Keith Bowler

Mark - sorry to hear of your recent bad experience of Profess. I have been contemplating where to get mine converted and my choices were Profess, Leeds LPG and Battersea Autogas. I am really tempted now to go to Battersea Autogas but got confused when they said when I enquired recently that they would use a Levato system and that I must have the flashlube fitted. I then registered with the LPG Forum and there seemed to be a difference of opinion with the flashlube. You have had a few cars converted over the years, in your view should i insist on a BRC system and forget the flashlube.

Here's mine! Lexus GS300 Mk1 Sport (would need to be mint and correct spec) Lexus LS 400 Mk4 (with DHP) - my current daily drive Shelby 350 Mustang Fastback 289 Shelby Cobra Mk1 Lotus Cortina Mk 2 Coombes tuned 3.8 Jaguar Triumph TR5 MGB V8 Roadster - my current 'fun' car Mercedes AMG Black series coupe Aston Martin DB5 coupe but would prefer a convertible Not into modern supercars I am more of a 60's/70's classic fanatic but like the big Lexus's and have driven a couple of AMG Mercs and the 'Black' series AMG which was awesome.

Most of my journeys these days are from home to the station and back about 2 miles each way, car really does not get warmed up. properly. Always try to give it a longer run at least every other weekend. I do wonder if the average mileage on the computer is not reading properly as I got approx 190 miles out of my last £50 fuel fill up which at £1.36/litre gives around 21/22mpg. I am certainly regularly getting more than 110 miles per £50 of fuel.

I have been using mine with the PWR switch on and my meagre 13.5 mpg average on the computer had jumped up to 15.3, same short journeys as usual. After a longish run today but only up 40mph with a short 5 - 10 mile stretch at 60mph its gone up to 16.7.

I know this has been discussed before but I have been driving with this switched on and my fuel consumption is improved. I am a little puzzled as I expected the opposite and at present I am doing lots of short journeys. In this mode the car is so much quicker and responsive, very much like a Merc or BM in sport mode. Am I just being daft and shout I turn it off!

If you have the same main colour as me then Mark then i'll try your source. Do they take 'on-line' orders or do I need to 'phone them. Cheers

Jon Thanks for that but I am after the paint code for the lower bumper sections and lower door panels which is a contrasting colour to the main car colour

On my GS300 I had the starter rebuilt and a few years later the starter replaced when the original would not take a further refurb. When I had the new starter fitted my mechanic did the job from under the car raised on just a high lift trolley jack and axle stands. Is the LS starter position so very different then or is it just that the LPG equipment obscure access. I'd be interested to know for future ref as I am close to getting my LS converted and this sort of thing is useful to know.

I have been searching and searching for the colour code for the contrasting bumper colour. As the 6Q7 code seems to be a very popular colour is there anyone who has this colour car that knows what the colour code is or has details of a matching alternative. My local car paint supplier will only do a colour match if i can take a painted part/panel to them. I need to tidy some bumper scuffs and really don't want to use a 'smart' repairer as I am quite capable of making an acceptable repair with a small paint gun or even a rattle can.

Hi Keith I'm glad to see you are going to convert to LPG - a great move that you will not regret. I have my gas filler next to the petrol filler - this is the most convenient place for it. Why do you want to bend down to the back bumper when you fill up? I am fat and old so it is a consideration for me. Also your bumper (or anywhere low down) is the first place to get bumped so you may be putting your filler in a vulnerable place. Also LPG pumps can be a pain to connect so having the hole low down will only add to any difficulty. Good luck Bren Bren If you have a look at Ebay item 221200150745 in particular the close up side view that shows the LPG filler cap I am trying to avoid the rusty scabs clearly visible.

Its the spitting image of mine, but then I suppose pictures can be deceiving. Since buying mine last summer I have seen so many identical cars for sale and this is about the 6th one. Talking of poor cars has anyone seen the maroon one also advertised in Ilford with the scabs around the LPG filler

They are offering a Levato kit which I had not heard of before till today. A brief ferret on the net confirms they appear to be a long standing company selling their kit around the world. Is your LS converted and if so did you not have the flashlube then?

