Haylands

What an ridiculous thing for them to say, any 3-4 year old piece of rubber will show an outward appearance of "starting to perish" if you removed the top 1-2mm of rubber it would be as new underneath, a worn rubber suspension bush is just that "worn" the integrity of the rubber breaks down with usage and the joint starts to get sloppy, this puts more strain on the rubber and it give out.... I imagine they are trying to line up some work in the future, if they want to replace the bushes ask them to show you the wear, i.e. excessive movement in the suspension joint, not just a slightly crazed surface to the rubber. If they are MOT'ing it then be careful if it fails, a friend of mine who has an Amazon took it to Toyota for an MOT and they said it needed over £1000 worth of work to the suspension, he phoned me to ask why because it drove "as new" We took it to my MOT man with the failure list and he went through everything with a fine toothed comb, there was nothing wrong with the suspension at all, the only failure was a binding rear handbrake that had not been mentioned by Toyota...... It’s now had another MOT since then at a different Toyota garage as he has moved to Cornwall and it passed with no problems.... All main dealers are feeling the pinch at the moment and are trying to get money wherever they can, they will ply you with a free coffee and be as nice as pie as they inform you the worst....so beware if it fails and get a second opinion. You will love the SL2Vi.... your own music and you never have to agree with your car again..... (remember if it doesn't "agree" within about 5 secs of the screen appearing then you need to switch the feature on, how to is in the user guide) Good Luck Pete

Thanks, i do feel lucky, if you are ever up this way you are welcome to a drive... Yeah but you can't see the front or back from the drivers seat..... I've been outside cleaning it most of the day and I have to say I think it looks much much better now its level... Which front suspension bushes have you worn out? how many miles did it take, and what are the symptoms please. Thanks Pete

Jo Hi and welcome to the LOC, I think you will have more luck on the USA site at this link http://www.lexusownersclub.com/ There are far more on that site and they will know the USA spec better Good Luck Pete

It does about 22mpg on petrol around town, that's about 18 on LPG... petrol 115p lpg 56p that’s an equivalent petrol MPG of 38 On a run it can get up to about 28mpg on petrol if you pussy foot (unlikely with nearly 300bhp under your foot and that gorgeous V8) then it's equivalent to 48mpg... 0-60 - 6secs.... 155mph+.... an engine note that has been described as tearing silk and 48mpg if you cruise.. Go on buy one you know it makes sense.... Pete

Thanks, but remember its not how big they are its what you do with them that counts.......how often do you polish yours??

Hi Thanks... believe it or not these are over three inches as standard.... it's just got a big bum (like me) so they look small..... Pete

Hi It's much easier than coilovers, there is a height sensor for each wheel, the front ones have a threaded bar to adjust the ride height, I just adjusted it down nearly all the way, you can go mad and cut down the rod and drop the front by about 3 inches but thats a bit radical for me..... The rears are even easier, if you want a radical drop you space down the bracket Pete

Hi Further to my earlier post http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=52435 I have actually done a bit of pimping to mine.... I lowered the front by 30mm to get it to look more level, the front always sat higher than the back and I think it looks better now... The later 430 had nice oval tail pipes on show and I got a pair off ebay, I hoped they might go on without too much trouble but no I ended up cutting off the rear pipe and welding on a new stainless pipe, then fitting the tips to that.... this is a during photo to show before and after.... it looks pretty mean now.... This was the morning before I changed the tyres for these You can see the bald inside edges of the rear tyres.... Pete

Steve Apparently you drive with the doors open if you want cool beers...... It did have under spoiler led lights but they got knocked off when I slammed it whilst on the motorway trying to get underneath a speed camera Pete

It took me ages to do, I used a couple of old gate hinges and 168 spray cans in candy apple..... Here are some more pics.... Seriously, its from a USA site, he calls it CRIMSON VELVET and I presume it comes from Japan, there was no link or other info... I do like the overall look of it and the quality looks top class but I don't think I'd drive around in it.... Pete

