lexus vs bmw suvs
#137
Lexus Champion
I think you either want a car like that, and you pay to pay both upfront and when it comes time to service it, or you don’t.
Porsche owners may complain, but at the end of the day are they trading their Porsches en masse for more pedestrian mainstream cars that are dramatically cheaper to maintain? No.
Porsche owners may complain, but at the end of the day are they trading their Porsches en masse for more pedestrian mainstream cars that are dramatically cheaper to maintain? No.
#138
Lexus Fanatic
Out of curiosity. Looked up replacement cost for a regular non 48V S class battery. Found this on MBWorld. A lot of $$ IMO.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...batteries.html
If I am correct, many German cars use brake wear sensors that have to be replaced when brakes are worn? Lexus LS used to have these. No idea of new Lexus models have them
I think anything that is higher in price will cost more to maintain. Nothing wrong with that but it does
I was quoted $579 for the aux (bigger) battery and $315 for the smaller starter battery, including programming of the SAM so the alternator doesn't overcharge them. Do these costs appear to be outrageously high for battery replacement
If I am correct, many German cars use brake wear sensors that have to be replaced when brakes are worn? Lexus LS used to have these. No idea of new Lexus models have them
I think anything that is higher in price will cost more to maintain. Nothing wrong with that but it does
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-14-22 at 06:46 PM.
#139
Pole Position
Those brake sensors are about 30$ a pop and I wish all Lexus cars had them. My ls had them and they only go bad if your brake pads are gone which should not happen if you regularly service your cars.
my ls460 never needed anything other than oil changes. I did brakes myself till I sold it within 140k miles.
my ls460 never needed anything other than oil changes. I did brakes myself till I sold it within 140k miles.
#140
Lexus Fanatic
Fair point on the $30. I too wish my cars had that system. But I just was looking at the service costs. Very interesting. My 04 4R costs a fortune on maintenance and replacement stuff. My newer 4R is not as much (but it’s brand new)
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-14-22 at 07:29 PM.
#141
Lexus Fanatic
#142
Interesting topic. I feel Lexus and BMW have different approaches when it comes to SUVs and caters people with different tastes. I won’t have hesitation leasing either. If I had to keep it long term then Lexus would be my choice. I used to prefer bmw style over Lexus spindle now it’s opposite i prefer Lexus design to the very odd looking bmw grills. Performance, options and driving dynamics bmw has edge. Reliability, hybrid tech, bof suvs and pricing Lexus has edge.
#143
Lexus Fanatic
Out of curiosity. Looked up replacement cost for a regular non 48V S class battery. Found this on MBWorld. A lot of $$ IMO.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...batteries.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...batteries.html
If I am correct, many German cars use brake wear sensors that have to be replaced when brakes are worn? Lexus LS used to have these. No idea of new Lexus models have them
I think anything that is higher in price will cost more to maintain. Nothing wrong with that but it does
#144
Pole Position
I felt the same when I drove a sequoia 06? By contrast lx drives much better almost German
Don't want to get too far off-topic, but did you ever get a chance to test-drive a Ford Excursion? (not the Expedition, but the truly massive 7000-lb. Excursion, done on the F-350 Super Duty chassis). Driving an Excursion is downright scary ....easily one of the worst-tracking/handling vehicles I have ever sampled. The suspension and steering are simply inadequate for its massive bulk. Trust me.....in comparison, it makes a Suburban feel as steady as the Rock of Gibraltar.
#146
Lexus Fanatic
I
Its a $125,000 car. How often would one have to change the battery? Since I have been leasing cars I have never replaced a battery out of warranty (I have had several bad OEM Lexus batteries). A lot of that is dealer cost. I was quoted $1,200 by Mercedes to replace my pads front and rear, no rotors or even resurfacing of the rotors. The pads are literally $73 for all 4 pads. No joke. $73.
.
Its a $125,000 car. How often would one have to change the battery? Since I have been leasing cars I have never replaced a battery out of warranty (I have had several bad OEM Lexus batteries). A lot of that is dealer cost. I was quoted $1,200 by Mercedes to replace my pads front and rear, no rotors or even resurfacing of the rotors. The pads are literally $73 for all 4 pads. No joke. $73.
