Texashills

I have been battling excessive wind noise in my LS430 from the day I took delivery in December 2000. Two Lexus dealers have tried multiple times to eliminate or at least significantly reduce the sounds: (1) a high pitched noise, which Lexus attributes to the passengar side mirror; and, (2) the sound one would associate with a partially open door or window. This is distinct from the sun roof noise which I accept as unavoidable in Lexus. Lexus dealers have replaced the seals around the side mirror on the passengar side, adjusted the alignment of the mirror housing to change the wind deflection hitting the car, replaced the seals around the door, and checked the alignment of the door. Last week the regional Lexus factory rep test drove the car with the Lexus of Austin mechanic and measured the noise level at 87.5 db SLP. They pronounced this the best they could do and that it is slightly better than another 430 on their lot. The Lexus rep says they will not do anything else to fix it because they do not know what else to do and because it is slightly better than another car!. From my research, a luxury car should not be above 65db SLP and that above 70db one becomes fatigued from the sound. We have the Levinson sound system in the car and have to turn it up to a high level to hear over the wind noise. Has anyone encountered this and how was it resolved?

SWEETSOUND2001

What speed is that measured at?
I beleive car and driver rated LS430 @ 64db noise level at 70mph cruising (dead silent).

Texashills

They measured the sound at 60MPH.

Christian

During a test drive with the LS 430 on the autobahn the car I drove had wind noise problems at speeds above 180km/h. The mechanic told me later on that they have problems with a too soft windshield seal on top of the windshield. It starts swinging in teh air and makes a really high tone.

Texashills

Thank you for the information. Passengars say the sound seems to be coming from the windshield. Also I learned that the 2002 has double laminated windows because of the noise. I wioll pass on your comment to my mechanic.

Thanks again.

SW03ES

87.5 is totally unnaceptable. Have you driven other LS430s? I haven't logged much time in the 430, just a few hours as a test drive but I didnt think it had any sort of wind noise problem. One thing I can think of is what Christian mentioned, if the windshield was seated improperly at the factory (unlikely but possible) then it may be catching the air causing the seal to vibrate. Seeing that you took delivery of your in December 2000 is was still relatively early run for the 430, so there is an even greater possibility there was an error when it was constructed. Have they tried doing anything to the windshield?

As for the double laminated windows, don't buy it your 2001 has them too.

Think of it this way, your car is one of the most aerodynamic vehicles on the road, why would it make a noise like that when other less aerodynamic cars don't? Don't let them sell you that BS.

Geesh, my Explorer is quieter than 87.5....