Neil E

1 hour ago, Mossypossy said:

I am aware of this aspect. Not even a box of matches if I got a spare wheel!

There is loads of space on the back seat for a jam sandwich or two.

I'm not sure there's room for a picnic on the rear seat of mine but the SC will carry far more than most give it credit for.  

Posted this before in the build thread - SC430 on tour.  

2 hours ago, Glyn Jennings said:

The issue with the RX probably relates to my own decision to source and have fitted a new tyre developed by Michelin specifically for electric and hybrid cars. They are acoustically quiet and have a low rolling resistance the down side is because of the weight of this type  of car they have much firmer side walls giving a firmer ride which I hadn’t realised so I now regret buying them.  Unfortunately at £800 and with the low mileage I cover I am going to be stuck with them for a long time. I  sometimes think of fitting smaller diameter wheels because at my age I love comfort above anything else but I am not sure of what to fit as it doesn’t seem a common subject for a MK4 RX.

It depends on what the general duty of the car is I suppose but I agree, larger diameter wheels with lower profile tyres work against the comfort and practicality of an SUV. Fair enough if it never goes off tarmac or into the wild but I think of it as a 4 x 4 that will get me anywhere I choose to go. Michelin Crossclimate 2 are a good compromise and the SC430 has high performance soft sticky wide stuff. 

If the SC was a daily driver it would be on Crossclimates November to April. 

1 hour ago, Glyn Jennings said:

I’m on 9.5j rims 255/35 19” Michelin Sport 4s and 10.5j rims 275/30 19” on the rear and to me it is a really comfortable ride on the standard suspension. I have an RX450h with 20” wheels and I would go as far to say the ride on the SC is much nicer and my wife agrees so it is not just me.

Wow that's impressive Glyn, the RX ought to be a magic carpet ride. Perhaps the Michelins are that much better than Continentals. 

My ancient RX and GS are both noticeably more comfortable than the SC430. The RX has Michelin Winters and the GS has Crossclimate 2. I suppose The SC is slightly lowered on the coil-overs and they are set firm upfront and at the mid point rear. The RX300 has air suspension and feels almost as good as the new RX450H L I had as a loaner from the dealer.

5 hours ago, Menopaws said:

Thanks Neil and Nigel, I will think about changing wheels as and when they become available, in the meantime I will have mine refurbished. The ride isn’t too bad and they’re not runflats, I was just thinking the low profile doesn’t help the ride, also they are a bit more vulnerable, I caught a tyre on a kerb in a supermarket yesterday and it’s toast, time for a new front pair , grrr! 

Ouch! Yes it's difficult to find a good ride / handling compromise. I think I'm on 275 35 19 rear and 255 40 19 front on a staggered set up now. 285 30 19 and 245 40 19 were great for handling on smooth surfaces but too aggressive for the state of our roads. 

If a 17" rim with a +45mm offset (or close to it), that clears the brake caliper can be found then yes that should work.

With a good standard suspension set up and 245 40 18s, the ride ought be quite comfortable, always assuming no one uses run-flats any more. 

Upgrading to the later suspension or fitting aftermarket coil-overs should improve the ride-handling experience too. Many owners have chosen to use coil-overs. It's worth reading the threads on suspension and wheels to gain a good understanding of the various options. For wheel and tyre fitment, try this www.willtheyfit.com/

80AH, 740A cold start should be plenty and the standard alternator should be strong enough too.

It copes well enough with my silly hifi system so unless you're intending to put a significant power sapping piece of kit in there or sleep in the car all night with the lights on 😉, the standard Battery ought to be fine. 

That said, I did slightly modify the Battery tray in the GS to fit 335 model. It's too tall for the SC430 but would perhaps fit with a much flatter tray and possibly a different hold down clamp. I recall when fitting the '0' gauge cable through the SC430 bulkhead that it's quite a thick tray. 

43 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

Not sure about specific size for SC430, but my go to for IS250 was always Bosch S4. 4 year warranty, but I usually order them online (for much less than halfrauds prices) and when ordering online they don't have same nonsensical limitations like physical stores (not transferable warranties, receipts etc.). Basically you get your receipt to the e-mail and if battery fails before 4-years you just find the e-mail from years back and send it back. Not that any of Bosch batteries have failed on me yet, although I never really kept them for more (or the cars I fitted them to) for more than 4 years. 

