henners999

25,000 in 17 years.

Yeah just had cambelt/waterpump replaced, I'll do the fluids in time. Thanks Malc for the tips, I looked up a vid online and looks like I need a large syringe. Maybe Guy's Hospital can help...

Unsure but the cars only been lightly used for the last 17 years so guessing not in a while

Ah just found the hot and cold levels. Was a tad low. Looks kind of thick and orange like diluted ear wax. 

It’s a few inches from the top by the looks of it, how high does it need to be?

Thanks I’ll check it when it comes back from Lexus. They’ll charge an arm and a leg for topping it up!

When I vigorously steer to one side in my MK3 LS400 I get a rather alarming whining sound. Fine on normal driving, only happens on a fast turn of the wheel. I did this twice yesterday after which the car continued to whine, rising and falling with the revs. Any ideas? Thinking alternator or steering pump but have no idea myself. Had a look on the forums but couldn't find a similar issue.

Cheers

1 hour ago, Chris Skelton said:

What rubbish!  Why do you fall for this cliche? Like any other generalisation, flawed to extreme.

I had 4 DSs, NONE of whom had problems- except with the pillock who crashed into one and wrote it off (it was STILL drivable even bent up!)

The DS suspension had a false poor rep, I suspect because it was so different. A well engineered system that worked extremely well.

Like all cars, if it wasn't maintained it would fail- but no more than yer Ford (no....much LESS!)

I'd guess any DS now will either be needing serious rebuilding or be expensive. (There's one I saw, totally rebuilt, going for £75K!)

They are old beasts now of course.

I drove a borrowed one for a friends wedding about 12 years ago (when I had my Ser 3 LS) and thought (the DS) was a bit of a truck.

But then, much is, in comparison with a Lex.

If you don't have first hand experience, there really is no other way of forming opinion than listening to other's opinions. Sadly for French cars that's the general consensus. Obviously I know better now.

Is that not included in this quote?

Quote

On 10/31/2017 at 2:06 PM, Chris Skelton said:

Yes. Memories of my Citroen DS; the best riding car ever. . Fantastic suspension that included 205/70/15 tyres as essential factor in it all.

No 'elastic' band tyres here!

(N.b. The handbook gave two choices of tyre quality.  If you chose the lesser "Do not cruise at speeds exceeding 100mph'

"Cruise'!!)

ds garden.bmp

I'd love a DS, I'm guessing not too reliable though, being French and all.

Just got a quote from Grove Garage, Brighton to replace all belts/tensioners @ £700. I've heard they're quite a good place so maybe worth a trip there. Can't seem to find anything around the £500 figure which I've seen others quoted unfortunately...

On 10/28/2017 at 2:29 PM, 39buss said:

This is my Queen on Coronation Day June 1953 and that's me to her right as the real Duke of Edinburgh

Looking suave! 

Great stuff, Sidcup is just down the road from where I live. As the car was so cheap but so sturdy I have no problem treating it and myself to quality parts. As people have said, you know you'll get value for money from the longevity point of view!

15 minutes ago, Newbie1 said:

Pistonheads still having its "I can't believe a luxobarge doesn't empty your wallet" moment. The LC500 review fails to note that the roads in the UK are now poorer than in South Africa and other developing nations, and a car built for the US won't ride as well on them. Large wheels are a disaster for ride comfort across the board.

Any heavy car will start needing suspension refreshes from about 60k miles on. The fact that the LS400 will still cope admirably if things are ignored is an amazing thing.

Yes, I completely agree. The amount of people who have said to 'put some big wheels on it' and 'drop it to the floor' just don't get the point of the car: refined, discrete, luxury motoring. 

18 hours ago, Malc said:

Henry, at 96k miles you would indeed be unfortunate to need anything other than the cambelt itself......  BUT words on here might suggest you go ahead and do all the peripherals and the waterpump too ..............  and while your at it the starter motor bushes whilst all the gubbins is being taken apart

I personally would take a bit of a " chance ", if that's the word, and not bother with anything other than the belt itself ............. and worry about it all again at 200k miles

If it's a Mk3 then get Lexus to confirm if the starter motor recall was dealt with on your car ................  it only applied to the Mk3 I think .... if not then  if they do that recall for free ( as they should )  then that should save shed loads of time/ cost£££  for when you have the cambelt replaced ( at Lexus ! ) and you could do a deal with them i would think.

 

Mine is on 200500 miles and the cambelt is next due at 204500 miles, next year.......  about March, that's 100k miles and 11 years since it was last done. In my Full Lexus Service History ( prior to my buying the car ) I have found zero reference to anything other than the cambelt itself having been replaced .........  no peripherals nor waterpump and Lexus confirmed there was no recall outstanding for my starter motor.

Your choice though what to do of course 

Malc

It's a good idea, thanks. Whoever takes it apart can inspect the other parts to see if they need replacing too, although I suspect they'd say they did for a small fee! I see you're in Kent, are there any recommended garages to take it to in the South East?

Great, thanks for the advice. Wow, 1 thousand miles a year, I can imagine why they were after it!

Hi,

I was the lucky person who picked the car up. It's a great car, nothing really wrong with it as far as I can see, the right side light washer seems blocked and the obvious cam-belt needs changing, last change in 1999 @ 66000 miles (only 30k done since...). Also only 1 key. 

So anywhere near East London where I can get the belts changed that's not too extortionate? I called Lexus who quoted £700 and I got a quote for parts which was ~£500. Is it possible to get done for less or is it a case of just go for it!

Cheers

Henry