Evening all, I'm new so be gentle.

We're going to look at this tomorrow and wanted some feedback from people who've owned them.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...cation=at_cars
We had a Mercedes CLK280 with the infamous M272 engine which succumbed to the dreaded balance shaft issue, we are viewing this GS430 and a Mercedes CLK320 tomorrow, we know the Mercs and what to look out for but I know very little about Lexus'

Also someone had suggested from the pics on the ad that the door on the drivers side looks like it has been resprayed but I'm not so sure, I think its just the lighting.

Any common issues with these GS's or thing I should look for when viewing? I've heard all good thing about the V8's in these cars.....

 

make sure the timing belt and waterpump have been changed. Also listen for weird brake noises, or take notice if the brake pedal feels strange, may be a brake actuator issue. I don't know much about the issue, but there is plenty of info on here.

That being said, this is a fully specced GS, even has the radar guided cruise control which is extremely rare in the GS, at least here in the states.

 

I like your taste. Here’s my 2006 GS430. I bought it CPO in 2012 with 50k miles. Currently has 175k. Best car I’ve ever owned.

 

In addition to making sure the timing belt and water pump have been changed, open and close all of the doors to check the hinges as they have a tendency to freeze up and get stiff making it very hard to open and close the doors. Check to make sure all of the power door locks are working as the door lock actuators tend to crap out. Check the tires and brakes (obviously). Check to make sure the car has a donut, scissors jack, tool kit and first aid kit in the trunk. Also check the wind shield to see if it’s stamped with a Lexus stamp (which would indicate that it’s most likely the original windshield and hasn’t been replaced).

That’s about all I can think of for now. I’ll come back if I think of anything else.

 

If youre able to get a GS350 you will be better off especially if its a 2008-up. The v6 gs350 is faster than a 430 and has better brake system that is more reliable. If your brake master cylinder fails on the 430 used there like $700 new $2,500 on the gs350 they hardly ever go out and used for them is like $50 bucks. 430 you will need to service timing belt/water pump/etc for the 350 only need to replace the water pump at 90k miles and the labour vs the 430 is huge. The 350 water pump super easy to install and it can be done as a diy in only 2-3 hours the 430 you have to pull the timing belt to reach the pump. The 350 has a chain timing belt that doesnt require servicing.

430 engine and transmission is solid! Just as solid as the v6! Just avoid the US gs300 with direct injections.

The 430 is very rare so if you need a used part they are hard to come by locally. GS350 are every where and parts are cheap and they are very reliable. Not saying the 430 is a bad choice, but after you factor replacement cost it could put you at the 2008-up gs350 level with the newer navigation, aux port, newer front end and rear bumpers. Either choice you choose should give you peace of mind your engine isnt going to blow up like the mercedes. Just change the oil ahead of time, do the transmission fluid, diff fluid etc and these cars run for a good long time.

 

I'm not in the US so parts are easy to come by over here and much cheaper than Mercedes

 

I agree with everything you said, except the part about being faster, lol. I smoke 350's all the time. It's not about horsepower, it's about torque. The most annoying thing is doing the 100,000 mile service (timing belt, pump) but besides that, I would take my 430 over and over again versus either V6. The 3UZ is definitely more reliable. Here's my baby at 96,000 miles. I just did the 100k service on it.

 

We ended up buying her, shes going back to have some paint work repairs done as part of the deal.
96k, cam belt and water pump were done at 66k.

 

@robloc93 what brand are your side window deflectors?

 

Nice!! You won't regret it!!

I got the cheap ebay ones,lol. I vinyled out my chrome to black so it blends in better. I don't mind paying for stuff but I wasn't about to shell out 400$ for JDM deflectors, lol

 

Do it! I too have a GS430 and it's the best car I've ever owned!

 

I have a 430 and the 350 is not faster. If you can work the car in manual mode the car does 0 - 60 in a little over 3 seconds. Not sure where the 6 second advertised 0 - 60 came from. The car makes massive amounts of torque down low, its completely different than the V6. Stay away from the GS300, the way they built the engine destroys the piston rings. 100K miles and 2 quarts or more of oil between changes.


Like everyone else, the GS430 is a beautiful car.

 

That's amazing! 0-60 in the 4s range is super car territory! I wish mine came out of the factory juiced like yours because my GS430 isn't much faster than a 350!

 

lol this is not true. For our cars to go 0-60 in "a little over 3 seconds" we would need atleast 500 hp. The GS430 is right around 5.8-6 seconds to 60.

 

He said he shifted in manual mode. Have you tried this yourself? I can't imagine how much faster the GS460 would be in manual mode!