passman53

Hello, The quick answer is yes they do. I have a replacement service book for my car and every service,with date, mileage and dealership has been written in. Your local dealer should be able to point you in the right direction. This assumes that the car was serviced at a Lexus dealer but I would have thought that a lease car would have been to help with the residual value. Pete

Hello, I assume you mean the little black square buttons? If so these are only to lock the car. To unlock look for the Puddle lights to come onas you approach and then put the back of your hand on the OUTSIDE of the handle when the car should unlock. There is a diagram in my handbook but its not very clear. Pete

Hi, The good news is that you pay £245. The higher rate is applied on cars registered after march 2006. Pete

Hi, According to my local evening paper it is for a potential fuel leak on Toyota Avesis and 2007-2009 IS 250 models only. Said it may effect up to 3,000 IS250. Still, not good news is it? Pete

Hi, I seem to remember this problem being discussed 2/3 years ago. Certainly my mk4 did just the same, just a little bit of extra pressure on the pedal and it would change down to 1st and really go much faster than I wanted/expected. I did get used to it though. From memory it was not a gearbox fault but the change from a cable accelerator to electronic, which seemed to be more "delicate". I hope this makes sense as it is from memory. I don't remember sport mode made much difference except that all the changes were more responsive when you put your footdown. Not sure but I think it was Steve Bedford who originally raised this topic. Pete

Hello, I was faced with the same decision 15 months ago. The potential problems with the height sensors were a concern, but I was given a warranty for 1 year which whilst being limited to 1k per claim,does actually cover these items. I was then contacted by the warranty provider(Olympic Warranties), and offered the chance to extend the cover to 2 years for £150 which I did as I thought this a very reasonable premium. As long as they don't all go at the same time I should be ok. If you check the warranty companies you may be able to to buy some cover yourself. As far as normal servicing costs there's nothing in it. I drove both GS and LS and felt that the ride quality of the LS was better and is a great deal less roly-poly than my previous mk 4. You can also adjust the suspension at the flick of a switch -to sport mode- which reduces body roll but makes the ride a bit harder. You certainly get all the toys with the LS but ask yourself if you need them. for example the relaxing rear seats are very nice but, (being selfish), I don't sit in the back. It's rare any one does. I love the gadgets and am happy that for me the LS is better. Both are great cars and i'm sure you will be pleased with either. Pete PS the tax is £245 pre march 2006.

Hello, I have charged the battery on my 430 without any problems. Everything worked properly when i re connected. You should (as others have said) disconnect both terminals. There are no sppecific things to do but I do think it is advisable to use the key to lock/unlock the car and be ready to blip in case the alarm is set off. If the radio is coded then make a note of the number as you may need to re set this. Pete

Hi, I agree with the other replies, nothing that would cause me any great concern at present. However the cambelt on the LS400 is due to be changed at 63K/7 years according to the handbooks of the ones I have owned. The interval was extended to 100K on the 430. Pete

Hello again, Ifty, nice to have a fellow club member so near. I'd originally spoke to a lady who I think was Madelaine who gave me the price and booked the car in. Having asked previously I was assured that they check the pump for wear and advise if they consider it needs replacing. It appears to have been more of a problem on the 400 than the 430. Incidently the total labour charge was for 2.8 hours--I thought the belt replacement alone was supposed to have taken longer than this? Therefore I wouldn't think the labour costs would be much more for the pump to be changed as the belt is off and the coolant drained anyway. I think Iv'e seen water pumps around £100. Sir John, It appears that Lexus dealers do "special" rates for older cars, don't know how long this has applied but I'm grateful that is does. On the invoice it shows all the list prices for the parts and then gives a 20% discount off them all except for the oil. Pete

Hello, What a co incidence! I have collected my 430 this morning from Lexus Wolverhampton having had done a 100K/10year service. The car is a 2001 and has done 80K so done 5 months early. The service included: Oil Oil filter Air filter Air Con filters Diff oil change Coolant change Brake fluid change Wiper rubbers replaced Remote battery replaced AND TIMING BELT REPLACED Total cost £516.21 which I thought was very reasonable considering some of the horror stories i've heard about £400+ just for the cam belt change. The service was excellent and I was provided with a virtually brand new RX450H for 24 hours whilst the job was done. I would certainly recommend this dealership. Pete

Hello, First make sure you have a standard size number plate not the extra deep one. Then--- Remove the sound deading cover from the boot lid. Place the unit under the number plate and mark the mid point, drill using the hole saw provided. There is just enough space between the boot lid and the bracing strut. Feed the wires go through this hole and into the boot lid(via the grommet). Conect wire to live feed for reversing light and the other to earth. The other lead is for the speaker which i simply ran down to under the parcel shelf,removed the boot light and popped the speaker up behind it-you may need to file a bit off the corner of the boot light for the single cable-and then taped up the wire. The sensor unit is then fixed using the 3M sticky pads in the kit (angled down). The cable ties were included too. On the latest units the control box is built in so at this point its finished. (The instructions are not the best translation ever so I had to query this last point with the supplier). It was a very simple job. I wouldn't have had the confidence/nerve to drill my bumper either. Pete

To get back to the original question--three years ago I sold my 95 mk3, with 196K on the clock, to my neighbour for £1,250. He has done 30K in it and apart from a couple of oil changes he has spent nothing except for a side light bulb and new tyres. It has never failed its MOT and every time I walk out my front door I think what a bargain he got. My neighbour thinks its the best car he's ever owned and wants to know if he can have first refusal when I sell the 430. So yes you can get a good LS for very little, just follow the advice others have given and you won't regret it. Pete

Hi Mike, If you imagine reversing into a parking space (at right angles)then it starts beeping when the corner of my car is within about 2/3 feet of the corner of the car I am going next to. Next to a wall I can judge the gap within 6 inches but I've never tried to go closer as I'd be very close with the mirror. Hope this is what you mean. Pete

I've fitted a Veba AVRSNP number plate size sensor to my 430.It was a very easy fit about 1 hour and only needed 1 hole drilling. I got it fron Passionauto.co.uk and it was £33. The only snag may be that it is in black but it's not really very noticeable. I can now get within 3 inches of my gate post.

