I purchased my LS V6 manual in August of 2000, took delivery Oct. of the same year. No problems to speak of in the almost 1 1/2 yrs. Great car!!!
As I was not expecting any of them, I was very pleased to receive all the nice perks, but I have to believe that in the grand scheme of things, I paid for the items when I made the purchase... Somewhere in the advertising, marketing or PR budgets I'll bet you find these items, all of which reflect in the final sticker price. Everyone who made the purchase should have received them!
I have a 2000 LS8/Sport. I generally try to keep the tire pressure at 32 PSI, because they tend to lose pressure very slowly. I wouldn't advise running them lower than the factory recommended 30 PSI. I don't find the ride to be harsh even at 32 PSI. I am more interested, especially as the weather gets hotter (here in the desert Southwest), to keep tire temperatures lower by keeping the pressure a little higher.
Don't forget, we didn't get this model Lincoln because we wanted to mush around like a 1960 Buick!
LLSOC is pleased to announce that Lincoln has invited members to a special Owners Meeting being held at the NY Auto Show on Media Day, Wednesday, April 11, 2001, from 5:00pm to 6:30pm with Jim Rogers as the host.
Lincoln has graciously reserved 25 media passes for the members of the club for entry into this fantastic event.
Media Day is usually reserved for members of the press and other dignitaries and VIPs. The general public is not allowed. Which means that the first 25 people to sign up for this event will get to see the first unveilings of several new models. Most people who work at Ford or Lincoln/Mercury have not been to a Media Day event at an International Auto Show.
Availability will be to the first 25 people to sign up by replying to the "Owners Meeting on Media Day" post under the "New York Auto Show and Owners Meeting" topic on the LLSOC MESSAGE BOARD ONLY! Responses placed on Edmunds will not be accepted as valid.
LLSOC member volunteers who have signed up to man the LS area at the NY Auto show get first priority. Then LLSOC members. Once the LLSOC members have signed up, any remaining tickets will be issued to owners who are not members of the club who sign up for the event, based on date and time of their post.
There is a deadline of midnight, April 1, 2001 for reserving your chance at a ticket. Remember this is a very special opportunity to see new models before the general public sees them and to meet with Jim Rogers, General Marketing Manager for Lincoln. Refreshments will be served.
Remember only reply by posting a response on the LLSOC message board topic listed above.
Well - last night I raised the right rear window as I pulled into my garage - and I heard a (VERY LOUD) pop! The window is all the way up - and so are all the rest.
My question is - is this the initial indication of the failure mode others have seen when the rear windows - umm - die?
Thanks, - Ray Now afraid to lower ANY windows......
Here's a small piece of evidence that helps refute the argument that the automotive press is always biased in favor of BMW or MB. Today's Motor News section of Omaha World-Herald has a great undated lengthy review of the LS8 Sport, written by Tom Strongman, The Kansas City Star. Excerpts: "The best way to describe the LS is to think of it as an American BMW... a very European feel... an amalgam of balanced handling, understated luxury and over-the-road performance... It competes very nicely against the BMW 5-series, Lexus GS300, Audi A6, and MB C-class... as quick on its feet as any of its European competitors, it outshines many of them when driven hard. It is positively delightful in turns". His only negative comments are on relatively compact interior (vis-a-vis TC), incl. rear seat legroom, and need for more luxurious & elegant interior.
Check out post #218 at Mercury Marquis Marauder site here at Edmunds Town Hall. Has a link to Popular Mechanics Detroit Spy Report. Discusses an '03 Ford RWD midsize sedan that will not be built on LS chassis, an '04 6.8L V-12 Lincoln Town Car, and an '04 Ford Fairlane RWD w/V-6 & V-8. Has some spy photos of '02 Catera replacement as well. I'm wondering if the '03 midsize and the '04 Fairlane aren't essentially the same concept?
My front passanger window did that a few weeks ago. I lower it daily. A few days after the pop, I heard what sounded like cable twisting during operation. That lasted a few days. All is back to normal now, sound wise anyway.
