Redefined

I actually specified the maximum excess during buying the insurance Malc. So not sure if it might be more like £500 or something like that. Got the insurance for a fraction in return though at about £450 I think. Hopefully having theee two chips repaired, I'll see about some sort of extra protection for body and windows to keep em going for a good few years longer. Lovely cars 😊

So... Driving back from work, noticed the small chip in my line of sight of the windscreen looks a bit, 'shrapnelled'. So drove straight to Halfords to enquire on the proper repair after seeing the Autoglass price is about £220. John, there told me I'm better off with AG due to the method they use and my screen now being a bit 'delicate'. Got myself booked in for Friday at a cost of £260 but not going via insurance due to religious reasons - I'm getting the tiny chip done too hence the extra £40. Then spoke to my mate aboit my drive to work of 150 miles round trip. He advised against it unless I wanted a bigger crack due to vibrationsb (happened to his daughters car even though they'd seemingly strengthened it temporarily. Not wanting to risk it I had to take leave from work explaining my problem. Moral of the story... Don't wait for that tiny chip to become a tiny crack. A replacement screen is pretty much over a grand... then the labour!

@Shadasorry.. I wasn't meaning you had anything against muslims. I was talking about that team (Clarkson and the other two) have many a time let some of Clarksons Islamophobia comments slide and even look at em amusingly. BBC obviously thought it acceptable that they didn't edit such prejudism out. Apologies if you thought I was calling you such a thing. Just for clarification, it's been illegal (though maybe not enforced) for many years to ride on footpaths. Bicycles are indeed a road going mode of transport and riding them along the footpath does indeed endanger pedestrians. Hence why I just don't do it...

Thanks @Malc1and @BMCWP Its a job I'd on hold (and in the hope it might have been done - so plan/planned to contact the last owner) after sickness left me a bit short on the old cashflow. So thought I'd prioritise the oil cooler. But having heard your reports/advice I'll get saving up again ASAP and get it booked in again as soon as I've got the half a k. Thankfully I never drive it with little petrol (except for when I'm seeking out a petrol station due to a long commute) and try my best to stick to the higher grade fuel (not that it makes a difference apparently for longevity on thrse engines. Next stop, cambelt 😊 Oh, and Malc... Yes, I did indeed look for a sticker reporting the last change but sadly not found one...

That looks nasty that mate. If thar was shown to a (really good and up to date) tissue viability nurse he/she would definitely be advising some form of pure (quality/Manuka) honey to get on there after you've had it properly cleaned and ensure there's no debri left in. Hope you get well soon. In the last 12 years of commuting to various hospitals across the regions (racked up some decent mileage and not had to worry about the sometimes non-existant parking), thankfully I've only been knocked off once (chap cut across me whilst it was my right of way driving forward as he turned right across my lane). I'm really careful (as a driver as well as cyclist) to ensure I'm fully lit up (bright colours/lights) and don't let the arrogant drivers push me into the kerb. Similarly, sometimes I've seen some arrogant cyclist act like complete idiots too (but I'm not sorry, though they should be). Anyway, get well soon @ganzoom

Now then, just a few quick updates. Cancelled the appointment to have the cambelt done at Lex-Tec after being poorly with a chest infect for the 5 weeks preceding new year. Decided that at 70k miles and 20 years of ownership, surely someone would have been kind enough to have had it done at the 10 yearly intervals at least once. Will try and contact the previous owner for an update as well as start saving up for the camblet change in case nothing comes of it. Also the other day the CD player started playing broken. After much contemplation and feeling sorry for the self, I gave it a good old whack. Suddenly jumped back into existence and like Car Care Nut (YT Lexus Specialist in the US), "life is good". Also had all 4 tires changed to some used but quality (Michelin, Pirelli and the likes) winter tires. At least about 6mm tread on em and really changed the confidence levels for this winter. I'll run em throughout the year. Today, the second item I had booked got done. £180 all inclusive, I took it down to Paul Frosts mehc over in Darwen and had the oil cooler upgrade done. Hopefully that'll make a massive difference in it's way upto the 200k mark (125k left 😀)...

Not exactly sure how any of these abusive ads are even funny. Maybe you also thought that all Clarksons jokes dehumanising muslims were also very funny. Really can't believe some of the comments and whatnot on this thread. Always thought better/smarter from Toyota/Lexus owners. Sorry if my remarks are felt as uncalled for. Drivers kill cyclists... not the other way round. Nothing to be making merry about! Shafiq - muslim cyclist who also drives an LS430 to work as well as my cycle for the past 20 years.

