2v1g

Are Beck Arnley parts OEM parts? The ride will feels different if they are not OEM.

Doublebase

I think if you're talking about an air strut, it shouldn't feel all that different...meaning you probably wouldn't notice it. Besides, any car with any type of miles on them 100,000 plus, is going to feel different than it used to. But if you're talking spring rates on conventional struts they can feel a little different I suppose from factory, although a company like KYB claims they pay special attention to spring rates (and they also recommend strut replacement on all cars at 50,000 miles, which is absurd).

So I think at some point most people realize that their cars won't be factory new condition, whatever/where ever that point is, is up to the individual, but I don't think you'll find many people worrying about it after 200,000 miles. At that point you just try to keep the thing going. Aftermarket parts are reasonably good - I replaced 6 control arms last year with aftermarket parts - I've had no issues since (25,000 miles later). The car doesn't feel any different than factory and I saved myself $2,000 in parts. But if I had my choice I'd go factory OEM with everything, but when you weigh price/value, it doesn't always make sense.

roadfrog

Doublebase pretty much covered it, but yeah, it should be the same spec as original, It's not like Lexus makes their own shocks anyway. For example, KYB makes the non-air shocks for the LS.

pmiller

I was mistaken the other day. They are replacing all control arms front and back plus the front air struts for $9,000. All covered under warranty. I talked to an indie shop today. I'll investigate more into that once I get the invoice from the dealership. Thanks for all the info.

pmiller

Update...now they are replacing the rear suspension. I've asked for the costs that have incurred since I bought my 2010 LS 460L in November 2012 with 45K miles. I now have 107K miles. I bet it's approaching $20K. I had rear glass replacement, speaker replacement, subwoofer replacement, rear side shades adjustment, and driver seat lumbar replacement. Warranty...I think I got my money's worth. Once I get the full list, I plan to take it to an indie shop and see what they would have charged. Just a ball park cost. With a new suspension, what should be my other concerns with an LS with 107K miles? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

dlbuckls10

Unfortunately you have had some costly repairs and fortunately you purchase a warranty. You got your money worth and some. The trunk opening/closing, amp, and folding mirrors can become a problem. Hopefully your LS will be trouble free for a long time.

roadfrog

The only other issue that is fairly common on our LS's is the water pump. As I've said before on CL, it's a relatively cheap and easy fix. I bought an aftermarket unit for 50 bucks or so and installed it myself in about 90 minutes. Realistically, an indy shop could do this for about 350 bucks including coolant. Lexus would charge you more than double that. Their water pump alone is almost 300 dollars and they designate this a 2.4 hour job. Add in "shop supplies", etc and you're into it for 6-800.

Doublebase

Its funny you mention the water pump, last week I had come to the point where I needed to change my belt and coolant...yet I didn't want to do that and have the water pump fail (I'm on my original water pump at 140,000 miles). I ended up changing the belt and coolant anyway - the belt has a lifetime warranty, so it's no big deal if the pump leaks and ruins the belt - as for the coolant? Well I had a gallon laying around anyway.

I'm wondering how long this water pump is going to last...hopefully another 30,000 so I can at least get some use out of that coolant.

gte819s

Where are you finding four ls460 air shocks for $1000? Used pulls are $600 each on ebay. aftermarket pairs are >$1400. lexus singles are 1000.

roadfrog

Ebay, Amazon etc. They are not used. Brand new aftermarket and manufactured by Arnott.

gte819s

Sorry man, still not seeing a set of air shocks for under 1K.
Arnott sells the fronts only for >1400 a pair. Single front l/r Arnotts go for ~700-800 each. Coil conversion kits can be around 700-1500 for all four though.
Do you have a source at 1K for all four?

roadfrog

Here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-48020-20...9YCXvE&vxp=mtr

They aren't Arnott, but it's an option. The Arnott's I saw several weeks ago were also priced about the same as these, but the prices seem to have jumped up.