LS430 vs S430/500
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Can't say same for Audi
I heard the newer 06+ w211 E-classes were built a lot better in terms of electrical issues.
REF: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...8/Reliability/
REF: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...8/Reliability/
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,550
Likes: 668
From: SC
I own both. I have an '04 LS430 and an '04 S430--they sit beside one another in my garage every night. The LS is equipped with the Premium Package only--no nav or upgraded interior. The Mercedes is a "base" with no options but automatic trunk closure. They are equivalent. They get within 1-2 mpg of one another (the Mercedes gets slightly better). The W220 is my daily driver. I like the adjustable suspension, the well-designed seats, and the inevitable envy of others when you're driving Mercedes' flagship sedan. It has a 7-speed transmission. The Lexus has a 6-speed, so the W220 feels and is quicker (and that may account for the better gas mileage). They weigh within a few pounds of each other, but the W220 "feels" heavier. It's an apples and oranges decision, really. The Lexus is solid, well-made, dead stone reliable, and quiet as can be. The Lexus is my wife's daily driver. She strongly prefers it to my W220 because "it rides softer." If you set the W220 suspension to its stiffest settting, it will out corner most of the rice burners kids drive these days (I suckered one off into the weeds on a cloverleaf not long ago). The Lexus will not do as well in the twisties. The W220 is the most electronically and mechanically complicated car I have ever owned, so it has more potential for repair than the Lexus. The W220 has pneumatic suspension like the air suspension on the UL. It's reliable from '04 model year on, the '00-'03s had issues. That's it in a nutshell. If I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the W220. I bought the Lexus first and thought it was the best car I had ever owned. Until I got the W220.
If you get a hot-rod W220 (AMG), it's a whole different car. Stay away from the V-12 models, even if 500+ hp makes your blood boil.
Don't throw rocks, boys, I'm just sharing my experience and my point of view.
If you get a hot-rod W220 (AMG), it's a whole different car. Stay away from the V-12 models, even if 500+ hp makes your blood boil.
Don't throw rocks, boys, I'm just sharing my experience and my point of view.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: CA
I personally have had older Audi's (Audi 4000's, 200, 100) and have had my share of electrical headache's. Bosch may make performance electrical parts, but they just don't last.
Anyways, one of the reason why I decided to get my LS430 instead of either a 740il, S430, or an Audi A8l is that I cherish my time and don't really want to deal with the headache of troubleshooting electrical issues.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
I think what you said was on the money!!!
I own both. I have an '04 LS430 and an '04 S430--they sit beside one another in my garage every night. The LS is equipped with the Premium Package only--no nav or upgraded interior. The Mercedes is a "base" with no options but automatic trunk closure. They are equivalent. They get within 1-2 mpg of one another (the Mercedes gets slightly better). The W220 is my daily driver. I like the adjustable suspension, the well-designed seats, and the inevitable envy of others when you're driving Mercedes' flagship sedan. It has a 7-speed transmission. The Lexus has a 6-speed, so the W220 feels and is quicker (and that may account for the better gas mileage). They weigh within a few pounds of each other, but the W220 "feels" heavier. It's an apples and oranges decision, really. The Lexus is solid, well-made, dead stone reliable, and quiet as can be. The Lexus is my wife's daily driver. She strongly prefers it to my W220 because "it rides softer." If you set the W220 suspension to its stiffest settting, it will out corner most of the rice burners kids drive these days (I suckered one off into the weeds on a cloverleaf not long ago). The Lexus will not do as well in the twisties. The W220 is the most electronically and mechanically complicated car I have ever owned, so it has more potential for repair than the Lexus. The W220 has pneumatic suspension like the air suspension on the UL. It's reliable from '04 model year on, the '00-'03s had issues. That's it in a nutshell. If I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the W220. I bought the Lexus first and thought it was the best car I had ever owned. Until I got the W220.
If you get a hot-rod W220 (AMG), it's a whole different car. Stay away from the V-12 models, even if 500+ hp makes your blood boil.
Don't throw rocks, boys, I'm just sharing my experience and my point of view.
If you get a hot-rod W220 (AMG), it's a whole different car. Stay away from the V-12 models, even if 500+ hp makes your blood boil.
Don't throw rocks, boys, I'm just sharing my experience and my point of view.
I love the LS reliability and smooth quiet ride. This is why I sold the S-class for the LS 430 years ago! The LS is the best car top to bottom I ever owned. The Benz has pluses and the LS has pluses. I picked reliability over sport performance but, I agree with your views. Your points were valid and I would defend your views having been fortunate to own both!
Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: NSW
Hey all,
I have been looking for an 04 LS430 for 2 months now but after reading this thread i thought hey s430s are hot cars maybe ill check one out.
From my previous experience with cars I find its good to check out the forums first to see how problematic they are.
Well thats as far as my short lived 1 minute affair lasted with the s430 after reading this thread
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...r-oo-s430.html
Anyway I would have never bought one anyway.. I went from A 2.5tt soarer to a 89 celsior CF Pack, to a 98 LS400 and next car will be a Black or graphite 04 and up LS430 and i cant wait.!
I have been looking for an 04 LS430 for 2 months now but after reading this thread i thought hey s430s are hot cars maybe ill check one out.
From my previous experience with cars I find its good to check out the forums first to see how problematic they are.
