Whats Better Ls400 Or Ls430

[Maduggo]

I have the bigger more expensive wheels on mine and they don't flake

They are the DHP wheels, come to think about it how do I find out if my car is DHP or not !!

Check the V5 should be printed on there somewhere.

I think the DHP was an optional extra, maybe these rims were made to a better standard, or you have been lucky and they have stayed good.

But honestly though, the wheels lexus provide are not of a high standard if they start to perish in such a short time.

[Titch LS]

I really like my Mk4 LS400 a lot and I plan on holding on to it, but there are things about a 430 which I like better. For instance, the cabin of a 430 is far nicer than that in the 400 in my opinion.. It's a definite improvement. There's not enough wood on the dash in the 400 for me, ---it's a bit swathed in plastic, even though it's high grade stuff. On the negative side, I think there is potentially more to worry about when owning a 430 because It's technically more advanced, which can bring its own problems. The gearbox failures, for example, though extremely rare, (due to water/atf mixing) is still a concern on the 430, but, in fairness,with meticulous servicing this should never happen. Air suspension failure would prove very expensive too, but how often do you hear of this happening? I would definitely consider a 430/460 in the (very) distant future to replace my brilliant 400 but the 600 would be a step too far for me I'm afraid. Even if prices tumble, I wouldn't buy one. Replacement parts will be exhorbitant, even for Lexus, you just watch.

[bookend]

The LS430 without a premium pack doesn't have the air suspension or rear air con to go wrong

[Scribe]

Problem is, there are hardly any non-Premium Pack models for sale. They're all early ones, I think. I suppose the people who bought them new went for all the goodies, not worrying about faults/repairs all these years down the line. Personally, I'd opt for a non-Premium Pack if I had a choice, because there's less to need fixing.

[bookend]

Mines a non premium pack car and I'm glad. It was £5k more for the premium pack from new

[Quinny]

Nothing has gone wrong on mine, I have flaking wheels which will be sorted out.If you think of it logically the amount of development that went into the 400 was obviously good for the 430..It was after all its successor, there are merits in both cars I'm satisfied with mine as it sounds like most of you are.Both really good cars, when I bought mine the guy said smart people who know about cars buy a Lexus, the rest buy Mercs and Beemers.Its so nice to be affiliated with smart folk.

[harrylime]

But was that a Lexus sales guy who said that? I'm still pondering on what I'd replace mine with if the time ever comes. In a weak moment I've been looking at the 7 series. One big advantage the BMW has over Lexus is that there are independent specialists in this area, and at least one very good one. With my 400 my choice is main dealer, DIY or local garages, who seem not to be very knowledgeable about Lexuses. The 730D will do 30 - 40 mpg and can be bought for very little more than the equivalent 3 series, which is madness.

[Quinny]

No wasn't a Lexus salesman..independent dealer.

[Adam Evans]

But was that a Lexus sales guy who said that? I'm still pondering on what I'd replace mine with if the time ever comes. In a weak moment I've been looking at the 7 series. One big advantage the BMW has over Lexus is that there are independent specialists in this area, and at least one very good one. With my 400 my choice is main dealer, DIY or local garages, who seem not to be very knowledgeable about Lexuses. The 730D will do 30 - 40 mpg and can be bought for very little more than the equivalent 3 series, which is madness.

If you don't mind I will analyse what you just wrote:

"One big advantage the BMW has over Lexus is that there are independent specialists in this area"

Basically the reason for this is because it is not financially viable to be a Lexus independent specialist because they do not break often enough to earn an honest crust. The reason why there are an abundance of BMW specialists is because there are an abundance of knackered BMWs needing to be fixed

And for any smart arse who comes up with a comeback saying there are no independent Rover Montego specialists in their area is this because they are reliable too ............... Just don't :P

Stick with the Lexus ............... you know it makes sense

[Maduggo]

But was that a Lexus sales guy who said that? I'm still pondering on what I'd replace mine with if the time ever comes. In a weak moment I've been looking at the 7 series. One big advantage the BMW has over Lexus is that there are independent specialists in this area, and at least one very good one. With my 400 my choice is main dealer, DIY or local garages, who seem not to be very knowledgeable about Lexuses. The 730D will do 30 - 40 mpg and can be bought for very little more than the equivalent 3 series, which is madness.

If you don't mind I will analyse what you just wrote:

"One big advantage the BMW has over Lexus is that there are independent specialists in this area"

Basically the reason for this is because it is not financially viable to be a Lexus independent specialist because they do not break often enough to earn an honest crust. The reason why there are an abundance of BMW specialists is because there are an abundance of knackered BMWs needing to be fixed

And for any smart arse who comes up with a comeback saying there are no independent Rover Montego specialists in their area is this because they are reliable too ............... Just don't :P

Stick with the Lexus ............... you know it makes sense

There is a chap who does specialise in Rovers near us, I think he claims to specialise in Fiat as well. How much of a specialist is anyone's guess, sidestreet garages can do lots of specialist work can't they....

I think he's waiting for Rover and Fiat to make a union, then he's way ahead of the other independants.

Roviat Sounds good.

[harrylime]

I would have thought that with servicing charges as they are, and independent lexus trained technician would do very nicely.I have found garages claiming to be specialists, but they are also specialists in a dozen other makes, which is an oxymoron. I still like the look of the 7 series, but having read many posts on Bimmerforum, they most definitely have their problems.

[Quinny]

That's why I got rid of my BMW, fed up with the idrive telling me to get this done, get that done.License to print money.Let me tell you the Lexus is fantastic, but you know that don't you.