0a's 1999 Lexus LS400 Mk4 (Barge 1-5 Content)
Discussion
This weekend I have headed North, so will put another 300 miles on the car. All is running as it should, unsurprisingly.
One “trick” is to lower the windows and open the “moonroof”, and waft about town at low speed. This car is so quiet! You can tell that while it is not the most characterful v8 engine ever made, the build and tolerances are impeccable.
I rather like the idea of having a reliable fallback car on the fleet. I might even drive it over to the continent to look at some scenery at some point.
I think I will get my mechanic to look at the suspension though. It’s not as good as it could be over potholes.
One pleasant surprise is that the turning circle is great. This makes the car much more practical around town or in car parks. A requirement copied from Mercedes I think!
One “trick” is to lower the windows and open the “moonroof”, and waft about town at low speed. This car is so quiet! You can tell that while it is not the most characterful v8 engine ever made, the build and tolerances are impeccable.
I rather like the idea of having a reliable fallback car on the fleet. I might even drive it over to the continent to look at some scenery at some point.
I think I will get my mechanic to look at the suspension though. It’s not as good as it could be over potholes.
One pleasant surprise is that the turning circle is great. This makes the car much more practical around town or in car parks. A requirement copied from Mercedes I think!
0a said:
The scenery is fantastic, the roads great, there are some great hotels, and wonderful food. What's not to like!
Here is where I stayed on Skye, and it was magnificent: https://www.duisdale.com/
They have a lovely little (ie not too long, but interesting) wine list if that's your thing - I enjoyed a nice Chateau Musar. The staff could not have been nicer, and the setting is tranquil.
Thanks for the suggestions, we are partial to a good wine, so will keep that in mind. Here is where I stayed on Skye, and it was magnificent: https://www.duisdale.com/
They have a lovely little (ie not too long, but interesting) wine list if that's your thing - I enjoyed a nice Chateau Musar. The staff could not have been nicer, and the setting is tranquil.
Edited by 0a on Tuesday 17th April 21:48
Can’t hurt... It’s usually one of the first things I do nowadays when buyng an auto, the improvement in shift smoothness it made to the 335d was enough to convince me it isn’t snake oil, did it on the 7 just after you drove it, did it on the v70, etc...
I don’t know which fluid the lexus uses - is it an aisin-warner box like the v70? The fluid isn’t cheap for that, but a more knowledgeable beard will be along soon, I’m sure.
I don’t know which fluid the lexus uses - is it an aisin-warner box like the v70? The fluid isn’t cheap for that, but a more knowledgeable beard will be along soon, I’m sure.
Prinny said:
...I don’t know which fluid the lexus uses - is it an aisin-warner box like the v70? The fluid isn’t cheap for that, but a more knowledgeable beard will be along soon, I’m sure.
Yes, it is an A-W 'box. It's the A650E 5-speed in 1999, I believe, the same as my old 1998 GS, so uses Toyota T-IV fluid, which also isn't cheap. I think the actual spec is the same as the Volvo fluid - JWS3309?If you do change it...
IIRC, the A650 has a drain plug, but that won't drain much fluid.
You'll need to disconnect the trans cooler line and run the engine to pump it out/refill it a litre or two at a time if you want to do a full change.
If you remove the gearbox sump to replace the "valve body oil strainer" you'll need a tube of Toyota FIPG (form in place gasket) or similar because there is no gasket. Don't lose the magnets.
0a said:
Well I am accumulating an unnecessarily large set of parts for the LS. The MOT is due in July so I might put it in for a full service and get everything done then.
One quick question - shall I get the gearbox oil changed?
I had just the fluid changed on mine by Toyotatech in Guildford - he was estimating 250 ish to do the filter, using the proper (expensive) sealant on reassembly. T-IV fluid used on mine, circa 40 quid. One quick question - shall I get the gearbox oil changed?
It could be your springs are cracked - mine were never flagged on the MOT as being cracked, but on removal, it was evident the rears had been broken for some time as the break was very rusty.
ETA - agree on your comment re indicator stalks, they’re rubbish, the single worst aspect of any touch point on the car IMO.
Edited by cornershop on Tuesday 24th April 22:27
cornershop said:
I had just the fluid changed on mine by Toyotatech in Guildford - he was estimating 250 ish to do the filter, using the proper (expensive) sealant on reassembly. T-IV fluid used on mine, circa 40 quid.
It could be your springs are cracked - mine were never flagged on the MOT as being cracked, but on removal, it was evident the rears had been broken for some time as the break was very rusty.
ETA - agree on your comment re indicator stalks, they’re rubbish, the single worst aspect of any touch point on the car IMO.
Everything you say is very welcome! The car is so smooth in general, so I’ll get it checked out in July when the MOT is due.It could be your springs are cracked - mine were never flagged on the MOT as being cracked, but on removal, it was evident the rears had been broken for some time as the break was very rusty.
ETA - agree on your comment re indicator stalks, they’re rubbish, the single worst aspect of any touch point on the car IMO.
Edited by cornershop on Tuesday 24th April 22:27
I took the little 190 out again today - such a lovely car. I had nicked the battery for the 300 to get it into The Man for MOT. It is my favourite car of the fleet in an unexplainable way. So the Lexus can rest for a while in any case.
cornershop said:
I had just the fluid changed on mine by Toyotatech in Guildford - he was estimating 250 ish to do the filter, using the proper (expensive) sealant on reassembly. T-IV fluid used on mine, circa 40 quid...
The last time I bought Toyota T-IV ATF I think it was 50-odd quid for 5 litres, so he must have just drained the couple of litres that are in the sump. It would take a lot more to do a full change.EDIT:
4L of Toyota T-IV for £24.99 on eBay. If the ATF is dirty enough to need a full change, you probably need at least 10 or 12 litres to get nice clean fluid coming out of the cooler line.
