StanVanDam

"Yamaha creates natural wood automobile components for the Lexus LS 430 and SC 430, as well as other top class models manufactured both in Japan and the United States."

Source: Yamaha Accent Magazine, Winter 2002, Volume 44, Page 13 - http://www.yamaha.com/publications/a...cent102/13.htm

AlexusAnja

this video makes it seem like the door panel wood is from a 3/4" solid block of wood "handcrafted" to fit the door. I doubt it's a full block, but rather a 1/16" (if even) thing piece of veneer that's bonded to a plastic trim.

Anyway... it's real wood, that's all that matters...

warminwisc

I prefer the wood in the M35 and M45 by infiniti. It is a very natural grainy matte look. How well does it holds up I do not know.

honeygee2

Not only is the wood real but if you read up on the car you will find that the wood trim in each car is from the same tree. Sure its finished to keep it from fading etc but its real. Thats why the pattern in each car is different.

jac430

First class information and not from hear-say, but with reference!

Thank you!

Jac

honeygee2

#5
AlexusAnja
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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The wood are different wood. It's not pine ( ) and just colored different colors. The greyish color is Birdseye Maple and the reddish you see there is Red Walnut or something. Of course there is some varnish coloring with it as well.

The wood is definitely real, but as for the from "one tree" concept of the panels, I believe that that particular quality control started with the LS460, not the LS430. The pieces are cut from one tree, one slice, so the the grain is consistent and connected from one panel to the next. So, if you were to start from say the rear drivers side door and go to front and back up to the rear passenger's side rear door, the wood would seem like it flowed.

It was cut at the wood factory, varnished, and serial number marked to be later assembled at the auto assembly plant in one car. It was not just a mix and match of various pieces from a generic bin.

Further more, I had read here on CL that the company that varnishes the wood is the same company that varnishes Yamaha pianos... but I did not actually read that myself on any Lexus site.
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posted from another well respected member 0n 02/10/2010

2004TOYO

I was JUST thinking about asking this question!! I had my doubts when I pulled the shift surround to do the ashtray replacement. It looked plastic to me but after you guys explained the process it makes sense.

jayclapp

My 04 UL, silver with ecru interior, has bird's eye maple wood stained a medium/light color with a polyurethene varnish finish. The finish is so fine that some people actually think it's plastic! I couldn't be happier with my interior.

warminwisc

The wood looks like plastic. Has anyone seen the wood in the infiniti m45?

AlexusAnja

If the Infiniti finish is anything like my wife's old 735i... it'll be crap in about 10 years after ownership, which for most 1st owners, they won't care as they won't have the car for 10 years. Someone mentioned it's a give-and-take with having a high polish, or a low polish. My '04 after 7 years probably looks like the day it left the lot. I have no doubt it will go the distance. The M45.. probably not so much.

CarGuy89

I'm personally a huge fan of the black piano wood that has been making appearances in several luxury cars. The black and light colored interior with the black wood looks so good!

Like this:http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/att...0&d=1173141295

svlexus

Did the wood on the old ls400 stand up to the test of time?

warminwisc

With new polymers and coatings 50 k plus cars have proven finishes and the however many coats they use to make it look like plastic is probably just for that glass like look. The 06 M45 I looked at for my wife had beautiful touch me feel me grainy wood. The wood and the AWD was about the only thing I like better than the LS though sorry to say. The M forums talk about using oil, rattles and poor fuel efficiency.