New to me LS460 SE-L

aido · December 15, 2018

I was looking for a motorway muncher a while back to run alongside my Volvo AWD and after browsing Autotrader at various diesel VWs and Audis I ended up looking back at the world of Lexus and ended up with my 3rd.

A quick update from my many years away from LOC - after selling the Aristo V300 due to getting a company car I ended up going through various hire cars from work (VWs, Peugeots, Vauxhalls, all sorts really). I bought a 2006 VW Passat and racked up over 60k in 6 months. I had a baby on the way at the time (6 years ago) and swapped the car for a VW Passat CC TDI GT which I drove all the way up to 200k before chopping in for the Volvo). Amusingly it took the wife over a week to realise I'd changed cars when I went from the Passat to the CC 😄

I live in the moors these days so bought a Volvo XC90 which has been flawless in bad weather wherever I've been, but unfortunately it triggers a shoulder injury I have from a few years ago and long drives (which I do a lot of) really take their toll.

I fancied being back in a saloon so I get the best of both worlds - the Volvo for bad weather and shipping the kids around and I did a fair bit of reading and it seemed the LS460 was a pretty reliable motor assuming looked after properly which some hitting bonkers milage figures over in the USA and over here.

I had traded in a 2008 VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI DSG last Christmas which hit 200k and was still like new inside and out - that was a great car and fared me well so I wasn't afraid of high milers.

So I found one fairly cheap with ~140k miles which would be a nice easy intro back in the world of Lexus and help minimise shoulder problems for me. Full Lexus dealer service history with lots of parts replaced over the years including the seats replaced just 12 months ago and as part of the sale it had the usual issue with the control arms so I had those replaced and a clean MoT as part of the sale.

I picked her up from SE London and it was a lovely trip home other than the TPMS warning flashing up on the dash all the way home,

Luckily I had a Carista on hand so could see it was because the spare was missing and as the pressures were all ok I was happy to do the >200 mile drive back up North.

All was fine and dandy until the car went in for a full service and geometry check at Lexus and it came back out with a PCS error which unfortunately took Lexus weeks to figure out working with Lexus GB and turned out to be the radar sensor failing while at the garage so it needed that replacing and the front Lexus badge. During that period I pretty much read the workshop guide cover to cover.

On the plus side it didn't need the new brake disks or pads I'd bought so they've been put to one side.

I've actually only had the car at home 4 weeks out of 8 weeks of ownership due to it being in the garage - it gets worse as this week it threw a brake pad warning when they all looked ok and turns out the cable at the loom side has been chopped off and the wires bodged to the other connector. It was fixed but while the garage had it they've damaged the front bumper on the yellow ramps so it's gouged to buggery as well as doing similar to the steering wheel which I'd only just sorted out 😕 FFS!

They're not responding to my emails at the moment so I'm going to have to call in and see what they say - even more worrying was that there's a clip missing from the dashcam which suggests it was removed and then when they connected back up and took into the garage it was all talk of the car being "fast as f*ck" - hoping I won't be getting a ticket in the post soon and just proves you shouldn't trust feedback of a garage from Facebook these days.

@abdallian will be very familiar with the car as he owned it previously which I'd pieced together from old posts before it went off to auction.

In terms of work done since I've had it:

New lower control arms
4 wheel geometry at Lexus
Full major service at Lexus
Latest 2017-2018 v2 E1G satnav disk
New Yuasa Silver Battery (I was trying to rule out voltage issues causing the PCS errors)
Mixture of BG 44k and Shell V-Power to clear a couple of misfires logged on Techstream
New front radar sensor (ouch!)
New front Lexus emblem (picked up a spare I've got sat in the garage now too!)
New spare wheel & toolkit (rolled my own TPMS scanner using an SDR I had sat here and used Carista to program it in).
Lexus LED projection lights for the doors (the daughter loved the ones next door had on their new Peugeot so they were an eBay special)
New clips to replace all the missing ones from years of removing the engine shields
New uprated Osram Night Breaker Laser D4S HID bulbs (they need adjusting up still yet)
Refreshed the headlight units with the 3M polishing kit and 3M clear coat
New Lexus Sport LS460 gearknob from Japan as the old one was quite worn on the leather.
Cleaned up the interior with Dr Leather products (they're excellent if you haven't used them before)
A pass through with an odor bomb to remove smoke smell.
Added a Raspberry Pi system for kids films for the daughter so she's got her own media setup
Picked up some Lexus headsets (and it also works fine with third party headsets set to band A)