Hi all Just had me pimping ride, slammed, resprayed, new wheelies and some lambo doors...... what do ya think????? Pete

The early W140 Mercedes S class used to pull away in second all the time unless you floored it, they did it to give a more relaxed ride, the gearboxes never lasted as long as the model before, or the facelifted model when they stopped it so there must be some additional strain.... Of course the Lexus one is probably built to a higher standard anyway so will be OK What would you change it for???? another Lexus???? Pete

Mike Don't spent too much on one, have played with mine on several occasions, mostly around the LPG installation phase to check fuel trims and lambda voltage and everything seems to run like clockwork, the Lexus electrics are renowned for there longevity so unless you get a dash light on you will be fine... Spend some money on polish instead and make it shine :winky: Pete

Steve Yeah good idea.... how many panels do you think it would take to run the rear air con????? JEM There is not enough room to fit a larger battery, well physically larger anyway, the battery has to be the exact size or it will not fit, the fixings have no adjustment and the base tray it sits in is moulded for that size, it is not removable so you are limited to the original size. My original battery did not have a A/hr rating, the new one is a Bosch Silver model number S4027 and is rated at 70A/hr, not a massive amount but it works fine and has a 4 year warantee. I leave mine for days at a time and it is OK. I hope the solar charger does the trick for longer periods, will be interesting to see Good Luck Pete

Hi Trouble is with the 430 they have covered everything underneath with plastic shields, these look like chassis rails but have various pipes and cables running just under them, jack the car or stick axle stands on these and you will wreck something.... The only place I have found at the back is the support for the rear axle, its directly in line with the wheels so you have to go under from the side then back behind the wheel, be carefull of the little plastic spoilers on the rear axle. At the front there is a place where the suspension arm bolts to the body, this has worked for me. So be very carefull, I always put the wheel on its back under the cill area just in case anything happens, at least you will have a chance to get out OK... and make sure someone else is around when you are under the car. If anyone knows the correct places please let us know.... Pete

Thanks Pete. Have got in with the manual key. Trouble is, have now set off the alarm. The battery obviously has just enough to keep the anti-theft alarm going. Jane Jane Good news.... How old is your 430 and is it the original battery, my original gave up about two months ago at about 7 years old.... got a Bosch Silver with 4 year warantee for about £70 from a motor factor. Luckily you don't have a Merc as you would have to reset everything when the battery goes flat, at least yours will remember most things, sometimes you have to reset the windows if the one touch has given up.... just open them all the way then shut them all the way with the button to train them again....... Good Luck Pete Can he get in to open the bonnet John? Does the boot open and does the ls430 have a ski hatch type of thing like the is200's have? as most of the time the boot hasnt got a deadlock fitted so you can open it with the key? A couple of members have gone in through the boot with a bit of wire and opened the car by pulling the inner door handle? :) Unfortunately the fridge is where your ski hole is ..... it is impossible to get in the car from the boot Pete Your just rubbing it in now Pete Yeah I know just couldn't resist it.... I will have a cold one for you next time I'm out, will get it out of the fridge that is behind the massaging and electrically reclining rear seat, below the electric blind, and in front of the rear air con unit with air purifier..... Pete

Can he get in to open the bonnet John? Does the boot open and does the ls430 have a ski hatch type of thing like the is200's have? as most of the time the boot hasnt got a deadlock fitted so you can open it with the key? A couple of members have gone in through the boot with a bit of wire and opened the car by pulling the inner door handle? :) Unfortunately the fridge is where your ski hole is ..... it is impossible to get in the car from the boot Pete

Even if the car is double locked you can still open it with the key, there is a silver plastic blanking plug in the drivers door handle, remove this with your fingernails or a bit of plastic, as it is quite soft and will mark easily, then use the key blade in your key fob, it comes out by sliding the catch at the base of the key and then sliding it out. Good luck Pete

and will also put undue stress on the second gear band in the gearbox and reduce its life...... like pulling away in second in a manual, you have to slip the clutch a bit.... If I were you I'd change the oil now especially if its any other colour than cherry red or smells burnt.... Pete

