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Tonight's charge result- best of the year so far. 52.5/50.9. Actual mileage from the previously predicted 50 was 47.5 which included 12 miles of motorway driving.

The sill flanges are now looking better after straightening, treating the rust and applying Rustin's metal paint. I also applied underseal to the inside face of the flanges and injected some cavity wax, just in case. However, removing the dents would not be easy because there is no access from the top of the sill, so I decided to live with them, especially as they are hidden by the plastic sill covers.

Car came back to me on Saturday, not fit for road so had to be trailered, was the earliest I could organise the company I always use, but was worth the wait! Today I made new weather seals for the rear lights as one was missing and the other very tired, seems a previous owner had issue with water leaking into boot and decided it was the missing weather seal, instead of making one, just siliconed the entire back end to within an inch of its life! So that'll be a job for another day. So I used the old one as a template, bought the neoprene from ebay for £6, cut them out rough then trimmed down a little for fitment. Quick, easy and satisying, I wonder if easier than the silicone marathon....

If you're looking to get any work done. I highly recommend checking prices across different authorised service centers. Lexus also have just service centres that do not have a dealership / showroom. These service centres tend to be cheaper. E.g. Lexus Hayes and Lexus Chalfont. I had my waterpump replaced a while ago and Lexus Hayes did it for £320 with coolant and a new belt for the price. Lexus Twickenham which is a "dealership" wanted £428 without a new belt. I am not sure if service costs differ too but worth checking. You will continue to retain your warranty if you use these centres and their rates are comparable to an indie.

thanks for the responses gents, I am so enamoured with my es300 that I am tempted by an LS to use for shows - will keep looking perhaps at a 'cheaper' but more used, yet still good example - perhaps a later one too...

Malcom, dashboard EV range is pretty consistent with the app. Stated 66 km with AC on . It was a very sunny 30°C + week-end in normandy so AC was a must have even

Tire pressure check this week-end after 1000 miles / circa 1 600 km No loss, still 2.6 bar (I do drive 60% on highways so I usually set the tire pressure a little higher and yes I know highway this is not the perfect playing field for a PHEV 😉 but I got 6.5 l / 100 km fuel usage with adaptative cruise control set at 85mph which is legal speed limit over here ) Run flats seem to hold pressure quite well (compare to my previous self sealing tires which required a .3 bar refill on the same interval)

Where about are you looking for one? Would be useful to know which city or region so that people can advise accordingly.

I've wanted to repaint my Lexus ever since I bought it three years ago, although I did experiment with localised repairs in the meantime, although was never really happy with the results.. There are blemishes on nearly every panel but mercifully little rust, which is limited to small scabs under a couple of window trims and one front wheel arch. I thought I would start with the lower panels, which are dark grey. Removing the door claddings, wing claddings, front mudflaps and sill covers was fairly straightforward, although perhaps only Lexus would use four different types of fixings on a mudflap! They also used what turned out to be single use push in fixings on the sill covers, so I have ordered some more, although not from Lexus! If anybody is interested in more detailed information about removal I would be happy to include it. Just ask I was already aware that there are issues with the sill, mainly due to ham-fisted grease monkeys not using the correct split block when jacking the car. As well as distortion this has caused the flanges between the sill and floor to separate in a couple of places, but should be fixable. One corner even has a slight buckle in the floor, which I'm not sure if I can fix. There is also plenty of surface rust, but nothing too severe. It looks like I'm going to be busy for a while sorting out the sills before I make a start on any painting. More to follow, as and when.

Hi Steve Yes it does look beautiful in black (when clean😃). Mine is metallic red (Premium Mesa Red) which is washed regularly and does not show road dirt. Economical for the size of car 35-42 on a good run but a lot less when in "hybrid power" but it can shift. Do you have the five seater with screen and rear controls? Love my LS David

Yes thank you @B1RMA for organising the get together and all the rest. So nice to see the F's out in the sun. Major tailback on the M40 due to an accident but managed to get into work with 30mins to spare.

Good luck - hope it does the trick.

Paul Frost is a breaker and renovator of Lexus cars parts as well as other high priced marques and I have in the past purchased parts for my cars from him, all good . He has a vested interest in the sale of these independantly made oil coolers but to the best of my knowledge he his not a Lexus engineer . I think the jury is out but I would not deviate from a Lexus design on a critical system such as the transmission.

Thanks B1RMA for organising it. I eventually got home around 5pm despite leaving you all early after ignoring my satnav and deciding to go back via the M42 .. just to find it closed between J6 and J8 due to weekend roadworks and stuck in the diversions. 😒

Lovely early car. I love white cars, but not the beige interior. I do agree with George on the not driving part, but mainly because it is so mint, you risk spoiling it, decreasing its value etc, unless of course you don't care about future values, but that would also pose the question of why spend so much in the first place? I wouldn't be worried about reliability issues, they are great cars, tonnes of knowledge out there and although some parts for the early gen cars can be a little tough to get ahold of, a lot of items can be found on reputable websites, but require import from Japan or US. Both of which I have done and not had issue. If you are buying as an investment/ once in a blue moon drive, probably one of the best examples, but if you want to swan about in it on the daily/ semi regular, probably not worth it.

