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Morning Chaps, Just thought I’d share a few photos of my new steering wheel, centre console, and inner door handles. The carbon paddles and steering wheel controls also work I think with making the overall result rather special. Will probably be sending the old wheel State side as buyers are few and far between over here sadly. Anyway, hope you like them. Cheers, Pete

@NothernDan Again well done Dan still hoping to make it even to come up for a few hours, puts some faces to names 😁 🐀

I will be a day tripper...

Just got my self 1993 LS400 74k miles i'm second owner. For now more then happy with purchase :D

Interesting topic. For the manufacturer reaching the Premium status is like winning a gold medal as you can charge higher prices, achieve higher margins. For the customer buying a premium product - not neccesarily cars - radiates success as you can show all that you can afford it. So, it seems to be about perception and brandimage that can even differ per country or per city.. In the automobile world there are a limited number of producers that truly belong to the premium club as they have proved to be on the forefront of engineering for decades continuously using the best materials and engineering higher quality products than mainstream producers. We all know them, the Germans, Jag, LR/RR, Rolls, Bentley and Lexus( in spite of the incredibly outdated electronics). But then? any italians? french? hmm not really, Americans? not even the vette in my idea.. And is Audi more premium than Porsche or the other way around? and how long did it Audi take to be accepted as a premium brand? 25 years? So it could be about history/roots. ( but Alfa has them aplenty but are they premium?). Could be about product quality ( big yes), about desiging the best and not the cheapest solution, about using higher quality materials then really needed, about top chassis development, about architecture. Does exclusivity play a role? BMW is a mass producer but seen as premium. confusing to say the least. Off topic or maybe not but our vacuumcleaner broke down yesterday ( 20yrs old ) and i am just back from the shops where i found out there are PREMIUM vacuumcleaners!

I bought this car a few days ago and am thrilled with it. I've previously had a 1991 LS400 and a 1998 one but have been away from the brand for a long time. I part exchanged a new shape MX5 which I bought new three years ago - a bit of a change in size, space, luxury and drive!! I wasn't concerned at all about the service history - good main dealer history with an independent garage service in June this year and a full bill of health from Lexus on the hybrid system. I can't speak highly enough of TH Boler they were a pleasure to deal with and so relaxed about us having a look around and sit in their supercars. It says a lot about the car that the garage owner had been using it as his personal car while his LS460 was in for work and he chose it over the Bentleys and Rolls Royce that he had on the lot saying it was a much better drive than all of them. He was also impressed with the hybrid drivetrain compared to his 460. Welcome me back to the Lexus fold!

I’m in for both days! Hope there will be a lot of participants! Great job, @NothernDan!

The passenger door speaker was blowing in my facelift 430 so I decided to fix it. Here is the procedure for removal of door card. 1) remove 3 screws at the bottom of the door card on the rubber seal 2) remove one screw under the door handle and one in the air vent hole 3) remove the small panel behind the opening puller (the one you pull to open the door from inside) behind the panel is another screw which you remove. 4) remove the electric window switches - prise from the side which is towards the back of the car and it literally just lifts out - disconnect and set aside - then remove the screw behind it. 5) Thats all the screws removed - next with your hand gently pull at the door card to release 3 poppers. 6) Lift door card upwards and its off 7) Next remove the 2 electrical connections for the seat memory. - I then tilted the card vertically and supported it on my knee whilst I continued to remove the speaker.- no further disconnecting required. The speaker is held by 3 screws and one connection - undo these and its comes straight out. the problem on the speaker is very clear - the cone surround has become detached and will need replacing ( replacements on their way) There is a video on You tube which shows how to repair the speaker surround hope this is useful to someone - cost of 2 speaker surrounds is about £12.

I've got an RX400h and I think my air conditioning drain pipe might be blocked. It doesn't get water dripping out underneath it when the air conditioning is running and even though I've changed the cabin filter, it smells a bit musty when I turn it on. I've looked in the passenger footwell and tried to look in the engine bay but I can't see it anywhere. I'd really appreciate your help, I'm not a mechanic but I can do some DIY things. Thanks everyone

I'm clearly in for both days and an overnight. Hmmm I'm forgetting something. Oh yes, of course............

