I hate my girlfriend, because i love my car.

[VCheng]

is this a joke? the LS430 steals a lot of cues from the German manufacturers...those headlights came right off the last gen W220 chassis S-class

The LS430 is a better car than the S-class. Simple fact.

the new Lexus are definitely refined though -- and unlike Audis and BMWs, you dont get raped by major depreciation. They tend to hold their value pretty well, like the flagship Benzes

Flagship Benzes have HORRIBLE depreciation for a good reason, just like the rest of the high end German models: They are prone to breaking down, and horribly expensive to fix.

if you want a purely highway cruiser car with straight line acceleration you will go for the S63 AMG. We could talk Rolls and Bentleys too, but lets not get carried away too much.

Nope, the LS430 is better than the S63, Rolls or Bentley as a pure highway cruiser on a US interstate. Those are mere niche vehicles, for a different clientele, who would not be traveling long distances on the highway in the US anyway.

p.s. the LS430 is obsolete, they dont make em anymore. Now they make the LS460

Yes, I know that, but the LS460 is a different vehicle in philosophy of design: It is firmer and noisier, and is better is some aspects, but the old LS430 is still a better highway cruiser.

With cars, I know of what I speak.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

The LS430 is a better car than the S-class. Simple fact.

the w220 chassis S-classes were the worst cars made; they were being made around the same time that Daimler-Benz AG merged with Chrysler corp; meaning that some components for the trannys and cosmetic things were coming from Chryslers......Some Benzes were being manufactured in redneck Alabama. Reliability became an issue, there were many recalls...the Airmatic self-adjusting suspension was also a huge disaster on those cars --as you probably know

but even with that said, any sane person would take the S-class over the LS430. You'll have a tough time trying to ''sell'' to me the idea that the LS430 is a ''better'' car

Flagship Benzes have HORRIBLE depreciation for a good reason

not really, dude...

they dont depreciate at a rate even REMOTELY close to Bimmers or Audis.....a 4 year old S-class will still set you back over $80 grand. And you sure get a lot more features, luxury and performance than you would from some beefed up flagship Toyota.

, just like the rest of the high end German models: They are prone to breaking down, and horribly expensive to fix.

that's b/c they make them that way...a good chunk of their revenue comes from after-sales service. I have enough tools in my garage to disassemble pretty much any car; but some of the bolts, bushings, and other components on these German cars --only the dealerships have the tools. You can't even drop the oil pan on the new S-classes; they use high pressure hoses. The tranny oil (which you should never really ever have to replace) can only be found through the dealer ---not something you can get at Walmart. When push comes to shove, when you drive any flagship car --you should be prepared to spend a lot just for maintenance and wear-n-tear. Even a new window regulator/motor would cost $200+ just for the part.

that's how they make their money!

Nope, the LS430 is better than the S63

i dont know what you smoke, dude....but whatever it is, i'd love to sample on it.

Yes, I know that, but the LS460 is a different vehicle in philosophy of design: It is firmer and noisier, and is better is some aspects, but the old LS430 is still a better highway cruiser.

the 430 is more subtle...but it sure isnt quieter....the drivetrain on the 460 is much superior. All in all, i'll gladly take the new 460 over the 430


most 430s i see are driven by old, senile farts going 45mph in 65 mph zone. But everything is relative. I'll take a 430 over an Acura RL or even the M45 Infinity

With cars, I know of what I speak.

i really hate to sound like a prick, dude....but when it comes to cars i'll probably know more than majority of the people on here

i spend 1/6 of my day (every day) working on them.....i prefer to get my hands dirty than make these mechanics (looters, losers) rich.

 

[VCheng]

.......................but when it comes to cars i'll probably know more than majority of the people on here

i spend 1/6 of my day (every day) working on them.....i prefer to get my hands dirty than make these mechanics (looters, losers) rich.

You should know by now I am no "majority".

My LS is driven quite quickly.

The mystique of the German marques was made back in the day when they were all mechanical. Nowadays, they mere licenses to rape your wallet, over and over again.

I would take a classic Merc over any car made today, but of the ones made today, Germans are disasters-in-waiting.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

well most car enthusiasts and in fact influential followers at Motor Trend & Car and Driver fundamentally disagree.

as for classic Benzes --i couldnt agree with you more. I'm obsessed with them, i own one too. It's my project.

 

[VCheng]

well most car enthusiasts and in fact influential followers at Motor Trend & Car and Driver fundamentally disagree.

as for classic Benzes --i couldnt agree with you more. I'm obsessed with them, i own one too. It's my project.

LOL! Those journals are no more than ad copy! Only morons form their opinions based on those rags. (No offence intended.)

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

none taken! i form a good bulk of my opinion by working hands-on with cars.....and in the past one year alone that's a lot of cars.


