Regret Buying LS460 Wind Noise and Screen Lockout
2007 Lexus LS460L - Comparison Tests 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Fifth Place: Chauffeur Showdown: 2007 Lexus LS460L
Introduction
Fifth Place: Lexus LS460L
Fourth Place: Jaguar Super V-8
Third Place: BMW 750Li
Second Place: Audi A8L Quattro
First Place: Mercedes-Benz S550
2007 Lexus LS460L
Highs: Tranquil environment, flawless finish, comprehensive standard luxury equipment.
Lows: Soft in roll, squishy tires, small trunk, long stopping distances.
The Verdict: May be the most indulgent luxury car in the segment.
For a car that some of us thought might win going in, fifth place seems astonishing. But you have to blame the Lexus’s obsessive isolation from noise and vibration for this outcome. Although the LS460L cossets its occupants with comfortable seats and all kinds of creature comforts (such as an air diffuser over the rear occupants to avoid drafts and an extraordinary DVD sound system), its dynamics don’t hold up in hard-driving situations.
Blame goes mainly to the all-season tires and the car’s soft roll motions, but the variable-ratio steering was also cited for its uncommunicative nature — if not its accuracy — and the electrohydraulic brakes were similarly peculiar in operation, producing longer-than-expected stopping distances.
Persuading the Lexus to negotiate our famous lane-change test was akin to driving a coach. When the vehicle-dynamics system (VDIM) is switched off — a “VSC off” light illuminates, making us wonder which acronym applies here — the LS460L indulges in long, wide slides. Leave the system on, and it still allows the car to get well out of shape before stepping in to confuse the driver.
In normal twisty surrounds, the Lexus reverts to a safer understeering mien, squealing its all-season rubber and rolling like a dinghy in a squall when pushed hard. But the true essence of the car is quite spectacular, with a tuneful V-8 and slick eight-speed automatic. The steering mechanism rotates as if on roller bearings (it might well be), and the sound levels are low enough inside that imperfect door seals on our preproduction vehicle produced wind noise that seemed hurricane-like in comparison.
But if the back seat is where you spend most of your time, then Lexus has its priorities correct. A comfortable ride, a quiet and scrupulously climate-controlled atmosphere, multiadjustable seating with Peltier cooling pads, and video entertainment with one of the best car stereos ever devised are at your disposal. So chill. You made the right decision after all.
And LEXUS still couldn't fix the problem!!!!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=290201&page=8
Details are in this thread. Based on posters who have asked at dealerships, and the experience of recent LS 460 owners, it appears that the wind noise issue is resolved in the latest 2007 builds, and will simiarly be the case for the 2008s.
For those 2007 LS owners with the wind noise issue, Mallory has reported in the above thread of a successful fix done by his Lexus dealership, in conjunction with Lexus HQ technical support.
As for the screen lockout, here is a thread with ongoing discussion, abboushi is attempting to get the screen lockout/DVD blackout removed. That may also shed some light on accessing other functions while in motion.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=293806
The important thing is that Lexus is aware of the wind noise problem, and it looks like a fix is being implemented right at the factory as well as at dealers.
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
It's not perfect...but it works. Beside this...the car is awesome and I love it more each day!
P.S.-Saw a brand new E Class being put on a flatbed this morning on the way to work. HOw would you like to be him?
.Naw, S class has been pretty good-from what I read, much improved over the horrible w220s. Not sure of other models.
Wind noise is nothing when it's electrical or mechanical that will you leave stranded.

I agree the nav lock out is stupid. I feel a little better that my friend's jeep grand cherokee does it too and it's broken/dead *cough* POS *cough*
Craig









