TXLS430

All, I purchased my pre-owned 2004 LS430 in 2007 with 40K+ miles. 10 years later it has 242,000 miles. It has pretty much only been serviced at the dealership. The only major issue i have with the car is the telescopic motor issue. Minor issues include the weather stripping on one of the rear doors, loose interior molding on the rear passenger side, and worn leather on the front seat, which I should probably re-upholster (potentially re-spring as well...is that possible to re-spring?) Anyway the car runs pretty much fine with no driving issues. I had the water pump and timing belt changed at 90K+ and 180K. Should I change again at 270K. I am not the mechanic DIY type....Are there any things I should be doing from a maintenance side with a car that has this many miles....or just keep changing the oil and bringing it in every 6,000 - 7,000 miles for service? Thanks for any tips.

JffGRY706

keep doing what you are. what dealership? have you ever serviced the transmission?

toddmorr

pretty impressive mileage over a long period of time. Whatever you're doing, keep it up. Personally, I'd be going 100k before doing the timing belt but whatever.

No suspension issues? bushings, control arms? none of that has been done? I guess if it's solid then don't do it, but that would be surprising with 240k miles.
If you're inclined to keep the car, and nothing has been done on the suspension, I'd look real hard at doing that, you'll be shocked at how much better the ride will be.

TXLS430

The car has been serviced at Park Place in Plano and now Park Place in Grapevine. I think once many moons ago I had the transmission flushed, but I don't recall. Is that something I should do? I know it has been recommended, but sometimes I cannot decipher if people are just trying to sell me something versus the car actually needing it. The guys at Park Place are solid and seem to be very upstanding folks.

With regards to the bushings, control arms, I don't think there has been much done. Quickly scanning through service records I have had the rear differential service completed at 231k, alignment, spark plugs replaced at 179k. Left rear struts at 92K and again at 167kThrottle body svc and top engine clean at 118k

Are there things that I should have done as it relates to suspension?

Thanks for any and all feedback!

toddmorr

that is pretty amazing if that's all the work you've had to do over the years. There really isn't any preventive maintenance for the suspension. When it goes, you'll hear a clunk, or poor tire wear, or bounciness, or inability to hold a straight line, or sloppiness in steering or turning. Any number of ride issues. I guess if your tech is straight they would tell you if something really needed to be done. More likely, you just have extreme wear on many of the components but not to the point where you or he notices major issues.

Maybe next time you take it in, ask your guy to do an especially thorough suspension inspection. If he comes back with a few issues, and you are committed to the car, I'd just have him redo all of it....sway bar bushings, struts, bushings, etc. Or at least get a quote and let us know the specifics. It could get pricey, but again if you're keeping the car, once it's done you're set for another 250k. Literally. Because we all know that engine and tranny can go 500k and your's sounds like its in great shape.

I'm a DIY guy so in a different situation somewhat, but I'd gut that suspension front and rear and enjoy the subsequent new car feeling...

Gronemus

How long do you plan to keep the car? If it's only for another 5 years that will be another 100k on it at your rate of roughly 20K/year. I wouldn't bother with changing the timing belt under that scenario since the car is just not going to be worth much with 340k miles on it. I would instead put my repair dollars into suspension work that is likely to crop up eventually.

Probably the only item that I would want done at some point soon is a transmission fluid change using the method of your choice (drain & fill, flush, etc.)...

TXLS430

Todd and Gronemus, thanks for the feedback. I'm not sure how committed I am to the car. At some point I'll need something different (LS460), but car is paid for and runs very well. Below is the service history of the car. I'm sure there are a few things I missed (like the second change of the timing belt and water pump). Todd, I will ask them to see what issues they see on the suspension side. I'd like to keep the car for probably no more than an additional two years. I do appreciate the comments.


Service Item Mileage
Front Parking sensor - warranty 50,000
New tires 1st pair 75,000
Rotors resurfaced and new pads 85,000
Left rear strut replaced - warranty 92,383
Timing belt only change 92,383
Driver side door lock actuator 106,000
Throttle body svc and top engine clean 118,000
Front parking sensor 118,600
New battery #1 122,000
New brakes front 125,000
Major recommended svc 132,000
New brakes and new rotors - rear 148,000
Replace o2 sensors 156,000
Replace entire exhaust system - Upstate NY car orig 156,000
Replace Rear Struts 167,000
New tires - 2nd pair 167,000
New battery #2 174,000

Gronemus

If you are only going to keep it for another two years at most than I wouldn't put anything into it other than scheduled maintenance and repairs as needed. Car isn't going to be worth much with 280K miles by then.

The only nagging issue with that advice is if the timing belt has only been changed once. I'm sure many around here would recommend another replacement. I might try to just try to squeeze out another two years out of it because if the engine would blow you could probably find a reasonably priced used engine to replace it with. Or junk the car at that time. So it becomes an economics issue, pay $1500 now or gamble and maybe pay $2-3K later?

Quick question? You said that the dealer does all of your maintenance. Is this a Lexus dealership? How much would they charge for a timing belt, water pump and the idler and tensioners? You might want to get another estimate at an independent shop for that service.

I'd say you're doing pretty good already considering that you've put on 200k+ miles on your car. Let us know what you decide on...

toddmorr

wow, that is amazing...that kind of mileage with no serious suspension issues or work done.
I do agree with postponing the timing belt work. My 05 has 92k and I'm in no hurry. Maybe next summer I'll get it done, and I fully intend to keep the car for many more years.

with the timing belt undone, I still think you could get maybe 2k or 3k for the car in a couple years, especially if it presents well.

put it this way, I got 3k for a "totalled" 01 with 90k miles 2 yrs ago, sight unseen.

again, everything hinges on whether you intend to keep the car.

Hagar

Is the bigger question he might be asking is this.
My 04 LS430 UL has 166,000 now. The owners maintenance manual only goes to 150,000 miles. So, at 160,000, does one start at the 10,000 mile point and continue from there?

My Lexus dealer recommended after 150,000 to start at the 30,000 maintenance in he book and go from there.

But I found starting at the 10,000 being 160,000 and so on works and comes pretty close to the manufacturer schedule.
It got this car this far and it runs great. Why not continue on with it.
So at 180,000, I will do the 30,000 maintenance. (I don't use months)
210,000 is now 60,000 maintenance again.

Hope this helps.

By the way, I see people all the time rebuilding a older car because its a great car. I see my 04 UL that way. ts just a great car to own.