Advice Needed

[Gibbon62]

Hello all.

I know you must get a few of these questions, but I figure that being owners, you are the best people to ask.

Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

I am thinking of upgrading from a 99 BMW 525 with 140,000 on the clock to a 2001 LS430 with around 80-100,000 miles.

Its not that the BM has been hugely unreliable, but there is usually something that costs money cropping up every couple months. I just want to have complete confidence in a car. You read tales of people only ever having to change bulbs in 150,000 miles, that sounds like paradise to me.

The LS430 is everything I appreciate in a car, big, quiet, refined and well built.

Also, realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I do around 30% Town Driving, 40% A road Driving and 30% Motorway, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

And....before I go, are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[chrisfs]

Reliability - oh yes! 80-100,000 miles? Just about run in . . .

Mileage - you will probably get something similar.

Servicing - you don't want to buy without a full Lexus service history. When you come to sell, what will your buyer be looking for? I go with Lexus every time and pay the extra for the benefit of having those Lexus stamps in the book. Mind you, recessions help. Big discounts available, even on routine services. You just have to ask.

Chris

[JellyBean]

Your mpg should be similar to the figures you quote. You can quite easily get a genuine 30mpg on a run.

As an example, I have had my 400 for six years and most expensive replacement item, apart from tyres, has been a set of mats which I bought the week after I got it. This sort of reliability is normal.

We need to know your location before we can recommend a Lexus specialist. It is not really worth going to a main agent when the value of the car has reduced to small change!

[Malc]

Your mpg should be similar to the figures you quote. You can quite easily get a genuine 30mpg on a run.

As an example, I have had my 400 for six years and most expensive replacement item, apart from tyres, has been a set of mats which I bought the week after I got it. This sort of reliability is normal.

We need to know your location before we can recommend a Lexus specialist. It is not really worth going to a main agent when the value of the car has reduced to small change!

Now on my second LS400 and eight years of driving them .... the first one was a 1991 and at 150 /160 k miles I needed the alternator and the front wishbones done ..... quite expensive. When I gave it away at 189k it needed the exhaust flanges sorted and a frayed drivers seat belt changed. Thats it, absolutely nothing else apart from tyres and brake pads and the rare cambelt change every 100k miles. Oh, and a rear lightbulb at 130k too.

My " new " LS400 a 1994 and now with 31k miles, well, I had new tyres and pads and an oil change last year with another due this summer.

That's it; and I wouldn't expect anything more costly than these items for another 120k miles !

I bet Beemers cost more !!

Do they ?

Malc

[steveskeggy]

Hello all.

I know you must get a few of these questions, but I figure that being owners, you are the best people to ask.

Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

I am thinking of upgrading from a 99 BMW 525 with 140,000 on the clock to a 2001 LS430 with around 80-100,000 miles.

Its not that the BM has been hugely unreliable, but there is usually something that costs money cropping up every couple months. I just want to have complete confidence in a car. You read tales of people only ever having to change bulbs in 150,000 miles, that sounds like paradise to me.

The LS430 is everything I appreciate in a car, big, quiet, refined and well built.

Also, realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I do around 30% Town Driving, 40% A road Driving and 30% Motorway, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

And....before I go, are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I have had my 2002 LS430 for a while now, so I can only go on what I have experienced, you will get different stories from different folks, but I can only tell you mine.

Q1: Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

No, the Battery on the LS430 isnt big enough for the job, so if you sit in a car park with the radio on for more than half an hour you will need the AA or a mate to come and jump start you, and if you accidently leave an interior light on overnight the Battery will be flat in the morning (usually when it is raining), and you cant get a bigger one because it sits in a box which is only the right size for that Battery.

Things that are wrong with my car include:

The satnav, which only works when it is warm and looses all of the settings when it isnt.

The automatic wipers, which dont work at all.

And the steering column adjustment, which only goes in and out, and wont work with the memory.

The gearbox is a real dimwit at times and cant decide which gear it wants (but I have found that on all of the Lexus models I have driven).

If you have a pet dog and regularly take it in the car, the alarm system will drive you insane.

Q2: realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is, I have seen 2MPG on the readout. I do a lot more town driving than anything else and expect to see a tank average of 18MPG, however when I had a lot of out of town trips last year, I saw better than your 27.

