Neil E

Yes it's a snip of one of the images for the Silver Morecambe car. The warning lights add up to something like an ABS or wheel speed sensor fault so Bob is guessing it needs new rear ABS (reluctor) rings.

I think there are 2 flavours that fit all SC430 models. Lexus upgraded the shocks but they are all similar to fit the same chassis whether an early or later model. Yes damping can be set to maximise comfort. On standard wheels and tyres, I found the front can be set firm and still be comfortable, less firm made little difference whereas the rear was best set around the mid-point for the ride to be acceptable. Well worth upgrading the rear anti-roll bar to limit the sway too, yes it improves the handling but I think it improves the behaviour for comfort too. Check here for the MeisterR details.

The used car market is still in the process of sorting itself out. I think it might take another year, maybe two to finish the correction.

Yes Steve, to access the adjusters a small cut out is required. It is quite easy to judge where to cut when replacing the boot carpet trim. You could dab a bit of chalk or grease on the top of the strut and then slowly press the carpet on top of it to make the mark for the hole. Some owners have fitted quite large (2-3") round pop out covers over the top of them to make it neat and that removes the need for pin point accuracy with the first cut. I'm no car wizard and I had no trouble with it. If you are going to get professional help to fit the MeisterRs I'm sure they would cut the holes for you for a tiny bit extra.

I eat spinach but it isn't working, perhaps I'm becoming a lightweight.......I wish. 🤣

The other problem I've had is with the headlamp aim being too low. It satisfies the MOT standards but the dipped beam doesn't project quite far enough. (in my case lowering the car didn't help) Careful minor manual adjustment fixed it but I think it can be cancelled out if there is a need to do a zero calibration procedure. So many systems can be affected by even a failure of just one sensor, whether it's a height, yaw or wheel speed sensor.

I have a full size SC wheel as a spare in the boot of the GS and it is indeed very heavy to lift.

Leave it or deal with it. For a few hundred pounds, it can easily be repaired and painted just like any other part of the bodywork.

Some nice pics there Bob, looks like it was well attended. The V12 Jag brings back memories. I had the saloon but always wanted the coupe with flared arches.

Perhaps we should stop promoting them, they seem to be appearing more often recently. I followed another one along the A272 the other day. Early model black 05 plate, looked very nice. Unfortunately I was in the GS not the SC.

I would take a space-saver or a full size spare if possible but I travel a lot so the risk increases. Definitely take a plug-in inflator. If all 4 tyres are the standard 245 40 18 and in very good condition and you are staying on good smooth tarmac, it might be worth the risk. In the last 160k miles I've suffered 5 tyre failures that necessitated a wheel change. In my experience a space-saver gets you to a garage or overnight stop, slowly, hopefully. A can of spray gunk isn't worth having.

Rear sensors were a dealer fit option, well known for not working. A back up cam is easy to fit and so are aftermarket sensors. I find the SC awkward for reversing, all of my bigger cars are/have been much easier.

You can bounce the back of the car to see how it reacts but how does it drive? That's the key. Almost everyone likes Meister. They are better than the originals especially old originals and they are adjustable but there are alternatives. If the standard suspension on the SC was the same as it is in the GS3 is would have been fine but Lexus set it up to be quite soft so the handling is biased that way and therefore compromised. From memory the aftermarket coilovers improved the ride and handling significantly but my addition of very wide low profiles take that comfort gain away. Just replaced the fronts on the GS with original Lexus units and they were about £360 each.

They should be fine with all of that. I had two different master techs do my recalls and it all went okay despite all of the hifi and stuff. On the first recall they also fixed a slight squeak on the steering wheel. First recall went to Guildford and the second was at Gatwick.

Well I would try that before cleaning the tubes🤣 Looks a nice example, I will keep my eye out for it on the highways of Sussex. I would be interested to hear views on a comparison with the GS.

.......I get confused with the different models but don't we push the button on the end of the stalk in the SC?

Lexus sell the pop up headlamp washer as a complete painted piece but you may need the securing clip too. Does the jet still lift and spray without the cover and so pass the MOT? Lift the armrest and the seat heater switch assembly can easily be removed for inspection by hand or with a plastic pry tool. 35.8 mpg indicates a serious connection fault with the floor pedal on the right-hand side of the footwell. 😉 This is why we stopped Bob from attending to judge any SC430 meets after 2019, every detail carefully noted, verified and points dropped. 🤣

Nice one Steve. Make sure you have a Chris Rea CD on board to choose between Driving home for Christmas and Road to Hell.

Lexus Parts Direct SKU: 48530-80244 SC430 £103.57 each + fitting Worth considering doing all 4 corners with aftermarket adjustable coil-overs too.

That may be so but I still want one. 🤣 In dark blue or black and not the rag top. An imported IS 500 - there's a thought. An alternative to a GSF.

John at Roundstone Van Centre will be able to help you. He's worked on many a V8 Lexus.

There's a garage in Angmering that can sort out all things SC430 at good rates, including paintwork.

I would allow about £350 for a decent repair to that. Some might do it for less, some would quote more. I think most sellers would take it into account when considering the price but it's always worth negotiating if you think the price is too high. If I was the seller, I would have had that re-painted before the sale.

There are selling rules to follow. When I get time I will put something up in the proper manner. The vid is a bit out of date now but it's easy to find and in the build thread which also has more recent pics. The car needs to go back to the garage for some minor paintwork in the new year when they can fit it in. After that I'll need to go over it properly to make sure it drives as it should. Then if someone wants it, I'll set it up and reset the ipad screen and the car apps, obd, etc for a new user.

I52 miles in a year says it all really so yes I would sell it to the right person but what would be the reason for removing any of the modifications? There was a time in the project when most things could go back to stock fairly easily but that was a long time ago. Hi Paul, thanks for the comment. 🙂