Finally Taken The Plunge

[NeilP1960]

Just taken the plunge and bought 2005 Ls430 in Nazcan Bronze. Above average mileage but with full Lexus service history. Still haven't stopped smiling since driving it home from Yourkshire yesterday.

Wondered if any club members could recommend any independent garages who specialise in Lexus in the North West region of England

[abs66]

Congrats on your purchase, I still smile driving mine and mines way older than yours.

I'm in the North West too so would also be interested in a good mechanic who actually knows the cars.

[NeilP1960]

Thanks Pete, here's the smile maker. Just need to upload from the original Gen 4 Sat Nav DVD and I'll be ready to tackle France & Belgium on a Battlefields Tour with a good friend.

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[NeilP1960]

Clearly still getting to know the car but first impressions are of a better ride in Sports mode than Normal on the air suspension, anyone else find this?

[Bluesman]

Thanks Pete, here's the smile maker. Just need to upload from the original Gen 4 Sat Nav DVD and I'll be ready to tackle France & Belgium on a Battlefields Tour with a good friend.

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What an absolute beauty, you must be very proud. Love the colour. You will be smiling for years to come and if you need another good friend drop me an email.

Enjoy.

Mike

[NeilP1960]

Well if you're ever near the Wirral..... :winky:

[NeilP1960]

Just back from a 1200 mile drive in the LS430 that included a battlefields trip to Ypres Salient and Somme. Car drove beautifully and was much quieter on the French roads and Peage then I've found many UK roads to be tbh. Overtaking was real fun and high speed cruising a real relaxing experience with a return just over 30mpg (over 420 miles to a full tank). Only slight problem I encountered was that the AC wasn't great (actually poor) and it was a very hot over the 5 days. Still under warranty so I'll give them a call, I'm assuming it needs a charge of new refrigerant but could it be anything else guys?

[Ifty]

Have you thought about getting it LPG converted??

I did mine last year at 90k miles and 11 months later at 107k i am still smiling. I get 275miles on 60 litres (£39.12) of gas.

Worth it if you do a lot of miles.

Regards

Ifty

[NeilP1960]

Might look into it but I have heard it's not always a trouble free conversion. Any recommended conversion companies?

Any ideas re. the air con?

[Ifty]

The guy who did mine did it in a day with no problems since. He has an LS430 himself. He is very good and knowledgeable. If there is a problem then he sorts it out ASAP.

With regards to the Aircon I had the same issue. Worked well ice cold. Did not use it over winter and in April this year it was blowing normal. Took it to an Aircon company who checked for leaks, there were none so roped it up and it's ice cold since. Lexus wanted £90 to look at it. It cost me £40 for refill.

Hope that helps.

Ifty

[NeilP1960]

Thanks Ifty , will contact an AC specialist to check for system leaks before progressing.

Do you have contact details for your LPG conversion?

[Bluesman]

Thanks Ifty , will contact an AC specialist to check for system leaks before progressing.

Do you have contact details for your LPG conversion?

Profess have done my cars and never ever had a problem.

Done in a day they lend you a car for the day for a nice lazy day out come back at 5pm all done, just pay up and go.

Mike 1998 LS400 Profess

[Ifty]

Yes it is Bham Autogas in star city of J6 on the M6. Guys name is Nuzzar and he has all the qualifications etc. Number is 0121 326 7171. You are most welcome to have a look at my conversion if you are around the West Midlands. I also have a LS430.

Regards

Ifty

[jsj24uk]

In my opinion, don't bother with the LPG conversion. I found a lack of consistency in terms of information from the numerous suppliers and installers that I contacted. Far too big a risk to take in my opinion considering what can and obviously will go wrong.

As for the AC, it might be worth checking the filters.

[NeilP1960]

Thanks sj24uk

Are the filters usually something that a reputable AC specialist would check as part of a service?

[Bluesman]

In my opinion, don't bother with the LPG conversion. I found a lack of consistency in terms of information from the numerous suppliers and installers that I contacted. Far too big a risk to take in my opinion considering what can and obviously will go wrong.

As for the AC, it might be worth checking the filters.

with

Thats very unfair tarring every LPG installer with the same brush.

There is good and bad in everything. Two members have had a positive experience with their chosen installers in my case on more than one occasion,they should not just be rubbished along with the rest of the cowboys that are out there.

Mike

[Chris Skelton]

The guy who did mine did it in a day with no problems since. He has an LS430 himself. He is very good and knowledgeable. If there is a problem then he sorts it out ASAP.

With regards to the Aircon I had the same issue. Worked well ice cold. Did not use it over winter and in April this year it was blowing normal. Took it to an Aircon company who checked for leaks, there were none so roped it up and it's ice cold since. Lexus wanted £90 to look at it. It cost me £40 for refill.

Hope that helps.