To be honest, I'm not totally sure. Been listening to a really old Quran (with english translation) CD and it sounds clear enough. Other day I was thinking the clarity was/is really impressive but then today - maybe in my head due to the amount of times I've heard about the subwoofer problem - I almost thought I heard a few crackles! Hopefully they're fine and currently on a little mini-mission to ensure I have handsfree bluetooth setup. The BURY/PARROT kits are about £80 and I'll be permanently connected to the speakers for calls, but then the wiring seems a bit of a chore and I'm unsure whether the kits come with thw appropriate harness for these 22 year old cars! Just bought a second hand Supertooth kit from ebay for £20 after seeing a mention somewhere by Malc or Malc1. But not keeping my hopes up too much about the in-call sound quality at 70mph...

Rear door not opening from the inside, all sorted. Seems to have been opened before (by an idiot) as the 'put-together' clips hadn't been properly engaged at the edges of the door. There is 2 at one end (front or rear, I forgrt which) and 3 at the other. Whoever had opened it before hadn't slotted the top cable back into place. Unless off course it has previously been used for kidnapping and this is thw seat the victim would be sat (sorry for the poor joke but I really cannot get how someone would be so stupid to not slot the cable (ball ended) into place. If we take a Lex technician hourly rate into account, though it's actually a half hour job, I reckon I just saved about £70 😄 (All Praise God/Alhamdlillah). Next job, not sure but I'm sure you'll hear about it.

Thankfully my 21 yr old LS430 also came with a YUASA. So hopefully I can be battery-worry free for at least a few years 😊 A little bit of subjective info here also https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=97640 The Halfords 5 year warranty also worked well for me as one of mine developed a fault at year three. So they replaced it without much fuss...

YUASA isn't rebranded twaddle. Propee Jaoanese manufacturing and some report it as being one of the best car battery brands on planet earth. I ran mine well beyond 5 years across 2 or 3 different Subaru 6 cylinders and it was amazing. That's all I ever buy now...

Opened the back door panel (well, undid it) using this guide but the back version - Couldn't actually get the panel undone and then realised its the beautiful solid clips that pull/pin everything together. Cicked the link for the front to check how the panel actually comes away from the door and it seems straightforward enough. Like removing a bike brake cable but a bit more fiddly. Now that this (OS) is back together I think I have a good idea of whats going on with the side that's actually thw problem. I'll guesstimate that someone has had it apart previously and didnt quite get both (brake type) cables sat ij the slot properly. Will check that tomorrow or another day now and God Willing have it sorted. In other news... managed to get 28mpg on a 200 mile commute the other day with a little aggressive (with the car, not other sensible drivers) driving to make up for the 40 minute wait. On the way back and hovering between 60 and 70 all the way and it's been 33 (eventually). Happy days 🙂 Oh... and I just realised that the LS isn't actually the one that's described as the Japanese Rolls (but better). That accolade goes to the gorgeous Toyota Century. Wonder if anyone on here has one!

@cruisermark the mats arrived and they're indeed beautiful pieces of engineering (lol). Really appreciate it. Couldn't quite figure out how to work the clips so am going without (for now). Really appreciated the quick delivery...

So... Item #7 hooefully getting sorted next month with it being booked in for the 5th next month with David at Lex-Tec. I know you're wondering, the price including labour and genuine Lexus timing belt and water pump is £525 plus vat. #4, the steering wheel adjust system. Well I opened it up and its obviously been fiddler with before as the covers hadn't been put back together properly. The whining from the telescopic bit has gone after a bit of WD (well, PTFE equivalent). Then a generous dosing of WD (equivalent) and electrical contact cleaner with plenty of pushing up and down to free up the seizure of the metal rod-threads and I got it working (Alhamdulillah/all praise God). But then (and during) I got a few sparks coming out the motor. Snap, bang, moving up and down, sizzle... and it's fried. At least it's not seized anymore and the rusty-whining has gone upon starting the car and the steering self adjusting for me. Oh well

