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The ABS control units can fail which is expensive.

Hi Bradley the LS is looking great!

Michelin cross climates are on my wife's Volvo XC90 which have been excellent - hence using them on the Celica which has really made the car confidence inspiring. However I, would recommend Bridgestone Weather Control as on the LS as they are even better in the wet and a lot cheaper than the Michelin tyres. Blackcircles have been cheap and even Kwikfit were good on the Celica as they had an offer on. I'm yet to decide what to go for on the MR2.

I forgot to share the Celica's exhaust update:

I wish there was but I will quit while I'm ahead 😂

Hey, guys I had a moment last night and brought a new car home! The seller asked if I was in the Doghouse. I replied that I live with one paw in and one paw out!

Just added some new alloy wheels with Michelin cross climate tyres for practicality. I hope you like them?

Thanks, Phil I am really enjoying working on both of the cars 🙂

Slightly off-topic I just wanted to share progress on the Celica Mk7 project I hope that is ok? Changed the clutch Lowered with Eibach Springs Changed the oxidised headlights Changed the boot struts and retired the broomstick from boot opening duties Plastidipped the corroded wheels while new ones are on their way Added decals - striped from doormirror back to the rear lights and on the bonnet (they are coloured to match the new wheels) Fitted a front spoiler. Items booked in before Christmas'19: New Head unit with Android auto and a reverse camera New rear exhaust - Quad

Hi Dan, Where did you buy the system? I need to control the ride height on my Ls too.. Sam

I did manage to fit some new headlights to replace the oxidised ones on the celica:

HI, Brian I had a go at the fix but the problem persists. I want to buy the facelift covers and see if they help.

Hi, Jeff and thank you. I do like the GS300s especially in dark metallic blue and silver. The car has covered about 126K. The paint has a lot of swirl marks which I have been slowly removing . The drivers seat is worn and needs refurbishment and there is wind noise from the driver and passenger wing mirrors. So it needs some work but I love the idea taking the time to bring it back to it's best. I always admired Lexus' cars but only now having lived with one understand why nothing else will do.

Thanks, Vlad I was trying to recreate the GS300 Sport look but with turbine style wheels.

The weather has been awful. I use the Ls for the school run so decided on the all-weather tyres. My wife has Michelin cross climates which are good but the Bridgestones are cheaper and just as effective.

Hi Guys, Its been a little while since I have last posted anything about my LS. I recently bought a set of winter wheels and tyres. I thought I would share some photos with you as I am quite pleased with the look and especially the handling/comfort. I have also added a snap of a Celica I picked up as a project car for my son and I to work on. I hope you are all keeping warm and dry this season!

Hi Phil, thank you for your advice. I will get the ball rolling on this work.

So, on returning home from the school run yesterday afternoon I noticed the bonnet was ajar! I opened the bonnet fully and inspected the bonnet release catch and mechanism. I cleaned it and added some oil and closed the bonnet. However, the same issue occurred when trying to reopen. I carefully retried the bonnet release lever several times until I heard and felt that 'Click' when opening the bonnet. The bonnet was still in the closed position but I managed to open it by pulling it up. I then closed has had to go through the same process of using the release lever until I felt the 'Click'. So I now wonder if this may be an issue where the tension of the cable may need adjustment? I am really unsure but will be getting this looked into asap. I will keep you updated, of course and thank you all for your input and assistance.

Hi Malc, From what Toyotek have said since the original post I believe, the lever has the cable attached. You have raised a good point though and I have just edited this post having looked up the lever part and it looks like it holds the cable:

Thanks, Phil for tempering my Leatherface and uncouth instincts 🙂 I will have a look around the US forums and consider the Squirrell-fiddling too 😀

Thanks, Alan unfortunately It wasn't from a dealer. I have been in touch with the guys at Toyotek who have said they think they can access the cable and mechanism if they remove the underbody covers. They say a couple of hours of labour should cover replacing the cable (if necessary) and they will come back to me with the cost of a replacement cable too.

