I am looking at a 2011 CPO LS460 and come to find out (via Lexus maintenance records) the engine was replaced under warranty a few months ago due to some kind of cylinder head issue. Is is allowed/appropriate for Lexus to offer a car as CPO with a replaced engine? Does it affect the value of the car now? What about when I try to sell it in a few years?

 

I would stay away from that personally.

 

Mechanically speaking, it's probably okay if not better than what you would get with a typical 30-40k mile '11 car. But I would personally steer clear of such a vehicle. Not only will it affect the value when it comes time to resell, but purely from a mental point of view, it would always get under my skin knowing that the car had its engine replaced.

 

If it is a brand new engine from Lexus then that would be great, I'd take the car. If it is a used engine taken from a wreck, then I'd stay away from it.

 

^^^^ that.

if it's a new engine, it's probably even better. If the engine was due to die at 300k miles and your car had a replacement at 30k, it's resetting the clock.

if it's an engine pulled from another Vehicle, stay away.

 

Entire engine or cylinder heads? Some of these service descriptions are not too descriptive, so I would try to find out more.

The TSIB for hesitation calls for replacement of cylinder heads in some cases, and if this work was done by the right people, I would have no issue with it. Do find out, though.

 

The work order states they replaced the short block assembly and 2 cylinder heads, etc. $10,800 for parts and $4,000 for labor (paid by Lexus).

 

Who is they?

 

Wait a minute! This is STILL an issue even in the 2011's??????????? LEXUS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THIS AFTER 2008.

 

You are confusing the valve spring replacement with the problem with this engine. Two entirely different issues.

Wayne, you need to tread carefully here. I would have to have confidence in who did the job and some sort of warranty before purchasing.

 

Wayne,

Two same year, same condition, same mileage LSs.

- one with original engine selling for $35k.

- the other with its engine replaced at 20k miles selling for $____.

If you fill in the blank with $35k or more, please PM me. I have some Florida property as well as some bridges that may interest you...

 

I would run unless it was a factory assembled engine. Not to say replacing a short block is going to fail however the way they assemble engines in the factory is held to a tighter quality control.

 

I would agree with everyone else here that this changes things. Mind you, if it was the diagnostic specialist at the dealership where I service doing this work, I would have no concerns, but the reality is that it is difficult to know to what standards the work was done.

 

This one would be a pass for me now that more info has been presented, keep looking until you find the LS you want.

 

Yes, but how would you communicate your confidence in the specialist to the person/dealer eventually buying the car from you? Be a REAL tough sell to me, for one.