On the question of LPG conversion, having had quotes from Profess and Leeds LPG I finally got to talk to a chap at Battersea Autogas who gave me a quote for a respectable £1300, not at all bad for a London based company and more convenient for me for future maintenance. The questions I am left with are: Is the Levato brand equipment they want to use any good as I have never heard of this company, and Do I really need 'flashlube' as that adds a further £200 to the bill. What do the LPG converts think, any opinions/advise appreciated as always. Out of interest they will position the filler wherever I want it even behind the petrol filler flap, but to save any future issues I think i'll go for the rear bumper location just rearward of the driverside rear mudflap. Looks like I might get my car gassed this year after all!

I was with LV when I had my GS300 and when I called them to enquire about any increase in premium for an LS400 they said it would be unlikely. I then bought my LS and would you believe LV would not insure it without a Tracker fitted, needless to say I am no longer insured with LV and my LS does not have a tracker fitted!

Agree sale price very optimistic but then I expect the guy paid good money for it. Is it me or are the tyres you can see in the pics flat?

There is a YouTube video on the LS400 satnav update have a look at this When my satnav was playing up I was tempted to give it a try, cost was around £650 though.

Mike My original DHP wheels were painted with a polished ally finish just around the face of rim which appears original as the wheels have yet to be refurbed.

Very smart indeed.

I have been reading with interest advice in this thread about replacing suspension bushes. I need to get mine sorted as I am eating front tyres at present. My mechanic has sourced a supply of the the control arm ones from the States for about half the cost of the compatible Lexus part in the UK. He has fitted them recently to another LS400 but they split after a couple of weeks. The company in the States have taken the situation very seriously and have had the bushes redesigned and have shipped a couple more sets and have even compensated for the cost of the abortive fitting. I have agreed to try the new ones also on trial so will let you all know how they fare. Whilst on this subject, I did see a thread from some way back on the same subject where an owner gave details of a source in Japan that was offering an equivalent product to the ones available in the States in terms of quality and price but with less duty payable on the purchase price direct from Japan. Could someone post the link to the thread as I have had little luck searching the archives.

Regarding boot spoilers the LS boot front edge has a turn up so best to fit just a 'lip' type spoiler. I have done this on mine, got one fully painted from China for about £40 a few months back.

I can vouch for this company too. My young son is working up in Barnsley at present and had his rear silencer replaced on his C4 VTR by them and they ended up replacing the pipe from the cat back and the silencer for the price of a good rear sports silencer and they modifed his rear bumper to take a horizontal exposed tip rather than the oem concealed turn down and it looks really smart. First class job for all of £150 and they did it in his lunch break!

I had the starter rebuilt on my old GS at least twice in the 7 years I owned it. Probably not same type as an LS but quality of original is no doubt similar.

Sounds like a real hoot! Yeah - do keep us posted, some pics would be great

Its looking increasingly more difficult to argue that the natural step up from our Mk4s is the 430/460, they constantly throw up stories of dissatisfaction with various dislikes and technical problems and it has also become accepted that the Mk4 was the best of all the LSs. So is anymore difficult today to find and good LS than it was 3 years ago? I remember 3 years ago in March/April there were very few around that were even worth investing time and money going to see. I wasn't particularly fussy, it didn't have to be in mint condition and the odd scratch or small dent was acceptable. As long as the car was honest and not been written off at some stage and had a service history, main dealer/local garage was acceptable. It took me 12 weeks & 8 different cars to find one it had a small dent in the drivers door which is still there (anyone got a 6Q7 Dark Green drivers door) and a few scratches, interior was perfect all buttons and switches worked 85k and full service history, cam belt done I paid £2600 and £1200 for LPG so £3800 altogether. In that time I have had two services, one battery and replacement passenger door (already well published) two tyres and I have done 50K miles, always past her MOT without even an advisory, I could probably still get around £2K for her but I ain't stupid enough to get rid of her for many years yet. The thing is that with all the problems likes and dislikes the 430/460 keeps throwing up will make the Mk1.2.3 & 4 a more desirable bet which will have one effect and that is drive the price up of Mk4s and poss Mk3s and to hold prices level for Mk1s & Mk2s, especially for those that are honest cars etc. So look after her she may be worth more than you think. Mike Mike Have you seen Ebay item 261168320182, I enquired about colour but guy never go back to me but car is still listed as a breaker

I was gpoing to say that it would be worth a punt just for the wheels. Not sure what make they are but I really think they suit the car.