jonthetourist

Hi Brian Not only did I fail to find a used baseball cap, I have now been in touch with the previous owner. He is older than me, quite famous for his charity work, and said "I have always been keen to follow all recommendations at service without delay" which is rather encouraging. So far so good! Jon

Well an interesting development. When I got to the car in Bolton everything checked out except the telescopic function on the steering wheel. They offered me the deposit back plus £60 for the inconvenience as they accepted they hadn't listed that (claimed not to have noticed). I haggled a sizeable discount instead. So today I pulled the relevant fuse and cleaned the contacts, then did the 8-click trick on the column (there's a video, 5 things you don't know about your 430). The column then slid silently down on touching the button. Time will tell if the fix is permanent, but I thought this might be relevant to anyone whose telescoping is not working. 650 miles on the new car so far and all seems well. Jon

So the deed is done - yes, I have updated my profile from 2004 Briarwood Pearl to 2004 Flint Mica. Oh and spent some money . . . The car was not perfect, but pretty sound. 3 keys, and the original PDI document was a bonus. Drove very well, and without any rattles. I am hopeful that once I have had it a year it will be closer to perfect - wheel refurb, paint touch up etc. Five years from now it should have done litres than 80k miles, for two owners, and a full Lexus history, so I think it should still be worth a premium price if I wanted to sell it. Which is unlikely. Thanks for all the input. Jon

That's not a lot of info, so I will start with the obvious answer. Have you tried rocking the steering wheel left and right while trying to turn the key?

I haven't been to do the transaction yet, but chose to sell mine in advance to avoid being a in a weak negotiating position with the dealer.

I think you are right about the dealers. They are obviously in a strong bargaining position once you have arrived. So it has now gone to a good home locally, which is great. I will leave him to advise the forum on the details, as it is his car now. Temporarily Lexus-less! Jon

If Pete is using Osaka and Chris Mullins he has already identified the most competent technical folks in the area.

You're better off with these, Jonathan. It may never be this clean again! https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-ls-430-4-3-4dr-bolton-201905228219778

Just to keep everyone updated on the saga. Lexus Battersea first of all told me they had no record of the car - gulp - then confirmed it from the VIN as it had been on a private plate. Which I had suspected because of the MOT fail on letter spacing. So the service history is confirmed, as is the timing belt replacement in 2014. Meanwhile the guy who missed out on a local 430 recently and has already had a ride in my current car might be coming to look with a view to buying. The dealers offered me £3k as a trade-in, and I have said I will take that rather than holding out for a better price. So my current plan is to buy the car, let Osaka climb all over it as they are better than a main dealer imho, and identify anything that needs doing, then enjoy it for at least a decade. Wish me luck! Jon

Oh good spot! I missed that but called to ask. I think I need the VIN now . . .

Thanks for this, Brian. I am curious how you got the results from Vehicle Smart when they don't publish the reg? I asked for the reg and ran the car through the gov MOT checker site. Initially I was horrified at the number of fails. My car doesn't fail. But looking at the dates they at least verify the service history as they match the stamps. And most of the items listed are not concerning - tyres, brakes, number plate spacing. The big one was a shock absorber fluid leak, which I assume they rectified on service. In fact my reading is they took it for MOT pre-service each time then again post-service for the pass. But I do need to have that conversation with the service dept. If it wasn't my favourite colour combo I would probably be walking away. But I shall persevere for a bit longer, I think. Thanks again, Jon PS If anyone is interested in the dodgy history the reg is LE04 DTZ

I don't suppose anyone here went to see it when it was previously on sale? A specialist dealer would spot an opportunity to mark it up and make a turn on the deal, I guess.

That's interesting! presumably cheaper, yet no-one bought it. I certainly hadn't seen it.

Yes, thanks for that. I had found their dodgy past, but they do seem able to source good cars that main dealers would not sell on age grounds. I have registered a query with the servicing main agent to make sure the history is kosher. But it would seem very hard to fake a one owner / one dealer history? Appreciate the concern. Jon

I have, but curious as to why the question. Do you have any inside info? Jon

Why do you ask? Jon

It's a nice colour! One of the things I like is that low mileage has been consistent - 2 or 3k per year, rather than sitting for years unused.

I love my LS430. What more could you want in a car? I thought I might like a 460 eventually, but Haylands experience, detailed on this forum, put me off. So after 4 years I am replacing my car with . . . drumroll . . . another LS430. At an outrageous price! Some of you may have seen this already: https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-ls-430-4-3-4dr-bolton-201905228219778 They have offered £3k as a trade-in, although no doubt they will chip that when I get there next week. So not at all the cheap option. But we only live once. Jon

Hi Tom I also live about 10 miles from this car. (I'm north) I have owned my 430 for four years. If you want to take a ride in mine to do a compare and contrast you are very welcome. Jon

When I took mine in for service last week there was another 430 in Osaka. They said at some point someone had put the wrong fluid in the trans, and it was causing problems with the solenoids.

I'm in! (R129 SL) Just one thought on your first 430. Finding an independent specialist is very worthwhile for your maintenance. It is a complex beast, and a guy who knows where the potential problems are and checks them out for you is invaluable.

Now on Ebay for slightly less money.

So today I took my 430 to Osaka in Newport for its annual service, for the fourth successive year. When he calculated my bill, he said "It gets smaller every year, as everything comes back to spec". Paid £238, and the only expense / replacement I have to plan for next year is new handbrake shoes. I can live with that. ☺️

Or check out Tayna?