General Car Conversation
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,468
Likes: 3,991
From: Maryland
It does seem like air suspension on the S class is a failure item. I see quite a few that are 5ish years old where it’s obvious the air suspension failed. It’s also true of Lexus LS cars that have air suspension.
The GS, I figured it would have some issues over time. It needed front control arms, which was a bit speedy. I bought the car with 59k miles. The most major failure was the head gasket at 177k miles. Lexus did address the head gasket in the 2GS. In the 1GS, the head gaskets would corrode and then fail catastrophically. The car was quite modified cosmetically with paint, interior, Veilside kit etc so I had to fix it. I hired two friends who are Supra guys to fix it. They know the 2JZ-GE quite well. They have 2JZ-GTEs in their Supras. The internals on the N/A engines are identical though.
The GS, I figured it would have some issues over time. It needed front control arms, which was a bit speedy. I bought the car with 59k miles. The most major failure was the head gasket at 177k miles. Lexus did address the head gasket in the 2GS. In the 1GS, the head gaskets would corrode and then fail catastrophically. The car was quite modified cosmetically with paint, interior, Veilside kit etc so I had to fix it. I hired two friends who are Supra guys to fix it. They know the 2JZ-GE quite well. They have 2JZ-GTEs in their Supras. The internals on the N/A engines are identical though.
I think I misread the exclusions on the MB warranty, it looks like it is covered.
The Genesis G90 looks sick. I watched the Throttle House video of it last night and I was amazed. I don't get that way often about modern cars but that captivated me. I think you mentioned how it's high on your list. You should go drive it again and see if it's still worthy of replacing your 560.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,383
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From: ON/NY
I agree air is a failure point on any car. S class and LS are pretty complex system so the repair is quite extensive. I had air springs on my 4R and they went at 15 years…I just swapped them out. Hmmmm. Not sure I’m on board with an extended warranty.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,468
Likes: 3,991
From: Maryland
Warranty for this car makes sense, there is just so much that can go wrong and I don’t know the brand like I do Lexus.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
A warranty for a car of this level pays for itself instantly with even one issue, if you can't work on it yourself you are at the mercy of those who can and people who can work on these normally get to set their prices....
That said I think the W222 has well proven itself by now to be a very good platform. For me personally it is cheaper to own my German cars since labor is free and parts are just so much cheaper for OE and easy to source.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
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From: Knoxville, TN
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,468
Likes: 3,991
From: Maryland
Two warranty options presented, a Freedom warranty for 36 months or 100,000 total vehicle miles for $4,800, thats actually not bad...I woudn't keep it longer than that anyways. I can go to 48 months and 100k miles for another $100., Fidelity I'm looking at $9,000 to get the coverage to 86,000 miles.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN
Two warranty options presented, a Freedom warranty for 36 months or 100,000 total vehicle miles for $4,800, thats actually not bad...I woudn't keep it longer than that anyways. I can go to 48 months and 100k miles for another $100., Fidelity I'm looking at $9,000 to get the coverage to 86,000 miles.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 71
From: WA
I agree 100% Jill. If the S is as reliable and well-built as Steve is making it out to be, then forget an expensive warranty and have your indy repair whatever comes up. You don't even keep your cars that long anyways so there's not much of a chance for things to go south in a hurry.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Two warranty options presented, a Freedom warranty for 36 months or 100,000 total vehicle miles for $4,800, thats actually not bad...I woudn't keep it longer than that anyways. I can go to 48 months and 100k miles for another $100., Fidelity I'm looking at $9,000 to get the coverage to 86,000 miles.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
That $5000 deal is attractive as long as their terms are good/actually cover the pricy failure points. Just as an abstract if I were to have gone to Audi for my recent services (all fluids, filters, front brakes, trans mounts) I would have paid $12,500 in total vs the $2300 in parts I paid. Cars at this level are just expensive, I'm paying as much as a normal person would pay to have the same things done on a Camry at a dealer lol!
I had my dad buy a warranty for his Range Rover, it only needs to break twice to pay for parts. It already has had a few things replaced that I noticed that has recovered 35%, I can work on it sure but I can't magic parts out of thin air and damn those parts are expensive! Worse than my W12
Last edited by Striker223; Jul 12, 2023 at 06:46 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN