My folks bought a '91 LS400 to replace their '81 300SD. They still drivie it, and love it. I have to admit, from a trouble perspective, it has been a gem for them, but then, they do take care of their cars.

We test drove a 300SE and a 420SEL back-to-back against the Lexus, but the Lexus won in standard equipment, handling, performance, economy, and bottom-line. By 1991, unless you were a die-hard 126 fan like many here are, the Mercs were expensive old news.

I still drive a 123 because of how it is built, and I like the older handling characteristics, the comparatively ponderous steering, the *lack* of ABS, and the thrum of the 5-cyl diesel engine at speed. My parents bought a Lexus to replace a car that had those characteristics with something newer, somewhat more luxurious, and a good value for their dollar.

To me, the Lexus handles like a big Camry, in that it is *too* isolated for my liking. I like knowing that my engine is running, and I like to feel the road through the steering wheel, and not the "drive-by-wire" sensation that the Lexus gives. If it's what you like and what you wanted, congratulations and I hope it treats you very well!

-Reed
'84 300D/T
'70 BMW 2800

PS - Timing belt change on theirs was $450.

As for the timeing belt.Anyone wanting 3oo0 to do the job is some sort of jackleg that dosnt know what they are doing.When A DC>area lexus dealer will do the belt for 450.00 including parts,it cant be much of a job.As far as parts prices go.The only reason some Mercedes parts are not to high,is because of strongaftermarket compitition.I have noticed that parts for mercedes that are hard to find on the aftermarket,are very high at the mercedes dealers.This is not knocking.Them,They are just getting as much as the traffic and computition dictates.As for the comment lumping the Lexus with American luxury cars.May I politly suggest that you dont know what your talking about.Domestic large cars are floaters.That is what their customers want.At 100mph I find the lexus stable.I have not tried its 150 top speed because of a need to keep my license.I just got back from throwing it around a back road terrific handling.And I used to race.

Well, I've driven both W126 and Lexus LS400 (a 1996 "2nd generation" model). Although I've spent immeasurable hours behind the helm of a W126 and maybe 15 minutes behind the wheel of a friend's father's LS400 on two-lane highway, I find the decade-older MB design to have better road feel and chassis dynamics, in comparison to the Lexus, which felt more like an early Nineties Cadillac Seville (grandpa has one).

Those were my impressions.

-Sam

And here's a thread regarding lexus that was discussed a while back in Featured Cars. Might be interesting reading for y'all.

Lexus vs MB

-Sam

Um my OLD 1990 300 TE 160K
$2000 A/C
$1250 in head gasket and valve job (it's leaking agian to.)
$600 Radiator and some other cooling stuff (neck broke)
$2600 is CV's and other "rear end stuff"
and many many more.

1992 Lexus GS 400 112000 Miles

brakes and rotors $600.00


How much does it cost for a timing chain on a W126?

Why rip on a guy when he gets a new car?

If a Lexus were on the autobahn I am sure it would do just fine at least you would be able to see if its raining!

The most expensive Toyota? Who makes the PT cruiser? What is the most expensive VW? Heck what the most expensive Fiat? And what is the most expensive Ford? the list goes on.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mbz380se
[B] Well, I've driven both W126 and Lexus LS400 (a 1996 "2nd generation" model). Although I've spent immeasurable hours behind the helm of a W126 and maybe 15 minutes behind the wheel of a friend's father's LS400 on two-lane highway, I find the decade-older MB design to have better road feel and chassis dynamics, in comparison to the Lexus, which felt more like an early Nineties Cadillac Seville (grandpa has one).

Those were my impressions.

-Sam

Getting to know a car in 15 minutes on a two-lane highway IALMAO
Thank god your not an impressionist

I traded my MB for a Lexus

1992 Lexus GS 400?

Excuse me?

The Lexus GS series came out in 1993. One model was offered, the 3.0 liter Lexus GS 300.

In 1998, the line was redesigned, and the Lexus GS 400 came out, sporting a 4.0 liter V8.

There was never a GS 300 in 1992, let alone a GS 400.

And my disclaimer about the Lexus LS 400, NOT GS 400, was that I had driven it briefly and found nothing too special about its driving characteristics over a W126 Mercedes-Benz.

I'm not going to dignify that statement with a rebuttal.

-Sam

Speaking of Lexus... my dad used to have two Toyota Crowns.

