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Comments
but such is life. Maybe today I will get it. Waiting to see the group photo. The clock is nice but
the picture is what I value. Its a moment in time with other people that feel the same way I do. Now how often do we get that in life! Clocks come and go as does time but the memories......
Regards,
Airwolf1000
George
PS - ETA was 2/27, so it was a week early.
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You finally made it. I bet you feel super...and you should...you've made a great choice.
But don't walk into the dealer with "rose colored glasses" on. When you go to pick up your new baby, make sure you inspect it closely, especially for paint defects.
Good luck,
Joe
I do have a pretty good memory of the results when I was experimenting to figure out whether there was a relationship between the intermittent trunk lamp switch and the problem I had with the PATS transceiver. It turned out they were independent, and the transceiver problem was simply a poor connection between the cable and the connector.
I was told the box has a cell phone in it, and about once a month it will call Ford and download a bunch of data about all the engine conditions and experiences that have occurred. I'm supposed to have the box removed after 12-18 months after the study completes.
I'll be interested if I can learn what general things Ford expects to learn from this. It is a different world than when I got my first 1939 Chevvy!
Note to all: Artie and I have now proven conclusively that the way to insure delivery of your Mania clock is to put your LS in the driveway and wash it! The UPS truck will be there momentarily, and the hose-yourself-down part isn't even required.
JLinc, awaiting a Heyjewel rave
... welcome to the club!
George
For some reason, the car had not been PDI'd yet. I made sure to check fluid levels before I drove it just in case. So I had to leave it there to get all the prep work done, install the mudflaps I bought and take care of a couple of nits I noticed.
I signed all the papers and arranged to pick it up Thurs after work. What's another 2 days after waiting since December 11? :>)
George
I'm not convinced Lincoln has really identified the whole cause. On my LS I consider it to be sufficiently minor, and so localized to a narrow speed range, that I've just decided to ignore it. If Lincoln comes up with something that seems to REALLY explain it and really FIX it, I'll probably get it done.
It does seem to be RPM related, so if I shift to 4th at 51 MPH, the sound goes away. That would seem to argue against the half shaft resonance unless some engine vibration at that RPM travels through the driveshaft or something; but wouldn't the V8 and V6 behave very differently? I haven't heard about any explanation or solution that makes sense. Fortunately, it isn't really very loud or noticeable unless you're sort of listening for it.
I wish all the world's problems were this minor.
BTW have you and the better half tossed a coin to decide who drives it more?
Brian
I agree with your assessment entirely. My 2001 LS8 does exactly the same thing. For me, its a little more than just noticeable. I really wish I could get rid of it especially since it occurs at such an important speed.
Anyone else have any more info on this condition? Mr. Cupka, are you guys studying this yet?
Joe
Can anyone help?
Thanks
Kevin
Like others, this is not a big issue with me, but I would get it fixed if there was a known remedy that was not too invasive.
testing stations today. They now spin the wheels on rollers to run the cars in drive up to highway speed. Well the bozo's set my car up for front wheel drive. As they were putting the wheel chocks on the rear wheels, I started banging on
the glass from the waiting room and yelling at them "its rear wheel drive!" Got into an argument with the idiots who didn't want to believe me. I had visions of my LS jumping over the wheel chocks and smashing the open driver's door and underside in the process.
The rear end drone has been extensively discussed in the past. It will only be present when the torque converter is locked. It is the beating of the natural resonant frequency of the half shafts with other parts in the drive line that have a resonant frequency close to that of the half-shafts. I did have my half shafts replaced. Like others it did reduce but not eliminate the drone. My understanding was that there were other changes that needed to be made to completely eliminate the drone. These other changes could not be retrofitted to existing LS's.
Does anyone with 2001 LS's have the drone, or has it been finally fixed.
By the way Mike and Mr. Hi Ho Silver I will try to send you the pictures tonight. Sorry but been real hectic.
Regarding the LS V6 Manual. Is it the first Getrag Ford has had in its vehicles. If it is then the LS has one more first for it. Hopefully the the alliance betweend ford and Getrag will solidify the development of an LS V8 Manual.