Edited by gareth_r on Tuesday 24th April 23:26
This sounds very possible - I will check
gareth_r said:
The last time I bought Toyota T-IV ATF I think it was 50-odd quid for 5 litres, so he must have just drained the couple of litres that are in the sump. It would take a lot more to do a full change.
EDIT:
4L of Toyota T-IV for £24.99 on eBay. If the ATF is dirty enough to need a full change, you probably need at least 10 or 12 litres to get nice clean fluid coming out of the cooler line.
EDIT:
4L of Toyota T-IV for £24.99 on eBay. If the ATF is dirty enough to need a full change, you probably need at least 10 or 12 litres to get nice clean fluid coming out of the cooler line.
Edited by gareth_r on Tuesday 24th April 23:26
philipbrown123 said:
Just read this thread with interest. I have never had a LS400 but after years of driving 2 Jag xj's and 3 Audi A8's, I bought a 10 year old LS460 last year for £6k. It had 150,000 miles on the clock. 12 months later it has 170,000 miles on the clock and has been 100% reliable. Could pass for a much newer car. No squeaks, rattles etc.
Brilliant build quality. Will probably keep forever.
What kind of mpg are you getting from the 460? Not that it's important...just interested to compare to the 400...Brilliant build quality. Will probably keep forever.
Lexus and another Japanese car.
The Lexus has been performing well, and I have now put a good few thousand miles on it.
I like the fact that it feels like it will just keep going. It's an appliance, and a comfy one. My colleagues love it - as a passenger you have plenty of space and refinement.
I dislike the plasticky buttons - the indicators, window buttons, dashboard buttons and so on feel like they are from a cheap budget car. I also find it strange that Lexus did not integrate steering wheel controls for the stereo.
Well well well. 0a's LS400 is now j4ck100's LS400.
Having wanted one of these for a while, I spotted T369 on eBay and thought I recognised the registration from somewhere. Collected on Monday evening from Liverpool outskirts and drove the 200 odd miles back down to Surrey.
First impressions are very good. The engine can only be described as a work of art, genuinely one of the smoothest I have ever experienced. I am reminded of the US commercial featuring champagne glasses balanced on the bonnet.
The 1UZ powerplant with VVTI really packs a punch too, and I am blown away by how fast the gearbox shifts through the gears, considering the age. Accelerating away from the M6 toll booth today with PWR mode engaged saw 6 points territory arrive really very quickly indeed.
Agree with previous statements around a few items being a little plasticky - window switches are straight out of my mother's 2001 Avensis etc, but I understand these were priced at a not insignificant discount to the S Class / 7 Series / A8 competition, so I suppose a few cost saving elements were required.
Stereo is fantastic, seats are sublime, cabin is near silent even at motorway speeds.
Slight clunk is still coming from the nearside front over rough surfaces and also clunk occurs same area under heavy braking. Drivers heated seat appears to be ineffective, and seller advised the boot needs a new seal as leaks when it rains heavily, but everything else on the car is fully functional, which i consider good going. And my 220 mile trip yielded 33mpg which I think is a real result.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1vZenBX4-0
Having wanted one of these for a while, I spotted T369 on eBay and thought I recognised the registration from somewhere. Collected on Monday evening from Liverpool outskirts and drove the 200 odd miles back down to Surrey.
First impressions are very good. The engine can only be described as a work of art, genuinely one of the smoothest I have ever experienced. I am reminded of the US commercial featuring champagne glasses balanced on the bonnet.
The 1UZ powerplant with VVTI really packs a punch too, and I am blown away by how fast the gearbox shifts through the gears, considering the age. Accelerating away from the M6 toll booth today with PWR mode engaged saw 6 points territory arrive really very quickly indeed.
Agree with previous statements around a few items being a little plasticky - window switches are straight out of my mother's 2001 Avensis etc, but I understand these were priced at a not insignificant discount to the S Class / 7 Series / A8 competition, so I suppose a few cost saving elements were required.
Stereo is fantastic, seats are sublime, cabin is near silent even at motorway speeds.
Slight clunk is still coming from the nearside front over rough surfaces and also clunk occurs same area under heavy braking. Drivers heated seat appears to be ineffective, and seller advised the boot needs a new seal as leaks when it rains heavily, but everything else on the car is fully functional, which i consider good going. And my 220 mile trip yielded 33mpg which I think is a real result.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1vZenBX4-0
I've had one of these for several years, a 1999 Mk IV with the dynamic handling pack. The best constructed car I've ever owned.
Your clonk is likely the top wishbone ball joint, unfortunately part of the wishbone itself. These are dear (£400-ish for the Lexus part) but easy enough to fit. You can get pattern ones for less but don't bother, I fitted one and had to change it again the next year. I use lexuspartsdirect, a Lexus dealer in Swindon who do online at a bit of a discount. If anything isn't on the website then email or ring, I've always found them helpful.
I leave the 'pwr' on all the time, it makes no difference to the economy but makes the car much livelier. It's surprisingly quick when you boot it. On long runs I get 30-ish, 25mpg in normal bimbling in a rural area, all on V Power.
Your clonk is likely the top wishbone ball joint, unfortunately part of the wishbone itself. These are dear (£400-ish for the Lexus part) but easy enough to fit. You can get pattern ones for less but don't bother, I fitted one and had to change it again the next year. I use lexuspartsdirect, a Lexus dealer in Swindon who do online at a bit of a discount. If anything isn't on the website then email or ring, I've always found them helpful.
I leave the 'pwr' on all the time, it makes no difference to the economy but makes the car much livelier. It's surprisingly quick when you boot it. On long runs I get 30-ish, 25mpg in normal bimbling in a rural area, all on V Power.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff