Ls400 Mk III Lookouts

[Monster-Mat]

check theres no dead bodys in the boot

[ColinBarber]

check theres no dead bodys in the boot

or even in the back. Take your time and have a good look - it's a big car, easy to miss one or two people :P

[nickmoul]

Depending on the age, check the headlamps are all working. There was a guy on here said one (yes one) headlight bulb cost £158. Uh-HUH!

Th engine should be smooooooooth. I mean no shake rattle or roll. Check the A/C has no effect on engine speed but cools the car. It needs to be on all the time in these big cars in this damp country.

Heck you know more about cars than most of us here..... :D

Nick

[ColinBarber]

Headlights are ok on the MKIII. Just your normal bulbs, not HIDs

Check idle speed with AC off. Make sure it's not too low.

Check car with foot on brake in drive and let the AC cut in and out. I have heard when the engine increases the idle when the AC comes on it tries to force the car forwards.

[Monster-Mat]

Heck you know more about cars than most of us here..... :D

dont be so sure.................. :)

[Steve]

mats worried as i am learning faster about cars than he is with computers

[Fidgits]

Dont forget to take off the oil cap to check for creamy gunk or fluid... sure sign of a head gasket on its way out..

(you wouldnt believe how many cars I have looked at in garages that obviously needed a new gasket)

[Steve]

not always a true indication ian.. if the car has been standing around with the odd start up the condensation causes the white gunk to appear

[Fidgits]

a small amount perhaps Steve, can easily just be moisture in the engine... but if it is caked on (couple of mm thick), then i'd say that its pretty conclusive..

[GrandAlf]

I have had a Mk3, Mk4 and LS430. I found that progressing through the models the consumption slightly improved, 430 is the best for this. Maybe my style of driving?. Have a 3 litre S type Jag now, much worse than any LS!.

[SpeedyJ]

@ Colin,

What do you mean by idle speed with A/C off being too low? My LS400 III from 95 shows about 500 rpm when warm, in N or D with A/C switched off. I assumed a low idle speed was a good sign. Do you disagree? And what about the 500?

Thanks, SpeedyJ

PS My LS does have air suspension, was an option here on the LS400 III over here (Holland)

[ColinBarber]

The idle shouldn't be 500rpm in N, it should be around 750. 500 when in drive is normal.

[ROYT]

Previous writer CB is correct re idle.

There is an "idle up" arrangement that increases the engine speed

when the aircon is on, this is normal.

At least on my '94 it is!

I think this also happens if the steering is on full lock. :winky:

[Steve]

drove miles and miles only to walk away without a test drive again

too many things which turned me off

heated seats did not work

radio consol bit did not light up (glad i checked this as i spotted this from these forums)

centre sun visor was floppy

cramy under oil cap (cars has been standing around since xmas with start ups So might be ok)

Patchy history... so ppatchy one service has an 18,000 mile interval

water in boot... had me concerned so inspected boot lines and they were slightly out... further investigation LED to a rear shunt.

few bulbs blown

bonnet struts were weak

few nicks on paintwork... polished by stevie wonder

passenger door locking button was broken

I was dissapointed as it was a nice car and lovely colour... very comfy

So... I decided to drop in on the Black GS300 Sport... took her for a test drive... lovely jubbly.. smooth ride!

Things I can see wrong

paintwork needs a buff up.. spider web effect where someone polished incorrectly.

new badges on back... originals are faded

some stevie loving

Very good condition for age.. cars at 90K but the engine is really sweet and quiet... only thing is compared to the soarer.. very gutless... but I will get used to that and should settle my testosterone levels nicely.

So i slapped the deposit on it.

[ColinBarber]

Nice one Steve. When do you pick it up?

[Fidgits]

Sounds nice Steve...

Black, mmmmmmmmmmm

[Steve]

if everything goes to plan then it should be saturday

[LennyLexus]

gwaaan steviebwoy.

Look forward to seeing pics mate ;)

[flotsam]

make sure its a series 3... they were the most economical.. the series 4 was absolute pants on consumption.

Petrol costs are the least of your worries.

Far worse is depreciation/servicing.

I test-drove an earlier LS400 and didn't like the handling. Then I tried the MkIV and there was a definite improvement in handling. NOT TO MENTION THE SAT NAV.

[GrandAlf]

I agree with flotsam, depreciation is a major issue, as it is with all large expensive cars. Thats why I got rid of my last 430. Would still like another though. I never found that servicing was all that bad compared to other makes, the "germans" seem to be pricier in general.