cornershop

Lower profile tyres allow you to fit larger diameter wheels without affecting the overall rolling diameter (much), which maintains speedo accuracy. Shallower sidewalls should also offer more resistance against deformation during cornering at the expense of (some) ride comfort - how much is dependent on how thin a profile you go to (55,50,45 etc).

Less than the asking price :)

Yes, I'm thinking the same and will DIY the oil change using an oil extractor via the dipstick tube. I've got plenty of decent oil (Total/Elf SL 5w/40) which I bulk bought a while ago for my other cars.

Lexus Edgware Road I'd assume use Lexus parts; JEM nearby also use genuine Lexus parts but are only £12 cheaper than Lexus.

Q - does anyone sell clear side repeaters for the LS? I normally avoid such 'garnishes' however they might suit in this instance

Yes! Considering I didn't pay much more for the car itself!

Confirmed that this price also includes the tensioner. Thing is, I can't get an engine oil change without paying for their basic service which is £199 for the LS!

Thanks all - the pics do hide a few of the defects, but there's not many. MLW - Ive not heard of a Hamilton alignment before only Hunter which KwikFit do, but yes a good idea when I get tyres changed.

Updated with breakdown: "The Autodata book time to replace the water pump is 3 hours (timing belt removed). I have quoted you for genuine Lexus parts and the breakdown is below. Labour £270.00 Tensioner £92.35 Idler Pulley £93.68 Timing Belt £51.14 Water pump £92.83 Coolant £20.00 VAT £124.00 Total £744.00"

So i collected the car today and enjoyed the waft home back to north London. The car had been washed so it was nice to see it in its true colour (Mica green), which it wears very well if I say so myself, especially with the cream (Suffolk?) leather interior which has really grown on me. It helps that the interior is such a nice place to be and oozes class - the only thing that lets it down IMO is the 'quality' of the column stalk movement! The drive home was very pleasant; i hadn't realized i had notched the selector into '4' instead of D, which once corrected dropped the rpm down by 6-700 making for an even more relaxed drive home. I think my old S8 is on a par with the Lexus in terms of motorway refinement, although that wore quieter tyres than the ditchfinders the Lexus is currently wearing. I really couldn't believe i was driving a 1k car, i can't think of anything that could complete for that kind of money. Next steps: Insert family members to check for size and acceptability (heated seats are a big sales plus with the Mrs) Book in for fluid change (engine, gearbox and coolant) and maybe cambelt, water pump etc - brake and diff fluid were changed last year Investigate whine from engine at standstill from >1200 rpm and once moving - the pitch changes with revs, irrespective of gear, hoping its one of the pulleys im about to change and nothing too serious. Re-affix loose trim/cladding items x2 - are these stuck on combo of double sided tape and screws ? Adjust tyre pressures and check wheel torque - slight steering wheel wobble at m-way speed Maybe seek out some DHP alloys Thanks all to those who provided their input on my other thread, really very much appreciated. Here it is, a whole lot dirtier than when i left the vendor! Shirish

Thanks, I'm tempted to get it booked in with Lexus. Just got car home and pretty sure I can hear noisy pulleys. I hear a whine which rises with revs when i blip the throttle at idle?

Lexus (MainDealer) Edgware Road quoting £757 for belt, pump and pulleys.

Another quote, this time from JEM on Edgware Road (not the Jemca group main dealer)...... "To replace the timing belt with the tensioner and idler pulleys and the water pump with changing the engine coolant will cost £743.00 inclusive of parts, labour & VAT.

No probs! I've read a couple of times that 95ron is all that's required and not super unleaded

Thanks scribe, Phil It makes sense to tackle any other parts/jobs whilst its apart, so will seek their recommendation. This was the original scope of the quote that the garage would have received via autobutler so will confirm 100% if tensioner included - "I would like a complete change of timing belt, including water pump, belt tensioners, jockey pulleys and topping up of anti-freeze"

Gents, received the following quote from a local garage via autobutler.co.uk - does it sound reasonable? "Thank you for your enquiry. Prices are subject to damages/defects that can only be seen after disassembly. If damage/defects are found during the work, you will receive a phone call to get your acceptance of any repairs. All parts that are replaced are kept in case you wish to see them when picking up the car. All prices include VAT and labour costs. Here is the specification of the requested quote: Work: Replacement of the timing belt complete. Replacement of the water pump, complete. Replacement of the drive belt. Test drive after completion of the work. Parts: Cam belt kit, complete. Water pump Coolant approved for your engine. Fan/driving belt." Parts/Materials OEM-approved parts Guarantee on parts 18 months Guarantee on workmanship 18 months Quote Labour – 3 hours at 66.00 198.00 Spare parts, materials and accessories 294.00 Total GBP 492.00 Included VAT 82.00 Cheers

Unsure if a repost, found this on my internet travels: http://media.toyota.co.uk/wp-content/files_mf/1414751259LS400Gen21998.pdf

Thanks, I did read that cambelts on the LS400 don't suffer as much wear/tear as others engines. I'll get it inspected when I undertake an oil change

100k but 10yrs is a long time for a cambelt is it not?

So viewing over and I've left a deposit for the car! Very original with a complete book pack. Last owner bought it in 2001. 4 owners Lexus MD dealer history to 87k Cambelt change at 67k/10yrs ago so will need doing shortly. Number of other receipts with evidence of frequent oil changes back to 2004. Couple of bits of trim need reaffixing - lower door and wing. Has a tracker fitted somewhere. Supplied are a full set of new Kilen (Swedish made) coil springs, due to the repeat advisories of rusty coil springs. Drove nicely up to 50mph all being well will collect on Weds

Again, very useful - an online check I ran showed it was registered on 11th July 2016 so that ties up.

Useful to know, thanks - I've not seen many dealers halve their asking price so soon but could well be for the reason you state. Will see tomorrow 9.30am!

Thanks and you could be right. Still wondering why this green one has halved in price since October, but no harm in viewing.

I'm fine with Green, it's the cream interior I'm less fond of. Will see it in the flesh tomorrow, hopefully the seat colour is the main concern!

yes, think you're both right - i don't think its been maintained at all in the last 6m judging by the colour of the oil. A good baseline to start with though, gives me something to work against. Scribe - the silver one has 430 wheels, not the usual DHP wheels AFAIK, so doubting whether it is DHP optioned. Do Lexus/Lexi have option codes listed anywhere that detail the full spec ? Have arranged to view the green one on Sunday morning. I'm hoping the bodywork is as described ("A1" according to the vendor), i can then look at a reasonable programme of improvement on the mechanicals if need be.