Reliability of LS430 with >100k miles
10-24-14, 08:58 PM
#31
Instructor
My 2002 LS430 UL is currently 12.5yrs in-service at 130009km (80784mi). I bought it Jan/2009 at 68946km (42841mi) at 6.8yrs in-service. First owner regularly serviced at dealership, including a timing belt change at 6 years in-service, 60000km (37282mi).
I've had the car for 5.7 years now and drove 61000km on it = 10600km/yr = 6586mi/yr. Costs so far are:
* $5095.09CAD on ALL maintenance (all fluids, filters, brake pads, non-regular repairs, and labor where applicable) = 8 cents per km = 13 cents per mi = $884CAD/yr
* $10674.85CAD in gas = 17 cents per km = $1853CAD/yr
* Maintenance to gas ratio: 0.48
* Total maintenance+gas cost: 26 cents per km = 42 cents per mi = $2737CAD/yr
Details of my non-regular maintenance:
200902, 6.8yrs, 70000km: DIY - FIGS Engineering trunk struts, $80
201001, 7.7yrs, 80000km: DIY - 4 OEM brake pads (04465-50240 and 04466-50091), $120
201006, 8.1yrs, 84000km: DIY - DTC P0155, front right O2 Sensor heater failed, Denso 234-4630, $80
201008, 8.3yrs, 84800km: DIY - new battery, Interstate MTP-24F 800CCA, $130
201008, 8.3yrs, 85042km: Dealership - OEM front rotors (43512-50220), $470
201111, 9.6yrs, 96511km: Dealership - replace brake fluid, $122
201111, 9.6yrs, 96547km: Dealership - replace coolant and rear diff fluid, $140
201206, 10.1yrs, 105860km: DIY - Seat heater light bulb (90010-03046), $10
201206, 10.1yrs, 106000km: DIY - taillamp bulb (00234-00192), $1.40
201305, 11.1yrs, 112811km: Dealership - repair AC leak on rear evap high side line, $1500
201308, 11.3yrs, 118847km: Independent - DTC P0430, Y-pipe gasket leak, $120
201310, 11.5yrs, 120900km: DIY - replace Mark Levinson subwoofer foam surround (FSK-8M-TOYOTA), $23
201311, 11.6yrs, 120986km: Dealership - replace coolant, $99
201404, 11.9yrs, 124500km: DIY - taillamp dual-filament bulb (90981-13044), $3.10
201405, 12.0yrs, 124820km: DIY - 4 Akebono ProACT brake pads (ACT870 and ACT871), $102
201408, 12.2yrs, 129320km: Independent - DTC P0430, Y-pipe crack under pass side heat shield, replace Y-pipe w/cat (51868, 0961679, or 18390), $800
201410, 12.5yrs, 129900km: DIY - power lock motor (FC-280PC-22125 10mm flat shaft), driver door, $10
The Y-pipe / P0430 is an expensive problem that I believe could have been avoided. Everyone with a 2001-2006 LS430 that drives on salted roads should remove both the heat shield clamps and the heat shields immediately. Otherwise, you have a 100% probability of having an exhaust leak in the very near future.
Regarding the AC system leak, a small leak is identified by a hissing/squelchy sound coming from behind the brake pedal. Many users here have reported this problem. You have a lower chance of an AC leak with a non-UL car (no rear evaporator). For the same price as a proper repair, you can buy a significant quantity of top-up refrigerant cans. I chose to do a proper repair.
Every 8000km:
* 4.4-4.73L full synthetic 5W-20/5W-30, Castrol/Mobil 1/Valvoline, whichever is cheapest on-sale, $18/jug
* 90915-20004 Denso oil filter, $14
* 90430-12031 oil drain plug gasket, $0.80
* Clean engine air filter, MAF sensor, throttle body (use a second person to actuate throttle plate via accelerator - pushing this plate by hand can uncalibrate the throttle position sensor)
* Graphite powder in door/trunk locks, white lithium spray grease on latches/hinges, thicker grease on sunroof rails and hood/trunk strut ball joints
* Re-torque driveshaft flange bolts (front by steering rack - 28mm/130ft*lb, other front 116ft*lb, rear 22mm 133ft*lb)
Every 48000km / 3 years: Replace DOT3 brake fluid, coolant, engine air filter
Every 64000km: Replace rear differential fluid
Every 96000km: Replace transmission fluid (2001-2003)
Every 144000km / 7 years: Replace timing belt and water pump
Every 192000km: Replace spark plugs (Denso 3297 / SK20R11), $6.15/ea at RockAuto
As-needed maintenance:
* Denso 453-1007 cabin air filter, change when air smells not fresh, $13.30 at RockAuto
* 88508-30110 rear cabin air filter, change when air smells not fresh, should last at least 2-3 front cabin filter changes
* 88921-50010 seat air filters, clean with compressed air when airflow is reduced, replace as needed
Non-maintenance costs I've incurred:
* FormulaONE Pinnacle 15 tint, $240
* VAISTech SL2Vi iPod integration unit, $355
* iPod 3G, 64GB, $380
* 4 summer tires - Michelin Primacy MXV4 225/55/17 97H, $749
* 4 winter tires - Michelin X-Ice Xi2 BSW 225/55/17 101T, $843
* Winter alloys - Macpek AZZ755CG 17x7 5-4.5, $640
Free maintenance:
* Mirror tilt-down failure - clean electrical contracts on rear and inside of mirror control switch
* Uneven air suspension after someone rear-ended me - dealership replaced and recalibrated rear height sensors 89407-50060 and 89408-50060 to exact factory spec height, $544.20 each + $228 for 2hrs of labor
* DIY Toyota Lexus Navigation DVD Gen 2-3 v10.1 86271-33049
* DIY nav screen typing/video in-motion bypass toggle switch
* Chrome wheels get pitting/corrosion on the inside surface and lose 1-2psi every few weeks. Pump by hand. The Lezyne Digital Drive bicycle tire pump ($85) has an in-line digital gauge.
To do:
* DIY replace front passenger corner parking sensor, failed due to highway rock impacts, $170
* DIY front passenger Mark Levinson 6.5" door speaker, replace separated foam surround, $23
* DIY lubricate squeaky power tilt/telescopic steering wheel
* DIY replace power steering fluid, OEM fluid is Dexron II or III ATF
* DIY Toyota Lexus Navigation GPS 13.1 Gen 23 East U08 DVD
* Rear passenger door, clean rust that is developing under the paint directly below the chrome trim
* Double-paned glass on front passenger is delaminating near the visible bottom (when fully rolled up)
Problems I haven't had (yet?):
* Air suspension struts, belt tensioner pulleys, blower motor, control arms, engine and transmission mounts, foglights, HID headlights, high-beams, hood release cable, hood struts, laser cruise control, Mark Levinson amplifier, power window motor, radiator, rear rotors, rear sunshade, relays, reverse lights, sunroof opening by itself, tilt/telescope motor, wheel bearings.
