ambermarine

No I do not think the insurers I use will play ball, LV would not insure the car because of its age, cheeky *astards.

Just an update on this project I have now obtained all the parts for this job for an unbelievable $228 from the UAE including shipping. I already had a genuine cambelt but the other four required Genuine Toyota parts even with vat and import duty will come in at approx £230 against Lexus best quote of £520. If you can save this kind of money on cambelt change its a definite no brainer ,as most of these parts are made for a host of Lexus and Toyota vehicles and are Toyota badged it simply means a 100% mark up when they get into Lexus dealerships, well guys I ain't paying for that marble floor and comfy chairs in the Lexus showroom.

Sure thing I have already started collecting the parts but if anyone as genuine parts for this job let me know.

Yes thats right a cambelt change at 30k miles, needs clarification you say and yes it is a bit unusual to change the cambelt at 30k miles. This is not that unusual with this car because it as had the belt changed previously at 20k miles which is probably a world first, two cambelts on a Lexus LS400 before it as done 50k miles. The reason for this remarkable anomaly is the car is now 23 years old and that is probably another record it holds yes 47kmiles on the clock at 23 years old. Those wise to the service schedule on these cars know it is normal for the belt to be changed at 60k for the earlier marks and 90k for the last mark 4 or every 10 years, the first belt was changed at 19k at 14 years old and according to the techy who did the job was brand new when removed. That was all that was changed then and it is now ten years later with another 28k on the clock so I am having the whole front end changed out with genuine Lexus parts. I have priced in Rock Auto Gates kit against Lexus Genuine and although the Gates kit is 50% cheaper I will be going with Lexus parts as I will not be using Lexus to do the job, I contacted my local Lexus dealership and they have had to ask Head office for a navigation cost to do the car as they no longer have it in their system and no one in the dealership as ever done a LS400. I have found a reputable independent with a classic car Tech who understands what I want, cost wise they are about right and even with Lexus parts the job should come in at £800,the hourly rate at Lexus it now £120 + vat so I see a labour rate alone from them of at least £800 + the already discounted £500 for parts. I think I will not have to do this job again so hopefully this will be my last big spend on this wonderful car.

Just been down to Devon for a few days and this time of year the M5 and M6 are quiet so had a cracking return run Wednesday left Barnstaple at 7'45 and arrived in Blackpool at 12 30, exactly 300 miles average was 60 mph and the tank average 31 mpg and the car runs like a dream and looks like one compared to the rest of the jelly moulds and square boxed SUV,s. The outside lane is the only place for these cars even when the other lanes are empty they just eat up the miles and sweep regally past all the wannabees Why would I ever change this car for anything else out there they are the best car ever built in this class and I am privileged to own one.

I think it as been scrapped because the cost of repairs is far more than can be got for it in a showroom resale. With that mileage it will probably be the front suspension gone and that is about £3k just for the parts add that to other unknowns and it could be a money pit.

The tooling for these parts was kept in store rather than making the parts in large volumes that enabled the supply without the cost of manufacture and storage ,suppliers were required to hold these tools for a set period of time . Thats why you will see no longer available on items as the supplier under their contract terms as disposed of the tooling. It also explains why the parts were extraordinal in cost as they were produced in one offs.

Comparison of attention required on the different platform Mark 4 LS400 & LS460. Mine went in for mot two days ago drove in drove out twentieth mot with pass and no advisory. I have performed the following service requirements myself in the last six months, new set of Denso plugs £48 transmission fluid change £10 Differential oil change £12. I only change the engine oil every two years because I have only done 2k miles this year. There are no issues with the car at all and it still looks like it came off the factory floor last week. Someone on the forum approached me earlier this year with the question ,are you interested in selling your car , I do not need to print my reply.

The boot on the LS400 is ventilated at each side at the bottom outside of each rear wing .There is a plastic louvered panel that allows air in and out.

Just be careful with those BMWs especially dark grey ones they are the favourite tool of the plain cop cars.

Check the state of the car battery and the battery in your key fob if they are weak they will trigger the alarm.

just google the part number I have and a source in the midlands shows up.

The air suspension was an option 0n the Mark 1 and 2 A guy who was admiring my Mark 1 years back said he had a Ls Mark 1 with air suspension but it was nothing but trouble and he got rid of the car.

Body looks ok at first glance but the engine bay is a bit corroded and probably reflects the underside of the chassis the criteria of condition for collectable is shown by my Mark 1 in the 2010 era but that car no longer exists.

That's a pretty skilful DIY, If I was keeping the car for it's and my entirety I would not bother getting the mileage correct just enter the deviations in the service record and refer it to a cluster change.

Went to Morrisons Friday and they were only supplying E10 did not use it as I am sceptical over the list of compatible vehicles and I suspect there is some truth in Stuarts observations.

I remember when I bought my Mark 1 it was £19k at 6 years old that was 50% of new price at that time so things have not changed much in depreciation terms from 1996.

Good instructional topic and well put used the same method to remove and replace trailing arm bushings on my Mark 1 Expletive alert if you watch the u tube video make sure your grand kids are not in earshot.

You are very determined to get a LS400 and I agree with your comments ,they are becoming a rare commodity these days and the options are few and far between if you are looking for a good one. As long as the rust is treatable rather than terminal all of the other functions are serviceable and it could be fettled on the paintwork . The mark 3s were not as bad as the Mark 1 and 2 in the mudguards and cill areas for rust and the problem was illuminated in the mark 4. As to the price I think it is about right for a luxury sedan that treated to some tlc will increase in value.

It might be a low miler but it as not been well looked after according to past MOT history, the paint fade and flaking is due to UV so it as been outside most of its life and the corrosion in the engine bay backs that up.

Thats probably why they are not fitted to European models as they will be seen as confusing and dangerous to the standards set and would not comply .

Thing of beauty

my mark 1 and mark 4

Goes without question.

The engine bay is filthy and the battery cover is missing, attention to detail is paramount in these presentations and there are other areas on the bodywork, doors etc that are dirty and rust is showing on the drivers door bottom weld seals the horns and top mounts of the front suspension. the engine cover is fractured at two of the mountings so not that well looked after does not bode well for areas we cannot see. If you are asking top money you need to present as mint.