Howplum

Thanks, Malcolm. Fingers crossed!

For those of you have been following my efforts over the last 4 years, and supplying supporting comments and information, I thank you all. However, I have now reluctantly decided to sell the car, so have just placed an advertisement under the "Cars for Sale" section. I shall miss the car, but probably not the many hours of my life spent on it, although the end result does make me think it was all worthwhile.

I have reluctantly decided to sell my car, which has kept me busy, on and off, over the last four years. My trials, tribulations and triumphs are chronicled in the following topics:

Below is a draft of the advertisement I shall shortly be placing on Car & Classic's website, but I thought I would give club members a heads up, in case anyone is interested. If so, please send me a PM. I live in Milton Keynes.

"1996 Lexus LS400 (UCF20R) - N808 VRP

90,423 miles

Onyx black (202) with Dark Metallic Grey (UCA31) cladding & bumpers

Light grey interior

3 owners, including me. The first owner, a friend of mine, owned it for over 20 years

MoT expiry date 20/04/2025

I bought this car in 2020 from a friend of the original owner as a non-runner, which proved to be a faulty alarm immobiliser system. The mileage then was 79,844. Since then I have done a lot of work to bring it up to its present condition, culminating in a full respray, and it always draws favourable comments.

There is a mostly complete service history, apart from between 2015 and 2020, when the second owner owned the car.

The work I have done on the car includes, but is not limited to, the following:

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

Timing belt, auxiliary belt, idlers and water pump replaced. Oil, air and cabin filters replaced. Engine oil, power steering fluid and differential oil replaced. Spark plugs changed.

BRAKES, STEERING & SUSPENSION

Front and rear brakes pipes repaired or replaced as necessary. All four calipers overhauled, with new seals. All four flexible hoses and brake discs replaced. Rear brake pads and sensors replaced. Parking brake cables and shoes replaced. Four new tyres fitted. Rear shock absorbers, steering tie rods ends and front brake dust shields replaced.

INTERIOR

All leather upholstery cleaned and restored.

ELECTRICAL

New Battery fitted. Instrument cluster and climate control panel replaced. Stereo replaced with a Pioneer MVH-A200VBT unit so now has AUX and USB inputs. It also is connected to the reversing camera I fitted. Aerial mast replaced.

BODYWORK

There were marks and blemishes (but no rust, thankfully) on every panel, so I removed the bumpers, cladding, door windows and handles and embarked on a full respray in the original Onyx Black. All badges have been re-plated in 24kt gold. I also repainted the wheels. The bonnet struts have been replaced.

The car now looks very smart and rides well and the stereo is fantastic.

I will do an oil service before sale.

If you check the MoT history you will see the tester commented on the presence of rust on the rear suspension. I have therefore removed all the loose rust, applied rust inhibitor and then sealed the entire suspension with lanolin wax. Obviously I have replaced the faulty number plate bulb.

I should point out that the seat heaters unfortunately do not work, and apparently haven’t for many years. This seems to be a fairly common problem.

This is by far the most comfortable car I have owned in my 60 years of driving, so I shall miss it, but now it’s time for someone else to enjoy it."

And here a a few photographs:

Broadly speaking a technician, as found in a main dealer, will replace rather than repair. Also, a main dealer will presumably replace like with like, i.e. steel. Hopefully an independent mechanic would suggest a repair for longer pipes, although it is often easier to replace shorter lengths, such as those at the rear. I have inserted short lengths of copper alloy pipe on several cars over the years and have never had any comments during the MoT test.

If it's the finish that's deteriorated then black satin vinyl wrap works very well. I've successfully used it on my LS400 and BMW. If it's the rubber weatherseal that needs replacing then you could find it has a standard profile, which might be available from the likes of Woolies.

Get them repaired by a mechanic,  rather than a "technician". Have them use Kunifer copper alloy pipe, or similar, for longevity and to make the job a little easier. Generally the original steel pipes (used for cost reasons?) will corrode where they meet the flexible hose to each wheel. It is perfectly legal to use joints for the repair sections, as long they of the flange fitting type. It would probably be necessary to replace the associated flexible hose as well because the connection to the pipe will be damaged trying to get it apart.

Regarding the boot leak, I found on mine that water had been leaking past the aerial mounting because the material had gone hard. A smear of silicone solved it. Maybe you have the same issue. 

If you sold it would you replace it with something similar? In other words, it might be more cost effective to have it repaired, especially as values seem to be rising, than to buy a replacement.