Regarding the Panic Attack. Why is it Car Mechanics assume we are idiots and question us when we tell them how it is. The burden of proof is on them to show us differently. After all we are familiar with our car. Now I know there are alot of idiot car owners out there but apparently also mechanics or inspectioners cause let me tell you I can tell you right off the bat which cars are rear wheel drive and which ones aren't. And if not, then all it takes is a quick look under the car. Man I tell ya.
Take care guys...
Regards,
Airwolf1000
As Rene and Mike stated in posts 914 and 919, my drone occurs at 51mph only in D5. It is also slightly noticeable at 42mph in D4. It is only apparent during light acceleration or while maintaining speed. It is not present while coasting or hard acceleration.
To me, it sounds like it is emanating from below the firewall around the transmission bell housing which would agree with your statement that it is torque-converter related.
Any help is appreciated.
Joe
Also in the same issue, an ad for a BMW 525i. First time I've ever seen a BMW 5-series with the price listed. Is BMW getting worried about Lincoln?
Brian
And finally if any of you current LS owner out there could do it all over again what would you put on this time that you didn't or couldn't afford the first time...just curious... helps to know all the variables from experienced owners before I tally up the sheet and write a check. I didn't think I would be so performance oriented, the Continental has been my perfect car so far with plenty of power to get me over HWY.17 into Silicon Valley from Santa Cruz but the shear exileration of the V8LS has got that topped by a mile!
Bill
lolaj42 (#927): Think you are being too pedantic on the C&D Report. Their long-term test report clearly says "During its winter time with us, we put 9,500 miles on a set of taller, narrower 215/60QR-16 Bridgestone Blizzak MZ-02 winter tires." Theirs is a 40,000 miles test in which they had the car for at least 41,500 miles. So they put on over 30,000 miles on the vehicle's regular tires. I believe a reasonable reading of the article would be that there general comments concerning suspension tuning are in relation to the standard, not winter, tires. The article indicates estimated life of the standard tires at 49,000 miles and that they would likely get two more winters out of the Blizzaks.
The religious example just came to mind and is a point of view not necessarily mine. This is not a religious forum so please no one answer to it.
By the way that don't do inspections where they put car on Dyno's over here in Texas. Just hook it up to a machine and rev it a little. That will be interesting if they need to rev it past 3000 RPM in park!
Regards,
Airwolf1000
Small world. I too commute over hwy 17 (from Scotts Valley) to Silicon Valley. I just bought (from North Bay Ford) an Autumn Red LS: V6 5speed manual. I'm picking it up tomorrow night. Can't wait! The LS is going to be a *great* car to drive over 17.
As to your questions, there is a TSB for the transmission which is simply a download (reflash) of new firmware to the on-board computer. The new flash contains new code for the transmission to allow smoother and faster shifts, both while driving, and when stopped and shifting from P to R for example. Any (automatic) 2001 you buy will need to have this new firmware. Whether yours in particular needs it will be deternined by the build date. Earlier than Oct or so, 2000 will not yet have the new firmware. Go here: http://www.llsoc.com and click recalls/tsbs for more info.
Moonroof: I ordered my LS with a moonroof. I love them. Driving over 17 at dusk or at nite with the roof open just feels good to me. I've got a factory moonroof in my '93 Mark 8, which I now unfortunately have to sell, and in 125,000 miles had it develop a leak once (about 50K miles). I noticed it right away and dealer fixed it under warranty. Also have one in my Chevy Tahoe, an aftermarket roof, which developed a leak just a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes it appears that the roof doesn't close properly, allowing water to seep in. So if we're careful to check when it closes, it's OK for now. Something's out of adjustment and I'll have to fix this one myself. So, 2 roofs, 2 leaks but I wouldn't let that worry me!
Most folks here recommend the Sport package, which comes with larger wheels, tires, firmer suspension, Select-Shift transmission, yada yada. The ride is a bit more 'Continental-like' without the Sports package, more 'BMW-like' with it. Mine has it. Another option I would recommend, especially for commuting hiway 17, is Advance Trac, which is a stability control system which will help keep the car under control if you get up too much speed in the twisties.
Good luck with your decision, keep us informed and watch for my Red LS travelling the late commute hours over 17 when the road is usually open for fun!
George
billincal1,
Get the moonroof its great and I have not seen any problems posted to date about it. Also get the AdvanceTrac; mine has saved my butt once or twice.
