Graham Gardner

Going to see this candidate on Tuesday morning in Bucks

Sounds like a very nice gentleman (dealer based from home) - Tells me that Lexus Oxford have maintained the car from 40k to 120k (including cambelt service at approx 75k)

Called Lexus Oxford, they were reluctant to part with a lot of detail (citing the data protection act) but they confirmed the cambelt service, their substantial relationship with the car over time - their last service contact with the car being sometime in 2013.

The negatives mentioned the seller were:

1) The Gas Struts holding the bonnet open were weak and needed replacing

2) There is a small piece of corrosion around one of the wheel arches

3) The Wheels need refurbishing (clearly visible from the pictures)

After my wasted journey to B'ham on Monday - and the corroborating info from Lexus Oxford - I thought I better put some money down to ensure I at least get first refusal

Any advice on how to get cheap replacement gas struts , and idea on wheel refurb costs (Manchester/Cheshire area) would be appreciated

Excitement is growing ........... "legitimate" club membership beckons

Cheers,

VKP

http://www.sgs-engineering.com

Andy,

''I know if you look at any published mpg figures here in the UK they are nowhere near what you will actually get, yet if you look on an American site the exact same car will get significantly less mpg over there!!''

The US gallon is much less than the UK imperial gallon

That's true that is

Turns out the boot wasn't leaking after all, it just smelt of damp, I've stripped it out, cleaned it and given it a heavy dose of Fabreze, it was bone dry, even after a downpour and a direct hose piping, reading through the receipts the rubber was replaced last year, once less job to do

SGS, yes several members have used them, mine are still holding after 20 years but will use them when they do finally go as they are 15 minutes away from me.

I live 35 minutes away, in Nottingham

I fitted the new, Derby made, bonnet struts this morning, it took all of 15 minutes, very well made and a two year guarantee, a little bit more expensive than eBay but I prefer to do a job once

http://www.sgs-engineering.com

Never buy Supermarket fuel, I only ever use Shell or BP, Supermarket Diesel has had a real reputation for years, we have the worse Diesel in Europe, it's probably the same for Petrol?

The other problem with " save the planet " new diesels is the cost of a new particulate filter........... . changed every now and again I guess,and on the new BMW ( small one I think ) is @£1400 .. yes one thousand four hundred pounds !!!

Makes our golden oldies just that .............. GOLD

Malc

I bought a mk4 yesterday for 2k, full history, two owners, okay, it needs a couple of small fixes - the engine bonnet struts and the boot leaks (I found that out this afternoon) but I paid 2k for it and it's a DIY fix, thanks to this excellent forum.

On Monday, we sold our BMW 5 series 73,000 miles for a really good price, however, we've had it for 3 years and each year we've lost 2.5k in depreciation!

The Lexus drives like a whale compared to the BM but it don't half shift, it's quiet as a mouse and in superb nick, I love it.

I would have to cover some huge miles to spend an extra 2.5 grand on petrol each year, wouldn't I?

All in all, I'll never buy a new or nearly new car ever again, not when there are LS400s being sold at 2 grand, why would you?

Welcome, Graham. You got yourself a lovely Mk4. Well done and happy motoring.

Pepe

A superb, drives like a Limo, Lexus L400, it'll cost you less than an hearing aid LOL

Hi All,

Been around for a bit now on the IS 300h forum but I've just invested in the iPhone/iPad App for the forum but I cannot seem to log into it?

Now, I joined the forum via the facebook link but I've set my password via my forum settings which it says to do for mobile device access.

I cannot login to the App with these details. It also won't let me change my password from the app, I just get a Tapatalk error.

Also if I try and register from the app using my username it does tell me it is in use so it can see me.

Any ideas, not the end of the world but would rather not have spent a massive £1.49 for nothing :-)

Cheers

Scott

Those iPad apps are always worse than the websites IMO, looks like you've wasted the price of a litre of fuel for the Lexus, always a huge mistake that

Gud day mate

Likewise, we sold a very nice 5 series BM this week, and a day later got the Lexus LS400. The Lexus is way softer, much faster and quite a lot older, we do, however, have loads more money in the bank LOL

Standard! Go wash your mouth young man! LOL

Hi Troops!

