Lexus LS400 - Am I mad?
Discussion
Right, Chaps. Brief bit of background, currently drive an e36 328i. Every panel has something wrong with it in some way (i.e, lacquer peel, rust, dents) amongst other things. Still drives really well though, although there are some small bits that need sorting. I am thinking about welding the diff and taking it on a track seeing as I doubt I would be able to sell it for anything worthwhile 
I am thinking about replacing it with an LS400. I realise that the Lexus is a barge, hence not going to be as sharp as the BMW but the idea is to put some nice loud straight pipes on it with as little silencing as possible and cruise about in A/C luxury
Am I mad? The 328 isn't fuel efficient anyway so I doubt the Lexus would be much worse
It is a good thing I don't generally drive big distances and don't mind paying for fuel 
Apologies for sticking this in GG but as far as I could see there isn't specifically a Lexus section. Is there anything else I need to know about LS400's? Common faults, expensive bork, etc? If I strip it, will it drift?
Seriously though, I know nothing about them and I would really appreciate some information, if you would be so kind to oblige, chaps Cheers 
*I am very, very exited that I can finally insure a V8 so it is time*
I am thinking about replacing it with an LS400. I realise that the Lexus is a barge, hence not going to be as sharp as the BMW but the idea is to put some nice loud straight pipes on it with as little silencing as possible and cruise about in A/C luxury
Am I mad? The 328 isn't fuel efficient anyway so I doubt the Lexus would be much worse
It is a good thing I don't generally drive big distances and don't mind paying for fuel Apologies for sticking this in GG but as far as I could see there isn't specifically a Lexus section. Is there anything else I need to know about LS400's? Common faults, expensive bork, etc? If I strip it, will it drift?
Seriously though, I know nothing about them and I would really appreciate some information, if you would be so kind to oblige, chaps
Cheers *I am very, very exited that I can finally insure a V8 so it is time*
Benbay001 said:
I dont see why it wouldnt.
It should be a nice and stable platform too.
Nothing a set of rear Chinese ditchfinders cant fix.
(and the LS has small, cheap wheels too, right?)
Hmm, now I think about it, while it is possible, I'd rather a wafter tbh It should be a nice and stable platform too.
Nothing a set of rear Chinese ditchfinders cant fix.
(and the LS has small, cheap wheels too, right?)
I would still have the 328 for sliding about if I wanted.Thanks. I had a look at this thread, which seems useful. It isn't something I am considering right now but looking at the prices of them it is something that could be done far sooner than I thought, which is nice.
I spent £800 on a 1996 LS400 last year with a hundred and sixty something thousand on the clock and it's been sweet as a nut. I've replaced drop-links and bottom ball joints but except for that it hasn't given a hint of trouble. Average mpg for me is around 20 (mixture of town and dual carriageway).
MOT time in a few weeks, I'm hoping I can keep it going for another year!
MOT time in a few weeks, I'm hoping I can keep it going for another year!
oilslick said:
I spent £800 on a 1996 LS400 last year with a hundred and sixty something thousand on the clock and it's been sweet as a nut. I've replaced drop-links and bottom ball joints but except for that it hasn't given a hint of trouble. Average mpg for me is around 20 (mixture of town and dual carriageway).
MOT time in a few weeks, I'm hoping I can keep it going for another year!
Excellent. If you don't mind, how much roughly did the drop links and ball joints cost? Also, did you do it yourself or get a garage to sort it?MOT time in a few weeks, I'm hoping I can keep it going for another year!
Cheers
Good luck with the M.O.T
The Nur said:
Excellent. If you don't mind, how much roughly did the drop links and ball joints cost? Also, did you do it yourself or get a garage to sort it?
Cheers
Good luck with the M.O.T
I didn't buy original parts because they're really quite expensive and the car's worth almost nothing. I think drop links and front bottom ball joints in total cost around £100, plus about another £100 for my mobile mechanic to fit them. Took him around a couple of hours to do.Cheers
Good luck with the M.O.T
Synchromesh said:
My thread has arrived!!! 
I'm a fellow E36 328i owner looking to procure a shed-money LS400 in a few months time.
As you were chaps...
I'm a fellow E36 328i owner looking to procure a shed-money LS400 in a few months time.
As you were chaps...
The Nur said:
This is very much a case of great minds thinking alike.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I run a 120K LS 400 on winter tyres as my shed. The car just keeps on ticking and as long as the suspensions parts are kept in good working order the oils bits need an annual service. get the belts done, look out for some rust on the underside and so long as the electrics work, there aren't many, they make for a great sub £1500 cruiser. Finding a good car is the trick these days as too many have been abused by 4th or subsequent owners.
I had a bmw 330D and loved it, but £4000 of bills whilst under warranty scared me off. I now have a Lexus LS400, which is a fabulous car. I do relatively low mileage so the fuel consumption does not bother me. The engine is unbelievable. There was one for sale on Ebay USA with 900,000 miles on it, running fine with original engine etc. Try that with a BMW
Apart from what's already been mentioned, the lcd display in the dash is one of the few other things to need attention potentially, they can just deteriorate to the point where they are unreadable. I think there's an aftermarket fix for this at sensible money though.
Otherwise, an extraordinarily reliable and dependable car if maintained properly, I genuinely don't believe there is anything that takes miles better. If I had any reason to own one I would, but given we already have, among other things, 2 other Lexus models at the moment, it would be extravagant!
Otherwise, an extraordinarily reliable and dependable car if maintained properly, I genuinely don't believe there is anything that takes miles better. If I had any reason to own one I would, but given we already have, among other things, 2 other Lexus models at the moment, it would be extravagant!
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