BMCWP

RR sports are not "proper" Range Rovers 🙂 ( I would be talking about the L322 or "Full Fat" RR's) I had one before, and it was actually reliable and never once let me down (it was well looked after all its life) the only reason I sold it was due to some family members having difficulty getting in and out of it as it was too high off the ground for them. The thing about RR ownership is knowing it can (and probably will) do something negative but the owners club and a good mechanic meant I never had any major issues to deal with. I always wanted a Citroen CX, XM or C6 but the closest mechanic to me that knows enough about them is a 100 mile round trip away so that's why none of them ended up with me. No, the LS has been perfect and despite having the 7 year itch I know in my head that its the sensible option. (if a 4.3L V8 petrol as a daily drive could be described as sensible) 🤣

I very nearly went down the LS600 or 460 road but after a bit of research decided to stick to my 2005/6 LS430 (built December 05 registered January 06) it was actually an original Irish car (complete with K/PH speedo) and I think the last owner (who bought it from new) sold it as it was getting on a bit and an almost 2000 Euro a year tax bill was a bit much. When I got it I had to change the speedo over to M/PH (as I am in the North) and then set about doing all the little bits that need done (as recommended here) ie Radiator and timing belt etc. I still have an eye on a LS600 but simply for the hybrid bit but I think my sensible head has won the battle and as decent LS430's are getting like hens teeth I think I'll just stick to what I have. (but I could be very tempted back into a Range Rover again as I miss my old one)

You need the floor fittings (also missing from my car) from memory you need to lift the carpet to fit them properly so a slight pain but not impossible. Lexus part number 58297-50020

Getting the seat cushion here won't be an issue, the problem is finding somebody to fit it. Most (incorrectly as it turns out!) assumed the seat was full of heating/cooling pipes and elements and therefore far too complicated. (well, it is complicated just not as bad as first thought) I'm not giving up yet 🙂

Yes its the costs that add up that can catch you out and lets not forget about "brexit" but knowing in advance helps and I can sort of bypass brexit as I have family in England so if needs be I can get it sent there (if I can find somebody willing to take it on) Even after all of this, if the stars align and things go a certain way I could still find myself wandering towards an LS600 there is something about it that appeals - in much the same way as me desperately wanting to own and drive the 3 big Citroens - a CX Prestige, a XM and a C6 (I have driven a DS) mad? I most certainly am.

Its the Drivers seat pad I need (for a right hand drive UK car so part 71511-50150) - I assume Amayama is ok to deal with? as that price is a lot less than the last quote I got from Lexus. As for a breakers, very few and far between and I would be running the risk of going to all that bother (again, if I could find somebody to do it as I cant do it myself) only to find the foam in the same condition. I'm really back at square one - I don't mind paying for it as I am going to keep the car now so don't mind spending money on it as now I am in my 60's I can't see me changing at all before I will eventually have to give up driving (but hopefully not for a good few years yet) 🙂

I never saw that video - so much for being subscribed and a prime member! But yes, that is exactly what I need to do and the reason my local upholstery people won't touch it. The other problem is the cost of that foam bit so even if I could find somebody to do it I think its going to be VERY expensive. I have a small add on cushion so while not perfect its going to have to do until I win the lotto.

Nothing so far. Still can't find a seat repair company that wants to do the work. I get it, these are heavy and complicated seats but surely no different to any other high end car? I'll keep looking

Ah Insurance.... Most English companies won't quote for me here in Northern Ireland at all..... Malc, the seat hasn't "failed" as such the foam has - its compressed down and its like sitting on a park bench now with only minimal cushioning, I just need a decent upholstery person that is willing to refoam it.

