Major Repairs on LS460 at 147k miles
11-30-18, 08:43 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Major Repairs on LS460 at 147k miles
I have a 2008 LS 460 with 147k miles and was hearing a loud hum type of noise for a little bit. It got louder then went away. I then noticed my heater not working. I took to the dealer and was told the radiator itself is cracked or the hose is. Either way to fix will cost $2800. I was also told the breaks and chassy (?) will also need to be replaced down the road at a much higher cost I believe they said $8K to replace all that after initial 2800 cost. Is this worth fixing and is that common for car at 147K miles? I have no idea what to do? I thought these cars were built to last?
12-01-18, 05:58 PM
#2
How mechanically inclined are you? The radiator isn’t that difficult to replace if you have an idea of what your doing. I would need more information on the brakes and chassis. Brakes are can be really easy to replace depending on the diagnosis. The are writeups in the stickies on changing pads and rotors. Replacing the Chassis doesn’t even makes sense. A Chasis is basically the skeleton of the car. If the Chasis is bad you car should be totaled. Unless, I am misunderstanding something.
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12-01-18, 06:02 PM
#3
Also, not sure on why you would hear a loud humming noise from the radiator going out. I would assume the noise was coming from the blower motor, which is another very easy part to replace. Have you had any issues with antifreeze leaks?
When you say the the heater stopped working. Is it blowing air that’s no longer cool or is it not bowing air at all? If it’s not blowing air at all (heat or A/C) that would point me back at the blower motor.
When you say the the heater stopped working. Is it blowing air that’s no longer cool or is it not bowing air at all? If it’s not blowing air at all (heat or A/C) that would point me back at the blower motor.
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LCLS460 (12-02-18)
12-01-18, 06:05 PM
#4
At this point, it makes absolutely no sense to have the dealer do any work on the car. If you’re not mechanically inclined, find yourself an independent shop and have them do the work. Brakes are easy (just did mine). Chassis could mean the control arms???
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LCLS460 (12-02-18)
. Truth!
12-02-18, 09:20 AM
#6
Pole Position
Radiator to replace should cost $200 bucks tops if you can do it yourself. $500 for an independent shop. But it sounds like you need a water pump, hoses and radiator, still that shouldn't cost anywhere near what you were quoted. I would think $900 for all of that would be fair.
As for the brakes, any repair totaling over $2,000 is probably involving the brake actuator, because pads and rotors shouldn't exceed $1,000-$1,200 if you're having an independent shop do it...and again if you did it yourself it'd run you around $500 for pads and rotors all around.
Shop around and get a second opinion. But I'll tell you what, I'd keep a close eye on oil consumption before I decided on doing any major repairs at that mileage...because if you're burning through a quart every 500-1000 miles? Why bother? You'll be heading into major headaches pretty soon if that's the case.
As for the brakes, any repair totaling over $2,000 is probably involving the brake actuator, because pads and rotors shouldn't exceed $1,000-$1,200 if you're having an independent shop do it...and again if you did it yourself it'd run you around $500 for pads and rotors all around.
Shop around and get a second opinion. But I'll tell you what, I'd keep a close eye on oil consumption before I decided on doing any major repairs at that mileage...because if you're burning through a quart every 500-1000 miles? Why bother? You'll be heading into major headaches pretty soon if that's the case.
12-02-18, 06:03 PM
#7
Well just in case it wasn't clear enough I'll say again -never go back to that dealership. They're simply trying to milk you for money at stupid prices, possibly on some items that don't need replacement. There are plenty of suckers out there who just take their word for it and pay up, don't be one of those. Do research and find yourself a good independent mechanic. If you're not mechanically inclined that's ok, but you should consider reading up on basic automotive mechanical features, brakes for example, to understand how the components work, what parts fail and what typical replacement costs are. Being without this info opens you up to writing blank checks to shops. I'm sure your car at the mileage will have some issues here and there but I wouldn't lose confidence in it. Any vehicle at 147k in front of a hungry service advisor is going to need thousands of dollars of work.
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NotFasty (12-02-18)
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12-02-18, 08:13 PM
#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply and information, I’m not mechanically inclined at all and I’m sure the dealer is taking full advantage of that. I will find an independent mechanic and take it there.
12-02-18, 08:18 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I am so glad I posted on here even if I do seem a little naive about going to the dealer. All the information you have shared with me has been very helpful and I know what I need to do now. I will post results from mechanic after they check it out and let you know what they say. Thank you!
12-02-18, 08:28 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
No oil leak issues or any other leaks, just the noise I heard which is probably the blower the other gentleman mentioned which makes sense and the heater not working. Before that I wasn’t have any problems. The brake pedal when I press on it makes a sound on the inside like an older brake pedal but no issues with the brakes. I am going to have a referred independent mechanic look everything over to get the truth about what is going on and now I know and learned my lesson. I like my car a lot and it still looks great I really am not ready to get rid of it yet. Thank you for your help!
12-02-18, 08:33 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
I have a 2008 LS 460 with 147k miles and was hearing a loud hum type of noise for a little bit. It got louder then went away. I then noticed my heater not working. I took to the dealer and was told the radiator itself is cracked or the hose is. Either way to fix will cost $2800. I was also told the breaks and chassy (?) will also need to be replaced down the road at a much higher cost I believe they said $8K to replace all that after initial 2800 cost. Is this worth fixing and is that common for car at 147K miles? I have no idea what to do? I thought these cars were built to last?
You need to find a good independent mechanic that knows asian cars. Radiator is a $500-700 job. They're talking about control arms for $8k. You can do that job at an independent for $1,500.
It is a car thats built to last, but its 11 years old with 150k miles and its going to need love from time to time. Just DON'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. Mine's 11 months old and has 16k miles on it, and even I don't take it to the dealer unless its a warranty problem.
Independent mechanics you can trust also will tell you what needs to be done now and what can wait.
12-02-18, 09:07 PM
#13
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks SW17LS - so I am guessing when my trunk would not open and they (dealer) had to replace the electrical component of the trunk for $800 I paid too much then?
12-02-18, 09:08 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
12-03-18, 04:39 AM
#15
Pole Position
No oil leak issues or any other leaks, just the noise I heard which is probably the blower the other gentleman mentioned which makes sense and the heater not working. Before that I wasn’t have any problems. The brake pedal when I press on it makes a sound on the inside like an older brake pedal but no issues with the brakes. I am going to have a referred independent mechanic look everything over to get the truth about what is going on and now I know and learned my lesson. I like my car a lot and it still looks great I really am not ready to get rid of it yet. Thank you for your help!