JCEv39
-
Posts
4 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Store
Gallery
Tutorials
Lexus Owners Club
Gold Membership Discounts
Lexus Owners Club Video
News & Articles
Posts posted by JCEv39
-
-
Shaft,
I was in a similar position to you and ended up buying a circa 100k mile car for significantly less than your £2k target, knowing that it needed the front suspension looking at but everything else seemed in top condition. I can highly recommend TM Engineering in the US for supplying Daizen bushes (they came in under a week for a total of around £85) but I haven't got around to fitting them yet and I intend to get new shocks and springs in the near future but they're going to cost almost exactly the same as Ford pattern ones! I don't necessarily think you have to spend a fortune maintaining an early LS400 as a little research can save you a LOT of money.
At the end of the day I think Lexus dealers should be a last resort for parts (particularly in this country) and you should be prepared to buy parts from abroad and do the work yourself / use a non-franchised dealer you know to be competent (which in my experience is a difficult thing to find but no more so than finding a competent franchised one!!)
My experience thus far (about 9 months of ownership) is that it costs me about the same to maintain as my fiancees Fiesta cost her (even when I did a lot of the work for her) as, although the parts are expensive, you need them significantly less frequently.
To sum up, if you are confident with the internet and spanners then an LS400 can be run for little more than any other car of a similar age but if you insist on having Lexus badged monkeys work on your car then you're better off with a Corolla!
Hope this helps
John
-
I only have the one key for my LS400 but it is the master one. Recently it stopped unlocking the doors remotely with the button on the key.
I have put a new battery in the key but it still doesn't unlock remotely, only with the key itself, any suggestions?
Also the car battery is getting a bit tired, how much for a new one and any precautions to take re the immobilisation etc?
TIA and a Happy New Year.
Not being funny but have you checked the switch that turns of the remote operation (down by the steering wheel). This had me foxed for about 2 weeks as I'd not knowingly turned it off and had forgotten about it - must have nudged it by accident!
Hope this helps
John
-
Thanks for the advice and reassurance Dave.
Watling wanted £258 just for the bar.
I now have a supplier at £198 incl VAT, single electrics, ball and cover.
see www.towequipe.co.uk , I doubt they will do a Group Buy, but, if you dont ask...... any one interested???
I'd be interested in one for a Series 1 (which they also do!).
Cheers
JohnE
Where To Get Spare Parts?
in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club
Posted
I'm in the same boat! I've found a couple of places with blue ones but I'm looking for a grey one! Let me know if you want the details of the places I've spoken to.
Cheers
John