LLSOC has been given the go-ahead to start an interest list for anyone who would like to take a tour of the Wixom plant. Don't have dates yet. I'd guess late spring or late summer, possibly.
This is being offered to LLSOC members only at this time. If interested go to the LLSOC message board under Events and Gatherings then Wixom Tour. If you are a LLSOC member and haven't registered for the board you won't be able to get into it. Register for the board then wait for a few hours until I can grant you entry permission into that area.
It's the thread here on the upcoming RWD Marauder, belated competitor to the '94-'96 Impala SS. Don't go to the Marquis site. That's separate, for the regular Crown Vic/Grand Marquis.
This may be a discussion that has gone way beyond interesting, but I record all tank fill-ups and have for the last 23 years. My 2000 LS V8 bought new on December 15, 2000 has been filled 9 times. The mileage is as follow: 1. 18.46 2. 18.42 3. 20.00 4. 24.3 5. 24.0 6. 19.25 7. 19.1 8. 18.4 9. 22.7
The low end is a combination of highway and stop&go traffic while the high end is mostly highway - (makes sense...doesn't it)
My 69-yr-old mom spent a lot of yesterday driving the loaner LS8 non-Sport I have this weekend while my LS8 Sport is in the shop. We also drove her LS6 auto non-Sport. On the same roads. Most of time on rural 2-lane county roads and interstate. My mom doesn't have the internet & doesn't like computers so I'm typing what she is telling me. She had a ball in the LS8, getting it up to 112 mph at one time. She even was spinning the tires from a standing start. Here are her words; I'm typing while she talks:
"No comparison in terms of power. Much more powerful. Very responsive. Very fun. Too many slow pokes on the road, so I couldn't really use it all the time. I had to watch out for cops. Don't dare get an LS8. My husband would want to drive it all the time and he'd be putting me in the back seat with his too quick starts! Both handle and ride equally nicely. Fun to drive."
Mom's LS6 built 5/99. She bought 8/99. Has 16,000 miles. Her biggest complaint: window problems. Awful wind noise over 60 mph, windows make cracking-like sounds over bumps and irregular road surfaces, and metallic, almost scrapping, when glass goes up & down near top of track. She has NOT had any heated seat problems. She is going to have transmission reflash.
I've been reading and occasionally participating with questions on this board for almost 2yrs now and had yet to see these roof's covered with cloth that Jim Rogers wants to know about. Well to my disbelief I finally have seen them. Last Friday night I had to correct my lane position after my wife screamed "Look out!", I had caught a glimpse of another LS coming in the opposite direction. As it approached I slowly started to feel my pulse and breathing quicken, my focus came in clearly and then I felt the twing in my stomach. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CAR? Dont get me wrong I'm all for accessorizing, but that roof really mad my stomach turn. Thanks to my wife I swerved back into my lane and avoided the curb and empty bus stop. After dinner the same night, walking back to our car what did I see parked 5 or 6 spots away? ANOTHER ONE!!! - Absolutly hideous!!! Double whammy in one night!
In case Jim is curious, because I did not have an opportunity to speak to these owners, there are several dealerships in this area that might be the culprits. Ladin Lincoln - Thousand Oaks Vista Lincoln - Woodland Hills Galpin - North Hills
giowa, I think I really like your mom! I wonder about the strange noises she has in her car's windows and suspension? Something must be loose! Do YOU have those sounds in your LS8? Mine doesn't.
Yegads! What is this state coming too? First a third-world country power rating and now two cloth roofed abominations. Wait! I wonder if somehow the two are connected. Maybe they were being used in a Men in Black sequel. Would make sense. Alien beings that are cockroaches dressed like normal humans but having utterly no taste in car accesories!
Brian(who would put his money on Galpin doing something completely idiotic like that just to make a sale)
reneleblanc: I've briefly had some front passenger-side window noise when glass was near top of track. But it happened after a woman had backed into the side of the car while my wife was at a stop light. After initial repair work, the noise appeared and they re-worked the window. Stopped making the noise. I looked over mom's same window. Think she has some seal problems causing the wind noise but not sure about the cracking/creaky noise over bumps. She is going to take it in. And have the 01-01-05 reflash. Hers is a rather early build '00 (5/99).
ls1bmw0: Mom had a ball in the LS8 'cause it was a loaner. She didn't abuse it, but did put it thru some decent paces. I had to tell her she was driving 112 mph. She looked down and said "Damn, didn't realize I was going that fast." I was a bit white knuckled, wondering what her reflexes were like in case a deer, cow, farmer, or whatever might jump out into the road in the middle of nowhere. Now she prefers the LS8 but wouldn't dare get one for fear dad would always drive it. (He has her former '93 Concorde 3.5L V-6. When they bought the LS6 they traded in dad's '98 Crown Vic. He didn't like it, prefering the Concorde. Now he loves to drive her LS6, when she lets him.)
A few posts back, I indicated that I was thinking of replacing my Firehawks with something a bit quieter and softer. The roads here in MPLS are pretty awful. This weekend, I put on a set of Michelin X-ones, "T" speed rating, same size as stock. Here are my findings for those who care. NOISE: WOW! The noise difference is nothing short of incredible! It is as though concrete roads which caused a ruckus before have suddenly been given a smooth coat of asphalt. This car is quieter than a Lexus! I am not exaggerating. RIDE: The basic firmness and balance (which I love) is still there - just a tad softer. If you run over a dime, you can no longer tell the date, but you can still feel it. I was running my Firehawks at 28PSI to soften them up a bit and I now have the Michelins at 32. The Michelins ride softer at that pressure than the 'stones did at 28 and the rolling resistance is much lower. HANDLING: You folks who participate in autocrosses will think I am crazy, but I like the way these tires handle. No doubt the limits are lower on the skidpad or on a roadcourse. However, the basic RWD balance is still very much intact. The 4 wheel drifts that another poster spoke of so eloquently are still available - just at a little slower pace. Driving the car to 90% of it's capability feels much the same only smoother and quieter. Pushing to the last 10% is where you would miss the "V" rated Firestones. A '60 Buick - NOT.
Overall, if you have, or are considering an LS but would like to calm the ride a bit while retaining the firm RWD feel, a tire swap may be the answer.
I have the Michelin Pilot XGT V4s in the stock 16" non sport size and I love them. I agree with all your comments too. I have autocrossed these tires and the Firehawks and I think the Michelins have a higher grip and better transitional handling than the 'stones. They just seem that they would have a lower limit because there is a lot less fuss.
Now I am a little confused. I have a '00 LS-8 Sport with the 17 in wheels and the Firestone tires. Am I correct in assuming that you guys are talking about replacing the non sport tires? Unless there are some new sizes on the market, the exact replacement size for the sport Firehawk is limited to some very expensive tires. More to the point, I thought that RCupka from L-M was very adamant in pointing out that the Firehawk for the sport suspension was very carefully made for that car and that replacing it would not be prudent in that he felt that ride, handling and comfort would be compromised. Is that still the thought? I admit that I don't push my car much anymore, but I have not had any problem with my Firestone tires and they are wearing so well that I doubt that I will need to replace them before I reach 35,000 miles or more. At that time, I would like to have some more input in whether I should even consider doubling up the price to get some "prestige" brand or whether I should just suck it up and accept the sneers of the uninformed who think I am running recalled tires on my pretty car.
My comments about the tire swaps are based on my experience with the non-sport model. I think the Lincoln engineers were referring to the sport equipped cars. They might feel that the Firehawks are a good compromise for the non-sport, also. The key word is compromise. I realize that I may have given up some "at the edge" handling in search of noise reduction. I know I gave up a 149 MPH speed rating for only 118. For my needs, it was a good choice.
A neat thing about the LS is that it really can appeal to quite a variety of descriminating buyers. A few little modifications (tires, exhaust, K & N, etc.) can help individualize our cars and add to the enjoyment.
By the way, Giowa, I loved the post with your Mom's comments. I am an Iowa boy, myself. I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of a 69 year old lady blasting down I80 at 112! More power to her!!
