NiceNige

Yes it does, and the front seat head region protectors seem to be a popular added extra - see this...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-1249661944.htm

Nige

Paul,

the dealer has got back to me now

its $18 for a replacement, about £10.

i can get it and send it to you?

not sure how we are allowed to communicate directly. I could send you my mobile number and you can send me your email address and we can then exchange details, then I can send it to you and you could transfer the cost to my UK bank a/c once you receive it?

let me know

Nige

Paul,

my dealer is looking into it today my time, it's the offside rear door isn't it?

Nige

Hi Paul,

I had one of these break off on my LS430 and my dealer found a replacement no problem.

I looked through my records (I keep all my invoices on work done, thinking I will add it all up one day, but scared to...) and can't find it itemised on any of them. I think it wasn't expensive and so he replaced it for me out of goodwill. Definitely didn't need a complete handle.

I'm popping in to see my dealer soon for some other stuff so I'll ask and see if I can get some more info. It's NZ though, but I could get one and send it to you?

Nige

PS it has two little lugs and it clicks/pops on, one of my lugs was broken

8 hours ago, Haylands said:

Well after fitting the tyres the car drove very well and we went away at the weekend and did several hundred miles and unfortunately I don't like it...!!!

My old 430 was a superb car, easy and relaxing to drive, it just wafted along and if you wanted to get a hurry on it would oblige but most of the time it just settled into it's stride....

The 460 is a totally different animal, it's like driving a puppy on a lead, it just wants to go all the time, little subtlety to it, it's too keen and doesn't seem to settle, the smallest accelerator input and it want's to change down a few cogs and take off like a scalded cat.. I drove like Miss Daisy hoping the adaptations would work it out and tone it down and it did get a bit better but it is certainly not a relaxing drive. It was my good lady who mentioned after a couple of hundred miles... "You don't seem to like this car" even she noticed my frustration with it.....

So, I've spent a couple of days evaluating options and although it's a great car and has all the extras I wanted I'm cutting my loses and selling it.... such a shame....

So to those who asked what it was like compared to a 430, that's my answer, I'm sure lots will love it but not me... 

 

Hi Pete,

i have been reading your updates on the LS460 avidly over the last few weeks, fascinating and impressive.

I've had two Ls430's now, each for four years, and I'm keeping my current one as long as I can. I agree, the LS460 is a lovely car at many levels, and I was going to upgrade a number of times, but it just wasn't as cosseting and soulful. I prefer the LS430 so I totally agree with you.

Each time I drive my LS430 I marvel at its refinement and ease of use. My friends just don't get it, only the owners here get it. I drive a Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS too which is fabulous, but if I go on a longish journey, guess what car keys are in my hand 😀. I have connected a Vaistech which lets me play my apple music or Spotify through the wonderful music system. It's heaven at any speed.

I couldn't bear to sell my LS because if I did, every time I see one I would want it back again. 

I'm sure you have a difficult decision ahead of you.

Nige

I know, these cars are amazing, and unless you have one, others don't get it. Had my first LS430 (it was Silver with grey leather) for four years and when I sold it to go to NZ I literally cried. Missed it so much that I had to buy another, which after a short stint in the UK is now back in NZ with me. in fact it must be the most travelled by sea Lexus, it's been to NZ from UK then back to UK and now back to NZ. I've had it 4 Years now and I intend to keep it a very long time. In fact I've just bought a 4 year Lexus warranty here for $2,500 (about £1500 in post Brexit exchange rates) which I thought was very reasonable after replacing an air shock in the UK a couple of months ago for nearly £1,000! It's on 67,000 miles now, the last 20,000 in my hands.

I still marvel at the effortless way it drives and delivers power, totally quiet, and with an amazing sound system ( hooked up to my iPod).

Here's a picture of her taken yesterday. The comment above by Mark about gleaming paintwork is so right.

It's only the readers on this forum that have any idea why the thought of selling is so hard to contemplate, because as soon as she's gone you will hanker after her.

🤓

On 3 October 2016 at 10:23 AM, steve2006 said:

In Cyprus at the moment so took a look at the available Lexus cars over here for sale, all RHD here of course.

Found this 1998 model with a claimed 17,000 KMs on it, only one picture but looks nice as I doubt rust is a problem over here unless on the coast.

Ten times the price I paid for my 1999 albeit with 134,000 miles on the clock, would have been better had the euro not dropped so much to its present rate against the pound.

Most of the taxis here are stretch Mercedes with the double row back seats.

http://sellbuycar.com/lexus/ls/lexus-ls-1998-cyprus-2010

 

Steve,

being a Celsior man, I thought you would love to see this Celsior for sale in NZ

possibly the lowest mileage most pristine Celsior anywhere!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-1115795564.htm

Nigel

4 minutes ago, mikeyv said:

Swap tyres around, see if anything changes.

If not, at least you have eliminated one possible cause.

Good idea, will try that too.

13 minutes ago, ambermarine said:

Hi Nigel

It would be interesting to know the mileage ,I had some issues with my first LS that were speed and direction influenced.

I thought at first it was the prop shaft then the gearbox and the diff which all turned out fine .

