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Think I Bought A 96 Ls400


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Hi all

Just put a deposit on a 96 ls400

Just wanted your opinion of the car. The only problems i could see / find were bonnet strutts need replacing and the stereo didnt light up, but it wasn't the usual lcd problem. Oh and the wheels are in desperate need of a refurb. Probably finalise everything and pick it up on Sunday. Is there anything I should lookout for as its not been driven mich over the past 3 years?

Link below for your thoughts.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=151207854610&globalID=EBAY-GB

Thanks

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Hi Mike. Yes it wasn't the best ad, but the timing belt was changed in 2006 at around 60k. So i reckon its due another change anytime soon. I might do it just for piece of mind.

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As Mike mentions check for cam belt replacement at 60,000/6 year intervals so may be due at 120,000 miles/18 years.

If not done work on reducing asking price to cover the job.

With it basically having been stored check condition of all rubber components ( hoses and tyres).

Also check under for rust on the chassis,shouldn't be a problem if as stated the garage was dry.

Make sure everything electrical works, all switches,gauges,lights and everything else like windows,moonroof,central locking on all 4 doors. Just spend enough time to try it all!

Difficult to comment from just 4 pictures but looks clean for the year.

Bonnet struts either eBay or SGS Derby, radio illumination is a quick resolder of the radio PCB.

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seriously though Az ..... in my Mk3 the tank holds between 420 and 550 miles worth simply depending on how the car is driven. It is very susceptible to normal driving (420 per tankful 85.1 litres ) or up to 550 miles per tank when coasting along the motorways at 80 mph all day long or otherwise incredibly gentle motoring.

thereby a qtr tank of petrol can go a long way AND when the orange empty'ish light comes on there's AL:WAYS ( touch wood ) about 70 miles left in the tank.

Malc

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Struts from SGS about £50-55, and you should be able to get timing belt done for £300-£400 depending on whether you opt for water pump change.

As for the wheels I had ratty alloys on Mk2 I had, same as on this car.

I kind of took it as my trial LS before I decided to go for Mk4, so never bothered with a re-furb, even though it did spoil the look a bit.

The colour looks fine and should come up a treat with a bit of elbow grease. I would have really like a bronze look, but was too impatient to wait, and must say still find myself looking at any bronze LS with a hint of envy.

Also make sure the spare is fine, as with book leak syndrome the spare can get quite corroded/pitted, which then adds to refurb cost

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None use causes rubber cambelt, tyres etc to deteriorate & lose their flexibility. If its been parked for any length such as years I suggest whether due or not BOTH will need changed for peace of mind.

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Thanks everyone. I had a good look over the car when I went to see it last night. When I pick the car up on Sunday i will probably take it straight to my mechanic and ask him to give it a good service and probably change the timing belt and watetpump while its in.

Anyone any ideas of the total cost of a timing belt change including waterpump?

Thanks

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Azeem, when you get the timing belt and waterpump replaced get the hydraulic tensioner, tensioner pulley and idler pulley done at the same time. The job should cost anything from £600 upwards from an independent garage all in. Don't skimp on parts, you could regret it later. By the way, my local Lexus dealer wanted £1135!

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Brian,

Thanks for that, I'm guessing when I buy a Timing Belt Kit the Tensioners and Pulleys are included? Or would I have to ask for them separately? I've always been one for keeping the service history and general maintenance up to scratch, so i don't mind spending the money.

Steve,

You mentioned that the radio can be repaired by a "quick resolder of the radio PCB" I've had a look around and I can't seem to find anything about the illumination problems, only the problem about the leaky / broken display that can be replaced. Could you point me in the right direction? as I would like to get it repaired because I thought it looked c*ap unlit.

I'm guessing after a service and the timing belt change and refurb of the wheels the car would probably set me back around £2000, do you guys think this is reasonable to have a more or less immaculate 1996 car? Assuming nothing else needs doing?

Thanks,

Azeem

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Brian,

Thanks for that, I'm guessing when I buy a Timing Belt Kit the Tensioners and Pulleys are included? Or would I have to ask for them separately? I've always been one for keeping the service history and general maintenance up to scratch, so i don't mind spending the money.