.
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/...ery-0019828208
#147
Lexus Champion
Out of curiosity. Looked up replacement cost for a regular non 48V S class battery. Found this on MBWorld. A lot of $$ IMO.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...batteries.html
If I am correct, many German cars use brake wear sensors that have to be replaced when brakes are worn? Lexus LS used to have these. No idea of new Lexus models have them
I think anything that is higher in price will cost more to maintain. Nothing wrong with that but it does
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...batteries.html
If I am correct, many German cars use brake wear sensors that have to be replaced when brakes are worn? Lexus LS used to have these. No idea of new Lexus models have them
I think anything that is higher in price will cost more to maintain. Nothing wrong with that but it does
That battery replacement cost is normal but you can easily do it yourself.
Last edited by Striker223; 11-14-22 at 08:33 PM.
#148
Lexus Fanatic
The same battery fits a Mercedes Metris and a Mercedes S560.
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/...ery-0019828208
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/...ery-0019828208
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...cca/319459_0_0
Using old flooded cell batteries is another way Lexus vehicles are cheaper to service, but less sophisticated. AGM batteries are just better, but more expensive. They last much longer, are much harder to discharge, they can be safely installed in places a flooded cell battery cant be.
The cheapest battery AutoZone sells for my Chrysler Pacifica is $210, and thats a flooded cell battery. Considering that the Pacifica has TWO batteries, in perspective that AGM OEM Battery from Mercedes for $295 is not outrageous.
Last edited by SW17LS; 11-14-22 at 08:40 PM.
#149
Lexus Fanatic
Thats just what high end AGM batteries cost, even from a place like AutoZone:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...cca/319459_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...cca/319459_0_0
I am now reading that Lexus LS brake pad sensors are reusable. Very different approach compared to Mercedes.
I also understand that Mercedes magic wipers are not cheap? A Lexus wiper is like $5 for the refill.
nothing wrong with all this…but the idea that German cars are on par with Japanese cars for maintenance costs doesn’t seem to be true. Mercedes definitely costs more from my research
This can’t be for real can it?
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-14-22 at 08:48 PM.
#150
Lexus Fanatic
Sure. Of course. You can also also use non OEM parts when the air suspension wears out. But looking at Mercedes/Lexus parts keeps us honest. Brand for brand.
I am now reading that Lexus LS brake pad sensors are reusable. Very different approach compared to Mercedes.
I also understand that Mercedes magic wipers are not cheap? A Lexus wiper is like $5 for the refill.
nothing wrong with all this…but the idea that German cars are on par with Japanese cars for maintenance costs doesn’t seem to be true. Mercedes definitely costs more
I am now reading that Lexus LS brake pad sensors are reusable. Very different approach compared to Mercedes.
I also understand that Mercedes magic wipers are not cheap? A Lexus wiper is like $5 for the refill.
nothing wrong with all this…but the idea that German cars are on par with Japanese cars for maintenance costs doesn’t seem to be true. Mercedes definitely costs more
Did you look up the cost of an OEM Lexus battery for an LS? This is hilarious. Its $1,400.
https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/...800-31450.html
So, $295 doesn't seem so bad huh?
I remember this issue. Lexus vehicles from Japan come with Panasonic batteries, dealers don't stock or use those batteries because they are so shockingly expensive. They use a "Lexus" branded battery but its not the same battery, I guarantee that Lexus branded battery is $300 or so also, and its not an AGM battery.
$295 is not a crazy price for an AGM battery, in fact you could pay more than that for an Optima, etc.
Magic wipers are expensive, but they're better. The Lexus wipers are the same units as Chrysler uses on my Pacifica, they are identical (third party supplier), the Mercedes units are proprietary and they have the magic vision heated washer system in them. So...they cost more.
Like I said, better stuff costs more.
Because the car is $125,000 means nothing as the same battery fits the basic van.
Last edited by SW17LS; 11-14-22 at 08:57 PM.