JellyBean

Black Tac? That's new one on me. But these fasteners should still not (nearly) all come loose and fall out. Maybe I should investigate Black Tac for other uses, adding to my other favourites of Duct tape and WD40. These are actually the only tools you need. If it moves and shouldn't, use Duct tape. If it doesn't move, and should, use WD40.

Many thanks for the info, inc part #. But I still don't know why nearly all mine have come loose. Can other 460 owners have a peek under their own bon-bons for me?

The plastic fasteners which are supposed to hold down the various covers which hide the engine & ancillaries - they are nearly all loose, most have popped upwards and several are missing. Anyone had this problem and how did they fix it? Meanwhile, after eight months' ownership, I think the car is quite wonderful - apart from the console box in the armrest between driver and passenger seat. I believe it was designed by a madman.

Had the LS460 a few days now. Here are some thoughts on it vs my outgoing LS400 (Mk3): Wind noise. Certainly less, but then my 400 was 15 years old. Road noise - probably a tiny bit worse than the 400, or maybe not. Hard to say. Getting more used to gearbox and its double-downchange on kickdown. The kickdown in the 400 was definitely faster, but new car accelerates so strongly once it has decided which ratio to choose that I can forgive its current foible. I understand the transmission may adapt to my driving style - we shall see. Brakes seem good enough, as does the steering. That I haven't thought about them must mean they are performing just fine - as good as a 400. Ride. Would be hard to improve on a 400, but it is definitely a bit better. Stereo noticeably better, even though I thought the 400's was pretty good. One thing I do not like... On the old car, when manoeuvring in a tight space one could leave the throttle alone and let the car creep on tickover, controlling the 'speed' with the brake pedal. On the new car, if one takes foot off the gas whilst parking, it stops moving and pressing the throttle when you only wanna go forwards a wee bit can be a bit unnerving as the car does a bit of a surge and I have visions of bashing into something. All in all I think it is quite an improvement. Are you nuts? No, you cannot be as you drive a Lexus!

You were quite right of course. I eventually ditched the idea of the straight 460 and bought the 460SE. With both 120bhp and four gears more than my LS400 Mk3 it seems awful quick to me, Squire. Apart from the truly extraordinary quality of all of it (except the lump of polystyrene where the tools are kept), it's the toys that delight. I already don't think I shall ever be happy again owning a car where you cannot just stick the key in your pocket and leave it there. When Wifey walked back from the local shop this morning and announced they had run out of our normal newspaper, I had to take the new car on an open-road, 10-mile trip to fetch one. It was such a nuisance...

Worked out OK so far... the Stroppy One was so intrigued by the TV that she never noticed the uprightness of her seat. Continually justifying my new purchase to myself, I was pleased to see an advert for a Vauxhall Astra in today's paper and to note that it cost £6k more than the 460.

Went to local Lexus agent today and they had never been asked to remove rear headrests. Said the seats would have to be dismantled, as headrests were the powered variety. So I have slid the seat cushion as far forward as possible on the side where the kiddy seat headrest stands in front of the Lexus headrest. Kiddy seat still looks a bit too upright to me. Will just have to see what the stroppy six-yr-old has to say...

This is interesting as the car does ride quite firm but I understand the DHP wasn't offered on the MK 3. My car was first resistered August 1997. Here's my two-pennyworth... [Oh my, now that I have worked out how to access this site again after over a year, I'm wondering why I left it so long.] On my just-sold LS400 Mk3, I had a Falken on one side and and a Dunlop Sport on the other, with same tread depth. In wet or dry the Dunlop would spin and shriek whilst the Falken would not. And the Dunlop was on the left side which is normally less prone to spinning as the engine rotates to the left. Why do engines always turn anti-clockwise (when viewed from the rear?).

Sounds as if the engine had cut out for a while. Several postings as to this behaviour (always after a long run) have there been but I cannot remember the cause.