When my LS was nearly new, I had a creaking drivers window. It would only happen after lowering it all the way and then raising it. In the "up" position, it would creak when going over uneven pavement for 20 miles or so and then quit. My dealer at the time, (Stivers, in Des Moines) had the usual, "they all do that."
I finally lowered the window all the way and sprayed some silicone down the track. After a few cycles of up and down, the creak was gone. It does come back about every 6 months or so and I give it another shot of silicone lubricant. I really think the track needs adjustment but I am afraid to tamper with it. The windows seal up tight as a drum and I wouldn't want to do anything to cause any wind noise.
Some time ago there were some postings that referred to replacement facias for the LS bumpers. I recently "kissed" a Saturn and hope that someone might be able to give me information on the location of the aforementioned seller of these items. These items sounded like take-offs as 'painted' was mentioned in the posts. Thanks for any forthcoming assistance!
There is a link to the Bumper people on the LLSOC web site. Just go to www.llsoc.com and look for the link section. I have forgotten how to do a link here. Advanced old timers disease is creeping up.
For what it is worth, I find the v6 MT combination ideal. The six cyl. automatic seemed underpowered to me and the V8 priced higher than I wanted to pay. The V6 MT has been a perfect fit for me. Even with a budget big enough to buy a V8 next time, I will get another V6 MT.
Has anyone else had these problems @2241miles pass seat belt does not pull down,gas pedal sticks due to hood pad linkage hits pad,both right and left head lamps have moisture, trunk pops open sometimes when driving,a/I auto hemp. doesn't work,tarns shifts hard,and by the way lug nuts rusted.This 2001 sport V6.Had this car 3weeks.Did receive my crystal last week.
AF, Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems. Having been in this board for over a year, I can comment on some of them...
- Headlamp moisture is a known problem although I never heard of it on a 2001 model. Your dealer should be able to correct this.
- Trans hard shifting... What is your build date? There is a new reflash for the tranny which may help here. The reflash corrects some slow shifting problems which may be the root cause of your problem.
- "a/I auto hemp. doesn't work"... I don't understand this reference.
- I haven't heard of any of the other problems you mentioned. They have never been mentioned here that I can remember. The lug nuts, seat belt, and accelerator linkage are apparently defects. One person had complained once of unintended acceleration, but I don't know if it was confirmed or what the root cause was.
I assume that all of this is being covered under the warranty.
I'll pass your comments on to my mom. She'll be most interested. She has her car worked on at Stivers L-M in Des Moines. She actually bought it in Council Bluffs at then Bluffs L-M-Toyota (now only Toyota). She sometimes feels she gets the run around from service departments, not taking an older lady seriously. She tries to do her homework, gathering up TSBs and other info from me first, before heading off to talk with the Service Advisor.
What is your build date? Her's is 5/99.
Do you no longer use Stivers? Thinking he's only L-M dealer in DSM. Who do you use now? If you see a silver '00 LS6 non-Sport auto w/dark grey interior & sunroof in Polk Co., it might be her.
I have a late build 2000 that had a seat belt retractor on the drivers side that was stick when I took delivery. They ordered the new part and replaced it a week later. I have noticed none of the other problems you mentioned.
I also have a bmw528i (98) and it had a few bugs that had to be vetted after delivery. One major problem was that the car would die on the highway at highway speed. Took it in several times and finally had to be towed in. It turned out to be a malfunctioning pump between the two gas tanks. Also had to have the catalytic converter replaced and the cup holders both front and rear broke. The bmw cup holders are plastic pop out things that look like they belong in a Hundai.
Incidentally, the fake wood on the bmw is about the same quality as the LS. Looks pretty good most of the time.but it is obviously plastic. Hey and the bmw costs $10k more.
Dropped in a K&N into my V8 Sport and was amazed at how restricted the airbox is. The small 2" opening in fender well simply can't flow so.... I have this strong desire to "open it up" in the front and duct to some existing openings. Has anyone here tried opening up their airbox to increase flow?
