PEPE

Here is the link: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/85945-help-please-my-mk-4-thinks-im-a-car-thief/ Pepe

I agree, especially the Mk4 in the second link. This car is absolutely PERFECT and obviously owned by a very dedicated enthusiast. One would have to pay thousands in detailing fees to bring it up to this condition. If I had the space I would buy it on the spot. Pepe

Very nice. Where did you get the decals, Pete?

How furious was your tapping, Tim? I have the same problem as as soon as I read your remarks I rushed out to my garage and starting tapping with NO results! Pepe

Very sorry to hear about this JPJ. I would go for a replacement engine. Good luck!

Hear hear!

Steve2006, where are you?

Yes, oh dear!

Hi Shiner I agree with what the Autoglass fitter told you. At least he was honest. This is why I opted for GlasWeld because even though the results are not 100% perfect this method minimises the chance of damaging or disturbing something else whilst fitting a completely new windscreen. In any event, many greetings from Sussex. I've been enjoying my two immaculate LS 400s during this lovely dry weather. This morning I got up at 6 a.m. and drove 16 miles over the South Downs in the Mk4 just to buy the morning papers. (I should point out that our newsagent is only a mile away.) Absolute bliss . . . Happy motoring Pepe

Iain, you are absolutely right. Three days ago I left a door of my Mk4 open overnight. Fortunately I remembered what you had said here and didn't attempt to start my car. I simply opened the bonnet and put a voltmeter across the battery terminals. The reading? 3.55 volts!

This is interesting, Ron. My two LS 400s have minute scratches that are becoming a nuisance when driving against the sun. I've tried to polish them out but my results have a lot to be desired. My usual detailer refused to handle this job and said new windscreens were the right solution. My problem is that 'unfortunately' I haven't been hit by a pebble right in front of my line of vision so I wouldn't be able to claim on my insurance for a replacement. At the moment I've approached another detailer in Kent who reluctantly agreed to professionally polish my windscreens but he didn't sound too enthusiastic. I'm just waiting for a nice day to drive to his premises. So, in the meantime, and to get to the point, how much did you pay Autoglass? Maybe it's not as much as I fear! Many thanks Pepe pepe I would be interested to know if the polishing works. The screen on my LS is terrible if the light is in a certain direction. I was thinking along the lines of a new screen but have considered polishing if i can find someone who knows what they are doing Hi Hugh, yes polishing DOES work. Trawling the internet I came across Glas Weld (www.glaswelduk.com). These people specialise exclusively in repairing windscreens so I gave them a call. An extremely efficient and polite lady took my call and asked me to describe my problem. After taking my details she promised that of their technicians would call me later that very same day. This took place last Monday 24th at about 11.30 a.m. Sure enough, by 2.30 p.m. a very knowledgeable-sounding chap rang me and told me he might be able to help and he agreed to come to my house the following morning. His name was Mike Toney. Mike proceeded to inspect carefully the windscreens on my two LS 400s. His assessment was that he would be able to polish off the minute tracks made by the wiper blades but he was quick to point out that the abrasions caused by grit and sand over the years would be IMPOSSIBLE to remove entirely. He also pointed out three stone chips that had also damaged the windscreens, fortunately outside the MOT failure zone. He recommended that I have these repaired at the same time. How much would this cost? Mike explained that his minimum fee would be £100 for the first hour of polishing, followed by £60 per hour thereafter. He estimated that he would take two hours on the polishing job. I then asked him about the stone chips. He asked me for my insurance certificate and quickly determined that my policy had an excess of £10 per windscreen and he also verified that my insurer was on Glas Weld's list of approved insurers. This meant that he was automatically authorised to repair my windscreens without prior reference to my insurer. In other words, he would do all the paperwork. At his point I wish to point out that at no time did I feel under pressure from Mark to take the matter further. He made it extremely clear that under certain conditions I would still be able to see the minute abrasions caused by grit striking the windscreens at high speed over almost 20 years. Would I still like to proceed? Having said yes Mike went to work and I quickly realised why my detailers were reluctant to do this type of work. This is because the polish is applied by a 'drill' that rotates at about 2,000 rpm. This in turn heats up the glass, but the temperature must be monitored very carefully as otherwise the temperature could easily crack the windscreen. This is slow and delicate work. Here are the tools Mike used on my Mk4: Here are the vacuum devices used to address the two stone chips on my Mk4: I am pretty sure that Mike spent more than two hours working on my cars. His results are truly impressive. My Mk3 had a highly visible stone chip that I thought had been 'cured.' I was wrong. Once Mike finished the blemish simply disappeared! I was utterly delighted. The two on the Mk 4 are barely visible. What was the final bill? Polishing 2 windscreens: £160 VAT 32 Insurance excess 20 ------- Total £212 Between yesterday and today I took out my two LS 400s under all kinds of weather, especially driving into the sun when it was low in the horizon. I am delighted with the results. The view is absolutely clear. The scratches made by the wiper blades are no more. Only the minute specks that Mike warned me about remain but these no longer pose a hazard. Finally I have to say it was a real pleasure dealing with Mike. He is a true gent and I recommend his work very highly. I should also point out that my relationship with Glas Weld is only that of a satisfied customer. Their helpline is 0800 387 528. I hope this points other members in the right direction. Pepe

And I was 71 when I originally bought a Lexus two years ago.

Steve2006, where are you?

Good idea Steve, thank you.

Hear hear!

I agree.

This is interesting, Ron. My two LS 400s have minute scratches that are becoming a nuisance when driving against the sun. I've tried to polish them out but my results have a lot to be desired. My usual detailer refused to handle this job and said new windscreens were the right solution. My problem is that 'unfortunately' I haven't been hit by a pebble right in front of my line of vision so I wouldn't be able to claim on my insurance for a replacement. At the moment I've approached another detailer in Kent who reluctantly agreed to professionally polish my windscreens but he didn't sound too enthusiastic. I'm just waiting for a nice day to drive to his premises. So, in the meantime, and to get to the point, how much did you pay Autoglass? Maybe it's not as much as I fear! Many thanks Pepe

This is wonderful news and I am very happy for you. I am also impressed with the manner you reacted to and handled this very vexatious situation.

Yes indeed. I just went out in my 1998 Mk4 and it does exactly as described above.

Hi Russell, let me join Ian in welcoming you also. This club has been extremely useful in keeping my two LS 400s on the road. No doubt you will find the same. Best wishes, Pepe

No bidding required Pepe, just one button push and it's bought for under a thousand. You are right, Michael. I've just checked and it's been SOLD!

Good point and well-spotted.

It will be interesting to see how the bidding goes. There are still six days left . . .

Interesting question . . .