semar

opinion?
which was the most reliable 430 2001-2005

AJT123

Can't go wrong with any year, honestly.

XJSFan

2006 is the last year of the model and I would consider those the one to buy.

R Z

I had the 05 and the reason I went with it instead of the 04 was the key fob. It stays in your pocket. I'm not sure the 04 offered that feature. But as mentioned, any LS430 is great.

e60bmw

iTrader: (1)

If I could have done it again, I would have went with a 04+ for the updated headlights/tails.

Fixman

All 1st gen is the most relatable. Then 2ns gen and so on.
the 460 is good but not as good as the older ones. Logically the more complicated it gets the more chance of somthing go wrong.
The main thing is electronics the complication of modern vehicles makes it that harder to fix, usually you replace what go wrong.
Mecanical all are relatable if maintained regularly, with normal maintenance and resnable usage (it's not a race care) it should be good for at least 250 to 300 k miles. Small stuff hear and there (bush, speaker ...etc).
I say a good balance between gadgets and reaybility is the 04 to 06. But that is my opinion.
And 04 do have the smart key. I have one.

Dockof-bay

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The 2005 Flint Mica is the best LS ever made. imho

Pwrov1

My 2004 has the "smart" keyfob as well that unlocks the car just by grabbing the handle. Best part lol. My friends that see me do it for the first time are like, "It just unlocks when you touch it?!" Haha

jayclapp

Every person who owns an 01-06 LS430 has the most reliable car!

jwillis123

In my humble opinion,
the 2004-06's are some of the best cars ever in any category. 2001-03's are just as good but they really improved the lines on the car with the 2004 "face lift". You also get the updated transmission and keyless start smartkey mentioned before. I've not heard about any particular model year being more reliable than the other. If your budget allows it do a search for a low mile 2006. You won't regret it. As you can tell some of us are fanatical about our LS430's!

airchomper

The 2005-2006s are the best.

The 2004s have a few issues - their transmissions might have been damaged before the TSBs, they have the telescoping steering issue, and an old version of the control arm bushings.

I'd rather have a 2003 than a 2004, but that's just me.

Really, you can't go wrong. And a service history is the most important.

AJT123

Could you elaborate? I know about the tranny recall, (bc of a parking prawl issue), but TSB wise, I'm assuming you're talking about the low speed lurch issue?

My car hasn't even had that done and it's 11 years old. No transmission issues whatsoever, except for the software glitch.

Lol, I'm finally addressing that bc it rears it's ugly head every 2 seconds now that I live in Los Angeles and deal with the infamous stop and go traffic. It drives me nuts. But if that's what you were referring to, there is no damage associated with it. I haven't even done a fluid drain and refill yet; I slog through said traffic, and it still shifts brand new--like a knife cutting through hot butter. It's just a stupid software glitch.

I'm also unaware of any 04 year-specific steering telescoping issue; I thought it was for all years. FWIW, mine is still functioning perfectly and is as silent as ever. I'm actually surprised at how it still seems brand new. Ever pondered just how many times in our cars' lifetimes the wheels have extended and retracted? Does anyone know if the dealer will grease the motors as preventative maintenance and how much it costs?

I have, however, replaced my control arm bushings.

Anthony81

Funny you mention that because looking back at the service records on my car, the previous owner brought it in at 9000 miles due to a squeak during retraction that the tech reported not hearing. I think I am going to crack my steering column open one of these days and grease the screws on the motor myself. The tilt/telescope functions works fine and doesn't seem to be struggling at all.

XJSFan

We agree on the color... LOL.

BradTank

Mine is a 2004 and also looking back at the service records, the tranny was recalled and also something regarding the steering column very early on. I think there must have been some sort of TSB or recall on the steering column on '04 models.

My guess is 99.99% of these were taken care of by the original owners, I don't see many people buying a $75,000 luxury car and then never once taking it back to the dealer for any sort of routine service in the first few years of ownership.

If you get a 2004 though, definitely make sure it has had the reprogramming done to stop the lurching issue. That was a big game changer for me, to the point I might have sold the car had it not been available as it just felt so awkward in stop and go situations. Mine had never been done (but the transmission recall with the parking pawl had been done). I'm not sure when the update became available, but it seems like many models had never had it done (but the other issues had been addressed)

I would also disable the steering column moving away every time you enter and exit the car, the wear and tear after 10+ years is going to eventually mean it needs replacement and a big bill. Mine started making some noises and I disabled it so it only moves when I want to adjust it.