Tulpen

16 hours ago, Malc1 said:

I’m quite shocked at the relatively low numbers of Ls’s’ sold …… and initially supporting the Main Dealer network, appearing as High Quality showrooms …… and complimentary coffee too 😄 

Must have been quite an event in one’s life to pop along to buy a brand new early Ls400

Malc 

Yes, but mostly you did that at a Toyota garage.

Can you give us a it more info?   How many miles has it done, when and where was it last serviced etc.

My 460 has a sunroof which I have only opened once - to check if there was any rust (there wasn't).  One of the reasons I drive an LS is because it is whisper quiet. I have the aircon on all the time and I'm a happy bunny!

3 hours ago, Colin M said:

Maybe it hasn’t been changed! If that is the case, the belt has lasted very well. Not really any cause for concern when it is a non-interference engine if the belt does snap.

Unless, of course it fails on a dark and rainy night in the middle of nowhere. I've been an LS owner (400 and 460) for 27 years now and the best piece of advice I can give is to get your machine serviced regularly and on time. They are magnificent machines but you have to play your part.

One of the reasons I didn't go for the SE-L was the small boot. While all the extra bells and whistles may sound good in the golf club bar, just how many times do you use them? 

Rear air-conditioning may be useful in southern USA or the Middle East but how many times do you REALLY need it in the UK. The reclining/massaging seats are great if you have a chauffeur or regularly carry someone with a bad back. And, in this age of I-pads, tablets and smart phones, do you really need the entertainment system? 

The 'normal' boot is huge and I love it.

Just my tuppence worth...........

Try this:   Wind Noise Fix Jim Craneys Modified Option. - 07 - 16 Lexus LS460 / LS460L / LS600h - Lexus Owners Club of North America

The extra connection might be for an AM aerial.

The wing mirror whistle is a common problem and has an easy fix:

Instructions For The "JMcRaney Wind Noise Fix" - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

Best thing so far is that if the parking sensors detect an obstruction, you have a sweet female japanese voice saying something presumably along the lines of 'watch out'! 

She is saying 'you want happy ending'?

In fairness, Malc, I don't think many of us on here buy a new LS. Most are sold to companies and, after a few years, members on here snap up a bargain. 

My first LS (bought in 1997) was 3 years old and my second (2013) 6 years old.

My 460 had a tracker fitted, when new. After two years the subscription wasn't renewed and everyone forgot about it.

It took two Battery replacements (free of charge) before the dealer decided to investigate in-depth and remove the culprit.

48 minutes ago, The Lexus Enthusiast said:

Had a look at the museum from dutchie01's link he provided. It looks like a great day out, especially if there's an LS400 in there.

Must have been fun getting a 460 over in the Netherlands. How was the experience? What condition are they in over there in general. I've seen frequently in the UK that some people are buying them for cheap easy power and so some are getting a but neglected sadly which is terrible. 

I bought my 460 from the Lexus dealer in Breda in 2013. It had been the garage demonstrator then the MD's personal transport, so it had been very well looked after. Cars, in general, are in good condition over here - second-hand prices are pretty high. The conditions of the roads has, in my opinion, a lot to do with it. In a recent survey, the roads in Holland and Switzerland were considered to be the best in the world.

The Louwman museum in The Hague is really great. I've been there a few times when friends and relatives are visiting. As I said, the 400 on exhibit is the first one sold in Holland.

I live in the west of Holland, about half way between Amsterdam and The Hague. Between 2000 and 2012, I lived here about 4 months every year and brought my British LS400 with me. In that time, I didn't see another LS.

In 2012 we decided to spend about 8 months a year here and bought a Dutch LS460. Since then I've seen two others - both at the dealer's.

There is an LS430 somewhere close to me, I've seen it parked in a shopping mall car park but never had a chance to talk to the owner.

The original, Dutch registered, LS400 (1993) can be seen in the Louwman Museum in The Hague. It's a great museum, well worth a visit.

The LS is a very rare beast in Holland.

I've never paid much heed to car magazine reviews. The way they drive has very little in common with the way most of the rest of us utilise our vehicles.  I mean, why would you want to floor the accelerator in an LS. You have more than enough spare power to do what you with just a small pedal movement. The LS gets you from A to B quickly and in sublime comfort........appreciate it.

14 hours ago, ambermarine said:

The 1998 Lexus Ls400 was not factory fitted with sensors thank god just a load of hassle.

I have to disagree. Parking sensors, combined with a reversing camera, are a boon to those of us who are 'getting on a bit and no longer have 24 year-old spines.'

As for hassle, I've had one sensor changed in my 16 year-old 460 - and that was last week.

With the state of the roads in the UK, I would think that the last thing you would want to do is lower the suspension.

Is it true that your Owner's Handbook is written in Latin?  😁

33 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

The “fix” is to drive more rationally methinks ! 

Malc 🥲

Exactly, Malc. The LS was never designed to be driven like a Golf GTI......these are classy ladies.   In my 26 years of LS ownership, I have never needed to use max revs. A gentle squeeze of the throttle, coupled with that wonderful V8, is more than sufficient.

You missed out the bit where it says 'This is one of the ...........'     You aren't a leader writer for the 'SUN' are you?  😃

If I remember correctly, the main lights have to be selected on to get the fog lights to work.

I had my radiator replaced after 100,000 miles/10 years as a precaution, having read of the problem from other members on the forum.  The mechanic told me that there were signs of stress at the oil pipe connections to the oil cooler. The problem seems to be one of dissimilar metals (I can never remember if that is called electrolytic action or galvanic action - it's a long time since my engineering studies) but it definitely occurs. As Steve says, it's better to spend a few hundred pounds now than thousands later on a replacement gearbox.

The idea of combining the oil cooler and water radiator was, probably, made as a cost saving project. I understand that it was common throughout the Toyota/Lexus range for some time. 

I had the same problem during my 15 years of LS 400 ownership. When I switched the AC 'ON' there was a discernible drop in engine RPM but no AC operation. It turned to be a compressor fault and I had it replaced. It was the only expensive problem I had with the car in all those years. Unlike Malc, I think that AC is essential......and why would you drive an LS with the windows open, when one of the joys of owning one is the complete silence as you waft along the highway!

5 hours ago, BigBoomer said:

As for being irked,...... I feel we are pretty much all in the irked age range (Grumpy Old Men!) 🤣

And proud of it!

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

I get erked  quite easily these days  😂

Welcome to the club, Malc!

Daniel, you are absolutely correct. Family matters more than anything. As a fellow 460 owner, I can understand that you will miss your Lexus but, if I was in your position, I'd do exactly the same thing.

Bon chance, mon ami!