This was around 150k and it got gradually worse ,I took it to a local garage and put it on a rolling road and locked the front wheels we then identified the vibration /rumbling as being caused by the trailing arm bushes at the back, front and rear fixings badly worn.

I advise pinning the location down then look for worn bushings in the suspension.

Thank you.

The mileage us 64,500, with 17,000 easy driven miles with me.

mmm, trailing arms could be the culprit, it does feel like something is worn like the bushings which would be noticeable when under stress, say at speed.

I'll ask the Lexus technicians to check that too

Nige 

31 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

Lovely car!

Either a wheel bearing or uneven tyre wear comes to mind.  A wheel bearing can usually be determined by checking to see if it increases when cornering.  I've also had annoying rumbling sounds from tyres that look OK but aren't.

Thank you, I love my Lexus and I try to keep it looking and working like new, my friends and family don't understand it

I thought about bearings too, I had one go at the rear a couple of years ago, and diagnosed it by turning left and right. The noise doesn't change when I do that now, and it's more of a rumbling than the bearing which was higher pitched whining.

it could still be that though, and I will ask the engineer to check.

Tyres at the front are even wear pattern, I've had nitrogen in them for the last three years.

I know how everyone loves pictures, and here are some of my lovely Lex with its new number plates - only Lexus LS owners will get it!

But seriously, I have a noise issue which I'm going to Lexus next week to see if they can diagnose it, so any help or insight beforehand would be very gratefully received. The issues is that the LS cars are so quiet that any noise at all becomes very irritating after a while.

I have a low hollow rumbling noise from the front at any speed over 60-65 mph. It's very noticeable well over 70mph. I thought it might have been the rear suspension damper issue I had, but that's replaced and it's still there. I hardly noticed it much before as in NZ where I have been driving the car for the last 4 years you can't drive faster than that and the motorways are very smooth typically. The noise is also there over harsh surfaces but can be subdued on very very smooth road surfaces. Its has to be something as my first LS430 that I had for 5 years didn't have the problem, I'm pretty sure. My tyres are Bridgestone Potenza RE050A standard issue, which I've always had and on my first LS with no issues.

It's driving me nuts, as it's all I can hear and think about as I drive!! 😱

Thank you in advance for any insightful suggestions.

Nige

On 11 July 2016 at 9:26 AM, cruisermark said:

Hi

LS430 is a brilliant car - i know i have one!

The LS430 suspension is complicated business in the past a member had problems getting an independent to replace some suspension parts - they could not get the suspension to rise back up again because of some software or electrical glitch so really if you want piece of mind then the only route is take into the main dealer. If you want to save a bit of money on parts try getting a quote from Amayama.com - they will sell genuine parts at a discount

I have a feeling the the misting comment could be an over kill because the suspension is reasonably reliable with a limited number of total failures - suspension controllers are more common failures due to water ingress - mainly on the pre facelift 430.

I would take it to lexus and ask them to inspect the suspension and give an opinion - maybe even leave it and monitor it after cleaning it.

mine has 135K with no suspension problems.

Reference the interior boot release - make sure the key barrel is unlocked and not pushed in

 

Hi,

thank you for the key barrel advice, it worked! At first I thought you meant the key barrell on the boot itself not next to the boot release. It took time but I got there.

nigel

20 hours ago, mrdoofa said:

I'd definitely get the radiator changed (it is the main engine coolant radiator). My LS430 had this issue and the gearbox completely failed all of a sudden without warning on mine. I now have a mk4 LS400 because I've been told they don't have this problem and also no air suspension worries. If the MOT advisory just says light misting of oil, I'd leave it for now if the suspension all operates fine. I've seen that advisory a lot on LS430s. Looks a nice car you have there though.

Thank you, but how does the main engine coolant radiator effect the gearbox?

11 hours ago, piasek said:

Correct me if I'm wrong. Air shock absorber is normal shock absorber (with oil inside) that is build into air unit that allows to control the height of the car and replace standard spring. If all of above is correct then if you have leak from oil shock absorber which means it will have negative impact on car handling even if the car height is correct (air unit is still fine).

Hi Piasek,

thanks for that, I agree. It might have been my imagination but the left side looked lower than the right but when I measured the height of the rear mud flaps from the ground they were exactly the same distance from the ground, supporting your theory. The air unit is ok, it's the oil part that's the problem and I have noticed the handling is a bit 'off' .

Nige

On 11 July 2016 at 0:16 PM, steve2006 said:

Welcome back Nigel, are you the same guy who also used to have a series I LS400 and came to the Doncaster meet?

It is the engine coolant radiator they are refering to, there is a transmission intercooler mounted at the bottom, a leak occurs allowing the 2 fluids to mix and wrecking the gearbox.

Suprised to hear an air strut is "misting" I thought there was no fluid in them to produce a mist being an air suspension unit.

No, it wasn't me with the LS400.

i was surprised too!

2 hours ago, messi said:

Hi there

Thing I'd recommend is changing the suspension to coilovers which will cost around £600 and that's for all 4 I think, because if one air suspension is leaking now, it wont before the other one starts leaking. Okay so that ride may not be that smooth anymore, but you'd save alot of money, and another thing to do if it hasnt already been done is replace the radiator, as they can start to leak into the gearbox and then you'll need a new or refurbished gearbox.

