N55GUS

Thanks for the input guys, you are probably right that I should keep the lovely LS. This is the longest I have ever had a car and I just felt ready for a more modern style. My belt was changed at around 71K now done 148K, but I guess the 10 years cannot be far around the corner. I have my Rent and MOT until September and as I said I only do about 6K per annum. I put a new battery on a few months ago and I have had to have a couple of shockers in the past year or so which I got easily from Heathrow jap spares. It looks like I will take the advice of BMs and keep my LS unless something major happens, like I win 2 mill on the lottery, then you can all come round my drum and have a nice drink. :)

I have a 1995 LS 400 (148K)which I use daily and have owned for about 8 years. However I am ready for an upgrade to about a 2001 LS430, my car is not really retailable without a few hundred quid spending on it, and that money would not really increase its value. Can anyone give me a ball park figure what I would get from a breaker? it is taxed, MOTd and runs well although the belt change is overdue. I only do about 6K per year and it is possible I will keep it until major expenditure is required. Also my private plate is my forum name and I got a valuation of £600 for that but I suppose you only recieve that when the plate is actually sold which could take years. For my newer LS430 I would not want a private plate. Any help or tips most welcome, TIA

My LS400 had a bit of a leak and I used a Power Steering Fluid with stop leak, forget the brand but it was well known and seems to have done the job. Check on E-Bay.

Many thanks for that Graham, it is very helpful.

Would the 2000 LS430 have keyless start/entry and also have Xenon headlamps? TIA If you know a link where I could find this kind of info, it would be very welcome. TIA again :)

I am thinking of upgrading from my 95LS400 to a LS430. When the LS430 came out in 2000? Were there any upgrades or design changes made to the LS430 up to say 2004 or was the 04 model the same as the 00 model? TIA

Alex, Many thanks for the speedy reply. I currently have 225/60 ZR 16 tyres on very badly corroded original rims. I managed to pick up 5 Lexus alloys ( 18-7 JJ 35) cheaper than it would have cost me to refurb the old rims, but now I need to make sure I put the correct tyres on. Just to re-cap I have a 1995 Mk 2LS, and I am not sure if the Lexus parts guy told me 255/35-18, however that was 18 months ago and I have a short memory :D I only travel about 7K per annum so i am not worried if a harder ride, it's just important that the car drives safely and nothing catches anywhere. Regards Gus Hi N55GUS, What are the rims you have from originaly? 18" rims didn't appear on the LS untill at least the MK3, maybe even MK4. Will still fit though. I have 18 x 8 with 235 x 35 tyres and they barely cover the edge of the rim hence lots of curbing. To keep the rolling radius correct you need a tyre similar to mine, with 18 x 7 you should have enough tyre protrusion to protect the rim too. Don't forget though, you are going to loose ride quality going from 16 to 18's... looks good though!

I have 5 newish alloys for my Mk 2 1995 LS, they are stamped 18-7 JJ 35. What size tyres are best for these alloys? TIA

I only have the one key for my LS400 but it is the master one. Recently it stopped unlocking the doors remotely with the button on the key. I have put a new battery in the key but it still doesn't unlock remotely, only with the key itself, any suggestions? Also the car battery is getting a bit tired, how much for a new one and any precautions to take re the immobilisation etc? TIA and a Happy New Year.

Try Churchill, you may be pleasantly surprised, I was :D

Well, after 8 days off the road I am back up and running, total cost inc vat £693.It took Lexus awhile to resolve the problem, 2 main parts required were an ignition switch and an anti theft ECU comp security or whatever that is. Lexus said that at some stage the car had had a panel removed and when put back the wiring became trapped and eventually caused the car to fail. I just have to go along with the story, many thanks to Robin for his help. Just my luck, had to pay out another £165 for road tax today. Rgds

Lexus Leicester have told me they cannot get a new ignition switch for a week, so I am carless Is there anywhere I could get one quicker? I am not sure about if a new key is needed or whatever, probably not, just the switch.