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Now then... A few things I've concluded and found on the car that need addressing. In no particular order but I'll pop em down in case anyone has any thoughts on the matter before I investigate further (and hopefully your input might help me proceed appropriately and at minimal expense). 1. The ATF oil is still red and at the correct level. For a 21 year old car without any history that's mighty impressive and I assume it's been renewed appropriately, 2L or so at a time. I'll probably give it another few flushes as there has been one time when the gears felt slightly crunchy. All other times the gear engagement has been silky smooth. I'll be to just get the labelled stuff from Toyota. 2. Rear nearside door won't open from the inside. I assume this is where the original 'rich man/woman' used to sit and hence always got opened from the outside. Might be a simple fix of fiddling about with the mechanism or flush some WD40 through the motor. I'll be certain to preserve the waterproof barrier if I do end up taking off the door panel. 3. Car smelt like it had COPD and I was starting to think deeply about getting one of them Ozone machines. But thankfully leaving the windows open for a few nights/days and a wholesome dosing of the air purifying freshener from Asda seems to be doing the trick now. I don't think mine has the under seat filter as it's the simpler version without cooled seats. I will swap the cabin filter out as soon as I get home (arrived from Germany in only 2 days or so). Also Cruiser @cruisermark has kindly sold me some original mats that look in good nick. They'll do the interior some 'niceness'. 4. The motor of the steering wheel adjustment sounds 'whiny' and won't generally move up or down. Seems like a sticky motor as is the same problem with the offside mirror. Will try and open both to the motor and dose em with some WD40 or better (I think I have some eletrical freshening spray also from WD). 5. Found a few tiny rust patches. Worst of which is under the rear at number plate section. Not sure how I'll proceed but needs addressing before I'm stuck with a full-on rusting bucket. 6. This should have actually been at the top of the list. But it's not in order so... Gonna order that radiator bypass upgrade before I'm stuck with thw ATF and coolant mixing problem. 7. Timing belt!!! I'm only on 70k but it's a 21 year old belt now. No evidence of it ever being changed and it's a 100k interval between changes as per manual. Decisions, decisions 🤔

Thanks Mark. They look in very good nick. I'll take em please. Hopefully you'll be ahppy for me to send across the money on Monday as that's pay day. Really appreciate it. Is there only enough gromets for the one mat and are they easy to apply. Thanks again and PM about how to pay pls.

Yes please @cruisermark and as long as the mats are in decent condition I will take them please. If yours are looking a bit tired I will probably end up going for the brandnew ones you sent me a link for as I feel there's a certain satisfaction in putting brandnew original mats in a 22 year old car 🙂 I will take them securing clips regardless please mark, thanks...

That above post was for last night but for some reason it didn't upload. This morning and the remainder of the journey done at standard speed limit speeds (you know). Hovering at 70 and mainly motorway. The road was flat and there probably wasn't much wind. Managed the 48 miles at a handsome 28mpg after resetting the fuel computer in the centre-dash. This was getting me worried and feeling a bit stupid (at buying an LS430 for commuting long distances) but am happy I can achieve real figures in the 30s (+/- 4mpg). Will update again regards mpg after swapping out the air filter, ATF renewal and possibly some new diff oil (and anything else I can think of that could affect mpg). Oh... and yesterday before starting the 150 miles test, I popped the tires up to 36psi. Not sure that excessive but the weight of the car does state 3500kg. A bit of whining coming from the steering adjust motor and the side mirror when opening/closing. Hopefully a quick clean/lube might fix the problem....

First real test for the 430 today. A commute of 150 miles (I'll continue the other 50 tomorrow) and since I don't own a mansion and a yacht, it needed to be 'appropriate' on petrol. What better way to grow fortitude at getting higher mpg than the day you're two days away from pay-day and the wife most probably won't lend you any more money 😄 first I checked my account (like you do) and since I only had £78 available I thought I'd fill up by £70. £73 later and the monster brimming 3 quarts full with V power, I was off. First 50 miles don't count as I was in a slight rush to work for today. Next 150 miles (after todays work) and I worked on my right foot. A raw egg under the pedal is the analogy/method I'd use with the 6 cylinder and I've plenty of practice at it. 53 to 55mph as much as I could - or else I might be stranded in and around Bristol tomorrow - and 150 miles later, I bagged myself what will most likely be the best mpg I'll probably get out of it. 34.3mpg and I took a pic of it in case I didn't believe myself in later life. Maybe there's lots of commuting in her to be had afterall. Also, the whine from the O/S mirror when folding in or out means I may need to take a look at that wiring or whatever's needed to gain longevity there. Lovely drive and I had to hold back off throttling them 8 pistons/cyclinders.

