Tulpen

Last month my LS 460 marked its 10th anniversary. I bought it 5 years ago - it now has about 80,000 miles on the odometer - and thought this would be a good time to reflect on my ownership experience. I had, previously, owned an LS 400 for 15 years and would like to think I can keep this machine for a similar length of time. I did consider an LS 600 but decided that the extra complications presented by the hybrid set-up might be too costly in the future. I found the transition from 400 to 460 very easy. They are, however, different in a few ways. We all agree that the engineering on the 400 is second to none, and that it is a wonderfully quiet and smooth automobile. The 460 is NOT as quiet, mine has the 19" wheels which I would not recommend. It is still a very quiet car. The seats are not as robust as the 400 because they are heated and air-conditioned. After 10 years, my leather still looks like new. It has air suspension with 3 settings. I find it very comfortable although the 19" wheels mean that it doesn't 'waft' like the 400. The 400 was very well equipped, electronically, for its day - and the 460 is a natural progression. However, I think that some of the features are a waste of time: the Self Parking for instance.......I never use it. If you read the US Lexus Forum you would think that the 460 has lots of problems......the air suspension, wind noise, upper and lower steering links etc. I have my car serviced at my local Lexus dealer, here, in Holland. Apart from the annual service I have only had 2 problems; a shattered wheel bearing, caused by an evil road in Scotland (during my annual visit) and a glitch in the parking computer which caused my steering wheel to sit 'off-centre'. The 460 has electric steering and a computer re-set fixed the problem. I had to have a new battery in 2015 - replaced free because it was still under warranty - and then another one 2 months ago (again replaced free). When I took my car in for its service last week they did some investigating. Here, on the Continent, there is a lively 'trade' in stolen, nearly new, luxury cars - which usually end up in Eastern Europe or Russia. Some insurance companies insist that new high-end cars have a 'Track and Trace' device fitted. This involves a monthly subscription and most owners stop paying the subscription after about 2 years. The device, however, is still fitted and hot-wired to the battery. The power drain is the equivalent of leaving the boot light on. The dealer found the problem and disconnected the device. I did not have to pay for this......they want to stop giving me free batteries :) The Service Manager is an acquaintance of mine and gives me lots of good information. There are very few LS 460/600s in Holland but, as far as problems go, here is what he has told me: they have changed 2 air struts on a 600 which had 200,000 miles on it. Steering links; one so far - at 150,000 miles. They do have computer glitches which require a system re-set. Remember I said I had chosen a 460 over a 600? They haven't changed a 600 hybrid battery ever! The dealer is a combined Toyota/Lexus franchise - separate receptions, workshops and, of course, far better biscuits in the Lexus coffee room :) They have only changed a handful of hybrid batteries, and only on the early model Prius. Perhaps I was too hasty opting for the 460 over the 600. I know that, as LS owners, we are fiercely loyal to our cars. Unfortunately your 400s, 430s and, indeed my 460, will eventually become uneconomical to keep. Moving up the LS ladder isn't a problem!

In today's Daily Telegraph there is an article on 'Cars to buy which will increase in value'. The LS 400 is on the list........the price will only go up so it might be an idea to grab one while you can.

Mine has 130,000 km..........80,000 miles on it. The only problems I've had are: Shattered front wheel bearing - caused by hitting a huge speed bump in the UK during a visit. Steering wheel went 'off-centre'. On the USA forum they say the fix is a new steering box at a cost of $4,000! My local Lexus garage did a complete reset of all the computers - cost 150 euros - and there has been no problem since. That was a couple of years ago. There is a lot of talk about the air suspension struts, I've had no problems.

I've got a 2007 LS 460 and had it since 2013. I am very pleased with it (previously had a 400 for 15 years) and have had none of the problems that seem to be associated with the 460. However, I live in Holland and don't have to suffer the daily battering you guys get from the UK roads. My car has 80,000 miles on it. If you have any specific questions just ask.

The 460 has electrical steering and, apparently, there are quite a few systems earthed through a connection on the steering box itself. I don't know enough about the 430 to know if that will help or not. Once the connection had been cleaned, and a lacquer coat applied, the difference to the radio reception was amazing.

I had a problem with AM on my 460. My local auto-radio expert found an earth problem. The radio earth is a connection on the steering box (I kid you not), they disconnected the lead, cleaned it up and it has been perfect ever since (happened 4 years ago.)