Hi Easy way to get off the badges that are stuck on with that megga stong tape stuff is to use Dental floss, get a long length and then use a sawing action behind the badge, this cuts through the tape and causes no damage, to get off the sticky mess left, use petrol if you haven't any sticky stuff remover..... don't smoke though!!!!! Pete

Hi Mines got a similar screen and its never asked for a code... have you tried disconnecting the battery for 30 mins to see if that "resets" it.... Maybe someone else has come across this... Pete

Ahhh you forget I filled mine up today.... 75 ltrs....... £42 (LPG)..... its the only way I could afford a road trip..... Just come back from a 35 mile "A" road trip and the tyres are great, tried the car on "sport" setting for the shocks and its still better than the ride was on normal before, I can't believe the suppleness of these tyres, especially as they have a higher load rating than the Dunlop's, you would think they should be harder... Pete

Hi all Those old hands on here will remember my old posts on tyres and the excellent Dunlop Sport 270 that was made for the LS430, well it seems Dunlop have had enough and they have now stopped making this tyre.... Anyway the story starts at Christmas, we went away and the car was "looked after" by a Jockey parking outfit at Manchester airport, it came back with a damaged front nearside wheel and tyre and a distinct pull to the left.... Used the spare and had the tracking checked by one of those 4 wheel laser alignment machines, they got it set to absolutely spot on, not just within the tolerance. It travelled about 200 miles before this was done and it had started already to wear the inside edge of both front tyres, well the spare was used when the geometry was set, so that was a new tyre. Parked the car in a tight space last week and left it with the lock on. on coming back to the car I notice that the tyre already worn a bit on the inside is down to the canvas and the "new" tyre is badly worn on the inside edge as well.... This is after less that 7,000 miles..... Also both rear tyres are just about bald... I had a quick look at the boot to see if it had changed to an IS as these have had problems with this as well... Anyway, went to another tyre shop and got the tracking checked again on the same type of machine and it is still spot on.... They said its a heavy car and this just happens... Then found that they don't make the 270 anymore and they didn't have any 225/55/17's in stock so came home and did some Gooogling... found 3 270's at silly prices... Then I got thinking, well I don't drive it like a sportscar I just want a quiet smooth ride. Surely I must be able to find a cheaper tyre and not have to spend nearly £150 a corner on Dunlop’s or some other branded tyre so I started looking at different tyres and finally settled on the Firenza ST08. It is from a new manufacturer in Singapore and is advertised as:- This low aspect ratio tyre is developed in the quest to balance superb driving performance with a smooth and comfortable ride. Achieved through the latest tyre research and technology, Firenza ST-08 offers you the best of both worlds. Just FEEL it. ■ High Performance, Grip Power, Quiet and Comfort Well don't believe everything you read so a bit more research found an Australian Forum where they were singing and dancing about this tyre, its quiet, with excellent grip and good wear rate, its also has a high load rating and is W speed rated, the same as the Dunlop’s. Looked around and found a place about 40 miles from me who would do me 4 fitted for £296!!!!!.... I ummed and aaahed for a bit but thought heck they will be worn out by Christmas anyway so I might as well try them out.... He only had 235/55/17's in stock and as the radius is only 5.5mm more it won't make much difference... Well got them fitted a couple of days ago and they are excellent for the price, they are slightly, and I mean slightly noisier than the Dunlop’s, but they are so supple and soft over bumps and such that the magic carpet ride has got even better, before you could hear and really feel cats eyes, now they are just a slight noise. The turn in is about the same and there is no tramlining.... So if you are after a pretty good "cheap" tyre then I can recommend these If you are after a Dunlop 270 then be quick and shop around, there are a few left.... We are off for a Europe road trip in a couple of weeks so I will let you know what they are like after the "Route des Alps"... that should try out the roadholding... Pete

Wooooow... Thats very shiney.... You will have to stand over it with a brolly now to stop those bloody birds making a mess.... Pete

Hi Looks nice, have you a link to where you found it.... were there any more details? Pete