Tom.....
thomas_l. Here in Ca we "get" to go 4 years w/out smogging a new car :-)
billincal1. I would get the V8 sport, sunroof, and audiophile. I would also lease for 2 years then take out a 3 year loan. In my case, I think that would've been better than a 5 year loan.
Michael
program was started as political reward to one of the big local companies. It was originally run by the state then farmed out as I mentioned above. The state is trying to throw out the company that is running it right now do to incompetence (too many damaged cars and too many erroneous tests) and for criminal activities by its employees (several employees have been caught taking bribes to pass failing cars while others were stealing the required windshield stickers and selling them). The worse part about the program is that if your car fails once you have spent $150 on repairs you get an exemption sticker. It's a common site to see a junker chugging down the road spewing smoke and fumes, but it has an exemption sticker on it. An independent company did a study of the whole program and concluded that since the inspection program did not remove gross polluters from the roads that the program actually increased the net level of emissions by having the honest people drive those extra miles to the testing stations and sitting there in the lines with their engines running (there are signs in in waiting lanes telling you to keep you engine running. So much for spending hundreds of millions of dollars of our money to save us from ourselves.
If you get an '01 V8 built on or after 09/27/2000 or an '01 V6 built on or after 10/17/2000, you'll have the latest and greatest transmission software; no action will be required. An '01 built before those dates may have a slight downshift delay, but mine was built on 08/04/2000 and I've not had any problems.
If you go to the LLSOC website at http://www.llsoc.com and click on "Recalls and TSBs", you'll find a description of the tranny reflash.
I've had 3 Lincolns with factory moonroofs, and none of mine have ever leaked a drop or had any other problems. I'm 6'1" and headroom in the LS is fine for me; I don't know how it is in the back seat, but I haven't had any passenger complaints. Wind noise has never been an issue for me, either.
I have an '01 V8 Sport with moonroof and AdvanceTrac but no heated seats (I live in Texas.) If I had it to do over, I'd probably order exactly what I ordered the first time. You can't get the Audiophile stereo with the Sport package; that's my only real complaint.
An alternative is to get the Premium package which gives you the Sport suspension with the Audiophile sound system, but you don't get the SST shifter, the monochrome bumpers, or the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Depends on your personal preference.
It's a great car no matter which configuration you choose--after 6 months I'm still extremely happy with mine.
As for BMW 3 Series comparison, I think they rightly compare based on price. Jag S-type really competes in price with 5 Series. Think every 5 Series I've seen on a dealer's lot stickered for well into the $40K range, and often into $50K. My loaded LS8 stickered for only $39,400. Seen lots of 328s stickered from $36-42K. That is right in the meat of the LS8 price band. The 323 seems to routinely sticker around here for $30-34K, right in the heart of LS6 range. Seems fair and proper to compare LS to 3 Series. All we owners need to do is point out how much more car the LS is and how it might compare quite favorably, price-wise and driving-wise, with 5 Series.
The truth is cars are tested in their class. For example a Chevrolet Corvette 38K-50K is Compared to an Porsche 60K+ car, and the Acura NSX $90K car.Why because they are all sports cars. By your rational these cars should not even be mentioned in the same sentence since they are in different price ranges
The Fact is cars are categorized in Classes. Luxury Sport Sedan Comes to mine. The 323 might qualify but the line is fuzzy. The 3-series are either compact(4 door) or subcompact(coupe) vs. LS (midsize) and BMW 5(compact). These are the EPA ratings by the way. Also the 5 series and the LS both weigh in at a little above 3500 lbs not the 328 which is more like 3K lbs. The 5 Series has both V6 and V8's as does the LS. While the LS is not as refined as the BMW in luxury it is similar in size, and offerings.
This is why I have always said while Lincoln has done well it is not time to let up the LS is not up to the standard of the 540 53K+. It could be by adding more quality, nicer appointments, VVT, and a 6 Speed Manual as the 540 BMW does (4.0liter engine by the way not offered in 3 series).
They might do a cost comparison because people being Consumers are interested in the cars in a particular price range they can afford but not because it is an inherently logical comparison. That is why they have the battle of the SUV's, Minivans, Exotics, Roadsters, Trucks.
That way you have the Best of Class.