Chris, this one wasn't sleeping.......it was on all fours - wearing a steel helmet :)

I've got the car back, bearing replaced.......peace and quiet has returned. They showed me the old one and it was in a very bad state. I had asked them to take a VERY close look at the other bearing and all of the front suspension; they were able to reassure me that everything else is OK. They gave me an almost-new IS 300h to run around in for a couple of days - very nice car with great handling. It had 'flappy paddle' gear change; I played with it for a couple of minutes, then put the actual gear lever back where it belongs in a Lexus........Drive :) My only gripe was secondary controls! You can get in any LS (400/430/460/600) and the controls are all logical and, more or less, in the same position. In the IS, it took me ages to work out the radio and the 'Auto' selection for the wipers was a button on the end of the stalk. Maybe I'm just getting old and set in my (LS) ways..........

Thanks for your thoughts, folks..........the car still has its original wheel bearings, it has only done 70,000 miles. One of my relatives is going to take a picture of the bumps and send it to me. Here in Holland, there are speed bumps, but they tend to be the 'soft, rounded' variety and are very low profile. The preferred method of traffic calming is to build a smooth, fast(ish) bypass round towns and villages. If you decide to try and take a shortcut through a village, you are faced with single-lane chicanes which really slow you down. Last, but certainly not least, any potholes are fixed very quickly.

A couple of weeks ago I was across in Scotland for a wedding. Driving through an area to the west of Glasgow, I came round a roundabout to find 2 of the biggest speed bumps I've ever seen. Seriously, these things were the size of aircraft chocks, with vertical ends. Luckily, I was only doing about 20mph and tried to avoid them, but it was too late. There didn't seem to be any damage but, a couple of days later, I started to hear a noise from the front of the car. The noise has been getting worse and, now that I'm back in Holland, I took the car to my local dealer. They took it for a drive then put it on the ramp. They invited me to take a look and showed me that the passengers side front wheel bearing is shot. So the car goes in next Tuesday to have the bearing replaced. Thankfully, the suspension bits are OK. As I said, sodding speed bumps.

I owned an LS400 for 15 years then went on to a 460, 5 years ago. I haven't owned a 430 so I can't give any comparisons. The 400 was a great machine but I find the 460 better. It is more modern and has lots of extras - Malc will say that is just more to go wrong . It has a timing chain and I have had no problems with the air suspension. The Mark Levinson music system is great and, though I live in Holland, BBC radio 5Live is my station of choice and the reception here is very good. I like the 6 cd set-up. Like some of the others, I'm VERY choosy about where I park it and always check it before I leave a car park. It is a very easy car to own - just like the 400 - and I have no wish to go back. If you have any specific questions, just ask.

The 460 with the all-singing and dancing rear seat has an extra aircon unit in the boot and it takes up a lot of space. The standard 460 has a very comfy back seat but without the massage and DVD screens. On that model the boot is huge.

Malc, Agree with you 100%. I spent my working life flying all over the world but never having time to look around. I retired in 2013 and we decided to spend our retirement exploring the places we only visited briefly. We moved to the European mainland which makes it so much easier to just jump in the Lexus and go. We really enjoy visiting the States and in 2014 we flew to San Francisco, hired a motorhome, and spent 6 months wandering around till we got to Miami. This year we are doing it again but, this time, we are doing 'mountains and deserts' - exploring the Rockies and Sierra Nevada from the Canadian to the Mexican borders. While we were in the States last time, we met a couple in Death Valley who were wearing T-shirts with the logo 'SKI'. I asked where they could ski in Death Valley. They told me it stood for 'Spending the Kids Inheritance'. They said they had fed them, clothed them, and educated them..........now it was the parents' turn. Of course, the other big thing is HEALTH! We tend to take it for granted......until it fails. Life (and retirement) is for living. Keep your mind and body as active as possible.......and go for it! Preferably in a Lexus :)

Welcome to the LS 460 gang!

I had the same TPMS issue. I had a low tyre pressure warning very close to a KwikFit. I pulled in to get the wheels checked - they found a nail in one of the front tyres. It was repairable and did it as I waited. When I drove off, I had the 'checking' indication. Back I went and discovered that the young lad who did the job had replaced the valve stem - 'we always do that'. I sent him off to sift through the bins and, luckily, he found the old one. When it was put back in the wheel, the indications were all normal. There are more cars with TPMS so, hopefully, tyre depots THINK before throwing out the old valve stems. But I wouldn't bet on it.

