Nice Nige NZ

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share an amazing experience I had the other day in my Lexus

Driving along at about 50mph, coming down a dip and then up a hill, another driver was on the left hand side in a driveway and looked like he was going to pull out as he hadn't seen me. I braked hard to slow down, and suddenly the brakes seemed to work harder than I had actually pushed the pedal and then a whirring noise started and the seat belts tightened and pulled me into my seat and I stopped well before the car in the driveway. As soon as I stopped the seat belts loosened.

I was stunned!

In 5 years of LS ownership this had never happened to me before, and although the car is nearing 9 years old, it all worked like clockwork!

I didn't know it had this capability. I am constantly discovering new things about my beautiful Lexus.

It's the most amazing car In the world, we'll ahead of its time, and I'll never part with her.

My car looks after me and I look after her. In all my life (and that's a long time now!) I have never had such an attachment to a car. People who don't own one just don't get it, but those who do, do!

I was wondering if anyone else here has had the same experience?

Nige

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share an amazing experience I had the other day in my Lexus

Driving along at about 50mph, coming down a dip and then up a hill, another driver was on the left hand side in a driveway and looked like he was going to pull out as he hadn't seen me. I braked hard to slow down, and suddenly the brakes seemed to work harder than I had actually pushed the pedal and then a whirring noise started and the seat belts tightened and pulled me into my seat and I stopped well before the car in the driveway. As soon as I stopped the seat belts loosened.

I was stunned!

In 5 years of LS ownership this had never happened to me before, and although the car is nearing 9 years old, it all worked like clockwork!

I didn't know it had this capability. I am constantly discovering new things about my beautiful Lexus.

It's the most amazing car In the world, we'll ahead of its time, and I'll never part with her.

My car looks after me and I look after her. In all my life (and that's a long time now!) I have never had such an attachment to a car. People who don't own one just don't get it, but those who do, do!

I was wondering if anyone else here has had the same experience?

Nige

Hi Chris,

Time to take stock, and have a holiday to put things in perspective.

Come to sunny NZ, and if you do you can borrow my LS430 to drive around and explore the country.

You'll feel right at home as mine's the same colour as yours.

Now there's an offer you can't refuse!

Nigel

And yes it's just the one door, the others are all good.

I'll be keeping her perfect for as long as I can.

There is something incredibly satisfying driving what I regard as probably the best car in the world, for this price bracket (and some well above), knowing that everything is in excellent working order, no rust anywhere, no paint scratches or dents and perfect wheels!

You can just revel in it and smile to yourself, looking at other car drivers just using cars to get from A to B. For me, the journey is everything. Only Lexus owners get it, I think!

Nige

I should have said that the rust was caused by accident damage to the outside of the door. The previous owner's repairer hadn't done a good job. It probably wasn't visible at the time, but a weakness or crack allowed water to get in and do the damage. I had to get it sorted!

Nige

That's some damage on a 2005 model but excellent retification work cutting out the bad metal and replacing with new,paint job also looks very good.

I take it was just the one door? By any chance were the drain holes clogged therefore allowing the door to retain water.

That's some damage on a 2005 model but excellent retification work cutting out the bad metal and replacing with new,paint job also looks very good.

I take it was just the one door? By any chance were the drain holes clogged therefore allowing the door to retain water.

That's some damage on a 2005 model but excellent retification work cutting out the bad metal and replacing with new,paint job also looks very good.

I take it was just the one door? By any chance were the drain holes clogged therefore allowing the door to retain water.

That's some damage on a 2005 model but excellent retification work cutting out the bad metal and replacing with new,paint job also looks very good.

I should have said that the rust was caused by accident damage to the outside of the door. The previous owner's repairer hadn't done a good job. It probably wasn't visible at the time, but a weakness or crack allowed water to get in and do the damage. I had to get it sorted!

I take it was just the one door? By any chance were the drain holes clogged therefore allowing the door to retain water.

