Japanese quality
In 2024 it will be 35 years since Lexus debuted as a brand with the LS 400, which had to compete against the established order in the premium segment. In terms of quality, the LS stands head and shoulders above brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar, no doubt about that. However, Europeans in particular still attach great importance to the image of those brands, as is evident from Lexus sales figures. And let’s be honest: the interior of that first LS evokes associations with a Toyota in terms of materials.
Consumption is not disappointing
No, you won’t be convinced until you start driving and experience how quiet and comfortable an LS is. The Japanese have done their homework well, Emre also knows that. “In the autumn I went to the Black Forest. The trip itself was a celebration and the first big ride after purchasing it in August. In Germany I briefly went well above 200 km/h, but I don’t find it very stable at that speed and the brakes also have difficulty slowing down quickly. With the cruise control at 130 km/h you can enjoy it to the fullest and consumption remains within limits. That’s not too bad anyway, compared to my previous car, a Lexus IS 200. It was less economical and also impossible to get ahead of, unless the engine was at high speed.”
Eighty liters Euro98
Indeed, the two-liter six-in-line of the IS does not excel in pulling power at low revs. Then Emre is well served with the V8 of the LS. He briefly satisfied his hunger for a lot of torque with a BMW 335d. The test drive was exciting, as was the honeymoon, until the problems came. “I already knew I was taking a big risk with that BMW, but things quickly got out of hand, so the relationship didn’t last long. Perhaps I had the most fun with my first car, a Mazda 323. I actually had no money to drive a car at the time, but I managed to insure it for four euros a month and I always refueled for a tenner. That is no longer the case! It easily holds more than eighty liters, always Euro 98, and I can drive about nine hundred kilometers with that.”
When Emre started looking for an affordable LS, he had little choice. “This was owned by a private individual. He had plans to take a road trip to South Africa and discovered that a Lexus was not the right car for that. I couldn’t find anything strange and the price was right. After purchase I had it serviced and replaced the spark plugs. I am now almost 10,000 kilometers further, without any problems, and the engine uses no oil.”
Sweat, not tears
It must be said: for a 25-year-old car, the LS still looks very good. Hardly any damage, no rust and still nice and original. Strangely enough, the Lexus lacks heated seats and parking sensors and the sunroof has been retrofitted. Judge and owner of Carrec Joep Schuurman rolls into the workshop almost silently and does not seem dissatisfied. “With a little work on the tires and the alignment, it would drive as it should again,” he reports after getting out.
The cause is quickly found when it turns out that both front wheels are far from straight. Inside the left wheel is a huge amount of balancing weight. Also on the right and there it even touches the brake caliper. Not surprising, given the modest wheel size (16 inches). In combination with a lot of rubber, this provides extra comfort. Everything in the engine compartment also looks neat and not, as Joep calls it, ‘totally encrypted’. There is some oil sweating here and there, such as at the valve cover gaskets. Emre: “I want to replace it again, but it looks like it’s not as simple as with the engine of the IS, where I also did it.”
You can also see from the underside that it is no longer a new car, although the still original steering rack covers are proof of high quality. Together with Joep we come to the conclusion that Emre did not make a bad purchase. “That’s nice to hear and now I’m really sure it’s a good car.”
Name: Emre Eltemur
Year of construction: 1999
Place of residence: Heerhugowaard
Occupation: District heating project engineer
First car: Mazda 323 BF
Previous car: Lexus IS 200
What would you like to change about your car?: Tint the windows.
What is your longest trip with this car?: To the Black Forest, southern Germany.
Maintenance history
Unfortunately, there is no maintenance history, but given the condition of the Lexus we assume that it has always been well cared for. You would prefer to have a consistent dealer history for such a car, then you can be sure that everything is in order.
What’s wrong with it?
- Lighting in the left LCD of the air conditioning is defective
- Left wiper blade hits against the A-pillar
- The car shakes on the highway
- The steering wheel is a bit crooked when driving straight ahead
- The automatic air conditioning does not work properly (temperature control is incorrect
- The car pulls a little to the right
- The engine sweats some oil here and there
- Some coolant is leaking from a connection piece on top of the engine
- Both front wheels are bent
- There is far too much lead (crooked) stuck to the rim on the left front
- At the front right, the balancing lead runs against the brake caliper
- The exhaust is extensively damaged by rust in some places
- The connecting rod of the rear right height sensor is rusted and has been repaired in an alternative manner/is now not stuck
- The right driveshaft seal is leaking
De mening van Carrec Technocenter
“This Lexus, which is more than 25 years old, can be put back into good condition without major interventions. A car like this should also drive perfectly.”
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2023-12-25 07:00:16
#Lexus #Clock #AutoWeek