Although not on a Lexus, I had a problem with electric windows going up and down on a previous car. To cure it, I thoroughly cleaned the glass and all the rubbers the glass came into contact with and then added some lubrication to the side channels the glass slides in. After this the window went up and down like new. It was all down to a build up of crud over the years.

I've managed to straighten the distorted flanges on the sill covers withe careful use of a heat gun and a pair of pliers. The next step is preparation for painting. Before: After:

I suspect more likely a key relay theft, although the Can bus vulnerability has been present from Day 1 it appears only to have become an issue in the past year or so.

I have at last collected the SC430 wheels. The wheels themselves will need refurbishing, but thankfully the covers are not too bad, with only a few minor blemishes. The seller also included a pair of 15mm spacers, although I have had to order a set of shallow nuts and some chrome dome nuts before I can do a trial fit. I imagine that the brushed metal finish on the plastic covers would be impossible to replicate, so I might give them a gloss clear coat to prevent further deterioration. Or I could paint them the same colour as the wheels, or some other finish, such as dark grey to match the lower panels.

not sure if that was said in jest - but to my knowledge, all facebooks ads say 1.0 and 123bhp unless the seller edits those fields specifically (I think)

Finally had a crack at dying the carpet black.. this was done maybe over a month ago now.. still not rubbing off, so works good!

Highland John I have used 2000 and 3000 wet and dry wet on a slow drill to remove film. I do use low tack masking tape around the light lens. Then use a uv protective clear spray to stop or slow down the degrading of lens.

@Razor61 Many thanks for that, it certainly looks like an impressive result. I'll pop in ECP next time I'm in town and get some. The only experience I have of wet-sanding was with the e60 which had 'got away from me' and required something drastic. Went from this.... to this.... Given that they were c £1,000 [Adaptive Xenons] a side to replace them new, I had nothing to lose. Appreciate your taking the time to help with this.

How did you know Ghost 2 was ineffective!! Yet I did not read or found anyone installed Ghost 2 and his car was stolen unless it was towed. would you please share information about bypassing Ghost 2 so people don’t waste money on it ?

From my own experience it also effects models from 2015 (I own a 65 plate). I suspect changing the battery isn't the cause if the problem it just is the final straw. I would expect that something internal has previously failed causing the continual battery drain. When you disconnect the battery, the radio unit discharges and damages something else internally. It is removing the battery that allows it to finally fail rather than connecting a new one, because it has a protection circuit. I have disassembled a unit and found no obvious damage but I don't have circuit designs to analyse more. My advice, buy a secondhand unit (or a discounted new one) it didn't need recoding when I did it. Reporting another failure to Lexus GB may help others in the future.

Hi Alex.. Just back From Lexus Edinburgh Great Service Passed M.O.T Car valeted Waited about 2Hours Just home now.. Had a look at the new UX/NX Did,nt tell the wife.. Obviously.. Brilliant cars and so Reliable..But Here,s the thing Was Talking to a couple who have a UX250h and they said they had a wee bit of trouble with there car .seemingly they were out for a drive stopped off at a cafe for tea and couldnt get out of the car..the doors had completely locked and would,not open They tried and tried to open the doors but to no avail..they ended up phoning the AA Who Eventually managed to get them out the car...It seems that because they are like Sunday drivers and don,t do many miles the 12volt battery had somewhat depleted and the car had gone into some sort of safe mode..Just wondered if you had come across this or read about it...You Can let me know..All The best.. Ron

In that case I’d stick with the dealer to have the reassurance with the warranty they provide.

Slight confusion here possibly? Having said you want someone other than a Dealer for general service, you then later say that… I may be mistaken, but I suspect that the service warranty’s conditional on it being carried out by a Dealer! There are three London Lexus dealers showing in the Lexus list and I presume you are already aware of them. I think both Edgware Rd and Woodford have had mainly good reports by LOC members in the past.

Despite me not making it (gutted and daughter still unwell 😞) thanks from me for organising @B1RMA I know it can be a bit like herding cats. Perhaps we might get another one in before the weather turns horrid again...

Oooh goody, a ragged out, pimped out, neglected LS430. Errr, pass!! 🙄 You would be FAR better off with Nicholas's 2001. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125985269652

I've run an LS400 for the last 13 years but don't have experience of an LS430. They scare me, to be honest, because there's much more to go wrong with them - and they seem expensive things to fix. But they're all old cars now, and I'd prefer a well-maintained 430 to a so-so 400. Condition is everything with old cars, I'd say.

