HKGS300

I thought it would be nice to see the test results of AutoBild, one of Germany leading car magazines. (Oct 01)

Cars in test (all AT):
BMW 540i
Lexus GS430
Mercedes E430 (the old version)
VW Passat W8

According to them the acceleration ( 0 - 100 km/h, 0 - 130 km/h) for the BMW, Lexus and Benz are very close. In real life the differences are neglectible. (AutoBild award them the same no of points)

HKGS300

The sprint from 60 - 100 km/h and 80 - 100 km/h is another close call.

HKGS300

Power and torque curve comparison.

Note that the BMW torque and power curve is a bit higher than the Lex.

HKGS300

Brake distance and the famous Elk test.

As we all know the Lexus brakes are one of the best in its class and has the shortest brake distance of the 4 competing cars.

The Elk test tries to simulate what will happen if you suddenly need to avoid something on the road.
Autobild states that due to the poor steering response and a lot of carbody movement, the Lex is lagging the rest of the pack.

HKGS300

The dimensions of the four cars.

HKGS300

Finally, the test figures.
Don't be disappointed that the GS430 ended on place four. Just look at the points and then it becomes clear that the GS430 loses on:
1. Cost (in Europe/Germany) the Lexus GS430 is almost as expensive as the BMW540i or Mercedes E430.
Also, since Lexus still does not have a high awareness/ image, depreciation is very high. Also, due to the low no of cars also maintenance cost is high.
Basically, I believe that in the US this could be the opposite, and thus irrevelant.

2. Handling. Steering and suspension is considered by AutoBild as relatively weak. Since a lot of the people of this board spend a lot of effort in getting better shocks/springs, swaybars, ...., I believe that you are taking care of this originalweakness of the GS430.

Basically, I do not think that the GS430 did that bad in this German test, and the huge price difference in the USA should be more than enough to cover enough mods to overcome the handling weakness and convert it into the Winner.

You can find the review at: http://www.autobild.de/suche/artikel...175b08c1887f56

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Thanks very much for sharing. I think you included the wrong image for the Elk test by the way.

What I'm struck by is how SIMILAR the results are. I noticed on dimensions that they're very similar except headroom is less on the 540i and the trunk space on the VW is pathetic.

The article also confirms what we know - the stock suspension and steering on the GS just isn't competitive. I learned that about a week after I owned the car (wasn't clear in my test drive) and got into mods for the first time.

Shoofin'GS

Why did they use the last gen E class though?
Ed

doug_999

Hmmm - as pointed out, the interior space (with the exception of front seat head room) seems to be a little bigger in the BMW! I sure did take a lot of flak on another thread for saying my old 540 felt similar in interior size (front seat room) to the GS. Then it was pointed out that per the EPA the 540 was much smaller. Hmmmm..... What do you think Ron430? Maybe cause it was a German test they lie? Or is the EPA wrong?

Ron - here is the link to your post where you state you can tell the difference between 93 cu. ft and 100 cu. ft.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...5&pagenumber=6

So my question is, have you ever sat in a 5-series? Because if indeed there is a 7 cu ft. interiior space difference, I need you to point out where that 7 cu. ft is - oh and how you "felt it".

I'll take the apology in writing please

PS - go sit in a 3-series and then a 5 and tell me if it feels like 2 cu ft. of difference there too (hint, the 5 is a lot bigger).

HKGS300

Sorry for posting the wrong pic in my earlier post. Well this is the missing pic.
Autobild test confirms that the GS430 brakes are one of the best.
The first bar is with cold brakes.
Second bar is with warm brakes.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

No problem. I think if you edit the post you can replace the attachment.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Interesting to see the BMW was REAL BAD when its brakes were cold.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i thought that's the case for performance brakes?

axel

In the Comfort / Noise (Gerausche) rating they give the GS the lowest rating of the group - 10 out of 15. If a Lexus is a 10, what would be a 15???

ChrisK

iTrader: (1)

doug_999,

For your information, even my wife noticed that 540i is smaller inside than GS400, after driving our friend's 540i. Actually, she started the conversation on the way home, which is funny on its own since she doesn't like to talk about cars. And yes, you should feel bad, because if she has noticed the difference, and you cannot, you have serious issues.