Gorodish

No - it is terrific and really well done - central driving position and all. Full thread on Pistonheads is a great read. The world needs nutters like him!

Here she is. Scrubs up well!

Just got her back from the paint shop. Like new!! These old cars really do polish up well, don't they? All is well that ends well, especially after a week with a courtesy Clio!

There is a great Indy in Sandbach who was recommended by Mr Savage of this forum - fixed my starter motor for a very reasonable sum indeed. And wasn't bothered that it was LPG'd. I would also agree that it is 90% sure to be the contacts! and the eBay kit is cheap and good quality. You might find it will catch if you persevere with it. Pm me for more details of the Indy mechanic. That's a lot of money for an exhaust too when you can get a new stainless cat back exhaust fitted for £360 in Leeds. Stick with it, they are great cars!

I'd need plenty of lube to comment on LPG issues given recent - uh - conversations around here! But I can confirm, no lube, no issue so far. Running beautifully In fact

Re LPG, I reckon it saves 10p/mile, give or take. My LPG conversion was done (touch wood - no problems) by Leeds LPG for £1200 inc, back in Feb. I've done 13,000 miles since then so am now in 'profit'. I think it is a no-brainer if you intend not to turn over cars that often. I've always changed my cars every year or two but I'm thinking now that I will hang onto this car till the end of its economic life. At 20k miles a year - I'd like to take it to 280k, just for the sake of it! It should last another 7 years!! Without wishing to derail the OP's thread, does anyone have experience of racking up serious mileages with their LS's? Anyone running a car above 250k miles? Am I being naive?

It was the parking brake shoes binding. Pistons were sticking. New handbrake cable and shoes and a bit of labour - thanks for all the feedback and ideas - great forum! I now need to get the bodywork fixed after Mr Farmer's modifications! T

Quote is £870 inc VAT. New wing quoted at £120 + VAT - less than I thought it would be! Also another £360 for the damage to my wife's Subaru....as he was parking up to inspect the damage. I suspect it won't be a good weekend for the farmer.....

Steve, I presume the 97 is a Mk4? In which case perhaps you could let me know the price of a drivers side front wing? Consensus is that it is too damaged to repair. They reckon they can do the door ok. It is a real drag and I did feel pretty angry and protective over my baby! Especially as it was so un-necessary - there was loads of room. Still, no blood spilled - yet!

l'll see what the body shop say tomorrow - may be back to you Steve - thanks

Not a good day for my Lexus. Came home in my wife's Subaru this evening to find a tractor falling to squeeze past my LS on the country lane where we live. I've had cars outside the house for the past 18 years without incident - but this tractor was in the middle of ripping off my sidelight pod, and putting a deep gouge into the front wing and driver's door. Poor thing! Farmer ( lives 2 doors up from us) will pay for the repairs. But I think it might need a new door and wing and I don't think Mr Farmer has an idea about the cost of Lexus parts...... Grrrrrr!!!

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'm pretty sure it is not the parking brake - it is too violent and feels really linked to the drivetrain. And it always disappears after stopping (thank God!). I'll replace the cv joint and see if that does the trick.

Sorry to resurrect this thread but it was helpful to me. I had the same intermittent strong driveline vibration, which would 'reset' after stopping the car. Had the cv joint regreased and it went away for a month - but then returned! Regreased again but still there - occasionally and intermittently. Rear nearside wheel feels hotter than the other after it has happened. I can only surmise that it is a damaged cv joint. If so - are non- OEM parts ok to use - they are a lot cheaper? Or could it be parking brake related (doesn't feel like it is brakes - and why would it clear after stopping?). Niggly Lexus at the moment. And if anyone is tempted by cheaper replacement tyres at the moment - be careful - I gave in and put on Maxxis all round at £60 a corner - road noise and ride significantly affected. I should have known!

The eBay kit. You could see the contacts were worn. I think it will be done for 'life' now!

Thread resurrection - thanks to Mr Savage who recommended his garage in Sandbach, I had the job done for £250. Really pleased with the price, quality and relief at finding a garage who were happy to do the job with LPG fitted. It was a lot of unbolting and bolting together but I now have confidence again when turning the key!

Mine just had a broken spring fixed for the MOT - looking back it was riding low at the back. £150 fitted.

Hi Keith, the problem with the V8 is that the starter is in the 'V' of the engine - allegedly to increase refinement! So the LPG just complicates what David has described above - a pig of a job as there is so much to remove to access the blinking thing! Tom

Thanks to all for the suggestions - I'm following up with Jonathan and Tom's Sandbach garage. Will be sure to post back here how I get on. Its a great car and having invested in LPG I'd be losing a huge amount to bail out of it - and what compares?!

Hi everyone - advice needed. I had my Mk4 converted to LPG in January at Leeds - really happy with it. However it has just started to show the signs of the dreaded starter motor worn bushes problem - - occasional click and no turning, Phoned Chester Lexus who quoted a 'reasonable' price for a renovated starter, but when I mentioned the LPG they said they wouldn't touch it. My local garage said the same. Obviously the need to take the inlet manifold and related gubbins off means the LPG injectors need to be part of this removal. Does anyone know of a place in the North West (or further!) who might be reasonable re this and actually quote? And has anyone experience of doing the job with LPG? Just a little warning of the hidden costs and hassle of LPG I guess. Cheers

Thanks for all the advice guys - it just helps to calibrate what to expect. I may well go for Cheshire Oaks Lexus. Stephen - mine certainly has gold badges (and wheels! Blingtastic!) and I regularly trawl up the A55 to Bangor from Ruthin. Dark Blue one. Nice to see you around.

Hi all I'd welcome some idea on what is reasonable price for replacing the cambelt and water pump for my '99 LS400. It hasn't reached the necessary miles yet but is way over on age - it was last done in 2002! Any recommendations for good indy specialists in striking distance of North Wales? Cheers Tom

£134 is not too much in the great scheme of things I guess. Thanks everyone for the advice.

Hi all Carelessly I have managed to break the lip of the very bottom portion of the front spoiler on my '99 LS400 Mk4. Does anyone know if they are removable/ replaceable and if so, any known breakers around who I could speak to? Must have been a high kerb. Or when my wife was driving..... Thanks Tom ps thread title should read 'Front' spoiler in case anyone thinks I've driven into a christening font instead.......

Took mine to France from our home in North Wales this last summer. It was marvellous! Preaching to the converted I know but this is a keeper. So much so that I'm LPG'ing her at Leeds LPG this Sunday. John - letting the kids outnumber you was your first mistake! :)

Cheers - I've checked the battery and it is spot on, newish alternator too. I'll have a look out for the courtesy light issue as my 11 year old has a habit of random button pressing in the back - perhaps Lexus could use him for quality control!