Well thats as far as my short lived 1 minute affair lasted with the s430 after reading this thread
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...r-oo-s430.html
Anyway I would have never bought one anyway.. I went from A 2.5tt soarer to a 89 celsior CF Pack, to a 98 LS400 and next car will be a Black or graphite 04 and up LS430 and i cant wait.!
Moderator
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,761
Likes: 72
From: Atlanta, GA
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: maryland
I do agree, I`m also owner of S class 430, they are good cars bet have to look for morels after 03 and upper years, the airmatic kan be problematic in some cases in older cars models. moving now to a an LS430...
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: VA
I have to join in on this one. I currently own both, 06 LS and a 06 S430. I drove the LS and wife has the S430. Well, at first she didn't like it because she felt it couldn't compare to her car. I disagreed but didn't tell her because I knew once she dorve my LS she would love it. Well, I had to put her car in the shop for routine service. She had to drive my car to pick up a client. Well, once the client got in the car, he loved it. She realized how nice my car is, and now, do I need to tell you what car I am driving? Yes, I am now the driver of a 06 Mercedes S430. Booooooo Hoooooo hoooooo. 
The LS is much better than the S430 (to me), and now to my wife.
The LS is much better than the S430 (to me), and now to my wife.
Last edited by yotee1642; Apr 15, 2014 at 04:49 PM. Reason: Spelling
its very natural to compare these cars , they are in the same class ( or supposed to be ), but I dare any of you to go join the Mercedes forums .
Its not just the S-class, its ALL Mercedes, they are built to last 3-4 years , and then the problems start , the repairs and mainteneace will put u in the poor house.
I read story after story of guys buying these cars , especially the s-600's, and are in for over 5k worth of repairs after only a month or two, or non stop electrical problems that cant be diagnosed.
Even a few stories of guys driving the car off the dealers lot and it breaking down on the ride home .
These cars don't last as long , you will almost never see one with 200+ miles, they either get parted out , or scrapped or sent overseas.
I was a member of Benzworld, key word WAS, ive since been banned for defending Lexus and being outspoken about how horribly unreliable the Mercedes are.
They are extremely hateful of Lexus , and they are very vocal about it , so I of course voiced my opinions as well.
Its not just the S-class, its ALL Mercedes, they are built to last 3-4 years , and then the problems start , the repairs and mainteneace will put u in the poor house.
I read story after story of guys buying these cars , especially the s-600's, and are in for over 5k worth of repairs after only a month or two, or non stop electrical problems that cant be diagnosed.
Even a few stories of guys driving the car off the dealers lot and it breaking down on the ride home .
These cars don't last as long , you will almost never see one with 200+ miles, they either get parted out , or scrapped or sent overseas.
I was a member of Benzworld, key word WAS, ive since been banned for defending Lexus and being outspoken about how horribly unreliable the Mercedes are.
They are extremely hateful of Lexus , and they are very vocal about it , so I of course voiced my opinions as well.
The worst part about it all is the owners seem to think its normal to be in the shop 6 times a year ,,they continue to justify it , and are somehow still loyal to the Mercedes brand.
The saying 'More dollars then sense" comes to mind
Pole Position
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 227
Likes: 2
From: CA
Well, my wife drives the '04 LS430 UL and it's a wonderful passengers car. So cool, calm and collected. Very smooth.
The S Class, and most any Mercedes is a drivers car. I drive a GLK and it's my 8th Mercedes over the last 40 or so years. They are not as reliable as a Lexus, but not as terrible as some posters make them out to be. I've kept them from 2 to 6 years with just the usual odd failure here and there. Nothing dramatic or horribly costly. I've never owned an S Class though. I drove, for a few days as a loaner, a 2004 CL500. I consider this a 2 door S Class for comparo purposes. It was the absolute most fun to drive of anything I've ever driven. Quite breathtaking an experience.
I can't own one. When you're a hammer everything looks like a nail. I would start racking up speeding tickets like nobody's business - or simply kill myself driving at 120mph somewhere. Too easy to do.....
The posters hard on Mercedes for expensive failures are in the right place. The LS430 is a good choice. They should stay away from the 3 point star. Everyone is happy this way.
The S Class, and most any Mercedes is a drivers car. I drive a GLK and it's my 8th Mercedes over the last 40 or so years. They are not as reliable as a Lexus, but not as terrible as some posters make them out to be. I've kept them from 2 to 6 years with just the usual odd failure here and there. Nothing dramatic or horribly costly. I've never owned an S Class though. I drove, for a few days as a loaner, a 2004 CL500. I consider this a 2 door S Class for comparo purposes. It was the absolute most fun to drive of anything I've ever driven. Quite breathtaking an experience.
I can't own one. When you're a hammer everything looks like a nail. I would start racking up speeding tickets like nobody's business - or simply kill myself driving at 120mph somewhere. Too easy to do.....
The posters hard on Mercedes for expensive failures are in the right place. The LS430 is a good choice. They should stay away from the 3 point star. Everyone is happy this way.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Most people don't go on forums to praise but to vent or find fixes. If you have a perfect car, why visit the forum every day? Just like not all LS are represented here, not all are on the MB forum. Lexus is better reliability but just pointing to another forum and saying all issues make car junk is not right either.