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Hi Charlie. I think you need to check the level in the cooling system header tank ASAP. Often the antifreeze stains the inside of the tank ( it certainly has done on mine) and you can be misled into thinking there is a level when it is empty. I tend to 'wiggle' the tank on its rubber mounts and look for the level sloshing about a bit. Failing that I guess take the top off and have a look. Either way I wouldnt drive the car again untill it's sorted, new cylinder heads come expensive! Bri

Update: Guys, I got my Lexus. What a machine. What a pleasure getting in the car every morning and driving to work. Loving every second. My father in-law asked me to get him for a ride and really enjoyed it. Said that it is very comfortable, quiet and it seems like a Boeing with all lights and instruments. He was very impressed and was asking during the whole ride to drive faster! 😂 My mother in-law want to get her ride this week. Some pictures to you, since you love pics. Thanks for all the support, Lexus Lovers!

I once took my other car, a VW Bora TDI to KwikFit for an oil change about 4 years ago. I normally do it myself but was a bit lazy at the time so thought I would let them do it. I asked the guy behind the counter if he knew it needed oil specifically for Pumpe Duse engines and he said yer, we have all sorts of oils. They proceeded to put it on the ramp and after about 20 minutes, the manager came to me and said "did I know that the starter motor is faulty and that the exhaust needed replacing?" I played dumb and asked how much. I can't remember how much he quoted but it was in the hundreds. Now, I had owned the car since 2005 and knew it intimately. It had never failed to turn over and start and it had recently been through an MOT and I am one of those people that work on my own cars having been professionally involved in car repairs and plant machinery on an LPG plant in Algeria. I knew he was talking cheval merde. After that episode, I could not stop thinking had they used the correct oil or just put some bulk type stuff in. I changed it a week later myself for oil of the correct spec. I would not go near a KwikFIt again!

Well that is right - they are not comparing it against Volvo S90 T8 plug-in hybrid, but rather cheapest possible option with 2.0L diesel. What is surprising from whole review is that both cars they review and all the optional choices have diesel engines. I understand that 2.0L diesel is often cheapest version of the car and they just trying to make comparative review ~kind of like for like, but in current "political" climate this seems ignorant and misinformed. Almost funniest quote from entire article is this - "Use maximum throttle and it’s more audible, but not much noisier than a diesel rival.". That is what I was saying all along - 300h is "trashy" engine, in the way that obviously it is quieter than diesel whilst simply idling or cruising (wow what an achievement, this is like saying faster than 1 legged dog), but when step on the accelerator it really makes harsh and nasty rattle. I mean when petrol engine is "not much noisier than diesel"... that is pretty awful petrol engine. Finally, I have said it before and will say it again - Lexus put themselves in stupid position comparing ES with 5-Series/E-Class... they are not there, it is wrong class, GS (being arguable much better car already failed there).. and now they introducing half class lower car for the same class - it is destined to fail. If they would have positioned themselves rather at small 4-door coupes class, that would have been a win! I can easily see the car coming on top or close second in comparison against MB CLA, BMW-Grand 4, WV Arteon... But not against BMW 5

Sorted. Nextbase 312 comes with cigar lighter long lead. Took that apart and removed the small 12 to 5v regulator module. Mounted cam up behind mirror , so is not distracting to driver. Cut cam plug off with 8 inches of wire and soldered to output. Used another 8 off the input feed. Removed interior light pinnacle, 2 screws beneath the flip down section, and pull the other end down crisply to release the interference push in shafts, then comes a bit toward you to let two ears come free at windscreen end. Look at one off on eBay spared for sale. Earth to one of 4 easy bolts in roof cavity. Live lead coupled to pink wire on multi connector. Was only one measured 12v switched. Plug pops through where there is good gap at mirror, flick cover off mirror makes it easier. Takes about an hour to do. No damage to trim. Can put ferrite slug on your wiring if have Dab radio, but wires are so short, doubt would be a problem. Everything works fine. Car not upset. No canbus freak out. Lead must feed up to 4 bulbs if all on, so way more juice than cam requires. Cannot see anything when fitted. My RX has all sockets in central console long run. There is cigar lighter, but who wants huge wobbly black lump sticking out. Why spend money on hardwired kit, as all is supplied with cam, and way bigger hassle ripping half trim off, and diving into fuse box fitting that.

So there was a break in the weather today, so another 2 jobs crossed off the list. Fitted a new front corner sensor, works fine. It was a cheapy from ebay, just incase anyone was cautious about buying a none branded one (as I was). If it stops working in a week, I will update, but so far, so good. I also adjusted the handbrake, as it was not holding the car even on a slight incline. I had googles and reviewed this, and they all said to adjust through the hole in the hub at the bottom (6 o'clock). I could not find the adjustment, so ended up removing the hub (easy job, 4 mins). So just for future reference for anyone else wanting to do this, it isnt at 6 o'clock on the LS430, it is at 9 o'clock. All in all, 2 jobs well done, that were not too taxing.

