paulg1981

2002 - 82,000

Just did timing belt, brakes, and coilover shocks to get rid of troublesome air suspension. Drives like new!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

How do you like the coilovers vs air? Did your air ever work appropriately?

aypues

145k currently on my 2004 UL. Bought with 65k as a CPO vehicle in 2010. Once they did all the repairs under the CPO warranty it has been mostly trouble free!!

paulg1981

I like it, and yes the air worked appropriately. I found the air suspension to be a little 'airy' (pardon the pun). The coilovers give it a much sporty feel. I am waiting for the new shocks to settle a little, they raised the car a couple of inches but I think it will end up being like 1in once I break them in.

For me it was not a sound investment to spend 8K on new air shocks that would fail again after a bit and these should be worry free for 100K miles

msgdlat

2006 UL 430 - purchased 8/2015 with 32,500 miles from dealer. Currently, the car has 33,517. Almost didn't purchase because the car has the air suspension. A little nervous about that. I drive the car on weekends and sunny days to keep the fluids moving and exercising the car a little, especially the tires. My work horse is a 2004 Acura RL ( to and from work and on load road trips). For the most part, the Lexus is in the garage.

Twash26

I purchase mine in 08 with about 50k miles and have 282k on it
don't know how many more miles it will get, just changed my spiral or
clock cable myself this vehicle still runs excellent as the day I purchased
it .

JffGRY706

Twash26.. congrats and I am impressed, have you ever changed the transmission fluid? if you have not then the fluid might just be forever.

Duck05

Our '01 LS430 just turned 187K..... Lost the head gasket in Nov '14 and got it repaired so the clock is kind of re-adjusted so looking forward to a lot more miles.....

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I feel your concern about the air suspension. New air-shocks are $1200 a pop. I have almost 138k on mine. One was replaced before I purchased the car. You can source refurbished units for about $800 a piece and I picked up a whole set of slightlly used units in great condition off an 05 for less then $500. Anyway, I think some UL owners worry way too much about it. It's nice to know there are plenty of options to fit into a budget. Personally, with how terrible the roads are around Newark and NYC I love riding on air. I also like how adding the sports rear sway bar improved handling. I brought the WRX into the city this last few days and I don't think I will do it again for a while. So abusive on the suspension.

Bocatrip

It's funny how you have your car's usage reversed from the norm on these forums. Most owners (other than the original old timer snowbirds) use the LS430 as a daily workhorse letting the miles pile on. I personally have a 2nd car for pleasure only and use the Lexus daily. This is one car that should not become a garage queen.

aypues

I didnt know u could add the sports rear sway bar to a UL model. Did it make the ride less smooth at all?

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Not at all. It improved the ride. I noticed that my car would tend to have a bit of back and forth swaying motion that would happen on the highway and was more noticeable during crosswinds. This upgrade helped eliminate this sensation without sacrificing comfort. Get the sports bar and sports bushes. Also, replace the front sway bushes. They may not look bad but after 100k miles they are much softer then the new ones. This applies to all LS's. They are cheap and both are an easy diy if you are inclined.

Notaski

First post- I have a 2005 LS 430 with only 9051 miles. NOT a typo...less than ten thousand miles. Bought it new.

Question- the dealer is saying I should change my timing belt, drive belt and, water pump. Car is in new england but is only driven on Sundays to church.

Is this really necessary?

AandSC

My 2000 LS400 has 43,500 miles and is on the original belt. Car was built in October 1999 so it's 16 years old this month. I am going to change the belt at 45,000 miles due to the age.

Since the recommended replacement is 9 years (IIRC) if I were you and only driving the car that little I would replace every ten years. It's inexpensive compared to the cost if the belt breaks.

campisi

94K (miles) on my '03 UL. I've put all but 8 of those miles on it. Just swapped the Tbelt and associated parts for the first time last weekend. Car runs and drives smooth as silk including the original air suspension.

Tbelt looked good except that there was an accumulation of belt dust on the inside of the camshaft gear covers, especially the passenger side cover. So the belt DOES wear over use but it still looked fine and not ready to break. There are two teeth on the belt that have some kind of stitching on them and the stitches were frayed. My new belt had the exact same stitching on two of the teeth but the stitches were obviously in much better shape. Dont' know why those two teeth are different than the others.