Cotswold Pete

Chris Just had a look at the web site, and though I live 25 miles away, reckon they may be the guys to do my cambelt this summer. Not so sure about the LPG though, as on current mileage would save about £750 per year, though I do intend keeping my LS400 for at least 5 years. Cheers, Pete £750 ?????? chuck it my way if its small change to you. Mike Just had a look at their prices, have they quoted you a price? they also want your car for 24 hrs or 2 days in laymans speech. Mike Mike, Since the posting this morning, got me thinking when I take the motor for cambelt change, I'll get details for LPG, as I think this motor is going to be carrying me about for next ten years, so makes sense. And £750 is not loose change (though my daughter seems to think spending £200 on a ball gown for her school prom is okay - cough) (means the lounge will have to wait another year for that makeover)

I had all this alarm issues with Direct Line a few years ago, but once sorted and logged on their records all was okay. Mind you spent 30 minutes on the phone while they had to rummage around in their computers to get someone to tick the right box. However on the insurance front, might be worth trying John Lewis, the missus has got a good deal on her Honda, and so in 3 months I'll be checking them out for the Lexus. I did try Sky in the past, but found Saga and Direct Line about the same price. I only do about 9K to 10K a year so premiums generally a bit lower.

Regarding the Sat Nav, I find it kind of useful as a MAP but about has much use as a chocolate fireguard when it comes to navigating. The two times I have actually followed it to the letter (I was bored), the darned thing has taken me on a 30% longer journey and cost a lot more in fuel. Once tried to direct me to a field near Swindon, when I could plainly see the address of where I was going to was on the other side of the display. I have seen other posts on here that suggest the system is more for a laugh than anything else, though I have found it useful from time to time to navigate to places like Cadbury World?!?!?

The PTLLS is the one to start with, and its where I started, and found that I enjoyed it which is why I then went on to do DTLLS. Have you checked out whether you can get reduced fee for being out of work. While on the PTLLS see if the teacher/trainer can get you an intro to the head of department for whatever subjects you think you would like to aim for. Best of luck

Chris Just had a look at the web site, and though I live 25 miles away, reckon they may be the guys to do my cambelt this summer. Not so sure about the LPG though, as on current mileage would save about £750 per year, though I do intend keeping my LS400 for at least 5 years. Cheers, Pete

One thing certainly worth trying is to speak to a local bus company manager, (Arriva, First, Stagecoach) and find out where the get the bus body work overhauled. If not then a local coach company will maybe point you in the right direction From my experience the will have all the right set up, ovens big enough for double deckers, and some spare capacity, and usually a quick turn around. As for pricing, you can haggle depending on if they have other jobs they can fit in and make some pocket money on your re-paint. best of luck

My story was the same 4 years ago, had not long had LS400, lost job, but hung onto the car, and after one year got a job. I did not use the car as much as usual - no need when on the dole - and in the end that car lasted 4 years and cost be next to nothing in maintenance. At one point I did not drive it for 5 months and it started first time. I did find that battery discharging triggered the alarm now and again. I actually changed from security sales to teaching, did my DTLLS and now work full time as teacher. If you want to get into teaching, then I suggest a bit of volunteering - get your feet under the table, and then slowly but surely they will find you a paid job. Mind you the cost of doing teacher training has gone through the roof, so do a bit of research on whether you want to do PGCE (route to secondary teaching), or DTLLS (route to FE vocational training - mainly). The one thing for sure is that teachers are never going to go out of fashion, and they reckon that with the costs of doing the course going up to train, then there is likely to be ever bigger shortages of teachers in next 4 or 5 years. I have found you can run a Lexus on a teachers salary (just), but I do 24 miles to work, and lift share with some others, so best of luck. PS: The other car sharers always prefer going in the LS400, and I reckon with the wear and tear on the Mazda that one of them has (diesel), it has cost her as much if not more than running the Lexus.

Ahead of buying new D2R for the 400, noticed a few comments on ballast, and something about 28K kicker voltage to wake of the bulb. So got me wondering whether it is my bulb gone or ballast. I have been driving for a week with faulty bulb, but notice that the light flickers briefly as the unit self levels and then it stays off. So is this the ballast malfunction as i would expect failed bulb to be totally dead. Any ideas. I will attempt a bulb swap at weekend before I part with the readys. Do not want to spent £60+ on bulbs when I should be spending a fortune on a new ballast.

Norman, Thanks for that, will be investing in some of these, and get cracking when the weather allows.

Anyone used one of these http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/cleanyourcar-huge-39-fluffy-39-drying-towel/prod_634.html I use micro fibre around the house (when the missus makes me dust) and I always thought they were a bit scratchy to the touch, and never though of them being any good for bodywork.

Keith, Enjoy the car when you get it, best car I ever had, it was a joy driving into work today, spring sunshine, smooth drive and able to over take a stream of cars all stuck behind a Morris Traveller on the way home. The 2000 MK 4 - nothing beats it

Chris, got me thinking (or asking) is this better than T-cut. How long does clay last, and how long does it take to do a Lexus, last time I did my wash, T-cut, wax it was 3 hours, and it looked fine, though not sure if it was glass smooth.

If the Scorpio was dazzling you, did that mean you missed spotting the read axle spread those beasts suffer from. As for the LS 400, they do scrub up a treat, and I try to give the old lady a dual wash, light T-cut and then full wax once every 6 to 8 months. Looks better than a showroom newbie. I did give her a wash the other day, just a quick winter wash over with a sponge before it got dark, and then some rain dust arrived from Africa (or was it volcanic ash) and now it looks like it has just got back from the Paris to Dakkar. So maybe the Easter break will time for a spring spruce up. Also found using a good quality shoe cream on the seats makes them look great, but not sure if there is anything better, but at least it colour matches and fades out the minor leather scrapes from the kids and all them belts and buckles!