Hi Guys, after a few weeks of trouble free motoring of my new to me LS 460 I have encountered my first issue. I tried to open the Bonnet yesterday only to find that the release lever did not pop open the bonnet 😨. I stepped out to see if the bonnet was ajar and it was still firmly in place. I thought I'd have another go but knew that the cable was out of the mechanism as the lever was limp. I thought I'd ask the forum whether they have experienced or heard of the most straightforward solution. I think that I may just have to hack open the grille (avoiding the radar sensor) and unbolt the lock? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, George for the warm welcome and yes I agree with the cars' issues being tiny in comparison to the Germans. I've owned a 7 and CL as well as smaller Germans in the past and each of them as lovely as they were had their perennial faults. Now, I am ready to grow up and join the world of Lexus reliable motoring lol.

So after the scorching Bank Holiday weekend I was able to head back up to Lincoln In Toyotek's Toyota Yaris with my wife and kids to collect the Lexus. They kindly allowed me to collect in the evening and by the time we arrived it was just after 6 PM. It almost felt like I had never owned the car as it had spent more time in Lincoln than it did with me in Coventry! I was, of course excited and relieved to have her back. I had a great chat with the guys about the car and discussed their thoughts on the condition of the car. They were pleased with the car and did not see any issues with it. My initial worry about the brakes / possible ABS Actuator problem quickly dissipated as they were all in great order. Driving home I could feel the difference the new brake fluid had made. It was much nicer. Their Full+60 service for the LS includes things like the Spark plugs and the Brake fluid so given the car's recent grey background it was one to go for. The cost for the service is £705 inc VAT and they use a Lexus Service Kit with OEM parts. The other work done included a new Water Pump, Auto Gearbox oil change,Diff oil change, Air con service and recharge, Pollen filter, Windscreen wipers and replace the damaged Radiator with a new Lexus Rad. So all in all a good outcome considering the Radiator issue and with a final invoice for £1670.80 inc VAT. The team are all very kind with Lexus/Toyota backgrounds and are enthusiastic when they discuss the cars. One owns a GS450h (and he spoke about it being disposed of by the dealer as they could not solve an issue with it) which he repaired using £20 of parts. So all in all a great first experience with Toyotek. Although after hours they did not rush me and my family, spent time discussing every point and detail and made sure we left with ice cold water bottles for our journey back to the West Midlands. Needless to say I look forward to my next trip up to Lincoln next year!

So after the scorching Bank Holiday weekend I was able to head back up to Lincoln In Toyotek's Toyota Yaris with my wife and kids to collect the Lexus. They kindly allowed me to collect in the evening and by the time we arrived it was just after 6 PM. It almost felt like I had never owned the car as it had spent more time in Lincoln than it did with me in Coventry! I was, of course excited and relieved to have her back. I had a great chat with the guys about the car and discussed their thoughts on the condition of the car. They were pleased with the car and did not see any issues with it. My initial worry about the brakes / possible ABS Actuator problem quickly dissipated as they were all in great order. Driving home I could feel the difference the new brake fluid had made. It was much nicer. Their Full+60 service for the LS includes things like the Spark plugs and the Brake fluid so given the car's recent grey background it was one to go for. The cost for the service is £705 inc VAT and they use a Lexus Service Kit with OEM parts. The other work done included a new Water Pump, Auto Gearbox oil change,Diff oil change, Air con service and recharge, Pollen filter, Windscreen wipers and replace the damaged Radiator with a new Lexus Rad. So all in all a good outcome considering the Radiator issue and with a final invoice for £1670.80 inc VAT. The team are all very kind with Lexus/Toyota backgrounds and are enthusiastic when they discuss the cars. One owns a GS450h (and he spoke about it being disposed of by the dealer as they could not solve an issue with it) which he repaired using £20 of parts. So all in all a great first experience with Toyotek. Although after hours they did not rush me and my family, spent time discussing every point and detail and made sure we left with ice cold water bottles for our journey back to the West Midlands. Needless to say I look forward to my next trip up to Lincoln next year!