It is quite an alarming list for a low mileage car, but, as has been mentioned already, the most serious (and expensive) issues are the corrosion and the engine oil leak. From the cars currently being advertised I would guess that the value, once repaired, would be over £5,000, assuming the bodywork and interior need no work.

If it's a "hobby car" and you don't intend to replace it then perhaps just cut your losses and sell it for spares or repair. Apparently the engines are becoming popular for those who want to convert to V8 power, presumably having supplanted the trusty Rover/Buick V8. 

If you're keeping the car then change it, for peace of mind. On the other hand, if you're thinking of selling then also change it. It's a selling point. 

Steve, I have now ordered these, so there is no need to go rummaging in "the shed" just yet, unless they prove to be incorrect. 

Thanks Paul, that's looks just the ticket. I must admit I didn't even look on eBay!

I've just had a message from Amayama saying the exterior handle assembly is out of stock.  Surprise, surprise! 

Steve, all I actually need is the plastic retaining clip in the exterior handle assembly that retains the operating rod connected to the door lock, although I am happy to buy the complete handle assembly,  if that's easier. Perhaps you can send me a private message. Thanks. 

Thanks Steve. I have ordered one from Amayama because I noticed they had one listed for only £8.50! I triple checked and it was definitely the correct part number, so it now winging its way from the UAE. However,  if it proves to be wrong I will certainly get back to you.

Check the handbrake cables?

Thanks Kieran.  I have managed source one from eBay, together with a few other bits I need.

Just a quick update on progress so far:

There are still a few jobs to do, but I'm really glad the weeks of flatting, compounding and polishing has finally finished!

I've also repainted the wheels, although one day I might get them professionally stripped and repainted.

I'm now in the process of putting the car back together but find that a small bush/grommet on the driver's door handle has gone missing. The rod from the door lock mechanism fits into it and is not available separately from Lexus. The good news is that new door handle assemblies appear to be available from Amayama at £44.46 plus postage etc. However, if anyone reading this has a spare driver's door handle assembly lying around then please contact me. I have effected a temporary fix, but I don't know how long it will last. The part number is 69210-50010.

I'm now in the process of putting the car back together but find that a small bush/grommet on the driver's door handle has gone missing. The rod from the door lock mechanism fits into it and is not available separately from Lexus. The good news is that new door handle assemblies appear to be available from Amayama at £44.46 plus postage etc. However, if anyone reading this has a spare driver's door handle assembly lying around then please contact me. I have effected a temporary fix, but I don't know how long it will last. The part number is 69210-50010.

As well as the clips top and bottom there are nuts at either end and double sided adhesive pads at strategic intervals.  The usual Lexus over engineering! Even the small trim in front of the rear wheel has two clips,  two screws and a blob of Tiger seal (or similar).

Hi Kieran. Yes, unfortunately I have already refitted the door trim panels. However, I found this, which might help:

https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya-avtomobilej/toyota/lexus-ls-42404/ucf20-55848/ucf20r-aepgkw-937332/side-moulding-18041008

There are two types, although I must say the clips used are unlike any I have seen before because they are rectangular and fit into correspondingly shaped slots in the trim. Luckily mine were all reusable, so you might also be lucky.

There are seven listed on Car and Classic, three of which are shown as sold. The remaining four range in price from £5,450 to £9,995 and the mileages from 91,000 to 130,000.

https://www.carandclassic.com/classic_cars.php?country=1&keyword=ls400&make=497&sort_1=latest&search

Obviously these are asking prices, but they certainly indicate a significant shift in the last year or two.

On 11/7/2023 at 3:31 PM, hockeyedwards said:

So this is technically a 'steal' in that regard. These sales are good to boost general value, so may they continue

Now sold, apparently. Good news if you're thinking of selling, but not so good for potential buyers. Perhaps they are finally being recognised as a modern classic and the good ones are being sought out.

Which only goes to prove that mileage is not necessarily the be all and end all.

However, it makes me optimistic that hopefully I might get a reasonable price for my 90,000 mile LS400 next year, once I've finished polishing the new paint.

A bit steep for a quarter of a million miles!

On the subject of the Clarke "tent", I bought a small one as a garden store. Whilst it keeps the rain out, by no means could it be deemed as dry storage because of the condensation from the roof support,  which also runs down the inner surface to drip on the contents. Perhaps some pipe lagging on the metal components might alleviate it.