Lexus LS 400 or 430 - Timing Chains and Air Suspension
Discussion
Hello,
I'm looking into Lexus LS400's or LS430's as a second car. I know the cars are generally known for their amazing reliability and comfort which is why I'm attracted to buy one, but what do I need to look out for?
For example, I spotted a later year LS400 that appears to be in very good shape that has about 120,000 miles on it. However, it needs a timing belt change and it did come with the factory air suspension. How much does a timing belt change typically cost? How many more miles can you rely on the air suspension before it starts to fail and you need to convert to coil springs and shocks? What other service history items might I need to consider going forward if they haven't been replaced before?
The car has part service history which is why it is priced at what appears to be a slight discount. Of course there are others out there but the last thing I want is to have to pay for a lot of maintenance items right away when this is supposed to be a reasonably low cost 2nd car.
Thanks.
I'm looking into Lexus LS400's or LS430's as a second car. I know the cars are generally known for their amazing reliability and comfort which is why I'm attracted to buy one, but what do I need to look out for?
For example, I spotted a later year LS400 that appears to be in very good shape that has about 120,000 miles on it. However, it needs a timing belt change and it did come with the factory air suspension. How much does a timing belt change typically cost? How many more miles can you rely on the air suspension before it starts to fail and you need to convert to coil springs and shocks? What other service history items might I need to consider going forward if they haven't been replaced before?
The car has part service history which is why it is priced at what appears to be a slight discount. Of course there are others out there but the last thing I want is to have to pay for a lot of maintenance items right away when this is supposed to be a reasonably low cost 2nd car.
Thanks.
I bought an 05 LS430 around 18 months ago, The air suspension can be troublesome although its more reliable than the equivalent from Mercedes. I had 3 shocks blow so replaced the suspension with coilovers. (You can import a kit to convert to springs from the US or Bilstein make a direct replacement)
My Navi drive broke and I needed a Lambda sensor.
Apart from these issues nothing has gone wrong and the thing still feels as tight as a drum. I have put around 25k on the clock and its been the most comfortable 25k i've ever done
We had LPG installed too here in Poland and it costs buttons to run.
Cambelt as opposed to chain, (Mine was done prior to purchase)
Aero kit and wheels are something I added and not to everyones taste however I think it makes a difference to the usual black and white German mainstream.
The LS430 has to be the safest (costwise) v8 on the market, They are great cars!
My Navi drive broke and I needed a Lambda sensor.
Apart from these issues nothing has gone wrong and the thing still feels as tight as a drum. I have put around 25k on the clock and its been the most comfortable 25k i've ever done
We had LPG installed too here in Poland and it costs buttons to run.
Cambelt as opposed to chain, (Mine was done prior to purchase)
Aero kit and wheels are something I added and not to everyones taste however I think it makes a difference to the usual black and white German mainstream.
The LS430 has to be the safest (costwise) v8 on the market, They are great cars!
I have a MK4 LS400, this has conventional suspension, I thought air suspension was LS430 onwards. The front wishbones wear out, around £400 each from Lexus, don't bother with aftermarket parts as they don't last. Ask me how I know! The suspension is all stainless and should last apart from the Y piece just aft of the engine which is mild steel for some reason. My electric aerial has packed up but everything else works.
Great cars and feel bullet-proof. I'm at the point of trying to decide whether to do the cambelt/water pump, plugs and transmission fluid and a thorough rust-proofing then keep it or sell up and get a 460. The complexity of the 460 does worry me a tad.
Great cars and feel bullet-proof. I'm at the point of trying to decide whether to do the cambelt/water pump, plugs and transmission fluid and a thorough rust-proofing then keep it or sell up and get a 460. The complexity of the 460 does worry me a tad.
Have had my ls400 for 11months or so. Had cambelt, tensioners, waterpump etc done at Lexus main , circa 800
DHP alloys retrofitted plus new Dunlops all round - 235/55/17 not the super expensive 245/50 they came with.
New air con compressor - 250USD from rockauto
1x oil and filter change
1x air and pollen filter change (the latter looked original!)
1x boot seal
Clear side indicators fitted
New tie rods required as tracking is off
Exhaust section as above needs repair.
Check rear wheel arches as they are mud traps, especially in front of rear wheels (sill section)
Should be sticker on engine cover re last cambelt change if no invoice supplied
Console illumination/lbulbs are quite effort intensive to replace (temp, clock etc)
Check steering wheel adjustment motor works when key inserted
Clunk through the steering wheel over small ridges can be strut rods arms, circa £100 each for lexus items.
This replaced an Audi S8 D2 and I'm enjoying this just as much, partially as you can hear the engine when pushing on
Prices have gone up as you've no doubt noticed over the past 12m.
Good luck, they're worth it.
DHP alloys retrofitted plus new Dunlops all round - 235/55/17 not the super expensive 245/50 they came with.
New air con compressor - 250USD from rockauto
1x oil and filter change
1x air and pollen filter change (the latter looked original!)
1x boot seal
Clear side indicators fitted
New tie rods required as tracking is off
Exhaust section as above needs repair.
Check rear wheel arches as they are mud traps, especially in front of rear wheels (sill section)
Should be sticker on engine cover re last cambelt change if no invoice supplied
Console illumination/lbulbs are quite effort intensive to replace (temp, clock etc)
Check steering wheel adjustment motor works when key inserted
Clunk through the steering wheel over small ridges can be strut rods arms, circa £100 each for lexus items.
This replaced an Audi S8 D2 and I'm enjoying this just as much, partially as you can hear the engine when pushing on
Prices have gone up as you've no doubt noticed over the past 12m.
Good luck, they're worth it.
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