Q3: are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Have you got one that services your beemer that you trust? Take the Lexus to him, it still runs on petrol and has four wheels, Its just got two more spark plugs to change when its serviced. If something breaks that the mechanic cant fix then take it to a dealer, and make an appointment with your bank manager to take out a second mortgage.

Even with all the problems I would not swap it (except for an XFR, or an Aston Rapide), because realistically its the best car you can get for the price range, and when you press the loud pedal, it all makes sense.

Dont get one with Dunlop tyres, or change them before the roads get slightly damp,

and dont get a blue one, any other colour, not blue..

[spacenase]

You can never guarantee absolute reliability, but there are not many common problems with the LS430. The three key ones I know of are:

• The wheels corrode - you need to check them well when you buy and probably get them refurbished every few years.
  
• The suspension height sensors corrode and fail - again, get them checked when you buy and replaced if necessary. You're looking at £1,500ish to get all four replaced at a dealer.
  
• The air conditioning pipes running to the rear of the car corrode and the rear air conditioning stops working.
  

You can get issues with the folding door mirrors and with the laminated side windows slowly going opaque, but it depends on how perfect you want to keep the car.

My recommendation is to try and get a car under 7 years old. If you buy from a Lexus dealer you'll get 12 months Lexus warranty included, or if you buy from elsewhere you can get a warranty for around £850. The warranty is excellent and will cover you for pretty much any problem including all of the ones I've listed and will pretty much pay for itself with any one of them. So actively check for problems whilst the warranty is in force and you should get a nice reliable car at the end. :D

Ultimately, the power and serenity when you're driving helps you to forget any issues you might have with the car!

KEITH.

[Malc]

You can never guarantee absolute reliability, but there are not many common problems with the LS430. The three key ones I know of are:

• The wheels corrode - you need to check them well when you buy and probably get them refurbished every few years.
  
• The suspension height sensors corrode and fail - again, get them checked when you buy and replaced if necessary. You're looking at £1,500ish to get all four replaced at a dealer.
  
• The air conditioning pipes running to the rear of the car corrode and the rear air conditioning stops working.
  

You can get issues with the folding door mirrors and with the laminated side windows slowly going opaque, but it depends on how perfect you want to keep the car.

My recommendation is to try and get a car under 7 years old. If you buy from a Lexus dealer you'll get 12 months Lexus warranty included, or if you buy from elsewhere you can get a warranty for around £850. The warranty is excellent and will cover you for pretty much any problem including all of the ones I've listed and will pretty much pay for itself with any one of them. So actively check for problems whilst the warranty is in force and you should get a nice reliable car at the end. :D

Ultimately, the power and serenity when you're driving helps you to forget any issues you might have with the car!

KEITH.

Blimey, why would you want a car with all those gizmos to go wrong and cost the earth to fix !

I know my 1994 LS is dated and doesn't have mirrors that automatically fold in, nor sensors on the suspension height ( why does it have them ? ) to corrode and cost £1500, nor does it have the new fandangled sensor on the front at the radiator ( that helps you stop in case of emergency but which doesn't actually stop you at all ! ) and costs £3500 when it malfunctions ... the size of a mobile phone I'm told .................. am I glad I don't have those gizmos to repair.

And I'm told the cost of replacing a headlight bulb is @ £500 with labour too !

Why would you want a LS430 that was at your own expense to repair ? When one can get a really good LS400 for no money at all and very little repair bills for years and years.

Am I just old fashioned ( rhetorical Q ).

Best wishes with it anyway.

Malc

Malc

[JellyBean]

Blimey, why would you want a car with all those gizmos to go wrong and cost the earth to fix !

I know my 1994 LS is dated and doesn't have mirrors that automatically fold in, nor sensors on the suspension height ( why does it have them ? ) to corrode and cost £1500, nor does it have the new fandangled sensor on the front at the radiator ( that helps you stop in case of emergency but which doesn't actually stop you at all ! ) and costs £3500 when it malfunctions ... the size of a mobile phone I'm told .................. am I glad I don't have those gizmos to repair.

And I'm told the cost of replacing a headlight bulb is @ £500 with labour too !

