Stu

is all the trim inside my LS430 real wood, or high quality plastic imitation ?

Looks good either way, but if I had to guess I'd say it looks molded and too smooth and too perfect to be wood.

Anyone know for absolute sure ?

The only way to know I suppose would be to drill into it or break it, and I don't need to know that bad, lol

caddyowner

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...g-plastic.html

Stu

thanks for the link ... I read it, and most posters ( not all ) felt/claimed it's real wood There were interesting stories .... but no proof. I still am not sure.

caddyowner

Follow the links in the FAQ thread to the sales brochures that talk about genuine wood trim.

Ears

Wood or not, I can testify that the console piece has a plastic substrate. This from removing the one in my 2004 LS to install audio gear...

caddyowner

Yes, it's wood over plastic. I remember ads about the LS wood supposedly being grain matched from the same tree. I don't remember what generation those ads pertained to, though.

bigL

iTrader: (3)

It's real. Just call your dealer and get a price on a replacement piece its outrageous.

JimsGX

Its real wood veneer adhered to the plastic backing. I'm not sure how the clear finish is applied but I'd bet its a plasticized high build urethane that's probably applied as a single coat. It has to have UV inhibitors in it as well.

CarGuy89

I love the feel of the wood/leather wheel, very comfy and so smooth. The plastic on top definitely doesn't make it feel real, but it provides protection for both the wood and the user (otherwise we would get a handful of splinters everytime we drove the thing right?)

Playdrv4me

As stated above, these are solid wood veneers with a urethane protective coating applied over the top. Its actually pretty easy to spot fake wood as there is no "depth" to it when its just paint or a vinyl overlay.

Jabberwock

The LS430 interior trim is definitely real wood.

In contrast, we have a 07 Highlander Limited that has a ton of interior trim wood harvested from special plastic trees grown specifically for Toyota Highlanders. The highlander also has leather seating surfaces but sides of the seat covers are cheap vinyl that cracks and splits very easy.


Going from the LS to the Highlander can sometimes be a little bit of a shock in terms of aesthetics : )

jayclapp

It's real wood with urethane varnish. It's a thin laminate, necessary because thick wood will expand and crack. It's the best of all worlds, just what you would expect from Lexus.

Those that choose not to believe this can live with their choice. As for me, I'm happy.

kg19989

Real wood... it is a hallmark of Lexus.... besides..go sit in an Escalade and then you will never second guess again!!!!

slclexus

Everyone who has replied here is wrong. It is neither plastic or wood. The materials used in all Lexus products come from special trees grown in Amazonia. They start out as regular trees, but are then injected with high-refractant, polymerschiztastic plastic to strengthen it. These trees require dynamite to harvest and are harder to form than the sentences Paris Hilton attempts.

Doc

CarGuy89

I stand corrected then. Thanks for clearing it up Doc.