The Explorer transmission is very similar to the LS transmission. There are some differences. The biggest difference is the case is changed to bolt to the Explorer's engines.
I just recently rotated my tires again at 14,000 miles on my LS6 Sport and the front and rear brake pads look almost brand new. They all have a long way to wear, before worrying about replacement.
You may just have a small stone or something like that causing the squeak.
I was thinking "Spring" a bit too early this year and removed the Blizzaks off the rear of my 00LS8 last week since it pretty much stopped snowing in CLeveland a few weeks ago (that is until this weekend of course.) I miss those tires. They really make the LS handle well in ice and snow and I HIGHLY recommend them. All the tire dealers told me I would be sorry if I only bought two tires instead of the recommended four. I had no problems at all.
Right rear window that POPPED this weekend died when I lowered it an inch or so at lunch today - as an expirament. Would not move up or down. Sounded like a part (or 2) clunked down to the bottom of the door.
Dealer squeezed me in - and the repair was accomplished this afternoon!
- Ray With all 4 windows (and moonroof) operational and Spring in the air.......
Did the dealer replace the left rear window assembly also? I seem to remember some past posts stating that the dealers replaced both when only one had broken. It was great that they took you right in on such short notice. So far I've been lucky as far as the windows go (I'm knocking on the wooden desk). Tom
As much as I hated to I called the dealer where I bought my 2000 LS-Auto V8 to set up an appt. for some warranty items. In the past I have not been very happy with Pavilion L-M in Austin. I asked to speak with the service manager with whom I had problems with. I was told he no longer worked for Pavilion. I told them I was pleased to hear that and was willing to give them another chance at my business ( this is the second vehicle purchased from them). They put me in a free loaner and it is only costing me $6.00 a day. The car is in for air leak around drivers window, transmission reflash and an intermittent buzzing from the rear speakers (Alpine Autophile). Once the buzzing starts it's so loud you can't hear the music, turning off the radio doesn't seem to stop it. If you turn off the ignition and restart the car it will usually, but not always go away. It has done this several times both in FM and CD Mode. Of course when I took it in to the dealer it wasn't acting up. Has anyone had similar experiences with these items.
Why is the "FREE loaner" car costing you anything? The deal in our books is not CHEAP loaner car is it? I thought it was FREE loaner. I paid once and balked afterward. The only time I paid since then was when I voluntarily upgraded to get a Mustang Convertible which for some reason costs $3 per day more than a Town Car at the rental agency that my dealer uses. I still think that L-M has a lot to learn from Lexus or even Cadillac dealers on providing transportation. At the Lexus dealer my wife goes to they come to the house (and it is over 50 miles away) and give her an equivalent or better car almost all the time, but always a Lexus. She has a GS 300 and last time they gave her an ES 300 for her use. The Service manager called to apologize for not putting her in a GS or LS. At the Cadillac dealer I went to with my former car (A Seville STS), I always got a Cadillac from the on site rental agency. At the L-M dealers I have gone to I get a ride across town to a rental car agency (which is already a major pain), stand in line and get a Town Car (if they have one). One time they tried to give me a GEO. Even Mr. Tolerance (me) has his limits. A GEO far exceeds them.
4 or 5 months ago, I had a similar experience, but it only happened one time. Just after starting the car, I heard a loud buzzing/humming sound that seemed to be coming from the rear subwoofers. It only lasted 5-10 seconds, and never happeded again. I did crawl into the trunk and check all of the electrical connections to the amplifier and speakers. Nothing seemed to be amiss, but possibly I did reset a bad connection without realizing it.
LS8 SPORT ~17K miles - still love the car - right rear brake started to squeak, after some hesitation and test drive dealer said they will replace the rear pads.. Car started to have the mysterious beep about twice a week - have not been on board lately - what's the latest?
Has anyone with a light color LS noticed if the paint on the rear bumper fascia is discoloring? My Vibrant White 00 LS appears to have the white discoloring slightly on the plastic fascia all over. Don't know if it's a Southern California problem or unique to my car. It's starting to get a brownish tint, but only on the plastic. The rest of the car is fine.