I haven't tried them for a long time but I avoid Bosch batteries. Sometimes a bad experience or two a long time ago will still influence a decision many years later. I'm not endorsing them but Halfords will email the receipt for the Battery 5 year guarantee too. 

I did briefly attempt to fit (shoe-horn) a larger Battery in and considered setting up a split charging system for the SC430 as it has quite a large amplifier but it's coped okay so far. 

As Stew says, It's the rear reluctor rings. The rings and the shrouds they sit in will need to be replaced.  Lexus may charge a fortune to fix it and a good local resource perhaps £200 per side? 

 This may help. Nicnac explains in a little more detail. 

I do 'get' the reasoning behind keeping the 12V supply in place but it takes me no time at all to restore the settings in the SC430.

@Linas.P If not Yuasa which make of Battery would you choose? I've tried a few different flavours and haven't found one that I would particularly recommend. The oldest Battery (making it the longest lasting) I've ever had was a Hoppecke.

Yuasa Silver 5000 HSB096 12V, 80AH, 740A, 5 year guarantee. £110 and that should be fine.

Apparently Halfords recommend they fit it for £20 'as most cars require this Battery to be registered with the on board computer system.' 

Obviously only change the Battery if you know what to do but it's a simple 10 minute job with a 10mm socket, a small ratchet and or 10mm spanner. (I've never 'registered' the Battery with the car)

I would be quite nervous handing the SC to Halfords to work on. I think there's less risk to the car if I do it myself.

22 hours ago, Nigel Coleman said:

OK...................4 hours.

If I had a garage and plenty of tools I would almost be tempted to do it myself.

If you have the tools, it can certainly be done. The 3UZ on the SC430 is a little easier than the 1UZ on the LS400 or Soarer. I would say 4 hours would be a very quick time for one person. I would pay for Lexus parts at a dealer and find a trusted mechanic if Lexus want to charge too much.   

12 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Thanks Neil. I wondered how you knew the MOT details and went looking and found you know what is available online. How useful is that. Just looked up my cars MOT history which was just what I expected ,but reassuring anyway. Thanks again for bringing me to that facility.

Note, I can't see the black car online either.

Some details can be gained on line for free, there are also subscription services that provide known service history, number of owners, and details of accident damage, finance owing, etc. 

It's had a few issues to resolve in recent years. 

Looking at the history, the front and rear tyres are wearing on the insides so perhaps an alignment check should be done if it hasn't been done by the dealer.

8 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Love and cherish her but for heavens sake use her just as much as you can …….

Malc 

Rest assured Malc, that SC430 is a very lucky car. 🤣

The 03 blue SC430 has only had minor issues and advisories throughout its MOT history. I never like to see cheap tyres on a performance car, that always speaks to me about the owner or the dealer selling it but from the pics it looks in reasonably good order. 

The later 6 speed would be my default choice as it's a better newer car but I can't see where it's being sold or any details about it to make a remote assessment. 

13 hours ago, Bob King said:

Very good order underneath Neil 👍🏻
it’s not a minter so will need a little love.

It went into Lexus in 2021 and came out with a 4K bill !

Rear reluctor ring done by replacing the whole driveshafts x 2 😳

rear shock absorber .

   Plus brakes all round and front lower ball joints,so that all most of the suspect stuff done.

I’ve got Error 4 on the `CD so will remove and strip that down (do you still have your old unit if I need a plan B ? )😉

   Scuff low on the n/s sill..need to be on the floor to see it..like I was !

could all be jobs for next spring 👍🏻

Ah yes I've seen that bill for the reluctor rings. Just didn't join the dots.🤣

Go gently with the error 4 as I don't think I have the old head unit, it could be mislaid in the depths of the big shed but I think it was the only item stolen from the garage a little while ago. I do have a spare double din Alpine HU (no good to you) .....and half an original 2006 SC430 in the normal shade of grey. 🤣 

Paint to the sill in that colour should be easy enough. 

