maneesh

Thanks for all the advice guys. In the end, the car is booked in at Westfield motors for a lot of work, and I've managed to get 15% Gold discount off of the retail Lexus price, so gonna go down that route. I did phone Powerhouse a few weeks ago because I'd heard good things about them, but never heard back from them, so I assume they didn't need my business!

A pity it's in white, would have looked phat in black! I was told that the reason you don't see that many stretched Lexi 400s is because the sheet metal is thinner than Mercs and Lincolns, so coachbuilders find it difficult to work with. Is that true?

Thanks for the tip on checking the leads. Will have a look tomorrow. Yes, overdrive is on, and it changes to 4th. It's weird, I still get normal stop start consumption of around 17-20 mpg. However, on cruise at 65, I only get 22 tops. Now, just last year I went from Bristol to London at 70mph on cruise and I got 32 mpg! Even once, I drove at 120mph on cruise from the Midlands and got 19mpg. I think that the plugs must be seriously fouled after 5 years of London driving. Will let you all know if plugs really do make a difference. P.S Leads at 252+VAT? With 15% discount, I have been quoted 129+VAT. Even retail price isn't close to 252. Are they gold plated???

Cheers for the advice. Let's say my car is worth 3k, and I plan to spend a grand on these bits and pieces. That means I have 4 grand towards a newer LS400. If I was gonna buy a newer one, I'd opt for a Mark 4 or newer, which is way out of budget. Plus, I know the history of my car, and so much has been changed (steering rack, water pump, power steering pump, EGR pipe, gearbox speed sensor, front springs, front anti-roll bar). So, by spending 1k now, I see myself being able to postpone a purchase of a newer one for a year or two, whilst I get the cash. Alternatively, I could dump the 400 and get a Mondeo. Yuk, no way!!! I think I will not bother with the leads.

92 model 164k. This is what I am planning to replace in order to alleviate my problems. Poor fuel economy on motorway (normal around town). Replacing all plugs and leads. Plugs were replaced 5 years ago. Vibration felt in brake pedal when hard braking (no, different from ABS pulsating). Replace front discs and pads. Poor ride and handling. Replace all 4 shocks. Current shocks last replaced 60 or 70k ago. Even after buying the parts through LOC 15% discount, it's still going to be a big bill. The only item I've never heard of anyone changing on their 400 is the ignition leads. I'm doing it because someone recommended changing them at 100k. What do you think? Thanks in advance.

Hi, Congrats on the purchase. That's a good deal! I would recommend you try westfield motors, but they are in Essex. Far superior service compared to main Lexus dealers. I used them for an A service in Feb, and they cost only £130, as opposed to my usual £230 bill with Lexus. Seeing as you have so much to do, you might be able to save a few hundred quid!!! They only use genuine Lexus parts, and Chris and Ian who work there have like 40 years Toyota/Lexus experience between them. Lexus told me my rear wheel bearings were worn, but when Chris took me under the ramp and showed me it wasn't the bearings, but the rear bushes. The reason they work out cheaper is because their labour rate is only £32 + VAT an hour. I think their website is www.westfieldmotors.co.uk They are part of that official federation (what's the name?) which means they are allowed to service your car even when it is under warranty. I would never go back to Lexus for servicing, my first service on a used LS400 was £1300! No wonder they walk around the dealership smiling, they are generating huge profits from the likes of us.

I'm getting Michelin Pilot Primacy's fitted to the rears of my LS400 in the morning. Hopefully, they will be better than the Dunlop SP Sport 3000As I currently have on there. Anyone else put Pilot Primacys on their Mark 1 400?

Me again! My 92 LS400 rides and handles like crap nowadays. It must have slowly gotten worse in the 5 years I've had it, because I remember when I bought it, it was tight and smooth ride. Now, it rolls like crazy, and the back of the car seems to have a mind of it's own, and even on smooth tarmac the car has a bumpy, wandering ride. Have tried the amateur test of bouncing the car at each corner, and shocks seem fine from that perspective. However, haven't changed shocks in 50,000 miles of city driving. Any ideas what I can try? Cheers.