Brian, I'm not sure that the electrical handbrake on the 460 does cause more stress on components. The handbrake has an 'AUTO' selection which I always use. This means that, every time the gear lever is set to 'PARK', the handbrake is applied but, when you select away from 'P', the handbrake is released and the car is held stationary by the auto box or by holding your foot on the brake. There is also a 'Brake Hold' facility which, when selected, automatically applies the handbrake when the car comes to a stop.......and releases when the accelerator is pressed. This is possible because both the brakes and accelerator are electronic. The 'Brake Hold' facility is great in traffic queues - you don't need to sit with your foot on the brake pedal. Of course, I could be wrong.

Peter, I'm really enjoying your 'tutorial' :) I've got Dunlop SP Sport MAXXX GT 245/45 ZR19 tyres fitted to my 460. They were OEM and I've stuck with them. They are quiet and durable. There is a proviso, however......... I live in a country where the roads are looked after. Every time I come back to the UK, I'm appalled at the state of the highways.

Yes, and because they are so clever, it is logical that there must be a sensor as well. Just giving a calendar based message doesn't make that much sense. There is a 'gotcha' when you change the filter. When you remove the inside of the glovebox, you may see a plastic flap blocking access to the filter. This is the airflow diverter for the air recirculation feature. Pressing the recirc button (with the ignition 'ON') motors it out of the way. On the US forum, there are stories of people using force and breaking the flap. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the workshop manual :) There are quite a few differences between LHD/RHD versions and, in small markets, like Holland, the equipment levels are fixed. Here, a sunroof is standard and Lane Keeping Assist is only available on the 600 - at least on the 2007 model. Systems reset on mine consists of pressing the 'INFO' and airco 'AUTO' buttons at the same time for a few seconds until a double beep is heard. What is the small module on the top of your steering column........is that to do with the distance sensors? Mine has only done 70,000 miles so I have no ball joint problems. My local Lexus dealer tells me that they have changed a few but not until cars have done around 180,000 miles. I'm aware that, on the US forum, there are instances of ball joint failure at, only, 40 - 50,000 miles. Of course, the state of the roads has a huge effect. Some cars have wind noise from the front doors; there is a fix for this........ http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-4th-gen-2007-present/506217-instructions-for-the-jmcraney-wind-noise-fix.html I didn't need to do it on mine but, apparently, it works very well. I've had my 460 for almost 5 years and never get tired of driving it :)

Some of the display messages are pretty good also. A couple of weeks ago I got a message 'Air Conditioning Filter Requires Changing'. I checked the filter, which I knew had been changed in Nov 2015, (it is in the glove box - same as the 400) and the problem was leaves. I blew the filter through, gently, with compressed air and refitted it. The message had gone. This is what the inside of mine looks like (I live in Holland).

Peter, welcome to LS 460 ownership. The more you drive it, the more you'll love it :) BTW Malc, the 460 has a timing chain, not a belt.

Totally agree with what Michael says........I visit the 'land of my fathers' 3 or 4 times a year and usually bring the 460 with me. The first thing I notice is the state of the roads. Even the Lexus is unable to float over all the potholes.

While I agree that the 400 was/is wonderfully engineered, it is now an old design. It is now 20 years since I got my first LS and, at the time, I thought it was way ahead of other contemporary cars. However, time marches on, and I wanted something more modern - and with lots of up-do-date goodies. Since the advent of the 400, cars have become very clever. Even a basic Ford Escort is packed full of electronics (although how long they'll last is open to conjecture). I wanted a modern LS so, in 2012, I bought the 460. There are a lot of people on here who swear blind by their 400s and will never change. I respect that.........but, please, you have to respect that some of us want to move on. Modern cars (even the LS) with all their complexity, may go wrong. I bought my 460 knowing this - and accept it could be costlier than my 400. Happy New Year :)

I've got an '07 460........apart from a small electronic glitch (which was fixed with a system reset) I've had absolutely no problems at all. As a matter of interest, if you read the US 430 and 400 forums they would put you off as well.

'What you need is for lots of people to say don't do it, so....don't do it!! ' Yes, just like 'Don't smoke, don't drink or don't go out with loose women'..........and how many of us took any notice of that :) I think Pete is going to buy it regardless and was hoping we would advise him to go ahead. Sorry, Pete, you're on your own on this one - why not ask your partner for his/her opinion of getting yet ANOTHER vehicle I know what mine would say..............

Hey Milko, I'm in the Netherlands also.........Noordwijkerhout. You're right, the LS is a shining light amongst all the German cars :)