alui

Hello all,
I am trying to buy a Lexus 430SC with 80,000 miles. The CarFax is clean. But just to be sure, I took it to a Lexus dealer for PPI and was shocked to find out that all the mounts for both the engine and the transmission have collapsed. They need replacement. It is not the cost that concerns me, it is what happened to the car to have all the mounts collapse at only 80K miles? The mechanic that performed the PPI said this is normal. But my wife's Lexus mechanic said otherwise: the car must have been in an accident, especially since it went through an auction before it went to the current use car lot (not Lexus dealer !). And he said that normally mounts don't go out so soon. All my previous cars had over 200K miles and never had mounts issues!

My suspicion is that the user car dealer knows something and is not telling me. What do you guys think? Should I buy this car? It is asking for $24K.

GmanSC

FlopTop04

I have a 2004 SC430. At 120,000 and 12 years use, I replaced all three mounts because of a few issues mentioned on the forum. I don't beat on the SC but I have no problems matting the gas pedal and knocking off a few red-line shifts regularly.. The rear mount was worn but still intact. Both front mounts had slight tears in the rubber near the top but not "collapsed" and not causing any noticeable problems.

I have access to a shop lift, so labor is free. I went with OEM Lexus mounts and the cost was acceptable. The Lexus dealer quote for the mount replacement job was ridiculous, like $1,700.00 in labor using my OEM parts.

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

Engine and Trans. are normal to go bad on the 430sc. I use Megan Racing Engine Mounts and the stock Trans. mount. The Megan Engine mounts are made different. They are the BEST ENGINE MOUNTS GOING.

mrblister

2008 with 80,000 miles should not need mounts. You can run a search of the vin on the lexus owners site and get the service history this car has had. In my opinion I would not consider this car unless the service history shows good

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

mrblister
the rubber in the stock engine mounts are made from a soft rubber and the mounts go bad. the Megan Racing mounts are made from a harder rubber and they don't go bad. if you use the Megans you will see and feel the different believe me. my engine mounts when bad at 73,000 test your mounts open your hood seat in the car step on the brakes then step on the gas if the engine move up the mounts are bad.

mrblister

I guess age is also a factor. I will check mine and see how they are

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

I told you how to check your engine mounts. How did you guy's do. .

DJWLDW

On my son's 2005 SC 430 that I found for him and he bought the motor mounts were found to be torn at 69,234 miles and replaced at the same Lexus dealership the car was serviced at it's entire life. The service history started at 5 miles and went like clockwork until Nov/Dec 2017 at 76,xxx miles on the clock. He bought it from a non Lexus dealership in late May early June with 77,792 miles on the clock. There is no indication that the transmission mount was changed only the 2 motor mounts

Dennis

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

This is why I tell you guy's check your engine mounts the way I told you in this Post.
Get the Megan Racing Mounts the best

Goldwinger

surprise no one commented on the 24k price tag. I bought a clean one owner 07 with 29k for 20k in April. Maybe east coast is cheaper.
Normal for the mounts but should be fixed at sellers expense

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

Goldwinger
if you don't know they are bad you eat it do the check I posted in this post. install mounts not cheap.

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

Did anyone find their engine mounts were bad.

DshngDaryl

Are harder mounts really good for the car? It seems like there always needs to be a little flex.

If you slam on your brakes, isn't it better that the engine can shift a little, instead of slamming to a stop because the mounts don't flex?

I think the megan racing mounts are great, but I kinda think our mounts were designed softer for a reason.

ad5050

I've had all mine replaced. All had collapsed and were causing issues. Replaced at 150k.

We have a Honda van and all mounts have been replaced as well.