At Last, The Sun Came Out And Some Pictures Of My New Lexus

[jpjsavage]

For the first time this week, the sun came out and I gave my new LS400 a quick clean (outside only). Inside will be done by someone else more skilled than me, but here she is:

[willskoda]

Looking good! :zee:

[bluenose1940]

Your car looks very smart indeed! It will be good to have some shots of the inside when all is to your satisfaction. Don't know much about these cars, what size engine, auto/manual, how many miles?

[jpjsavage]

Your car looks very smart indeed! It will be good to have some shots of the inside when all is to your satisfaction. Don't know much about these cars, what size engine, auto/manual, how many miles?

Thanks. Hoping to get the inside professionally valeted soon. Pics to follow. This car is a 4 litre V8, auto, with 156k miles on the clock. It also has the Prins multipoint LPG installed which seems to be working very well.

[Keith Bowler]

Looks good, bet you're pleased - though I don't like the gold badges

[abs66]

Very nice :-)

[jpjsavage]

Looks good, bet you're pleased - though I don't like the gold badges

Thanks Keith and Pete. There was a mixed response to the gold badges in my house too! I'm presuming they are original as I've picked up a sales brochure from 1998 on eBay and they seem to feature prominently there. I'm sure they could be changed for chrome (I'm guessing that they might be chrome underneath anyway) but I quite like the idea of leaving the car in its original state as much as possible.

On that front, I think the wheels on this car are from somewhere else? They are 17" and in a good state of repair, but I'd welcome any advice from you guys as to whether they are original or not?

[steve2006]

Looks very nice, is that just washed and leathered or have you been in with the the polish and wax too?

The OEM Lexus gold badges are apparently actually real gold plated, although there are plenty of fake ones to be had.

As for the wheels I don't know, my taste and budget in wheels means I have Mitsubishi EVO 9s on my LS complete with centrecaps but they are true and straight and my original tyres fitted.

[mikeyv]

Nice motor - wheels are way nicer than standard ones, which look numb and corrode badly.

[Scribe]

Aren't they 430 wheels? The car looks very nice - I'm not surprised you're pleased with it.

[jpjsavage]

Looks very nice, is that just washed and leathered or have you been in with the the polish and wax too?

The OEM Lexus gold badges are apparently actually real gold plated, although there are plenty of fake ones to be had.

As for the wheels I don't know, my taste and budget in wheels means I have Mitsubishi EVO 9s on my LS complete with centrecaps but they are true and straight and my original tyres fitted.

Just washed and polished with Autoglym. That's the limited of my detailing at the moment! The car is off with the valeter at the moment for a clean inside. Hoping it will come back looking good, pics to follow.

[jpjsavage]

Nice motor - wheels are way nicer than standard ones, which look numb and corrode badly.

Thanks. The guy I bought the car from said they weren't the standard wheels but I can't remember which car he said they had come from. I've got two spares, one to match these and the other is the standard one I think!

[jpjsavage]

Aren't they 430 wheels? The car looks very nice - I'm not surprised you're pleased with it.

Thanks! I still can't get over the drive quality. It's off for a full service on Tuesday, so fingers crossed for no nasty surprises!

[cruisermark]

Very nice looking motor - this was 15 miles from me and i was very tempted but couldnt bring myself to selling my Mark 4 which has only 78k on the clock

When they do the service make sure the cabin filter is changed aswell as thats very often overlooked

[jpjsavage]

Well, the valeter has worked his magic and here's the result. She scrubs up pretty well I think ...

Anyone know where I can get a good quality replacement gear knob to match this interior?

[ambermarine]

Well, the valeter has worked his magic and here's the result. She scrubs up pretty well I think ...

Anyone know where I can get a good quality replacement gear knob to match this interior?

Hi

Lovely car look after it and it will look after you,They are not the original wheels I have the exact same model mint and original 18k on the clock when I bought it last month ,The original are 16inch and as been mentioned corode badly even mine had been refurbed but by Lexus and properly.

It seems according to the best info you can get from inside Lexus ,that all the Lexus Wheels are manufactured on a deliberate cost saving for temperate climates because the majority of Lexus cars are sold in temperate climates Less than 12% are sold were they put salt on the road which is the wheel's worst enemy.

