Dudes,

I've decided to keep my car for another 5 years at least, so it's going in to the mechanic on Monday morning to have a bit of an overhaul.

I'm changing the front lower control arms, front lower ball joints, front anti-roll bar bushes, strut bar cushions, both engine mounts, transmission mount, rear anti-roll bar bushes, rear upper control arms, both idler pulleys, timing belt, timing belt tensioner.

I got the parts from Lexus USA, and I'm using a specialist. Had I ordered the parts from Lexus UK and got everything fitted at a Lexus main dealer, it wouldn't have been worth it.

Anyways, can anyone recommend anything else it might be worth doing as preventative maintenance at 171,000 miles? I was thinking of asking the mechanic to clean out the throttle body since that usually gets very full of carbon deposits.

Thanks,

Maneesh

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!save your dosh and buy a newer one

High mileage, not too sure havent seen many LS400's which I would consider to have high mileage, but yours should certainly still be in top form at only 170k, the highest I have personally been in has had 320,000 miles though it's probably upto the 400,000 mark now as he still has it and I havent been in it for a couple of years, but that was running perfectly.

Good idea about keeping it for another 5 years if your happy with it, by then LS430's will be nearly 10 years old so you should be able to pick up a nice one for about £5000 by then.

Hmmm, IMHO the shape of the original LS400s is the nicest, and I'm sure the new LS430 is a cracking car to drive in, but compared to my Mk1 it looks flabby. If I was to buy a newer car, I'd be tempted by the looks of the Audi A8.

I wonder how long the other ancilliary items will last? I have the same idea as you, mr Man-quiche, as I bought my Ser-3 for the same reason, with -currently- only 58k miles, but all the little bits-electric bits and bobs, the screen (speedo, etc,)
may go in time? Let's hope Lexus/Toyota continue to support the older models (us connoisseurs who helped to establish the marque?)
The 430? Well, it looks EVEN fatter/more imposing-I thought yesterday as one slipped by me as I was walking along......faster, more economical....but I'm not a Sat-nav fan (my lissome partner likes to navigate!). BUT a built in Speed camera detector would be a great help. 30 seems to be stationary!Foot off accelerator and it STILL does 35!
I share your concept of keeping the car going though, even at some cost; in time you'll have a rare early LS!

Great to hear another LS owner trying to get value for money out of their purchase.

Saw a recent report where 2000 W reg Merc S430 fully loaded went for £13k, or a 2000 X Audi A8 4.2 Quattro went for £8.5k. Both have around 200k mileage with full service history. Tempting but not enough!

I've booked meself a place on the Lexus driving day on 21st August. The WHOLE day driving every Lexus model around the track to it's limits! I see a remortgage coming up ;-)

Chris,

You should do a bit better on all the gizmos since you have a Mk3. The early models are prone to a few more probs.

Yes, given the fact that you are looking at around 1200 LS400s sold in either Mk1 or Mk2 shape, then as time goes on, and I keep up the TLC, the car should hold it's value quite well. Another 13 years and it's officially a classic, another 38 years and it will be vintage!

Funny, I've been called Man of Quiche or Maneesh the Quiche before, but Mr Man-Quiche is a new one!!!!! Most people who know me very well just end up calling me Quiche!

Hi..

Im also going to keep my old mk1 for a few more years yet....i got alot of car for the money i paid for it....

The touch up paint is no longer available for it but i got a colour match made up from a local car accessories shop

As for other parts ive needed they seem to be still available,but they do have to order them in..

It was nice when i went down to Lexus Bristol that the fitter came out to have a look around my car and said it was good to still see the Mother of Lexus still on the roads as they are rare in the uk.

For the age of these old cars they have aged very well....and we are the ones who are getting the best value for our money

Happy motoring guys

Chips,

Lucky for us the Mk1/Mk2 LS400 sold in larger numbers in the USA, and the US enthusiasts know a lot about keeping these cars on the road as they get older.

Anyway, I just picked up my car on Friday after my complete suspension overhaul, and it's incredibly tight. The car has firmed up so much and it drives so much better on the bends. Good for another 100k now.