Ifty

CHECK YOUR POLLEN FILTER! Had mine replaced at service 2 weeks ago, and suddenly I had VERY cold feet!

[NeilP1960]

Thanks Chris, before filter replacement was your AC relatively useless btw?

The pollen/cabin filter is a DIY job isn't it?

[jsj24uk]

In my opinion, don't bother with the LPG conversion. I found a lack of consistency in terms of information from the numerous suppliers and installers that I contacted. Far too big a risk to take in my opinion considering what can and obviously will go wrong.

As for the AC, it might be worth checking the filters.

with

Thats very unfair tarring every LPG installer with the same brush.

There is good and bad in everything. Two members have had a positive experience with their chosen installers in my case on more than one occasion,they should not just be rubbished along with the rest of the cowboys that are out there.

Mike

What I have said doesn't make my opinion unfair. It is my experience with LPG installers. The one's being "tarred" are the numerous ones I have contacted. I am aware that there are good and bad in everything but the installers I had contacted had all differing opinions on what was needed. Each installers opinions of the advice I was given from the others was very negative indeed.

I feel your response to my opinion on this is far more unfair.

I have said what I needed to say so lets keep this on topic.

[Bluesman]

In my opinion, don't bother with the LPG conversion. I found a lack of consistency in terms of information from the numerous suppliers and installers that I contacted. Far too big a risk to take in my opinion considering what can and obviously will go wrong.

As for the AC, it might be worth checking the filters.

with

Thats very unfair tarring every LPG installer with the same brush.

There is good and bad in everything. Two members have had a positive experience with their chosen installers in my case on more than one occasion,they should not just be rubbished along with the rest of the cowboys that are out there.

Mike

What I have said doesn't make my opinion unfair. It is my experience with LPG installers. The one's being "tarred" are the numerous ones I have contacted. I am aware that there are good and bad in everything but the installers I had contacted had all differing opinions on what was needed. Each installers opinions of the advice I was given from the others was very negative indeed.

I feel your response to my opinion on this is far more unfair.

I have said what I needed to say so lets keep this on topic.

I have said what I needed to say so lets keep this on topic.

You cant pop this sentence in so I cant reply. But I will.

There was nothing unfair in posting my reply to your what amounted to rubbishing the LPG industry.

I have run LPG cars for myself and my wife for over 15 years having had all of 7 of them fitted with LPG by just two companies Dualfuel Woking and Profess in South Wales and all of them have given trouble free motoring from the very start with not one of them having to go back because they had a problem.

Your straight across the board statement what can and obviously will go wrong is the unfair part. Go to a professional LPG supplier and you wont have any problems.

I am sorry you have had such a bad experience with LPG conversions but if you choose the correct one the smile on your face will be twice the size as not only are you driving one of the best cars on the road but its costing peanuts to do it.

Mike

[jsj24uk]

Fair enough. Your compleatly right, I'm completely wrong.

The entire LPG industry is fantastic. Based on the above post it would seem nothing will ever go wrong with your car or LPG conversion ever. All information you will receive from different installers will be exactly the same. I'd be more than happy to have one fitted to a car I spent over £25,000 on.

Please ignore all my future posts as I obviously know nothing.

[Ifty]

I totally agree that there are good and bad LPG installers. I have run LPG cars for about 8 years and have had hassle free motoring.

My LS430 is my pride and joy and I had it converted by Bham Autogas last November. My friend had recommended him and I met the guy with my friend. He told me he had done loads of Lexuses and he had converted his OWN LS430.

A week later mine was booked in and done same day. I have had NO issues in the 11 months and 17000 or so miles.

Again go to people who have done your Model of car and you should have no issues..

I love the way my LS drives and I Love the way I only spend a few quid to enjoy her.

Ifty

[Bluesman]

Fair enough. Your compleatly right, I'm completely wrong.

The entire LPG industry is fantastic. Based on the above post it would seem nothing will ever go wrong with your car or LPG conversion ever. All information you will receive from different installers will be exactly the same. I'd be more than happy to have one fitted to a car I spent over £25,000 on.

Please ignore all my future posts as I obviously know nothing.

There is no need to take it in such an over the top way.

Your criticisim which read as the problem was completly across the board as far as LPG installer were concerned was unfair.

I agree that there are some bad ones out there but there are also some bloody good ones.

How long have you driven on LPG for and what were the problems you have faced?

Mike

[Chris Skelton]

Thanks Chris, before filter replacement was your AC relatively useless btw?

The pollen/cabin filter is a DIY job isn't it?

Yes (DIY) poss. I washed mine out once. But Aircon was "working" (I thought!) before change!

Just much MORE so after new filter!

Thinking of selling the car, but each improvement deters me!

[Chris Skelton]

As to LPG. I posted earlier that there was a String on this site somewhere on this.

As Ifty says, get someone who you KNOW has done Lexus in past.

Like anything, Research is vital, then satisfaction assured?