Lexus LS460 - what are they like to live with?

[donkmeister]

I'm putting my old E-class out to pasture, and I am considering replacing it with a Lexus LS460 as a family barge that can be had with both Isofix AND an interesting engine (most if not all of the V8 and V12 S-classes of that era lack Isofix).

I'm looking at 2007-2009 vintage, 60-90k miles. I've found plenty around the 150-200k mile mark, which is reassuring as I like to know there's plenty of life left in a car when I take it on.

Is the stereotype about Lexus cars being as durable as a sledgehammer and having sickening levels of reliability true? What I've not found is much information on the items that usually need attention at this sort of age.

I have read that the oil filter housing usually needs refitting with fresh o-rings as these perish and leak eventually. Is there anything else that seems to be a common issue, or something that should be given attention? I don't mind getting my hands dirty and on most of my cars I usually end-up buying a manufacturer-specific ODB tool, but I draw the line when it's something that really needs a ramp and the official diagnostic kit for coding, so end up using a dealer or indy for those jobs.

[donkmeister]

I bought the LS460 in the end - went for the SE-L (complete with laughably small boot!) with heated steering wheel.

It's been great so far, not done any epic road trips but the acceleration is pretty decent for a big old bus. It's very linear, which combined with the quietness means it is actually faster than it feels.

The automatic parking is a fun novelty; it takes longer to set up than it would to just park, but it's a party trick rather than something I would use seriously.

Looks like a previous owner has fitted an iPod cable, so I need to investigate what sort of interface box they installed to see if it can work with Bluetooth streaming - failing that I need to get a Dension or similar. It seems the aux input in the arm rest can only be selected via the backseat controls and that's a bit of a faff to do regularly.

[donkmeister]

Good choice! Mine is still going strong.

As per another poster, the isofix was an absolute mare to install (the seats are so plush that the hoops are hard to access!)

Besides basic maintenance, things I've done since owning it:

1) replaced the radiator and water pump (coolant level was slowly dropping, leak was actually not visible until I removed the old radiator)

2) fitted a Bluetooth audio receiver (not a Grom - this was a Bluemusic, approx £40 delivered from Germany)

3) fitted a Brodit Proclip phone mount

4) replaced the battery and the missing battery tie down clamp (some berk had fitted the wrong size battery and omitted the clamp)

5) replaced broken engine bay covers (cheapest way to.get them was direct from a Japanese motor factor!)

6) replaced rear calipers (one had seized) along with discs and pads. Beefiest rear brakes I've ever done.

7) replaced an entire door and one side cill trim after Mrs D had a supermarket car park bollard run into the side of the car.

8) lounged in the back while being chauffered around by Mrs D (still need to get her a chauffeur hat)

9) used the car for some big life events (some at the beginning, some at the end, and many more in the middle)

What I really, desperately need to do:

1) clean the interior properly. 18 months in and I could well be sat in the previous owner's arse sweat and bogeys. Meh, I've been busy!