chrisfs

Well, I've done it and I am back!

Just in from collecting a LS430, one of the earliest from late 2000, but you know what it's like - looks just about new. Must get back to work but more details to follow, if anyone's interested. But it is great to be back in a Lexus!

First paranoid moment: reversing beeps very quiet, is that normal?

And tomorrow, a day trip on business to Plymouth (from Bristol). Good chance to get to know the new motor!

Chris

Shame Barney.

On the other hand, it might be just as well . . .

Just spoke to local Lexus dealer about new tyres for LS 430. He recommended the original Dunlop 270's, as already discussed on here (I decided not to get into the Japan/Germany thing).

I then asked whether he recommended front or rear from the noise point of view, as it presently has new Kumho's on the front. His advice was put the new Dunlops on the rear! Something about the car being designed for rear passenger comfort/noise.

I was surprised, and I must say I didn't follow his logic for why that would be so, but he's the expert so that's what I'm going to do.

I would think the front are louder, but that's an uneducated guess.

I'm interested in this too Nitmoi. The car I am about to get has two Kumho K11's on the front (I saw your other thread), I'm not that keen on them but they are fairly new. The other two will probably be replaced and I aim to get Dunlop 270's.

The usual advice is I believe to put the new tyres on the rear but as the front Kumhos are quite new also it probably doesn't matter in this case? Therefore I am thinking of switching the Kumhos to the rear and put the new Dunlops on the front, on the theory that they will be a little quieter and I will get more benefit of that by having them up front where I would hear tyre noise more.

Anyone care to comment on whether that makes sense?

Really good link, thanks lexulexus. Do you happen to know if these are the Made In Japan ones?

I know Pete has been recommending the Japn ones over the Germany ones, but how much difference is there anyway?

Thanks Chris. I would have to say the ride compared favourably as I had the DHP version of the 400 and prefer a comfier ride. It was just the tyre noise I would have preferred to be less on the 430, though I may well be exaggerating the extent of it.

By the way, I see that not only have we very similar names (I presume that is your surname, though you can't see mine) but also we are sometimes quite close by as I am generally based in Bristol during the week!

Very generous offer, Pete, and much appreciated.

Great talking to you just now, and thanks again for your help and advice.

Chris

Thanks again, Barney, that's how I see it too.

Good idea re the tyres but I may be too far down the negotiation route now for that (deal basically agreed subject to the service not throwing up anything unexpected).

I should probably be more demanding but the two front Kumhos are pretty new so I can see the dealer's point that he doesn't see a need to replace those. (But I might, especially if Dunlops might be quieter). I have more of a case on the two rears being different and with more wear, I will ask Lexus for a view on match/wear.

Thanks Barney. Price just under £12k including a warranty and obviously the full 60k Lexus service.

Apparently the previous owner is about 90! Just traded in for a Lexus hybrid, car is coming to the dealer direct from the Lexus dealer, they hadn't even collected it yet when I stopped by for a look!

All the original services were Lexus main dealer locally to where the car is, the last two (non-Lexus services) were another local garage. The service is to be done by the same local Lexus dealer so I will go through that and previous history with them when they have done the work.

Fair point, Maneesh. But you know, in every other respect it looks and feels very well looked after.

Buying a new car is always a nervous time, isn't it? I find I'm hypersensitive to every little thing, when often it's just that it's different from what you are used to.

I previously owned a Mk IV 1999 LS400 but sold it almost a year ago for various complicated reasons, so I've been away from the forum for a while. Wavered badly before finally going ahead and selling and have missed my Lexus since (of course!). Have a Saab 9-5, nice enough but not a Lexus.

So recently have been thinking of returning to the fold. Even test drove a GS300 the other day, very nice but not the same ride and quite a bit of road roar from the tyres. Really my sights are set on the bigger car and an older LS430 is now in my range.

Just back from looking at one. Seven years old but in really nice condition, handful of stone chips, that's about it. Low mileage for age at 57,000 so just about run in :). My main reservation is the service history so that's where I'm looking for advice as the golden rule is full Lexus dealer history only, right?

