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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 We all know them, the Germans, Jag, LR/RR, Rolls, Bentley and Lexus( in spite of the incredibly outdated electronics).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'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

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.

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.

John, Not only did you do it cheaper but you were probably saved a lot of grief if my searches are to be believed. My browser warns that MIL's website is faulty and I go there it my peril. I looked for other things about MIJ and could find nothing good about them at all! Appalling customer reviews. John

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 🙂

i think its more to do with the brand these days..as you say a corsa, aygo, mondeo, etc.. can be spec'd with pretty much most features/toys you can find in say a BMW/Merc these days. styling is subjective, exclusivity used to make a car premium but again not so much these days as i see more german cars on the road than say a mondeo. does this make the mondeo exclusive in most people eyes? I don't think so.. besides your usual exotic cars, Majority will class the top 3 German brands as premium some dont even classify Lexus as premium even though majority of the german car models the mass population go for do not offer anything exclusive when compared to a similar spec'd say a vauxhall, Ford, Renault. most modern cars i have rode in or driven are well built these days it has closed the gap. infact servicing and cost of parts on some models of these so called non premium cars are actually higher than the so called premium ones. so its more the Badge on the bonnet than anything these days..

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.

I've always thought the paddles are far too short but the airbag safety issue would explain why. I find 9-3 comfortable but @Big Rat made me swear on pain of death to always use 10-2, so that's what I do now!

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.

Maaaaan white and carbon is soooo gooooood ....

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.

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!

That steering wheel looks great and very well made, good job 👍

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.

Looks excellent Pete! I saw the photos on Instagram on Elvin's page and thought it was yours. Was very keen to get the centre console and bit between the rear seats done but sadly the quote was a little too expensive. However, the finish does look a step well above what I've seen elsewhere though so the price tag is certainly justified. Cheers

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!

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.

I`m sure it was a grip used in Wrestling on a Saturday afternoon !

Ratty now has no teeth and shakes all the time. 55 psi in an IS-F tyre - must be a record! 👍 In all fairness, the rock hard tyres didn't impact the handling of the car at all........

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.

While the boot trim was out recently I added another boot light fitting to the dark, previously light-less side of the wide boot/trunk. I decided to slot it into the small, removable OEM light access panel I know it's a bit early to be thinking of dark winter mornings/evenings but it made sense to do it. The second light housing was about £10 used and was easily soldered in. PS: I initially fitted a brighter LED lamp to the OEM boot light fitting but if you had anything in the boot, then the far side was still dark.

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/

I would have a look at Nexen range, good wear, noise no worse than more expensive brands (from new I recall they were quiter than any others I had before). Not as grippy as Pirellis, or Dunlop in the wet, so be not good for pushing the envelope on a rainy track day, but good enough for nippy commute on Cotswold A roads with Z bends. I have found Nexen give good mileage, and as a result they last longer, and so the walls harden (as do all tyres) and this increases road noise as they get older, as well as noise due to lesser tread. Mine are Nexen N Blue, but not sure if they do them in your size.

What's wrong with you people? Garages aren't for keeping cars in anyway, they are mainly used as storage sheds and workshops as far as I'm aware. Open the front doors of our garage and starting on the left you'll see a beer fridge, some garden tools and then shelving/racking and workbenches follow the walls in a U shape all the way back up to the front. The car lives on the driveway, not in the garage

Thread from the dead! These are still listed on eBay. 12 months down the line how are they? And does your 450 have the shield? If so did you remove it?

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.

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.