(even an LS430 like yours-- one which needed a new timing belt at 90.000 miles)

 

[VCheng]

none taken! i form a good bulk of my opinion by working hands-on with cars.....and in the past one year alone that's a lot of cars.


(even an LS430 like yours-- one which needed a new timing belt at 90.000 miles)

Hands-on is the only way to work.


A question:

You said above "i prefer to get my hands dirty than make these mechanics (looters, losers) rich." Do you count BMW/Mercedes dealers as looter/losers, or do you make an exception to this statement to buy their newer cars and then pay through the nose to service them?

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

losers, no....looters, well yes. You pay a premium and get a fine product; a horrible investment (in terms of monetary returns) but a good investment in the sense that these are flagship cars that are a joy to drive

(more than i could afford)


Until the day comes that I can walk into a fancy Benzo dealership -wearing three-piece suit and with a smug look on my face --and buy a black on black SL or CLS -----I'm a firm believer in buying mildly used; or even 2 year lease.

even now, that's a stretch.

I'm on my own financially, i pay for my grad school and that alone is an arm and a leg. Huge sums of disposable income are not something i have. That's why i work 2 jobs.

 

[VCheng]

losers, no....looters, well yes. You pay a premium and get a fine product; a horrible investment (in terms of monetary returns) but a good investment in the sense that these are flagship cars that are a joy to drive

(more than i could afford)


Until the day comes that I can walk into a fancy Benzo dealership -wearing three-piece suit and with a smug look on my face --and buy a black on black SL or CLS -----I'm a firm believer in buying mildly used; or even 2 year lease.

even now, that's a stretch.

I'm on my own financially, i pay for my grad school and that alone is an arm and a leg. Huge sums of disposable income are not something i have. That's why i work 2 jobs.

Been there, done that.

Keep at it and one day you will walk into that dealership soon. I wish you luck, and I respect you for your hard work and honesty. We will meet up before you finish your MBA.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Inshallah.

thanks for the kind words. . .

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

Ask the car guy please----benz are not the best handling cars---for performance and handling----you either get an Audi quattro or an Acura SH-AWD. The S class benz are like cruise ships---will give you sea sickness---the BMW's are very poor in quality---worse than any german car----.

Smart people lease these cars new-----they are not worth buying----.

Performance and handling---drive the Acura TL SH-AWD------or the Audi S4----

 

[VCheng]

Hi,

Ask the car guy please----benz are not the best handling cars---for performance and handling----you either get an Audi quattro or an Acura SH-AWD. The S class benz are like cruise ships---will give you sea sickness---the BMW's are very poor in quality---worse than any german car----.

Smart people lease these cars new-----they are not worth buying----.

Performance and handling---drive the Acura TL SH-AWD------or the Audi S4----

Except that the current Acura has a hideous parrot-beak, and Audis are great until the turbos fail.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Benz wont give you sea-sickness; but yea it's a boat. A new S600 is not a car you'll autocross;

in your case Mastan, it's a car you'd drive down beverly boulevard in California --the windows down -- hollering at cute girls

Acura TL aint bad. Buddy of mine let me have a run with his '04 TL. 6 speed, navigation, exhaust/headers/intake and a 75 shot nitrous kit

ran 13 seconds; a reasonably quick car

I like the Acuras, too bad the brand never made it to Pakistan.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Except that the current Acura has a hideous parrot-beak, and Audis are great until the turbos fail.

Audis and Range Rovers have a common theme --- after 75,000 miles or so they will develop electrical and mechanical problems

everything from mass air flow sensor to tranny problems....


as i said earlier -- Audis are the worst cars for depreciation. It makes no sense at all to buy one new --at least in America. Unless you're getting an S8 or R8 or something very flagship like that.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

AHHHHH YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS...................... ...........

after a manually intensive weekend (morning till night Saturday & Sunday) the Turbo Integra is up and running. . .

still trying to do some fine-tuning, but it's basically ready for the street/track......my buddy and I put a LOTT of time and resources into this project. All it really needs now is electric power-steering --which will be swapped in from junked Toyota MR2 (compatible system @ reasonable cost)


the mods:

Block:

AEBS Sleeved 2.0L block
CP Pistons
Eagle H-beam rods

Head:

Type-R cams
dual valve springs
titanium retainers

Edelbrock Victor X intake manifold
65mm throttle body
1000cc injectors
Walbro fuel pump (a must have)

T67 Turbo + kit
Inline-Pro racing manifold
3" exhaust with catback


it's fast, and without power steering --it's quite possibly one of the scariest to drive @ top-end. The tires spin through till 3rd gear in this chilly weather ---traction is non-existent on street tires



a few pics (before and after painting & swapping the motor, putting in the parts)

video of the "first start" + a couple runs (one last night, a few earlier today):

and now, i will catch up on some sleep.....