O.k. enough ranting...
regards,
airwolf1000
Even within apples there are lots of different types of them. Granny Smith and Red Delicious are quite different, but sellers and buyers compare them if they are in market for apples. BMW 3 Series is close enough in size, configuration, performance, marketing, etc. and price to qualify. I know that when I was looking at the LS I compared it to the 3 Series, not the 5 Series. It would've been a waste of my time to compare cars I could afford (LS & 3 Series) to cars I couldn't afford (S-type, 5 Series & MB E-or S-Class). That is why price is such an important factor. Real world buyers give it a heck of a lot of consideration. Also, I'd rather rely on C&D, MT, R&T, etc. to determine a proper comparison than on Federal EPA.
Now if you are also talking comparing new to used cars, that is a different matter. I could see someone compare a new LS8 to a used 5 Series. I don't buy used cars.
My right rear window has just malufunctioned for the THIRD time (I also had the left rear slip once before.) I'm not sure if it's the fault of dealer service that this keeps happening- or I just ended up with particularly faulty door constuction on my vehicle. The dealer did say that they were making a lot of these repairs...
BUT I would really like some deeper insight before taking it back in for service yet again...
anyone who can help, please post- or mail me at:
eric.lacombe@raremedium.com
---
But anyway, to end on a positive note, it's still driving great... (of course.) Just miles away from 12k and counting. Just devouring that lease milage like there's no tomorrow... I just can't help it. The car makes me do it, I swear.
By the way - it seems today I am the subject of the article I mentioned earlier. Those of you that are interested, I tagged it on my homepage and gave up using the browser-based e-mail disaster that I have to use at work. After three tries I felt like a guest star in a 3 stooges episode. Hey Moe!
The treatment by the service writer was fine and the loaner was a 2000 LSV8 non Sport in pristine condition with 15,000 miles on it. The writer said my car would be ready for 1430 as it had to go to two different departments but I was paged at 1330 and picked my car up. They'd even washed it - the first time anyone has done that for me!
The ball joints were fine and the TSB has really sharpened up the gear shifts - especially reverse to drive. Ford may not be perfect but I get the impression that they are really trying. I recommend the car to anyone who asks my impressions.
dbain1
LS, 5/7 series, E320/430, GS300/400, A6
If price is the objective then it might be:
LS, 3 series, C320, ES/IS 300, A4, I30
I think the LS has some advantage over the competition in any comparison whether it's price, luxury, handling or styling.
Personally I considered a Cougar, Mustang GT convertible, 3 series, LS and numerous other vehicles - my list was "fun to drive" with seating for at least 2 adults and 2 kids and I wasn't looking in any particular price range - though I did have an upper limit. Each person has his or her own list.
The only things that bother me about the 3 series comparisons is that they never mention how much smaller it is. It may be giving people the false impression that the LS is a much smaller car than it really is.
It was a pleasure speaking with both Brian and Stan yesterday. You guys could pick up where Click and Clack of Car Talk (National Public Radio Program) leave off! You both were a big help and I'll look forward to meeting you at the next ralley. By the way, I have joined the owners club and would highly recommend that others consider joining.
<<loaner was a 2000 LSV8 non Sport in pristine condition with 15,000 miles on it.>>
So far my loaners have been:
1. A well worn but clean 1999 Town Car (twice same car)
2. An absolute pig pen of a 1999 Cougar
3. A clean but opressively smoke scented 1999 Sable
My dealer also has a way of making you feel like you are imposing on them by asking for a loaner car in addition scheduling out service appointments with loaners 2-4 weeks.
<<The writer said my car would be ready for 1430 as it had to go to two different departments but I was paged at 1330 and picked my car up.>>
Only 1 time did my dealer call as promised. Every other visit I had do call 2 or more times to find out if my LS was ready
<<They'd even washed it>>
The last 2 times my LS was parked right next to the road where a big puddle collects and splashes on to the parked cars as traffic passes by. Every square inch of my LS was covered with sand salt and grime and has never been washed in 5 visits. I'm hoping I get another survice survey after my last visit so I can check every box of as "unaceptable" and see if anyone calls to find out why.
So raise some cain and be prepared to take your business elsewhere! And if you can't, try talking with zone/region rep.
I had the previous repairs done before December, so now I can see why they didn't last. I've already got my maintenace scheduled... thanks again!