Well here's something I've never come accross parked the Sc on the drive locked it with fob got into house sat down then the alarm went off so I did the usual you know doors boot window bonnet sat down and off it goes so same routine plus roof sat down off it goes I'm angry now funny kicking the tyres never works. Ok Google why's my f in lexus doing this sends me to forum on here check mobile phone in centre console out to the car and guess what!tablet on back seat set alarm no problem woohoo

Thanks for the help managed to sort it the other day. Took the boot lid liner off disconnected the mechanism then reconnected it again and there was a lovely whirring noise and then it all worked fine thanks clive

Lexus Cheltenham recommended one guy, but the cost was crazy. I went with Bayliss Accident Repairs. The exercise was mainly to protect the carbon bits - after all the carbon bashing that has taken place on this very forum 😀. My car is a garage queen covering minimum mileage so I didn't bother with the whole of the car.

I spoke to Ratty about this. He told me that getting your tyre pressures right is more important. Yikes - five to nine - time for a cup of tea!

Yes Lexus is still there but time does not stand still. Weak points in todayś Lexus are limited engine choice, outdated electronics ( no digital cockpits) and just a very limited range with only a couple of models. Exclusivity is there as people just dont buy the cars in droves.. I drove a new NX for a 24 hr testdrive and it is just not up there with the best of the competition, it feels old. Same for my IS300H, i like it but the competition is lighter and with a wide choice of engines more powerful and then the interior.. very well put together but no match for the best of the competition. I just dont see big improvements in engineering or even design, it just seems to float along without direction and i am afraid Lexus is loosing momentum is standing still whilst others go full speed ahead. Seen the development of the koreans? where will they be in 5 years time? Where is Skoda going? in some markets they are now seen as more premium as VW! Seen the developments at Volvo? Every new car is a hit and btw i do think Volvo could be a real threath to Lexus in Europa as they could appeal to thesame clientele..

Got it hombre. Wing man engaged!

@NothernDan Dan sent you a pm 👍 🐀

Drive a new Lexus on a regular basis then test the opposition. Some people obviously don't have the chance to do this 😉 It becomes apparent what makes a premium car and Lexus are still bang up there in build quality, reliability and all round exclusiveness.

Good man. Will be good for me to stretch the F legs...

Yep you’re in mate!! Just trying to gee up the other previous voters and commenters now we have a few more voting options. im really looking forward to the recon mission this weekend. Reckon the route is sound but will confirm on here on Sunday after the test run on Saturday.

So, on the last poll we had @Northern isf as an overnighter (?), and then @bobmc @Warrington guy @GibletPH @Big Rat and @C.B as day trippers. @Big Rat I know you are a paotential part time day tripper, what about the rest of you guys? Are you still up for the trip? Please respond above if you are so I can see who we might be waiting for on the 29th September at Lexus Derby. If you’re bringing a mate in another motor, Fcar or not (all are welcome), please post and let us know. Thanks all!! Dan.

No issues at all so far bud. I was running Conti Sport 6's all round for past couple of years but found they overheated regardless of tyre pressures when I took it on a track. Switched to the MPS4S tyres and so far so good. Won't be tracking it until next year (if I still have the car) so can't comment on how they perform under pressure. They have just won the EVO magazine tyre of the year again though so must be ok 🙂

Nay, I accidentaly catched up him, and next he pressed a bit, so did I (because I am a petrolhead of Very Little Brain 🤪 and didn't remember if RS5 got 50, 100 or 150HP more, looks like 150HP more). And next I follow for a moment (the guy has driven out to petrol station), but with some troubles and road became strangely narrow and barriers everywhere, when RS5 simple flies. BTW I am far away from road rage for nice cars overtaking me. For last audi R8 somehow I had no time 😂 , but I have given thumb up to previous one, mint bmw 850 - it was exactly in topic "should I keep nice car forever?". The grandpa and grandma in 850 were definitely "YES", and very happy about my appreciation.

