Dave144239

2013 was the first year for bamboo, at least in the LS 460.

Here's a youtube review of a 2015 model with it. I like it a lot.

AJT123

I'm almost certain that for 2013 the bamboo was exclusively 600h only, but Lexus quickly came to their senses and offered it on the 460 also from +14 on.

My next LS (in years) will have the bamboo if it takes me a year to find it. It took me a year and a half to find the right LS430, so I don't mind. It's literally as beautiful in my eyes as any wood I've seen in any car, ever.

SWLS, thanks for your reply about the leather. It's sort of disappointing that your base leather 460 didn't have a padded, pillowy headrest. It definitely adds to the luxury experience as you were saying. I still literally remember being on my first roadtrip when I realized how pillowy and comfy the headrest was in my 430 shortly after I got it. I remember thinking in my head, "wow, they didn't miss anything, this is a serious luxury car" along with an "ahh" lol. And mine is the base leather.

Glad you're enjoying your car, it's a beauty. I know I won't buy another car for a very long time (I hate car payments), but when I do, it will be a late 460; they appeal more and more to me each day. It's like a magnet, lol. The 430 still has years to go, but once that day comes It'll be a '15-17 LWB with bamboo wood.

SW17LS

Dave144239

Yeah, you're right. This is from the 2013 brochure, but I only took a quick glance yesterday and didn't notice that the bamboo was LSh only.

jrmckinley

Same on his view point change on LWB vs SWB from a room and ride quality perspective (when he had the SWB he was skeptical that the LWB was any different on ride and wasn't sure the extra room was useful). I refer to this as ownership bias. And to be fair, ownership bias is normal and exists in all of us. Especially in a newer car (his prior model was a 2015), it's sometimes difficult to look at other cars (especially the exact same model) and admit that the model we currently own isn't the "best" car or to minimize the features and associated value of those features ("Option X is somewhat nice, but not worth $Y to me..") To a certain degree, you are somewhat acknowledging that you "settled" on your car if you place too much value in options that you don't have on your car. It's a hard thing to do! It's easy for a guy like me who has a 2010 and when I look at a 2015 LS I can be wowed by the car...but it's much harder when the car you own is pretty/very new and the exact same model as another one you're looking at.

SW17LS

I'm a pretty objective guy when it comes to these things. For carrying adults I maintain the LWB isn't needed. The reason it appealed to me later on is my kids in carseats being able to kick the backs of the front seats. Thats virtually impossible in the LWB, and the LWB car does look better and is more imposing which I've always said. As for ride quality, its very subtle.

If you're just carrying rear seat passengers though, the SWB car is plenty spacious.

jrmckinley

I actually prefer your silver 2017 over the nebula 2015. I have owned a couple of silver cars so am a bit biased towards that color. I have a family member with a 2012 nebula and I own a 2010 smoky granite mica and I'm undecided on which of those I like better.. However, on this 2013+ body style, I think what I prefer is the contrast the "bar" under the Lexus badge on the front grille creates on the silver vs it blending in more on your nebula. I think it acts as a nice way to show a bit of the grille design on the car that's harder to pick up on the nebula color.

SW17LS

Yeah I like the silver too, just takes some getting used to the lighter color when its clean, the darker nebula looked so sharp. I do agree about the bar in the grille contrasting better with the silver.

jrmckinley

I do really like that lighter interior on your 2015- that looks awesome and was probably a beautiful contrast of the two colors. But I'm pretty sure I'd have a panic attack any time my kids tried to bring a snack or flavored juice in the car...! I'd have to have a "no cheeto" rule with that light of an interior! I have black interior on my current LS so it hides dirt substantially better.

Doublebase

AJT123

I just realized when I get my 460 it will have to be the SWB, the LWB won't fit in my garage . My 430 fits within 2 inches. We almost had a huggggge problem the day we closed on our house last year, haha. The IS350 fits fine and the GX460 we will get eventually will too. But I'm gonna have to forgo the LWB LS .

lizhekb

Well written article.
Would you share how can I distinguish the updated leather seats?

jrmckinley

Others here know way more detail than me, so correct me if I'm wrong.... but I think the easiest way to tell is to look at the headliner. If it looks different (like suede), I'm almost certain the car has the semi-aniline leather seats. I drove about 10 LS 460's that didn't have the semi-aniline and could tell in the first 10 seconds of one that had it. There's a distinct difference in the feel, but that only matters if you have the regular leather to compare against.

Dave144239

Another easy way to check is to look at the trim piece surrounding the rear center vents. If it's wood, it's semi-aniline, if plastic, it's regular leather.

fb182

Interesting points. Would've always assumed that the newer LEDs would be brighter. Makes me wonder if most manufacturers would be better off sticking with the older HID lights.

Is it true that if an LED were to burn out you would have to replace the entire headlight assembly? Or are bulbs available separately like HIDs?