Beschreibung
2003 Lexus LS 430 in Mystic Gold Metallic with beige leather interior, 144k miles, MOT to Sept 2022.
Full service just performed, including engine oil & filter, differential oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Also fitted new (Lexus) wipers and 4x new tyres - Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 (DOT manufacture date 3721)
Part service history: 6x Lexus dealer stamps 2003-2008, independent stamp 2010 then 6x independent stamps 2015-2020 with comprehensive invoicing including replacement cambelt, water pump, aux belt, radiator, thermostat, and battery. Cambelt change next due in just under 4 years or 70k miles.
Purchased May 2021 on 140k miles to scratch an itch as I'd always fancied one. In that time I've fixed the few electrics which weren't working, refurbished the wheels (albeit one now has minor cosmetic blemishes), replaced the front lower arm rear bushes (2020 MOT advisory) and the rear brake shoes. Additionally I replaced the N/ S/ R door window glass as it was clouding due to de-lamination (a common issue, the O/ S/ R starting to show the same and I have replacement glass not yet fitted).
Unsurprisingly given their reputation, it drives beautifully for the age/ mileage with a wonderfully smooth engine and gearbox, a surfeit of refined V8 power and amazing NVH levels. The engine and gearbox feel bullet proof, all of the electrics work and the air conditioning is ice cold. The air suspension works as expected and does not suffer any obvious sink when parked for extended periods.
Note being the subjectively uglier pre-facelift model means it benefits from the more reliable 5-speed auto box (the 6-speed on the facelift has known issues).
Bad points
- very small bubbling patch in the paint on the passenger door (just above the chrome strip) and some rust on the underside of the sunroof frame (common issue, but it fully works and doesn't leak)
- paintwork I would class as average on the bodywork to poor overall due primarily to the front and rear bumpers being awash with poorly executed touch-up paint plus the rear bumper has some creasing (lots of cars currently being broken for parts so worth looking out for replacements)
- pinhead dent in the front passenger door
- front parking sensors occasionally misbehave with false positive (but can be turned off)
- occasional slight rattle from the underside (only audible from outside the car), sounds like something loose on the exhaust
- windscreen has a couple of chips and some scratches (though not flagged on the MOT)
The interior in overall good condition for its age, expected creasing to the leather on the driver's seat but no tears and all is intact aside from a small hole in the rear seat base where a child isofox seat latch went through the soft perforated leather (much to my annoyance).
The car has all the toys you expect and some you might not; soft-close doors, oscilating front air vents, heated and cooled front seats, rear heated massage seats which electrically recline, keyless entry/ start, and it's got an aftermarket bluetooth system profesionally installed.
Two keys are present, both of which work with the keyless entry/ start. I also have a spare set of wheels with budget tyres I'd be happy to include if desired (albeit the wheels are in a very poor state cosmetically, but could be useful for winter use).
The reason for sale? Much as I adore driving this (the effortlessness and waft are simply magnificent) I've recently added another older saloon car to the fleet which is a bit of a project and simply now have too many cars than is sensible! I'll certainly miss it and honestly think the LS430 might just be the best value car you can buy today.
