plastic orange

Please disregard the parts list I was issued with. It appears that it is totally incorrect. I am trying to contact Lexuspartsdirect to discuss. Pete

I received my parts today, but they don't look correct - cam belt looks too short (119 teeth - should be 209), and fan belt looks too small. I'll have to contact supplier tomorrow, but this won't get my car done before Christmas now - not really impressed. Pete

Thin spacers should be ok, but I'd be concerned using anything over 1 inch thick - you make need longer wheel studs. It makes sense to buy a wheel that fits without using them. If it is just to clear the caliper, then use washers between hub and wheel (over the studs) to work out the minimum clearance necessary, then buy spacers of that thickness. I have heard of people filing calipers to get round this problem (never looked at Lexus caliper, so only do it if there is sufficient material), but have never done this myself, but if only a small amount, I would consider doing it. Pete

I'm sure it is quite possible that original and aftermarket parts may be the same apart from packaging. My friend who is a mechanic swears by Blueprint parts, yet another mate (owns his own garage) swears at a lot of the aftermarket components. As a example, he fitted 2 alternators to cars in the last couple of weeks - both lasted under a week. He says he would only fit Gates timing belts (was uniroyal), so who knows who Toyota use for their belts - probably several manufacturers. My point is that I would rather verge on the side of original fitment to give me some confidence in the quality of the part - this is probably just for my peace of mind. I'm possibly remembering the old Quinton Hazel days in this regard (rover V8's) when their water pumps failed with regularity at low mileage. Pete

It is 1 belt. All the part numbers I listed were supplied by lexus parts direct in their reply to my pricing and availability request. Pete

I've had my 99 model for a month now, and have generally been pretty pleased with it. It was the first one I had actually driven, but I can usually tell a good car from a nail, so was happy to part ex my Saab 9000 for it (wife still prefers the Saab though). I felt I paid a fair price for it (£3K), and was aware that it needed a cam belt, and having driven it realised that there was possibly some suspension work needed (upper rear control arm bush worn as noticed on MOT). I will bring it up to good mechanical condition, but it is really a pretty sound car (in a dark red metallic). I do however feel that the suspension lets it down (DHP model) as it appears to be mismatched to the car. Whilst it actually goes round corners fine, it is upset by minor road imperfections (all roads these days), and feels like an American car in this department. I'm not unhappy with my purchase, and will keep it for several years (I still have my Morris Minor I bought in 1972) as I tend to hang on to cars. Buy the best you can afford, but factor in upgrade costs for the future. I've spent a fair bit of time trying to find the best place to buy parts as there is a considerable difference in price between suppliers for the same thing. I've found this site pretty informative (most one make sites are really), so just do your research. Pete

Just ordered parts from http://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/ - many thanks to all those who offered info. TENSIONER 13540-70021 £55.53 1 £55.53 IDLER 13524-70050 £29.10 1 £29.10 IDLER 13503-70080 £59.03 1 £59.03 CAMBELT 13568-79235 £30.33 1 £30.33 WATER PUMP 16100-79285 £117.79 1 £117.79 FAN BELT 90916-02471 £13.57 1 £13.57 THERMOSTAT 90916-03081 £16.25 1 £16.25 P&P Price £0 Grand Total £321.60 Getting work done on Monday. Pete NOTE - THE PART NUMBERS AS SUPPLIED TO ME BY LEXUSDIRECT IS INCORRECT - PLEASE DO NOT USE

I had a rear pad separate on the back of my Saab 9000 last year. They were made by Ferodo, and had done around 18k, so it does happen despite good maintenance. Pete

I've just had another quote from cheaptoyotaparts for genuine parts - Belt £50 Idlers 2 @ £85 Tensioner £85 Water pump £129. Total £434 + post I didn't think the idlers and tensioner would be as expensive - other parts are reasonably priced though. Compared to Lexus prices, these prices save the VAT. When I spoke to someone in the Aberdeen dealership, they just change the Belt unless there is any evidence of wear in the other components - decisions decisions. Pete