Why would you want a LS430 that was at your own expense to repair ? When one can get a really good LS400 for no money at all and very little repair bills for years and years.

Am I just old fashioned ( rhetorical Q ).

Best wishes with it anyway.

Malc

Malc

This argument does not persuade me! One buys the best one can afford. A 430 is a better car in many ways than an early 400. If you take your argument to its logical confusion, then you must surely advocate buying a Citrõen 2CV!

[spacenase]

Blimey, why would you want a car with all those gizmos to go wrong and cost the earth to fix !

I know my 1994 LS is dated and doesn't have mirrors that automatically fold in, nor sensors on the suspension height ( why does it have them ? ) to corrode and cost £1500, nor does it have the new fandangled sensor on the front at the radiator ( that helps you stop in case of emergency but which doesn't actually stop you at all ! ) and costs £3500 when it malfunctions ... the size of a mobile phone I'm told .................. am I glad I don't have those gizmos to repair.

And I'm told the cost of replacing a headlight bulb is @ £500 with labour too !

Why would you want a LS430 that was at your own expense to repair ? When one can get a really good LS400 for no money at all and very little repair bills for years and years.

Am I just old fashioned ( rhetorical Q ).

Best wishes with it anyway.

Malc

Malc

Because I find it much nicer to drive and I do that every day, rather than dealing with the occasional problem like I've listed above. :D

KEITH.

[Malc]

Blimey, why would you want a car with all those gizmos to go wrong and cost the earth to fix !

I know my 1994 LS is dated and doesn't have mirrors that automatically fold in, nor sensors on the suspension height ( why does it have them ? ) to corrode and cost £1500, nor does it have the new fandangled sensor on the front at the radiator ( that helps you stop in case of emergency but which doesn't actually stop you at all ! ) and costs £3500 when it malfunctions ... the size of a mobile phone I'm told .................. am I glad I don't have those gizmos to repair.

And I'm told the cost of replacing a headlight bulb is @ £500 with labour too !

Why would you want a LS430 that was at your own expense to repair ? When one can get a really good LS400 for no money at all and very little repair bills for years and years.

Am I just old fashioned ( rhetorical Q ).

Best wishes with it anyway.

Malc

Malc

Because I find it much nicer to drive and I do that every day, rather than dealing with the occasional problem like I've listed above. :D

KEITH.

I ( secretly ) quite agree with your thoughts guys ........... a 2CV is an interesting example ..................... maybe I would rather like a Citroen DS21 Pallas convertible .......... think the last one fetched @£140k at auction the other week ! If only I could justifiably afford one of those too eh ! The wife would kill me if I spent that sort of money on yet another car.

I guess I just like supreme reliability and knowing that the beast ( LS400 ) won't ever let me down !

And I'm so used to driving one .................. and I hate spending money on car repairs too.

M

Malc

[lexusmadman]

hi mate i have had 3 lexus a 97 gs300 , 99 ls400 , and my present 2003 ls430 , i travel 25k per year comuting to london each day , i have been a motor mechanic for 32 years and i would not have any other car for the job . and i have tried others including bmw , merc , being a motor mechanic the last thing i want to do is open my bonnet and work on my own car , and with a lexus you don,t have to do that . i have got to say the ls430 has been the worst of the 3 so far the other two cars were built proof , but i would still buy other ls430 again , i have had this car for two and a half years , it had 100k when i bought it and now has 165k i bought it cheap and it was not the best one around at the time but about 4 grand cheaper and i have only spent about 1000 in parts on it in 65k miles so it has been a good car , i do 90 miles a day 60 motorway and 30 london traffic and my car is driven very hard and on petrol i return a average 24 mpg so i am sure you will get the same as your bmw , my bmw 325 i got 21 mpg , my lexus is converted to lpg , only worth doing if you do my sort of miles . to sum up even the bad example cars like mine are still great cars not to be afraid of . my sons both have lexus , one has a ls430 2001 owned it 3 years and covered 150k and have not spent a penny on it and my other son has a gs430 2002 had it 2 years and has not spent a penny on it. if you want a big reliable car the only choice is witch lexus do i buy gs or ls all the best colin

[kurac]

Hello all.

I know you must get a few of these questions, but I figure that being owners, you are the best people to ask.

Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

I am thinking of upgrading from a 99 BMW 525 with 140,000 on the clock to a 2001 LS430 with around 80-100,000 miles.

Its not that the BM has been hugely unreliable, but there is usually something that costs money cropping up every couple months. I just want to have complete confidence in a car. You read tales of people only ever having to change bulbs in 150,000 miles, that sounds like paradise to me.

The LS430 is everything I appreciate in a car, big, quiet, refined and well built.

Also, realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I do around 30% Town Driving, 40% A road Driving and 30% Motorway, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

And....before I go, are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I have had my 2002 LS430 for a while now, so I can only go on what I have experienced, you will get different stories from different folks, but I can only tell you mine.

Q1: Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

No, the Battery on the LS430 isnt big enough for the job, so if you sit in a car park with the radio on for more than half an hour you will need the AA or a mate to come and jump start you, and if you accidently leave an interior light on overnight the Battery will be flat in the morning (usually when it is raining), and you cant get a bigger one because it sits in a box which is only the right size for that Battery.

Things that are wrong with my car include:

The satnav, which only works when it is warm and looses all of the settings when it isnt.

The automatic wipers, which dont work at all.

And the steering column adjustment, which only goes in and out, and wont work with the memory.

The gearbox is a real dimwit at times and cant decide which gear it wants (but I have found that on all of the Lexus models I have driven).

If you have a pet dog and regularly take it in the car, the alarm system will drive you insane.

Q2: realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is, I have seen 2MPG on the readout. I do a lot more town driving than anything else and expect to see a tank average of 18MPG, however when I had a lot of out of town trips last year, I saw better than your 27.

Q3: are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Have you got one that services your beemer that you trust? Take the Lexus to him, it still runs on petrol and has four wheels, Its just got two more spark plugs to change when its serviced. If something breaks that the mechanic cant fix then take it to a dealer, and make an appointment with your bank manager to take out a second mortgage.

Even with all the problems I would not swap it (except for an XFR, or an Aston Rapide), because realistically its the best car you can get for the price range, and when you press the loud pedal, it all makes sense.

Dont get one with Dunlop tyres, or change them before the roads get slightly damp,

and dont get a blue one, any other colour, not blue..

I just got blue with Dunlop tyres- why not? what wrong with it?

[steve2006]

hi mate i have had 3 lexus a 97 gs300 , 99 ls400 , and my present 2003 ls430 , i travel 25k per year comuting to london each day , i have been a motor mechanic for 32 years and i would not have any other car for the job . and i have tried others including bmw , merc , being a motor mechanic the last thing i want to do is open my bonnet and work on my own car , and with a lexus you don,t have to do that . i have got to say the ls430 has been the worst of the 3 so far the other two cars were built proof , but i would still buy other ls430 again , i have had this car for two and a half years , it had 100k when i bought it and now has 165k i bought it cheap and it was not the best one around at the time but about 4 grand cheaper and i have only spent about 1000 in parts on it in 65k miles so it has been a good car , i do 90 miles a day 60 motorway and 30 london traffic and my car is driven very hard and on petrol i return a average 24 mpg so i am sure you will get the same as your bmw , my bmw 325 i got 21 mpg , my lexus is converted to lpg , only worth doing if you do my sort of miles . to sum up even the bad example cars like mine are still great cars not to be afraid of . my sons both have lexus , one has a ls430 2001 owned it 3 years and covered 150k and have not spent a penny on it and my other son has a gs430 2002 had it 2 years and has not spent a penny on it. if you want a big reliable car the only choice is witch lexus do i buy gs or ls all the best colin

The're great unless your Battery goes flat eh Colin!!!! :D

[steveskeggy]

Dark Blue is the worst colour for keeping clean (Not Black or White as some people think), knew that before I bought it, but needed a car fast so didnt have time to shop around, Its a nice colour when it is clean but that doesnt last long.

Trouble is it shows the slightest of marks, water marks especially, but the slightest scratch that you would get away with on any other colour, sticks out.

As for Dunflops, well I have just had a set of Michelins put on mine, and it has transformed it into the car it should have been.

Be prepared for a scare when it snows, I have driven many vehicles ranging from Fiat 126`s to articulated lorries, and this was the first one ever to frighten me when it snowed.