Well, the recovery guys came and took my LS to Lexus Leicester. After a while I was told it was the battery, "OK fit a new batttery". "Mr Geary, it also seems there is another problem, the car won't start by the key we think you need a new ignition switch" So it is not 100% decided yet as I have to speak to them in the morning, there is a sting in the tail as there is about a weeks wait for an LS ignition switch if that is whats required. I had all the stories about "It's the first time we've come across this etc" Just my Luck, and a big bill to follow I did spend 5 hours waiting and got looked after with coffee, a £5 meal voucher for the next door Greens Health club and a lift home, hopefully they'll give me some wheels if they cannot find this switch. The car is getting me back for leaving it out in the snow and ice for 3 weeks while I went to Thailand.

Thanks for the input so far guys, I have had a word with my mechanic friend and he feels that Bonathons answer maybe near the mark. He felt that if my key unlocked the central locking that the immobilser may not be the problem so much as say the solinoid. When turning the key there are two very slight clicks at the same time, one on the lower left side of the grill, which may be a small relay box and the other on the larger plastic lidded box next to the battery. With hindsight I should have got someone to turn the engine over every few days. It's disappointing for me because it is the best car I have ever owned. Many Thanks so far Guys.

Guys, I have been a member of the forum for 2 years and I now have my first problem with my 1995 Mk 2 LS 400. I have just been on holiday for 3 weeks with the car locked on the drive, went out to the car this cold morning(UK) and although the lights worked OK and didn't dim when turning the key, no life whatsoever, probably the power is not reaching the starter, starter motor is not turning the engine, no clicking etc. I called out the recovery service and he thought that by leaving the ignition on for 20 mins and a booster battery connected with resetting door key immobilser should be OK, no luck. After about an hour of this no luck at all. We have tried a booster, tried disconncting the battery, but it seems as though the immobilser may not be dis-connecting. I have also tried starting in both Park and Neutral, moving the gear lever in case of a dodgy connection. A friend thought it may be an ECU module problem which can only be done by Lexus Leicester, can anyone find me a way out of this major problem.? The battery is now dis-connected with a slow charge on the battery whilst I wait for a miracle. TIA Gus

The time and temperature displays are nearly blacked out and very difficult to read on my 1995 LS 400. Any tips on the best course of action? TIA Gus

I removed my telephone aerial on the rear screen, worked for me.

Funny enough it's happened to me a couple of times waiting at lights, I actually looked in my rear view mirror thinking someone has tail ended me. (95 N 105,0000. I will have to check now to see if it is only when Air is on.

norkep, Many thanks for that info, I will have a look at the changer again soon, I still also have my old CD changer with the dodgy nylon gear, this may have better dampers than my replacement one. RGDS Gus

I managed to obtain a second hand CD changer from a Birmingham breakers for £150. However when going along the road if I hit a manhole cover or bad bump the CD sometimes jumps a bit on the track. Have any other Mk1&2 owners had this problem and how did you overcome it? TIA

I have just got hold of a second hand CD Changer for my LS400, unfortunately the CD holder will not eject when the flap opens, can anyone provide any tips on how to remove it? TIA

TP I tied Dewsbury with no joy, do you know anyone else who may have one? DL I tied two car audio centres in Leicester and both said they couldn't work round the problem of my CD not working, maybe worth a word to see if a converter is possible. I am having problems obtaining a second hand one.

I have recently took charge of a 1995 LS with only 1 key(which I think is master) is it easy or very costly to obtain a second key? TIA

Hi, I have just found the Lexus owners club forum and I have owned my Lexus for just 2 weeks.. I have a 1995 LS400 mark 2 with the CD Changer in the boot. I bought the car as a semi trade sale knowing that the CD was faulty and it was me who had to get it put right. Having visited two car audio specialists both told me they were unable to repair the changer, the problem seems to be that a small nylon gear has stripped meaning the CD is unable to slide up and down the runner. Lexus Leicester told me it was about a grand plus vat for a new one, a breaker in Autotrader says he will have one in next week for £99, can anyone help at all? TIA 55GUS