Hey Brian... just got my LS with V8. Sports package, midnight gray exterior, lite graphite interior, moonroof, also picked up the CD changer for free!....couldn't be happier. My only problem seems to be going too fast in town...it is so tempting to quickly accelerate without the roar of an obvious laboring smaller engine.... Even my 99 Continental having 23 more HP labors to get me up to speed. With the LS it is effortless and so quiet...The only comparable car that I have been in is a new 8 Cylinder Mercedes...but who wants to spend $60K to get the same ride for $36k? Bravo Ford!
Just a caution to other LS owners...if you're around 50 don't put in "The Beach Boys Greatest Hits" -"409". tends to bring out the beast in us!
Tom12253 - No - just the one broken. Don't know what they would have done if I'd made an appointment, but they had me in and out in about 3 hours. Cheers, - Ray Who now wonders in the left one is likely to 'go' soon?????
Comments
As I was not expecting any of them, I was very pleased to receive all the nice perks, but I have to believe that in the grand scheme of things, I paid for the items when I made the purchase... Somewhere in the advertising, marketing or PR budgets I'll bet you find these items, all of which reflect in the final sticker price. Everyone who made the purchase should have received them!
Don't forget, we didn't get this model Lincoln because we wanted to mush around like a 1960 Buick!
Lincoln has graciously reserved 25 media passes for the members of the club for entry into this fantastic event.
Media Day is usually reserved for members of the press and other dignitaries and VIPs. The general public is not allowed. Which means that the first 25 people to sign up for this event will get to see the first unveilings of several new models. Most people who work at Ford or Lincoln/Mercury have not been to a Media Day event at an International Auto Show.
Availability will be to the first 25 people to sign up by replying to the "Owners Meeting on Media Day" post under the "New York Auto Show and Owners Meeting" topic on the LLSOC MESSAGE BOARD ONLY! Responses placed on Edmunds will not be accepted as valid.
LLSOC member volunteers who have signed up to man the LS area at the NY Auto show get first priority. Then LLSOC members. Once the LLSOC members have signed up, any remaining tickets will be issued to owners who are not members of the club who sign up for the event, based on date and time of their post.
There is a deadline of midnight, April 1, 2001 for reserving your chance at a ticket. Remember this is a very special opportunity to see new models before the general public sees them and to meet with Jim Rogers, General Marketing Manager for Lincoln. Refreshments will be served.
Remember only reply by posting a response on the LLSOC message board topic listed above.
Brian Gowing
Founder
Lincoln LS Owners Club
My question is - is this the initial indication of the failure mode others have seen when the rear windows - umm - die?
Thanks,
- Ray
Now afraid to lower ANY windows......
Make January February
VW/Audi 30.4 31.2
Daimler-Chry 13.0 13.4
MB 11.3 11.8
Chry 1.7 1.6
Opel (GM) 11.6 11.8
Ford 6.4 8.9
BMW 6.5 7.4
All French 10.7 9.6
All Italian 4.8 4.4
Interesting that BMW can't even control 10% of Germany's market. And MB just barely. VW really dominates in Germany.
Article says Ford's sales boosted by Mondeo being a success. That is the platform for upcoming Jag X-type, but in 4WD mode only.
Can you give us a little more information? Post #218 under Mercury Marquis is about something else entirely....
This is being offered to LLSOC members only at this time. If interested go to the LLSOC message board under Events and Gatherings then Wixom Tour. If you are a LLSOC member and haven't registered for the board you won't be able to get into it. Register for the board then wait for a few hours until I can grant you entry permission into that area.
Brian
Brian
1. 18.46
2. 18.42
3. 20.00
4. 24.3
5. 24.0
6. 19.25
7. 19.1
8. 18.4
9. 22.7
The low end is a combination of highway and stop&go traffic while the high end is mostly highway - (makes sense...doesn't it)
"No comparison in terms of power. Much more powerful. Very responsive. Very fun. Too many slow pokes on the road, so I couldn't really use it all the time. I had to watch out for cops. Don't dare get an LS8. My husband would want to drive it all the time and he'd be putting me in the back seat with his too quick starts! Both handle and ride equally nicely. Fun to drive."
