alphacat

I was reading some of the US 430sc forms and some posts on there seemed to identify the stereo amp too.. It seems these cost around $2500 to replace but the old one can be refurbished..I believe there is a place in the UK that does this.

Could start a fad in stick on kisses....

I think repairing exhausts that have corroded is likely to be false economy. The ends of mine were completely gone. If I was short of money I would go for the stainless steel option and insist on the quietest exhaust they could do...

Even with the upgraded suspension and better road holding my 430SC has the best ride I have ever had in a car without it being too ..wallowy... Probably the best way is to look for another 430SC preferably a late 2005 with the 6 speed auto box (mine was first reg in Nov 2005) If you get one before March 2006 it will also have the lower road tax.. while I admit there are not many around you can get them. Put you Mk 1 model in part exchange or sell it privately (probably the best option ) many buyers wont be aware (or maybe wont care!!) of the differences between the Mk1 a and Mk 2 so prices are still high. Mk1 probably £6500 to £9500) Mk2 around (£11500 to £20000) but a 2005 will be around £12000.

Its not the rattling exhaust tip that makes replacing some parts essential its the fact that on investigation the looseness is caused by corroded end pipes. You cant repair them.. Its impossible.

You don't know me John I like it quiet.. ....

All Lexus parts are available on E-Bay if you use the e-bay USA web site there are loads of Lexus 430 SC car parts all the headlights in the US are for left hand drive cars..

Both my exhaust tips were gone. The ends of each pipe were completely corroded away so much the finisher would not stay on. I found out just after I bought the car when I noticed the end finisher was loose and rattling.. Lexus new exhaust was about £700 and the finishers were £80 each.. I looked at changing it to stainless steel and was quoted about £400 seems a no brainer but on further investigation I couldn't get the two garages to convince me the car would be as original and the kept going on about the sound it would make and 'mid sport set up' etc etc.. When I said I wanted it quiet not mid sport and as original they didn't answer my e-mail.. Friend of mine had one on another car and it was too loud . Seems the stainless exhausts are all basically 'strait through systems.. sometimes they can add wire wool type stuff to the expansion chambers but apparently it may not last long.. In the end I couldn't get a straight answer about the volume of the stainless steel unit so I was resigned to going for a Lexus part. Their price included fitting they would only sell with it fitted ? Or you paid that price and got it fitted yourself with no guarantee I presume... The decision was taken from me I managed to go off the road into a pig farm after hitting a river going across the main road at night. Damaged the front back and sides, removed the exhaust finishers and damaged the exhaust. I had it all done including new exhaust on insurance. car re sprayed apart from the roof.. Like new !! I like the car quiet and making it sound anything more than Lexus wanted it to be isn't on for me. That's the point of the car.

Some Lexii are more reliable than some vacuum cleaners !!

My 430SC was certainly capable of keeping up with my sons BMW... I took him to Wales (from North Yorkshire) to pick it up. A 335 Diesel with a 6 speed auto box 285 bhp standard but his had the upgrade ECU to 340 bhp. Bearing in mind that's over 40 bhp more than the 430SC.. In no way was the BMW the faster car. My son is a complete petrol head and was very concerned it was his first auto car... That's where the difference lies. The 430SC is perfectly tuned to the 6 speed box. The BMW is a diesel .. The diesel produces power over a narrow rev range and the auto box just isn't effective... As most will know diesels seem to run out of real grunt at high speed no problem if 70mph is all you do... But who does that? Lots of torque but by the time they actually need the power at high speed the engine is not producing it at them revs. I left him standing. In fact I was home over an hour before he was. I admit I did get carried away keeping a few motor bikes behind me..and it wasnt a race that would be silly .....!!!!!! but ...... That's what life is for.... He sold the BMW after a few months his excuse was the gearbox which is no way as good as the 430SC .. Its response is not as quick and it has hardly any engine braking in sports mode..( a big issue what's the point of having a sports mode if you cant use engine braking)10 marks to Lexus 2 marks to BMW.... I will be keeping the 430SC for along time..

More bad news about inadequate dealers who don't look after the customer... I just dispair at the lack of professional behaviour by these garages. In they main they are staffed by monkeys. Ps thanks for updating us on this one it sounds worth knowing about..