Still to-do

I've got a full deep clean valet booked in for January
Get the wheels refurbished as they have the typical Lexus rot
Get the paint tidied up - to be fair it was in pretty great condition for the age with marks on the bonnet and boot which look like a parking barrier has closed on it and now the front bumper has been mullered this week. I've been quoted £1k by a local guy with a great rep but he's fully booked until July 2019 😮
The car is showing a solar circuit issue which I think is the rear window demister as it's not the most efficient (it is 12 years old)
Sort out a problem with a rear cabin temperature sensor
I'm debating whether to fix the rust on the sunroof - it seems fairly common on the LS460 from what I've read.
Thinking about a Grom V-Line 2 but hear mixed reports. I may just leave that alone and stick to media burned to disk as the factory Mark Levison system sounds amazing!

A long post but pretty much covers the journey so far, it's been frustrating but touch wood things will settle down a bit now (please!)

I've bought the full set of diagnostics since buying the car (I have a mistrust of garages from experiences over the years) so I always like to check that what they're telling me adds up. I started off with the cheap copy Mini VCI cable which turned out to be firmware 1.4.1 and couldn't handle various things so moved onwards and upwards through the VCX Nano and then finally a GTS OTC VIM which I've tested on up to the latest 2018 cars with the latest Techstream licensed from lexus-tech.eu (not the hooky version).

I also bought a Denso Intelligent Tester 2 with oscilloscope probes when trying to figure out the PCS error but that's overkill for my needs so I'll be getting rid of that at some point now I have a reliable Techstream up and running - for now it comes everywhere with me as I'm not quite confident it won't throw another random error - I've seen more engine lights than I care to with this one!

Fingers crossed for a bit of stability going forwards now anyway 👍

Malc · December 16, 2018

sounds an ok buy . so how much was the " cheap " purchase and the on-going costs to sort it all out ?

and any more piccys ..... we love those especially . we can grow to love her too with those

Malc

PCM · December 16, 2018

Great post. Thank you.

aido · July 22, 2019

I never did get around to updating this thread - I had a bit of time so gave it a good cleaning today.

I never did have any more issues after the first post and it's been the perfect motorway cruiser, I've never had a car drive so well and easily on the motorway or in fact in general.

I've sold the Volvo and replaced that with a 2016 E Class estate (I've never tried an MB so figured I'd give them a go) and found one in a colour similar to my first ever IS (dark grey).

Unfortunately as much as I love the LS it can't cope with a trip to Costco with a pram in the boot and then all the shopping the wife does along with the two kids (to be fair it was a squeeze in the Volvo and still tight in the E Class estate!)

The sound system in the LS460 is better than the MB E Class Harmon Kardon system, you really notice it on the radio for some reason - I guess FM was much more of an in thing back in the day vs nowadays where everything seems streaming orientated. DAB where we live is always dropping out and FM sounds really weak in the MB. I think for whatever reason it doesn't go through all the DSP. Media from USB or SD or decent quality streaming all sound good and I've tried some 5.1 demo disks but they're a bit of a gimmick.

The E Class is nice but you can definitely tell the LS is the next level up (I'll have to try an S Class at some point now!)

So pic wise let me finally get some up many months later 🙂

aido · July 22, 2019

aido · July 22, 2019

I've dug the steam cleaner out so at some point I'm going to have a stab at those creases in the front seats as that's what Lexus have in the service manual to get rid of them 😉

IMHO it's in great nick for 146k miles and a 56 plate and still has more options that probably 80% of cars on the road today.

