willskoda

I'm in the same boat. Went to look at the red one in Bradford. What a crock!

Never ever ever ever use a sponge! Get yourself a good quality lambs wool mitt. Two buckets with grit guards are best - a wash and a rinse bucket. I have yet to find products that are pound for pound better and more convenient to find than Autoglym. AG super resin polish, ultra deep shine and HD wax are all really good products in my eyes but detaling is very much a thing of opinions. Nilfisk make some very good powerwashers too. Screwfix direct do some good offers on those too. I could go on. Detailing world (forum) is very useful but is over full of information really!

I went to view this car at Lexus Cheshire but when I'd got there it had gone. They said they got rid of it because due it not being used it started to throw up some "electrical gremlins". They told me that the rear camera had stopped working and to fix the issues it would cost £5k!!! I appreciate that is not really good news or what you wanted to hear but I thought it best that you did. Keep checking ebay for 430's being broken - there are a couple out there and you may be able to find one on the cheap. Best of luck. On a positive note that car looked really nice and Lexus were impressed by it's history and condition which is why they were selling it from a main dealer.

Or turn the car on and replace the battery as it runs. That way no loss of anything.

Looking good! :zee:

Did you by any chance buy the grey 430 from Cheshire?

That's THE BEST car he's ever owned?? What on earth has he had before I wonder?!

ha ha - no problem!

I've declared it but they've never asked for proof. OP - sorry for the thread hi jack!

The three insurance companies I've used have never asked for an LPG certificate.

Off topic - sorry - but I lost my LPG certificate in Germany I think. Insurance companies I've been with have never asked for it either but is there a way to get replacements? All I know is its a Prins system.

One of the simplest and cheapest ways to connect an external sourse is to use one of those cassette adapters that you plug into your earphone socket. I got one off fleabay for £2 and it's actually really good!

I cant beleive this fix has been such a massive secret - it's like there has been a hugh conspiracy about it or something! lol. PLEASE do a guide - you'll be a national hero (maybe)!

Are they still for sale? Cant find em!

Cheers for the replies guys! Some good thoughts and the main thing is that all is not lost if it is warn. Currently in Mallorca but when I get back there is a 430 only a few miles away from me to go investigate - it's done 140k though ans the leather on the wheel is showing it!

As per the title - can it bedone? I see that numerous 430 steering wheels have worn leather on the wheel which to me looks unsightly. So can it be repaired? Or is it a new steering wheel thats in order? And how much would that be??

I find the info on autotrader a bit off from time to time and wondered if anyone could confirm the price of 12 months VEL for a post 53 LS430? Also does anyone know the rate for an LPG 430?

From what I've gathered the premium pack is identifiable by wood trim on the steering wheel. I thought all variants had air suspension but I could well be wrong on that point.

I dont know cos its moved a few hundred miles from Sheffield to Merseyside. You would have thought that whoever bought it would have thought about the costs before travelling and buying. Wierd. Still looks good.

This car has reappeared on ebay this morning but this time on the wirral £1500 start with a reserve and £2500 buy it now http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-LEXUS-LS400-AUTO-BLUE-/251101422730?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D410688335152535041%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26#ht_500wt_947

This one looks stunning! Out of interest do those car phones work handsfree?

It does indeed - thanks :)

Yeah, I know that the Mk3 and Mk4 are both very good models and in some respects more relyable but I'm not a fan of the shape of the Mk4 and I don't really want a car that old. I love the shape of the facelift 430 and the level of kit is uncomprimising really.

So after my fantastic trip across Europe in my 400 I'm thinking of selling my Skoda and going for a 430, probably a 54 plate with a view to getting it converted (if not already done) to LPG. I'd like to know a couple of things from you guys in the know before I do; What common problems do I need to know about? & Does the 430 (facelift) have bluetooth phone or a built in phone at all? & Does anyone have one for sale?

Belgium is the cheapest no doubt! Let it run out and use petrol for a bit if need be - you'll save about 20cents a litre filling up in Belgium! France was a bit cheaper than Germany too. Don't forget your LPG adapters - you'll need the screw one and the cup one.