away when swallowed. Apparently it is sometimes necessary to disconnect the battery.

I knew when writing my question somebody would reprimand me but I could not see the significance of 30 seconds. Had an image of Phil holding his head on the horn press and counting to 30. Just keep the noise down while I doze off again.....zzzz

Jim, please explain what is 'the 30 second test' you did?

Keith, if indeed your RX300 is beloved, drives like a dream and you intend maximising the life of this vehicle I strongly suggest you take positive action against the rust. I would not just assume the rust has been mentioned at the whim of the MOT inspector. I kick myself that my '95 LS400 was lost to rust last year. If I had taken action when it was 10years old it could have remained in my family for 20 years. Get it up on a ramp at a local garage with a powerful lamp and inspect the underside yourself with an experienced mechanic for advice. Would not use Waxoyl myself because it stinks and goes on stinking because it does not dry. Dinitrol is an alternative but there are other products for you to investigate. What interests me about the rusting of Lexus cars is how variable it is. My 9 year old RX350 up on a ramp looked just two years old whereas my 11 year old LS430 was indeed showing rust that needed attention. Good luck

I will be interested in your reaction to this car which I have always considered a possible alternative to the Lexus. The only negative reports on the Legend has been a noisy 'crashy' front suspension but I never drove one to find out for myself. Some years ago an aircraft engineer [one with grease under his nails] had one and was astonished at the build quality. Good luck with what sounds like too good an opportunity to pass up.

I bought my '04 with 82,000miles and full Lexus service history from Lexus Hull one year ago for £7000. Many would have said that was over priced but everything about it was right including the fact that the dealer had supplied the car to last owner who had it for seven years. I am very pleased with my purchase. It is gold with black interior which to my eye is perfect with the red wood trim. Do check for rust underneath especially at the back. Do not just assume because it is a Lexus there will be no rust. Also check everything works for that sort of money and that the cam belt was renewed at 10 years. Check the air suspension cycles up and down. Why not phone Lexus Sheffield and see if their service manager will talk to you about the car. Good luck

Armed with such comprehensive information I am now almost willing my air suspension to fail.

Thanks Jim for your information which will I am sure encourage others who fear the cost of air strut replacement. Can I push my luck and ask what exactly one needs to order to be able to change over these suspension units. I would have the work done by a local garage [assuming as you do a Lexus dealer would not want to know] and my fear is if I supply the conventional shock absorber and coil spring that while the work is in progress it becomes apparent some part or other is missing. Congratulations on your 'hybrid' Lexus, do you prefer the ride at the front or the rear? just joking.

Jim, I see your LS430 is 2004. Is it a pre face lift model? I thought all 2004 to 2006 cars were the face lift version and that only air suspension was offered for them. There was a choice for the earlier iteration and it has long interested me if it is possible to fit the earlier Lexus 'metal' suspension to replace the air struts. When the air units go on my 2004 [facelift] LS430 I would love to change to metal, not just for cost saving but I do not enjoy the air at all. I would however only consider a Lexus remedy.

Thanks John for all that information especially the photos. Just a matter of time for mine to need the same treatment.

David, how many miles on the car? Just out of interest.

He needs to be told about tuned FM aerials.

Phil, may I ask if the original Lexus ATF pipes are formed to a shape or do they use tube straight off the roll? If the latter then not much point paying Lexus prices. Did you consider renewing the the large water coolant hoses to and from the rad? Is it worth renewing the thermostat at the same time as it is quite a cheap item? Sorry for the questions but you are now the expert.

Phil, many thanks for all your information especially taking the trouble to provide photos. I bet you are pleased with yourself after seeing the split ATF pipes, what a save! Have just heard from an American owner who replaced his rad because it had split along the top. What he described as a common occurrence. Not relevant to the ATF cooling but all the more reason to renew the rad. Which make of radiator did you buy from Europarts? If the Lexus [Denso] original is liable to fail perhaps there is little point paying £280 odd for the original equipment. There seems plenty of choice at about £120 including one from Denso.

Today discussed this issue of the radiator failing and contaminating the ATF with Guildford Lexus who are the second biggest dealer in the country. They report this has happened with them four times and on two occasions resulted in the need for a new gearbox. Interestingly he said there can be prior warning by way of shift problems and in two of the cases mentioned this had been ignored.

For it to bring you good luck it must be left in place.

Mark, how many miles has your car done now and how many over the last three years? Wish I had been pro active against the rust on my '95 Mk3 because I would still be driving it and it would be costing me virtually nothing. Too late I realised what a piece of engineering it was and that it would have been worth investing in rust proofing. Completely happy with my LS430 and fortunately have the money to replace air suspension and silly bells and whistles if they fail but I do not have that absolute certainty that it will go when I approach it that developed over 15 years with the LS400.

Hello Dale, she's a Duesy! Well OK, a Lexus. I went from a Mk III LS400 to a facelift LS430 and was disappointed that there was little or no difference in the overall quietness in the cabin. The low profile tyres have been blamed. Your LS460 has a timing chain does it not and that will be presumably noisier than a belt. How do you find the noise levels between your two? Did you test drive a LS600, if so what were your impressions of that? Look forward to hearing how you get on with your new squeeze and hope you live happily ever after.

I was not aware of the overflow tube variant and will bear that in mind when I come to renew my radiator. The only other variation I know of is 'with towing' which refers to a slightly thicker core when the vehicle is used for towing. Oddly the 'with towing' version can be cheaper presumably because so few LS owners tow and stock sits unsold. I cannot see why not to chose it because the extra cooling capacity will only be used when the thermostat allows. Nissen offers a rad for the LS and they seem to be a substantial Danish manufacturer of many rads and condensers at about £120. Somebody on here mentioned buying a Nissen rad and I wonder if they were happy with it.

Phil, my LS is the same vintage as yours and this summer I will replace the radiator by way of preventative maintenance. From what I have read they fail as engine coolers from cracking and as ATF coolers at the pipe unions. The only question is which make of radiator to use. Normally I would choose original Lexus parts but other quality brands will definitely be cheeper and may be better built in this application. Thermostat will also be replaced and engine temperature sensor. Will definitely follow Brian's advice and insist on Toyota coolant The height sensors fail from water ingress and the arms can seize and break so each summer I apply a water proof lubricant.

Donal, thanks for all that information.

Hi Donal, Were the corroded A/C pipes those to the rear cabin and if so did the fuel tank need to come out to replace them? What were the symptoms of the old engine mounts? How many miles on your LS430? Mine has done 84k and like you I love the car and keep a watch for the items you have dealt with. Intend an annual/summertime spray underneath with ACF-50 in the hope of keeping corrosion at bay.