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The proof of the pudding....... Have you? Vredstein winters roll on for me. As for everyone else? Just as they like :spring, summer, etc I have no further interest in the matter.

My experience clearly differs from yours and (although others have expressed a similar perspective to mine ) I stand by what I have experienced at first hand over a period of years. Each to his/her own...

I have been using the Vredstein Winter Extreme for about 8 years now on my LS400 MK 4, in Essex, year round and they are not only well rated but also have good grip, low noise (not noticeable) and last well (about 24-30K miles) and would highly recommend them. A set of 4 (I replace them all at the same time, with the same brand and kind). When I last bought them m(end of last year) it cost me about £90 per corner, delivered from Germany directly to my home. The price does vary. If interested I will look up the website (they say they deliver within 7 days but I received them in 3 days). I have also used this same website for years and would recommend them.

I drive year round and the LS400 is ok provided the winter tyres are used, and, of course, in the snow /ice extra - careful driving is essential. Of course if you can walk it and enjoy it so much the better.

Thank you to everyone. Every bit has been helpful but I'm still struggling: especially since I had no fault at all in this isn't someone (insurance , the other party) supposed to make this right by fixing my car as it was before the accident? Clearly, with the best of repairs, the car will never be as good as before but ... to get no repair and a pittance that cannot buy me another, it's just daylight...............The only ones benefiting are the insurance companies: whatever they might pay now they will recover (with interest, no doubt). I suppose that the lesson I learn from this is to try to minimise my insurance costs by increasing the excess (if the car is worth £5, make the excess £5) - after all the money I save is almost certainly going to be more than any repairs or cash I would get from a write off. Some years ago when I reached 9 years NCB the insurers advised me they were no longer counting! Now they told me that they would wave the excess (because it wasn't my fault), I would retain my NCB (because I insured it as well) but I would probably get charged more at renewal because I was involved in an accident! Real lesson: buy the cheapest car insurance you can! I say car insurance because in other areas things are not done in this fashion. Enough! Thank you very much again for your input.

This past Sunday I was parked when a rather inattentive driver scraped the rear passenger side (as per attached) photo - mostly cosmetic but a bit of a dent and broke through the paint. Reported it as required to insurer (LV) who assured me they would do all to help and agreed (as had the other driver) that it was not my fault. Took the car for an estimate. Repair cost: £2660 (VAT included)!!! LV contacted me to say that they had written off the car and would be sending me a cheque! Pointed out that I had never authorised them to write off the car, just want the old fixed. They totally refused. Told them to close the claim and send me a letter stating their position. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I had a similar problem on my 98 LS400 except that the key locks but does not unlock! Replaced battery several times and had a go at reprogramming (someone kindly provided me with the factory instructions which were clearly working but ultimately failed) and had Lexus had a look but no luck. Hope you have better luck!

I have a 1998 model and the timing belt gets done every 60000 miles at a Lexus dealer. I think the 100000 miles timing belt change is for the LS430 onwards but am quite sure that, sadly, the LS400 1998 requires the 60000 miles change while it is said that the very early models (1992?) do not have interference engines so the timing belt change is not as critical.

It looks and sounds wonderful. If it was a 1998 or later model the price might be acceptable...

gAnnual mileage about 12k and absent the facilities (lift, jacks, etc) seeing the thread on the rear tires is problematic... The ones I replaced were heavily worn in the center and I thought that perhaps they were overinflated but I wonder now... Have also acquired a vibration (seemingly from the rear) which appears at 50/55 and disappears at 60 and higher or lower. All tires have been balanced (the front ones within six months and the rear ones recently) .... ???????

The next Mot is in September and I've just replaced the rear tyres so I'm wondering whether they'll be affected?

Thank you. Any views on Jem (in London) to work on Lexus?

Thank you, Malc, for your reply. Mileage is currently at 157000 and since 89000 I have been going in and out of central London 2-3 a week (so plenty of unavoidable sleeping policemen and potholes). It is not an Mot (but a Lexus) advisory and it states "replace rear wishbones" (obviously inclusive of labor and VAT but not sure what else).Upper control arms are not mentioned.

Just been advised by my friendly Lexus dealer that the wishbones on my 1998 LS400 will soon need to be replaced at a cost of £740 all included. What does the forum think about that price? Your opinion/ideas will be appreciated. Thank you.

Cotswold Pete says that ".... It's never a good idea to just start the engine from cold and belt.,.." I agree with this in the sense that I would not exceed 3000rpm until the engine has reached operating temperature. On the other hand I have often read that warming up the engine while stationary is not good for the engine and of course takes longer. What is the sense of the forum on this question?

Cotswold Pete says that ".... It's never a good idea to just start the engine from cold and belt.,.." I agree with this in the sense that I would not exceed 3000rpm until the engine has reached operating temperature. On the other hand I have often read that warming up the engine while stationary is not good for the engine and of course takes longer. What is the sense of the forum on this question?

I do know that the tyres make the difference: the one winter I had regular tyres it was difficult to even move off. With the snow and mud tyres all is well. It may be that the traction helps but I just don't know. I highly recommend the Vredstein winter extreme : especially good in winter but also throughout the year, long lasting (between 20000-30000 miles) and priced under £100 per corner. (I have no interest in or connection with the Vredstein company).

of course I meant the three and not the three! Tyres not three!

of course I meant the three and not the three!

I am bound to say that it is not the car but the three which might cause problems in winter. For the winter I switch to Vredstein mud & snow and use the LS with confidence (and prudence). It has yet to let me down.

Ambermarine I'd be really grateful to know how you solved your washer bottle float problem. Mine had seemingly resolved itself but had just reappeared. Sorry to go off topic.

It just struck me as odd but the LS400 has LFSH so well worth looking at. I personally wouldn't pay more than 2500. In a sense what is special about this car (without having seen it) is the low mileage and that is a two edged sword. Of course its real money value will be what the buyer is willing to pay for it. Certainly if I was looking to buy I would look at this car.

Looks great and I would be tempted also. The only question mark for me is that the seller is selling his father's car (the LS400) as well as his daughter's car... It certainly could happen but it just has me wondering...

I've had exactly the same problem for several years. Disappears in winter and back in summer. Recently the car was in for service (Lexus dealer) and they found (without any mention from me) that one of the front ball joints needed to and was replaced. Only one and they replaced it but the noise continues as before! So I for one still don't know the cause or cure.