CB1300

Hi and welcome. If you are going for a 400, try and pick up a series 4, you can tell its a series 4 because it will have the built in Sat Nav. In this, its final configuration Lexus had ironed out all those problems that popped up on the previous incarnations. One other thing on top of what Mark suggests is look out for Lacquer coming off the alloy wheels, this can make them look horrible and is a known issue. However a set of exchange refurbs can be had off E Bay for around £250. My LS400 series 4 had 88k on the clock two owners with full Bristol Lexus Service history and I paid £2900 for a car that when built cost more than my house ! On fuel consumption I average 20.9 Urban and 32 Motorway. Its worth bearing in mind that older cars without the VVTi engine will give considerably less than this.

It would be good to ask the seller of the CD whether it covers your model, a lot of them on there are for cars 98` onwards.

All LS400`s are CD so your car will be CD . Ls430`s are DVD.

I think by reading other posts it could be a sign that your battery needs replacing ?

If you Pm me your e mail I will send you the PDF regarding the fuses. There are actually three fuses for the radio system not two.

Have you disconnected the negative from the battery recently ? According to the workshop manual this will render the audio system inoperative and requires you to input a code to get it running again ..Just a thought ? There are just two fuses listed for the radio system and both are in the block on the drivers side, cant see anything regarding the amp ?

I don't know if it will be able to help you, but if you look up Mike Brewers LS400 on You Tube ( wheeler dealers ) , he and Ed China do the HID conversion on their LS. Just a thought ?

Its the Vehicle Stability Control. According to the owners manual on an LS400 its... After the removal of the battery terminals, an initial adjustment should be made. At this time the reminder light comes on and the warning message appears in the multi information display. Make an initial adjustment in the following ways. A: Apply parking brake and put transmission in P B: Connect battery terminals C: Turn ignition switch on. At this time the VSC off indicator light comes on and the CHECK VSC warning message appears. D: The warning message and the VSC OFF indicator light go out about 15 seconds after the ignition is turned on. If the vehicle is shaken after the ignition switch is turned to ON it may take longer to go out the warning message. If the warning message does not go out after about 1 minute after you turn the ignition on, turn it off then on again. It this does not cure it then it could be the Vehicle Stability Control System has malfunctioned and should be checked by a Lexus dealer. Hope this helps.

I got Blueprint ADL for my timing belt kit and a Quinton and Hazel Water Pump. Both are as good as or better than the OEM equipment. Together they where £195 from Kevin Cooper. Also for parts try www.cheaptoyotaparts.co.uk

Would be great if you could post that article on the RR v Lex Chris ? I sold my 1980 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow series 11, fifteen years ago now, but it was an absolutely stunning car and with just 38k ( when I purchased her) on the clock and one previous owner, it was like brand new. The previous owner Purchased the car new from Mann Egertons in London and kept it at his home in Monte Carlo. It was in deep Exeter blue with cream leather upholstery piped in blue, the build quality was superb, absolutely no plastic. The dash and surround was made of burl walnut and was matching all the way around. The carpets where deep blue Wilton with matching sheep skin rugs, it was opulent luxury throughout. So how does it compare to My LS400 ? Well a 98` Rolls Royce Silver Seraph with the same mileage as my Lexus would cost me around £35k as opposed to the £3k I paid for my car so there must be a reason for this. And I have to remember that my Rolls was eighteen years older than my Lexus so no ABS,Sat Nav, traction control or VSS etc But the cars are very comparable in the comfort of ride stakes and I would say are about the same, although road noise in the Roller was less audible than the Lexus, but that could be down to the tyres ? On fuel consumption there is no contest, the Rolls only managed a meager ten to the gallon and maybe fourteen on a run. The Lexus returns on average 34 on a run and around 22 urban, superb for such a big car. Space wise the Rolls wins hands down, but it is a foot longer than the Lexus. The boot space on the LS is deceptively small, on the Shadow it was huge, there is also far more space inside the Rolls too. I find the driving cockpit in the Lexus cramped, but I am six foot and 18 stone but despite its plefora of adjustable positions I find it can be an uncomfortable drive, particularly on long runs,for example the seat does not go back far enough for my liking,but as I said in a previous post, I had a bike crash in 2000 and messed up my right elbow badly and its this that gives me the jip really but the rolls had plenty of drivers space and I particularly liked the column change. I like the anonymity of the Lexus, no such camouflage with a Roller though, it stands out a mile and therefore is a prime target for vandals. On power I would say my Lexus takes the edge, but the Rolls for such a heavy car was no slouch either. Servicng the Lexus is also far more bank friendly than the Rolls and parts for the Roller could have you breaking into a sweat. The Lexus LS is often referred to as the Japanese Rolls Royce and I don't think that statement is wide of the mark. I purchased my Rolls in 1993 from a RR main dealer and it cost me £16k for a thirteen year old car. My eleven year old Lexus cost me £2900 is one hell of a car and despite my driving comfort reservations I intend to keep her for a long time (the Wife loves it ) Out of the two cars I have to say I did prefer the Rolls over the Lexus,the build quality is much better, but a new Roller is double the price of a new Lexus. So if I won the Lottery tonight would it be a new LS or new RR ? A: LS

