BNR34

iTrader: (1)

You can't compare air bags to steel springs.

Comparing a 90' Accord to a UL LS430 is apple to orange, the only thing they have in common is they are both built in Japan.

Is like comparing your Accord to a bicycle, of course the bicycle needs much less maintenances and repairs, it doesn't even need gas and oil

drdarell

I'm not comparing the '90 Honda Features to the Lexus. I was just commenting about the design and build quality. The first set of tires lasted 128K miles! The alignment was absolutely perfect, the car tracked absolutely perfect even with 265K miles on it. My point is the '90 Accord was designed to last well over 250K miles, and it was built to very tight tolerances. I expected nothing less and a lot more from my Lexus. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great car, I love it. However, I'm surprised that about 40% of UL LS430 owners have had problems with their air shocks. At $1,200 a shock I expect them to last forever. I've put 3 CD changers into my car and I'm afraid that with the average time that they last I'm due for this one to die. Things like this don't need to fail, it's a design flaw. Or, maybe they figure that as long as they are better than what the US can build most of the people will be happy. Personally, I bought a Lexus because of the reputation and that it was built in Japan. It's really been a great car, but I expected a little more quality. Cheers!

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

You are doing it again, you are comparing tire wear between a 3000 lbs 130 hp FWD car to a 4000 lbs 300 hp RWD car. Comparing that Accord to a CT200h would be a lot closer, not a LS430.

That is the nature of air shocks, they just could not engineered to last very long. Lexus already made them the best in the world, yours lasted 147k!! Go find out how long air shock last on Benz or Range Rover, 20k miles they start to have issues.

Yes, CD changer is uncall for, that is a quality issue. But then if your Accord have a CD player, it is single disk. The changing mechanism is what breaks, the Accord don't have that.

You bought a very complicated Lexus. Try a CT200h or IS250 that is as basic as your 90' Accord, should last just as long.

Of course that orange don't taste like an apple, it is not an apple

I am surprise you didn't complain about your LS430 don't get gas mileage like your 90' Accord.

waijai

iTrader: (9)

Just took my car in for service, since my ML amp blew. They're currently on back order, so I complained of the passenger side sag. Technician said the drivers side rear air shock was leaking bad, passenger side rear air shock was slightly leaking, and the front two air shocks were still good.

They replaced the rear two shocks. My car has 81k miles and I no longer have the right rear sag. The car drives much more stable. I knew things were going out, when going over speed bumps, the car would bounce several times before settling down.

LS400TX

2001 LS430 UL BLK/BLK 178000 miles with no air suspension problems.
Driven every day 130miles to work.

Sentinel

2 of mine went at 85k. I think one of the other 2 are gone. I think 85k on of shocks is about right. I live in NYC not the best roads

ipwn

Here is my question, if you have a completely stock LS430 with air suspension, and you want to ditch this set up.

Do you just need to replace the shocks and take out the compressor fuses or do you need to replace the shocks, springs, anti roll bar etc etc ..

Basically, what MUST be changed when replacing the air suspension.

I am in the UK and prefer to keep my Lexus completely standard with L/toyota parts..

Lynzoid

To ditch a finely tuned japanese active suspension (which have 10+ sensors all over the car and powerful computer to control all of it) is a stupid move.

I have 238k kms and airsus is still original.

DDLexus

I agree with you 90%... the other 10% is reserved for those who want to change the car's feel to ride more sporty or lower the ride height and manually adjust using 20+ way adjustable coils.

Lynzoid

Well good point, but. But i'll be looking for non-airsus LS then. Makes more sense.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

But in order to get every bells and whistles available on a LS430 (at least in the U.S.A.), you have to get the ultra luxury edition which comes with the air suspension.

Some people want every features except the air suspension.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't call it finely tuned, it is very smooth but is far from composed.

The active hydraulic suspension on AMGs and Mclaren MP4-12C is very impressive, the air suspension on the LS430 is far from it.

yuri.ber

iTrader: (7)

I had mine replaced for sport coils/springs suspension.
No anti roll bars to change.
Needed are strut mounts, insulators, shocks, springs and minor parts
Over here you can get all part # you need for a swap:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...n-infos-8.html

tobe1424

my 03 ls430 UL needs the timing belt changed..I believe in "if it's not broken then don't fix it"...

so should i change my water pump if it looks ok by the outside while I am swapping out my belt?

Or can the factory water pump see the 200K mark?

T

yuri.ber

iTrader: (7)

Do you really want to take this chance? WP can look ok outside but you can only assume what's the condition of pars inside of it. Plus it's a big job to do a WP/TB change that involves completely draining the cooling system. If your old water pump brakes you have to disassemble everything plus drain colling system again. There's also a chance to overheat your motor if your WP fails.
There is a TB kit on sewellparts.com, it includes TB/WP, pretensioner, all needed pulleys and all needed seals. Sewell also offers a big discount to CL members, just register (for free). If my memory is correct the whole kit is $413 plus shipping.
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2003/4683.html