Hi there everyone,

I will be posting this on the LS430 page as well then I can get both sides of the story!

I have been considering buying an LS for some time, however I have just not been in a financial position to do so. It appears I will be now! =)

I am deliberating between an LS400 or an LS430. I have two options - I can buy a very low mileage LS400 or a higher mileage LS430. I have seen an immaculate black 2000 LS400 with 175,000km and also a very nice white 2002 LS430 with 225,000km and the navigation screen - so 50,000km more. They are both impeccable - it is hard to know which way to go. I know Lexuses are fantastic cars and rock solid reliable, so 225,000km is not much for a Lexus.

I want a supremely comfortable, smooth and reliable ride. Which of the cars is the better option? Obviously the LS430 will be newer and more technologically advanced, and I particularly like the heated and cooled seats. Which will offer the better ride? Which has the better sound system? Which car will have the more comfortable seats and softer leather? All these questions!

Out of curiosity also, what is the differentiation in fuel consumption between the two? I am in Australia so we measure it in litres per 100km. I guess some of you will need to do your conversions to miles per gallon. The official statistics quote the LS400 at 12 litres per 100km in the city and the LS430 at 11.2 litres per 100km. As most of my driving will be stop-start, city driving in peak hour - I would appreciate some real life statistics between the two cars.

Anyone who can provide me with insight into the two cars, I would be most appreciative.

J =)

 

J,

Typically the decision between these Two cars is about price. You can find people who pledge their allegiance to the 400 or the 430 but rarely both. I happen to be an owner of both a 400 and a 430 but I just decided to sell my 430 ULTRA finished in Flint Mica/black leather. If you want details send me a PM

 

Yea and if you plan on building either car into something. I would take a 2000 LS400 over any 01-03 LS430, but I would take an 04-06 LS430 over any LS400. The 6 speed and other refinements in 04+ make the upgrade worth it. The 01-03 LS430 is slower also than a 00 LS400. But in the end it all about personal preference and your long term plans with the car.

 

from what i read i don't see you as planning to mod the car in any way like suspension and sound system. like you pointed out the newer car will be a better bang since it certainly is more refined comparing stock to stock. the 400 has a much larger aftermarket base which is a great point in addition to the cheaper price.

older pre-98 400s lack a 5th gear so the gas miles suffers there. VVTi technology started in the 98-00 models which is a plus. all 430s have a 5th gear and VVTi which outperforms the 400, though it's heavier. here is a great resource to see the LS model change over the years.
http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

as stated, it all comes down to personal preference. what will make you more happy in the long run?

 

And the 04-06s have a sixth, too.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I did have a feeling that the LS400 might be the better go in the end - more technological gadgets ultimately mean more money should something break. The lower miles are better too.

I was seriously looking at an early W140 500SEL (the early S500) from 1993 but I just think it's playing with fire. It's just immaculate, full service history, all major work done etc - and in theory I would love to own it and I'm sure compared with an LS400 it runs rings around it - but I don't have $10,000 spare should it break down.

 

They are both totally different cars. i want a 04+ real bad but but 99' is too nice to give up. Stop and go city driving says I'm doin 13.5-14.5L/100kms. On the highway easily 9.5-10.5L/100kms if you keep it under 110. Typically after a tank I average 12 give or take.

 

I couldn't decide either. After I got the 99 I then got the 430... but never gave up the 99... just a different ride, look and feel that I didn't want to give up. I know..spoiled rotten...but it happens with these cars... better get used to it.

 

How does maintenance factor in? Timing belt / water pump replaced? With all things being equal, which I'm sure they are not, the 400 would probably be the better decision. Less miles is always good. As an owner of both I like my 430 better but my 99 was a great car.

 

i would highly recommend staying away from those s-class models, ESPECIALLY the 500. many can contest here that the wiring harnesses fail prematurely on them. there is even a member who used LS400 wiring to repair the merc since the wiring just basically became brittle, lost the insulation, and shorted each other out. i read the non v8 models are better to get, but then you'd be outclassed by the LS400. in my eyes the LS is far superior for reliability!

 

price matters, too.

 

Oh, Yes, Timmy. There were discussions at here 7 months ago. You were writing some and I was posting photos.

I think I now need to post newer photos below. After fixing the W140/S500 rewiring the engine main harness, the car ran well but within 3 months there happened another serious problem that the engine did not rev. The throttle didn't work. This was also caused by the flaked insulators but it was inside of the throttle body and at the connector as well as the whole cable. My brother and I had a hard time again fixing this. Of course, we used Toyota genuine wires supplied by Yazaki Densen. I will never buy Mercedes any more.

Insulator are flaked and mostly dropped at inside of the throttle body. All the wires had insulators originally but almost none here.


Insulators are cracked and about to flake at inside of the connector.


Replaced wires using Yazaki's which are widely used for Toyota cars.

 

scary to see that! thanks yamae for the updated pics!