SlowV6

Hello All, Another question - thinking back to my moment with the LS430 yesterday. The very first thing I checked yesterday was did it appear to be sitting level, which it did. Bearing in mind it is Sorned and hadn't really been prepared at all ( e.g some sponge action and some vacuum action would have been nice) I took "looking level" as a good thing. It definitely wasn't saggy ar5ed. When I flicked the normal / high ride height button to high I could very very faintly hear a motor of some kind and when i got out of the car to watch I think I could just about make out it rising a bit but really not very much. As a first timer I had no idea what to expect. What is the expected spectacle!? Also, and this is just out of interest, why did Lexus bother with adjustable ride height? I get the sport/normal firmness button but it isn't as if you are going to go off-road in an LS430 so why have ride height options? thanks for your patience.

Are you getting confused with Jack Ryan Season 2 ?

Well no forecourt petrol station shot from me. To be fair this is a 228k car advertised for £2k so you have to manage your expectations accordingly. I concluded I could find a better one and spend more. Main stopper was the interior, which was scruffy and somewhat dirty. Secondary issues were non-functioning boot release or auto-close, steering wheel in/out motor (both claimed working in correspondence). When braking a mild graunch could be heard and I didn't feel it was particularly spritely (sadly a short urban drive only - inadequate in itself). It was however near silent and lovely to waft in. On the upside I have finally inspected and driven a 430 and this car gives me a benchmark. It was still a Wonderful car and it has made me want one even more. Watch this space.

Thanks All. Will budget for new rad. I believe they are about 300 fitted at Lexus. Unless I have missed a zero.

Thanks @Jake430 - was that for a 430 or your current 600H please?

Hello Again Malc, Sorry to ask again but when "in the field" with an LS430 how is one to check for coolant/transmission oil mixing, beyond checking the coolant is clean and red? Is it torch around the rad looking for leaks? I assume a healthy driving experience (smooth changes, revs up to red line on full launch etc) is the other basic check? Thanks once again.

Hello All, Acknowledging that the concept of an LS430 with roof bars/box maybe hugely stressful for some forum members.. ..does anyone know if/where you can get them please? My initial research has drawn a blank. Reason I am asking is because as a family guy I have always found them vital for hols. thanks!

Do you mean get the radiator changed anyway regardless? Is visual check clean coolant + no hesitation when driving? Random question - do LS430s allow roof bars? Thanks!

At the risk of someone getting in ahead of me, I am viewing this LS430 at the weekend. It is a leggy facelift, however it is a 2 owner car with masses of main dealer history so I am not too worried about the miles. Timing belt and water pump done at 200k and last service done with MOT at 226k. Looking at the MOT history someone did 25 - 30k miles per annum in it on several occasions, which is fairly heroic. The steering wheel motors work, so that's got to be a good sign right 🙂 Wish me luck.

Because the front passenger seat can be moved further forward out of the way. and tilted forward to allow for the foot room.

I might well do at the weekend! No need to ask @Malcwhat your favourite car is! Which sort of brings us neatly back on thread. Just what LS ARE you going to get next...

I am mulling. Project go live today so working until post midnight. Follow on tasks tomorrow and then I can think about it at weekend. Remind me what the LS400 checklist is in no particular order (is there a buyers guide somewhere): Timing belt/water pump bonnet struts leaky boot (guess check damp carpet) rust? air con working. should the stereo be awesome?

Nearside... look at the LHS photo of the car from the rear three quarters. but I get your point. have asked about timing belt evidence.

That is the one and only LS4*0 that has been advertised near me ever! It is about 3 miles away. Should I go and have a look and abandon my 430 plans I wonder... (reckon the near side front door has been replaced - alignment a bit off and colour match with front wing not quite right)

Money no object then LS600h otherwise facelift LS430 up to 55 reg. That's where I arrived at.

Thanks @BigBoomer. I have also been watching that one. Agree that is a lovely colour (to my eyes!) although I would prefer pale leather. MOT history is pretty clean. Are there any concerns around LPG (e.g loss of performance) or should this be considered a bonus? Assume the boot space is compromised or do they replace the fuel tank? Apologies for going off topic and asking questions that have no doubt been asked before!

Thanks for your replies all. @The-Acre great tip to remember re: the 27" height thank you. I didn't think my eyes were deceiving me and I doubt the mats in the boot are lead 🙂. The MOT history is also a bit rough but to be fair the seller claims to have attended to the most recent advisories. I think if it wasn't gold I would be more interested as it does look in good nick (cheap tyres though - always look for that as a warning sign of skimping!)

Hello All, My LS430 fighting fund is finally getting to the point where I might start looking. The 430 buying guide will come in useful. I have seen this one in full Werthers original spec at what I believe to be a reputable Lexus specialist near Bristol. Some of his prices are very high, but this 430 isn't too far off the going rate and looks in nice nick. If you like gold... i think it looks a little low at the back, but does the air suspension settle Citroen style when 430s are parked? I thought to ask the experts. thanks in advance.

Thanks. Very useful to have a checklist to refer to. I will have an LS430. I WILL have an LS430...

Hi, Appreciate this is thread resurrection but does this issue affect the earlier 400H? I have spotted this advisory on a number of 450H's but not 400H's so I think it affects only the 450. Thanks

Thank you. That's good to know.

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone has a link to the different specs for each of the RX400h models and changes with each model year please? I want Mark Levinson audio and I would like a sunroof (obviously I can spot these!). I would like to avoid air suspension but am confused as to whether it was even fitted to 400s. Or how to spot it. This early SE-L has popped up locally (note the Ferrari in the garage in one of the shots) and despite it being a bit leggy it has caught my interest. It has a good MOT history and apparent main dealer servicing (I might give Poole a ring). The slightly clumsy non painted parking sensors and the tow bar also add usefulness points. However, I am unsure if the early ones miss out on important improvements made in later model years. Any clues appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Again, I was wondering in the 4 years that have passed since I asked this (and still didn't buy an LS) whether any more Lexus independents have risen up in Dorset or West Hants. I do have Lexus Poole 5 mins down the road but avoiding main dealer labour prices would be a nice-to-have as I form my latest buy-an-LS plan. Thanks again.

As a prospective LS430 owner I have found this thread incredibly useful for two reasons. Firstly the visual check about the bottom of the car being level when buying one and then a reasonable cost way forward for tackling worn out air suspension if disaster strikes and prolonging the life of a 430. I wonder what % of LS430s are suffering suspension issues - are we talking "when" rather than "if" do you think? Final question from me on suspension - if you convert to coils/struts do you need to do something with the ride height sensors & ECUs and compressor pump to stop it thinking there are issues all the time? So other than air suspension, stereo amplifier issues, radiators needing replacing and failed rear aircon there is nothing really to worry about 😉 Or do most of these things actually work most of the time! It brings me back to my unoriginal LS400 MkIV vs LS430 question a couple of years back. Thanks all.

Thank you. Remind me are LS430s air suspension all round or just the rear? What is the typical cost per corner to budget for when considering running one?