thatfatbloke

Let's be perfectly clear - it's not about the fitter damaging parts; If a fitter breaks something on the car, then the company the fitter works for is liable to replace it. If the part is something that would normally be replaced anyway, such as clips or trims, then it's irrelevant because those parts would be supplied at the time of fitting anyway. However, if a part that shouldn't need to be replaced has to be because it's old and worn, or refitted badly from a previous fitment, then this is not the fitters fault. We can only work with the car, and it's condition, we have at that moment.

You're very lucky that your insurance company is linked to a windscreen replacement company that has some of the best technicians in the field, and also probably the best resources and product supply. So less of the emphasis on fitters breaking or damaging things, when 9 times out of ten it's unavoidable and is down to the condition of the car/parts

Terribly sorry old chap,no offence intended. I won't mention windscreens ever again!.

In January I unfortunately scratched my screen beyond MOT standards with a cheap nasty ice scraper. Luckily it had passed the MOT shortly before.

To cut a long story short,I am able to get the screen replaced on my insurance,just paying the £75 excess. I was under the impression that the screen had to be cracked as opposed to scratched to claim,but not the case with Saga.

When I was phoning around for a price before I realised I could claim,most companies were saying around £300. Some were concerned that they would also have to replace some lumps of metal that go up the side of the screen apparently and were another £60+ each. Saga told me that if the fitter does damage these parts,then they too would be covered and replaced.

Always worth checking with your insurance company to see if they will replace a scratched screen.

I had a heart attack in 2001 at the age of 44. Not allowed to drive for 6 weeks after,and of course my HGV entitlement was suspended for 6 months. DVLA informed,but has made no difference to insurance premiums strangely enough.

I had to undergo a treadmill test to get my HGV licence back,and I now have to be tested every 3 years to retain it. Can't do the treadmill anymore due to a dodgy hip replacement 4 years ago,so now they inject nuclear crap into my system to mimic exercise.

They have recently changed the chemicals they use in this test to make it a whole lot better experience,as the old way was horrendous. They used to supply a Kit-Kat and a drink of milk for this test,but due to 'cut backs' you now have to supply your own!.

When I had my hip replacement in 2011,I wasn't supposed to drive for a few weeks afterwards,but I then owned my first LS400 which was parked on my drive,and I just couldn't resist a quick blat round town. SWMBO went ballistic and hid the keys 'til I was 'officially' allowed to drive again.

Only for skinny people I note. I would have had one if they were available in 'marquee' size. Perhaps our cousins over the water would have one big enough!.

Just been to Wales and back and didn't see any LS400's at all. We seem to be getting unique. Good innitt!.

As expected,801.7 miles of faultless motoring from my £500 'shed'. There are only three makes of older car that I would trust to take me on a journey such as that,Lexus Mercedes and Saab. She returned about 30 mpg,as did my late MK3 when driven to Somerset four years ago. The last time we went to the same place,we took my wife's Mercedes E320,and the Lexus beat the Merc hands down on comfort,though of course not on economy as the Merc would have done roughly 36 mpg. The 311 mile 'door to door' trips were done with two breaks each way of about 45 minutes each,and not once did I feel even slightly uncomfortable. The Merc would have had me shifting about in the seat after a couple of hours.

Left Haverfordwest at 08.35 and arrived home at 16.17.,but lost about 30 minutes on the M25 due to a series of 'incidents' (nothing new there then).including a young lady whose little Peugeot had expired in lane two and was stranded there.

Hurrah for Lexus.

Blimey six and a half quid now to get over the water,but it's free to come back.

.....tomorrow,so if you see 'The Shed' blatting down the M4 give us a flash. Staying midway between Haverfordwest and Broad Haven. That's all.

...and I know my screen is scratched to buggery. Getting done on insurance soon.

Typical. Just after I posted this,the seller offered a full refund as they wrongly listed the drivers side blade and can't supply one to fit my LS. And they don't want the blades back. Bonus. Now,back to Bosch....

By the way the picture shows the 'old' Bosch,not the new blade.

Having a small problem fitting one of these cheaper wiper blades as the design entails clipping a blade cover over the arm. Fine on passenger side of course,but what I need to know is that if ALL LS400's have this strange twin arm arrangement as standard please. This will help my case with the seller. Thanks.