Hope it all works out great for you. If it does you will have a cracking car that new, cost more than the average home. The engine on these cars are bullet proof so fingers crossed that it isn't too serious. BTW what did you pay for the car from the breakers ?

Thats one of the things I love about my Lexus is its anonymity, only Lexus drivers know they are in something very special. To most of the uninitiated its just a Toyota, indeed my own car was advertised as a Toyota Lexus. People simply do not realise its a completely separate marque.

Welcome from another former RR owner. 1980 Shadow 11 38k full RR service History. IMO the build quality of my roller was superior to that of my Lexus.

As for the valve clearance its shims so non adjustable.

Ive said it before about main dealers ... 5 star money doesn't = 5 star service In my experience they may be factory trained ( well at least one of them) but they are certainly not what I deem motor mechanics. As for Lexus, I bet they get very few LS400`s through the doors these days due to the age of the model now. My LS400 has FLSH but from Nov it will be done by my man who I would trust over any Lexus "Quick fix fitter" hands down. Its all plug and play these days "the computer says no" they order the part and fit it, keeping their fingers crossed it will fix the problem whilst charging a fortune to do so. This thread actually validates my belief, as it appears neither cars where road tested.

Its worth remembering that its not just a Sat Nav unit. Its also the entire control centre for the audio, climate and air con systems and controls for rear and front screen demisters.

The Blue Print cam belt kit cost me about £135 with trade discount from a UK motor factor. Was getting quotes nearer 200 from some factors. With the pound being so weak against the dollar its probably not viable to order from the States at present.

I got an ADL Blue Print cam Belt kit and a Quinton and Hazel water pump for under £200. These are as good as or better than OEM equipment and although not that much cheaper than originals they will nonetheless save you a few quid( £30 for me ) Actually the stand-alone ADL Blue Print cam belt is more expensive than the OEM!

I only pay £252 per year fully comp with the Post Office, that includes no claims protection, legal cover with a £250 excess. This is on a standard UK 98 series four LS. I bet classic insurance wouldn't be much cheaper ?

Cold weather can have an effect on the gas too. You may find when it starts to warm up the struts stay up. But its certainly a sign they are on their way out so worth replacing.

Full refund received including postage.

If you have a BT line but you are with another provider ie Sky etc Prefix your phone calls with 1280 and it will charge it to BT enabling free/cheaper 08 calls You may need to make one chargeable call per month to activate this so briefly ring someone for a coupe of seconds.

It certainly is and is pretty expensive too. Isn't it oil based or something and cannot be mixed or topped up with water ?

Well going on GoldfingerLS`s advice I didnt try the CD and therefore saw no point in trying to copy it either. I would much prefer an original disc but this will be from Lexus. I have sent the CD and booklet back to them and I am still awaiting the promised refund.

Just came across the PDF service schedule for a 1998 LS400 on the USA site. It states timing belt every 90,000 miles ? The mystery deepens ! Link on USA site : HERE