I know how you all love your cars, just like me, so I thought you would be interested to see the pictures of the process to eradicate the rust on my front passenger door, and the finished product. I had the LS polished and protected too. The water just beads and runs off now (whenever I take her out in the rain, which is rarely if possible!)

Nige

Apologies, couldn't get the order perfect, but you get the idea!

I posted my views incorrectly in amongst Bren's comments!

Apologies

Yes, my original LS430 in 2006 was always being mistaken for the big Merc S class (I had one for 3 years, and it was fab actually).
The looks of the LS430 have improved with age and it still has great presence on the road.
I still glance at mine as I walk away and think, you're wonderful and I love it every time I get in go for a drive.
Its a car with personality and a soul.
Now I have connected my Iphone, the sound system is so amazing I hear instruments and sounds in my favourite tunes I never heard before!
Nige

Totally agree with you Lexmanic ............. I so thought the Mk1 was / is a fabulous looking car ............... streets ahead of the competition at the time ....... and still is in my book

Malc

Interesting - when I used to tell my German pals I had a Leuxs they said AH a Mercedes clone. You check them out especially from the back :) The comparisons all stop when you consider the engineering, manufacturing quality, luxuary and ride. People who fix cars regularly tell me that if I had an equivalent BM'er or Merc it would have had two engines, a new gear box and back axel by now.

I don't believe any of us buy the LS for its looks.

Yes, my original LS430 in 2006 was always being mistaken for the big Merc S class (I had one for 3 years, and it was fab actually).

The looks of the LS430 have improved with age and it still has great presence on the road.

I still glance at mine as I walk away and think, you're wonderful and I love it every time I get in go for a drive.

Its a car with personality and a soul.

Now I have connected my Iphone, the sound system is so amazing I hear instruments and sounds in my favourite tunes I never heard before!

Nige

Bren

Totally agree with you Lexmanic ............. I so thought the Mk1 was / is a fabulous looking car ............... streets ahead of the competition at the time ....... and still is in my book

Malc

Interesting - when I used to tell my German pals I had a Leuxs they said AH a Mercedes clone. You check them out especially from the back :) The comparisons all stop when you consider the engineering, manufacturing quality, luxuary and ride. People who fix cars regularly tell me that if I had an equivalent BM'er or Merc it would have had two engines, a new gear box and back axel by now.

I don't believe any of us buy the LS for its looks.

Bren

Grey carpets??

and those rear seats - are they non-ventilated type? - never seen that before

They've mixed up the photos.

That's the back seat of a Jaguar!

Nice car though and lovely prep of the engine bay.

I'm going to get my engine bay looking like that too!

Haven't seen the colour before either!

Nige

More bad news!

the rust had penetrated further than it looked to the eye.

The door had to come off to get at it!

She's not back in my hands until next Friday.....

Its amazing how much you miss your baby when she's not at home.

http://www.precisionautowerk.co.nz/home.htm

I am in good hands, the best body shop in NZ. They deal with all the top end cars.

had my Maserati in their twice and the job was perfect.

Follow the link and have a look at their website.

Enjoy the pics, more next week!

Nige

Bit of a botch job that! Well done for getting it sorted properly and I'd be interested to see any of the photos from the restoration process if that's possible.

More photo's posted below.

Nige

Those pictures should have a warning sticker giving telephone numbers where help in counseling can be obtained.

Good luck with sorting it. Mike

Hi Mike,

Yes, imagine when I spotted it, I wanted to tell someone who would be sympathetic and know what it means to the soul!

So, a Lexus help line would have been perfect, not technical, but more like the samaritans!

Nige

Hi

This is a disaster for any car but especially a Lexus and shows how careful one as to be regarding previous history and accident repairs .In my experience bodyshop repairs eventually fail in time due to several factors, these being time restraint, quality of preparation quality of workmanship finishing and cost factors. The best thing you could have done would have found a good door from a breaker and get that fitted but I suppose the chances of finding one in NZ are remote.Lets hope the repair does the job you are paying for.