That 3M headlight restoration kit made a big difference to the headlights as well, they really let the car down when I picked it up as they were yellowed but since I used the 3M kit along with 3M UV coating they've seemed much better.

It's a shame the sun wasn't in the right angle today as I noticed that when it hits the front L badge you get a really nice rainbow effect (not sure if that's because it had the new badge and radar fitted last year).

The B pillar seems to be a weak point on these, it's wearing the same on my Merc.

I didn't get through much of the todo list - it had the full valet done but tbh I can do a better job given the time.

Ironically the solar sensor in my MB is the same as the LS - it seems that at some point it's had a dealer sticker in the window and someone has taken something sharp to it so cut one of the bars, on the MB it was literally either side of the sticker 😕

The one thing the LS can't compete with is the MB headlights - the LS ones are potentially brighter as I fitted the best (at the time) bulbs, but the MB has intelligent LED lighting and it's bonkers and you can leave it on full beam and it decides when to activate / deactivate and will even turn off LEDs to black out the area of an oncoming car. I've only ever used them once due to summer but quite literally game changing and all cars will have them in ten years (or at least an option on the higher spec models).

aido · July 22, 2019

This took some finding but it was the yellow headlight unit before the 3M process - the plastic is still like new now and I did these last October not long after having the car.

PCM · July 22, 2019

A/C nice and cold I hope!

The-Acre · July 22, 2019

Very nice. It'll be interesting to know whether the MB electrics will last as long as the Lexus. They seem to be a very weak point on MB.

aido · July 22, 2019

Interestingly while looking for that picture I noticed one of the other LS460s I went to look at near me in Halifax is showing as taxed, but with no MoT since Jan 2018 and no insurance so suggests they're still waiting to find someone to buy it and fix the suspension on that one almost one year one!

3 minutes ago, PCM said:

A/C nice and cold I hope!

Oh yes, it was refilled just before I bought it and still works brilliantly - when I moved the car earlier it had cooled down in the time I move it between two spaces on the drive.

I just had the MB refilled last week actually as part of the GroupOn deal at ATS but tbh it was almost still full anyway. That's a 2015 on 120k now so thought it may have lost a bit more.

aido · July 22, 2019

10 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

Very nice. It'll be interesting to know whether the MB electrics will last as long as the Lexus. They seem to be a very weak point on MB.

Don't scare me but I did take out a 3 year warranty on it just in case.

I bought the MB Xentry full diags and so far (touch wood) it's ok. I think it does possibly need a new accessory Battery as the start / stop doesn't always kick in and that can be the Battery getting weak.

Saying that I haven't had the CTEK on it yet so that's a job for another day and if that doesn't fully solve it then I may replace it (it's just a bike sized Battery in the boot used for when the car is stopped in start / stop mode). The MB system for working out when the engine can be cut involves something like 17 parameters so it may just be one of those isn't passing, ie if the aircon is set too cold then it will not let the engine cut out, similar if the AC is on and the passenger window is open.

The maddest thing is auto hold. In my Passat it was fully auto. In the Lexus you just press the hold button on the wheel and it's auto. In the Mercs it turns out you come to a stop with a gentle press of the brakes and then when stopped fully press it and it turns hold on. I had to watch a few Youtube videos to finally master it and everytime someone mentions in on the MB forums loads of posters don't even know their car can do it 😄

The-Acre · July 22, 2019

Car technology has just become something that a general mechanic can't cope with. That's what I like about my Celsior, it's complex but mostly manageable! Before I bought my Volvo I came close to buying an E class Merc estate, a very good looking car.

aido · October 12, 2019

Well that's a year already - took it in for the MoT yesterday to be told it had 5 failures - a few seconds of silence, and then laughs all around as they were pulling my leg and it sailed through 🙂

Well almost - a few advisories - one for the two front tyres being at 3mm on the edge, one for the undertrays being fitted and then one for worn brake disks, but not excessively at the front.

