Malc1

Steve, just expect a fine in the post for wasting police time ..... fine might be halved if you pay it in 30 days . if you don't pay it at all you will definitely go to jail and NOT pass Go and Not get a Free Get out of jail card either ........... c'mon Steve, wake up, smell the coffee . take more caffeine .. it helps at times of stress .......... 🤣 Malc

I've not seen your specific car mentioned here before N40LEX so that's a good sign I guess 😅 Maybe an auto-electrician should look at it for you ..... might be £££££ less expensive than the Main Dealer who might not have a clue, relying on a specialist for advice anyway ! But the joy I had in finding a competent auto-electrician local to me was woeful tbh Malc

Tom welcome to this amazing forum . everyone's friendly and will help where possible I know Can you tell us more about your new purchase . might it be something we already know about, this specific car, from prior thoughts on this forum ? We love to know about mileage, regn and all else, were very very nosey 😆 Your problem .. when was the main battery last changed .. could it be that maybe ? Malc

I'm sad to say that most big comfy wonderful cars with modern day electronics and whizz bang stuff are going to cost the owner one or two arms and legs in maintenance . it's just inevitable . it's a car with super technological innovation that WILL go wrong at some stage AND be very expensive to fix properly . it's a CAR Even the steering column rake motor defunct fix will cost a couple of £££ grand . and that's a tiny issue compared to what can and at some stage WILL go awry As above, a suitable sinking fund will be necessary and then if it's not going to be a " keeper " you've got to factor in it's eventual on-sale and value and even if there will be a future buyer out there too ! Many young / older brilliant when new cars out there from Lexus even and at what seems " good " prices BUT take note of what I say above and be very very prudent That's why the older Ls400s are getting a bit of a comeback in popularity . they're quite invincible and often don't cost a fortune to " fix " when issues arise . and at the price they are, are quite dispensable i guess Best to be a Company Director 🤣 buying one from new on say a lease package whatever and handing it back to the Main Dealer to worry about at end of term BUT as for your immediate concerns, well, buy it with a good sinking fund and expectations to be keeping it for many a year too and getting the quite wonderful wafting luxury and comfort that you're seeking Be assured that no other marque will be an improvement for sure and unlike BMW and Merc will only cost you a small fortune in maintenance rather that a BIG one Good luck with your decision making Malc

update this morning . popped out in the dear old lady to go swimming . as one does in this bitterly cold weather 🥶 AND woweeee. the up-down rake has some life back ........... but not fully sadly ................ BUT at her age and miles it's not a bad outcome thus far eh ! Let's see if things might improve a little with the better weather approaching ( eventually ) and more use of whatever my indy mechanic managed to achieve BTW he didn't charge me coz he couldn't do a proper and full job I guess at this time ✌️ Malc

still looking to find what's happening with the development of my Lexus Ls700 sometime for sure 🤩 Malc

so tell me then .... will it make the roar of my Ls400 V8 4 ltr ....... which is mouse like ............. OR perhaps the roar of a boyracer style V8 sonic booming all over town upsetting the peace and quiet of life ...... polluting with noise OR perhaps zero roar at all ( like my Ls400 V8 ) . and can it be tweaked to suit all tastes ......... and none ? Thanks Malc

RAC cover appropriate maybe ? covers husband and wife ( or whatever and driving any vehicle even a 3rd party's car too ) Malc

So there we are then . popped her into my " new " local garage and he did all the necessaries with a new washer etc AND the grinding sounds gone BUT the up-down tilt rake still isn't working . ........ but the grating sound has vanished . thankfully The in-out is as fine as ever .......... he suggests to try to source a 2nd hand replacement motor .......... assuming a brand new one is probably impossible to find and neither is there going to be anyone who can simply refurbish the motor bushes etc which he says is a little tired / knackered ... at 27.5 years and 244k miles young I'm not too surprised Any thoughts anyone ? Thanks Malc

Maybe the next purchase could be a Ls400 🤫 Malc

Gulp, yes of course it might be that James, what service or other records do you have of the radiator having been changed at say 10 years / 100k miles or whatever ? Malc

