DrKevan

...many thanks to Cruisermark as this paintscratch website is the only place I've found that lists what appears to be my cladding colour. My top colour is the not exactly common Amethyst (941) so not so many people to ask. Paintscratch suggests the cladding to be UCAB2 Rose Metallic which looks like it might be the one. I 'phoned Lexus Norwich today, who are a relatively new Lexus service centre (and main Toyota agent) and the Norwich parts department were also confused; I'm waiting of their reply). Kevan

My son has just done mine with Castrol Magnatec 5W-30 fully synthetic (from Halfords). Also with oil filter and sump plug washer from Lexus dealer; I have no idea of the relative merits of different oil filters and for £14 (I think) for filter and washer from Lexus prefer to stick with the brand as it is a relatively small amount of money for 6-12 months motoring compared to the petrol that will go in.

Unsure if is the same, but Roy's Motor Company in Norwich mentioned something similar when they patched my y-pipe. A previous LS they'd fixed needed new cats, but the exhaust flanges where gone. My impression is that they achieved a mend by removing flanges from scrap exhaust and welded them on as replacements.

Evening. Just logged on to ask a similar question, as like to change oil every 5/6k and it is now due. Answer looks already here. Lexus dealer invoices (of previous owner) show Shell Helix always used and I was going to ask, if there are any obvious benefits of Helix, over say Magnetec (that I'd used in our Toyotas)? Correspondence here suggests not?

Many thanks for the Welcomes. Funny that you say about being addicted. My wife was keener on the newer looks of the similar age GS300 but I knew if I'd bought one I'd still want an LS. So bought this thinking it is a decent car, keep it for a year, hopefully get new ticket for not too much money and move on....but already it makes me think, move on to what? And the good people at Roys Motor Company have fixed the exhaust so now the refined car it was (to be fair, even with multiple blows in the exhaust, inside the car, exhaust was barely audible). Once fixed, took onto dual carriageway, and realised acceleration was signaled just by the slight murmur of increasing wind noise ...how can it be that refined? And with 187k on it. Have always thought all the Toyotas we've owned were good, but the LS is in another league. Kevan

Am delighted to be a Lexus owner and proud to be driving an LS400. Have owned many Toyotas (10?) over the years with the last two being Camrys The last one a V6 (my first V6) and was instantly addicted to the v-noise. Currently doing low miles per year (close to work and sometimes cycle) so if the V6 is good, what must a V8 be like....? Well no better time to try. And in using Toyota dealers over the years, and when they had Lexus dealership on site, the Lexus was always a draw. Have bought a Mk4 99 S in Amethyst Pearl. Black leather. 186k on the clock. Paint very good bar some discreet areas: dent and touch-up on front wing, driver's mirror casing bashed and stuck together, small area of lacquer gone on front of bonnet. Wheels need the usual. Mechanicals seem fine (13 months MOT). Interior is spotless. Previous owners were meticulous with 18 stamps (all bar two, in the middle, Lexus dealer). Last owner had annual Lexus service, cambelt, etc. Even Lexus invoice for a battery. One service invoice in file for £1,250! Ouch! Previous owner looked after car so well but obviously not a regular Sunday norning car washer (and had tree lined drive) so taking a while to get it back shining. Bought in Ebay auction and work commitments meant had to do the wrong thing by buying without seeing! Fortunately Lexus owners seem to me good people. Actually paid less than sold my Camry (lot fewer miles) but guess that is the effect of petrol prices causing terror for 4litre V8 cars. The V6 Camry was good so expecting the LS to be a bit better but cannot believe how much better it is. Almost unreal how good it is. Only problem in picking it up was exhaust blow. Turned out to be the y-pipe. Have seen on here advice to go for a genuine replacement but need to replace tyres, so the excellent folk at Roy's Motor Company have been able to fix it. Really good people who really know so much about Toyota/Lexus. After tyres, will refurb wheels. One question is can the centre caps (big ones on 16" wheels) be powder coated. Firm who just powder coated my son's Toyota alloys said not possible to do the (and my centre caps are scruffy). And said Toyota and BMW wheels a problem? Does this make sense? Options to get a reasonable wheels and centre caps good?. Looking forward to Lexus ownership and being part of LOC.