harrylime

I rang the Lexus dealer for some parts prices and was told the recommended intervals for plugs wa 60,000 miles or 6 years. It has been 8 years and the car is not running perfectly, so I have decided to change them. I've ordered Denso plugs off eBay, but could easily have paid double that

Hi Simon

thanks for taking the time to respond. That's a good point about the time the engine was running during the work on the aircon, but I'm also looking at the mpg for the current tank of fuel, which was refilled after the work was done. Even the current mpg display, which I rarely check, seems lower than usual. I'm not sure the car is picking up as quickly as it should, but I hope a good servie will sort it out. I'll ask the specialist to give it a good check over. I've seen those spark plugs for around the £50 mark, a;though I need to make sure they get here bfore next Monday, and thanks for confirming the spec of those.

My 400 is booked in for a long overdue service. It was last serviced in 2012 at Lexus, although that was only 6000 miles ago. I am having the oil and filter changed and the air filter changed. The spark plugs were changed in 2008, around 12000 miles ago. Is it worth changing these? If so, what is the correct spec for a 1999 ls 400? I have searched the forum but not found anything. I look after my cars well, and am not happy with myself about leaving it two and a half years since I bought it. However, sometimes other things take over in life.

I went to the Castle Howard car show yesterday, the highlight of which was the Spitfire air display. I was disappointed with the fuel consumption, which seems to have taken a sudden dive. It may, or may not be linked to some work carried out last week on the air conditioning system. I'm wondering if something was disturbed. Usually on a good run I can achieve 30 or late 20s, but yesterday I was struggling to get above the low 20s. I noticed from setting off that the current mpg seemed even lower than usual. The air con specialist was very good, and seems to have fixed an issue that two other garages have failed to resolve. I now have a cool 1.7 degrees C at the vents. An overnight pressure test (which had to be done twice, as the first revealed a iny leak at a seal).has raised confidence that it is now sorted. I am happy to recommend the air con specialist, also an auto electrician, and based in Rotherham. After next week, i probably will be happy to recommend tha lexus specialist, as he is a nice guy and seems very knowledgeable.

So, questions, spark plugs need changing after 8000 miles and 8 years? if so, what spec?

Oil / air  filter, Lexus or Mann? the specialist says he asks the customer, and uses whatever they prefer, which is a good approach, I think. Are the lexus oil and air filters better?

As always, very grateful for any advice

That's brilliant. Thank you very much for that. I am equipped both with the tools described and the necessary swear words. I am, though, now nervous about risking any breakages before taking the car on holiday in a couple of weeks. I've had the car for over two years, so may just buy the part and include it in the service. I have been recommended a specialist called Lex Tek near Sheffield, so may have a full service carries out including the air filter. Are the oil filter and air filter best bought from lexus or can I get them elsewhere?

I'd like to check my air filter before booking it in for a service. Any chance of a description of how to remove it?

Thanks Steve. I should have mentioned that the aerial is working fine, it is just looking shabby. I've seen the tutorial but it's for an earlier car, I wondered if the mk 4 is the same

Does anyone know whether it's much of a job to replace the raer wing  radio aerial on a 99 ls 400 , in terms of connections/removing trim etc? I'm having a partial respray, doing both sides to freshen the car up and want to replace the aerial, which is tarnished gold colour, with chrome, as well as the badges. Also, does anyone kno where I can get a decent quality replacement

thanks in advance

Thanks chaps, do ECP have the capacity right at 5.4 litres?

Can anyone please advise the correct grade of engine oil and capacity for my 1999 LS 400? I have looked at ECP and they mentio two different grades for my car

thanks

well spotted, I must have been feline tired when I wrote that

visible cameras just provide an additional reason to break into your car?

I truly sympathise, as I imagine the police response will be less enthusiatic than if someone had robbed you of the amount of cash you will need to rectify the damage. Is your car likely to need a respray both sides? I would imagine that if you deduct the area covered by plastic, and have it sprayed to the roof line the cost should be more reasonable, and it should be easier to achieve a good paint match? I am considering doing this to my cat to refresh it so would appreciate any info on prices quoted. I hope you get it sorted out, it is sickening

Thank you Adam

quick question - does anyoone know the width and length of a 1999 lexus ls 400 please?

Any chance you could pass the details of the specialist near Glossop please? I've had trouble finding one locally in South Yorkshire

put it this way, in my opinion they shoukd have at least bought you dinner before doing that to you. Reconsidering my search for an RX

definitely starting to smack of harassment. Call the police

It does not matter whether his telephone number was withheld, if the police take it seriously, the call will be on his phone records. Even if the content of the call is difficult to prove, if they look into this chap, they may unearth other matters of concern. Depends on how seriously they take it

The accusation of racism was ridiculous and demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of what was said. James was simply quoting what Lexuschap said, as I understand it. It was Lexuschap who introduced the Islamist elemt and if he shouted that down the phone, it can only have been to intimidate. It was completely out of context and makes you wonder even further about what he is like, and what his agenda is. It is likely that it was either a racist comment or an attempt at intimidation. In either event, I would be tempted to report it to the police, so that they can decide whether they should take a close look at him.

The depressing thing is that lowlifes like this are allowed to continue trading. Clocking a car is bad enough (tantamount to theft and should be treated accordingly in court, in my view), but selling an unsafe car should result in a custodial sentence. People have gone to jail for health and safety offences, due purely to ignorance, incompetence or negligence. Selling an unsafe car goes one step further than this, knowingly and intentionally putting people at risk to make some money. If he has migtrated from another country, he shoiuld also be deported. This court case is the tip of the iceberg, who knows how many other people have been conned, or are driving around in potential death traps?

interesting, and spacewagon, I feel the same way. It's enough to make you cynical

How long have 7 star been selling those three LS 400s for 7500 each? I know it's been a while, so clearly optimism over realism

always found saga expensive for insurance. Never used them

I always found multi car policies to be an expensive con. I use my no claims bonus on my main car and put my LS 400 on a classic car policy with RH Specialist Insurane (around £200 for me, includes European travel. Previously did the same with my MX5

That is true Mike but I would get screwed somehow. Perhaps revised actuarial calculations for the likelihood of vandalism in my postcode. They would not miss the opportunity because that is life nowadays, everyone wants their hands in your pocket