I live in Eastbourne. Give me his address,and I'll go round and relieve him of his gonads if you like.

Was it anyone on here driving east on the A259 at Friston Pond near East Dean on Sunday early afternoon in an M plate silver MK3?. I was driving west in my R plate silver MK3.

Was only going to Seaford to give the dog a run on the beach,but as I enjoy driving 'The Shed' so much, we took a 40 mile diversion to get home!.

Good morning from a damp and dismal Eastbourne. I'm having an oil and filter change on 'The Shed' next Saturday and was wondering if the slab of plastic/rubber under the engine would actually need to be put back on afterwards. Not even sure whether it needs to be removed to get at sump plug. It seems to be held on by cable ties at the front,which don't look good,and is generally loose and nasty. I've had this before on Cit**en's,and the mechanics always advised chucking them away!. Are they essential on an LS,or bin it?. Ta.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351025847390?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

As my engine does seem to rev high when first started this should be ideal for protection at that crucial time.

Think I'll stick to the tried and tested. 6 litres of Castrol Magnatec fully synthetic 5W/30 at Euro Car Parts for £37.99. Always used it in all the Mercs I've had with no problem. Thanks for the replies.

Which version do you use John, there are various types like A1 A3, usually buy mine from Halfords when on offer but have a trade card now.

This one is A1 - Ford Spec. Just got a WIX oil filter on eBay for £4.48 too.

Think I'll stick to the tried and tested. 6 litres of Castrol Magnatec fully synthetic 5W/30 at Euro Car Parts for £37.99. Always used it in all the Mercs I've had with no problem. Thanks for the replies.

My shed is now on 137,000 miles. I was going to use 5w/30 fully synthetic,but after a search on here some recommend using a slightly thicker 10w. What does the panel think?. Ta.

So,s**t kicking music and folkies seems to be liked by LS owners then!. Am I the only ageing prog-rocker here?. I know of one other that obviously likes one of my favourite '70s live bands - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. My musical tastes are reasonably diverse,but I cannot abide country,jazz or manufactured Simon Cowell type rubbish. SWMBO tells me I'm stuck in a 70's time warp musically - so what's wrong with that?. Give me some Pink Floyd,King Crimson,PFM,Led Zeppelin,Genesis etc. Love it.

On the way home from work yesterday afternoon,I decided to deviate from my normal 'straight home' route and go for a little drive. It was a nice sunny afternoon and the LS somehow seemed to be even smoother and quieter than usual. On went the Genesis 'A Trick of the Tail' c.d.,and I was in heaven. You know how sometimes you feel that everything is perfect,and you don't want it to stop?. I must admit I was welling up inside as a combination of an ultra smooth ride and my favourite music 'got' to me. Unfortunately all good things come to an end,and I arrived back home as the last bars of 'Los Endos' were playing.

What a day,what a car,what a sound system. She may be a shed compared to others,and I have a couple of times considered getting rid of her,but after yesterday that all went out the window. I'll keep her 'til she dies!.

That's all.

Thanks Matthew. I just don't remember my old LS revving that high when cold. Mind you,that was three years ago,I've slept since then!.

When she fires up after being stood for a few hours,the revs seem rather high to me at around 1400 rpm. After around a mile she settles down to around 700 rpm. Is 1400 too fast for a cold idle?. If so what is the most likely cause please?. Ta.

Serpent-ine belt?.

I obviously spent some time researching the company on the internet before I parted with my hard earned. They appear to be a Polish company with a base in Harrow. Another search revealed some problems with local delivery,they apparently use DPD couriers who some say have a less than perfect track record for delivering on time. My tyres started out in Germany on the Monday according to the e-mail I received from Oponeo and had moved a couple of hundred miles west by Tuesday,arriving in Eastbourne on Friday. I'm sure my very experienced tyre fitter would have noticed any problems with them when fitting them. I've only driven around ten miles since having them fitted,but they do seem a fair bit quieter than the old Firestone's. Time will tell.

you paid too much for tyres

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/falken-ze-912-225-60-r16-98-w#82045448

Same tyres - same price.