There are sites on eBay USA that sell replacements for the gear knob.

[jpjsavage]

Lovely car look after it and it will look after you,They are not the original wheels I have the exact same model mint and original 18k on the clock when I bought it last month ,The original are 16inch and as been mentioned corode badly even mine had been refurbed but by Lexus and properly.

It seems according to the best info you can get from inside Lexus ,that all the Lexus Wheels are manufactured on a deliberate cost saving for temperate climates because the majority of Lexus cars are sold in temperate climates Less than 12% are sold were they put salt on the road which is the wheel's worst enemy.

There are sites on ebay USA that sell replacements for the gear knob.

Thanks for that. 18K miles! Wow, that was a good find. Do you have pictures of your car anywhere?

[ambermarine]

Lovely car look after it and it will look after you,They are not the original wheels I have the exact same model mint and original 18k on the clock when I bought it last month ,The original are 16inch and as been mentioned corode badly even mine had been refurbed but by Lexus and properly.

It seems according to the best info you can get from inside Lexus ,that all the Lexus Wheels are manufactured on a deliberate cost saving for temperate climates because the majority of Lexus cars are sold in temperate climates Less than 12% are sold were they put salt on the road which is the wheel's worst enemy.

There are sites on ebay USA that sell replacements for the gear knob.

Thanks for that. 18K miles! Wow, that was a good find. Do you have pictures of your car anywhere?

Hi

This is your day to celebrate !

[Ed Graefe]

Beautiful car ! I think the wheels are a tasteful upgrade. Leather can be repainted by specialists which would negate having to source and fit a replacement.

[Parrot of Doom]

If you want a nicer gearknob I'd suggest keeping an eye out for "breaking only" vehicles. Mine has more wood trim than yours, I think it was an option.

Don't forget there should be a drawer underneath the passenger seat, a first aid kit goes in there.

[jpjsavage]

Got the box, but no first aid kit! Will think of something else to put in it. Off for a service tomorrow.

[bluenose1940]

Your car looks very smart indeed! It will be good to have some shots of the inside when all is to your satisfaction. Don't know much about these cars, what size engine, auto/manual, how many miles?

Thanks. Hoping to get the inside professionally valeted soon. Pics to follow. This car is a 4 litre V8, auto, with 156k miles on the clock. It also has the Prins multipoint LPG installed which seems to be working very well.

I wouldn't mind having a drive of one of these just for the experience. I well remember back in the early 1960's, my father-in-law, who didn't drive, used to hire an Austin Westminster and I always had to do the driving but, it was always a real pleasure driving what was a largish and powerful car. I imagine the pleasure of driving your LS would be even better.

P.S. Re the gear knob, don't know if you might just find something here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=Gear+toyota+lexus&rt=nc

[Bluesman]

Hi Jonathan from up here in sleepy relaxing Norfolk. She looks brilliant inside and out. I got a gear knob off of eBay for £35 wood and leather, I was just lucky as they are normally around double that but just be patient and you will find one just like you did your car.

Back to my hols. Mike

[jpjsavage]

Hi Jonathan from up here in sleepy relaxing Norfolk. She looks brilliant inside and out. I got a gear knob off of EBay for £35 wood and leather, I was just lucky as they are normally around double that but just be patient and you will find one just like you did your car.

Back to my hols. Mike

Thanks Mike. Very envious. I love Norfolk, especially the north of the county.

Car is back from the service. No major problems! Front discs were just dirty and cleaned up ok. Front brake calipers were misaligned so taken apart and rebuilt and aligned. Rear discs are fine and pads will need replacing in six months of so. Parking brake was adjusted as the rear connection was almost hanging off! Air conditioning was regassed and is now blowing ice cold. So, no major surprises there at all. Car drives even better now! Happy days!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday Mike.

[Maduggo]

Hiya

Very nice car indeed, inside and out. You should be well proud of her.

After all the little issues you've had sorted it should run like a trooper and stick a huge big grin on your face wherever you go.

Happy motoring