harrylime

I don't have a no claims bonus on my classic car policy, but I can't believe they wouldn't sting me next time around. I would also have to declare it on my standard policy for my other car, and I am pretty sure that would be affected as well, from what I have heard of others' experience with insurance companies. I would not want to get into a situation in which it stops being viable to run another car on a classic policy because of spiralling insurance costs

The damage is not too bad, so I'm not sure if it's worth claiming. I'm thinking about it though. It's on a classic policy so not sure if it would affect my NCB

Thanks Normski. I think you're probably right, it smells like cellulose/ two pots came with the car and it seems a shame to waste them. Next problem is buying a small quantity of cellulose thinners Apologies to the moderator for the language. Still fuming

Well, some ***** has tried to gain entry into my 400. They've had a go at the driver's door with a scewdriver, and then had a more determined effort with the rear door. Nobody else on the street seems to have had any problems, so I can only think that mine was picked out because it's an old car? Revising security now with PIR LED floddlights and maybe a camera. Mainly, I would love five minutes alone with the culprit. (the police may be in touch over the next few days, despite my finding some earphones next to the car, which may have prints or DNA on them) The pond life got nowhere in trying to getbinto the car, but caused a few chips in the paint. I have some touch in paint, but it's gone a bit thick. Does anyone know whether it's posible to thin this down, to save a trip to the main dealer's?

Julian I'm not sure, but I got some from Halfords for my LS 400. As I recall they were listed by model, although I can't recall for sure. They also sell a "laser locking wheel nut remover", which is a bit disturbing. My car came without the locking wheelnut key so my local tyre place got the old ones off with a judicious combination of brute force and ignorance. Nice to see a 600 owner posting. I am considering a 600h when my house renovation is complete. Are they as impressive as I imagine them to be?

They need a bigger car than an LS 400?

They do look well in black. Watched all the Sopranos, great series. The only character more scary than Tony Soprano was his mother.

My car also has the gold badges, and it's that colour. Don't like them and will replace with chrome when time allows

Thanks chaps

thanks to those of you who responded. I have looked on the detailing world and meguirs products seem to be well liked, although the Kestrel DAS 6 or DAS 6 pro seems to be the polisher recommended the most. This is likely to be a spring project I think because I have no garage yet.

I agree, Colin, it's not an easy one. I was hoping someome else might have looked into this, or even be a professional. I'll try that link

Hi all I'm thinking about buying a machine polisher with a view to detailing my LS (with extreme caution). Can anyone tell me whether the paint on an LS would be classed as hard or soft?, it makes a difference as to what type of polisher is recommended thanks in advance

It doesn't prove anything, but my local service manager has never removed a cylinder head from an LS in 20 years or so. It could be something else

should that read "not as smooth a ride as the lexus"?

I usually smear some grease over my terminals. My point was about the plastic addition at the bottom of the clamp, which is where the corrosion was. I believe this can trap a small amount of water or moisture. Also, the thin nature of the clamp itself seems at odds with the over engineered nature of the car. I do wonder if the chunkier replacement will lead to more efficient charging.

I charged my battery the other day on my 400 and on refitting the positive clamp, overtightened a little and cracked the clamp . I rang Lexus and ordered a new one (for around £22) and then looked at the clamp again. It seems to me that they are relatively flimsy, ( it was also slightly corroded), and that something better must be readily available. I called Lexus back and cancelled my order to allow me to look around to see what else is available. I avoided my local parts shops and went to the local auto electrical specialist (they rebuild starters and carry out electrical repairs etc) with a view to getting a better quality part. They supplied one for just over £6, which I have just fitted. It is probably 5 or 6 times thicker than the original and just seems more substantial. I'm no electrician but it seems to me that this must help when the battery is feeding the starter etc, and also when the alternator is feeding the battery. The other observation I made was the plastic insulating piece at the bottom of the clamp achieves absolutely nothing except trapping moisture and causing corrosion to the thin metal in the clamp. Have I found the one area in which the 400 is under engineered?

I'm not into customising, but have no problem with those who do. I respect and admire the skill that goes into the best custom jobs. I wasn't really attacking anyone's taste either, I was wondering why anyone would take a car that has been so meticulously developed, almost to extreme lengths, and try to improve it. From an engineering standpoint, I doubt very much whether I could improve on what the hundreds of engineers, and a billion dollars achieved. For example, wheel spacers? what would be the point?

Why the hell would you want to mess about with a car that took a billion dollars and hundreds of engineers to develop, and is widely regarded as one of the finest bit of automotive engineering ever seen? I would suggest selling your Lexus, and buying a Vauxhall Corsa to tart up

plus the first with in seat suspension, and the first with an in car 6 cd changer. Just been out in my 2007 Octavia. It's top of the range and a very good car, but my expectations are so much higher now, I can't say I enjoyed the drive

I never knew about the adjustment facility. Talk about attention to detail, and all in the nineties

I followed a VW Passat yesterday that was blowing more smoke than a destroyer attacking the Bismarck. My automatic air recirculation kicked in and later returned to fresh air mode when the Passat had turned off (I did not know that it returned to fresh air setting)). What a brilliant feature. Does anyone know whether this feature was a Lexus first? I know that ai con was invented by American car companies, but I don't remember having another car with the air quality sensor, apart from much newer models.

athanks chaps, my heater as playing up, and thought it might be an airlock. If it persists I will try that procedure

I have cut a slot in a hockey puck for my Octavia, ,the jacks for which have the nickname of the Widowmaker. Works perfectly well

I wanted to top up my coolant today, as my heater does not seem as hot , and tried to remove the coolant filler at the front of the engine. It was clear that it was very tight, and due to my having no spare time to sort out a potential stripped thread, I bottled out. I am concerned about corrosion due to dissimilar metals and dare not exert more force or additional leverage to the Allen key. I topped up the reservoir instead, and just hope it'll work its way through. Anyone else had theirs off ?

I would check prices for both equestrian and automotive use, as there may be more competition in the sale of stable mats. I know that Eva mats are sold to both markets, but don't know whether they are the same products or the comparative price. My daughter's stable mats were not cheap. but have lasted well (I don't know the make), but I like the weight to them, they also seem resistant to all sorts of chemicals, if you know what I mean