Peter L

Don't know if anybody is interested but got a set of front discs and set of rear discs with Mintex front and rear pads - offers ? I bought these thinking needed changing only to be told that the fluid was low ! Doh ! Would take them back but they want 25% restocking fee as correctly supplied ???

22 inch driver side and 16 passenger side - i have some flat ones on my mk3 - they work great - to change them - turn on wipers and turn off ignition as soon as they reach their highest point - then change as normal HTH regards miq Cheers Miq - thought so as that's what I went and bought last time though I thought they looked a bit big and thanks for the tip on changing ...

According to Lexus....yes. It's not just milage, but TIME, as in how old! the belt deteriorates with age....... This assuming it's never been done of course. Try getting non-Lexus garage (if you know a reputable one?) to do it? Oh, and mine is a Ser 4, done 80K Cheers Chris - I'd better get it done pronto then as it's never been changed before, I have a genuine Lex/Toyota one and will drop it off with the guy who did my Chrysler Grand Voyager one last year (Chrysler wanted £1200 to do a belt the thieving gits !!!)

Hi Guys Anyone know the correct wiper blade sizes for a MK3 LS 400 (1995) as I have been quoted anything from 20" through to 26" and also 15" to 21" HELP !

Mine's a 1995 with only 52k on the clock - does it need a new cambelt ?

Thanks fellas, already tried turning of/on with the castle key on the siren but no joy, seen on another thread that somebody else had exactly the same problem and turns out that the siren is goosed, traced it back to Scorpion as the manufacturers who no longer make that siren so had an after market jobbie fitted- intriguing about the 'button' under the dash - will investigate tomorrow ... Graham 8370 you say it is an easy fix for the radio backlight but how is it actually done ? Anybody have a link to fix ? Derek Yau - Yup - love it to bits, not actually had a go in the latest gen but might pop into Lexus for a 'test drive' ahem ! Chris Skelton - what's wrong with gold ??? better than some of the two tone stuff I have seen - yuck ! I do know how to use the cruise control as it's identical to the one fitted on the GS 300, my problem is that I switch it 'on' and nothing happens - no green light on the dash - nothing ! Could it be a fuse or relay as LutonMatt suggests and if so where is it located ??? As it is a 1995 model, what series does it make it ?

Hi Nick Seems a little late in the night to post particularly if you are going to view tomorrow ! Anyway, I'm no expert on the LS 430 having never owned one (but have always wanted to own one !) but I am a new proud owner of a 95 LS400 (see my other post for details) and can't begin to tell you what's so good about these cars. This is actually my 3rd Lexus and although it's actually the oldest of the trio, is actually my favourite for numerous reasons (particularly the monster 4.0litre V8 !) To try and answer some of your questions:- I think £11k for a 5 year old LS 430 with 76K (barely broken in yet !) is brilliant value but be careful to check it thoroughly and make sure it has FULL Service History (remember this car cost over £50k, possibly even £60k+ when new 5 years ago !!!) If serviced properly I doubt you'll have much trouble with these cars as they have been ranked Number 1 in the JD Powers satisfaction poll for a number of consecutive years I very much doubt you'd regularly see an average of 30MPG from a car which weighs a couple of tons and has a 4.3 litre engine in it, unless anyone else knows any better - but what a way to get there regardless of petrol cost ! It is a very sensible buy at that age and mileage - bit daft to fork out so much on a new one if you ask me ! Not sure about the adaptive air suspension but doesn't seem to be many posts here complaining about it ! no news = good news ! Don't know about any good independent garages in Yorkshire but can recommend a good 'un here in Rochdale Seems those who had LPG fitted are quite content (see other posts) but you'd have to do some mileage to recoup your costs, I have a mate in Oldham that fits them if you need advice ... Good luck with your viewing tomorrow and hope you find a good 'un like I did ...