Mom's LS6 built 5/99. She bought 8/99. Has 16,000 miles. Her biggest complaint: window problems. Awful wind noise over 60 mph, windows make cracking-like sounds over bumps and irregular road surfaces, and metallic, almost scrapping, when glass goes up & down near top of track. She has NOT had any heated seat problems. She is going to have transmission reflash.
Well to my disbelief I finally have seen them. Last Friday night I had to correct my lane position after my wife screamed "Look out!", I had caught a glimpse of another LS coming in the opposite direction. As it approached I slowly started to feel my pulse and breathing quicken, my focus came in clearly and then I felt the twing in my stomach. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CAR? Dont get me wrong I'm all for accessorizing, but that roof really mad my stomach turn. Thanks to my wife I swerved back into my lane and avoided the curb and empty bus stop.
After dinner the same night, walking back to our car what did I see parked 5 or 6 spots away? ANOTHER ONE!!! - Absolutly hideous!!!
Double whammy in one night!
In case Jim is curious, because I did not have an opportunity to speak to these owners, there are several dealerships in this area that might be the culprits.
Ladin Lincoln - Thousand Oaks
Vista Lincoln - Woodland Hills
Galpin - North Hills
Still recovering...
Alex
I wonder about the strange noises she has in her car's windows and suspension? Something must be loose! Do YOU have those sounds in your LS8? Mine doesn't.
Yegads! What is this state coming too? First a third-world country power rating and now two cloth roofed abominations. Wait! I wonder if somehow the two are connected. Maybe they were being used in a Men in Black sequel. Would make sense. Alien beings that are cockroaches dressed like normal humans but having utterly no taste in car accesories!
Brian(who would put his money on Galpin doing something completely idiotic like that just to make a sale)
Cool mom! Wonder if I can reword the "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" into "Little Old Lady from Iowa". The "Go Granny, Go Granny" part sure fits!
ls1bmw0: Mom had a ball in the LS8 'cause it was a loaner. She didn't abuse it, but did put it thru some decent paces. I had to tell her she was driving 112 mph. She looked down and said "Damn, didn't realize I was going that fast." I was a bit white knuckled, wondering what her reflexes were like in case a deer, cow, farmer, or whatever might jump out into the road in the middle of nowhere. Now she prefers the LS8 but wouldn't dare get one for fear dad would always drive it. (He has her former '93 Concorde 3.5L V-6. When they bought the LS6 they traded in dad's '98 Crown Vic. He didn't like it, prefering the Concorde. Now he loves to drive her LS6, when she lets him.)
NOISE:
WOW! The noise difference is nothing short of incredible! It is as though concrete roads which caused a ruckus before have suddenly been given a smooth coat of asphalt. This car is quieter than a Lexus! I am not exaggerating.
RIDE:
The basic firmness and balance (which I love) is still there - just a tad softer. If you run over a dime, you can no longer tell the date, but you can still feel it. I was running my Firehawks at 28PSI to soften them up a bit and I now have the Michelins at 32. The Michelins ride softer at that pressure than the 'stones did at 28 and the rolling resistance is much lower.
HANDLING:
You folks who participate in autocrosses will think I am crazy, but I like the way these tires handle. No doubt the limits are lower on the skidpad or on a roadcourse. However, the basic RWD balance is still very much intact. The 4 wheel drifts that another poster spoke of so eloquently are still available - just at a little slower pace. Driving the car to 90% of it's capability feels much the same only smoother and quieter. Pushing to the last 10% is where you would miss the "V" rated Firestones. A '60 Buick - NOT.
Overall, if you have, or are considering an LS but would like to calm the ride a bit while retaining the firm RWD feel, a tire swap may be the answer.
