I have both. The 01 LS430 has 415k kms (250k +miles) and the 07 LS460 has only 75k kms on it. I honestly think the 430 will outlast the 460. It just keeps going. Old school reliability vs techno wonder to keep up with the Germans. 460 is still a great drive nonetheless with it's nearly 60 onboard computers.

The other day I bought a very cheap 95 1st gen GS (Japanese Aristo) as a project car and amazingly the dash and suspension are all original and in great condition. Go figure

 

Owned before 2002 LS 430, was a great car with no issues what so ever, sold at 83,000 miles 11 years ago, it was smooth, very reliable and joy to drive.

Just bought last week 2013 LS 460 and it is in a different league all together, much better looks, as smooth as the LS 430, better handling for sure, more power, better seats, better interior material and finishing, better ML sound system and understandably much better tech.

I cannot comment on reliability of the LS 460 yet, but given the choice, I would always go for the newest car possible.

 

I think one thing you have to understand is that these cars are old now (assuming you're looking at an older LS460) and how they were cared for makes a huge difference in how they feel today. Your 430 may ride great and feel great, and if you get into a 460 that hasnt been as well cared for it may fall short and you equate that to "the 430 is better". Well, if you compared a well cared for 460 to a poorly cared for 430 you would feel differently.

From a ride and drive perspective, they are VERY similar. Having had an LS400, and LS430 and two LS460s all bought new I can tell you by and large, they feel very similar, ride very similar, they're all extremely quiet. Very well made. The 460 (and the 400) are a little more dynamic than the 430, which is kind of a pig. Ridewise, very similar. An LS430 on 17s (or certainly on 16s) will ride better than an LS460 on 19s (or an LS430 on 18s). LS460Ls ride better than LS460s, and air ride cars ride better than coil spring cars. If all the seals and such are sealing properly than LS460s are just as quiet as LS430s or LS400s, but again age and care plays a huge role there. Switchgear is all high quality and very similar.

From a looks perspective, IMHO the LS460 of all refresh generations is much better looking than an LS430, especially an 01-03 LS430 which I really don't care for.

 

Buicks are also very quiet...

 

I have both 430 and 460 on my front porch.

The 460 looks more modern, sportier feel, smaller steering wheel.
It feels like a BMW inside. The body feels rigid. Like you are inside a hollow ball of strong steel shell.

The 430 has got the dated large window looks. The body from inside feels like an old Benz. Like you are inside a solid lead ball with space carved out to fit your body. The 430 powertrain is not as eager and powerful as the 460 but feels more refined and super silky.

Overall, the 430 feels very well damped and isolated from harshness like the whole system is operating in viscous oil.

To me the 430 is still the ultimate car to waft in.

 

I believe the 430 uses a timing belt while the 460 uses a chain. How does that extra maint cost affect overall ownership, or is that basically a non-issue?

Thanks,

 

Its $1,500 in expense every 90k miles you dont have to do on the 460...

 

I've bought new LS400, LS430, LS460

LS 460 - newer model - hands down.

 

Like above it can be expensive but it's also good in that unlike a chain car your timing gear will never wear out since it's always being renewed. Chain cars usually go from 200k-350k before the guides are worn and need to torn down due to noise

Job really only costs $140 and 3 hours of time and again I don't really care about the engines since nether are powerful

 

Modern timing chain systems can go much longer than that without having to be torn down.

 

Unless you have a GM 3.6L engine I certainly hope my LS 460 is good for 200k miles. I dumped my Cadillac before it fell apart under me.

 

In theory sure in Ford/GM reality no. I've done far too many to count with the 3.6 and 5.4 being the kings

 

We don’t have engines made by Ford or GM...

 

True but idiot owners can and have killed 3UR engines in trucks from the above problem so if the engine had guides and oil based tensioners it will fail at some point so I again see it as a wash. The only engines that don't have any wear in the cam driving system that I've seen are gear drive diesels. All the others even GM V8s eventually have some issues.

Point of me asking this thread was not about the engines though since I can fix both and nether are powerful enough vs the other to sway me. I'm more concerned about the rest of the car. Going to be driving a 460 once my dealer gets a used on in, I'm hoping it will impress

 

Timing belt change is not frequent.
Also if you’re adept, you can diy as it is right up front and accessible.