Hi Peeps ! Despite what the Avatar says, I am a proud owner of a 1995 LS400 now. Originally had a GS300 'Sport' but found out it was a actually a standard GS300 with the Sport bits added on afterwards - bought it from a robbin' car dealer in Stockport too !!! Anyway, only found out when I tried to trade it in for a IS 200 Navigator and the dealer was a bit suspect over the V5 ! Moved on to a IS 200 Sport eventually but was totally disappointed with this baby 'Lexus' as it was a dog to drive and lacked any creature comforts of the GS. Sold it on 10 months later as couldn't even fit a pram in it and the Mrs was expecting our 2nd child ... got a Chrysler Grand Voyager instead which is, well ... 'sufficient' but was always hampering for another Lex, managed to convince the wife that it would fit our needs when the Chrysler wasn't really needed and as a workhouse for me to get to work (all 1.5 miles of it but to get there in luxury ...) Tried a wanted ad on these very forums but got very little response except for crazy money on 2 older models with high mileage (don't blame anyone for not wanting to part with theirs), eventually turned to Fleabay and happened on this little beauty, alright it was in gold with gold badging but I'm knocking on now anyways (well 36 is oldish !), it didn't reach the reserve but thought I'd give the geezer a message anyway, managed to persuade him I will turn up with cash to buy on the same day and he agreed. A swift drive down the M1 to Derby and I couldn't believe it - the car was a 1995 N but to look at it (apart from a scuffed front bumper) you'd swear the car was 10 years younger ! The geezer selling was over 70 and didn't really drive it anymore but has looked after it since he paid £28k for it 7 years ago. I was a bit worried when he said he only 'some history' on the phone but turns out his Mrs has EVERY single receipt for everything the car had done on it since it left the factory gates !!! Hell she even recorded everytime they filled up, where, how much etc. !!! The documents filled a whole lever arch file and some !!! Came with 4, count them, 4 original keys including the valet key in the credit card holder !!! Anyways, after a swift test drive, I was cheeky enough to stay so cool (trying hard not to contain my excitement on such a find) and offered the guy £2500 'take it or leave it' offer. He was a little hesitant at first as he said another geezer promised to come and have a look at it in a couple of weeks (but he wasn't here now with the readies - I was !!!) and he didn't look like he was a bit strapped for cash judging by his mansionessque house but he agreed after I sounded like an anorak spouting on at him about what I knew about Lexus's etc. Deal done (£2500 for a Lexus 4.0 V8 with only genuine 50k on the clock !!!), I was a bit miffed when the Mrs proclaimed that she would drive it back and I could drive the Chrysler bus instead - screaming down the M1 she took the ***** as she constantly slowed, waited for me to pass before booting it (my Mrs enjoys driving more than I do and she is truly a Lexus nut too !) 2 months on now and have discovered a couple of niggles (on a car that is 12 this year ! I have found 2 dozen problems on the Chrysler which is a lot, lot younger !!! ):- 1.) Alarm arms/disarms on the fob, indicators flash when set off but no sound from siren (I read about the same problem somewhere on this forum ?) So will need to get a new alarm fitted ? (unless anyone knows any different ?) 2.) Cruise control switch doesn't work (is there a fuse/relay that may need replacing ?) 3.) Radio backlight doesn't illuminate (any ideas ?) 4.) Aerial only enagages half way (but have bought a replacement mast from USA - just need to fit it) I am totally in love with this car and is the best Lex I've had yet !!! For such a barge of a car, most motorists can't believe it's pace when I switch the ETC to off and then 'boot it' (much to my amusement as the faces on many a 'hot hatch' drivers face has proven), above all, the equipment level trounces the (same age) GS, it is more powerful and actually has a boot ! Sorry to have gone on - I haven't written on this forum for well over a year now but at last, have something to write about !!!

If you think the boot's small on the LS wait until you see the boot on the GS300, great space inside but a boot the size of a Micra's !!! Totally useless for a pushchair let alone the double one that I have for my kids !!!

So basically it aint worth it ???

Trust me when I say this but when I had my MK1 GS Sport, I kept getting brake judder despite changing discs and pads 3 times within a space of 6 months. The OEM ones just aren't up to stopping a big heavy auto without warping. I changed them with the DBA drilled and grooved ones which were part of a group buy from Mark at Torque Developments and with standard pattern pads - were the dogs danglies ... not only did they not warp or fade they felt solid and stopped sooner ... may have been even better with Mintex or another decent set of pads. Even when a caliper siezed and clamped down so that the discs got WHITE hot .and everything else melted/knackered, the discs just needed cleaning up and worked faultlessly, no cracks/warping ... I'm thinking of getting a set for my IS 200 Sport even though the OEM ones seem more than up to the job ... Hope this helps ...