This may be a stupid question, but you haven't got the adjuster selector in the middle position have you? I don't think it is in the hand book but the mirrors on mine don't go down if it is. Pete

"before buying a 2001/02 4lt v8 check how much road tax you will have to pay. id have to check but im pretty sure that a car registered after April 2001 will be taxed on emissions: and its likely to be £400+." Currently it is £245 pa-just done mine. I think it is only cars registered after june 06 that get hammered(ripped off). Pete

I absolutely agree - far nicer than a 400, particularly the Mks 1,2 & 3. Am I alone if I say I also prefer the interior of the LS430 to that of the 460? Mind, the exterior of the Mk1 LS430 is another matter. Ahem. I agree(sounds like the sat nav) the 430 is nicer than the previous models I have had. Wouldn't turn down a 460 though. As for the front, well it has grown on me and after all you don't see it from inside. Remember how we laughed at the Ford Scorpio? Pete

I've never used a Tom Tom but when I have used the one in the car it has never failed to get me there. Pete

I have a 2001 and mine has both of these features. However in the handbook it does give details for normal locking too? The windows do have two sheets of glass so when you are buying make sure there is no sign of condensation between them. If you go for a 430 try to get some sort of warranty on the height sensors if they haven't been replaced. Having had a mk4 and now a 430 I would say the mk 4 seemed more relaxed, perhaps a softer ride and was more economical giving low 30s on a run as opposed to high 20s. it was better than my previous mk3 probably due to vvti engine and 5 speed box. The 430 feels a bit quicker and seems too roll less in the corners as if the suspension is a bit stiffer, more sporty if you can use that word for the LS. Both are excellent cars though I think the front of the Mk 4 looks better, just my opinion. Pete

Hello, On my 430 there is a button up by the Sun Glasses holder which switches off the interior movement sensor

I paid £278 in april to insure my 430 with Elephant. This was comprehensive, protected ncb, £250 x/s and with maximum ncb, I thought this was pretty good. I suppose being old helps!

It is not uncommon for modern batteries to need replacing after this period. Unlike the good old fashioned type, modern batteries give little if any warning of failure. I found out when my (now ex) wife rang at 6pm one evening from the centre of Doncaster, to say her car wouldn't start. After the 70 mile journey, we abandoned the car, a 4 year old Clio oil burner. The following day I borrowed a fixed towing bar and fetched the car. The only fault was a totally dead battery ie not just flat, but deceased. Didn't like to admit this but last month the battery went on my 430. It started in the morning,I drove 20 miles stopped and came to start the car about an hour later. Completely dead. Called breakdown service who came and jump started it. Drove back the 20 miles and switched off, tried to start and again nothing.Had battery checked and advised it had at least 2 cells gone. Checked on web for price of a new battery and best price for one I'd heard of was £85. Out of interest I phoned Lexus dealer and was quoted genuine Toyota/lexus branded battery for £65 -fitted. So Amazingly the dealers aren't always the most expensive.

[font="Comic Sans MS"]It is the 430 which is 10years/100k. Previous models (LS400) were 7years/63k. I had a mark 3 and 4 and this was the information in the hand books.

Hello, at last a fellow LS member who lives near by. I have owned a mk3, mk4 and currently have a 430-2001. I honestly feel that each has been that bit better than the one before and that you will be pleased with either the mk4 or 430. To give you some idea of price I got my present car last october from a non Lexus garage and paid £7k. It had done 73k miles(currently 78k) with full Lexus sevice history and one previous owner. I would say it was very good condition though as usual the alloys will need attention soon. A year later I would think you could get something similar for £6k. You should be able to get a really good low mileage mk 4 for about £3/4k. The 430 feels much more taut and seems to roll less and handle better in normal suspension setting-stiffer still in sport- though obviously it's no sports car, I can't really say if this is due to the different suspension or simply due to the lower mileage(133k when I sold the mk 4), and hence less wear. It does accelerate quicker in my opinion. The down side is that it does use more petrol with around 23 overall and 32/33 on the motorway, about 19 round town. The 430 has more gadets, folding mirrors, massaging rear seats, cool box, blinds etc, but as I am always driving the rear seats don't bother me. Obviously you will check the service history and especially make sure any cam belt changes (63k/7years on mk 4, 100k or 10years on 430),have either been done or make allowance in what you pay also check ALL the electrical items as they can be expensive to put right. If you go for a 430 make sure any guarantee you get will cover the suspension sensors as these are around £1,200. Make sure that you look at several to get the best you can and I am sure you won't regret buying either. Pete. ps. Lexus Wolverhampton will give discounts on parts and labour to gold members but you will need to ask.

Forgot to mention earlier but on my 01 430 when the key battery is low you get a message saying so on the dash. I would have thought this was still the same on later models?