LS430. First year running costs.

nickd · April 16, 2018

So I've owned my LS430 for one year today. It's been a superb car and for anybody interested this is what it has cost to keep on the road.

I paid £8,500 for the car 06 plate. I know this was top end but the car was one owner, full Lexus history in immaculate condition.

Also my car does fall into the top tax bracket as registered after April 2006. This has been the only downer. However it was the car I wanted in the right condition at the right time.

I've averaged 21.7 MPG over 9000 miles.

Servicing and MOT carried out by Dave at Lex Tek,Sheffield. I can't recommend highly enough!

12/05/2017 Rear pads. Complete check over car. Adjust park brake. £125.22

24/06/2017 Radar Cruise beam axis adjustment carried out. £130.00 (This was paid for by DAX Motor Comapny who I bought the car from, as the issue was present upon collection)

27/06/2017 2 x Falken FK510 + front wheel alignment. £230.00

03/08/2017 Interim service + 2 new wipers. (front pads 60% worn and slight corrosion on front discs noted) £147.30

26/09/2017 Supply and fit new aux belt + touch up paint stick £60.88

11/04/2017 MOT pass no advisories, though I did sort the front discs and pads as I'm on holiday in Skye next month. £285.60

So the car has cost me £849 in the last 12 months, but as you can see a majority of this has been service, tyres, discs and pads. On the whole I'm very pleased, as my LS is in it's 13th year but still remains the best car I've ever owned.

I have one slight issue, in that the car pulls slightly to the left. When I had the two front tyres and alignment, I thought it would make a difference but it didn't. So tomorrow the car is booked in to have a four wheel alignment test carried out using the "Hunter" system. Hopefully this will sort it.

I hope this year the running cost's will be less, though I will need some rear tyres by the end of the year.

Happy Days.

Nick

Chris Skelton · April 16, 2018

Contentment -almost! Little niggles are annoying! I had tyre hassles and (more than one) tyre centres little help.

You're too far away from Tony Bones to get a full car set-up, though I'm guessing the 'Hunter system' must be something on those lines? enjoy.

(Mullins in Gloucester are good.)

Have you considered getting lpg fitted?

Enjoy Skye; I've been tempted by an RX350 lpg car that's up near Arran-want to collect it for me? (-:

nickd · April 16, 2018

Hi Chris,

Niggles indeed! Yes it's a full on alignment (apparently)

I've never considered LPG as I don't think I really do enough miles. Also, although I have nothing against LPG I don't really want to tinker with my engine.

I'm up in a little village called Stein for the week and although I'd love to do that my wife wouldn't. She hates driving my barge! If you bought it though I'd drive you up!!

The-Acre · April 16, 2018

Interestingly my first LS430 pulled to the left. I had the four wheel alignment done, which wasn't cheap, but it didn't make any difference. It's also not the first 430 I've read about with a pull to the left. It'll be interesting to hear if it works on yours.

nickd · April 16, 2018

Yes it expensive, £113 inc vat. He spent ages telling me what they will do ( I glazed over) and I hope it will cure it. I'll let you know.

The-Acre · April 16, 2018

1 hour ago, nickd said:

Yes it expensive, £113 inc vat. He spent ages telling me what they will do ( I glazed over) and I hope it will cure it. I'll let you know.

I glazed over while they did mine, I must have read the poster for all climate tyres 30 times....and still didn't take it in!

Chris Skelton · April 16, 2018

Check tyre pressures too. sometimes it's the simplest thing....

MLW · April 16, 2018

The Hunter alignment system is I think American. A friend of mine use to work at Kwikfit. When I suggested a wheel alignment he said not here, go to XXX, they have a Hunter machine.

Funny enough Kwikfit now have them. https://www.kwik-fit.com/other-products/wheel-alignment

They are terrific. They do a printout with all the angles in red and green. Green is within spec, red is out. After they have corrected it you get a second paper read out showing it has been done properly. None of that old 'should be OK' stuff. You can see for yourself. Afterwards the car tracks like a bullet. It will tend to drift to the left because of the camber, but drive on the right, and it will drift to the right. The cost at my local F1 auto centre is about £40. They often have a voucher for discount.

https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/wheel-alignment/vouchers

£113 is a rip off. Go to F1 or Halfords.

My centre had run out of printing paper (really) but they photographed it and sent it to me, before I authorised the work. The check is free, adjustment is about £40.

nickd · April 16, 2018

Thanks for the info. I've called my local Kwikfit who quoted £119.99 (could get a little cheaper, but this included redoing for up to 2 years)and the nearest F1 centre who quoted £108 as they quote £15 + vat per side and then more for rear camber. It all seems a bit excessive to me. Halfords in Sheffield surprisingly don't offer four wheel alignment.

nickd · April 16, 2018

3 hours ago, The-Acre said:

I glazed over while they did mine, I must have read the poster for all climate tyres 30 times....and still didn't take it in!

2 hours ago, Chris Skelton said:

Check tyre pressures too. sometimes it's the simplest thing....

roger that, tyres checked

DaKa · April 16, 2018

I hope the car continues well for you and the left pull is resolved with geometry adjustments.

I also had a slight pull to the left - don't underestimate the importance of the right tyre pressure as mentioned above when it comes to unwanted pull left/right..

Having fitted new front rotors, pads and tyres (N.B. asymmetric) it's now perfect e.g. no alignment changes were made!

I had thought a control arm bush or track rod end may have been the problem but it was likely just the tyres/pressure?

messi · April 16, 2018

£113? What a rip off. Got mine done for £30 and that's 4 wheel alignment

MLW · April 16, 2018

Something odd here. £40-50 is the normal price. F1 did my wife's recently and my daughters car for about £40. 2 years ago Halfords did it for £50.

messi · April 16, 2018

My advice would be to take it somewhere else. But don't take it to Halfords unless they allow you to watch it being done, don't trust Halfords, they are about as useful as a rubber ladder

MLW · April 17, 2018

True, but the print outs are what stop Halfords skulduggery!

nickd · April 23, 2018

Thanks for all the advice but I decided to stick with the garage in Sheffield, a Jaguar specialist. This weekend I took the car and family up to Whitby and the car is now more or less perfect. However on certain roads there is a minute pull to the left, so this is I hope is indeed the camber. I have a read out which are all green and within tolerance. As for the cost it took two chaps nearly 2 hours and on the front bits (no idea what you'd call it) they had to use oxy-acetylene to loosen the bolts and it seemed for the time I watched, hard work. So for me I think a fair price was paid. Also while waiting, I had a good look round a 12 plate XJ they had in stock. A very impressive car and whilst the interior is exceptional I didn't think the build quality was up to the LS. What did surprise me is the price of them, in some instances they are cheaper than an equivalent age 460.