I've had the car for 5.7 years now and drove 61000km on it = 10600km/yr = 6586mi/yr. Costs so far are:
* $5095.09CAD on ALL maintenance (all fluids, filters, brake pads, non-regular repairs, and labor where applicable) = 8 cents per km = 13 cents per mi = $884CAD/yr
* $10674.85CAD in gas = 17 cents per km = $1853CAD/yr
* Maintenance to gas ratio: 0.48
* Total maintenance+gas cost: 26 cents per km = 42 cents per mi = $2737CAD/yr
Details of my non-regular maintenance:
200902, 6.8yrs, 70000km: DIY - FIGS Engineering trunk struts, $80
201001, 7.7yrs, 80000km: DIY - 4 OEM brake pads (04465-50240 and 04466-50091), $120
201006, 8.1yrs, 84000km: DIY - DTC P0155, front right O2 Sensor heater failed, Denso 234-4630, $80
201008, 8.3yrs, 84800km: DIY - new battery, Interstate MTP-24F 800CCA, $130
201008, 8.3yrs, 85042km: Dealership - OEM front rotors (43512-50220), $470
201111, 9.6yrs, 96511km: Dealership - replace brake fluid, $122
201111, 9.6yrs, 96547km: Dealership - replace coolant and rear diff fluid, $140
201206, 10.1yrs, 105860km: DIY - Seat heater light bulb (90010-03046), $10
201206, 10.1yrs, 106000km: DIY - taillamp bulb (00234-00192), $1.40
201305, 11.1yrs, 112811km: Dealership - repair AC leak on rear evap high side line, $1500
201308, 11.3yrs, 118847km: Independent - DTC P0430, Y-pipe gasket leak, $120
201310, 11.5yrs, 120900km: DIY - replace Mark Levinson subwoofer foam surround (FSK-8M-TOYOTA), $23
201311, 11.6yrs, 120986km: Dealership - replace coolant, $99
201404, 11.9yrs, 124500km: DIY - taillamp dual-filament bulb (90981-13044), $3.10
201405, 12.0yrs, 124820km: DIY - 4 Akebono ProACT brake pads (ACT870 and ACT871), $102
201408, 12.2yrs, 129320km: Independent - DTC P0430, Y-pipe crack under pass side heat shield, replace Y-pipe w/cat (51868, 0961679, or 18390), $800
201410, 12.5yrs, 129900km: DIY - power lock motor (FC-280PC-22125 10mm flat shaft), driver door, $10
The Y-pipe / P0430 is an expensive problem that I believe could have been avoided. Everyone with a 2001-2006 LS430 that drives on salted roads should remove both the heat shield clamps and the heat shields immediately. Otherwise, you have a 100% probability of having an exhaust leak in the very near future.
Regarding the AC system leak, a small leak is identified by a hissing/squelchy sound coming from behind the brake pedal. Many users here have reported this problem. You have a lower chance of an AC leak with a non-UL car (no rear evaporator). For the same price as a proper repair, you can buy a significant quantity of top-up refrigerant cans. I chose to do a proper repair.
Every 8000km:
* 4.4-4.73L full synthetic 5W-20/5W-30, Castrol/Mobil 1/Valvoline, whichever is cheapest on-sale, $18/jug
* 90915-20004 Denso oil filter, $14
* 90430-12031 oil drain plug gasket, $0.80
* Clean engine air filter, MAF sensor, throttle body (use a second person to actuate throttle plate via accelerator - pushing this plate by hand can uncalibrate the throttle position sensor)
* Graphite powder in door/trunk locks, white lithium spray grease on latches/hinges, thicker grease on sunroof rails and hood/trunk strut ball joints
* Re-torque driveshaft flange bolts (front by steering rack - 28mm/130ft*lb, other front 116ft*lb, rear 22mm 133ft*lb)
Every 48000km / 3 years: Replace DOT3 brake fluid, coolant, engine air filter
Every 64000km: Replace rear differential fluid
Every 96000km: Replace transmission fluid (2001-2003)
Every 144000km / 7 years: Replace timing belt and water pump
Every 192000km: Replace spark plugs (Denso 3297 / SK20R11), $6.15/ea at RockAuto
As-needed maintenance:
* Denso 453-1007 cabin air filter, change when air smells not fresh, $13.30 at RockAuto
* 88508-30110 rear cabin air filter, change when air smells not fresh, should last at least 2-3 front cabin filter changes
* 88921-50010 seat air filters, clean with compressed air when airflow is reduced, replace as needed
Non-maintenance costs I've incurred:
* FormulaONE Pinnacle 15 tint, $240
* VAISTech SL2Vi iPod integration unit, $355
* iPod 3G, 64GB, $380
* 4 summer tires - Michelin Primacy MXV4 225/55/17 97H, $749
* 4 winter tires - Michelin X-Ice Xi2 BSW 225/55/17 101T, $843
* Winter alloys - Macpek AZZ755CG 17x7 5-4.5, $640
Free maintenance:
* Mirror tilt-down failure - clean electrical contracts on rear and inside of mirror control switch
* Uneven air suspension after someone rear-ended me - dealership replaced and recalibrated rear height sensors 89407-50060 and 89408-50060 to exact factory spec height, $544.20 each + $228 for 2hrs of labor
* DIY Toyota Lexus Navigation DVD Gen 2-3 v10.1 86271-33049
* DIY nav screen typing/video in-motion bypass toggle switch
* Chrome wheels get pitting/corrosion on the inside surface and lose 1-2psi every few weeks. Pump by hand. The Lezyne Digital Drive bicycle tire pump ($85) has an in-line digital gauge.
