Is the 5th gen LS suspension more reliable than the previous gens. It seems in the LS500, every trim has air suspension.
My LS460 F sport is starting to become a suspension money pit. Front air struts are leaking. I bought new air struts(OEM) and while changing them out, I notice the control arms are also leaking fluid. When I looked further, the tie rods are also leaking fluid. I have 100k miles on this car and I’m thinking it’s time to let it become someone’s else problem.
I thinking of another LS(500) but I want to know this the suspension issues like control arms and tie rods will plague the newer generation. The air struts on the LS460 are astronomical high and the LS500 are even more expensive. I’m not sure if I want to get into this again.

 

Have over 80K miles on mine now with no issues or leaks on the air shocks. (Mostly highway mileage)
Looking at CARFAX histories on high mileage LS500's, have not seen any suspension work listed.

Guessing they addressed the control arm issues as well in the last few years of the prior Gen.

 

Uhh when you say leaking what do you mean? Yes ball joint boots aren't supposed to be wet or greasy but I wouldn't replace them just because they're wet. If your suspension feels like the tie rod ends and ball joints are probably OK.

The LS 460 suspension is complex as the LS 500's. So give it enough time (20 years) the rubber on the 500's will degrade just the same. Any rubber component in a car will eventually break down and need replacement. As far as im aware the 500's air struts are a single sealed unit like the 460's (strut + air spring) So when they do fail they'll be expensive just the same. But it's a 100k+ luxury sedan so something to consider.

 

How long are the suspension pieces supposed to last? Where do you drive? Michigan could be different than SoCal.

 

His profile says MA, but who knows.

 

I am in MA. Quite a bit of road salt in the winter but I never have to drive during a snow storm. I can also keep my vehicles very clean. The salt don’t stay on the car for more than 3 days.

Well, I just sold off the ‘16 LS460 F sport since I don’t want to deal with the cost of repairs from Lexus. And if I bring it to external shops, I have to spend the time on dropping off and picking up and pray they do a good job on it and not mess anything else up. I understand the cost of maintenance a 100k vehicle. But I don’t want that to be my problem.

I’m looking for a replacement car but I’m also not in a big rush either. I have RX and LC500 will come out of hibernation in a couple weeks.
I will check out the new LS and do a little more reading on the suspension. LS500 seems to be pretty rare and not a lot of members are speaking out.

 

So for clarification, the LS when it came out in 18' for the F-Sport it had no air suspension in the US and came with regular suspension. In terms of the luxury model I have not heard many failing in the mass area. I would definitely test drive one for sure to see if you like the ride first, then go from there as many will say the ride from a 16 LS will be very different to the new LS. I have not had any major issues but I also don't drive it in winter as it is currently sitting in the garage. I think the only issue I have had to bring it in for was the recall but thankfully there has not been a bunch of issues, knock on wood.

 

You are correct. Some 2018 F sport does not have the air suspension. I wish there’s more local ls500 I can check out.

 

so if it’s missing the first button with the car symbol and up arrow, it doesn’t have air suspension?
this is 2021. I think I’m going to avoid air suspension this time as I want to keep the car after the warranty period and I don’t want to deal with a 2500$ per corner just on the part for repair.



I think this is the way to go.

MECHANICAL

• Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers
• Multi-Link Rear Suspension w/Coil Springs
• Multi-Link Front Suspension w/Coil Springs
• Front And Rear Anti-Rolls
• Dual Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher
• 21.7 Gal. Fuel Tank
• Electric Power-Assist Speed-Sensing Steering
• Front And Rear Anti-Roll Bars
• Battery w/Run Down Protection
• 2.76 Axle Ratio
• Full-Time All-Wheel
• Transmission w/Driver Selectable Mode
• Transmission: 10-Speed Direct-Shift Automatic -inc: Electronically controlled w/paddle shifters
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/4-Wheel ABS, Front And Rear Vented Discs, Brake Assist, Hill Hold Control and Electric Parking Brake

 

Where are you located in mass? you can private message me if you want.

 

I’m in Westford MA.
Since this will be essentially my 2nd/3rd vehicle, I’m not looking at new. I’ll be putting less than 5k miles a year. I’m looking at CPO but there’s not many in the area to take a test drive. And I really don’t want to just go test drive on something I’m not going to get.
Watertown has a ‘22 CPO right now but it has a minor accident but nobody seems to know where and the severity of it so it’s a hard no for me. That seems to be the only CPO near here.
I’ve been test driving some BMW 540i xdrive because I think I want something else at this point. It has been 15yrs exclusively Lexus. Maybe it’s time to try something different.

 

I found a 2020 LS500h in Danvers this summer with 12k miles on it. Loaded with everything except the rear executive package. Was sitting on their lot for a while. Other than connecting me with a sales person who would've rather been playing video games, it went well. So far so good. It's not a performance vehicle, but I knew that when I I was looking so I'm pretty happy.

 

Yeah I would say to probably look away from the minor accident one, I will say the BMW will be very different especially driving. I would try to see if there is any a little distance, I'm also surprised there aren't that many out there.

 

I had a 2007 LS460L (Loaded w/all the options, powered back seats etc) for about 8 years and had a ton of trouble with the air suspension. Thankfully it was covered under the CARMAX warranty as these were over $1k each per tire. I replaced all 4 air suspensions and the vehicle would still bottom out when going over big bumps or speed bumps. My local Lexus mechanic in Rhode Island suggested removing the air suspension altogether and going with a traditional non air suspension. I didn't go this route as the car was still under warranty, but that may be an option to consider. Currently have a 2018 LS500 AWD (Loaded) and it too has an air suspension and not a big fan as it has similar issues to my previous LS (bottoming out). I cannot tell the difference when I do have the air suspension button pushed in (the cars height raises slightly when this button is pushed), also the LS500 has a much harsher and sportier ride, and not a big fan of the turbo lag for the V6 vs the LS460's V8 engine. Overall I'm extremely happy with the LS500, its very fast and has much better steering, and the reliability has been solid except a few minor issues (both massaging front seats had to be replaced, but was covered under warranty. Also stay away from the panoramic sunroof, I had ton of rattling issues with mine and it took a while to fix it). In addition I also have a 97 LS400 Coach Edition and it is in mint condition, no rattles and rides like a dream. I've owned the 2001 LS430 (For 9 years) in the past and think this was the best model by far IMO. In terms of considering a BMW, beware, even though you may run into issues with some Toyota/Lexus vehicles, I would not put my money into any German cars, hopefully this helps.

 

It’s actually very hard to find an LS500 with 360 cam without the air suspension or pano roof.
My ideal LS500 is the 2025 F sport that comes standard with 360 cam and one without the air suspension and glass roof.
I might wait it out til CPO 2025 becomes more affordable.