Pick it up on Friday I can't wait!!

love the car, went like a stabbed rat and the salesman forgot to adjust the power and sport modes (I was still impressed) can't imagine they make to much difference?

Anyway great site!

Hope to be a part of the community here

Cheers guys :)

Hi mate, we will need to see some pictures it is compulsory, great cars eh?

It's not just the later model that had this feature, my 1994 also has the "Crown Jewel Cooler" which from now on will be refered to as the CJC device so I'm guessing it is a feature across the full production period.

One thing you won't find on UK specification models is the Emergency Flare Holder fitted to Japanese specification models

That doesn't bother me, I was never a fan of flares, or big collars come to that

It is a series IV so must be a 97 November/December model.

Don't you love the way the pile on the carpet looks when it's been vacuumed, looks like 80% wool,pure luxury.

I don't think you can buy the OEM carpet mats anymore but there are aftermarket or occasionally some 2nd hand on ebay.

It's got a set of really good quality over mats, I think that they are OEM but I'll have a look in the morning

Welcome from another newbie (also recently installed in a Mk4). Yes, 30mpg on a typical longish run seems to be standard. Even better is you set cruise to about 60mph.

What are the extra widgets by the gear selector and handbrake release: Bluetooth/LPG?

Seem to be some common niggles, but mostly minor: bonnet struts you've already covered, washer fluid level light permanently on (easy fix), boot seals letting in water (same), tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment can stop working (a bit expensive), bad capacitors in ECU causing odd running problems (hassle but cheap to fix), and probably a few more that I've not seen mentioned yet.

Welcome from another newbie (also recently installed in a Mk4). Yes, 30mpg on a typical longish run seems to be standard. Even better is you set cruise to about 60mph.

What are the extra widgets by the gear selector and handbrake release: Bluetooth/LPG?

Seem to be some common niggles, but mostly minor: bonnet struts you've already covered, washer fluid level light permanently on (easy fix), boot seals letting in water (same), tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment can stop working (a bit expensive), bad capacitors in ECU causing odd running problems (hassle but cheap to fix), and probably a few more that I've not seen mentioned yet.

It's a Parrot Bluetooth phone do dah, the last owner had it put in last year cost him £150, I've not tried it yet

125k miles, cost 2k, had to order 2 bonnet struts, the bonnet is so heavy

Hello and welcome to the LOC.

Sounds like you have sourced a good example there was it advertised anywhere?

1997 was the change over year from the series III to IV so the chances are you have a late series III as the IV wasn't launched until November 1997.

Feel free to post up pictures so we can all see your purchase.

Anything you should be watching for..... only the fuel gauge they quickly head towards empty all the time :)

On the 65 mile drive home it registered 30.4 mpg how accurate is it? I was quite pleased TBH

Hello, just got back from picking up a, new to us, LS400 1997 is smashing condition, it's got a Full Service History, timing belt and water pump replaced 20k miles ago, is there anything that I should be watching out for?

Initial impressions, boy it's fast and comfy.

Thank you for reading

Hello, just got back from picking up a, new to us, LS400 1997 is smashing condition, it's got a Full Service History, timing belt and water pump replaced 20k miles ago, is there anything that I should be watching out for?

Initial impressions, boy it's fast and comfy.

Thank you for reading

Can't post a link as not a gold member,but have a look at the LS400 currently on fleabay advertised as 'sounds like a Ferrari'. If I wanted a car that sounds like a Ferrari,I'd buy a b****y Ferrari. 389 b.h.p.?. Only owned it two days....

You think thats bad read this wally and how poeticly he describes all about where he trades from but nothing about the car.

Care in the comunity I think.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a6f366822

Mike

Well cool innit tho

I wouldn't touch it at £1k, "Low milage" and "one lady owner" ring alarms bells with me, I would rather read "Full Lexus History" and "mainly motorway miles" anyday

Googled Lexus LS400 and next thing I know I'm here