Yes, a bit of a disaster. see next photos!

I thought of a new door, and that might be the longer term solution, if I can find one!

but at least I have caught the problem before it gets worse, and it is garaged and won't go out in the rain, if I can hep it!

Nige

1. lexus LS430
2. Maserati Quattroporte
3. E type v12 convertible
4. Austin Healey 3000 mk3
5. Bugatti Veyron
6. Porsche Cayenne turbo s
7. Aston Martin DBS
8. Ferrari California (new)
9. Mercedes S500 (1995)
10. Ferrari Dino 246GT (my dream car when I was a teenager!)

Then I would be very happy!

Hiya!

I know how much you like pictures in this forum!

I am lovingly updating and keeping my LS430 in the best condition it can be!

Imagine my dismay when I noticed the line of rust at the bottom of the passenger front door!

The result of a bodged repair in the past.

Once we took the door panel off on the outside you can see the inner skin wasn't sorted properly and they had put mastic to stick the panel back. The rust came through to the inside of the door eventually obviously!

Its now being lovingly repaired properly, at vast expense!

I'll post some pictures through the process?

Its then being cut and polished and protected, should look beautiful sometime next week!

Nigel

i"ll vote for the wheel bearing too. I have had two go - a front and a back. Mine were expensive to fix - particularly the rear one IIRC

Mike

Thanks Mike.

You're right, the dealer confirmed it and it will be replaced, and it is expensive!

Trouble is it'll take a while as the part needs to come from Japan!

Nige

Hi Nige

You may have a wheel bearing going. When you turn as you load up the bearings you will find they will whine and then stop as you steer the other way. I had one rear left one go (it takes the load on roundabouts etc). To check as you drive down the road steer to the right (just a little) and that will load the left rear - steer left for the right side. It will only take a little flick - mine started with a little buzz and steadily became louder - as you know the slightest noise is audible in our fantastic cars.

204 K miles no back end or gear box problems.

Good luck

Bren

Confirmed by the dealer!

It's the left rear bearing, but it is expensive!

Just shows the value of this forum, the responses gave me a great deal of comfort that it wasn't something terminal!

Btw, these Lexus LS spare parts aren't stocked in NZ as they aren't enough of them, so it's ordered from Japan, and takes two to three weeks to arrive.!!

Yours very gratefully

Nige

Hi Bren,

A quick update.

Tried what you said about steering to the left and the right, and you were spot on!

Turning left the noise reduced significantly!

And turning to the right it came back!

It's in the dealer tomorrow, and I'll update you on their findings and the solution.

Thank you

Nige

Hi Nige

You may have a wheel bearing going. When you turn as you load up the bearings you will find they will whine and then stop as you steer the other way. I had one rear left one go (it takes the load on roundabouts etc). To check as you drive down the road steer to the right (just a little) and that will load the left rear - steer left for the right side. It will only take a little flick - mine started with a little buzz and steadily became louder - as you know the slightest noise is audible in our fantastic cars.

204 K miles no back end or gear box problems.

Good luck

Bren

Hi Bren,

A quick update.

Tried what you said about steering to the left and the right, and you were spot on!

Turning left the noise reduced significantly!

And turning to the right it came back!

It's in the dealer tomorrow, and I'll update you on their findings and the solution.

Thank you

Nige

Good news about the diagnosis Nige - it is not an expensive fix - I have only ever had the one go.

Cheers

Bren

I think I'll have to come over and make a personal inspection !

Malc

Hi Malc,

You would be very welcome!

Any Forum member who loves a Lexus who came to NZ would be picked up in my Lexus and shown the sights!

