n4chv

I owned a 1998 'R' LS400 (Mk 4 version) and I got myself a Parrot Kit which gave me bluetooth for the phone and also allowed me to play music via bluetooth as well and it works with iPhones too I cannot recall the exact model as I sold the vehicle last year but it cost around £200 Worth every penny and it keeps the car up-to-date too I've now got an LS430 which has bluetooth as standard and Lexus dealers do iPod solutions too - still odd to me now that it has a cassette deck though

I always find it concerning when a car like this has so many owners - most LS owners keep their cars for several years Lack of history or MOT makes it very risky but saying that, if you can get a few hundred quid off it could be worth going for - alloys would cost around £200 to refurb (Lexus alloys seem to corrode easily) and maybe another £200 for a minor service to ensure it's all in good order.

I have put out some enquiries with a number of breakers yards and Japanese Car Parts specialists - nothing on eBay Admittedly, there are not many LS430s which are being broken up but there is an outside chance they might have one going. I have read and heard of the electric steering column adjustment failing on a number of LS430s and Lexus dealers have struggled to diagnose the fault so they recomment replacing the steering wheel Lexus have said that they can supply me with a replacement steering column for £1400 plus VAT - no way am I going to pay that on an 11 year old LS430. My mechanic is very good and he's taking the steering column apart to check the inside parts to see if there is something obvious. Will keep you posted

For complete peace of mind on the compatibility and for a Lexus warranty and aftercare, it's a no brainer getting the right spec of battery from Lexus Lexus battery prices have in my experience been more than competitive with other suppliers & fitters.

Looks overpriced to me - surprising about the low mileage though but as cars get older, condition is the main thing which affects price along with age and mileage. Not convinced £3500 is realistic for this but that's just my opinion

I own a 2003 '53' Lexus LS430 (the 1st of the facelift versions of this LS43). Would anyone know where I can get hold of a Steering Column Control Switch (which is used to adjust the steering column up, down as well as the angle of it) and an indicator stalk control arm as well ? My indicator stalk has a crack in it but it works fine and I want to change it purely for cosmetic reasons The steering control switch on my vehicle doesn't work and I need a replacement one (my auto-electrician has confirmed that the steering column itself is fine including the motors). Any help would be more than welcome

The timings I have mentioned were ones which have been given to me by a number of different UK Lexus Dealers and during my LS400 ownership, I changed the cambelt 3 times I wouldn't want to chance it so rather do it more often than risk having belt snap I have read from some owners that you should also change the water pump too - I did have to replace mine at 185k miles when the original one failed. That's not bad going. The replacement part was only £85 and it was 1 hour's labour for my local garage.

On a serious note, I personally wouldn't do it - originality with these cars is much more valuable in my opinion

I ran a 1998 'R' Lexus LS400 for 13 years (it was the Mk 4 version) and the cambelt had to be changed either every 4 years or every 63k miles, whichever is sooner. For the last few years of my ownership, I was fortunate enough to get a 20% discount on the labour costs for my servicing and other jobs from my Lexus dealer. I used to be charged for 4 hours labour and the replacement belt for around £400. If you have any doubts about when this was last changed, I would get it changed - the damage that could be done in the engine if the belt were to snap doesn't bear thinking about.

When buying these cars, I would only ever pay top money if it is in full working order and it has a very thorough service history (preferably Lexus dealer) I have been reading from some enthusiasts about the value of LS400s being on the up and whilst I think they are amazing cars and far better than the German equivalents, I think it's unrealistic to expect these to increase in value. But good ones and low mileage ones are certainly in good demand right now. I recently purchased an LS430 which is over 10 years old but it's only got 44k miles on the clock - the previous and only owner used it mainly as a weekend car

The electric adjustment for my steering wheel and column is not working on my 2003 LS430 (Facelift Model). A Lexus dealer has said I would need to replace the entire steering column at a cost of £1500 + VAT just for the part. My local garage have said that the motor does work partially but it graunches quite a bit and that this is probably the part which needs replacing. I have got quotes for a replacement steering wheel motor for around £200 but with the labour, it's going to cost around £400 to put this right. Has anyone else experienced the same issue with their own LS430s ? I owned an LS400 for over 13 years and never had any issues with the electric steering column adjustment so this is incredibly disappointing to say the least.

The electric steering adjustment on my LS430 does not work and I have been told by Lexus that they would have to replace the entire steering column - price is £1500 + VAT just for the steering column. The dealer was honest enough to say that they have had issues with the steering column adjustment failing on LS430s - surprising as mine never failed on my previous LS400. My local garage think the electric motor needs to be replaced and I have found a couple of used ones for around £200. Very annoying to say the least to have this issue that's for sure.