 

And your lexus looks very nice, beautiful colour and the wheels suit it

Hi Messi,

Thank you, and the comment on the wheels, I think it looks like a special edition!

I will consider the coil overs, but which radiator are you referring to?

Nigel

2 hours ago, cruisermark said:

Hi

LS430 is a brilliant car - i know i have one!

The LS430 suspension is complicated business in the past a member had problems getting an independent to replace some suspension parts - they could not get the suspension to rise back up again because of some software or electrical glitch so really if you want piece of mind then the only route is take into the main dealer. If you want to save a bit of money on parts try getting a quote from Amayama.com - they will sell genuine parts at a discount

I have a feeling the the misting comment could be an over kill because the suspension is reasonably reliable with a limited number of total failures - suspension controllers are more common failures due to water ingress - mainly on the pre facelift 430.

I would take it to lexus and ask them to inspect the suspension and give an opinion - maybe even leave it and monitor it after cleaning it.

mine has 135K with no suspension problems.

Reference the interior boot release - make sure the key barrel is unlocked and not pushed in

 

Thank you, Cruisermark,

I will give it a second opinion and on the boot release, the key barrel is unlocked.

But I found our something new - one key fits the barrel but the other does not, and the cut looks exactly the same!

Nigel

2 hours ago, ambermarine said:

Hi 

Nige

The suspension issue can be resolved only by replacement of the unit that is leaking as they are  sealed units and not repairable.

The boot release could be several fault lines  .The battery in your fob is weak the signal transmitter or receiver could be faulty ,or the release solenoid is sticking in the catch .

Take a look at the solenoid release on the catch first and go through the other fault lines until you find it.

If you feel you would like to dispense with the ongoing issues that occur with the air suspension you could convert to coil over springs.

Nice example by the way.

2 hours ago, Malc said:

Nigel, hi, welcome back.  I do remember you getting your Lexus and going to NZ, didn't realise it was two years ago though.

You've come up against the fearsome air suspension debacle and I'm sorry for that. I know nothing of the practicalities of this but I'm sure someone will advise the options here, possibly ( but not with Lexus main dealer )  just changing all 4 legs to non-air and at a total possible cost of just the one air replacement too !.

In the time you've been away it seems to be the given advice that the radiator should also be changed at some near time to avoid ruining your gearbox !  There's threads on this.

 

Now, brand new Mercedes and economical 43mpg  makes me chuckle a little with such amazing fuel economy being achieved at a capital cost of £70,000  .........  one could buy many many Ls430s and get normal comparatively uneconomic fuel economy and save loadsa dosh in capital spend  ......  and I suspect Mercedes Main Dealer servicing costs too which I guess might be comparable to Lexus.

I've personally deferred my Ls600 purchase indefinitely, well until my own Mk3 passes on, which if I'm lucky might co-incide with me !

Good luck with the air stuff.

Malc

 

Hi Malc,

Could you please let me know which radiator you are referring to? not the main water radiator I assume.

Nigel

Thank you, wow you guys are right on to it, I am amazed how quickly everyone has given me helpful tips.

I think I will give this one a go and replace it, and If I get another, then consider coil over springs.

I'll check the solenoid

Nigel

Hi to all Lexus aficionados,

I'm a new member (was a member a couple of years back, but couldn't log in with my old sign on).

straight to the point- my MOT a couple of weeks ago gave me an advisory on my left rear shock absorber, there was a fine mist of oil on it though not leaking or dripping, in contrast to the right side which was dry. My local Lexus dealer who I haven't used yet (see below) quoted nearly £800 for the part and £200 for fitting, gulp! It is air suspension. 

Does anyone know of any options? I do like to keep my LS430 perfect though, it's an 05 with 64,000 miles.

if I join as a gold member I assume the dealer will give me 10% discount?

second issue, the interior boot release doesn't work, the only way to open the boot is to stand with the key at the back and press the release mechanism to the right of the number plate - what could this fault be?

any help on these two issues would be greatly appreciated.

Note to readers.

My Lexus has just been imported back from NZ as I've just moved back to the UK. I bought it in the UK 4 years ago and shipped it out to NZ then. Why would I go through the expense of that - because it's the best car in the world. The trials and tribulations of dealing with customs and HMRC, is another very long story, they wanted VAT and duty on original purchase cost to me!!

Anyway, the excellence of the Lex was recently made clearer. In the last month I have also been running a brand new Merc S class 350d. Very smooth and economical, 43mpg, it cost about £65-70,000, but I prefer the ride and experience of my Lexus. A picture of it below, as I know we all love pictures - my wheels are body coloured, not everyone's choice I know, but it does look stunning.

oh, since I've been back in the UK, since end of April, I haven't seen a single LS400/430 on the road. That's amazing! I'm in the south near Southampton. And it been wonderful to drive her at more than 60mph (quite a lot more!) as the speed limit is strictly enforced and adhered to in NZ.

Nige