Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Lexus LS 460 AWD

[johngenx]

AMSOIL filters are superb, and don't cost much more than others.  Honestly, adding $5-10 per oil change is peanuts in the cost o operating a car.

[mixmanmash]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

I only use Amsoil synthetic filters or Purolator PureOne filters.

Good choice.  Mobil1 filters are good as well.  Most of the OE filters are very good.  As long as it's not the kind GM is using in the new Corvette. 

[johngenx]

  Most of the OE filters are very good.

That's been changing.  More and more OE filters are crap.

[revalations]

A Grandaddy Lexus is one of my lifetime must haves. I just hope they don't ever go messing with the styling too much. I've always liked its conservative yet stately appearance. I also like it's rarity, seems nobody buys them here, it's all S-Class, Jag, or BMW.

I'd also love to find a low mileage 1998 LS400 in mint condition. 

[EV Dan]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

Ok, so then let's compare the OEM LS 460 filter with that of the S class. My guesstimate is the latter will run you about 5x higher. Just because they'd like more money, not because it costs significantly more to make. Cheaper (in comparison to other luxury makes) parts is another reason why the LS retains it value better.

[mixmanmash]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

Ok, so then let's compare the OEM LS 460 filter with that of the S class. My guesstimate is the latter will run you about 5x higher. Just because they'd like more money, not because it costs significantly more to make. Cheaper (in comparison to other luxury makes) parts is another reason why the LS retains it value better.

Here you go:

Mbonlineparts.com - filter for a 2010 S550 is listed as $16 and goes for $13.60.

Lexuspartsnow.com - filter for a 2010 Lexus is listed as $5.41 and goes for $4.06.

Definitely not the 5x price you claim.  It's not huge dollars to begin with.  And I know the size of the filter on MBs is massive.

The reason the LS retains value isn't parts more so as the overall reliability.

[Northernridge]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

[mixmanmash]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

Agreed. 

[Fobroader]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

Do you mean to tell me that you did not check the specs of your oil filter before buying your car.....tsk tsk.....

[OliverD]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

Or any purchase decision, really.

[Hannibalsmith]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

Lol...they will when the car is 10 - 15 years old

[EV-Light]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

^^^^ totally true...I don't care if I have to pay $50 or $150 for an oil change - honestly, if it's something I love I will go with it.

[mmret]

I'm going to go out on a limb here – oil filter shape, size, relative cost and all other filter attributes don't have much impact on the Lexus LS460 purchase decision.

^^^^ totally true...I don't care if I have to pay $50 or $150 for an oil change - honestly, if it's something I love I will go with it.

And here I am, changing my own oil on the Benz...

[EV Dan]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

Ok, so then let's compare the OEM LS 460 filter with that of the S class. My guesstimate is the latter will run you about 5x higher. Just because they'd like more money, not because it costs significantly more to make. Cheaper (in comparison to other luxury makes) parts is another reason why the LS retains it value better.

Here you go:

Mbonlineparts.com - filter for a 2010 S550 is listed as $16 and goes for $13.60.

Lexuspartsnow.com - filter for a 2010 Lexus is listed as $5.41 and goes for $4.06.

Definitely not the 5x price you claim.  It's not huge dollars to begin with.  And I know the size of the filter on MBs is massive.

The reason the LS retains value isn't parts more so as the overall reliability.

While not 5x, if someone is buying a used out of warranty luxury car they probably would care that the MB parts will cost them A LOT more than the Lexus's. Couple that with higher chance of something constantly acting up with an FGC and we can see why ppl are willing to pay a premium for the Lexus badge.

[mixmanmash]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

Ok, so then let's compare the OEM LS 460 filter with that of the S class. My guesstimate is the latter will run you about 5x higher. Just because they'd like more money, not because it costs significantly more to make. Cheaper (in comparison to other luxury makes) parts is another reason why the LS retains it value better.

Here you go:

Mbonlineparts.com - filter for a 2010 S550 is listed as $16 and goes for $13.60.

Lexuspartsnow.com - filter for a 2010 Lexus is listed as $5.41 and goes for $4.06.

Definitely not the 5x price you claim.  It's not huge dollars to begin with.  And I know the size of the filter on MBs is massive.

The reason the LS retains value isn't parts more so as the overall reliability.

While not 5x, if someone is buying a used out of warranty luxury car they probably would care that the MB parts will cost them A LOT more than the Lexus's. Couple that with higher chance of something constantly acting up with an FGC and we can see why ppl are willing to pay a premium for the Lexus badge.