The car had a full geometry at Lexus last November time so should be ok but I'll get it checked again. Not so sure how much I trust that main dealer after noticing the wheels had been fitted wrong with 97 rated on the passenger side and 100 on the drivers side instead of matching per axle.

I've still got the new Lexus front disks and pads sat in the box I bought last October as the garage has said these have still got plenty of life in yet.

The tester said he had expected it to fail on quite a few items when he saw the age pop up on his system, and afterwards was singing it's praises as suspension, brake lines and interior were like new. Technically the suspension is one year old and the interior two years old so not far off but a sign at least the cleaning and Dr Leather products have done their job.

He gave me his number for should I ever want to sell it too - hopefully a good sign.

I'd priced up tyres and was ready to get new Dunlop Sport RT Maxx 2s on but will postpone for now as I bought some winter wheels for the Merc last week so that's got 16 inch Michelin Alpins to go on. The Dunlops were coming out at £153 a corner fitted so I might just get them done while out of season as that seemed a good price.

The emissions sailed through too.

Fuel wise I've only ever used super, the majority being either Shell V-Power or Costco Premium, with this last tank being BP Super.

Not bad for such a big engine!

I'll get another can of BG 44 K run through soon and then get it serviced. It's got full main dealer service history but I wasn't too impressed with the last one so may break that tradition and get it to a specialist - still debating that one.

Texas · October 12, 2019

I think it's wrong that the MOT states under Advisories...."Underbonnet/body panels fitted not allowing....blah..blah" these are factory fitted components by the manufacturer of the car! You have not fitted them after market to 'hide' anything! So why?

sorry rant over...

just noticed the 1 ppm HC...Awesome!

paul m.

v nice motor by the way😉

cruisermark · October 12, 2019

31 minutes ago, Texas said:

I think it's wrong that the MOT states under Advisories...."Underbonnet/body panels fitted not allowing....blah..blah" these are factory fitted components by the manufacturer of the car! You have not fitted them after market to 'hide' anything! So why?

sorry rant over...

just noticed the 1 ppm HC...Awesome!

paul m.

v nice motor by the way😉

Agree - especially as most cars come with them.

royoftherovers · October 12, 2019

Put this

https://www.vehiclestats.co.uk/Home/About

into your computer and you might be amazed!

Malc · October 12, 2019

46 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

you might be amazed!

never seen this before, looks very interesting

Not at all sure what the User Input means though, neither Advisories nor Failures

is it a bit like saying " the car's dirty " ?

Malc

royoftherovers · October 12, 2019

1 hour ago, Malc said:

never seen this before, looks very interesting

Not at all sure what the User Input means though, neither Advisories nor Failures

is it a bit like saying " the car's dirty " ?

Malc

Just give all of us Members a very full report on such of your cars as you are able to access Malc!

RgrWynne · October 12, 2019

This is the mot emission readout for my 2002 LS430 with 100k

Edited October 12, 2019 by RgrWynne
Too many copies

royoftherovers · October 12, 2019

1 hour ago, RgrWynne said:

This is the mot emission readout for my 2002 LS430 with 100k

Excellent results. Are you running it on Shell V Power or similar Roger ?

RgrWynne · October 12, 2019

Hi John, yes Bp ultimate .

aido · October 12, 2019

Maybe these are all pretty clean then - it's impressive it's that clean while still chewing through petrol 🙂

@ Malc, on one of the previous MoTs it had 6 user added notes and it was basically all advisories, so guessing that tester didn't quite know the system back then.

Last years was a pretty bad MoT (a full failure) as a fair bit of suspension work was needed, saying that everyone I looked at seemed to have the same problem, the guy I bought it from charged me £500 and he covered the rest. I can't argue seeing as quite a few suspension parts were changed. It's surprising a few of the ones I looked at were never sorted - a couple were asking £8k yet they never got rectified so maybe they were split for parts. It's a shame.

I think this still needs a new bush even though the MoT haven't mentioned anything as I've noticed a noise on speed humps, I'll get it in the garage and see what they recommend,