Bits of the interior appear to need some unclebob rejuvenating treatment but the leather seats looks pretty good in the pics. The grubby seatbelts are always a pain and the speaker grills just gather dirt. I didn't bother trying to restore them I just bought new. I think they were £180 for all 4. Beige mats no longer available but the speaker covers were.

Oh no the Lexus police are back on duty with a new squad car.

Good to have you back Bob.  It looks a nice example.

I assume it's clean underneath, what needs to be done before the next show?

My SC was always a project Soarer and a car to be used and enjoyed. I just didn't realise how long it was going to stay with me.

It's fun but you have to be prepared to write off significant sums. Looking quickly over the spreadsheet, in round figures for my car £4k exhaust, £5k audio £5k bodywork, then wheels, brakes, suspension £5k. That doesn't include any allowance for my labour and you begin to see what some of those cars must have cost to build, maintain and detail.

Yes £400 ish + parts, about 5 hours work for someone quick who does it regularly. Purchase the parts from Lexus/Toyota and use a trusted  mechanic. I can recommend one in Sussex by the Sea.

On 10/22/2023 at 2:27 PM, Boomer54 said:

Phew. Think some people have spent a considerable amount of time and money on those cars. I may have to revise my timeline for Lexigirl to make a debut.

 

Yes a 50+ page build thread and north of £21k on additions and modifications so far. 🤣

I do think a build thread backs up a good service history. A prospective buyer looking at Glyn's thread would, I'm sure, be assured that it has been well cared for  😇 and the next owner of mine has comprehensive evidence that it has been thoroughly tested and abused.🙃

Returning to the theme of the thread, I recall LOC Europe/Germany had a nostalgia thread where contributors put forward notable SC430 from around the world. So looking further afield, a few more candidates in the customised category. Some of these have obsessive owners. 

Purple Lexon and this is SC Obsessive

The General

OTT Audio

 It's not white but the beige/ecru interior is also known as ivory.

If you want the experience to be a bit more fun then the later version is certainly worth considering. They are great cars but I think they are still a bit overpriced at present. 

Black interiors are much easier to maintain. The beige is hard work with heavy use and Lexus no longer make the beige mats so black is the only replacement option.

1 hour ago, Boomer54 said:

I mean just look at that ! What a car ! Who would not want that ! Love to see the inside of that. Invite any time. Distance no problem.

What are those alloys?

The UK resource was removed unfortunately but I've found an old link for you.

WIL 44

and a couple more.

Coventry Dr Will

HCW MR2 Meet

Glyn's car is another stunning low mileage example. Blue again. This is how to make it your own without going overboard. 

Some of these are so well kept with not so much as a bonnet stone-chip, I would be afraid to use them and that defeats the object of enjoying the car for what it is intended to do.

After owning two of the earlier Soarer models and moving on to other V8 Lexus saloons, the course of WIL 44 convinced me that with a little 'help' the SC430 could be more like the car I wanted so in the early days this was the car that I followed.

1 hour ago, Boomer54 said:

Thanks Neil. Are the owners ever on here?

Do we know what internal finish was paired with the blue?

LT09BXH            Later dark blue / black leather  

M888VMG         Blue/beige @unclebob 's second immaculate SC. 

SC03HAN           Blue / beige was CFs of Sleaford - not on here.

WIL 44                Blue/black    Steve's  Seen in a few threads on LOC and all over the internet for many years. 

They can be seen in the various good and not so good you-tube videos of past events at Coventry, Sleaford, Hatton Country World and even Bluewater.

UK cars only - Nominees

Most Iconic

WIL 44 - tastefully enhanced and a UK pioneer for modifying the SC430.

Best original condition

LT09BXH            Winner           LW meet 2019        Judged by the MR2 owners club officials

M888VMG          Runner up     LW meet 2019         (runner up by the finest of margins)      

SC03HAN           Winner          SC430 Meet 2021   

All of these are or were, low or lowish mileage vehicles. All are blue. 

Needs to be seen but it appears to be a genuine car with a few minor niggles and some paintwork to sort out.

The audio door fault will probably be an easy fix - dodgy switch connection at the back of the ash tray.

@Mossypossy you may want to try a later SC430 with the 6 speed box, etc. Equipment levels and standard suspension/handling are a bit closer to the GS.