I've done this recently. In the past I've had two LS400s. Both lovely and bought for less than £1k each. Drove both for around 3 years with must normal servicing and the odd extra bill. The first one was LPG and sadly the VVTI unit when bang travelling along a local bypass. I put it down to poor servicing prior to my ownership. The second car I ending up selling for a small profit. I really enjoyed both the LS400 but the family didn't like them much. They were a bit too dated in style (they have no taste!). I loved the history behind the car and researched that quite a bit at the time. I'm not a mechanic and I've not got any particular interest in learning how to do anything more complex than changing oil, etc. So, my view is that it would probably be good to have more skill than me to keep these things going on the road as they get older. It could be an expensive game to be in if you are paying independent mechanics fees for jobs on these cars on a more regular basis. Anyway, move forward to last year (and following two years in a lovely Honda Accord 3.0 Coupe), I bought my current car - a 2008 LS600 from Lexus Stoke. Just over 100k and they included a full three year warranty in the sale. I've now done just over 15k in the car. Immaculate service history, all Lexus, from day one. It will continue to be that way. I've put a private plate on it and it is often mistaken for a new car by those who know nothing about these things :) I love this car. The family love it too. It is so quiet, refined, luxurious and has enough bells and whistles to keep everyone engaged. The quality of the workmanship throughout is astonishingly good. I have the 'poverty' spec by choice (no reclining rear seats) but I can put a digital piano on the back seat when needed for work. It is super quiet on the motorway, loads of power, and is a fabulous place to be. I regularly get just over 30mpg which isn't bad for such a big car imho. I look at the newer LS range and I like the dynamic styling etc. But I also really love the look of my car too. I can honestly say that there is another car that I'd rather own at the moment that this LS600. Whilst I genuinely loved both of my LS400 and was really sad to see them go, given the choice I'd go for the LS600 every day of the week. It is an amazing bit of engineering in every respect. The only issue is what on earth am I going to replace this amazing car with around the summer of 2021?

Hi Nick, go for it, you won't regret it. Have gone through the range of LS's over the past 17 years; 95 mark 3 400; Owned for 3 years, bought with 150k miles, replaced front suspension (£700 ish) 99 mark 4 400 DHP; Owned for 4 years, 65k miles to 100k, can't remember any major issues. 2006 430; Bought at 2 years old with 130k, no major problems, sold only because I fell in love with the 460. 2007 460 SE-L; 60k, kept for 4 years, sold at 102k, no problems at all. 2009 600HL RSR; Bought at 3 years old 70k miles. Sold after 5 years of ownership, 115k on the clock and running perfectly. and presently a 2013 600 HL. I think after every change, I've wondered if I've done the right thing. Each one is different and after a few weeks of getting used to it you realise you have. I'm pretty sure that each model I've had, the costs have been about the same to keep on the road. MPG is about 25, Insurance is roughly the same, VED is cheaper, being a hybrid. Some nice examples for sale at the moment, to suit all budgets. Good Luck, Graham.

+1 on Not going to KwikRip or should that be -1. Question back to you, How much do you prize you car, it (Lexus) is one of ( if not THE) most reliable cars out there and if you look after it then it will look after you! Yes, undoubtly Lexus are going to be the most expensive for a normal service, but you get what you pay for. But what you should do ( if you can't/Don't DIY) is try to find an independent garage and build up a relationship with them for all your motoring needs and it should pay dividends, you ain't gonna get any type of relationship with the chain stores, that's for sure! paul m.

So just an update after a 90 mile trip. Great news. I got it just over 40mpg on a 50 mile stretch of motorway which I set to 70-80 mph on cruise control. So short miles is definitely what’s causing the low mpg but I can deal with that considering I have a machine capable of leaving most cars for dust on the roads for far cheaper to run than something of this performance.

Happy days, and it never cost the Earth! Great feeling when you fix something that on first look seems a daunting/expensive task. I assume your original mileage is still all OK in the bottom display? cheers Paul m.

This is just a follow up on me raised topic regards to my display screen gone bad. I bought a second hand cluster and removed the display screen with delicate hands and replaced my broken one . My cluster display works perfectly.

My apologies John, you are correct the coolant pump isn't actually tied into the timing chain operation. It looks more like the fact that the engine needs lifted slightly to get the pump out (?) could be more the issue. I've seen plenty of Toyota calipers over the years. Enough to just opt for fresh calipers when possible. Rebuilt quite a few so I realise the sliders are a weak spot but there have been many that the main piston has been the problem. Probably just part of owning quite a lot of older vehicles I guess!

