chrali

Cheers for the assist, but whilst the '03 on LS430 looks decent, I've always liked the LS460/LS600 shape and am tempted to dip my toe in the hybrid waters.

Yeah seen some of the imports pop up. Some are in weird specifications such as no sunroof and I'd assume wrong satnav. Would be wary of spec differences that you can't see as well. Completely agree on people getting out of large cars being a good thing. 👍

I lived in Edmonton at the time and yup did drive it to the supermarket. You didn't want to let it stall, as it took some time to start when warm. Not ideal in the filter lane to turn into the supermarket. 😁Was intended to use it to take the dogs to Epping in it, but it scared them silly, as it was so noisy inside.

Hmm I added them from my google, I'll download them instead. Can't edit my original post though. Suffice to say it should prove my big car bona fides 😁 VID-20190721-WA0015.mp4

They got me where I am today ... devoid of savings 🤔 Did you like my 1950's Humber Pig APC with full Northen Ireland mods? £80 a year to insure, MOT and road tax exempt but 4 mpg as its over 7 tons. All this is why me looking for an LS600 is me actually trying to be reasonably sensible.

This was many years ago, cost me £1500 with 170k+ miles on it, so I doubt it was best of breed.

Ok starting from when I was 18 when I had a 1981 Jag Series 3 4.2 (was 3.4), 1979 Rover SD1 2.3 & Rover SD1 3.5, then 1988 Ford Granada, 1993 Range Rover LSE 4.2, then another 1994 Range Rover LSE 4.2 soft dash, 1997 Nissan Patrol 4.2 GRSE, 1988 W126 Mercedes 560 SEL, 1995 W140 Mercedes S500L, 1988 Jaguar XJ40 2.9, Ford Scorpio 2.9, Vauxhall Monterey Diamond 3.2 (Isusu Trooper basically), a few Rover 820's, at least 1988 and 1989 Jaguar XJS V12s, 1997 Lexus LS400, 1988 BMW 750il V12, 2004, E66 BMW 760Li V12, 2006 Mercedes GL420 CDI, 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and most recently a 2012 Range Rover TDV8 4.4. Oh and a 2006 Jeep Commander CRD (with GDE HOT tune). I think these count as "big" cars. 😁🤪

Evening chaps, As I've said in replies in other topics, I am on the hunt for my next barge. I'll be honest I've had most barges, but definitely lean to the Germans. Like others, I've wasted wayyyyy to much cash on cars over the years; kept for to brief a time, but I'm knocking on a bit and have SWMBO approval for one last, definitely positively the last, barge with a proper engine. My thoughts are as follows. Whilst I do hanker for a Bentley Arnage I couldn't justify the 13mpg quoted combined MPG. A Bentley Flying Spur is tempting, but I cannot reconcile buying a car many simple repairs require the engine and transmission to be dropped. A facelift Mercedes S600 is a soft spot of mine and would fit in a garage, as would a Lexus Ls600. I got the LS600 test drive out of the way without any expectation, but was actually amazed by it. I have never driven a car so smooth and so quiet. It has left a lasting impression on me. So much so that testing a 2011 Mercedes S500 felt crap, squeaky blower motor and head nodding as it went through the gear and the steering felt gritty. I think my only realistic concerns on the LS600 is that my old LS400 on DHP alloys was appalling when driving enthusiastically and I'll need to another test drive of the LS600 to find that out. To be honest, accelerating hard didn't cross my mind in the LS600. That and finding out if the carbon capture in the exhaust is in UK cars. I also think garages are asking too much for them, but it doesn't hurt to make an offer now does it. 😁

Any update on this? I'd forgotten about this issue.

They are wonderful cars and yes Introcar does do many parts. If a Red label pops a head gasket your covered, if the R or T eats its camshafts you're stuffed. Same for the transmission actuator I believe. They are the complete opposite ownership proposition when compared to a Lexus IMHO and you're lucky to own one. Kinda jealous 😁

I'm in a quandary on my next barge, so whilst I agree and a Bentley is my dream car, it has waaaaaay more potential big bills. Bentley SZ cars and prior, are total classics and corrosion prone. Arnage Red labels blow head gaskets; apparently when not if, for near £10k bill and Arnage R & T eat their camshafts with NO available replacement parts. Car Wizard was unable to repair an Arnage due to no available transmission actuators on the planet; including from Flying Spares !!!! A mass produced modern luxury car like the Continental GT (a Phaeton in party frock) is much less likely to be rendered unrepairable in one go like that, especially given the second hand spares availability.

Rear wheel arch liners......!!!!!! Mine rusted there, and I was confused why on a RWD car, the front wheel arches had liners ;{

Handling, power and 'soul', my 97 was like a water bed and never felt fast enough. Not saying it wasn't fast, just didn't feel it. The float could've been sorted with suspension changes. As for 'soul', well I still miss my old 'S' class MB, but I don't miss my LS400 anywhere near as much. I'm still more likely to get another one, probably a LS430 when every dumps them due to fuel price, as theres no excuse for unreliability especially from a MB (heres hoping :))

Oh thats right ... make it look even more like a Merc S class :)