Hey, My 92 LS400 (163k, full Lexus history) used to get around 15-20 mpg around town, and up to 32 mpg when put on cruise control at 70 mph. However, in the last year or so, the car gets the same city mileage, but I can't go past 21-22 mpg even when cruising at 65 on cruise control. I don't understand!!! Air filter was replaced in Feb 2003, as was the oil and filter. Anyone got any ideas what might be doing this? At the last service, it went from semi-synthetic to Castrol RS. The only thing I can think of is that the spark plugs are 5 years old now, and according to the service schedule, should be replaced now. Do they really make such a difference when they get old and tired? Thanks in advance, P.S At last service, the bearings in idle tensioner were making the engine very noisy - I don't know if that is related?

Hi, T400 LEX number plate up for sale. Currently on retention certificate. Transfer fee paid. Can go on any car registered on or after March 1999. £500. Just looking to get money back, as had it since it came out but haven't had the money to upgrade from 92 LS400 to 00 LS400!

Actually, it's the POWER STEERING PUMP which usually develops a leak, and if not fixed, usually ends up leaking onto the alternator (which is directly below), and then you have to replace both! It's one of the most common problems on LS400s.

Hey, I'd like to get the replacement K&N air filter for my LS400, but being based in the UK, I don't know where to start. Does anyone know where I can get one? I look forward to an extra 10 bhp from it!

Seriously, has any LS400 owner had experience of replacing suspension bushes yet?

Get the 96. the - brakes are weak in pre 93 cars. newer models are usually much better. but lose the fresh looks of the original model. You can always add nice alloys to the 96 car.

Yes, the screen was replaced thru insurance. However, the windscreen fitters have gone into liquidation (so the warranty is useless), and I've renewed my insurance with a new company!!!

My car had to have a replacement windscreen after a huge crack appeared. Great, now it's been fitted. However, wind noise is massive now, because it looks like they have disturbed the factory seal (the rubber seals around the screen). It looks like I might be able to make it better if I can take the seals off and reaffix in the optimal position. Anyone ever done this, I don't want to damage the seal by taking it off the wrong way? Thanks. It's a 92 model.

my car passed the mot last month, but the bushes are pretty worn. When I took the car to an independent dealer, he mentioned that the bushes on the front can't be bought independently, you have to buy the whole wishbone arm from lexus (really?). This dealer makes his own replacement bushes for the back, which brings down the cost. Has anyone replaced the bushes on their 400 yet? Any good, cheap places to get it done? Does it make a big difference when you change them? My car is a 92 with 160k. Thanks.

I have a 92 LS with 162k, and it has always given me 15-20 in town, and 25-30 on a long trip. Where the LS beats Beemers and Mercs is on the motorway where the superior aerodynamics really make it easy on petrol compared to it's rivals.

400 quid will come in handy soon as the rear bushes are needing replacing!

Thanks to everyone who commented! I've just got off the phone with the LOC insurance scheme (after going Gold!), and they've quoted me £400 cheaper than the quote I had from the internet, plus the LOC policy has a far lower excess. Overall, £1500 cheaper than looking in the Yellow Pages. Woo Hoo!

Hi, I have a 92 LS and need to find cheapest possible insurance for it. Anyone know any good places to try? I have zero no claims bonus, clean licence though. Thanks in advance,

I found a place which can de-cat LS400s They are called BBR ( 01280 702389). Found them on a website called www.honestjohn.co.uk (good website - tells you what to look out for on LS400s, when you look at the review)

Thanks. Is the place you use in the London area?

Hi guys, My 92 LS400 with 159k requires a B service, and I really don't want to pay Lexus main dealer prices, so I have a couple of options. a) Just take it to Lexus and pay 300 quid , including a 10% discount :hocus-pokus: B) Take it to TDI in Essex (who I think charge 60 per hour for labour, which is cheaper than Lexus) c) I find an old Lexus dealer whose franchise has been stripped, and is now Toyota (with value for money Toyota labour rates) d) Take it to an independent Lexus specialist Can ANYONE HELP with either c) or d)? I see so many independent servicing specialists for taking your old Merc, Jag or Beemer (and even Rolls Royce) to, so why doesn't anyone set one up for Lexus? Looking at London area really. Thanks in advance guys!

I read a book recently where they said that pre-Aug 1992 LS400s can be legally "decatted" which improves both performance and economy. Are they suggesting taking out the cat converters? Has anyone ever done that? There was a number given for company called BBR.