This thread made me think back to my 1998 Nissan, purchased new. I only had it serviced at Nissan for the first 5 years, because I at the time believed in the "you better have the dealer service it if you care about your warranty." So I didn't begin to DIY until it crossed 5 years. The first thing I noticed was there were only enough fasteners to hold the plastic covers on, meaning the minimal amount, a fair number were missing (one that irked me was the right wheel well had only 1/2 and the plastic could flap if you touched it). I was a little irritated but it never crossed my mind to order the OE screws from Nissan, I just looked to see what I had in my tool drawer. Funny, I just got a free oil change coupon from Nissan last Friday. No thanks. Seems like lots of places are now doing that to drum up business....

 

Update. I finally installed the aftermarket bottom engine cover and all the holes did line up, however the cover was somewhat short towards the front and didn't tuck under the front bumper as I would have preferred. I got some additional hardward in case i needed some (which I did) as there are many different clips but basically only 2 types of screws. All I can say it was well worth the $38 (including shipping) than being taken over the coals through Lexus for a similar $250 cover???? Crazy.

 

Question - are there only 2 plastic covers on the bottom of our cars? I believe 2 up front but possibly 1 in the rear?

 

Yes, 2 up front, and one rear covering the rear subframe & diff.
https://lexus-europe.epc-data.com/ls...=8P8&trim&full

 

I tried one of the aftermarket ones and I didn't like it. The mounting holes didn't line up, and importantly there was no flap for the oil filter, so you had to detach most of the connectors to slip in a new oil filter. It cracked in very cold weather -- perhaps I hit something, not sure. Bit the bullet and bought an OEM one. Much heavier plastic, holes exactly right, oil filter easy to swap ... I just thing OEM is the best answer on these cars, period.

 

@BigBoomer can you find the part number for the rear one? All I can find are these 2 which I believe are the fender liners

 

I was wrong, there is no rear one, or rather there are the 2 separate parts you have shown above, but they only cover part of the rear suspension.

Up front there are 2 covers, one in front of the engine sump and one between the engine sump and the transmission sump. (51420-50010).
The one in front of the sump has 2 parts. The lower cover (51441-50090) and the upper "silencer" or sound deadening layer (51454-50020).
Be aware that these are part numbers for my RHD (UK based) LS430, so the part numbers for LHD (US?) may be different.
I suggest you look them up on a US based parts fiche site.

 

The first 2 part numbers are the same but I can’t find anything for 51454-50020. Is that a plastic cover like the other 2 or sheet metal?

 

https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/5145450020

 

I can’t find ANYTHING for the North American market….but did find this thread which is very interesting. I wonder if this silencer cover is a Japanese and European only thing??

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-silencer.html

 

Yup, looks like that part is for JDM, Australian, and EU markets only.

 

Very cool. I wonder how much it actually helps with road noise? I bet North American Lexus considered it a fire hazard!