Its not the lack of grip that did me it was the unpredictability of when it would let go

My mate who runs a taxi firm got a brand new Ford Galaxy, but refused to take it until the Dunlops were taken off and swapped for Michelin.

Hello all.

I know you must get a few of these questions, but I figure that being owners, you are the best people to ask.

Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

I am thinking of upgrading from a 99 BMW 525 with 140,000 on the clock to a 2001 LS430 with around 80-100,000 miles.

Its not that the BM has been hugely unreliable, but there is usually something that costs money cropping up every couple months. I just want to have complete confidence in a car. You read tales of people only ever having to change bulbs in 150,000 miles, that sounds like paradise to me.

The LS430 is everything I appreciate in a car, big, quiet, refined and well built.

Also, realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I do around 30% Town Driving, 40% A road Driving and 30% Motorway, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

And....before I go, are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I have had my 2002 LS430 for a while now, so I can only go on what I have experienced, you will get different stories from different folks, but I can only tell you mine.

Q1: Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

No, the Battery on the LS430 isnt big enough for the job, so if you sit in a car park with the radio on for more than half an hour you will need the AA or a mate to come and jump start you, and if you accidently leave an interior light on overnight the Battery will be flat in the morning (usually when it is raining), and you cant get a bigger one because it sits in a box which is only the right size for that Battery.

Things that are wrong with my car include:

The satnav, which only works when it is warm and looses all of the settings when it isnt.

The automatic wipers, which dont work at all.

And the steering column adjustment, which only goes in and out, and wont work with the memory.

The gearbox is a real dimwit at times and cant decide which gear it wants (but I have found that on all of the Lexus models I have driven).

If you have a pet dog and regularly take it in the car, the alarm system will drive you insane.

Q2: realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is, I have seen 2MPG on the readout. I do a lot more town driving than anything else and expect to see a tank average of 18MPG, however when I had a lot of out of town trips last year, I saw better than your 27.

Q3: are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Have you got one that services your beemer that you trust? Take the Lexus to him, it still runs on petrol and has four wheels, Its just got two more spark plugs to change when its serviced. If something breaks that the mechanic cant fix then take it to a dealer, and make an appointment with your bank manager to take out a second mortgage.

Even with all the problems I would not swap it (except for an XFR, or an Aston Rapide), because realistically its the best car you can get for the price range, and when you press the loud pedal, it all makes sense.

Dont get one with Dunlop tyres, or change them before the roads get slightly damp,

and dont get a blue one, any other colour, not blue..

I just got blue with Dunlop tyres- why not? what wrong with it?

[kurac]

Dark Blue is the worst colour for keeping clean (Not Black or White as some people think), knew that before I bought it, but needed a car fast so didnt have time to shop around, Its a nice colour when it is clean but that doesnt last long.

Trouble is it shows the slightest of marks, water marks especially, but the slightest scratch that you would get away with on any other colour, sticks out.

As for Dunflops, well I have just had a set of Michelins put on mine, and it has transformed it into the car it should have been.

Be prepared for a scare when it snows, I have driven many vehicles ranging from Fiat 126`s to articulated lorries, and this was the first one ever to frighten me when it snowed.

Its not the lack of grip that did me it was the unpredictability of when it would let go

My mate who runs a taxi firm got a brand new Ford Galaxy, but refused to take it until the Dunlops were taken off and swapped for Michelin.

Hello all.

I know you must get a few of these questions, but I figure that being owners, you are the best people to ask.

Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

I am thinking of upgrading from a 99 BMW 525 with 140,000 on the clock to a 2001 LS430 with around 80-100,000 miles.

Its not that the BM has been hugely unreliable, but there is usually something that costs money cropping up every couple months. I just want to have complete confidence in a car. You read tales of people only ever having to change bulbs in 150,000 miles, that sounds like paradise to me.

The LS430 is everything I appreciate in a car, big, quiet, refined and well built.

Also, realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I do around 30% Town Driving, 40% A road Driving and 30% Motorway, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

And....before I go, are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I have had my 2002 LS430 for a while now, so I can only go on what I have experienced, you will get different stories from different folks, but I can only tell you mine.