I did think when I drove it for the first time that it was [a] no quieter and no better-riding than the 400 (a mere 142,000 miles). Not any worse, just no better. Have since decided that the ride is slightly better, although a bit too pillowy on 'comfort'. And the hesitant kick-down is disappointing although attenuated by the rocketship impression when it has picked the right ratio. I cannot yet make an assessment upon your mental health as I am still terribly in love with the thing, despite the headrest problem which prevents me from taking the kids out when all they are interested in is watching the TV whilst wafting along. I shall get back to you in a week or two when the honeymoon is over. And isn't Venice just magic?

Ta for taking the trouble to reply. Had already wrestled with the isofix thingies on The Boss's Merc, so I know they can be a bit of a pain. Managed this afternoon to get the 'click' to happen each time and the green indicators to show, with much puffing & blowing. But the problem is that the headrest on the Britax seat to be for the seven yr-old, it needs to go higher than the Lexus headrest, even when that is at full height. If one positions the Britax headrest in front of the Lexus one, then the seat is tipped forwards too much. Perhaps I am doing it wrongly? A 'List Of Approved Cars' came with the seats and I noticed with dismay that the LS460 ain't there. (Older Lexus models are listed.) Then I noticed in the 460 handbook that it states, "For removal and installation of the head restraint, ask any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional." Hmmm... Meanwhile, if you put the car into cruise control, surely you can nip into the back for forty winks?

Howdee again peoples! Sold my 1996 LS400 yesterday for peanuts. As new owner drove it with me in passenger seat, not a squeak or rattle to be heard. An amazing car. I adored it for the 7½years we were together. Yesterday I bought a 460 (won't forget the date in a hurry). About five years ago I asked The Boss if I could buy a newer LS when the endowment mortgage paid out and because it seemed so far in the future she said "Of course, Darling". And so I did it, despite a mortgage-shortfall situation. (You have to feel sorry for the financial institution who provided the policy, as they only made £3.9m profit per day last year, after tax.) The quality of the new car is stunning. Everything works in a silken manner. And the acceleration... And the gizmos... Now the problem. Two isofix kiddy seats were delivered today but I need to remove the outer two rear headrests. Anyone know how to do this?

Yup. More and more of us are coming to this conclusion. I reckon they are quieter, too. And much cheaper than those brands with all their expensive advertising!

Perhaps he could be awarded the Feroic Hucker gong?

Clearly, you should have your named changed to CHR!S SKELTON.

Yes indeedy. The penultimate piccy - a full frontal - makes it look very desirable, doesn't it? I thought it was a very good article but the 0-60 won't improve by pressing the sport button because the car is still the same size and weight, with the same horsepower. That said, a standard LS 460 when tested by Road & Track, ran the ss ¼ mile faster than the original AC 289 Cobra tested by The Motor. Woweeee!

Yes, Merc used to have imitation-plastic wood in their interiors, but they seemed to have learned.

This gent in the US has written a piece on his 460 (I am still dreaming) and has inserted this photo of the interior. Unsure how to download a pic, so here is the link: lexusenthusiast.com/2010/06/10/reader-review-lexus-ls-460-sport/ Thing is, he writes: The dark ash burl wood paneling has a very rich-looking matte finish, which is something Lexus should do for their entire product line. The standard wood trim is shiny and can easily be mistaken for that cheap plastic fake wood. Right on, Squire. Lexus, are you listening?

Wouldn't entirely disagree. How about a Gordon Keeble, too? Alas, both these car companies went bust.

Your perseverance will surely be rewarded. I applaud you for sticking with it and most of us will be most interested to see what the problem was.

Apparently I need to go to Specsavers.

Falkens are like Lexus - "our little secret". If some owners like spending £200 a corner, then so be it.

The sad thing is, that this abomination will not make the owner a more interesting person, nor more attractive to the opposite s*x. No doubt the owner, as he (she? - but I doubt it) drives along will think he looks really cool. Whereas many onlookers will think they look a right plonker, with more time and money than sense and good taste. Gosh I am a bit grumpy this morning.

Driver's seat heater!