zaph

Nothing on Reuters, yet.

Doing the rounds on many forums at the moment:

I think you'll find that was a 95V4 the estate version of the 96V4. There's a restored 95 due to be on show at the NEC Classic show, in two weeks time. [/anorak mode] yep it was a 95 v4 just asked him as i wasnt sure i couldnt figure out how to drive it with having the column gear change quite confusing :D it was imaculate and he had a spare v4 with it as my uncle had it for a few years and restored most of it and hopefully it will still be around somewhere?? I'll have to ask him if he's still got any pics of it :) Hopefully I can help find it. I have some knowledgable contacts, and look forward to the photos, if they can be found. A rare 95V4 Van - restored and immaculate - went under the hammer for £11k this week B)

I think you'll find that was a 95V4 the estate version of the 96V4. There's a restored 95 due to be on show at the NEC Classic show, in two weeks time. [/anorak mode]

As you may appreciate, I do come from a Saab background, and am heavily involved with our local, successful group here in Bristol. Great Western Saabs is a very friendly family orientated grouping, having a packed program of charitable events and shows, some formal ones, and simply days out involving our vehicles throughout the year. I thought you would like a link to our latest newsletter, which gives a little flavour of what GWS is all about, the fun we have and features a small article on the latest addition to my fleet. Please enjoy! http://www.greatwesternsaabs.co.uk/nl2.pdf

wheels-inmotion.co.uk, forgot to add, pm or e-mail me, if you need a chat. HTH chris aka zaoh

Wolseley 1500 > Ford Cortina MK II 2000E > Ford Granada 2.8GL > Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 GL > Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8 CDi > Peugeot 405 GRi > Peugeot 405 Mi16 > Saab 9000 CSE 2.3 FBT > Ford Explorer 4.0 > Saab GM900SE Turbo Convertible > Saab 9000CSE V6 (still have) > Lexus LS 400. Also bought our show car 1972 Saab 96V4 with eleven thousand miles on the clock three years ago (still have)

Having lost my Mum 13 years ago when she was 70, and I was just 32 - having been a full time carer to her for 4 years, after my Dad died aged 74, I can empathise with you somewhat. Thoughts are with you and all those affected by your loss. As a counsellor, I can offer the following. Have a damn good cry - you are allowed to. Don't apologise or feel guilty for doing so. Cry again. Write down the bad times, and then tear the paper up and throw it away. That will get rid of the negatives, and stop you festering on them. Concentrate on the good times, and cherish them. Time heals, but slowly Remember you are as much a part of your loved ones, as they were of you, and so, in that respect they live on. Hope this helps, a little.

I remember that wa***r doing that write up The LS400 was only a few years old and not popular here at all, the price was just about to dip below £10000 and I could have gathered all my pennies together and got one and then he came along with the feature and put at least £2000 on the price... Quentin Wilson was a second hand car dealer then (with a conviction for clocking) and before he did the feature he bought every one he could lay his hands on and then made a killing selling them after he talked them up.... A total misuse of the BBC.... but then it’s probably something to do with the unique way the BBC is funded Pete I also read that he has had corporate connections to Lexus, too.

Just found this little article, at least!

I seem to recall, years ago, that QW did a feature on the LS400 as a secondhand buy. Tried the usual places to find on the web. Does anyone have a clue as to where I would find it? I am not talking about the Chris Goffey feature. Thought it would be interesting to see. Thanks!

Bargain - just that include the bushes? If so, even more of a bargain.

That's right, lots of people put a £10k car out in the cold and wet while the garage is full of about £100 worth of rubbish and things they keep just in case. Quite agree about the rear screen - I miss that as had one on my SAAB 9000 CSE, but think the front demist is pretty good compared to other makes. My garage is just about large enough for my Mk IV 400 but it is awkwardly placed to line my car up and get it in without scratching anything, so have decided against doing so. I did mange to get my Jaguar XJ12 in years ago but had to get her nose under the shelving units at the end. I fitted an electric opener/closer to my door earlier this year so my wife doesn't have to get in and out of her car as she parks in the garage in her Peugeot 206, best £220.00 I ever parted with, can recommend a supplier for DIY installation, only took half a weekend with help from my son. I can just about squeeze our Saab 9000 in the garage, but only just! They just did not build garages big enough in the 1980's when our house was built.

