Buying An Ls400/430

[Chris CPT]

Hi all.

I'm currently selling my car, and am after a big luxo-barge, so naturally the LS400 or 430 comes to mind. I'll have around £2,000 - £2,300.

My buying reason is that I'm a motoring journo/web developer and test drive a different cars, so my current 4x4 is parked up for weeks, even up to a couple of months, at a time without being moved, and it's a waste of such a capable beast. So, fuel economy isn't an issue with it being used so little, and it'd be nice to jump into something decent on the odd occasion that I don't have a vehicle on test, or want to go away for a weekend somewhere.

Saying that, I also want the car I'm buying to be really reliable and low-maintenance, and fire up first time even after it's been sat on the drive for weeks and weeks!

I'm also considering a Mercedes-Benz, something like the W140 S500, or a 5-litre SEC. However, while I truly believe the older Mercs have more personality than an LS, I also know the LS is an amazingly reliable machine, and that's pulling me more towards the Lexus now.

I have a friend who purchased an early '90's LS400 around 4 - 5 years ago with 130,000 miles on the clock for a mere £1,300 off a customer of his, and the last time I saw him a few months ago he'd only ever had to replace on of the suspension struts in all the time he's had it (aside from the usual servicing), so it's quite a confidence-giver, and hence why I'm considering buying one.

Last time I did a bit of research the LS400 was best in class (compared with the S500, 750i etc) for fuel, acceleration, spec-wise and more, iirc?

You probably get this a million times, but what do I have to look out for fault-wise?

Finally, is the aforementioned £2,000 - £2,300 enough for a decent 400 or 430?

Looking forward to your answers.

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

[Titch LS]

Chris, for that money you could get a reasonbly good LS400 mk4. I have one of these and it is undoubtedly the best motor I've ever owned. Extremely reliable, beautifully made, easy to service, supremely comfortable, very quiet cabin, a gem of a V8 engine and has the smoothest of gearboxes. Plus ,they come with a stainless steel exhaust. Downsides; heavy on petrol around town (good on motorway), parts can be expensive, the starter motor is difficult to access. Some suspension bushes can wear on high milers along with brake judder. That's about it with these cars. They go on for ever if well maintained.

[Cotswold Pete]

Chris, with your budget I would be aiming for a 400 rather than 430, and Mk 4 is the best one to go for, but you can also pick up good Mk2 and Mk3 models where the owner has done work to get them up to scratch.

Suspension is usually the area to look at, as being a heavy car it does put a strain over 10 to 12 years on all the mechanical parts (especially given stat of UK roads). However I would rather have the ride of an old LS 400 over an old Merc or BMW, as though parts on Lexus are not cheap, they generally are no where near as bad as the German motor company(s).

I would test drive at least a MK3, the Mk4 has stability control (which was my need), and drive over some speed humps, road dips, and listen out for clunks and knocks, that indicates you will have to spend some money sorting that out in next year or two.

I had a Mk2 which clunked a lot, but was perfectly okay to drive, and had it like that for 4 years and never failed an MOT.

[Chris CPT]

Chris, for that money you could get a reasonbly good LS400 mk4. I have one of these and it is undoubtedly the best motor I've ever owned. Extremely reliable, beautifully made, easy to service, supremely comfortable, very quiet cabin, a gem of a V8 engine and has the smoothest of gearboxes. Plus ,they come with a stainless steel exhaust. Downsides; heavy on petrol around town (good on motorway), parts can be expensive, the starter motor is difficult to access. Some suspension bushes can wear on high milers along with brake judder. That's about it with these cars. They go on for ever if well maintained.

Thanks for that information. That's very handy. Regarding the starter, I actually noticed on one of the ad's that they'd just had it done @ 7 hours labour! Gulp!

Do you know of anywhere on here that notes the differences between the Mk 1 - 4?

Thanks,

Chris.

Chris, with your budget I would be aiming for a 400 rather than 430, and Mk 4 is the best one to go for, but you can also pick up good Mk2 and Mk3 models where the owner has done work to get them up to scratch.