Yeah, for me warning lights were CT and NX. In my mind sin is not exactly "branding toyotas with lexus badges" (like - ES was not a total [censored]), but what and which way exactly Lexus rebranded and delivered. Like IS diesels 😝 or rebranded Prius platform. IMHO there is still some distance to Merc A-klasse story and beyond (I am looking at you, [censored] CLA). Let's wait for any lexus on Yaris platform, or any "new-IS-copy-of-CLA" (FWD with no performance nor quality at entry (and relatively low) price level) - and I would to drink at "premium brand" funeral.

Pretty sure they should be 36psi. Reset after filling up otherwise it won't give a warning as soon. Then just leave it. You don't need to keep resetting every time you top up

More seriously (but I was dead serious above, about brand positioning and image) IMHO all mentioned traits combine into "exclusivity", maybe into multidimensional space. Of course, relative to "place and time" (aluminium car was someting yesterday, today carbon fibre, tomorrow who knows, nanotubes one?). So if we list "all what counts": performance, reliability, numbers, style (in public perception), quality of materials, how car is put together, etc etc. and next try to describe them in terms of gaussian curves over the given market, the premium marque is brand with most of the products on most of "traits" curves stay, let's say, higher than one and half (top 15%) or two (top 5%) standard deviations. Exaple: maybe lexus has some drawbacks in heating steering wheels (so, maybe lexus is not in "top 5%" on the curve "fine gadgets on the steering wheel") or heated seats are common now (means there is no curve and no discuss - if everybody has something, like nice heated seats or common four wheels, there is no point to discuss top percents or sigmas in "heating seats" or "superior number of wheels") or maybe common lexus quality and reliability is not like in 1995, but in many other areas lexus is still pretty top. And probably it is possible to combine all those partial factors into total "premium factor". On this factor marketing builds the proper brand image and recognition, and monetize them. Or, if marketing is really "good" means evil, they don't need "the factor", only historical impressions and creative marketing. Like Merc last decades, in my very humble opinion. BTW I hope without the hope, the Lexus will not go this way. But maturing of luxury brands and why most of them follow the greedy pattern is an another story.

For me it's about performance, cost, design and materials. E.g a car built with carbon fibre is obviously going to be the "premium" choice over a car made with other materials, which also effects cost. This will probably also make it a hell of a lot more exclusive, and will likely be made be a high end and already "premium" brand. So they're all tied closely together. Although you mention styling is very subjective, which I agree with, I do think it has something to do with making a car appear "premium". Even though it may not add much in terms of performance and won't effect the technologies within the vehicle, the styling definitely factors into whether or not the car is heavily sought after imo. Think of it like beauty standards outside of the automotive industry: beauty is most definitely subjective to each and every person, yet some individuals are highly regarded as being "beautiful" or "good-looking" because they tick so many people's boxes of what looks good.

I made exactly the same change last year Nick. Original Bridgestones were cracking as they were so old. Much more grip from the PS4s, especially in the wet.

Premium to me is about quality of materials/components and build quality.

It is how I would define it and I agree with you, but that is subjective. That is where my disappointment with RC/IS300h came from, it is still well built and reliable, but performance is just a joke when compared to other premium cars, as well 6-Speakers poverty system does not below in any Lexus car. However, that is not how many 300h owners sees it.. and I have caused quite a backlash for pointing that out. As such I tend to think, that nowadays Premium(or Luxury) cars are more about brand image (as described by @Ben01) then it is about actual features you are getting e.g. well spec'ed Golf will be objectively way more luxury then CT, yet WV is not premium and Lexus is?! I can go more into subjective features which makes modern car more or less premium for me ... sort of red tapes where car is not premium if it doesn't have it - the car must be RWD with longitudinally mounted engine, I do not consider any car with inline-4 or FWD layout to be Premium (many would disagree - I heard it is something to do with how FWD cars "pushes from the back"). Other things - has to have leather seats and other premium materials (Alcantra doesn't count) e.g. if it has wood, then it must be real wood, if it has CF then it has to be real CF etc., has to have all adjustment electric, has to be faster then average compact car to 60... probably more.

And that is where IS220d spare pats comes handy regardless of some IS-F owners infatuation for me pointing this out! Those steering wheels were very affordable at some point, but later become madly expensive - I personally think they look great in IS-F. Good work!

