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Thank you jainla for very infomative respond. I haven't seen L430 on sale that had visible rust but I just thought if there is some hidden problem spots. It's good to hear there isn't any. It feels like these are better build than other cars :D I'm not too worried about power steering pump leak, especially if alternator is not underneath the pump. And I believe your and your mechanic's experiences can be extend to all LS430s. Air suspension is not huge problem to me even it would break, now I know where I can get new or remanufactured air struts and know how much not OEM will cost . I just thought it would be a single most expensive repair to have. I don't really need a new car but I've dreamed to step one class up (I drive 2002 Volvo S80). I have done some research on 7-series, S-class, A8 and LS430, and LS430 is really starting to grow in me, particularly when reading Germans problems and repair bills! 7-series is full all kind of weird stuff especially before 2005 facelift. S-class, like you jainla said, is also problematic and has it own class of cost of ownership. A8 was my favorite choice from germany and I have only heard good from my friend who has driven his 2004 A8 over 4 years. But when I tried his Audi couple weeks ago I wasn't satisfied. It sure is nice fast car and looks still fresh but it didn't feel like top of the line to me. It felt like stretched A4 with some extra gadgets. It was kinda too sporty even suspension on comfort setting and definitely too loud. Quattro was really nice I have to admit that. I'm going to test drive this week Lexus LS430 and I hope it proves to be as smooth, quite and luxurious as I have imagined it to be. I'll let you know how this end up, will I join LS owners or will I put more miles to my Volvo which is nice daily driver.

Thanks for responding! I just read topic here where someone had done conversation to coil springs and was very pleased with the result. That certainly is one option. In your links, btw thank you for those, prices are very reasonable both conversation kits and remanufactured struts. It's good to know which company makes these because I don't trust buying used parts in things like air suspension and ebay is full of used air struts. That isn't really long lasting solution in my opinion. That was totally new for me that power steering pumps still can leak on these, but now I know what to look for and changing pump can be dealt quite easily. One more question. Is there any rust issues? All cars will get salt baths here at every winter and being 10+ year old car that can be problem if car rusts easily. Especially because we have annual quite detailed safety inspections on cars. -Aleksi

Hi I'm new member of Lexusownersclub and i'm maybe looking to buy Lexus LS430 pre 2005. So I've couple questions and I didn't see necessary to open new topic so I ask here. I'm from Finland so every LS430 I've seen in sale are President models, same as yours Ultra Luxury, so all have air suspension. First question. Because repairing air suspension is atleast 1000$/€ per corner, is there any chance to repair the air strut assembly or some part of it or will it always require a whole new air strut? I'm just thinking is there some part that usually fails and it could be fixed. Second question, is there some mileage where some repairs usually accours or should be done? I know timing belt interval, but like when typically air suspension fails or other suspension parts or drivetrain mounts. LS430s i've been looking for have between 90 000 and 110 000 miles, so should some repairs already be done or will something have to be done in near future. I've read that engine and transmission are very realiable and I think there are very few faults overall. Nothing so consistent like LS400's power steering pump leak. Sorry for my English -Aleksi