Suspension is usually the area to look at, as being a heavy car it does put a strain over 10 to 12 years on all the mechanical parts (especially given stat of UK roads). However I would rather have the ride of an old LS 400 over an old Merc or BMW, as though parts on Lexus are not cheap, they generally are no where near as bad as the German motor company(s).

I would test drive at least a MK3, the Mk4 has stability control (which was my need), and drive over some speed humps, road dips, and listen out for clunks and knocks, that indicates you will have to spend some money sorting that out in next year or two.

I had a Mk2 which clunked a lot, but was perfectly okay to drive, and had it like that for 4 years and never failed an MOT.

Sounds great! I'll certainly look out for those points thanks.

Cheers,

Chris

[The-Acre]

One thing to consider if you by an LS and it's parked up for long-ish periods is that it will need to be on a trickle charge. The batteries don't tend to hold their charge for too long, much to do with the security system apparently. Mine is noticeable after 2-3 weeks.

[Chris CPT]

One thing to consider if you by an LS and it's parked up for long-ish periods is that it will need to be on a trickle charge. The batteries don't tend to hold their charge for too long, much to do with the security system apparently. Mine is noticeable after 2-3 weeks.

Okay thanks. That's another good bit of info.

Cheers,

Chris

[harrylime]

I have a Mk 4 ls 400 and agree with all the comments made. I also read somewhere that parking up for long periods can cause problems with the LS 430 suspension, so on that basis alone the 400 would probably suit you better. This was my thinking when I was looking, as my LS is not my daily car. It has been said on this forum that the 430 is more refined, with smoother gear changes. I don't disbelieve the poster who wrote this, but I don't see how much more refined a car can get. My 400 is superb in terms of refinement etc. Some prefer the more modern looks of the 430, I prefer the simple elegance of the 400. Go for it, you will wish you had done it years ago. I bought a good quality CTEK trickle charger and put this on if the car is not used for a week or so

[Malc]

Chris hi, what did you get in the end ???

Malc

[runsgrateasanut]

I've just purchased my first Lexus LS400 basically because I'm sick of seeing the rust on my W140 S320 Merc. Thought its time for a change and although I had considered the W140CL I saw a nice Lexus and have just taken delivery of it.

The advantage of the "barge" over the Lexus (which strangely seems quite small to me at the moment my W140 being a LWB ) is that the S class has LPG Single point which saves a bomb on Petrol costs on regular trips to middle France. Plan is to have the Lexus put on to LPG.

The bodywork of this Lexus is stunning. Only a few bubbles over one wheelarch whereas the Merc is breaking out with rust all over the place. OK I do live by the Sea and the car is not garaged.

I wanted to get back to a V8 as I had had two five litre V8 Mercs previously and although the Straight six is a great engine you don't get that burble or pull as on a V8. My first impressions of the Lexus is that it is quieter and smoother than the Merc though headroom made for the Japanese. The Merc has over 220k on the clock and the Lexus only half that so comparison not easy..

OK first Lexus niggles to be dealt with. The Air Con WORKS but the display is blank. Common problem and if car was a LHD would only cost me 50 Dollars to replace crystal display but on RHD will likely cost 140 Dollars. (eBay.com) I can live without it for the moment as the Air con is performing. Not the case on my Merc which would require an ovehaul.

I think the Lexus has a possible hairline crack in the header tank. Been searching to see if this is a common problem. Fluid running round the top of the tank and not seemingly coming from the cap or nearby electrical cover. Scratching my head on this, but each time I wipe away the antifreeze it reappears next time I look after a drive. Worried about a pressure problem here.

Time will tell which I prefer but as I'm booked on a Ferry with the Merc in two weeks time she will have to perform one last time before I sell it to someone who likes DIY on bodywork. The Merc is a great car and I've had it six years and its never let me down, but I'm looking forward to the change albeit that the dreaded Cambelt question may cost me a packet which it would not on the Merc as it has Cam chains. Have however just read that the early Lexus has a non-interference engine (as did my MR2) so maybe I can delay a huge expense without too much worry.