run132

Interesting discussion this one. Personally, if someone is prepared to pay that price then I have no problem with that. It looks a very nice car and, to be honest, £4 - £4.5k for, in my opinion, the best car in the world is a bargain! Yes, you can pick up a newer model for around the same or a cheaper price but I don’t see that being a problem. I personally prefer the look of the MK III over the others and that would be the one I would go for – if I were after another LS! As it happens, I have been in a similar position. I recently bought an Audi S8 that was way, way over book, even after I negotiated a good chunk of change off the list price! Needless to say, the car got many a tongue wagging ‘elsewhere’ – before and after I bought the car! I could have bought a newer model (actually, a much newer model!) but I prefer the look of ‘my’ S8. I know I was paying over the odds but it was the colour, spec, mileage, etc, etc I wanted. I had also missed my opportunity a year before when it was up for sale previously so, after much thought, I bought it! I have no plans to sell it so I am not worried about resale or anything like that. So, bottom line, if this LS is the car someone wants and they know they may well be paying over the odds for it then good luck to everyone. Actually, if it didn’t have the black leather I might have been interested myself (assuming I could duck from the flying objects coming my way from Mrs run132 if I suggested it to her!).

I can't help you with that but my 1995 Mk III came with a tow bar when I got it in 2001. It was removed the second day I had the car! It is somewhere at the back of my garage. All I remember was it was bloody heavy! No doubt I'll find it by stubbing my toe on it when I tidy the garage later this year!

The production company were very interested in using my LS for the 'lovely example' but they said I was too far away so they got the black one as it was closer (so cost less in expenses)!

Yes, that is indeed the fob for the Scorpion alarm. The alarm has been the only week spot of my car (and has nothing to do with Lexus/Toyota of course!). Mine does not like the cold! It refuses to unlock on the fob (or respond in anyway!) if the car is left locked outside overnight and temp falls below zero! If it was kept outside on a regular basis then I would have ripped it out and replaced it by now but I can work round it when I can. Hope you manage to find a suitable replacement LS.

I had Bosch wipers a few years back but had the same problem. I ended up going to Lexus for some and no problems since. I don’t know who makes them (they came in Lexus branded packaging) and can’t recall how much they cost – but worth every penny! To be honest, I find it is best sticking with OEM parts for the Lexus. They got it right when the built it so it makes sense to stick with the parts they originally fitted!

I've been caught out with the parking brake a couple of times before at MOT time, as I never use it. The chap who does my MOTs knows I don't use it and years ago (when he was able to use a bit of discretion!) used to remind me to use it or it would fail on that the next year! He knows I will never sell her so it was never an issue. That reminds me, I must start using it (although I know I will forget!).

Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico in my case. They seem to wear out fairly evenly all round. I've only needed to swap them round once in fifteen years.

My R8 came with a tracker fitted (I think all the UK ones did) but I never bothered renewing the subscription as I didn't think it was worth it for me. The car is kept garaged every night and is rarely left anywhere where someone could nick it!

I've had my CTEK charger for a while now and is a great charger. I can't recommend it highly enough.

That is my neck of the woods but I don't recall seeing that one. There is a burgundy 430 not too far away from me that I see on a regular basis and a couple of 400s knocking about but that is about it.

Perhaps those that do are unable to read or use a keyboard?! Perhaps they are in their cars pushing all the buttons and switches so the pretty lights come on their dashboards?! I must stop taking these sarcasm pills!

That is the correct fob for a UK supplied 1995 car. The alarms were fitted by a company called Scorpion (who are still on the go). They did a few other manufactures around that time - I have the same 'factory fitted' alarm/fob on my 1993 Merc. From memory, they don't have any new fobs, etc like these so if the fob were lost, etc. then a new system would need to be fitted. Funnily enough, the alarm has been the one main issue I have had with my car since I got her in 2001. If she is outside, locked on the fob and the temp falls below zero or so, she won’t unlock on the fob! Lots of internet searches and contact with Lexus (and Scorpion) later I have still not figured out what the problem is! It does not seem to be a problem anyone else has encountered. I think there maybe some water in the system somewhere and when it freezes it stops working. Of course, it maybe she does not wish to go out in the cold! Luckily enough, she is not outside locked on the fob overnight very often. However, if it does happen, I can unlock the door with the key (which set the alarm off) and reach into the glovebox for the reset instructions (key in, key out, driver’s window down, turn round three times, stand on your head, all within 30 seconds!). Only had to do that once.

This drives me crazy as well - almost as much as people who stop or park on the face of on coming traffic with their headlights on!! I can feel my blood boiling just thinking about it!

I had the same problem with mine and ended up going for a decent second hand one. As I recall, a new one from Lexus as about a grand!

I had the four rear subframe bushes and a couple of rods replaced a few months ago and mine looked like that when it was up on the ramp! I was a bit shocked but my mechanic (he is a good old fashioned mechanic not a 'service technical advisor' or whatever the main dealers call them!) was not bothered at all. "Nice and solid" he said! Yes the E23 BMW is a nice car. I've got two at my place just now and had three up until a few days ago until we go the tax and insurance sorted for the new one. In my opinion, BMW did nick the front shark nose styling from the Fiat 132! Still, a good one to choose. I saw an Alpina many years ago and looked very nice. Not seen a 745i in the flesh though.

