LS 460 Maintenance Costs
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
From: CA
Eh......that really REALLY depends. So far my LS have been far most costly than my D4s with parts being worse by 30% and labor being much more difficult. Still probably more resistant to idiot owners than a German but if I have to do the same things on both the German is easier and parts are cheaper.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
I replaced all control arms, all brakes, rear strut cartridges and upper mounts, all driveline mounts, valve covers, HPFP seals, spark plugs, valley plate leak, rad, full trans service, and some other minor stuff. Nothing really unexpected or difficult just more annoying to do than on my German cars since it is more difficult and it wore out faster than them on top of having most costly parts by 1.3-4x for the same repairs.
The LS430 has been a nightmare of sorts.......I have had to do nearly everything on it including cam caps/seals/VVT seals and upper oil pan in addition to all of the above and two timing belts so far. Not bad but honestly has needed more hours of my time than my Jeep used for the same 100k miles of usage.
Last edited by Striker223; Apr 2, 2023 at 02:16 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 93
From: CA
Below are all repairs/maintenance done on my 12 ls460l AWD up to 250k. Now at 265k and just oil changes after 250k.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11331056
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11331056
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
From: CA
Used at 129k, came with a totally new interior, new brake actuator, and near no maintenance....
I replaced all control arms, all brakes, rear strut cartridges and upper mounts, all driveline mounts, valve covers, HPFP seals, spark plugs, valley plate leak, rad, full trans service, and some other minor stuff. Nothing really unexpected or difficult just more annoying to do than on my German cars since it is more difficult and it wore out faster than them on top of having most costly parts by 1.3-4x for the same repairs.
The LS430 has been a nightmare of sorts.......I have had to do nearly everything on it including cam caps/seals/VVT seals and upper oil pan in addition to all of the above and two timing belts so far. Not bad but honestly has needed more hours of my time than my Jeep used for the same 100k miles of usage.
I replaced all control arms, all brakes, rear strut cartridges and upper mounts, all driveline mounts, valve covers, HPFP seals, spark plugs, valley plate leak, rad, full trans service, and some other minor stuff. Nothing really unexpected or difficult just more annoying to do than on my German cars since it is more difficult and it wore out faster than them on top of having most costly parts by 1.3-4x for the same repairs.
The LS430 has been a nightmare of sorts.......I have had to do nearly everything on it including cam caps/seals/VVT seals and upper oil pan in addition to all of the above and two timing belts so far. Not bad but honestly has needed more hours of my time than my Jeep used for the same 100k miles of usage.
Below are all repairs/maintenance done on my 12 ls460l AWD up to 250k. Now at 265k and just oil changes after 250k.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11331056
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11331056
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
So was the problem just that the previous owners let all the maintenance items pile up? What was wrong with the rad and trans? Did you elect to do those maintenances or was something actually wrong with it?
Lexus of Theseus! I have no idea what kind of stuff fails at that high mileage, but I hope it's not too major! Also are you in Napa? I'm in Santa Rosa! Kinda hard to find LS 460s around here...
Lexus of Theseus! I have no idea what kind of stuff fails at that high mileage, but I hope it's not too major! Also are you in Napa? I'm in Santa Rosa! Kinda hard to find LS 460s around here...
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 156
Likes: 93
From: CA
Last edited by napamikey; Apr 4, 2023 at 03:10 PM.
Below are all repairs/maintenance done on my 12 ls460l AWD up to 250k. Now at 265k and just oil changes after 250k.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11331056
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post11331056
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 390
Likes: 121
From: Alabama
I called a local reputable repair shop yesterday just to get a quote on labor for all the control arms so I know what I'm getting myself into if I buy one of these. I knew the dealer charges around $4k or so; priced the discounted OEM parts online from the local Lexus dealer and they came up to $2644.14 before taxes. I found them significantly cheaper on Amayama (OEM direct from Japan). Still looking at over $3k total to go OEM. Shop labor was $1360 total, and they charge $135 an hour. I really want one of these, but man, between those, the coolant valley leak, and possible brake actuator leak; that's somewhat deterring. I realize it's an $85k+ car when new. I suppose that's the price you have to pay. My $23k budget will barely get me into a 2013; even then, I'm looking at 100k miles plus....and this is a second car. I'll need to replace my 2011 ES in a couple of years. It has 177k and is my commuter. I drive too far to run up the miles and fuel costs to daily an LS. 4 years at $200 a month more in fuel, plus all of the above repairs, driving 21k a year.....it will wind up being as much or more than buying another used ES to replace mine.
Like the poster above--$22k in parts and repairs. That will buy a decent used ES with lower miles.
Like the poster above--$22k in parts and repairs. That will buy a decent used ES with lower miles.
Last edited by JRA2000TL; Apr 6, 2023 at 08:54 AM.
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My 2013 RWD air suspension has 62k miles and the only repair was warranty replacement of the clock so far. If you drive it hard or stress the suspension, you're more likely to have repairs. Mine has mostly highway miles and I'm gentle around the city of San Diego. Bad streets, pedestrians and lots of cars make it prudent to be gentle.
Driver
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 97
Likes: 29
From: CA
Just for planning and awareness, Amayama shipping estimates were a little low than actual for me in 2022. I bought my control arms from them last year but it was during the whole shipping crisis and delays. I paid close to 30% more than the cheap estimate to have the parts sent to San Francisco.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 156
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From: CA
Last edited by napamikey; Apr 10, 2023 at 06:33 PM.
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