Bluesbreaker

Hi Barry, without seeming to sound negative,it sounds like you'll encounter a problem sourcing a roof/ski-rack for your car,I enquired on the Forum recently, regarding a roof-rack for my LS400, a Member kindly pointed me in the direction of a potential supplier-who,when contacted, informed me that he had in the past supplied them for Lexus cars-but,due to lack of demand,had stopped selling them,the upshot being,they are very difficult to come by,-notwithstanding, the friendly 'abuse' I endured by a couple of Forum members expressing their horror at anyone wanting to install a roof-rack on any big Lexus!

Not a problem with me either.

Roads were better than what I thought they'd be-I'm here-where are you all then!........

Roads were better than what I thought they'd be-I'm here-where are you all then!........

I think its going to bucket with rain here (MK) tonight -rain forecast tomorrow as well-ho hum-anyone coming from my area? Maybe make a convoy-(I'm coming: MK-Buckingham,Bicester,M40-Gaydon)

Just made my day, reading that Mike!

They charge £20 for that service dahn 'ere Ian.....

What an ignominious fate for such a fine piece of engineering as an LS400 -reduced to being a donor-car for banger-racing,plus they can't even use the original engine? Your right too,-sighting another LS 400 on the roads today,is become a rare occurrence, on a round trip to Scotland recently of 800 miles and two weeks, I saw one,and that was 10 miles from home,on the way back!

......sorry-posted twice-senior moment....

Ah yes-Pressure-Washers- reminds me of an old acquaintance of mine, back in the early 80's, who was a bit of a Classic Car collector,he was showing-off his latest acquisition to everyone,still on the trailer he'd used to transport it on,he couldn't resist giving it a clean to get the dust and muck off the car ( a black, -weren't they all? 1947 Jaguar SS100) he cranked-up his shiny new Karcher steam-pressure washer,and despite advice from the group assembled there to greet the latest addition to his 'stable' of cars,not to do it,-he played the jet of steam along the side of the car in one long sweep-in the process,removing a strip of paint as wide as gaffer tape and around three feet long,-took it down to the bare metal,we all looked aghast at the damage,though after a lengthy restoration, the Jag looked stunning,it taught everyone present,a lesson in how not to use a pressure washer on any car paintwork in future, -I've also seen engines washed using a P/W, wouldn't start because of water driven deep into electrical-components by the pressure,great pieces of kit,-but user beware.

Ah yes-Pressure-Washers- reminds me of an old acquaintance of mine, back in the early 80's, who was a bit of a Classic Car collector,he was showing-off his latest acquisition to everyone,still on the trailer he'd used to transport it on,he couldn't resist giving it a clean to get the dust and muck off the car ( a black, -weren't they all? 1947 Jaguar SS100) he cranked-up his shiny new Karcher steam-pressure washer,and despite advice from the group assembled there to greet the latest addition to his 'stable' of cars,not to do it,-he played the jet of steam along the side of the car in one long sweep-in the process,removing a strip of paint as wide as gaffer tape and around three feet long,-took it down to the bare metal,we all looked aghast at the damage,though after a lengthy restoration, the Jag looked stunning,it taught everyone present,a lesson in how not to use a pressure washer on any car paintwork in future, -I've also seen engines washed using a P/W, wouldn't start because of water driven deep into electrical-components by the pressure,great pieces of kit,-but user beware.

I had a 7-series back in the early 80's, bought it with 12,000 on the clock,2.8litre,Lapis Blue was the colour,for its time,it was considered a luxury car,but I always hankered after the larger engined model, lovely car, -having said that though,70,000 miles, and two years later,the transmission, steering assembly,suspension, in fact, the whole car generally, despite being looked after and serviced regularly by a BMW garage, was showing signs of real wear and tear, I wasn't impressed, and sold it,never to entertain owning a Beemer again, far superior engineering in a Lexus anyway. .......

.....that old chestnut again-a near-side door mirror for a '98 LS400 please, black -but I'd take one with pink polka-dots,and paint the damn thing myself,if it'll get me a mirror that works.

Stymied now-company has stopped making them-not enough demand, I didn't fancy restricting my cruise-speed with a roof-rack anyway......

Hey Phil,Thanks for your reply and info-I've sent them an email,appreciate it,Iain.

Going on a 400+ mile journey on Friday,and due to extra passengers will need to install a roof-rack- can It be done on an LS? (Looks to be minimal anchor-points-doors flush-fitting etc) appreciate any advice from anyone here,who has one,or has fitted one.

All you fellow LS400 owners going on about your air-con,all the money I've spent on mine this year-(services/cambelt/sundries) I've been asked by my Mechanic: 'do you want me to re-gas your air-con?' Shivering in his workshop in May this year,I answer: 'nah, its not worth it,it'll be another near-Arctic Summer again' -me, and my big mouth.........nearly baked to a frazzle on Saturday last,on a day-out to the Cotswolds-good job I've got a sunroof...........

I'm disgusted that parasites like that are allowed to operate in the UK, -but then Our Fearless Leader -Cameron, was a Non-Executive Director of a company,one of whose subsidiary-is Wonga-double standards,anyone? (or conflict of interest?)

I envy your location Mike, wish I lived in a much more Rural/Civilised Area,-round here, they'd steal the sugar out of your tea-and,I pay three times your premium for the privilege,but then, your's would be cheaper, as your older than me?...........

I've been told by a Lexus-trained mechanic,that its possible to do it yourself,( mine is needing looked-at also,its got a leak) but its a daunting prospect, -as I'm not sure if fiddling with the steering-rack,is something that my mechanical knowledge/competence is up to these days! Good luck anyway,hope you get it fixed.

Is that you walking in front with the red flag Steve-can't quite see with these glasses on.............mmm..........

Thanks for all the positive, knowledgeable feedback on this thread, truth is, I won't be changing cars anytime soon,i'll be sticking with Lexus, (my LS) for the moment, as the song went: "money's too tight to mention"- but its nice to dream. ....

Sorry, I was so overcome with awe...I omitted to mention that,yes he let me drive it,( around the block,admittedly)very smooth, very responsive, noisier than my 98' LS, but in an "engineeringly pleasant way" -stonkin' wheels he had on it,( why,oh why, did I not take photos?) seriously impressed, if this is the lower-end of the Lexus range, then the bigger they get, the better they get,( I'm gonna' get some flack for that remark,heads down!)

Hi Folks,I apologise in advance,as I'm the owner of an LS400- and far be it for me to trespass on this Forum,unless,it be with good reason, that being today, attending a Family Christening, one of my relatives arrived, driving his 2 year old Lexus 220, (I was so impressed by this car,that's all the detail that registered with me) -its black,low mileage (above) and quality inside-yes quality,I want one, and I want one now.....