I didn't think 'ride' was the problem.. The main problem was road holding 2005 + models are much improved I have driven both, but you cant have everything...

I have a 2005 (2006 model) this has a 6 speed box . My Log book has an added sticker saying this model has the Lexus 430Sc modified uprated suspension.. I went for this model as apparently the early suspension (the one slated by the Top Gear hamster) did have inadequate suspension ,mainly I understand to soft for the US market.. I have no issues with mine regarding suspension, road holding, comfort or ride. I like it just the way it is but I wouldn't call it a 'sports car' it doesn't make enough noise (actually it doesn't make any noise) and that's the way I like it.

Agree the wheels do suit the car, unlike some I have seen...Welcome

That's the sort of attitude I was supporting.. my main point was those who have cars that have only done 30,000 etc miles in 10 years and are changing them as a matter of urgency. I still maintain that originally Lexus stated 100,000 miles and no time interval. If it now only costs £295 its not really a big issue figures I have heard quoted were over £500+ .

Its not like that where I live... Your lucky... If its only £295 that means they are changing the cam belt for about £65 an hour... that's half price.

Sounds too good to be true!! £295 I wonder if it include parts and VAT... Even if it is the full cost which I very much doubt, I bet they find another few things that 'need' doing...

Good points well made... In fact I pay £50 an hour and consider it well worth in because I am getting the organ grinder not the monkey.. he even gives me a choice of parts Lexus or generic.. Main dealer parts Lexus or Volvo are all 33% up at least on the parts that can be obtained on the open market. If your willing to wait you can in many cases get them even cheaper from the USA. This is especially true for Lexus.. With Lexus some part are Toyota, order them as Lexus you pay say £200, order them as Toyota you will pay say £170 order them as generic and its £150 but if bought from the states it may well be even less including shipping. Not always but sometimes. They only have the value they can demand. Just got a generic O2 sensor fitted... £120 ... Lexus wanted £185 The bill is £170 including fitting... Lexus want £185 part + I think its £85 an hour..£270... Note these sensors are Denso.. they are all the same... I wonder why it is legal...

If the car hasn't got a button for adaptive headlights is this an extra ?? Is it not fitted to all 430SCs ?? You have to put your head down to see it under the petrol and boot opening switches.

Never heard of this sorry... seems to be a motor fault with the door activator. Might just be a loose connection...

Most dealers treat car owners like they are stupid. Most car owners are stupid when it comes to auto engineering (or any sort of engineering)... I know all the dangers of not using dealers except when absolutely required but I use a very well qualified and very very experienced fully qualified auto engineer who does his own work in his own garage. He once worked for a very famous world rally car team.... he does all my servicing and all my upkeep.. One thing he has found about Lexus dealers is they just don't like other people doing the work and he finds it very difficult to order spares etc from them they don't make it easy. Even exhausts they only quote for supply and fit not just supply so if you want one and you want someone to fit it the cost is the same. That's a big rip off. When he tried to get hold of a tappet adjusting kit they wouldn't provide one... He doubts they even do it. Cost of an O2 sensor from the Lexus dealer around £180 cost locally (£129) etc etc.. I will put up with the hassle as I want a trained engineer to work on my car not an apprentice or someone on work experience with no motivation.

Well from my posts you can see I am less than happy with it.. so its up to you ..Positive point is depending on which version you had before it does allow certain other features, like operation on the move etc but it really is dire. The maps are slightly more accurate But as I say not as good as some cheaper systems in fact you can buy a bolt on with better compatibility and full post code (why the Lexus 2012 + version doesn't have that I will never know)etc for cheaper than updating the Toyota / Lexus version. nothing else has changed.

I have no problem I have an opinion that's what the board is for. I don't like the Sat Nav its crap... I know where I am going unless diverted onto an unknown road and that's when the Lexus Sat Nav is useless and mine is right up to date. On my Jag I have a Nav Man its twice as good as the Lexus. I think your suffering from cognitive dissonance !!

Take your point.. I would say however I am not sure winter in the Uk is anything to take precautions about. What gets me in North Yorkshire is the road works where they leave small stone chips in tar (we have a lot of that) they reduce the speed limit to 20mph (as if anyone takes notice) for a few days until its all set but those stone chips are a pain. Should be banned.