Keith Bowler

Interesting reading, my current average mileage shows 14.6 MPG but then most of my journeys are short and brisk. On a run to Leicester a while ago I saw just under 25 MPG. When I bought the car the average mileage was showing as 22 MPG. As others have said its a big car with a big thirsty engine so I am happy. My boss has a new LS460 and he only gets barely 20 MPG on average so I am relatively happy.

On the theme of odd and peculiar cars here is another http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Allard-Lexus-LS400-Prototype-restored-by-Allard-Motor-Sport/201233400178?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28111%26meid%3Db4e5b00aa7874cc6b056d0136a2edc27%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11472%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D271698528378&rt=nc Anyone know anything of its history?

I thought I understood what the various number of flashes that you get when remote locking but noticed recently that I am getting five flashes at times. I seem to have a very sensitive alarm which is affected by certain wireless networks in particular BT's as I found to my frustration a while ago where I used to park my car on my way to work. My understanding is that one press of the remote sets the alarm/immobiliser and gives one flash of the indicators. To disable the alarm siren you press the lock button again and you get four flashes on the indicators. This has been working well for me with no annoying notes on the car advising me to park elsewhere as my car alarm keeps going off. In the last couple of days I have noticed that when I lock and press the lock button again as I have been doing for a while now I get five flashes of the indicators. I am now a little confused as to what this might be indicating. I can't see any reference in my owners manual, does anyone know what the number of flashes of the indicators when remote locking actually mean?

Had a similar problem with mine which turned out to be a faulty hard drive due to a damp boot. Replacing the hard drive solved the problem straight away. I was advised by a reputable auto electrician that very rarely does the GPS sensor fail.

I have Bridgstone Potenza on mine at present, they are runflats so the compound is hard and you get some road noise. I will be using Falkens again as they seem to be such a good alround tyre. I have the 451's on my MGB V8 at present and they perform well though they seem to have been discontinued now.

Sad news Graham, I wish you all the very best. As to the car, if it were me then I would hold onto it but get someone to give it a run out every now and then.

Shame about the date, i'll be in California! Would have been interested myself.

Nice car Barry - well done! Nothing wrong with the DHP wheels, the standard tyre size was 245 50 17 which are an odd size and the standard tyre fitted out of the factory was a 'run flat' Bridgestone Potenza which are pricey and give a 'hard' ride. I am going to go for the 235 55 17 tyre size also next 'cos I find the 245's scrub on the insides on the front. Also worth getting a proper 4 wheel alignment done by someone like 'Wheels in Motion' to get the geometry set properly.

Perhaps I won't get too worried then I measured mine both by brimming tank and checking what it would take to refill and the mileage travelled which checked out with the trip computer. I use my aircon all the time and cruise control when I can so I expect that would count for a few less mpg. Thanks chaps

Have has my LS now for a couple of years and until this week had not really taken it out on a good run. Went up to Leicester in the week from Kent and was rather dissapointed by the fuel consumption of just around 25mpg average on the motorway section of the journey when I at least expected low 30's. I had suspected the computer to be faulty as I only get around 16mpg in normal short trips. I am not a speed merchant so kept speed to within the legal limit. There were some roadworks and holdups which would have caused a slight reduction in mpg but nothing extraordinary. I am not mechanical expert but my mpg return does not seem right. Car is regularly serviced and repaired when needed regardless of cost and runs faultlessly with no visible signs of any faults and there is no evidence in the service history of any repairs that would indicate a previous engine problem. Emmissions test at last MOT was fine and way within limits. What do you chaps reckon might be wrong, I suppose my first check should be lambda sensors and the CATs which I have been told may need replacing soon.

There is definitely something peculiar about the DHP wheels and how they eat tyres especially on the front.. My understanding was that the tyre size used out of the factory was a 245 50 17 but I have noticed that these 'rub' a little on the front and wear in next to no time also. Also noticed that they wear on the inside edge no matter how well the suspension is maintained and the tracking adjusted. Maybe the 235 55 17 would be the better option for me. I am a fan of Falkens and use them on my other cars but have stuck to the Bridgestone's thinking they were the tyre selected for the DHP setup but at over £200 a tyre this expense is getting hard to justify with the erratic wear I get on the front. Funnily enough the rears seem to perform well. I need to get my front suspension drop link bushes replaced which might be part of the cause of my problem but when that's sorted I will be paying a visit to Tony at Wheels in Motion to get the geometry and wheel alignment set properly.

