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I finally got around to replacing my spark plugs on Saturday. Mileage 67000 - I said I wouldn't do it until 100K but now that the Denso recommended plugs are Iridium Denso IKBH20TT rather than the original Platinum plugs and are available for £42 something a set I decided to plunge in. I also replaced the surge tank to manifold gaskets (3 off) - I bought them from RockAuto for about £19 including postage. I've watched the video on YouTube but haven't been able to find a workshop manual type guide for this job, so I've put one together so you can print it off and keep it handy whilst doing the job.. It uses the Lexus instructions for removal of the coils (which then gives you access to the plugs), an exploded diagram of the relevant part of the intake system and some notes which might help. You have to remove the air surge tank (incidentally this is not the inlet manifold, as frequently mis-stated, here and elsewhere). Most of the excess time for the job goes on a few frustrating things - the stupid inaccessible bolt on the back of the surge tank, the clip for the main power feed from the battery and a couple of other things. I'm sure that if it weren't for them the job could take an hour, but as it is, allow an afternoon! At least I have the satisfaction of having saved a wedge of money compared with dealer charges and I know the job has been dome properly. Incidentally I wondered whilst doing the job if the surge tank had really been removed only a couple of years ago when the fuel pressure sensor seal was replaced - or was it? I began to wonder if the dealer had just used some sort of sniffer, decided the seal was OK and done nothing. They had the car for a suspiciously short time and did a video of various safety checks too. It just felt as if no-one had been in there for 12 years, not just two years ago. Might be my imagination! IS250 spark plug replacement.pdf

Picked her up this afternoon, I knew I'd missed her journey is usually an hour or so back from Cheltenham took three hours......... Anyway the boys at Lexus have done a cracking job on her and I'm immensely pleased, so a Big thankyou to Lawrence and Paul the techie guys and Sam and Alex in service for all there hard work, in getting the colours and finish I wanted. So with our further ado here she is......... Big Rat

Just a couple of short vids, best enjoyed with earphones on max volume 😁 Big Rat

I had the same issue on my Volvo. Try lowering the window and keep your finger on the button for 8-10 seconds, then raise it and keep your finger on the button for the same amount of time and it hopefully will reset it..... hopefully.

Thanks Wayne, that's a huge compliment I will happily take that. Combination of PPE headers, H&S exhaust and the Rotrex supercharger. In other exciting news, RR-Racing are looking at a bigger supercharger unit due to be released by Rotrex next month. Apparently this one can handle up to 900hp! Thing is the standard high compression engine setup won't cope, so would also mean a forged engine build. Won't be cheap, but tempted to see how far we can go!

@Warrington guy Dave no mate went one better that....... Gonna give her 3 days without me so I can go to Goodwood with the boys 😂 🐀

Hi All, So had a cracking time last night with Kleers at Buckmore Park karting circuit in Kent. Will add a bunch of photos in a bit my soon to be niece-in-law took, but wanted to kick off with a fun video! Sorry for the slow start, they closed off the access road to probably stop people doing what I did, hence the cautious drive over the loose gravel and potholes of doom! Lol. Enjoy! 97535BDD-5002-44AB-A510-CB6FBEC9C4FC.mov

We had to attend a funeral last week, and while leaving the car park we were approached by a very well dressed elderly Gentleman who was not known to us. He wanted to talk about our LS430 which had the moonroof open and all windows down due to the blistering heat. He was very interested in our car and informed us that he was a former Lexus Sales Executive at a major dealership before he retired. Our car is on private plates, but he was able to tell us that it was a 2005 model, and in his view was the best ever model produced by Lexus around that time. Its very rare to hear a salesman praise a car unless he's trying to sell it to you. Some of his comments were "Solid build" "Exceptional engineering" "Built to last ". We arrived for a funeral feeling sad and pensive, and left feeling happy and uplifted. Long may it continue.

Morning all A quick post to introduce myself before I scour the forum to learn more about the Lexus brand and owners experiences as I eagerly await delivery of a new RX450h in Luxury guise. Having always owned German marques historically (predominantly BMWs and currently, an Audi A5) and being in the market for a new car, I have decided to make the switch to this prestigious Japanese brand. Look forward to sharing my experience of Lexus ownership and picking the brains of knowledgable fellow members. Pictures of the car to follow (once I get my hand on it) Alps

Great video. That is one awesome ISF @Peter P18 😀

Looking good Paul @Big Rat. I don’t need to worry about brake dust on mine as i still cant get out of the garage to drive anywhere 😫. Think I will have a complete sense of humour failure if I cant take her to Goodwood on Saturday. Going there is the CMAX just isn’t going to be the same 😳

Sounds fantastic, love the black wheels!

