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andynorman

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Everything posted by andynorman

  1. The reversing camera on my 2005 LS430 is not working. I have bought a scrap OEM replacement (which works fine when connected to the existing fitting). I've managed to removethe boot liner and can see the camera fittings but can't see how they work. There are two black plastic ferulled covers which look as if they may screw off but which don't want to move. There's also smaller clips near the camera body itself which look straightforward. Photo showing black ferulled thingie attached. Can anyone advise please? Thanks in advance....
  2. The Premium pack included the Levinson stereo and a few other refinements. Most sales of the first LS430 seem to have included this. These refinements became standard at some point - I think it was 2003 but you'd need to check. There was also a premium version of the later model that had TV and stuff but that's quite rare.
  3. The manual for my old Mk 1 said to use premium fuel but specified the octane as minimum 95 (or maybe even 93, I can't remember). Made me think that in other markets a lower octane basic petrol is available and that all that we get here is "premium" in those terms.
  4. Bit the bullet and went for the Michelin Primacy. Had the guys at Wheels in Motion check the tracking etc as well. Between the adjustments and the new tyres it's altogether much better. Thanks for the advice.
  5. Thanks for the comments guys - very helpful. Looks like Michelin if I can afford it, or stick to Bridgestone (which presumably Lexus fitted for a reason).
  6. Can anyone recommend or comment on alternative tyres for a late model LS430 (tyres are 18" low profile). Are different brands likely to offer different ride qualities or is that utterly constrained by the fact that they are low profile? The car is currently running on original Bridgestones so all four will need replacing soon, two are on the cusp of illegal. Is there any reason not to go for an economy tyre or, equally, any good reasons for stepping up to a premium brand? I expect I'll still have these tyres in th3 winter, so something that's not too awful in the snow would be good too. There's lots of alternatives out there - how do you choose. Any thoughts gratefully received. Thanks in advance.....
  7. My old LS400 showed a distinct tendency to pull to the left, generally requiring the steering wheel to be held slightly to the right to keep the car straight. I had all sorts of checks done, steering reset and tracking redone by local Lexus dealer and others and it was never 100% right. Now I've sold that car and got a 430. And lo and behold, although it's nowhere near as bad, it also has a very slight tendency to drift to the left. To keep the car straight I have to keep the steering wheel a couple of degrees to the right. I now wonder if this effect is just a function of the camber and a big heavy car? Or whether, on an ordinary straight A road, the car should go precisely straight if the steering wheel is centred? Interested in the thoughts of the experts here. Thanks in advance.
  8. Does anyone know what may be causing this and whether it's anything to worry about? Your wife is causing it and only somthing to worry about ioif you are staying married!!!! I keep her well away from my LS430 :)
  9. Thanks Steve. Sounds like the same thing. She's not really worried - it only really happens when parking/manoevering and doesn't cause any real problems. Just strange.
  10. My wife drives a 3 year old 220d. Noticed today that when the steering gets to full lock it makes a fairly loud "clunk". No other problems. Does anyone know what may be causing this and whether it's anything to worry about? Thanks in advance.
  11. 33psi front and rear (which is the specified pressure for four passengers, under 130mph). It is acceptable - probably better than most cars - but I still miss the smoothness on the motorway than I had with the 400. The handling though is much, much better.
  12. Quick Update - had some fun with the tyre monitor showing uneven inflation. I think the dealer had pumped the tyres up to high pressure (36 psi rears - good for full load or >132mph! ) and the inflation was quite uneven between front and back and between two front tyres. I've now balanced it to more reasonable settings and it's made a surprisingly significant improvement to the ride. Still not "magic carpet" but much closer to what I'd expected. So, if you're thinking of changing a 400 for a 430 its well worth paying attention to ride quality, but now, to my mind, the handling improvements (incomparable) are worth the trade off. Phew! Andy
  13. Mine seems similar - taking ages to warm up - though I've not left it on for an hour. Seems to defeat the object if it's not pretty quick. I just bought the car (authorised used) and planned to get the seat heating checked out under warranty. I'll let you know how I get on. Andy