To do:
* DIY replace front passenger corner parking sensor, failed due to highway rock impacts, $170
* DIY front passenger Mark Levinson 6.5" door speaker, replace separated foam surround, $23
* DIY lubricate squeaky power tilt/telescopic steering wheel
* DIY replace power steering fluid, OEM fluid is Dexron II or III ATF
* DIY Toyota Lexus Navigation GPS 13.1 Gen 23 East U08 DVD
* Rear passenger door, clean rust that is developing under the paint directly below the chrome trim
* Double-paned glass on front passenger is delaminating near the visible bottom (when fully rolled up)
Problems I haven't had (yet?):
* Air suspension struts, belt tensioner pulleys, blower motor, control arms, engine and transmission mounts, foglights, HID headlights, high-beams, hood release cable, hood struts, laser cruise control, Mark Levinson amplifier, power window motor, radiator, rear rotors, rear sunshade, relays, reverse lights, sunroof opening by itself, tilt/telescope motor, wheel bearings.
Last edited by StanVanDam; 08-29-17 at 02:01 PM.
07-13-15, 09:35 PM
#33
I have a 2004 LS430 with 45,000 miles. I would strongly suggest you buy this car. which you probably have done already. The car is very reliable in general. The Nav. screens and side mirrors seem to have to be replaced in some of the posts I have read here as well as has happened to me. I would strongly suggest you buy a 5 year warranty. Regardless of how old the car is it is still a luxury vehicle and cost just as much to fix as a new one. My Nav. screen $2,500. Left rear view mirror $550...
08-04-15, 02:46 AM
#34
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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LS 430 reliability
Just sold my 06 LS 430 with 172,000. Nothing major. Driver side mirror acting up a little, one door lock actuator went bad. Seems that brakes need to be replaced a little more frequently but a small price to pay for such a safe and reliable car.
08-04-15, 08:22 AM
#35
08-04-15, 02:45 PM
#36
agree...i guess you could get that high repairing every last little thing with dealer labor costs. But thats about 3500/yr.......for a 100k mile car i was spending maybe 300 bucks a yr
Last edited by toddmorr; 08-04-15 at 02:49 PM.
08-04-15, 05:03 PM
#37
[QUOTE=campisi;9137688]Is that supposed to be impressively low or shockingly high? I lean towards shockingly high.[/QUOTE
$0.07/mile.
Shockingly high. I didn't expect that amount paid out, after reviewing all receipts...since new.
I even replaced 2 or 3 air struts myself, with used units. Saved $2/3000 there.
My Lincoln Town Cars, operate at $0.02/mile.
$0.07/mile.
Shockingly high. I didn't expect that amount paid out, after reviewing all receipts...since new.
I even replaced 2 or 3 air struts myself, with used units. Saved $2/3000 there.
My Lincoln Town Cars, operate at $0.02/mile.
Last edited by L8RSk8R; 08-04-15 at 05:06 PM.
03-11-17, 03:03 PM
#38
If the car hasn't been maintained, repair costs will be a problem. It probably won't drive like an LS either. I test drove an 04 ML (119k) the other day. One owner, some service. Started the car and engine had a noticeable rattle (LH valve cover area). No timing belt sticker. Filthy engine compartment. Needed trunk struts (always a flag for me). Worn Goodyear Eagles. On the test drive, didn't seem to have much power. Sluggish acceleration. Slow shifting (trans fluid not changed? TSB?). Well at least the ML stereo sounded good. Didn't know it was possible to beat an LS into the ground but this one sounded and drove like a worn out car.
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bwilsongs
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
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