Q1: Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

No, the Battery on the LS430 isnt big enough for the job, so if you sit in a car park with the radio on for more than half an hour you will need the AA or a mate to come and jump start you, and if you accidently leave an interior light on overnight the Battery will be flat in the morning (usually when it is raining), and you cant get a bigger one because it sits in a box which is only the right size for that Battery.

Things that are wrong with my car include:

The satnav, which only works when it is warm and looses all of the settings when it isnt.

The automatic wipers, which dont work at all.

And the steering column adjustment, which only goes in and out, and wont work with the memory.

The gearbox is a real dimwit at times and cant decide which gear it wants (but I have found that on all of the Lexus models I have driven).

If you have a pet dog and regularly take it in the car, the alarm system will drive you insane.

Q2: realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is, I have seen 2MPG on the readout. I do a lot more town driving than anything else and expect to see a tank average of 18MPG, however when I had a lot of out of town trips last year, I saw better than your 27.

Q3: are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Have you got one that services your beemer that you trust? Take the Lexus to him, it still runs on petrol and has four wheels, Its just got two more spark plugs to change when its serviced. If something breaks that the mechanic cant fix then take it to a dealer, and make an appointment with your bank manager to take out a second mortgage.

Even with all the problems I would not swap it (except for an XFR, or an Aston Rapide), because realistically its the best car you can get for the price range, and when you press the loud pedal, it all makes sense.

Dont get one with Dunlop tyres, or change them before the roads get slightly damp,

and dont get a blue one, any other colour, not blue..

I just got blue with Dunlop tyres- why not? what wrong with it?

Yes! you right about color but if to do polish wax and detailing-it should keep dust away.

and what exact tyres you recommend for that car? I dont like Dunlop's already as they not hold even dry road

[ADD27]

i have a 2000 LS430 over ten years old now. No horror stories worst thing is wheels corrode easily. Is a horrible nightmare when you roll up at the pumps and see the figure that you have to pay. Also Yes it does get too 2MPG when you are stopped and floor it, BUt the best i've had has been 35MPG doing about 70MPH on motorway. I love the car i think especially for the price of a second hand one at the moment it is a very good option and you should change your Beemer for one...

ADD

[steveskeggy]

Dark Blue is the worst colour for keeping clean (Not Black or White as some people think), knew that before I bought it, but needed a car fast so didnt have time to shop around, Its a nice colour when it is clean but that doesnt last long.

Trouble is it shows the slightest of marks, water marks especially, but the slightest scratch that you would get away with on any other colour, sticks out.

As for Dunflops, well I have just had a set of Michelins put on mine, and it has transformed it into the car it should have been.

Be prepared for a scare when it snows, I have driven many vehicles ranging from Fiat 126`s to articulated lorries, and this was the first one ever to frighten me when it snowed.

Its not the lack of grip that did me it was the unpredictability of when it would let go

My mate who runs a taxi firm got a brand new Ford Galaxy, but refused to take it until the Dunlops were taken off and swapped for Michelin.

Hello all.

I know you must get a few of these questions, but I figure that being owners, you are the best people to ask.

Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

I am thinking of upgrading from a 99 BMW 525 with 140,000 on the clock to a 2001 LS430 with around 80-100,000 miles.

Its not that the BM has been hugely unreliable, but there is usually something that costs money cropping up every couple months. I just want to have complete confidence in a car. You read tales of people only ever having to change bulbs in 150,000 miles, that sounds like paradise to me.

The LS430 is everything I appreciate in a car, big, quiet, refined and well built.

Also, realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I do around 30% Town Driving, 40% A road Driving and 30% Motorway, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

And....before I go, are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I have had my 2002 LS430 for a while now, so I can only go on what I have experienced, you will get different stories from different folks, but I can only tell you mine.

Q1: Are Lexus's really as reliable as legend has it?

No, the Battery on the LS430 isnt big enough for the job, so if you sit in a car park with the radio on for more than half an hour you will need the AA or a mate to come and jump start you, and if you accidently leave an interior light on overnight the Battery will be flat in the morning (usually when it is raining), and you cant get a bigger one because it sits in a box which is only the right size for that Battery.

Things that are wrong with my car include:

The satnav, which only works when it is warm and looses all of the settings when it isnt.