Just come across this and I for one would be interested ... any chance somebody can arrange this ? Anybody else interested ? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...4563782064&rd=1

Cheers Col ! You're a mine of info ! How can I get one legitally cheap ... :D

Me too ! Hence the question What's the quickest/cheapest way of getting the better 'Sport' Grill

How did they choose ? By Raffle ???

all the standard grills are the same mate,it will have dark glass in the rear and side windows,chrome tail pipe ,sport pedals,metal efect,sport decals in the rear quarter lights,maybe a two tone steeringwheel if its below 2001. ← Thanks Besty but what do you mean by "all the standard grills are the same" ? I thought that only Sport Models had a different 'mesh' type (honeycomb) grill ? and that all 'lesser' models had a standard 'wavy' grill ? I did notice the tinted glass (with decals) 2 tone steering wheel, chrome pedals and short shift box so that was more of a relief. Also is £9K for a 2000 X Model with FLSH and 46K on the clock sound alright ? Incidentally the deal for the other SE Navigator fell though so don't need the o/s headlight after all

Hi I'm due to pick up a 2000 X Reg Sport in Aztec Fire tommorow which is supposed to be a Sport model but i'm not too sure ... the front grill looks just like any regular IS 200 but I thought the sport model had a mesh type grill like my old Mk1 GS 300 Sport ? Anybody confirm this and have a pic of the front grill on their IS 200 Sport ? Thanks for any help

Can you just fit an aftermarket system - I thought the stereo/CD unit was a special shape, unique to the car ??? Will I be able to just change to a standard stereo and CD Changer unit ? Is the Sat Nav independant of the HU ?

Is there a fix to it or will it have to be replaced (if so - how much am I looking at ?) :duh:

Hi I am due to pick up a 1999 IS 200 SE this evening but the dealer geezer has just rung to say that he has only noticed that the CD changer in the head unit (?) is stuck and therefore he cannot get one of the CD's out. He says he has contacted Lexus Stockport as it is a common fault which Lexus warranted for up to 5 years but seeing as this car is 5.5 years old then they will look into trying to see if they can do anything about it. He says that he stands to lose money if he had to get it repaired/replaced himself as it would cost about £200 and would rather withdraw the car from sale (despite taking £200 deposit from me last week) and then resell to someone else if I won't take the car as is, if Lexus won't repair/replace :tsktsk: What do you guys think ? Is this a common problem with the HU's ? I am on the understanding that we have a legally binding contract here so can he actually enforce his 'take it or leave it' threat ? Please Helppp !!!

And you being "an engineer" and all that :P Hey, I didn't ask for that!! Jus cause i'm an engineer (or so my qualifications say) it don't stop me being lazy!! I can tell you now, i've been called many things - and none of them have been engineer! B) Soz mate but I didn't ask for smart ***** comments neither ... :winky: BTW - I never called you an engineer - that's what you called yourself in a post elsewhere !!! Fluff - I'll try and get some piccies - especially if all goes to plan ... :D

Chers fluff - just thought I'd ask before messing it up (I'm good at that) me and a mate are having a go this weekend - I'll keep you posted ...

Thanks Mudzs - I'll bear that in mind when I come to fix it - prefer to wait until it'sa little warmer before I embark on the repairs ... Anybody know if somebody could just paint the scratch or will I need to have the whole side resprayed ???

I think it's more like, none of us have bothered! :P And you being "an engineer" and all that :P

Not good but I can beat that - wife parks my GS300 Sport (MK I) in town hall only to find that some T :tsktsk: had rear ended it, leavining a bump and patches where the paint had been scraped off on the rear bumper ... realising she was parked across the road from the main police station and there was a camera pointing directly at the car, she reported the incident. Weeks later coppers ring up and told us that the "camera wasn't pointing in that direction at the time" !!! 2 weeks after - parked it outside my work in Salford (yes I know !!!) and returned to find some scum had keyed it on the rear panel !!! 2 weeks after that some scum crashed head on to my brother -in-law's car which then shunted mine - he's got a towbar (they were both parked up). Barsteward was drunk and in a Transit !!! Cracked front bumper and number plate surround. Reported incident to police and contacted insurance with all the details including his name and address etc. Months later insurance inform me that they have 'given up' as he refuses to answer the phone or respond to letters !!! WTF !!! I've left the car as it is now because I can't believe my rotten luck - I'll sort it when I come to sell ... BTW also found I had 4 buckled wheels, 2 warped disks and suspension probs