Nige

Hi Nige

You may have a wheel bearing going. When you turn as you load up the bearings you will find they will whine and then stop as you steer the other way. I had one rear left one go (it takes the load on roundabouts etc). To check as you drive down the road steer to the right (just a little) and that will load the left rear - steer left for the right side. It will only take a little flick - mine started with a little buzz and steadily became louder - as you know the slightest noise is audible in our fantastic cars.

204 K miles no back end or gear box problems.

Good luck

Bren

Hi Bren,

A quick update.

Tried what you said about steering to the left and the right, and you were spot on!

Turning left the noise reduced significantly!

And turning to the right it came back!

It's in the dealer tomorrow, and I'll update you on their findings and the solution.

Thank you

Nige

Perhaps it was purring at the experience rather than whining ..................... :outforcount:

Malc

Love it

If it whines, is coming from the rear and varies in pitch dependent on speed it sounds differential related however I've never heard of a diff problem on an LS.

The only easy thing to check is the oil level and then drain it and see if there are metal fragments in there.

I know it was recently imported from the UK they don't by any chance drain all the fluids for shipping and then refill on it's arrival do they?

Another possible cause is a worn wheel bearing but again easy to diagnose, if this is the case have the caliper checked for seizing, I'm thinking as it happened on a long run if the brake was binding things would get pretty hot and possibly overheat the hub and bearing.

Is it 3 de-merit points in NZ plus a fine, the same as Oz for speeding?

I forgot, No they don't drain any fluids, they have to drive the cars in and out of the container.

Nige

If it whines, is coming from the rear and varies in pitch dependent on speed it sounds differential related however I've never heard of a diff problem on an LS.

The only easy thing to check is the oil level and then drain it and see if there are metal fragments in there.

I know it was recently imported from the UK they don't by any chance drain all the fluids for shipping and then refill on it's arrival do they?

Another possible cause is a worn wheel bearing but again easy to diagnose, if this is the case have the caliper checked for seizing, I'm thinking as it happened on a long run if the brake was binding things would get pretty hot and possibly overheat the hub and bearing.

Is it 3 de-merit points in NZ plus a fine, the same as Oz for speeding?

Thanks Steve, that's really helpful, I'll pass it onto my guy at Lexus.

The speeding points system is out of 100, then you lose your licence.

10 points for 0-10km over

20 points for 11-20km over

35 points for 21-30km over

I was 113km in a 100km, so 20 points, trouble is, I got 35 points a week or so earlier in my Maserati, when not paying attention (103km in an 80km)

Lucky the speed cameras and disguised camera vans don't give points, just fines, otherwise I would have lost the licence ages ago!!

Thanks again

Nigel

Any insight into this possible problem, would be gratefully received.

On the way back from Napier to Auckland, a drive of 272 miles, just before my destination on the motorway I noticed a hum coming from the back, well that's what it sounds like! It also sounds like the car wants to be in a higher gear for the speed, but its already in sixth (based on road speed and engine revs) and its varies with speed not engine revs.

The Lex drove to Napier a couple of days earlier, without a hitch, as expected (apart from a speeding ticket, I was doing 70mph [national speed limit is 62mph!]) And it started the journey to Auckland without a sound.

The first 80 miles (Napier to Taupo) is a wonderful windy road through mountains (amazing views) with good passing places, meaning I could really use the sport gearbox and stretch her legs. It was great to use the power and feel how nimble the car can be when pushing on.

Anyway, I digress....

Its going into the dealer tomorrow to see if they can find out the problem, but any advice or thoughts from the forum would definitely help get the issue sorted more quickly. The car is so quiet the noise is driving me to distraction!!

:eerrrmm:

yours worriedly, Nige

Mines 2002 and ls430 .......

Anyone beat my mileage 332,000 miles????

What's everyone else's done , answers on a postcard to

The moon and back

Still running

Lexus county

Never break down land

That's amazing, Frosty!

Mines 47,000 on an 05 plate, so many more years of enjoyment to come.....

I agree with the other comments, its the best car I have ever driven bar none!

Nigel