The MOT was done at my local Vauxhall dealer and the tech came out and clearly not the usual franchise technician! his dad owned an S reg LS400! His father was formerly a mechanic and as a family they had had a raft of V8 SD1 Rovers the Tech had a very interesting car history - Chevy day van 5.7 V8, Camaro, Corvette Z28, Dolly Sprint, Carlton Gsi, restored 3 RS Cosworth Sierras, the list goes on. To say he loves his cars and is obsessed with detail is an understatement and needless to say, I know where my Lexus is going! Brilliant :) Sounds like you have found a good one there. I think It is important to get an 'enthusiast' to look after the car. When I passed my test I was looking around for someone to service and MOT my 132. My Dad had a BMW 728i E23 (he just got a 'new' 735i E23 last week!) so I thought I would put my Fiat into the local BMW dealer. They did all the work I wanted but when I went to pick her up (and pay the bill!) the service manager said I might be best not going to a main dealer in future! He knew of a guy who had just set up on his own after leaving the local Honda garage. I went to see him and have gone to him ever since - usually on a weekly basis! He knows how fussy I am but will give me sensible advice (like "it is time to scrap that one"!), which I don't always take, of course! I did take the Lexus to the main dealer last year for her 100k service, as it was a bit more convenient for them to do it with all the parts, etc. Had to remind them not to wash her as she had just been detailed! Not a problem I have with my 'no nonsense' local guy!

My LS is the only car I don't worry about when it comes to MOT time! I don't think I've even had as much as an 'advisory' with her!

I’ve mentioned this before, I can’t speak for how good the LS 430 is but, overall, my LS 400 is the best car I own and the best I have ever driven! While I love all my cars (not as much as Mrs run132 of course – just in case she ever reads this!), the LS is the one I would save first if something happened to my garage!

Well, I can get 12 in my garage – but it is still not big enough! In there at the moment I have: Lexus LS 400 MkIII DHP Mercedes SL500 (R129) Daimler V8 (X308) Range Rover Classic (Softdash) Range Rover Classic (Harddash) Mercedes 320E (W124) Honda Legend Fiat 132 2000 (x4) Fiat 127 Special Outside I’ve got a Range Rover Sport Autobiography Supercharged, a Mercedes 300E (W124) and another three Fiat 132 2000s. The only other cars I would like to add would be an Audi S8 (one of the last of the first version) and possibly a Ferrari 458 Spider – OK maybe an Audi R8 Spyder and a Maserati Quattroporte as well!!

Lovely looking wheels! Good to see you have stuck with the P-Zeros as well. I had mine diamond cut round the rim last time. A couple of the wheels have started to go a bit dull in that area so it will be time to get them done again soon. Luckily, my detailer tells my that one of the top wheel refurbisher in Scotland is only a few miles from my house so I expect I'll keep them busy over the summer!

I got my LS 400 detailed by a professional a few months back. It is amazing to see him in action! I like cleaning my cars but he takes it to a whole different level. The problem is, the car is looking so good that I have not taken it out of the garage since! Not what any car, never mind a Lexus is for! Once I find some time to put my wheel centres back together (I took the logos off the caps to get them re-gold plated and the caps resprayed silver) then she will be ready again for the Scottish summer(!)

Yes, 'wolf in sheep's clothing' is the way I prefer to go as well! It was a phrased used by Fiat in their advertising when they launched the 132 2000 in the UK in 70's!

No TC on mine. I sometimes forget when I am trying to make a 'spirited' get away from a junction or into a roundabout in the wet! The width of the tyres don't help either. Therefore, I tend to give my LS a rest over the winter months and avoid taking her out in the snow.

Thanks for that Mike. Actually, I just looked out the window and the snow is already here (I'm not too far from Dundee)! I now remember why I keep her at the back of the garage at this time of year! Stay safe on the roads folks.

For some reason, the Mk3 did not show the tyre pressures for the 17” DHP wheels! They didn't even put a supplement in the handbook! I am not sure if they sorted this for the Mk4 but I doubt it, as there has been a lot of discussion in the past as to the correct pressures for them! I usually go with 33psi all round – but sometimes 34! I think it is safe to assume that you have a DHP model. There are a fair few Mk3 going around with the DHP wheels and I am sure the vast majority will be 'proper' DHPs rather than a previous owner getting their hands on a used set of DHP alloys and sticking them on! The DHP sits slightly lower than the standard model but you would really need to see them side by side to see the difference. A Lexus dealer should be able to tell you for sure from the chassis number. I can’t recall if it obvious to someone new at the parts department (I don’t think it flashes up with “DHP” on their screen!). If it is not obvious to them then you are best getting the recommended part number for one of the springs (as they are different on the DHP) and take it from there. All this talk has made me miss using my LS! I tend to give her a wee rest over most the winter months but I think it is time to get her out from the back of the garage and give her a run! I’ve just had my grill badge and wheel caps redone so she will be looking her best – well once I stick the logos back onto the caps! Oh, re the supercharger – I am firmly to the right!!