This one has been serviced pretty much when it should but the last two have been non-Lexus, and the latest was 13 months ago though not too many miles in that time. As part of the negotiation the (independent) dealer has agreed to have a full (not intermediate) Lexus service. I'm thinking that will give me the peace of mind I need, especially if I talk to Lexus after they've done the work. I wasn't going to get an RAC check this time.

Does this sound sensible, guys? Or perhaps a little rash? Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks

Chris

P.S. I did wonder about the tyres too - 3 different makes! A Dunlop Sport 270 and a Continental on the rear. On the front two fairly new looking tyres I've never heard of, Kuhmo Ecsta K11. The one thing on the test drive was more tyre noise than I expected and I'm wondering if these are to blame?

Hi again,

The car has 7 hole 17's and has alot harder ride than my mark2,the ride quality was the main reason for me thinking it was a DHP.

Sounds like a DHP to me, andyman! (I had one too).

Service would've been about thirty quid cheaper at Lexus Hanley

What, Lexus Hanley do a service for fifteen quid??!!

start trawling the adds or ask on here if anyone has a decent one for sale

I'm not too sure of the forum rules but Rich Bee has given me a cue: my LS is for sale! Not that handy for Bolton though, I'm in Surrey . . .

Chris

Thanks Graham, I'm a regular in Superfish myself so we must have crossed paths before unknowingly!

Everyone seems to want me to smarten it up myself, so there must be a message there! I just feel I wouldn't do a great job. Or maybe I'm just lazy, it's cold and wet etc etc . . .

Regrettably I am not moving to another Lexus but back to a Saab. I just like a change every now and then. But the LS has been (is) wonderful really, I want something a little more compact just now but I am sure I will be back for another Lexus in future, maybe next time (hope I am lucky enough to get as good an example again).

Thanks for your input, all.

Chris

For no particular reason other than I never know when I'm on to a good thing, I have decided to sell my LS400. I thought it would be a good move to have it valeted before sale - can anyone recommend a good one within range of me (I'm in West Byfleet in Surrey)?

Thanks

Chris

And it's a late swing to the rear - so that's where they are going!

Thanks all.

Chris

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

So, I make that one vote for the front wheels, one for the rear, one for whichever is going to get a blowout, and one for getting a Citroen instead . . .

Now where's that coin?

:D

The other good news (see other thread) from my service today is that I need two new tyres on the front. The rears I bought last year and have done about 7k.

Is it a good idea to put the new ones on the rear (i.e. drive) wheels and switch the others to the front?

Any advice very welcome!

Thanks

Chris

Thanks for the input, guys. I have more information now, via a written quote. It says "Replace both front tie bars due to worn bushes" then quotes for a 01B09A strut bar and a N/STK strut bar, whatever they are. Only one of each, it looks like, which confuses me (that's easily done though).

But all the money turns out to be in the labour, 80% of the price! I'm sure our Colin will be able to do much better than that!

Thanks Jelly (may I call you Jelly?). Useful to know!

I take it that was per side.

I have now spoken to Colin (very helpful chap) and he is on the case.

Thanks very much Chris, I will call them.

Anyone else any thoughts on the price I should be aiming at?

Chris

I have a LS400 1999 Mk IV with the Dynamic Handling Pack, 98k miles. I have said in other posts that the ride is not all it could be and when it went in for the service today I asked them to look at the front suspension.

They tell me both tie bar bushes need replacing and are quoting a fitted price of £367 each side!

Can anyone please comment if that seems a fair price, or suggestions for where else (Woking/Guidlford area) I could look to get it done? I don't mind paying a little extra to have Lexus do it, and to not have the hassle of taking it somewhere else.

Also does their diagnosis seem plausible? I don't know anything about these things. I had expected to hear the springs might need replacing though, are tie bar bushes something else?

Thanks for any help! I have to make a decision fairly quickly, unfortunately.

Chris

Well, I've got the same problem. Exactly as you describe, Chris V.

I'm afraid I haven't found the solution either. But I would be very interested to learn it too, if there is one.

So, not much very constructive there then. But, since this seemed to be a thread for "Chris's", I thought I might as well join in!

Ah, OK (maybe). I have the 245/50/17's like CDM said.

Still not sure whether 31 psf is right though . . .