MLW

It is very nice, and looks good, but that is a lot of miles, probably too many for me.

Yes, happened on a SAAB of mine. If the radiator cap is just a bit weepy, (often not really visible) the fluid overflows and is lost. Tell tale signs can be dried pinkish stains down the side. Or.....it could just be a tad low and needs topping up. Monitoring is the key. If it just needs topping up and stays steady, that is fine. If not, there is a problem.

Doesn't that dim the dashboard at night?

Mine just past too. The pads are probably original at 42,000 and have about 4-5mm on them. I am having them changed at F1 Autocentres which is a world away in service from Quick-fit. Surprisingly the manager said they pay more from Euro Car Parts for many parts than we get retail, because of delivery. Online is even better with the 25-30% usual discount. He said get the Pagid pads yourself and I am more than happy to fit them for 1+ hours labour, about £80. They are not in stock so have to wait 4-5 days for delivery at home. Total price for all FOUR wheels, just £57. Suggested an oil change at the same time it is up in the air. No problem he said, Shell top synthetic, plus Mann filter (not in stock = 4-5 days home delivery), just £31 all in. Going to get the lot fitted next week, for 2 hours labour and have the wheels balanced at about £7 each. Great value, and very good service.

Looks a tad low. About 1/2 a pint will bring it up to scratch. Fill it stone cold and on the level. Any slope affects it. Watch/check it for a few days. Mine never drops an inch, after a few days of stabilizing/checks. If you can, top up with 50% red antifreeze. Cheap at Euro Car Parts.

If it looks iffy.... it probably is iffy.

That sounds better. One owner will know the history, e.g. how old is the battery. Do do an HPI check. You can do it from his house on the phone with a Visa for £20ish.

The last 5 cars I have bought privately, I have bought the first one I looked at. This is partly luck, plus a bit of a rigid approach. You can cover a great deal over the phone and on autotrader. I always ask..... Is the car, house, logbook and you all at the same address? The reason is 'normal' people buy a car and register it at Swansea and park it outside the house. If any of these are not there, then it is trouble. 'I'm selling it for my brother-in-law' spells trouble, because it is not normal, it is odd. Remember, you are buying the person as much as the car. Rough people and rough cars go together. Is the guy a normal family man? Is his approach, similar to yours. Is he straight in doing business in a friendly, dignified manner. I like all the paperwork present, old MOTs (who would not keep them) and as much service history and receipts as possible. A new MOT is also goodish. Autotrader is good as you can see so many pictures and save a wasted journey. Always always, do an HPI check. £20 is peace of mind, and helps when you sell it. In the past, I would say walk away, there are plenty more out there, but with our cars, the pool is very small. All the more reason not to get 'car fever'. Happened to me once. I bought a Vauxhall Cavalier because I just just wanted it. All caution, and the above went out the window. Got my money back, but it was a close call.

I've used Pagid in the past on SAABs and found them to be first class. Lots of bite and progression on the peddle.

I'll probably stike a balance and change them at 50K. At about £70 a set, it is not too bad for 6-7 years of no worry and good reliability.

LS 430 37,000 miles on a 15 year old car. I was going to change the plugs at 40,000 miles but I am a bit tied up at present. 60k is the book change, but they may have deteriorated a bit. Car goes like a dream. Last week did 1,200 miles at 25 mpg. Any suggestions welcome.

I thought the new arrangements only affected new cars purchased after 1 April 2017. All 'old' cars before that date stay the same.

That is interesting. We had a dusting of snow today and my wife was OK in her Mercedes SLK. She does not like snow and has a bit of a snow phobia. For me it is no problem, having driven my old SAAB and Mercedes 124 E class in 6 inches plus over the years. I am surprised that guys on here seem to be saving the LS is a no-no in the snow. Why is that?

Oh dear, that styling. What ever happened to the quite understated elegance. I am afraid great a car it might be, but that front and sides really do 'scare the horses' and me too.

Sorry, you are right, it is an American Hunter machine. F1 Autocentre also use them, and I found them reasonable and very good. https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/car-tyres.php

Gates belts are regarded as top notch.

My experience is simple.....since I bought my 430 we do not drive to a destination, we simple waft in quiet understated elegance.

Lexus Cambridge did my LS430 for £307 incl vat. It was before I bought it and was only the belt. Your price looks good. Are the parts Lexus or top notch?

Very nice. Can I suggest getting it tracked on a Hamilton machine for £40ish. They do a 'before and after' print out, so it is fairly idiot proof and you know it has been properly set up to factory spec.

Crazy as it seems, it may be worth disconnecting the battery for 5-10 hours and then trying it. Sometimes these modern computer systems 'get confused' and need to 'start clean again'.

Do you just want to replace the battery?

Amazingly, boring old Halfords have a selection of various battery cables all made up/ready to go/ and quite cheap. Take the old one along and give it a go. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=battery+cable&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

What year/model etc? What about..... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-LS-400-Wing-Mirror-Glass-Silver-LH-passenger-side-1990-Onward-/232019068401?hash=item36056a05f1:g:SnUAAOSwm0JYDiYd or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-LS-400-Wing-Mirror-Glass-Silver-Aspheric-RH-Driver-side-1990-Onward-/331912993941?hash=item4d478e5c95:g:pgAAAOSwayZXjkJU or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Right-Wide-Angle-Mirror-Glass-Lexus-LS-2001-2006-336RAS/331748043546?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D38661%26meid%3D042a8296d8e746fa9e44e7223d2f11cf%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D221624219090

Euro Car Parts. Pagid are very good in my opinion. Used them with no problems. They appear to be used by the trade extensively. Buy on-line at the weekend for the 32% discount. Buy at the counter and pay full price.

My Toyota Prius was like that. These modern cars often need a very good solid positive 12 volts. If it wavers in any way because the battery is a 'tad iffy' all sort of things play up. Check the battery first and if that REALLY is tickety-boo, go on to the other fault codes.