  14. Thanks Mark. Worth thinking about. Do you have any idea whether a 60/16 would give the same total radius as a 45/18?
  15. Mine (2004) has Bridgestone Trianza 245/45 R18. I believe the 18" wheeles were made standard from end 2003 onwards (although they were only an option in the US). I am kind of getting used to the ride, having spent the weekend out and about as much as possible. Certainly no complaints from passengers. Looking at the net it looks as though the lower profile may contribute to the improved handling. I suspect the ride on the old 400 and the jag would have been similar.
  16. Thanks Chris. Does yours have low profile tyres too? If not, then maybe its the suspension design rather than the tyres. Goes round corners nicely though.
  17. Thanks. Yes, it's "used approved" so I've no reason to think anything is actually wrong with it. I drove it again yesterday and it is partly about getting used to the difference - but it doesn't smooth the ride out in the same way as an eighteen year old mk1 LS400 - which doesn't seem quite right. The wheels are 18" and the tyres low profile. I will pick it up with the dealer on his follow up courtesy call. But in the meantime I'd be interested in any more views from here - from anyone who's made a similar transition - or who knows about wheels/tyres and the influence they can have. Also, does anyone know if I would need to change the rims as well, or whether i can use the regular alloys (5 wide spoke ones that all the later 430s have) with normal gauge tyres?
  18. Picked up the new (to me) 430 yesterday from Lexus Stockport. Drove 140 faultless miles up there in old Mk 1 LS400 and left her there in P/x . Enjoyed the drive back though. Brand new condition at 24K as expected. The newer model feels much more powerful and responsive and handling is a thousand times better. Not sure how long I'll keep my licence unless I keep a very light right foot! Stereo is awesome (though sat nav will take some getting used to - not as clear as our after market Becker). Seats are soooooo comfortable. Wife loves it. Now in St Albans, Herts - give us a beep if you see T10 ALN. Having said all that, the ride quality of the 430 is not as good as the 400. Doesn't have that "magic carpet" smoothness. Seems "jiggly". I don't think its bad enough that it's likely to be a suspension fault, so I suspect it may be because of the low profile tyres that are standard on the 2004 model (I bought on the basis of an earlier long test drive of a 2002, and a short drive of this car just to check). Wife has an IS220d with similar tyres and I recognise similarity in the ride quality. Does anyone know - are the tyres the most likely culprits? If so, is it possible to change to regular tyres and get a better ride? Would there be any disadvantages to doing this - apart from the pennies...? Thanks in advance.
  19. The other good thing was a dipping wing mirror when you went into reverse. Mk 1 Lexus didn't have that. Having said that, the Lexus didn't have problems with a missing battery cover (that meant water flooded through the battery, becoming dilute battery acid and eating away the wiring loom) nor did the timing chain break at 70K and smash the engine to hell). Personal guess is that it's partly a big car thing, partly wanting a big car that works properly!!
  20. Welcome David. I think you'll love the Lexus. I also changed from a Scorpio Cosworth. The one thing you'll miss is the wire heated front windscreen - take care with the windscreen blower on the 400 it can mist up while you're driving. Everything else is better/faster/smoother etc. Enjoy the new car.
  21. "PS. the wife has instructions to bury me in mine...sometimes think that she`d like thins to be sooner than later!" my wife complained so much about the state of the poor old thing I really had no choice but to replace!! Now she's complaining that it will have more toys than her IS200. Collect it on Friday, can't wait.
  22. Just thought I'd say hi! as I've been lurking around here for a couple of weeks to pick up hints about LS430's. Just did a deal with a Lexus dealer on a 2004 LS430 on 24K, throwing my beloved Mk1 LS400 (>100K) into the mix because I couldn't bear to sell it separately. Someone please tell me again how much better the LS430 is!! Will I love my new baby!! Angst, angst, angst......
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