For those of you with higher mileage cars, check your transmission mount and engine mounts. These play a big part in helping the LS feel ultra smooth. My engine mounts had come apart totally and the transmission mount was pretty much too.

NO, Maneesh!

I used to like the original but I've actually grown to like my MkIV the most. Agree the LS430 looks bloated, but it's a lot more car. The extra torque is good for quicker acceleration and the voice recognition will be impressive. I notice Clarkson hasn't taken the P out of the Lexus voice recognition the way he's done with the S-Class. If it's just looks you want then buy a jag or just spray gold paint on some dog-doo. Can't believe you bought a car and spent the same again on insurance and repairs just for its looks.

Audi's quality, like Mercedes, seems to be falling. The A8 didn't do too well in a comparison test in the US.

Dude, what EXACTLY is YOUR problem? Every posting I put on here, you have to voice your disagreement or just take the mick time after time.

So what if I bought my car because I like the shape compared to other luxury cars? Am I the only car owner in the universe who has bought a car because the car's looks were appealing?

I THOUGHT this was a Lexus community where fellow owners support each other and share information to help each other save money etc. This forum is turning into a forum for crap comedians.

I've tried to share a lot of information on here to help other LS owners save money, and some owners have benefited from that info.

Myself and others on here are fed up with your attitude. You have made your point time and time again. Yes, you drive a newer model and it's smoother than all our Mk1s and you had the cash to buy one. Well done, yeah, not bad. Give the record a rest, dude..

That's one difference between the US and the UK. All the forums in the US are ultra helpful and people are genuinely supportive when you post. Not the same in the UK.

Yes I agree,I am also getting off as well . I am all for having a laugh but it wears a bit thin with this .Suggest not to reply to him then he will be Billy no mates.

i've been sadly disappointed with the management's interpretation of the 'mission statement' of the club, and have subsequently kept off the boards, but felt that such a loyal LS400 owner as you deserved a reply.

re-seal or replace power steering pump (mine's not leaked since the seals were replaced) but sounds 'rough' when a mechanics stethoscope is used.

remove transmission sump and filter, drain all the oil (or as much as you can get out!) fit new filter (cheap from the states as you probably know) and refill with genuine toyota auto box oil.

i'd be interested to hear how yours rides after the suspension refurb.

Thanks to those who put the helpful advice up.

Greybeard the car is silky smooth and rides and handles amazingly well, and is feels much more controlled on all roads, especially slip roads which curve and high speed stability has improved. Not cheap to do, but more very close to factory spec.

The polyurethane bushes I fitted to the rear hubs which were the most practical option last year (saved £1,500 compared with the "Lexus" option!) don't have that much flex as I would like which means the ride from the rear is not that compliant, but the upside is that the car hugs the road a lot better.

A quote I got from a VW Golf GTi owner last week who sampled the LS passenger experience, "wow, this big car holds the road" - driving at 50mph round some sweeping bends.

The engine mounts and transmission mounts were totally split and replacing them has made the car feel quicker, smoother and it seems to shift quicker! The gearbox was sinking by 2 inches since the mount was so bad..

Plus, two kids cycling down my street today said, "I Like the Lex, mate".

If you have an older LS400 and the ride/handling is getting a bit tired, I would start with the transmission mount (40 quid from US and you can do it yourself in 15 mins), and front and rear anti-roll bar bushes (again 30 quid from US and you can do it yourself quickly). That should make a difference for not much money/time, and take it from there.

The dude in Oz called Andrew Vlamos who made factory spec rubber bushes for the Soarers is now making kits for LS400s, so you can replace the bushes without buying the new arms. I'll provide the link once I get hold of it. I think something like £200-£300 for a new set of bushes all around (upper and lower).

Maneesh,
Did you get transmission mount and engine mount from sewell.If not can you give me details please.

Yes, Andy, I got them from Sewells. I ordered on a Friday afternoon and they arrived on Monday morning! I paid $20 extra for express delivery though. That's quicker than getting it from the UK!!!

Thanks for that Maneesh.