Hi Mark. Might be interested mate. Are you close enough to Yorkshire that I won't end up paying much extra on postage - sorry for sounding like I'm on a budget, but I am 😊 Any chance of some pics please. ____________ Sorry, I just reread your post that the postage is included. No harm in me collecting em if you're close by (and keeping the payment to £35). Anyone know where to grab the gromets without paying Lexus prices. As my floor doesn't have em...

This is a question I had today aswell. The govt barge finder doesn't seem to work for our cars... or it's down! I'm commuting (60 and 70 miles one way - yes, it does feel a bit daft driving an LS430 for it but enjoyable) and found the higher octane to give more miles in my other car. Though it had a badge on the fuel cap stating 95ron... Anyway... I just found this but still stuck in tw9 minds as to using the higher octane stuff...

Rather than make a separate thread on the refurb project, I'll just continue on here. Less clutter! Firstly, most of the cars I've probably ever owned, I've more than likely been the final propee owner before the hit the 170k mark and blow a piston or whatnot. So this being on only 77000 miles means I've got my work cut out a little. Plus, the redefined of my user name is from when I was building (push)bikes for customers - Redefined Cycles. Anyway, without further ado. Yesterday was 'sorting the keys out' day. Cost to me, hardly anything though maybe I've worn mt files down a bit (don't tell Lexus I used a B&Q special on their fob). The fob was looking rather tired so I swapped it out into one of the spare key sleeves I'd been given with it. Today a fiver went to the chap that had accepted my offer of a service history book. Might aswell start accumulating some history for it, though I'd imagine it's had a few services in the past 22 years! Then went down to the autofactors and got soke Mannol oil (cheaper but I'll be doing a few flushes in the next 12000 miles hopefully). Popped some engine flush in (yes, I did deliberate but decided to go ahead), in the form f Wynns. £20 for the oil which thankfully the 430 takes less than the 6 cyclinder Subaru. £10 for air filter and the flush and I'll work on the next item soon... It's a surprise 😊

Hi everyone and hope you're well. After cleaning the inside of my new (to me) LS430, which involved a bit of elbow grease and plenty of Maguire's as well as valet foam and soap powder, I'm in a slight bit of a dilemma regards mats. It didn't come with any and the interior is the lovely (and easily dirty) cream. I've searched ebay and the originals seem way overpriced, even used (which I don't plan on getting as they look filthy). I've looked at a few (well, two) that appear to be custom made and are giving it the full sales pitch. I also plan on restoring the car as much as I can so me or someone gets another 10 or 15 years out of it. The mats I've seen don't come with gromets but do imply that they're 'Lexus approved/advised carpet material', etc etc. If I just went with one of these (is black gonna look daft in a cream car 🙂 ) and they come without the gromets to fasten to the floor at the front, are gromets easy to come by. Generally just thoughts and experiences of thwse interiors and mats please... Is cheap gonna mean they keep slipping all over the place. Any recommended manufacturers where the regulars would go to (on a slight budget). Thanks...

Went and collected it. Fits the bike in it perfectly. Lots of cigarette smoke which I spoke to John at Halfords and he assures me it'll be the carpets. So got some valet spray and gonna put in some elbow grease shortly with my daughter. All Praise God (Alhamdulillah) that it is in actual fact coils/hydraulics. So will use my carefully kept rust converter and then maybe some black Hamerite to get some life. Windows looks slightly ugly with the misting but daughter wasn't too bothered on that front. So might not waste my monies there just yet. When I went to collect I wondered why it had been left open. Lovely Russian chap and I still consider it a bargain so not too worried and hopefully it's 'the bad' as opposed to other mechanical niggles. The keyfob doesn't seem to arm the alarm so it's a matter of using the keys or pressing that little door button. Had a little, 'oh no, the alarm won't turn off' earlier. So will have to get that looked at (suggestions on the cheapest method most welcome - the keys are obviously coded to the car or else it wouldn't start!). It came with 2 spare key dummies... Radiator does indeed look shot so will probably get a new one. As opposed to the kit Paul has on ebay. He rarely answers anything (at all) anyway. Also, service history... Totally missing 😊 but theres oil inside it (which looks like it needs renewing) and the cambelt probably needs doing too. So will sort as many oils as I can (once I figure out how the online manual system works or go through the pdf etc) and when affordable, get it booked for a belt (or read up on it and consider it myself 😄). Drives lovely...