The Parrot kits are very good - I fitted a similar unit in my previous LS400 and it worked really well

I'm 100% sure that there will be an audio specialist who can give you a solution. Some of the links I've sent you provide not just iPod compatibility but also Aux sources for Audio / Visual devices such as DVD players and other MP3 sources. Lexus do provide their own aftermarket iPod solution for the LS430 but I don't believe they provide a specific USB solution. Good luck

Not sure which of these would work for you but have a look - some of these iPod solutions come with a USB source for other audio devices I've just bought an LS430 and need to get something myself for my car http://www.carcommunications.co.uk/car-accessories/dension-ipod-accessories/lexus_3812 http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/lexus-car-ipod-iphone-interface-adaptors.html http://www.ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk/Dension_ice%3ELink_Gateway_300_Car_kit_for_Lexus http://www.dension.com/product/iPod-iPhone-car-adapters/gateway-300 http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/ctalxipod001-lexus-ls430-ls460-es-vlx470-ipod-iphone-adaptor.html http://caraudiosecurity.com/lexus-ls430-ls460-ipod-interface http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.php?productid=138&cat=29&page=1

I sold my 1998 LS400 last year after 13 years of ownership and 225k miles - probably the best car I ever owned and that did start to suffer with some rust in a couple of areas such as the metal above the windscreen and also above the rear screen too I do sometimes wonder if I should have held onto it but I wanted to run & own an LS430 - hopefully the right decision still

I have noticed some owners have been refurbishing their original alloy wheels but going for slightly different colours - I saw a lovely black LS400 with gun-metal grey alloys and I have also seen an LS430 in blue with it's original 18" 5 spoke alloys in a chrome silver finish which looked very modern

I have seen rust appear on some facelifted LS430s - one car I went to view had rust bubbles in the middle of a passenger door but the car was 10 years old with 180k miles and it had shown a lot of wear & tear. Asking price was only £3k but rust is a no-no for me as it's usually uneconomical to repair on older cars

I fitted a set of 18" 5 spoke alloy wheels to my previous LS400. They were fitted with 245 / 45 R 18s Tyres and the ride quality remained very close to when the car was fitted with the original 16" alloy wheels. I did have reservations about switching to non-Lexus alloys but it comes down to that thing called taste Personally, I wouldn't want to be fitting any kind of wheel where you need spacers or other additional bits

I would try websites like www.247spares.co.uk , www.breakersyard.co.uk and www.1stchoiceparts.co.uk Use Google and type in something like 'Lexus LS400 Throttle Body UK' and other websites should come up. The car isn't that old really so getting parts and getting it back on road shouldn't be that hard. Lexus Dealers could still source parts but you will pay a fortune of course from them Good luck !

I agree Phil that any car needs to be looked after properly but these forums are great as other owners invariably talk about issues which they've had Despite some of my concerns, particularly with the air suspension, I have still taken what I think is a good punt on a used LS430 - I would be very disappointed given my experience with the LS400 if I cannot get my car in 100% full working order. Like you, I generally ignore some posts where owners talk down things no matter what.

Thanks guys - I'll keep you posted once I get the verdict I am already on the case sourcing a used steering wheel motor just in case I don't like the new cost I previously owned an Audi A8 W12 with the monster 6 litre petrol engine. It was an awesome motor, very comfortable, big, solidly built, all the toys, great to drive and it always got plenty of admiring looks. I ran this for 6 years and sold it a few months ago as some of the bills were becoming ridiculous - I started to resent the running costs and decided enough was enough. Fingers crossed I don't get same feeling with my LS430 - having run the LS400, the 430 was the car I really wanted to run so here's to hoping it's a good experience

Thanks for the info Steve - if the cost of a new replacement motor is going to be a fortune, I will consider a used one instead. I had read that with the new technology on the LS430 that there are some issues to be aware of including the height sensors. Appreciate the heads up though

The rear suspension is sagging and the steering wheel tilt / adjust mechanism isn't working - providing these don't cost me too much money to put right, I will be relieved. It's a little disappointing but I know all cars do get issues My LS400 was the best car I ever owned and it's going to take some going to be as good if not better

I have just purchased a 2003 '53' LS430 (Mk 2) with only 44k miles on the clock for a good price (£5,300) however there are a couple of issues being looked at so I am just hoping these won't cost me too much to put right. The car is in excellent condition inside and out (Aletian Grey with Rushmore Black Leather) with all the toys. I sold my 1998 'R' Mk IV LS400 last year with 225k miles and missed having a Lexus in my little car fleet - I just hope that this is a welcome return back to the fold for me