Mk4 Buyer's Checklist

[Lex Wannabe]

Hi all

I am new to this site and am looking for some help buying a MK4 LS400. I have read lots of information on this site relating to trouble spots of MK3 and earlier cars, e.g. powersteering pump, radio/climate displays etc. However I don't know if the same applies to MK4 cars. Perhaps there are specific areas to check when buying a MK4 car? I am intending to buy a 1998 or 1999 model with about 90,000 miles.

Thanks for any advice!

Mark

[Lex Wannabe]

UPDATE!!!

I viewed the car today. It has covered 71,000 miles. It full service history, but the last service was carried out by a general garage. Also, it is due a service now. I have told the sales rep that I will be back tomorrow to test drive the car and that I would want the cambelt changing along with a service. He said that he will have all that done at their own workshop. Is this acceptable? Is there something about servicing an LS400 that dictates it be done only by a Lexus dealer/specialist? Can a non-Lexus workshop change the cambelt satisfactorily?

Thanks for any info that anyone can offer. I will be agreeing to buy the car tomorrow unless I find a reason not to.

Incidentally, the radio aerial doesn't quite retract all the way (it stops about 2 cm short). The carpet in the boot has mould patches (perhaps water is coming in through the aerial?). They said that they will get all that sorted. Does anyone know of a common problem with LS400 aerials or damp/mouldy boots?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Mark

P.S. I'm so excited!!!! Can't wait to own an LS400 (wanted one for about 3 years).

[Monster-Mat]

if there a good garage then i wouldnt worry about them doing the belts, However, try and find out if any of the pulleys or tensioners need changing at the same time.

regards the aeriel, try and get that replaced if you can, as it wont be a cheap thing to replace yourself.....few ££££

if you feel happy with the car, go for it. check the instruments, the engien should run silky smooth.......balance a coin on the engine cover!! fo sure!

[Nitmoi]

I had a very wet trunk and it appears to have been down to a worn boot seal.

£50 +/- and solved. Fitted at home in minutes.

The parts dept admitted that 5 years is enough for their trunk seal, they are much softer than most.

[Lex Wannabe]

Thank you, both of you, for those comments so far.

It's a 1999 by the way, so if the seal lasts only 5 years, then I guess that's why! They said that they'll do what it takes to get the damp issue sorted out and make it leak-free (not that I can really check they've sorted it unless I use a pressure washer on it before buying lol).

Also I told him that I would want the aerial replacing, which he agreed to do. So that covers those problems.

I just don't know what else to check. All the stuff seems to work ok, and I will be assessing it carefully on the test drive tomorrow. I also checked the transmission fluid and engine oil. But I wouldn't know what else to check in terms of under-the-bonnet stuff. I believe that a whole new exhaust can cost £2,000+ so I will attempt to see if I can assess that.

They are asking £9995 for it. It's done 71,000 miles, full history. Seems to be in excellent condition as far as I can tell. I am hoping that I can get it converted to LPG for around £2300 and then keep it for 5 years+.

Just one question though, when you say that I should try to find out if any of the pulleys or tensioners need replacing... are they not replaced at standard intervals along with the belt? Are they only replaced if they look like they need replacing? If I ask them if they need replacing, they are bound to say "no" as they know I would ask them to do it before I buy the car.

[Monster-Mat]

the pulley issue is as you say, IF there supposed to be changed with the belt, you need to try and make sure they are done when the belt is done.

what i suppose i mean is, if you find out that the pulleys are supposed to be changed, at least when you say to them have you done the belt, and the pulleys, you know what your talking about.

[Lex Wannabe]

Ahhhh, I understand what you mean now, Monter-Mat. You mean I should find out in advance from Lexus whether or not the pulleys need replacing... thanks for that. At first I thought you meant ask the vendor if the pulleys look like they need to be changed.

I'm really glad you said that as I would never have thought to ask that. I will find out and will be armed with that information when I go back tomorrow. If I don't get them to do the work I want, I ain't buying the car... simple as. I'm not rushing in and can go elsewhere if necessary. I want this car to last for years and if that means taking a week or two to look at a few more, I will!

Cheers muchly!

[jamesholden]

Don't be afraid of getting a newer higher mileage example. In car's such as these high motorway miles are much better for it than pottering around only doing a few thousand every year. You'll notice the difference between them, my dad's is on over 150k now and its still on the original shocks and brake discs and they seem in perfectly good condition, wheras the same car with perhaps 60k on it would be ready for discs and shocks etc due to shorter travelling distances and more town-work.

[Lex Wannabe]

I called my local Lexus dealer and they said that only the belt needs to be changed on the LS400. They said that on the IS the pulleys and tensioners need to be changed also. They said it would normally cost £432 but as it's an older car they will do it for £332.78 (including tax, delivery/collection, loan car etc.).

I understand what you're saying about a lower-mileage car that's done more town work being actually more worn that a higher-mileage car that's done motorway miles. I will try to inspect the discs, exhaust and suspension.

I will be going back to the garage shortly for a test drive.

[maneesh]

Beware! A higher mileage car may well have been driven by a company car driver who has driven it very hard since it's gone back after the lease finishes. Sure, the lease company will maintain it according to schedule, but most company cars are not loved by their drivers the way a private owner might take care of their car.