Ls400 Mk Iii Vs Mk Iv?

[John Lawley]

I reckon the engine is a little quieter in the mark 3

Everyone who comments on my MKIII remarks as to how quiet the engine sounds and, when I tell them its done 188k, they are gobsmacked.

Camping at silverstone over the weekend, i had started the engine on my LS400 to charge my phone and make sure i didn't discharge the Battery doing it, i then moved the car to in front of the tent about 20 mins later my wife asked from in the tent if i wanted the jump leads to start the car, I replied "what the one thats runnign 6 feet from you?" she was very surpised she couldn't hear it, it's done 229k now as well, again a mk3 1995.

I'd still have a mk4 though :)

hows your phone will discharge car Battery? u barkin mate...

Blah,

As above simple law of physics, also car had been parked up for 3 days and had another phone to charge up and i didn't fancy having immobliser problems because of a discharged Battery or jump starting in the middle of a field, during grand prix traffic restrictions.

[chrali]

The main thing that would put me off buying a Series 3 is the fact that some people have experienced engine stalling immediately after sustained high-speed driving. The 'workaround' is to switch on the a/c (to raise the idle r.p.m.) just before leaving the motorway. I don't know if Toyota ever owned up to this one, let alone issued a fix, so I'd bear this in mind.

I also read something once (affecting only the Series 3) about the alternator being vulnerable to spray/salt from the road, and I think the solution was a special shield - nothing too drastic. Whether Toyota would be willing to pay for such an item so far into the car's life is anyone's guess. Hopefully somebody else will know more about this...

On the subject of recalls generally, just how old does the vehicle have to be before the manufacturer doesn't have to take responsibility for any safety issues that arise? I often wonder this, but nobody seems to be able to tell me!

Never had this happen to my me and mine was driven fast every day ;)

[FrankB]

Hi,

I finally bought a 122k 1999 Mk IV and picked it up last week. I think it has the Dynamic Handling Package, which I was not really looking for, but seems in good condition and has all the power gizmos working.

I have to say I am very impressed with the car, however 2 things are bothering me:

1- The "Headlight Leveling" error message I have when I start the engine. I will get this sorted when I replace the UK-spec headlight with EU-specs one (I'm from the continent).

2- I drive the car on the German Autobahnen, and sometimes the car has a loss of power and has trouble reaching 190km/h (about 120mph). Before yesterday, I had driven it up to 220km/h without any such loss of power. When accelerating from 100-120km/h, it would kick-down and take off very fast. But ysterday and today, it did not kick-down and so had a lot of trouble barely reaching 190km/h.

What could be wrong? It happened after I got the front wheels checked for balance, only to discover that those 17" Pirellis were badly worn and had to be replaced (220 Euros each!!!). The tyres are not yet replaced, I will get them in 2 days. i don't understand how that could be related though, as the problem is a loss of output from the engine, and has nothing to do with tyres.

Any idea?

Thanks,

FrankB

[SteveLS400]

Hi,

I finally bought a 122k 1999 Mk IV and picked it up last week. I think it has the Dynamic Handling Package, which I was not really looking for, but seems in good condition and has all the power gizmos working.

I have to say I am very impressed with the car, however 2 things are bothering me:

1- The "Headlight Leveling" error message I have when I start the engine. I will get this sorted when I replace the UK-spec headlight with EU-specs one (I'm from the continent).

2- I drive the car on the German Autobahnen, and sometimes the car has a loss of power and has trouble reaching 190km/h (about 120mph). Before yesterday, I had driven it up to 220km/h without any such loss of power. When accelerating from 100-120km/h, it would kick-down and take off very fast. But ysterday and today, it did not kick-down and so had a lot of trouble barely reaching 190km/h.

What could be wrong? It happened after I got the front wheels checked for balance, only to discover that those 17" Pirellis were badly worn and had to be replaced (220 Euros each!!!). The tyres are not yet replaced, I will get them in 2 days. i don't understand how that could be related though, as the problem is a loss of output from the engine, and has nothing to do with tyres.

Any idea?

Thanks,

FrankB

Hi Frank

I can't see how the loss of power is down to haveing the wheels balanced. Before taking any other action, I would advise spending time searching this forum. Start with "loss of power" and expand the terms until you have a good range of comments.

