Questions regarding an LS400

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Paul S. Brown - 28 Mar 2005 11:36 GMT

Does anybody know if the 93 model LS has an immobiliser built in? Reason I'm
asking is that my insurer won't cover me for theft without it and I need to
figure out if I'm going to have to spring for an additional immobiliser

Also, does anybody have any experience in doing mechanical work on one of
these? I've got a sheared wheel stud to replace (Previous owner apparently
torqued it up to "A half turn past bloody tight" accordign to the garage
who spent 15 minutes with an air wrench undoing the rest of them) - so, any
idea how difficult wheel studs are to replace on these?

Also, I'm told there's a broken wire in the drivers seat which is supposed
to link the motors for recline - again, any experience of replacing these
would be appreciated.

I've just bought this as a 12yo car for not very much money, so I'd expected
a few niggles, however the rules buying a £3k car are very different from
buying a £55k car - starting with "Don't use the franchise dealers for they
will ream you coming and going"

Thanks for any help on these ones.

P.

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New Owner - 28 Mar 2005 14:41 GMT

Sorry Paul, but I find myself having to ask why in heaven's name are you
concerned about theft insurance on a 12-yr old £3k automobile? Unless the
car has special sentimental value to you or is otherwise considered a
collector's item, the only insurance you need is property damage liability
and medical liability (unless of course the title is being held as
collateral for a loan).

>Does anybody know if the 93 model LS has an immobiliser built in? Reason I'm
>asking is that my insurer won't cover me for theft without it and I need to
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
>P.

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Paul S. Brown - 28 Mar 2005 15:07 GMT

> Sorry Paul, but I find myself having to ask why in heaven's name are you
> concerned about theft insurance on a 12-yr old £3k automobile? Unless the
> car has special sentimental value to you or is otherwise considered a
> collector's item, the only insurance you need is property damage liability
> and medical liability (unless of course the title is being held as
> collateral for a loan).

Basically because £3k is $6k which is rather a lot of money to be out if
somebody decides to steal the car.

UK insurance is a little odd - lowest you get is "3rd Party" which is
property damage liability - covers others in the event you hit them
basically.

Above that is "3rd Party Fire and Theft" which covers you in the event your
car is stolen or torched. Problem is that this is the minimum level to also
cover things like vehicle contents against theft - I tend to carry some kit
which is valued much the same as the car in it and can't really afford to
have that uninsured (No - insuring the kit itself isn't really an option
either)

The main problem is that the LS400 is a group 19 car - almost as hefty an
insurance risk as it's possible to get, and almost no insurer will cover it
3rd Party only - TPFT is the lowest cover I can get, and I can't afford to
have the policy declared void because of an exception - having void
insurance is a criminal offence in the UK.

P.

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drinkdrivegotojail - 29 Mar 2005 01:51 GMT

The car does not have immobiliser, that started in 97. The studs arent very
hard to replace, front or rear all you need to do is remove the caliper and
rotor, hammer it out, then pull the new one in. An easy way is to lube it up
with some anti-sieze, slide the new stud in, use an axle nut bottom side up
as a washer, and pull it in slowly with an impact (or a large ratchet, but
that takes alot of time and effort). As for the seat, do you mean the cable
is broken? Either way its not real difficult to pull the seat out and work
on the track and motors, theres a fair amount of room.

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