Pete - just out of interest what size tyres are you running, I assume you have the DHP wheels.

Are these worth the extra expense, my LS is due a service soon and just wondered if it was worth investing in one and whether they do actually improve performance.

1999 LS400 DHP - 2 years owned by me 119000 miles on clock - dodgy alarm resulting from stripping out aftermarket Scorpion alarm, double locking on the remote seems to turn off siren and remote horn so no more notes left on the car when I park it asking me to park elsewhere! - drivers side indicator wing repeater seems to take in water/always full of condensation when its damp outside - boot leak, appears to be sorted by new seal from SealsDirect - new rear brake discs and pads - fuel consumption has never got above 20 mpg average but I do drive it hard and don't do that many long runs. Anyone any ideas! - new front suspension parts - 4 new tyres (Bridgestone Potenza runflats which do not appear to last) - front nearside knock, not suspension related, suspect dodgy shock or broken spring. - front bumper spolier/splitters replaced - had to replace satnav drive in boot due to water ingress affecting it Nothing serious really, not sure what else I would trade it for other than an LS600

Been looking into this over the weekend though alarm has not been playing up. I notice that when I lock the car on the remote I get one flash of the indicators but when I lock it again I get 4 flashes, does anyone know what this means? Also found an alarm sensitivity module on Ebay for a 1997 car, not sure if this was fitted to the later Mk1v's, any ideas Steve? Steve - by the way did you get my message with my email address re the manual pages you kindly offered to scan for me.

Think the head lights have to be the projector lamp type. I fitted HiD's to my 1995 GS300 sport and never had any issues with MOT's, but then the GS has adjustable beam and washers.

I would echo the sentiments of others too, at the end of the day a good used one is probably no more expensive than a reasonably priced new family car. I know which option I would go for! Great car and a very nice colour combination.

Interesting story there. Not sure about the 'pimped' lighting, though it is very subtle. An LS400 for a 7 series BM is a bit of a no brainer really. Enjoy!

Thanks Steve, that would be great, will PM you. Take Pete's point as well, never really thought about impact of wireless routers. Will also check centre console too.

Really would like to get this sorted as it is rather embarassing. I appreciate that delving into the inns and outs of a security system is probably not the best thing to do on a public forum, but is anyone willing to help me 'off forum' locate the relevant wiring so that I can try and introduce say a remote switch that I can use to temporarily disable the klaxon and horns that sound when the alarm triggers. I have got to the stage now where I have had to change my train route to work as I keep getting snooty messages left on the car in the street where I currently park. As I said in my earlier post the daft thing is when its sat on my drive it is perfect. I have been to Lexus and they want £150 just to take the car and look over it before they even do any work. The chap I spoke to was unsure as to whether there is a 'sensititvity control' located somewhere in the installation. Has anyone got an electronic copy of the MK 4 electrical wiring manual by any chance. Thanks chaps.

Hi folks Does anyone know if it is possible to disable the standard alarm on a Mk1V LS. Mine keeps going off intermittently during the day where I park near my local station. I don't want any aggro from the house owner opposite where I park and just need to temporarily disable it till I can find time to check it out. I am hoping that i can just pull a fuse but knowing the LS it will not be a simple as that. Anyone any ideas.

Great video Steve! I would say that the better roadholding is probably down to the fact that you most likely have a DHP spec car, which has slightly stiffer suspension and rides a tad lower, looks identical to mine.

Wish mine was as clean as that, interesting find Steve.

Sad news Chris, hope your luck improves soon.

When I bought my LS year before last I noticed it was a little jerky when selecting neutral from drive when stationary. My Lexus expert checked the fluid and said that it was 'dead' very dark almost black and whiff of a burnt smell about it. It has been replaced twice now to ensure that as has been said that the torque convertor gets to see the new fluid. I have had silky smooth gear changes since with no other signs of any problems whatsoever.