LS400 Undergoes Long VIP Transformation, No End in Sight
Back in 2017, Club Lexus member began transforming his ’98 LS400 into a VIP ride. Today, the ongoing project lives the ultra-luxury life.
Once upon a time, Lexus showed up the competition with its flagship sedan, the LS400. While the Germans stopped overengineering their cars, the sedan showed it was possible to have luxury and performance with excellent reliability. Thus, the fledgling brand gained a loyal following all their own. A healthy aftermarket helped fans take things to the next level, too.
One of those fans is Club Lexus member Auxive, whose ’98 LS400 arrived in his life five years ago. In 2017, he opted to give his sedan the VIP treatment. Today, the ongoing project continues to live the ultra-luxury life.
Once You Mod, You Can’t Stop
“I’ve owned my car for about a year and a half now (since May 2015), and thought it was time to put together a build thread of what I’ve done so far,” Auxive wrote at the end of January 2017. “Most of the stuff you’ll see below is modifications, not maintenance. Most maintenance stuff like timing belt, water pump, [etc.], were excluded from this.”
Auxive wrote he got the LS400 “for a steal” due to a crack in one bumper, and the owners just being done with the sedan. Two weeks in, he swapped out the stock wheels for Enkei Raijins, while the bumper was eventually replaced. Of course, he couldn’t stop there. Soon, BMW M5 wheels took their place, followed by more lowering, new suspension components, and the first of many LED lights.
The VIP Treatment
“I’m so indecisive on everything, I don’t think it will ever be ‘done,'” he wrote in February 2017. “Even if I swap/modify every part on this car, I’ll still get bored of it 3 months later and do something different, changing the look entirely. That’s why I started the build thread now haha.”
The LS400’s VIP transformation took hold in March 2017, when a full set of Garson D.A.D. seat covers arrived. A diamond-quilt headliner with sunshades followed. Then, black curtains, more LEDs, and a custom shifter panel entered into the picture. Oh. And the BMW wheels disappeared, replaced by Garson units.
The Never-Ending Story
“Not much progress recently,” Auxive wrote in December 2020. “Currently working on re-doing my headlights, fog lights, and turn signals. I still have quite a few things on the list to finish on the car, just waiting until it’s warm enough to do anything.”
If you’d like to see where he goes with his LS400 next, follow along!
Photos: Club Lexus Forums/Auxive
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