Traditional Engine "Advantage" of LS460 against modern "Twin Turbo" engines?
04-19-16, 07:15 PM
#16
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I'd say this engine should do better over the long haul compared to the turbo charged trend you're seeing now. I know with the BMW's they are having all sorts of problems with their engines right now. I talked to a factory rep a month ago and he said they are replacing engines, when I asked him which ones he said, all of them. Those things drink oil...add that to the demands of a turbo=disaster.
The LS engine appears to be an engine that enjoys an easier life than some. It takes 9.1 quarts of oil, it always seems to be idling at lower rpm's and its size is able to produce power without forced induction, therefore it should run cooler.
Who knows how long they'll last? They did have the early valve spring recall issue, so that will have to be monitored long term. And there have been a very small number of people that have had the heads replaced. And direct injection engines are relatively new to mass production regular gasoline passenger cars, so we don't know if they'll stand the test of time. So far there have been a few members on here with high mileage - without engine problems - and I don't think I've heard of many members that have had their engines fail, so that's a good sign. We'll see how it goes, but I think it's safe to say that those smaller forced induction engines work harder, and won't last as long.
The LS engine appears to be an engine that enjoys an easier life than some. It takes 9.1 quarts of oil, it always seems to be idling at lower rpm's and its size is able to produce power without forced induction, therefore it should run cooler.
Who knows how long they'll last? They did have the early valve spring recall issue, so that will have to be monitored long term. And there have been a very small number of people that have had the heads replaced. And direct injection engines are relatively new to mass production regular gasoline passenger cars, so we don't know if they'll stand the test of time. So far there have been a few members on here with high mileage - without engine problems - and I don't think I've heard of many members that have had their engines fail, so that's a good sign. We'll see how it goes, but I think it's safe to say that those smaller forced induction engines work harder, and won't last as long.
04-19-16, 07:41 PM
#19
Lexus Test Driver
04-20-16, 05:08 AM
#20
Pole Position
Either way, I'm still kind of surprised about the oil leaks, where's it leaking? One thing I'm extremely impressed with regarding these vehicles is how clean they are underneath (dry). Was it the valve cover gaskets? I've heard of one other member that replaced his valve cover gaskets, but the car was used by a limo company and had 275,000 miles on it. I wonder how hard those are to replace.
And you had to replace the rear end? Was it making noise? How hard was that to do? It doesn't look too bad. I change my fluid every 40k miles or so...I do have a axle seal seaping just tiny bit...checked the fluid level though and it was fine, so it can't be much.
Glad we have someone here that tears into these things and has some miles on the car, I'll be looking forward to reading what you've do/done to it.
04-20-16, 06:56 AM
#21
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I had a 2013 land cruiser that had 513 to rear wheel. I like to get where I'm going
I'm just torn between dropping a lot of money in this one or just getting a new one. I like the 13 front much more and believe a redesign is coming soon.
04-20-16, 10:19 PM
#22
Change your chain guides if you haven't and the car's got more than 100k miles. Also be prepared to spend $$ on the AC and new accumulators for the rear shocks if you haven't already. But aside from those issues nothing above and beyond a similar car of that era; and the quality of the interior materials is just insanely high.
The 1UZ engines are almost indestructible; the 1URs (in the 460+) seem pretty solid. No timing belt to replace so maintenance might be easier. But again time will tell. So far looks good though.
I agree that older 7 series BMWs are rare on the road. I see some late 90's E38s here in CA (lovely car) but the early '02s E65 745s are becoming rare here. The E38s are now in the hands of enthusiasts I bet.
I see fair number of W126s in California--beaters and classics alike -- but they are more prone to rust than the later W124s and W140s (which explains why they are still in TX). I see honestly less W140s on the road now than W126s, but there were so many of them made that it's understandable.
Back to the OT turbocharged engines are just different. I've heard the TT V12 in the S600 is pretty reliable; but many MB V8s and V12s since the early '00s are prone to coil pack failure. But nothing like timing chain failure or camshaft wear that still happens on the early W126 V8s.
Modern BMWs have all kinds of issues; the turbo is just one of them. VW/Audi has been making the E series turbo 4s forever; some are reliable some are not.
Generally though the turbo engines lead a harder life; and honestly in daily driving I've never been able to see that much of a fuel economy boost. Also the turbo itself probably will need a rebuild between 80k and 120k miles, but synthetic oil might prolong that. Every review of a 'new' car powered by a turbo engine ends with 'well the V6 is nice but has the same FE and output of the old V8.'
So why bother? the LS430 and LS460 are pretty efficient considering their size and power; and having one less thing to worry about is a win in my book.
Less stress == more luxury.
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