I'm just back from 3 weeks in Florida - missed opportunity I think. Pete

I got my recently acquired Lexus through it's MOT yesterday with just 1 advisory for the inner rear upper control arm bushes - rearmost one. I've sourced replacement bushes from : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:X:RTQ:GB:1123 SPF3012K Rear Control Arm Upper Inner Bonded Shell Bush, standard, Kit of 4 Bushes & 4 Tubes: £115.44 +PP. I assume fitting is relatively straightforward, but is this a good way to go rather than purchase a new arm? Pete

I emailed a company about a belt kit - here's the reply: We have the Timing Belt Kit & Water Pump for your 1999 model in stock prices as follows Timing Belt Kit £169.99 Water Pump £136.99 We can also supply full detailed fitting instructions for the Timing Belt Kit if required. Has anyone used them? http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/Timing_Belt_Kits.cfm Pete

With the general poor quality of aftermarket parts, I think I would be safer with genuine components - what's the thoughts on this? Pete

We don't want them back - you can keep them. Pete

As a recent owner of a 1999 LS 400 I am aware that it is due a cambelt replacement as it has just turned 123,000 miles, with the belt having been replaced 7 years ago at 63k. The local Toyota garage can't supply, Edinburgh Lexus won't deliver to Dundee, so I'm trying to get a price from Arnold Clark in Aberdeen. Where do folk get parts? - I'm looking to replace all the usual components required in the timing gear area. cheers Pete

I intend to use correct parts, and have asked my garage to price them out (he's my mate's son in law, so mates rates :) ). I usually do all my own maintenance, but I'm getting lazy in my old age. I'll check out gold membership - thanks for the tip. Pete

Whilst getting an oil change in a mate's garage today, I asked about changeing the cam belt. He checked on his computer and the time allowed is 3 hours. He's going to get a price for all the parts for me when I return from holiday. I'll keep you posted. Pete

Hi, I've just bought a 99 LS 400 from Ninety eight, so I thought I would post my first impressions having done around 300 miles in it. I part ex'd my old Saab 9000 Griffin (2.3turbo) which I'd bought as a stop gap when I handed back my lease car after retiring from the Fire Service in 2005. I only meant to keep the Saab whilst I was working on my daughter's flat 70 miles away, but I kept it as it was so dependable, and comfortable along with a fair degree of go. My first drive in the Lexus showed that the steering was pretty light, and when you pressed the loud pedal, the rear squatted and off it went. Most noticeable was how good the gear change was - my wife couldn't detect it, but the first bump I went over I was reminded of a Chrysler 300 I'd hired in the states - car was deflected off it's chosen path momentarily. I also noted that the tyre noise was a bit more than I had expected, but that general silence was of the highest order. I had it out yesterday on the country roads here as i wanted to see how it would handle. It has minimal body roll, but hitting a bump has my wife telling me that the Saab was smoother. I am very impressed by the build quality and the condition it is in for a 10 year old car. The interior is like new, and the paintwork is very good apart from a couple of light scratches which is understandable. Only electrical gitches are the Drivers illumination for the temperature is out, plus the washer fluid level light is on constantly. I'm changeing the oil and filter today, and will investigate the suspension when it is up on the ramps. I guess that the back tyres only have a couple of thousand miles left in them, so will have to empty the wallet for them. Overall I am very pleased with my purchase - I may have got one cheaper, but what else could you buy of that quality for the money. As I tend to keep my cars, I look upon maintance as a 'life of the car' thing. I'll be visiting here for general advice (as you do with an unfamiliar vehicle). Pete

I've just bought a Mk 4 from Ninety-eight. It has 122k on the clock, and belt change was done at 63k back in 2002. He couldn't confirm if a replacement had been fitted, so I'll get it done soon for peace of mind. Is it imperative to change idler pulleys and water pump at the same time, or is it a visual inspection, and replace if any wear is detected? Pete

Hi, I've decided that my motoring life won't be complete without a Lexus, so I've joined up to find out as much as I can about the LS range. Unfortunately, there isn't much up here in Scotland, so I'm looking around elsewhere. Once I get one, I'm sure I'll be on here sharing the experience. Cheers Pete