I'm running the LS on a very limited budget as is so it looks like I will be sticking with the 430 then if the 600 needs a bigger one. For once the head can rule the heart 🙂 I can start seeing about getting the other few jobs done again now - my only problem there is I can't seem to find anyone here in Northern Ireland that will do the work. Local auto spark doesn't want to know re the steering wheel motors and the same for the upholstery lot as they don't like the cooled seats (can't get the foam or something) I'm physically not able enough to do any of it either so my options are limited. neither job is a "while you wait" from what I can gather so an overnight in an air b&b will be my only option IF I can find someone...... I had also considered going back to a Jaguar XJ but again I had an X308 and loved it but after an old accident injury returned I found that it was too low to the ground, the next generation alloy bodied X350/356/358 models are bigger and better but a mate has a 350 that has just set him back the best part of 2k to get through an MOT (in fairness it was quite ropey) so again not sure. I'm in a unique position that I have owned a large number of barges so can compare like for like and it says it all really when I still have the 430 🙂

The Volvo V90 is not as big as it looks - a friend has one and its lower to the ground than the LS and has far less rear leg room that you would imagine the only advantage I can see is the room in the back - Indeed if I was pushed I would get another Range Rover L322 than the Volvo as there is acres of space in there. As for SUV's I had a Nissan Murano - an ugly thing but very much a wolf in sheeps clothing that was actually comfortable, well equipped, roomy and almost perfect. Parts were horrendously expensive though and some had to be special ordered in from Japan -

I've been offered a 600H for just under 8k by a dealer but its been fitted with budget tyres (a real no-no in my book for such a heavy car) and makes me wonder if anything else has been overlooked. My own 430 just needs the driver seat refoamed, a gearbox service and the steering wheel motors replaced (I've already had the belts and radiator replaced) and I could get about 9k if I sold it - but I would be looking to get rid of the rubbish tyres so would be thinking 1k to sort that out at least so its a bit of a gamble and more or less a straight swap but I have mentioned on site that I am more inclined to keep the 430 and just lust after a 600 from afar..... I get the feeling you would prefer the 430?

Its a question of logistics and maths (none of which I am very good at) Basically if I can sell my car and get an LS600H for about the same price then I would consider it - taking into account the condition of my own, and the fact it seems the LS430's are more sought after than the 600's I don't think its far away but..... if none of those line up then I'm staying put.

I'd make a fortune - although I don't think Tesco would be too amused 😁

Thought I'd start a thread for once - I understand its the law that once you have your Lexus cleaned you must take a photo in a multistorey or underground car park. So here's mine. (In our local Tesco)

I have lusted after a CX like forever..... and would happily swap my LS for one in good order (and then wake up) 🤣

I'm veering towards "keep" at the moment to be fair - can't find anything remotely within my price range that offers so much.

I'll be ok then 🙂 2 owners from new (with me being the 2nd) 2005 registered 2006 with 92,000 miles timing belt done, radiator done and recent service MOT and valet. I have the 7 year itch and unless my sensible brain kicks in I may try and punt it on for..... well....... that's the thing... what? only seen one contender and that was a 2007 600H the only downside that I could see was it was fitted with cheap budget tyres, and that to me on a LS is a bit of a red flag

Slept in a mk1 ford escort beside a beach as it was a lot more comfortable than the tent we had. Well, when I say "slept" more like tried to. Non reclining seats didn't help as did the fact the back seat was already taken by my mate who snored like a fog horn all night. That was my first and last attempt at any sort of rough camping.

Another go at a 430 estate - I don't hate it....

Photoshop maybe, Ai would most likely draw an extra window in or have something growing out of it 🤣

Killing a bit of time last night I used a combination of Midjourney Ai and photoshop to come up with this. I always liked an estate (or wagon/shooting brake if you prefer) and this just ticks all the boxes for me. Dear Santa.... 🙂

we used to go through up until covid then they stopped and never put it back again. The chap doing the test has some discretion, as in previous tests we would have been allowed to get something as small as that fixed on the day and re-present the car but with the computer system its an automatic fail. Ridiculous when you look back at the previous history and can't even find an advisory! Its still very hard to get a test with waiting lists running in months not weeks and I had to wait 2 weeks for a re-test as well. the sooner they ditch it and follow the system over in the rest of the UK the better.

It was (As I suspected) just out of adjustment after the battery reset - 20 seconds sorted it and its been fine ever since. Managed to get the retest the other day and as it was just for the headlight that took 5 minutes (minus the 1 hour round trip to the MOT place and back again) still annoyed that something so simple could not be sorted on site, but that's Northern Irelands archaic MOT system for you - a few years back I would have been allowed to sit in the car and would have been able to fix that on the spot, but now they make you wait outside while they test it and then simply leave the fail/pass certificate on the seat and walk away. Money for old rope as they say.