Can't decide LS460 or S550
03-24-07, 02:37 PM
#46
that is true.. i do not like to goto our bmw dealer so often.. but it can't be THAT bad.. i mean.. we goto the lexus dealer maybe 4~5 times a year.. our bmw is the same.. (extended service intervals cuts visits in half + other warranty "problems")
MB isn't that bad during it's first 3 years... it's when warranty runs out that it's a nightmare..
MB isn't that bad during it's first 3 years... it's when warranty runs out that it's a nightmare..
Not me, I learned from previous experiences. I still love benzes but I will never own one again....until the reliability issues are resolved.
03-24-07, 02:49 PM
#47
^^ Here's another horror story: My father in-law has a S-550 and a couple of months ago it spent 1 month in the shop because of electrical problems. It was a no-brainer for me when the LS-460 came out.
03-24-07, 06:06 PM
#48
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Decision Made...
Thank you all for your posts.
I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.
As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.
I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that almost made me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.
I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.
As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.
I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that almost made me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.
Last edited by Maurice; 03-26-07 at 04:17 PM. Reason: Typo fix
03-24-07, 11:19 PM
#50
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: texas
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Steve asked earlier how I manage to buy a standard wheel base 460 and run the price up to $90,000 drive out when the base sticker is $61000. It even amazes me that I ran the base price up 50%. Here is how it was done. My options included the large Nav pkg for $6345, the advance parking guidance system for $500, the power closers for $395, dynamic radar cruise control for $2850, comfort plus pkg for $3620, preferred accessory pkg for $227, and I was force to add the near useless lexus link for $900 due to the other accessories. Total accessories were $14837 plus $715 destination charge for a total window sticker of $76552.
I like the 5 spoke wheels that Lexus pictures in many of it promotional pictures, but apparently is not producing since the touring sedan has been delayed or cancelled. My dealer is producing a similar wheel through the super wheel dealer J.R.'s in Dallas ( Irving). It is produced in China and is to be available hopefully by April 15 when my car is to arrive. The retail price is $4995, but my dealer is going to "give me a deal" and charge $4500. Since this is a new 19" wheel, I think it will probably be best to get their extended warranty which covers the tire and wheels for $500. I will also take their $500 pkg in which they will remove all dings with paintless dent repair for 5 years. I will also take the 6 year, 100,000 mile warranty from Lexus for $2400. Add custom hand painted pinstripe and window tint for an additional $500. This brings it to $84,952. Add 6.25% sales tax and we are at $90,261. I will then add the newest escort radar detector with GPS and laser jamming from a local store for $1272 installed. The total is $92, 533. If I trade in my current LS there would be a sales tax savings , but it still near $90,00.
I like the 5 spoke wheels that Lexus pictures in many of it promotional pictures, but apparently is not producing since the touring sedan has been delayed or cancelled. My dealer is producing a similar wheel through the super wheel dealer J.R.'s in Dallas ( Irving). It is produced in China and is to be available hopefully by April 15 when my car is to arrive. The retail price is $4995, but my dealer is going to "give me a deal" and charge $4500. Since this is a new 19" wheel, I think it will probably be best to get their extended warranty which covers the tire and wheels for $500. I will also take their $500 pkg in which they will remove all dings with paintless dent repair for 5 years. I will also take the 6 year, 100,000 mile warranty from Lexus for $2400. Add custom hand painted pinstripe and window tint for an additional $500. This brings it to $84,952. Add 6.25% sales tax and we are at $90,261. I will then add the newest escort radar detector with GPS and laser jamming from a local store for $1272 installed. The total is $92, 533. If I trade in my current LS there would be a sales tax savings , but it still near $90,00.
03-26-07, 11:39 AM
#51
You're missing the point. Even if the repairs are covered through warranty, most people don't enjoy repeated trips to the dealer. You have to schedule, then the drive, then the wait to sign in and get loaner, then the trip back. That's 2 or more hours. Doning that an extra 4-6 times a year becomes a chore. I had a benz and I hated the trips to the dealer...especially they aren't nice as Lexus dealerships. If this doesn't bother you then so be it. My time is precious to me. I'd rather have less trips to the dealer. I'd choose the Lexus everytime.
03-26-07, 01:07 PM
#52
Thank you all for your posts.
I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.
As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.
I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that most mad me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.
I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.
As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.
I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that most mad me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.
03-26-07, 01:15 PM
#53
Lead Lap
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ca
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for your posts.
I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.
As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.
I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that most mad me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.
I made a decision and closed on a 36 month lease for a BLK/BLK LS - SWB with the Mark Levinson, Self parking and Comfort Plus. Will be delivered next week.
As many of you pointed out, either decision was a good decision - both are great cars and on either one I had to compromise something. In the end, I valued more proven reliability and my wish to have real time Navigation.
I have owned the LS400 and am turning in an LS430. Both cars were perfect.
The one item that most mad me go S550 is that their NAV works when the car moves. Hopefully someone will crack the LS '07 lock soon.
03-26-07, 04:25 PM
#54
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats, Maurice! My SWB ls460 is on order and should arrive in several weeks. I chose the $72K package with ML/Nav/self park, comfort plus, and power door closers. It sounds like we have the same package! What color is your car? I chose the silver exterior/black interior. I can't wait to turn in my problematic es350 and start over with a reliable ls460.
Yes - $72,802 MSRP; Black / Black. It is being delivered on Wednesday.