Steve,

You mentioned that the radio can be repaired by a "quick resolder of the radio PCB" I've had a look around and I can't seem to find anything about the illumination problems, only the problem about the leaky / broken display that can be replaced. Could you point me in the right direction? as I would like to get it repaired because I thought it looked c*ap unlit.

I'm guessing after a service and the timing belt change and refurb of the wheels the car would probably set me back around £2000, do you guys think this is reasonable to have a more or less immaculate 1996 car? Assuming nothing else needs doing?

Thanks,

Azeem

That's something only you can answer, there are arguments for yes and no. You seem to have bought the car as a car you intend to keep for a long while so why run around in a car that has annoying niggles each time you get in it. Every car on the road needs dosh spent on it at some stage so spending £2K plus what you bought the car for seems cheap for what sort of car your going to end up with. So I would say yes. Be happy. Mike

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It's so very easy to spend far more on a car than it's really worth in the open market !

But the cost of maintenance often does this in itself ................. and therefore it's usually better to find a car where that cost has already been absorbed by someone else.

Heaven forbid that you should have a nasty ( or even a very minor ) collision or otherwise insurance claim, which would be a write-off for the car and I would guess a pay-out in the high £'00s alone,

Provided you're happy with this potential then go4it, it's ever so nice driving a good looking and robust Mk3 that's 18 old and that will probably last you for many years to come and give you superb, reliable, safe motoring.

Malc ( I bought mine in June 2011 for £1400 with 126000 miles and full Lexus service history, recent cambelt change etc ) and in superb nick ) :whistling:

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Brian,

Thanks for that, I'm guessing when I buy a Timing Belt Kit the Tensioners and Pulleys are included? Or would I have to ask for them separately? I've always been one for keeping the service history and general maintenance up to scratch, so i don't mind spending the money.

Steve,

You mentioned that the radio can be repaired by a "quick resolder of the radio PCB" I've had a look around and I can't seem to find anything about the illumination problems, only the problem about the leaky / broken display that can be replaced. Could you point me in the right direction? as I would like to get it repaired because I thought it looked c*ap unlit.

I'm guessing after a service and the timing belt change and refurb of the wheels the car would probably set me back around £2000, do you guys think this is reasonable to have a more or less immaculate 1996 car? Assuming nothing else needs doing?

Thanks,

Azeem

Here you go with the backlight repairs.

BackLight audio stereo ls400 - UCF20 - dry resistors-3.pdf

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Thanks everyone for all the advice and information. I Can't actually wait to go pick it up now.

It is a car that I will try and get to an immaculate state and keep for a long while. Although I will still keep an eye out for a Mark 4 at a reasonable price. I like the low mileage one on eBay but its just too much for me at the moment and it would push the price up even further as the timing belt would need doing on that too and the front and rear bumper needs attention.

Azeem

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Oh, another question for everyone, what is the actual factory finish of the alloys on the mark 3? And can anyone recommend a good alloy wheel refurbisher in or around the Manchester area?

Thanks,

Azeem

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Hi Azeem: There is a place where I had mine done in M/cr who done a brilliant job.

The Wheel Specialists.

Unit 7 Clayton Court-The City Works

Welcomb St.

0161-231-8337

You can give them a bell and they will give you a quote,I had 4 wheels done and it took 8hrs.Dont use a mobile firm as the don't take the tyres off,and do the full treatment.

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I'm glad to hear that Azeem was a bit concerned that having paid a deposit the car was still being advertised...hope it all works out for you and look forward to seeing the photos once you get her home!!! :-)

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Thanks. Although now you have me worried I will call him tomorrow to confirm. Yes will definately post some pics when I get it home and cleaned up.

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Hi Paul. Thanks, I didnt get the best test drive. Not as long as I wanted as it didn't have road tax. I have put a condition on purchase that I will be checking everything over on Sunday morning and asking for a proper test drive to get it on the motorway etc. (Mates trade plate) from the test drive i did get i was keeping an ear on noises etc and couldn't really hear any noises whatsoever no squeaking no nothing actually apart from the whoosh of the v8 when i planted my foot. Fingers crossed that all is well with the car as I really like it and even the colour is growing on me

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