The automatic wipers, which dont work at all.

And the steering column adjustment, which only goes in and out, and wont work with the memory.

The gearbox is a real dimwit at times and cant decide which gear it wants (but I have found that on all of the Lexus models I have driven).

If you have a pet dog and regularly take it in the car, the alarm system will drive you insane.

Q2: realistically what sort of MPG can I expect, I currently get about 27 mpg. Can I expect much worse?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is, I have seen 2MPG on the readout. I do a lot more town driving than anything else and expect to see a tank average of 18MPG, however when I had a lot of out of town trips last year, I saw better than your 27.

Q3: are there many decent independent Lexus mechanics around? Or do you even need a Lexus specialist for servicing?

Have you got one that services your beemer that you trust? Take the Lexus to him, it still runs on petrol and has four wheels, Its just got two more spark plugs to change when its serviced. If something breaks that the mechanic cant fix then take it to a dealer, and make an appointment with your bank manager to take out a second mortgage.

Even with all the problems I would not swap it (except for an XFR, or an Aston Rapide), because realistically its the best car you can get for the price range, and when you press the loud pedal, it all makes sense.

Dont get one with Dunlop tyres, or change them before the roads get slightly damp,

and dont get a blue one, any other colour, not blue..

I just got blue with Dunlop tyres- why not? what wrong with it?

Yes! you right about color but if to do polish wax and detailing-it should keep dust away.

and what exact tyres you recommend for that car? I dont like Dunlop's already as they not hold even dry road

Michelin.

[mikesands]

Reliability - oh yes! 80-100,000 miles? Just about run in . . .

Mileage - you will probably get something similar.

Servicing - you don't want to buy without a full Lexus service history. When you come to sell, what will your buyer be looking for? I go with Lexus every time and pay the extra for the benefit of having those Lexus stamps in the book. Mind you, recessions help. Big discounts available, even on routine services. You just have to ask.

Chris

I bought a 2001 LS430 with 75k miles. I get 19mpg in economy mode and 22mpg if (as I do now) I use snow mode most of the time. And yes I get 30mpg on a run to London. I would say my usage pattern is similar to that quoted though, so I would be very surprised if you get 27mpg.

Mine didn't have a full Lexus service history, but I bought it from Lexus who did a big service and gave me a 12 months full Lexus warranty. I paid over the odds for the car, but have probably had all that premium back in work that has been done for free - boot stays, and two suspension sensors, two new tyres, and now they are looking at giving me a new door because of one spot of bodywork perforation. I guess the right private price would have been about 7k. On that basis I'm not sure I agree with Chris's advice to protect its value by continuing with Lexus servicing. A Lexus trained local guy will do a big service for £250 less than Lexus. If I run this car to (say) 130k miles - that's 3 years for me, and I would have spent probably £1000 extra on Lexus servicing. Car will probably be worth £3.5k by then - maybe less the way petrol is going - I can't see anyone paying me £1k more because it's got a Lexus history.

My advice would be save money on the servicing, invest it in an LPG conversion which will payback in 10 months AND probably get you more for the car at 130k miles. It's what I'm going to do when the 12 month Lexus warranty runs out.

.... Love the car by the way, and will definitely get another one when this one dies.

Mike

PS a set of Nankang winter tyres cost me £240 and totally transformed the car in the snow this winter. Going to buy a set for the wife's celica which is similarly pants in the snow.

[kurac]

You can get better MPG if tyre pressure is around 2.8 bar, put new spark plugs Denso Ik20,change fuel filter and put new motor oil Mobil 0-w40 or Castrol 0-w30.

That what Iam going to do in my car.

And my advice to save money on servicing-buy parts online and fit with your local guy AND then go to Lexus garage for service to change oil your supply

[JellyBean]

...AND then go to Lexus garage for service to change oil your supply

?

[kurac]

...AND then go to Lexus garage for service to change oil your supply

?

you can bring different oil. and you will pay for only changing it. it will be cheaper service,and lexus stamp in logbook :)

[JellyBean]

...AND then go to Lexus garage for service to change oil your supply

?

you can bring different oil. and you will pay for only changing it. it will be cheaper service,and lexus stamp in logbook :)

Aha. Worth knowing.