Why several weeks? Custom? Hard color to get?
03-26-07, 07:51 PM
#55
Lead Lap
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: ca
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought about it some more and opted for the $72K package. My dealer told me it would take about a month to get my package and color since the silver/black color combo was really popular and Lexus wasn't shipping enough of them. In general, the ls460 has been in short supply...especially the SWB with $72k package.
For the duration, I'm driving my es350 basically for free since Lexus Corp is buying back my es350....so I can't complain at all here! My dealer and Lexus Corp have bent over backwards to keep me as customer. I'm glad because my es350 has been my first Lexus, and the es350 has been problematic.
03-26-07, 08:11 PM
#56
Driver
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree about going with the better looking car, BUT, since I spent of the time with my car while looking at the inside, not the outside, it is the looks of the inside that is the most important to me. In my book, Lexus wins hands-down on the interior even if they lose the exterior competition.
The LS currently, is a good looking car. But I feel the front is too bland. Same goes for the ES. The LS's rear and side profile are very appealing. The interior, as we both agree, is easier to use and also better looking than it's peers. The front just doesn't do it for me. Put an AMG package on the S, and it takes your breath away.
It's a personal choice. I'll admit that I have always been partial to the S, but I do not dismiss the LS unlike automobile fanatics who may be biased toward one brand only. The LS is a legit competitor. Its a matter of personal preference.
To the OP, I have yet to read the entire thread, but if you haven't made a decision, best of luck. You can't go wrong. Its a matter of choosing the best combination of looks, functionality, ease of use (COMMAND?), reliability, driving preference (Lexus vs German).
08-05-11, 07:19 AM
#57
Lexus Test Driver
After owning 2 LS's and always wanting an s55 I bought one about 1.5 years ago, the car was so unreliable I was almost in tears as I looked at my $90,000 in the garage. To make a long story short I traded it back in to the Mercedes dealer for my old LS which they still had on the lot, lost alot of money and haven't regretted it since. I love the way the s600 looks/performs but I need to know that I'm not going to be driving a loaner car 15 times a year which is why I ordered the LS600h last January and should be getting it in June.
08-10-11, 05:59 AM
#59
Pole Position
My lease on my 04 LS430 is up in 30 days. Trying to decide on a new lease.
Narrowed it down to MB S550 - MSRP $92K or SWB LS460 MSRP $72K+. I have been quoted by my car broker around $1,250 for the LS and around $1,450 for the S550. (36 monts, low mileage, good credit, about $1K off on the LS about $5K off on the MB). Similarly equiped in regards to rear camera, blue tooth, no distronic or radar distace, no night vision, bot keyless entry.
Pro's (for me) on the LS
* Much better NAV - touch screen and Real Time NAV SAT option
* Reliability - never had a problem with past LS models
* Self parking gimmick looks like fun - but I will likely not use this much
* Smaller - (Do not need LWB)
* Loved the car in a test drive
Pro's (for me) on the S550
* Trunk closer works from inside
* True iPod interface (I know about the 30GB in the LS)
* Better handlng or at least feel
* I think the car looks better
* NAV and phone not locked when moving (I know about voice - but this one is a big factor as I use the override on the LS430 now and no known override yet on the LS460)
* Loved the car in a test drive
Whike $200 a month X 36 months matter - it is not a deciding factor. If I take the MB my concern is that I will miss the fantastic NAV on the Lexus, but will love controlling the iPod from the wheel and better hndling on the MB. If I go with the LS I may hate the locking of the interface when moving and having to control the Ipod directly. I have owned 3 Lexus cars - never owned a Mercedes. I hated the 3 year lease on a JAG XK8 - mostly the dealer and the company.
I know this is the Lexus forum - but would welcome comments pro and con.
Thanks
Narrowed it down to MB S550 - MSRP $92K or SWB LS460 MSRP $72K+. I have been quoted by my car broker around $1,250 for the LS and around $1,450 for the S550. (36 monts, low mileage, good credit, about $1K off on the LS about $5K off on the MB). Similarly equiped in regards to rear camera, blue tooth, no distronic or radar distace, no night vision, bot keyless entry.
Pro's (for me) on the LS
* Much better NAV - touch screen and Real Time NAV SAT option
* Reliability - never had a problem with past LS models
* Self parking gimmick looks like fun - but I will likely not use this much
* Smaller - (Do not need LWB)
* Loved the car in a test drive
Pro's (for me) on the S550
* Trunk closer works from inside
* True iPod interface (I know about the 30GB in the LS)
* Better handlng or at least feel
* I think the car looks better
* NAV and phone not locked when moving (I know about voice - but this one is a big factor as I use the override on the LS430 now and no known override yet on the LS460)
* Loved the car in a test drive
Whike $200 a month X 36 months matter - it is not a deciding factor. If I take the MB my concern is that I will miss the fantastic NAV on the Lexus, but will love controlling the iPod from the wheel and better hndling on the MB. If I go with the LS I may hate the locking of the interface when moving and having to control the Ipod directly. I have owned 3 Lexus cars - never owned a Mercedes. I hated the 3 year lease on a JAG XK8 - mostly the dealer and the company.
I know this is the Lexus forum - but would welcome comments pro and con.
Thanks
08-10-11, 06:16 AM
#60
Lexus Test Driver
Agree! and same can be said for BMW, Range, and possibly Audi
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TXLS430
LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017)
31
01-01-18 10:38 AM