I'm afraid I would personally Caveat that in so far as my personal experience on my Ls400 over the years with buying ( quite expensive ) BluePrint suspension stuff has been, sadly, less than remarkable Good luck with whatever you choose and ...... Best wishes Malc

Richard hi and welcome ... LexusPartsDirect can often sort out one's needs generally .. I'm sure other member and RX300 afficionados will be able to be more specific ........... have you a list yet of your needs ? ....... even maybe a new subframe when they go kaput .......... hope yours isn't prone to the usually serious inevitable rust on this aged RX300 and you've done sound homework before buying your " new " car Good luck Malc

Not sure i would relish a Ls400 without leather and a sunroof tbh . whatever the price Malc

I've often wondered about the new miracle of 3D printing stuff . is that feasible ? Malc

Much of what i do most times these days in mine .......... ain't it brilliant eh ! 🤩 Malc

Reviews on-line can be and often are totally massaged by whomsoever .............not even an indication of " worthiness " these days sadly ..... good or bad reviews are usually totally meaningless to customers in the real world of the business operating .... especially scam businesses that can operate, it seems for a longish time, with impunity and 5* Reviews Insurance companies aside no doubt 🤔 Malc

hahahahahaha .. very much so thank you Jonathan .......... about 23 years now with a Ls400 as my main car and runabout .. maybe a qtr million miles too 🤩 She's just turned 245k miles yesterday, my 1995 Mk3 Ls400 and with covid lockdowns etc behind us I've upped my insce mileage to 8k a year going forward ........... this should cover the, what was usual in times past , a 4k mile annual months holiday trip somewhere pleasant and the rest poodling around more local in the UK .... the/our blessed 2006 Honda Legend now does about 6k miles a year too Ls600 I had thought seriously about buying with your great experiences BUT recent postings here puts the mockers on that with a Member having some dreadful experiences with his, new to him, 2008 car V8 petrol continuing doesn't seem to me personally too bad a way to go to avoid the environmental ( and actual ££££ ) cost of scrappage eh ! Especially when I'm still wafting around in limo comfort and reliability I do think reliability, as with all cars, is often a factor of ensuring maintenance and servicing is appropriately carried out and not being silly at bemoaning a few mpg less than that of running a mini or summat akin to that discomfiture Best wishes with your new steed .......... I look forward to the next instalment on here Malc

Well well well .. could it be that weird wheeled wonder on Autoafraider a few weeks back that was mentioned here before somewhere .... the one i sent off for some detail from the seller / garage and they popped the price up and never did respond to me . most contributors here thought it was a " no no " It vanished soon after that ....... wonder if it's that car / trader caught a cold with it Malc

Jonathan .. good to see you're happily into a new Lexus again just remembering you once had a beauty of a Ls600 . way way back ........ how did that compare " all round " Thanks Malc

You mention the slight PAS leak .. has this a likely remedy to improve your handling maybe ! Malc

such a shame you've had this challenging experience of what should have been a wonderful car to own and drive ..... next one buy from a Main Dealer with a full warranty eh ! Malc

good to read things are now looking up as they say presumably you did lots of research on this specific car before purchase .... interviewed the owner ? checked all the service records and MOTs ( on line even ) and then decided to purchase this 20 year old beauty Having done your homework and a year of fettling ....... and some more ..... , you now will hopefully have many years of wonderful trouble fee, enjoyable motoring . which the kids will love too😅 Best wishes Malc

Paul ..... I'm thinking Merseyside isn't too far from you . there's a job coming on maybe ? give it a go ? ......... and Michael . do you have any answers to my points above perhaps ? Malc

just looked on Autoafraider and there's one in Ireland . deposit taken . at £14850 ? . it's vanished now . a Mk3 reg no. R330TLO with 27k miles and been about that for 15 years tho ............ mine's only done a few more, well, 217k miles more .......... What's the point having a brilliant car but to never use it ! Malc