Bruce
I have the Michelin Pilot XGT V4s in the stock 16" non sport size and I love them. I agree with all your comments too. I have autocrossed these tires and the Firehawks and I think the Michelins have a higher grip and better transitional handling than the 'stones. They just seem that they would have a lower limit because there is a lot less fuss.
Brian
A neat thing about the LS is that it really can appeal to quite a variety of descriminating buyers. A few little modifications (tires, exhaust, K & N, etc.) can help individualize our cars and add to the enjoyment.
By the way, Giowa, I loved the post with your Mom's comments. I am an Iowa boy, myself. I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of a 69 year old lady blasting down I80 at 112! More power to her!!
I finally lowered the window all the way and sprayed some silicone down the track. After a few cycles of up and down, the creak was gone. It does come back about every 6 months or so and I give it another shot of silicone lubricant. I really think the track needs adjustment but I am afraid to tamper with it. The windows seal up tight as a drum and I wouldn't want to do anything to cause any wind noise.
Bruce
-beanboy
After 20K+ miles, I've had NONE of those problems. Your dealer owes you some strong attention! I hope they fix it RIGHT!
Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems. Having been in this board for over a year, I can comment on some of them...
- Headlamp moisture is a known problem although I never heard of it on a 2001 model. Your dealer should be able to correct this.
- Trans hard shifting... What is your build date? There is a new reflash for the tranny which may help here. The reflash corrects some slow shifting problems which may be the root cause of your problem.
- "a/I auto hemp. doesn't work"... I don't understand this reference.
- I haven't heard of any of the other problems you mentioned. They have never been mentioned here that I can remember. The lug nuts, seat belt, and accelerator linkage are apparently defects. One person had complained once of unintended acceleration, but I don't know if it was confirmed or what the root cause was.
I assume that all of this is being covered under the warranty.
Joe
What is your build date? Her's is 5/99.
Do you no longer use Stivers? Thinking he's only L-M dealer in DSM. Who do you use now? If you see a silver '00 LS6 non-Sport auto w/dark grey interior & sunroof in Polk Co., it might be her.
I also have a bmw528i (98) and it had a few bugs that had to be vetted after delivery. One major problem was that the car would die on the highway at highway speed. Took it in several times and finally had to be towed in. It turned out to be a malfunctioning pump between the two gas tanks. Also had to have the catalytic converter replaced and the cup holders both front and rear broke. The bmw cup holders are plastic pop out things that look like they belong in a Hundai.
Incidentally, the fake wood on the bmw is about the same quality as the LS. Looks pretty good most of the time.but it is obviously plastic. Hey and the bmw costs $10k more.
Jack Dell
info@graphics2.net
The biggest difference is the case is changed to bolt to the Explorer's engines.
Mark
You may just have a small stone or something like that causing the squeak.
Dealer squeezed me in - and the repair was accomplished this afternoon!
- Ray
With all 4 windows (and moonroof) operational and Spring in the air.......
Did the dealer replace the left rear window assembly also? I seem to remember some past posts stating that the dealers replaced both when only one had broken. It was great that they took you right in on such short notice. So far I've been lucky as far as the windows go (I'm knocking on the wooden desk).
Tom
I did crawl into the trunk and check all of the electrical connections to the amplifier and speakers. Nothing seemed to be amiss, but possibly I did reset a bad connection without realizing it.
right rear brake started to squeak, after some
hesitation and test drive dealer said they will
replace the rear pads.. Car started to have the
mysterious beep about twice a week - have not been on board lately - what's the latest?
Thanks
a
Brian
Just a caution to other LS owners...if you're around 50 don't put in "The Beach Boys Greatest Hits" -"409". tends to bring out the beast in us!
Bill
It will be very hard to stay under 70 for very long as you have no doubt found out already!
Take a digital pic and send it me at LLSOC and I will post it on the Brag Board!
Sniff... And I remember when you first posted on the board. They all gotta grow up sometime.
NOT!
Brian
No - just the one broken.
Don't know what they would have done if I'd made an appointment, but they had me in and out in about 3 hours.
Cheers,
- Ray
Who now wonders in the left one is likely to 'go' soon?????