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Having had a 1998 Ls400 for about 10 years and put over 140K miles on it (for a total of 228K miles when the transmission quit), followed by a 2005 Ls430 for about 1 year (then written off by white van man) and now a 2007 LS600HL, I can say without the slightest hesitation that the LS400 was the best: it was the most comfortable of the three, it had the best ride, best all around visibility, the most space. Major problem(for me anyway): I could no longer get the parts (not even from Lexus) to keep it going... Having said that the LS430 is a good car and has more technical toys. One I had a problem with was the satnav screen which was playing up: nothing serious you might think except that on the LS430 many of the controls (a/c for instance) are accessed via the satnav screen. Example : while you can change the a/c temperature via the dashboard buttons you cannot turn on the defrost, etc. I changed the radiator as soon as I purchased the car. I bought the LS600HL only because I couldn't find a decent LS430 at the time. It has a bit more space in the cabin but the boot is so small you cannot imagine but here's the comparison: in the boot of the LS430 I could fit all 4 tyres (18in) in the boot of the LS600HL I cannot fit one tyre (19in)!!! It's a real difficult decision as they are all old cars and the parts situation will not improve...

Second this: ask the dealer for a price. Reasonable price, will fit and dealer will install if asked nicely.

I had an LS400, then a 430 and now a 600hl. I still think the LS400 was best but, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to keep an LS400 as the parts are no longer available (that is why I had to let mine go at 22 years and +228000 miles) and so my transmission couldn't be fixed. Everything else was running fine. My suggestion is to find another LS430.

Thank you. I really appreciate this.

Thank you m4rkw, it sounds like the very place I need.

At their prices!?! I will travel anywhere in England... There used to be a Japanese specialist on the outskirts of London but I just can't remember any details now... So any suggestions would be welcome.

Can anyone suggest a place to replace the upper and lower control arms?

I was going through a roundabout when this white van came in, after me, caught up with me and then caused the damage you can see in the pictures... He did say afterwards "I probably should have stopped...". The only good news: nobody was hurt. If anyone is interested I will have some bits and pieces to sell as I am probably getting an LS460.

I'm on my second Lexus (LS400 for 10 years and now LS430) and have always had Lexus replace my batteries (best price, they fit and replace, under warranty, when/if bas). They tend to last (meaning replace before you can't start the car) about 2-3 years. Have used a Bosch S5 on my Porsche and it seemed very good just two reservations : I had to order mine online so a bit trickier to ensure fit and if you have to send it back it's not very convenient. On the plus side the Bosch S5 warranty was 5 years, the Toyota 2 years. Best battery ever: battery that was fitted from the factory to my VW which lasted for 10 years and then one morning zero! No idea what it was as at the time I was too busy getting the RAC out to replace it.

Having had a LS400 and now a LS430 I can tell you that the heated seats in the LS400 worked properly and quickly and were much more comfortable than those on the LS430. As for the cooled seats (as far as I know only available from the LS430 on) you might, maybe, notice the cooling in the Sahara desert but here it's a wasted effort and I have also had the experience with US cars (Lincoln Town car) and it can freeze your...........

Thank you for all the replies. I think I will go with SGS. Will let you know how I get on.

I would be grateful if someone could recommend a place to obtain replacement gas struts for the boot on the LS430 (2005 model year ;if it makes any difference). Thank you.

I have bought, time and again (over the years for my Mk4 LS400 and now for my LS430). They fit and are the cheapest but expect maximum performance for 2-3 (2 years is the warranty period from Lexus). The other I would recommend (used for my Porsche) is the Bosch (I think S4 for the LS400) and it actually felt much better and comes with a 4 year warranty. If you look around you should be able to get for a decent price. The major disadvantages with the Bosch : you will have to arrange for the fitting (I bought mine online) and of course if it's still under warranty you need to return and wait for the replacement to be delivered so I think the Bosch is a better longer lasting battery but I find it much easier to just get the car to Lexus and let them replace (whether under warranty or not) it rather than have to arrange for removal, shipping and fitting.

I also inherited the Pirellis and did not like the way they felt (although new) and changed them as soon as I could. In terms of the noise I did not think they were noisy but maybe my hearing is not......

So the Quatrac Pro replaced a set of Pirelli P Zero (since experience has made me prefer Vredestein) and I have now only covered about 1000 miles in good weather. The initial impression : the car felt more sure-footed than the Pirellis(when I took them off they still had 6mm of thread left) and I could not detect any noise difference between the two. Will let you know when I have something to report.

For years I used Vredestein Wintrac Extreme very happily on my LS400. These have been superseded by the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. They are all season but with snow and mud markings and the tread looks similar to the Wintrac Extreme (those were snow tyres). Anyway I just bought a set(4) of the Quatrac Pro tyres for just under £500( for 245/45 /18 as I now have an LS430, so the right size for the LS400 should be cheaper). I would highly recommend the Wintrac Extreme tyres and hope the new ones will be good but as I am only starting to use them....

The Acre has covered it... Just bought a 2005 Ls430 after many years with a 1998 Ls400 - both wonderful cars both purchased relatively cheaply (compared to as new prices) and would highly recommend. The one thing to remember is that the purchase price may be low but proper maintenance/repairs will not be so cheap and also these are thirsty cars. Just be prepared for that and then go enjoy one of the finest cars around.

Thank you Big Boomer. If/when I find out will let you all know. The only electrical work recently done (by Lexus dealer) was to replace both side mirrors. Having experienced it further it is not a loose wire (not related to movement but time since the car was started: after 4-5 miles it will fail; let it cool off for 30-60 minutes it resets and then repeat as before).

On my 2005 Ls430 the screen goes totally dark then displays "External not connected and Check system" on a light background. While the screen is either dark or light with "System check" displayed all the functions usually available through the screen are obviously not accessible although all functioning. However when reverse is engaged the rear camera comes on and displays as usual! Additionally the fault is not permanent as, from time to time, the screen resumes normal function and then fails and then comes back again (this was repeated during lengthy drives over a period of 3 days, so far). It feels as though it's a wire that disconnects and then reconnects... But if so, where to look? Any thoughts, suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you Malc, The LS400 has indeed gone and I'm still grieving... While I do like the LS430 it just doesn't have the space, comfort and ride/ feel of the LS400...

You are lucky to have found such a good and inexpensive mechanic. It was not my experience so... (for instance I tried a Japanese car specialist : they did my brakes, which is not exactly rocket science, at half the price of the main dealer but the noise when braking was atrocious and could be heard in the next county! By the way, stopping-wise they were fine).

P. S. Received an offer from the Lexus Main Dealer who has been looking after my Ls400 : we want to buy your car! They say not just to sell me a new one but also for my "intentions"! Drat, I missed my big opportunity! It would have been fun just to take them up on their offer!?! 😂

Sold for £200 😭. Of course it was not sold to Lexus Main Dealer or associates. I do like the LS430 but it's not in the same class as the LS400. I was neither willing nor able to spend the £9-10K that someone was asking for a LS400 with low mileage, otherwise, with the benefit of hindsight that is what I would have bought. End of my LS400 story.

Thank you Malc. Just went for more than 10 times and I know just the wheels and tyres... Sad...

Thank you messi: whatever it was the part/s were no longer available from Lexus and I'm afraid to me, lacking the knowledge, if the transmission is not engaging it has failed.