After some research, I've deceided to go with a LS400 for my daily 100 mile round trip work commuter. Other options were a similar vintage E320-40 or 528-530. I also evaluated buying a new Civic or equivalent, but for the MPG savings it would take a few years to come out ahead, assuming no major issues with the LS.

That being said, what are the pros/cons to the few options that are out there for these years: xenon, air suspension, Nak, Nav? From what I've gathered, the timing belt should be changed around 90k, at what cost? I usually do all my own wrenching, but would like to know the $ figure for barganing. Are factory shop manuals available?

Thanks for any info!

I have a 2000 LS great car.
I only have 64k so I did not do the timing belt/water pump service yet.
The cost will run you around $1000 bucks.

So if you are shopping around you may bring this up when negotiating the price.

You'll be happy over all with the ls400-- very

hello hellas... how about the air suspension option? is it a desirable but unreliable option when it comes to services? Don't wanna pay for an option that improves the ride quality but goes bad too often that you need pay to have it serviced every now and then.
any opinions?

If I had it to do over, I would definitely have looked for a 2000 LS400 with air suspension instead of one with standard suspension. The ride is not much different with air suspension but a big plus is the auto leveling of the rear when the car is heavily loaded with rear seat passengers and/or stuff in the trunk.

The standard suspension is certainly acceptable as long as you get HID headlights with their autoleveling feature. Without auto leveling, the headlights light up the treetops when the car is heavily loaded.

Air suspension on the 98-00 was a fairly inexpensive option when new. The dealer cost of air suspension for the 2000 LS400 was $1,524 and the retail price was $1,905.

the a/s option for the 2nd gen cars was much more reliable than the initial offerings but the public had soured on the idea from the reliability of the 1st gen a/s.

consequently, the A/S on the 2nd gen and ESPECIALLY on the 2.5 98-00 is a VERY VERY VERY VERY RARE option.

Thanks for the info.

Are factory shop manuals available?

yea, lexus dealers will sell them but their pretty expensive, around 300ish for both.

Hey, My air suspension didn't start giving me trouble untill 250000 miles. Mine was a first gen, and the compressor still works so I can go down the road. The bag on the driver rear is leaking, so the car looks pretty dumb when not running.
I am glad PD been being helpful he really is cool just sometimes inpatient.

.

I may be too late, but...

The navigation system is susceptible to fingerprints or markings. Also, updates are relatively costly.

The HID lights noticeably improve visibility. (I love the HID lights and wouldn't buy a LS without them.)

The Nakamichi stereo is nice. The subwoofer in the Nakamichi system adds bass and makes music sound more full and rich. I don't think that the Pioneer stereo had a subwoofer.

I cannot speak to the air suspension for these years.

I would highly recommend the HID lights and the Nakimichi stereo. In 98-00, these options were included in the Nakamichi package. So, if the LS has the Nakamichi stereo, it will also have the HIDs.

You won't go wrong with any of the options. If you are a neat freak, the fingerprints on the navigation screen may drive you buggy!

Other options to consider would be chrome rims, and the K-40 radar system. The radar is not the best one on the market, but it has saved me from a ticket or two.

I have seen the 90K service (timing belt, etc.) cost upwards of $1500.

As puredrifter mentioned, the dealerships sell the service manuals for a pretty penny.

Pioneer does have a subwoofer as well. I can't compare the two stereo's since I've only heard my own, being the Pioneer system, but IMO sounds great for stock even without being the premium option.

What year MB and BMWs are you considering?
I think you'll be better off with the LS but that depends what you are looking for in your commuter.

I like our '97 and it does serves us well. Up to '00 you'll have the usual suspension bushing issues to check for.

TB service is typical and the whole deal should get you ~$1,100 from an independent shop. The factory interval is 90K and I did ours at 95K. The belt was clean BTW so in all likelihood, it could have easily gone longer.

Nav...I'd probably suggest and aftermarket unit where you can get regular updates. Since these go for about $400, that is my choice.

Air or regular springs...toss a coin.

The trunk is anemic IMO. We've done 2 week trips with a 30" and 24" suitcases along with my camera gear. It is a tight fit. If you have air with auto leveling great. That is why I don't have mine on the low perch spring setting. I regularly am on the road or drive clients so that suspension travel is important back there.

Overall, general maintenance has been similar for all the other Toyota products I've owned. Some items are costly but others given the right sources are not expensive at all. Sewell Lexus and Carson Toyota are kind on the wallet. (Unless you start ordering body kits, suspension, wheels... )

Depending on your budget, I'd suggest an LS430 if it works.