You know the service intervals are a higher on the MB than the Lexus?  Like double.

And overall parts prices are not more on an average MB than Lexus.  Sure, less likely hood of things going wrong, but not hard to do that when you're keeping with the tried and true powertrain, etc.

My buddies 2000 Celica chewed through a MAF and it was $400.  The MAF for my dad's 2000 ML320 was $350.

[EV-Light]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

Ok, so then let's compare the OEM LS 460 filter with that of the S class. My guesstimate is the latter will run you about 5x higher. Just because they'd like more money, not because it costs significantly more to make. Cheaper (in comparison to other luxury makes) parts is another reason why the LS retains it value better.

Here you go:

Mbonlineparts.com - filter for a 2010 S550 is listed as $16 and goes for $13.60.

Lexuspartsnow.com - filter for a 2010 Lexus is listed as $5.41 and goes for $4.06.

Definitely not the 5x price you claim.  It's not huge dollars to begin with.  And I know the size of the filter on MBs is massive.

The reason the LS retains value isn't parts more so as the overall reliability.

While not 5x, if someone is buying a used out of warranty luxury car they probably would care that the MB parts will cost them A LOT more than the Lexus's. Couple that with higher chance of something constantly acting up with an FGC and we can see why ppl are willing to pay a premium for the Lexus badge.

You know the service intervals are a higher on the MB than the Lexus?  Like double.

And overall parts prices are not more on an average MB than Lexus.  Sure, less likely hood of things going wrong, but not hard to do that when you're keeping with the tried and true powertrain, etc.

My buddies 2000 Celica chewed through a MAF and it was $400.  The MAF for my dad's 2000 ML320 was $350.

I wouldn't be concerned about a MAF going bad...electronics is where my biggest concern would be. Can you imagine if an ABS module goes bad? or the freaking display goes dark? If I am buying used, I'd go straight to Lexus...

[mixmanmash]

^^I wouldn't run a POS $1.78 oil filter on my car..

This. I am talking OEM filters.
I talked to my friend who works for an oil analysis lab.  They also analyze used filters and you would be amazed at the variance in filtration from the cheap units to the OEM or pricier units.

Ok, so then let's compare the OEM LS 460 filter with that of the S class. My guesstimate is the latter will run you about 5x higher. Just because they'd like more money, not because it costs significantly more to make. Cheaper (in comparison to other luxury makes) parts is another reason why the LS retains it value better.

Here you go:

Mbonlineparts.com - filter for a 2010 S550 is listed as $16 and goes for $13.60.

Lexuspartsnow.com - filter for a 2010 Lexus is listed as $5.41 and goes for $4.06.

Definitely not the 5x price you claim.  It's not huge dollars to begin with.  And I know the size of the filter on MBs is massive.

The reason the LS retains value isn't parts more so as the overall reliability.

While not 5x, if someone is buying a used out of warranty luxury car they probably would care that the MB parts will cost them A LOT more than the Lexus's. Couple that with higher chance of something constantly acting up with an FGC and we can see why ppl are willing to pay a premium for the Lexus badge.

You know the service intervals are a higher on the MB than the Lexus?  Like double.

And overall parts prices are not more on an average MB than Lexus.  Sure, less likely hood of things going wrong, but not hard to do that when you're keeping with the tried and true powertrain, etc.

My buddies 2000 Celica chewed through a MAF and it was $400.  The MAF for my dad's 2000 ML320 was $350.

I wouldn't be concerned about a MAF going bad...electronics is where my biggest concern would be. Can you imagine if an ABS module goes bad? or the freaking display goes dark? If I am buying used, I'd go straight to Lexus...

The ABS module is $1577.80 on the Lexus whereas for the MB it is $1232.50.

[johngenx]

I don't think on the Lux-Class cars there is a huge price difference overall in terms of parts.  What matters to me is how many of them I have to replace.  Odds of replacing a bunch of them on the Lexus are statistically lower than other brands.

[mixmanmash]

I don't think on the Lux-Class cars there is a huge price difference overall in terms of parts.  What matters to me is how many of them I have to replace.  Odds of replacing a bunch of them on the Lexus are statistically lower than other brands.

Exactly.  But blindly saying Lexus parts is cheaper than MB isn't quite telling the truth.

[rrocket]

You know the service intervals are a higher on the MB than the Lexus?  Like double.

Since 2010, oil change interval on the LS is 10,000 miles. 


Are you saying the oil change interval on a MB is 20,000 miles??

I'm calling BS on that one....