Cheers Steve, I did wonder if the light out was best way, and I assume the side light is an easy-ish pop out as well.

So got new bonnet struts done, and good job too, as the nearside HID main went the same night. So checked it out, and the battery removal on nearside is a bit of a pain, but nothing too much. However offside has the air intake in the way. Question 1- Is it easy to get this out of the way, or should I remove the light unit, and then work on it from there. Question 2 - Is it a D2S or D1S, I need, (Looks like the ones I have are 6000K so will stick with that) Question 3 - Is there any recommendations on best place to get. (seems like best to avoid ebay on this one) Any help appreciated. Pete

Heres a link for Falkens at £83 a corner + £3 P&P I have never had a problem tramligning unless of course its a really bad road surface Mike Mike, could not find link on your reply. Cant get much more stupid than that. Another senior moment. here we go. http://www.camskill.co.uk/m62b747s424p97846/Falken_Tyres_Car_Falken_ZE912_Ziex_Falken_ZE_912_-_225_60_R16_98W_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_G_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB/RS_GB Cheers Mike, By the way does the fuel efficiency rating really make any difference, in the past I have tried supposed fuel efficient tyres on big cars and can't say I noticed any difference even when doing 15,000 miles per year.

Heres a link for Falkens at £83 a corner + £3 P&P I have never had a problem tramligning unless of course its a really bad road surface Mike Mike, could not find link on your reply.

Just been kicking around the web for info on tyres, as I need two new fronts, replacing some ContiPremierContacts (one with puncture, one can be used as new spare). In previous LS400 I had Nexen, and it tramlined like crazy (some parts of the M5 are obviously very soft) So I read a report on Tyre Reviews where a LS400 owner says asymmetric tyres tend to tramline on a 400. First I have ever heard, and looking at my Contis they do not appear to symmetric, and it drives fine even on the M5 I am thinking of Uniroyal Rain Expert or Dunlop Sports, and they appear to asymmetric patterns. So I am a bit confused. I do not do a lot of Motorway driving, but found the tramling on previous a very disconcerting experience on my trips up North. I know some will talk about Falken, etc, I just want a tyre that is quite, grippy and reasonable price for a Mk4. I rarely go above 70, as I am mainly A Road man and so need to deal with the rubbish surface of your average Cotswold run. I need to do something in the next week ahead of MOT, so any comments welcome. NOTE: The Nexens were absolutely terrible and no doubt contributed to the side swipe skid that saw the old one off the scrapper.

seems like a great way to ensure moisture stays around the metalwork. Unless they are bits of plastic money!!

Gasstruts is best route, (£40 for a pair - all in), SGS will regas (£34 -all in, but there is the cost of getting them to SGS). Also with SGS you have no struts for 3 or 4 days, which may be an issue if they are not working in first place. SGS say there is the chance that they cannot be regassed. SGS charge £80 for a new set of 2. Not sure if they are any better than the Gasstruts, so not sure if anyone of forum has any comments on Gasstruts life expectancy.

LS400 bonnet is pretty heavy, so when I get to be 60 and driving a luxury car, not so sure I want to get a hernia just to top up the windscreen wash. So struts make it easier, but agree, maybe there ought to be a backup bonnet clip. I reckon the LS400 bonnet about twice the weight of the good ladies Honda Accord , and I guess IS200 much smaller amount of metal and sound proofing !!!!

I have always found Bridgestones noisy on any Lexus I have been in, and also on Omegas in distant past. Generally found Pirelli and and Continentals good. Have to replace fronts myself soon, so not sure which way to go, but I do find the road surfaces in UK are so varied that the Lexus can go from being as quite as a baby's bedroom to as noisy as Asda on Christmas Eve on some roads. As for potholes, the fact that I can feel them makes me wonder how the heck people in lesser cars actually are not reporting broken backs on their commute to work.

Been meaning to think about getting struts done, and reading this post reminded me to get off my backside. Just been and checked under the bonnet, and propped up with bit of solid metal, but must say ruddy scarey just thinking of a gust of wind coming along, metal rod falling and head rolling onto the ground. Maybe bonnet struts are advisory, on the basis of 'Headless driver more likely to crash'. So just ordered from Gas Struts and await delivery. MOT at end of March, so just need to check tyre situation and hope for the best.

I guess traders/dealers want a quick sale, so either a frugal motor or something that stands out, and your average 2litre will not stand out.When I was looking for my MK 4, I saw a lot of cr*p on ebay, and it was obvious by looking at the photos, and i found the front seat was always a good place to start looking. I got mine from a dealer (who runs out of the back of chicken farm near Taunton), honest guy, bought on sight, and he said only trades Toyota,/Lexus VW, and Mercs as he never has a recall on warranty. I think it is pot luck, as it was only when I got my second LS400 I realised I had bought a bit of a clonker first time, and had probably paid over the odds, but at least this forum is a great place to have others give their views. Also I think once you get a good LS, less likely to want to sell it unless your looking to upgrade or give up driving, so less private sales

Had a mate a few years ago had a GS300, had it gassed up and started to expose all sorts of issues not noticed with petrol, and I recall some threads of about 3 or 4 years ago with similar comments on LPG needs the ignition and injection (not just Lexus) to be 100% or you get some really odd problems. I recall my mate had new coils, but would not swear to it. You might want to post a seperate thread, sure it will have a few people giving advice.