There is a fundamental reason why the transmission fluid is sent through the radiator on the Lexus LS400 and that is to keep the transmission fluid at its optimum operating temprature . The car was sold internatioally across all the continents and the climate extremes are very relevant. When the Mark 1 I owned was started up in a minus centigrade winters the gears were very sluggish and the sports change up and overdrive would not operate until the car had done a few miles. This was because the engine operating temprature had not reached its optimum level and so niether had the transmission fluid. So the radiator as well as cooling the fluid it heats it up to a consistent best operating temp and avoids burnt fluid and burnt clutches because the fluid is not getting where it should. Because a transmission cooler individually placed in the system does not have this precise control ,example; constant idling in low speed traffic jams means no airflow over the heat exchanger the temp of the fluid could exceed its safe operating temp and burn.

Ditto all that... including thanks to B1RMA for organising. Look forward to another 👍🏼

I forgot to hand my back but I would negotiate with them because of there mess up. If you do get charged let me know and send you what's owed

Big thanks to Birma for making this happen today. Saw more F cars than I've ever seen on the roads. Great seeing and talking to all, learnt more about my own car from you all than ever the dealer told me. Till the next time.

madame guillotine no doubt 🥶 Malc

Hi yes thank you for organising the event had a good look at some very decent looking cars. Hopefully will own one myself in the not to distant future. In need of an isf as soon as possible. All the best john

When I went inside the Museum there was no one collecting any money or looking at tickets...that was going in the doors near we parked then down the escalator to the Museum display.

Great meeting all that turned up. B1RMA thanks for setting up the meet. We should all go for a cruise next

I’m guessing it’s a similar system to the UK Malc i.e. cars and motorcycles over 40 years old are classed as classics, don’t require an MOT and get free road tax. Being Spain however it bound to be complicated and probably involve a lawyer, fees and 2 years processing.

Thought this might be of interest

I’m relieved in a way that I know it’s not ‘just me’ who is witnessing this because for a while, shortly before becoming a member on here, I thought maybe I’m being too harsh with my grumps with the sales team I’ve now been dealing with for 13 months. I know I’ve been asked what dealer I use, but out of respect and decency whilst my long-standing order remains ongoing, I’ve chosen not to say for now. Given my location, that certainly limits the possibilities. All I’ll say is that my dealer has been discussed by at least one other former member in the past (after a bit of searching), but our experiences are very much ‘chalk and cheese’. Recently in another post I said that that it’s unlikely I’ll be dealing with my particular dealer again after I collect my new car (currently due in September) and would unlikely buy another Lexus after this upcoming one based on this experience alone. It would take something pretty special from them in the remaining time I have to wait (or upon collection) for me to change my mind on that. Given how woefully uncommunicative they have been for over a year since I placed my order, in my heart I think enough damage has already been done. I’ve never, ever felt this way about one particular dealer of any brand I’ve dealt with in the past and it does shock me that Lexus, in my opinion, have very much let themselves down. What I find particularly sad is that I’m quite a ‘soft’ person and I am beginning to feel as though I’ve been taken advantage of. I don’t particularly like confrontations but it’s had to get to that point over the last month or so just in order to get something...anything...to happen. I can see it all bubbling up when it comes to sorting out the finance with them/getting a trade-in value on my existing car and again on collection day.

Hi Mike Welcome to the SC430 forum on Lexus Owners Club. I hope you enjoy our group and you always have plenty of SC owners to chat to. It is always difficult to choose a venue which will suit all and Coventry appears to be fairly central for the members who attend. Hopefully there will be many SC's and their owners here and it is always good to put a face to a name. See you Sunday. Anthony

The car park at The Bear is ready and waiting for the sound of the throbbing heartbeat of V8 engines!

Welcome to the club Marcus, been using Momentum 99 since the early 2000's 😊👍

And proud of it!

Sorry to hear that Ken and hope you are on the mend soon. I'll make sure to post as much as I can.. Best regards. Nick

IMHO many UK dealerships (of all marques) are a little bit crap. I have had some horror stories over the years. Imagine a main dealer selling a used car with less than four miles of fuel left in the tank? Disgraceful. These companies are about profit, and not much else. Remember the IS250 airbag recall from a few years ago? My local Lexus dealer did a shoddy job of lifting the dashboard, leaving a raised area near the windscreen, and damaging the dashboard material in other places. The dashboard is now starting to crack in exactly the same places. The dealer in question is part of a multi-marque operation. They are diluted, without any doubt. Another problem is the demise of many independent garages, leaving us with very little choice. Do I choose the massively overpriced main dealer, who will do an average job, or choose the independent garage whose manager swears at customers? Hmmm

Customer is the priority no matter what the age of vehicle is. I couldn't agree more...maybe I'm just lucky with my experiences.

You see... you dealer is right away better than mine... mine only gives little biscuits and no pastries! 😄 5 years is still relatively new... the worst experience I had was when I servicing 14 years old 160k miles IS250 - but age should not matter right? Customer is customer?