It is still a bit gut wrenching for him after putting all that time, effort and money into the project. A friend of mine treasured his MG Midget, cleaned and polished it all the time - it was immaculate. His pride and joy was written off by another car hitting it while it was parked. His attitude to cars completely changed overnight. He no longer cared about his next car. He has bought new 4x4 pick-up's for his business but he does not pamper or worry about dents and scrapes any more. When he gets a scrape, scratch or dent - he says it adds to the patina! I struggle with the efficacy of trying to keep a car immaculate. I am drawn to Malc's philosophy of just keeping it mechanically sound and safe.

Hi Linas, Funny you should mention that....... I'm actually looking to move the triple gauges to a pod that will be integrated properly with my spare dashboard. This will allow me to reinstate the centre air vents, and also improve the viewing angle so I can see the faces more easily. The whole thing will be getting flocked, so should look fine once it's all done. I do miss the icy air-con, especially with the hotter weather we've been having!

Hi Guys can anyone offer some words of wisdom on how to improve the illumination level when reversing. I often have to reverse down an unlit country lane and it is nearly impossible to see anything. Justin.

Let's make it easy: The premium brand is a brand succesfuly convices potential customers they have to pay more for better or "better" product.

Bought some months ago. Ought to get around to fitting them!

Great job, @NothernDan! I’m in!

Not underseal but I get a local garage to have a good go round with Waxoyl on both my Lexus/Lexus's/Lexus'/Lexi. Japanese cars do have that probably now unfounded reputation but for the 30 quid I think it costs me I think it's worth doing.

The link itself is enough to put me off. Invites me to sign up via various google, facebook etc. before it'll let me view the product. Not for me on that basis alone.

I used to have bridgestones on mine which were noisy - I then changed to Dunlop which were not better - I have now Avon ZZ5 fitted which im very happy with. See the original tread here: https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/109524-tyre-recommendation-ls430/

If you travel or are planning to travel to Europe in what might be considered winter months you need to get tyres that are 'winter'rated & also carry snow chains, reason being they are mandatory in some places in Europe, Michelin all weather are winter rated and can equally be used in summer, maybe others have developed all weather tyres which pass the winter rating criteria by now. I think the RAC site gives each European country laws for that on it. To add to that, if your stopped in some or all of those countries they will either take your car away to pound until you get winter rated tyres on, they will not let you drive off on illegal tyres.

Just ordered a pair so will see what they are like. I know the camera system is OK as the wife's Yaris is brilliant in the dark, the reverse lights are more powerful and not shielded. I once saw a post from a Lexus guy who said they were meant to be a reverse warning light and not to shine your pathway.

Hi Steve Check for water ingress in the rear light clusters and boot. If you have a sunroof then it is worth opening it and pouring water around the edge cutter and make sure it drains away and comes out underneath the vehicle. Also check the underside for corrosion and possibly consider added extra underseal.

800 Lumens LED, without shields brilliant even in heavy rain at night.

Yes removing the inner shield is easy it's held into the light cluster by a small screw but u need a better bulb check out amazon or eBay for Led equivalent that's what I've done for my rx300 sel u could also use the rear fogs. Failing that purchase a pair of what's called Led work lights and get them fitted

Hi I am interested to hear if the LED lamps are an improvement and if so where did you get them? Cheers

Can you report back on the LED bulbs. I have the same concern about the reversing lights and would love to know of an easy solution...

The clips are pretty meaty and stay attached to either the car or the panel, can't remember which. Basically there's this moment in the removal process where you say to yourself 'I can't believe it's this difficult, surely I've overlooked a screw fastening or something, why am I doing this?', then a bit more heave, and then they come away with a few big pops. Reassembling is just a case of lining the panel up against the holes and thumping them back into place. The link earlier in this thread has some pictures of what it's supposed to look like, and a couple of tips about reseating the rubber seals etc. Have fun...

They do just clip in, using about eight fairly sturdy plastic clips. It's just a case of gritting your teeth, getting the trim away from the back far enough to get fingers under, then pulling firmly. Then there's a bang and it comes away. It's all a bit tense, though.