I like that! Keep the car, source and finance the parts and repairs yourself, IMHO. Hopefully the damage is no more than cosmetic. Insurance companies are obviosuly there to look after themselves, and their profits, so I would not be surprised at their verdict. Tight, and tighter still in the current economic climate. Commiserations. Bottom line is that vehicles are far simpler to repair than the human body, and, no-one was hurt.

Anyone had a go, or having a go over the weekend? (BT treatment, and not whiff-whaff :) )

Golf ball or slightly smaller, say around the diameter of a ping pong (or is that whiff-whaff?) ball. Apologies to Boris Johnson :) .You can also use your normal car shampoo as a lubricant. Light to moderate pressure when circling. I have never had to use White Tak, although this is of a courser 'grain' than BT, and would be useful for those really, really, really, ground in areas. Just as a teaser, below is an image of a Saab 99, which we spent two days at the Bristol Restoration Show last year, reviving the paintwork. She, too, had the BT treatment. Above - Half completed! Nearly finished - small interior jobs being done! HTH

Yes, I have used a weak and very dilute solution of Autoglym or stage one of Meg's three stage treatment, or you can use plain water. Powerjet, or wash your vehicle off initially, to get dirt off first. Warm the BT in your hands, using a ball shaped piece, apply lubiricant to the ball or bodywork, and use circular movements to clean, and change when it gets too dirty, or re-roll. I have also tried this treatment without going onto a wax and polish, and the results are equally impressive, and the fine beading of water flowing off after a shower or rain, satisfying. The BT treatment gets all polution and oxidation and old wax off, and the fine bits or grain. Give it a whirl, and you'll be very surprised at the results. HTH

Thought this would surprise someone! It usually does when it is mentioned, and then there is a sceptical comment. :D Well, all I can say is that it does, from my own experience. If you'd like to come to a GWS meet, I am only too sure that we would be glad to demonstrate. It removes the lot! BT takes off a lot of pollution that would not otherwise be removed, and leaves the bodywork as smooth as silk, for polish treatment. A brown deposit is left on the BT. Obviously a very weak polish solution is used as a lubricant. If you follow the above link, you will see images of results gained. There are many more available - certainly in Saab enthusiast circles - and yes we have used clay bars, too, in the past. Hope this helps!

BLUE TACK??? Yep. Use it all the time. See here for an example.

Railway

Why use a clay bar, when Blue Tak does the job just as well?

I don't garage ours - it lives on the run in, and I am pretty sure it would not fit. In any case, there's the motorbike, which is to be sold, shortly - that was the compromise agreed between me and Mrs Z at the time of purchase of our Lexus, recently - and our 36 years old Saab 96 (eleven thousands miles), that lives there.

Hi Firstly I think I'd find a mechanic who knows what he is talking about.... as Bazza says if its over fuelling it isn't blocked injectors, suggesting you use injector cleaner was a positively ridiculous thing to say, if you have done 6 miles to £20 worth of petrol you will have washed the bores. Normally the cylinder bores in the engine will have a thin film of oil on them to help the piston up and down, wash this off with excessive fuel and injector cleaner means you will have dry bores. The next time the piston goes up and down it will scratch the bores as you have a metal to metal contact. Six miles at say 30mph takes 12 minutes at 2000rpm is 24000 engine revolutions with no oil. Probably the equivalent wear as a few years of normal driving. DON'T DRIVE IT ANY MORE. Get it checked by a proper mechanic, as Bazza says it will probably be the air flow meter or throttle body. Good Luck Pete In a few years time £20 for 6 miles will seem like a good deal, if OPEC gets its way. Is there such a thing as a faulty lambda sensor in a Lexus? Or holed vacuum cablesApologies if there is. I more used to Saabs, and have much to learn, but this is where I would be looking first with one of they.

Thanks Colin. Learning all the time, which isn't a bad thing! She still going well - must have done around 2500 miles to date. Only the minor things to deal with (but Doreen is sooooo fussy!)

The Central Locking on our LS400 works only for each side of the car. Drivers lock by key locks offside, whilst the passengers front door by key will only lock the nearside. Is this a relay or other fix? I do not have a remote fob for the car.