Farqui, I have a couple of stories and thoughts and even I have written them down, but in another language unfortunatelly. But we could try google translator (it is not very bad this way, only mediocre and sometimes epic fails on idioms and jokes): Last entry about GS430 List of so-call-cars entries Webpage about so-call-fleet Britprius, yes GSes are great. I thought of an LS for years, but GSes are more reasonable and better suit us now (we are middle aged couple, our daughters grown adult and move on so even GS rides half empty). The goal could be an old SC400 (I don't like SC430 body too much). But IMVHO there is no such a thing on the market like cheap old SC400 in reasonable condition (even for my low standards). About hybrid and future - we will see. Economy is not critical, last two GSes have LPG, even GS300 on petrol was OK for me. Performance of hybrid is better for sure, but I am not sure if it equals systems and parts "non-serviceable" at scrapyard. But future is bright, LC500 non-hybrid exists 😁

With regard to the full service history I have already posted the reasons probable for the ommision and to be honest at the sale price its really not an issue. The car was probably the chauffeur driven chief execs car and the video showing is one of the Mcalpine's at a steam rally as the family are large contributors to such undertakings ,Sir William Mcalpine died in March this year. If I were in the market for a 600 I would probably have bought it myself but it is a car that one needs to sit in the back of and I cannot for the life in me get the wife to wear a chauffeurs hat.

Thanks Russell. It's a new phone my niece to be only just got, so seems to cope better than the usual iPhone mic that was rubbish! Still doesn't reflect the true sound of the car in my opinion, but it's probably one of the best video's I've heard so far...

Looking good Paul. Welcome to the dark wheel and painted caliper club!

Big rat did you treat mrs rat to steak and wine for the video 😜

Sounds really good! Biiiig LIKE! 😜😉

OOOooooo. Very interested in these 👍

Emissions aren't going to be cleaner without a DPF no matter what they say The new MOT check looks for any tampering of the DPF as well. Weld lines around that area will fail I don't think Lexus need to hang their heads in shame at all. It's the buyers wanting diesels. It's not just a Lexus issue, it's across all manufacturers and simply down to consumers buying things without any research or idea how modern diesels work

Finally managed to clean it!

@Comedian Actually the only other thing I thought about matey is replacing the logos with this...... 🐀

Sounds awesome, especially as camera phones usually have poor mics!

What's a power tool?

@NothernDan Oooooh I love divided opinions 😂 But that’s what owning anything is about in my work most in fact virtually all my power tools are Makita, others prefer Bosch or Milwaukee and many prefer De Walt........ hang on a minute where have I seen that colour combo before..... Im divided on the look of standard wheel as well and believe a shouty car should have a few shouty bits. And when I got home the callipers were still bright yellow.......... Big Rat

@Peter P18 Great photos There Pete love the Nissan, that wouldn't be black wheels with yellow callipers would it..... Love to make an event like that the weather really makes not just the cars, yours looks great, the Porsche next to you reminds me of this pic with Mrs Ratt's then Boxster S next a 911........ look at the reg on the 911... If it's a monthly event like you say one day...... Big Rat

Cheers mate. Few photos as well. Highly recommended if you can make it along for an evening. Will be once a month at Buckmore Park.

Can never tell what works and what doesn’t with videos. here’s a YouTube link as well:

Yes, I am sure that you will enjoy your drive - right until you get to Chichester. 😉 😩

Quicker than I thought. Start counting down the days. Here, I will help: Only 54 days to go!

Catastrophe Naturelle Thought I'd use the holiday in France to tidy up my front Drivers side wing which was rusting under the arch. Fabulous weather until the 4th July. Not especially happy with the resultant filler job and the supposedly "wetlook" lacquer turned out not to be "wetlook" after several coats applied. Used the remains of a tin of £2.99 (ten years old?) pearlescent paint finish which did give a bit of a sheen. After uncovering the bonnet and door, found the Paint colour was not the match I was expecting so stopped further work. My touch up paint is correct colour as seen on a cap I've painted to show the supplier. Next day I gave the Car its annual wash (true) pre the basking 36 degree heat of the day, but in the afternoon the sky darkened and large droplets of rain followed and the bushes and trees started thrashing about in a state of sheer madness as the rain turned into Hail Stones many the size of Golf balls and larger! They were not only falling but throwing themselves horizontally at our House in a vortex. The glass panelled door and the Windows were being battered and I had to don a Hard Hat to open the door to close the Shutters to prevent the door glass being shattered. Doing this I had around twenty hailstones come into the Kitchen and a bruised leg. I lowered the Electric blind to protect the fragile glass in the Kitchen Windows and thats when the lights went out. No Electricity for the next 24 hours! It may have only lasted five minutes but in my local area there was devastation. I hadn't put the Car back in the Garage and it was peppered with dents. Fortunately only the passenger side mirror was cracked enabling us to drive home yesterday. My neighbours A class rear hatch was smashed. House roof tiles were broken (not on our roof) and the Pompieres were out in force on roofs stretching temporary plastic sheeting over damaged areas. Vines were totally smashed and Nursery Green houses destroyed. The Plastic gutters all around the house were peppered with holes and it was lucky I hadn't put the car in the Garage as the Placo / Asbestos Roof was also peppered with holes. So, it could have been worse for the Car. If I'd not washed off the Saharan Sand it could have been embedded into the paint dimples or worse still shards of asbestos falling on the car would have scratched the paint surface. Somehow the paint mismatch doesn't now seem so important, We had a great holiday up until then and on the plus side the Insurance will cover the roof and gutter replacement at only the cost of the excess. The Car Insurers would write it off if a claim is made. This would seem a shame, so I will live with a battle scarred LS400.