It is easier to change a water pump on an engine with a timing chain not harder as there is no complications with keeping the crank to camshaft timing. More often on the Toyota/Lexus brakes it is the slide pins that seize not the actual caliper pistons, and if this is the case they can usually be freed, and new slide pins be fitted "if required". Worn brake discs "even if worn below manufacturers recommended minimum thickness" is not an MOT failure. John.

I'm looking at doing the front brakes on mine (including the calipers) and it's looking like £100-ish for the pads and discs from M-Tech and around a £100 each for the calipers via a motorfactor on ebay. Rear discs were £100 and I only needed one caliper at £60 last year. When my suspension gives up the ghost I'd be shopping for a set of coilovers rather than spend £4-500 on two rear shocks. My man-maths makes that look like a more appealing option at least. Never priced up a waterpump but the timing chain will make it more a complicated operation most likely.

A leak and/or a bit of air in the cooling system? Other than the comfort aspect, sounds like something to be investigated sooner rather than later.

It doesn't help reduce the biggest items on your list, but brake discs can be skimmed if they have enough thickness left on them. I've had this done on a Camry and LS400 before, both of which had been unused for a while until I bought them, and it was very successful. They do it on the car and take the pads out, so these may as well get changed at the same time. Hopefully a good independent will have a more sensible pricing strategy.

I see you're in Derbyshire Glynn. If you need wheels shot blasting and powder coating I can really recommend CBF Powder Coating in Sheffield. Simon did my IS300 and Saab 9-5 wheels. If it hangs about much longer they'll do the ones on the RX too. 200 quid for all four.

I know it is in the IS section but have you read this, It might help some as Hopefully the LS ain't a million miles ( electrically anyway) away from the IS. paul m.

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RX350 to 2009 has chains no cam belt. hth....

The seats lumbar issue just shows to never assume anything and always take the time to make sure the car has everything you want, before you buy it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not what you want to read. Am I right in thinking that the 350 has a cambelt. Changing that with the water pump might be a good idea unless it's been recently done. As for the brakes I know a local fastfit quoted £740 for pads and discs all round on Mini... Surprised the car needs so much work if it's been regularly serviced. Would make me question the standard of service at your garage if so many things need attention at once . Worth getting a quote elsewhere. Don't know where you are but Lexus Cheltenham give me 15% membership discount on parts and labour . Had my car mot last week and there was a non failure split in a wiper blade. Mot and 3 wiper blades came to £79 odd in total.

Never quite understand why people get so bolshy on car forums. No, I'm not 'bothered'. I'm pointing out that 1. There is a question whether taking the deposit contribution back is entirely legit, particularly as other manufacturers do not do this. 2. The dealer said charges would be 'about £100', which is done way short of £240. I'm not losing any sleep over it, but as a few people asked me to let them know the result of my enquiry, I passed on what I was told.

Sorry for the late update but now all sorted with a new offside rear wheel bearing hub fitted. The work was completed by Green Lane Garage in Berkeley Gloucestershire who were excellent as always.

Quite a good, honest review, that. I’ve yet to drive one (I’m really looking forward to doing so), but it seems that the ES is just about the most boringly anonymous car out there - which is a good thing! Hugely reliable, fast enough, driving dynamics that aren’t going to surprise anyone; just a good all-round.... saloon car. I had a courtesy Camry on holiday a short while back, so I’d expect this to be fairly similar. Excusing the brand-oriented UK market, It’s no wonder they’re bought in such large numbers around the rest of the world.

You can take the way you like it, and your comment applies to yourself just as much. Which is fine and actually makes sense - I am looking for a review and wanting to know about car dynamics and driving... and I know it is bad at it, so that is what I see. I know already and I have never denied it is comfortable car - however for me that is not not enough. If you only looking for comfort and the car end there for you - surely ES does it and reviews confirms it. We both looking to the same review, but we focus on different thing which are important for us. I have actually watched whole review and he does say YES, for very specific part of the test he says car is perfect - that is not to say overall it is competitive. When he goes over bumpy road indeed he states that car can compete with German cars in terms of comfort, he says it feels special and luxurious from inside... doing like 25KPH there. But that is not representative of how I would use the car on rural road like that... I would go 120KPH there and preferably with little bit sideways action .... until first tree gets in my way of course. So really - "comfortable at walking pace" is not really a criteria in the car for me. So this is my take on it - as from drivers perspective in the circumstances where speed and driver dynamics are irrelevant (bumpy straight road at 25KPH) ES feels as luxurious and comfortable as German rivals (and probably a little bit more). However, as a package it is not a competitive... and that is what he says from the outset. In the end of the day my logic is simple... for Lexus it costs less to build GS350, then it does to build ES300h... for argument sake - lets say GS350 is 10% cheaper then ES300h... That would make it £31,000 car .. new... which would be amazing value for money. I know business doesn't work this was way and Lexus cannot sell cars too cheap otherwise they would not be seen as "Luxury" brand. But at the same time - one should not expect that I would be glad to buy effectively inferior car for more.