The first was an old '89 Royal Saloon I-6 2.0l 5-speed stick. That car is a money pit now. It's now my uncle's. He owned a W123 280 - (with the dual carbs I believe) and yet he still thinks that the Toyota is more expensive to maintain (he takes it to the dealer where he gets tremendous discounts from connections).

However... a couple of years ago it was an amazing amazing sedan. It's very soft and the handling is totally uninspiring. But, it was comfortable and full of gadgets. The stereo sounded good with its cool LCD Double DIN Alpine head unit. The rear seats move forward and back (amazing in Indonesian-spec cars..), etc.

The coolest thing about it (pun intended) was the Air conditioning. That thing would blow soo cold every single day (it's always 90+ and humid in Jakarta).

Until now I have never been in a car with a colder A/C.

The car was maintained religiously though... anything that broke was fixed by the biggest Toyota dealer in the country for free

The other was a '96 Royal Saloon Auto had a 3.0L I-6 putting out 222hp. That thing was fast with its rather light body. The A/C wasn't anything special.

I must admit.. both of them were more comfortable than the W124 that we have. But, we still love the W124 more obviously the Benz is the keeper.

__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Sorry about the typo, I also might add it was that same car that my wife escaped a 55 mph head on collision unhurt.

My mother drives a 93' LS400 with 172k miles daily. She bought it in 9/95 with 15k on it for $33k. It has been relatively troublefree. She got caught out of town with a bad power steering pump and that set her back a cool $1000 at Lexus. Everything else has been done at the TOYOTA dealership. NOT Lexus. They charge half as much for servicing the car. It has just had its second timing belt, plugs, wires, oil, tranny service and rear pads for $950. Not bad compared to about $2000 at Lexus. Has been a good car. The LCD for the climate control is blurry now and it is $1200 to replace. I think she will wait on that one. Everything still works on the car except the antenna.

The 02' SC430 her hubby drives does go to the Lexus dealership for service but it only has 6k and that will end as soon as the newness/warranty wears off.

Her 00' CLK320 Cab goes to MB, but hey! its free! 26k miles and only 2 oil changes. Love those synthetics!

Good Luck,

__________________
Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

Tkamiya.You hit the nail on the head.I posted asking for club recs and parts recs.I have owned Mercedes before a lot of these members were born.I dont dump on anyones choice.I was supprised at the rabid response from a couple of people.Little fact, just a visarle response.Excuse the spelling This spell check dosnt work with my system.I have tried to help people when I could on this site.I have also flipped out once and awhile at some statement.But I have never dumped on someone who just got a new car to them.The audacity of one writer,to tell me to get rid of it and buy another Mercedes.If I may be so bold,I will make my own decisions on what my money buys,Michael Rybikowsky.

Regarding the timing belt issue, my girlfriend's 91 Lexus LS 400 with 98,000 miles got stranded in the freeway a few nights ago because of a broken timing belt. I towed it to my house and next day I proceeded to change the timing belt. What I found out was that the water pump had ceased and as a result the timing belt which also rotated the ceased water pump broke. Furthermore, in the process of braking, it also took one of the upper timing belt pulleys with it. Cost for the parts was ridiculous, i am glad I have a commercial account with a parts shop and get them at cost prices. Total job took about 6 hours. Many things have to come out including in my case, the water pump. Normally for only a timing belt change the water pump would not have to come out though.

This particular car unfortunately has been giving us a lot of problems since we bought it. A few months ago the rear main oil seal had to be changed. I did not have the time to do it myself so we took it to the cheapest independent we could find and the cost of labor was "only" $700 plus the seal. The independent told us that you can actually save a bit of money buying parts for Toyota Camry as many of them are common. That is what he did with the main seal.

Overall we are unhappy with the car, like I said it is giving us problems at least once a month, but maybe it is just us.

Yup, those were my sentiments.

Why not get a nice 400E or E420?

-Sam

Sam you are an ass.The post about timeing chain water pump,etc.That car was bought used.Only god knows what miles it really had on it.I suggest you go to the lexus site and read what they have to say.I found especially interesting the comments of a mercedes mechanic.Sam I try to be polite.You have pushed me over the edge.You pontificate from ignorance.May I suggest you osculate my czarist postireor.

How about doing a search for lexus on this site and reading the comments that come up?

Might be kind of interesting (I know I found some interesting issues).

Lexus driver

Lexus = Mercedes Wanna Be

Oh yeah, looked on the lexus site. Found lots of discussion about body kits, etc. Kind of like DTMPower, a "fast and the furious" import tuning site. Not surprised.

-Sam

What if we have lexus and treat them like our Mercedes ,do you think they will last?