[John Lawley]

an electronic sensor soemwhere i suspect, sounds like the engine is backing off the timing to stop knock, and there might not even be any knock.

Or knackered HT lead/spark plug. Is it ok up to 60mph/100kph then suddenly seems like someones put a caravan on the back?

[FrankB]

It did not seem to appear again. I don't know, perhaps some dirty gas from the bottom of a tank?

I have more urgent troubles to address: the 17" tyres from the Dynamic Handling Pack are impossible to find, and I have to go back to the standard 16". This means changing 5 wheels + tyres when I was only expecting to change 2 tyres. And I will need winter tyres for Germany...

This morning I found the center console soaked by rain water leaking through the inside rearview mirror... I think the windscreen was replaced at some point in time and it was not done properly, so when the car sits unmoving under heavy rain the water leaks through. (It did not appear previously when I was driving under heavy rain, or the car was parked under moderate rain for 10 days).

I love that car but was not expecting so much trouble. Does anyone have any idea about the cost of fixing a leaky windshield? Taking it down carefully, replacing the glue and fixtures and putting it back?

FrankB

[ManicMark]

It did not seem to appear again. I don't know, perhaps some dirty gas from the bottom of a tank?

I have more urgent troubles to address: the 17" tyres from the Dynamic Handling Pack are impossible to find, and I have to go back to the standard 16". This means changing 5 wheels + tyres when I was only expecting to change 2 tyres. And I will need winter tyres for Germany...

This morning I found the center console soaked by rain water leaking through the inside rearview mirror... I think the windscreen was replaced at some point in time and it was not done properly, so when the car sits unmoving under heavy rain the water leaks through. (It did not appear previously when I was driving under heavy rain, or the car was parked under moderate rain for 10 days).

I love that car but was not expecting so much trouble. Does anyone have any idea about the cost of fixing a leaky windshield? Taking it down carefully, replacing the glue and fixtures and putting it back?

FrankB

Hi before you start taking the screen out check the sunroof drain channels aren't blocked

are you in France or the UK as I have a set of refurbed 16 inch wheels with tires I would swap for your 17s if they are in good condition.

Best of luck Mark

[plastic orange]

I wasn't prepared to pay the cost of replacement pirellis, so fitted a pair of Falken 912's to the front in 235/50 x17 (less than half the price), and will replace the rear when they are due (very soon) with either the same or more likely 235/55 x17's to keep speedo accurate. I hope to have 235/55's all round eventually.

You don't notice the minimal width difference front to rear from the standard fitment.

Pete

[Malc]

It did not seem to appear again. I don't know, perhaps some dirty gas from the bottom of a tank?

I have more urgent troubles to address: the 17" tyres from the Dynamic Handling Pack are impossible to find, and I have to go back to the standard 16". This means changing 5 wheels + tyres when I was only expecting to change 2 tyres. And I will need winter tyres for Germany...

This morning I found the center console soaked by rain water leaking through the inside rearview mirror... I think the windscreen was replaced at some point in time and it was not done properly, so when the car sits unmoving under heavy rain the water leaks through. (It did not appear previously when I was driving under heavy rain, or the car was parked under moderate rain for 10 days).

I love that car but was not expecting so much trouble. Does anyone have any idea about the cost of fixing a leaky windshield? Taking it down carefully, replacing the glue and fixtures and putting it back?

FrankB

Hi, if it's not the sunroof drainage channels causing the leak then you just might want to get a windscreen replacement company to quote you for re-sealing and setting the windscreen if you think that really is the problem. Unless you're expert at doing it you just might end up with the same problem ! Not what you want to hear I'm sure, but that's the way I would do it rather than attempt it myself or get a local garage to possibly bodge the job.

Malc

Malc

[John Lawley]

I wasn't prepared to pay the cost of replacement pirellis, so fitted a pair of Falken 912's to the front in 235/50 x17 (less than half the price), and will replace the rear when they are due (very soon) with either the same or more likely 235/55 x17's to keep speedo accurate. I hope to have 235/55's all round eventually.

You don't notice the minimal width difference front to rear from the standard fitment.

Pete

try to keep all 4 tyrs the same or the ABS can throw a wobbley and cut in when the brakes are workign normally and not locing up causing you to lose braking ability.