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LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430
View Poll Results: Which car do you think is the best
Lexus LS430
59
63.44%
Mercedes Sclass
20
21.51%
BMW 745
14
15.05%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll

Lexus LS430 vs. Mercedes Sclass vs. BMW 745

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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 12:49 PM
  #1  
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Default Lexus LS430 vs. Mercedes Sclass vs. BMW 745

Which car do you think is better?
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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My friend has the S500 fully loaded....it is an awesome car but only if I have 125k!!!! The seats are not as comfortable as in the LS other than that awesome cars but for the money I'll go for LS anyday.........7 series have too many bugs at the moment and the design of the 7 is way too ugly....

Last edited by pongydoo; Jun 11, 2003 at 01:52 PM.
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 01:42 PM
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S-class looks both gracious and striking... if only it doesn't cost that much, that'd be my pick... I believe reliability is not an issue w/ the Benz, although not quite as reliable as Lexus...

Lexus LS has the best, most comfy seats... it only needs 4.3L to pump out the same hp as the S500... doesn't look as striking as the S-class, but not as UGLY as the 7 series...

7-series... I'm getting used to the rear, but the front is f-ugly... I prefer the previous model anytime, i.e. 740i/il sport edition... now that's an affordable sporty limo (now)... seats are rock hard (sporty ??)... worst on reliability....

I pick the first two anytime....

these are all my personal opinions... you guys may or may not agree with me, that's why we have so many car manufacturers out there with so many car models...

How come Audi A8 is not included in this match ? The new one is really a beautiful car....

Last edited by gewe21; Jun 11, 2003 at 01:43 PM.
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 01:55 PM
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hey everyone,

i currently own an S55.
so i'm biased.... naturally.
but....the S class is the best looking of this group.
the current LS just doesn't have the attractiveness of the previous generations....maybe the next model.
the bmw .....well....it's just ugly.

Last edited by S55inPA; Jun 11, 2003 at 01:56 PM.
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 02:00 PM
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Yes the BMW is ugly as a matter of fact very i think the LS430 is a beatiful looking car it took sometime to get used to but it is elegant and luxurious and the interior is better than any car. The audi a8 doesnt compare to these cars but it is nice. The lexus is the best.
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 02:03 PM
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The lexus is the quietest most comfortable and the most luxurious out of all. The mercedes is nice dont get me wrong but it isnt as manly as the LS unless it has the sport package AMG. No car has the technology of the LS like the electronic gas pedal etc.
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 07:14 PM
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Reliability is my #1 priority so LS430 is my pick.
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 07:47 PM
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For the naturally aspirated V8 models only, Lexus LS430 UL is my pick as the superior overall package.
Lexus don't have super-charged/turbo V8, or V12 models, so one can't really compare the LS430 to the MB S55 AMG,or V12 TT S600
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Old Jun 11, 2003 | 08:07 PM
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hey guys,

there is many ways to look at this topic.
everyone has different opinions in what is a very subjective subject.
i'm a fan of Lexus automobiles but this current generation LS is just lacking
in exterior "presence". i'm not alone in this opinion. many auto magazines
continually comment on the neutral to bland exterior. my point might be proven this fall if the refreshening is more than just that. and by the way the interior was done very
nicely. i am very much looking forward to the next generation. this is just a guess but i have a feeling it will be a drastic improvement over the current model.
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Old Jun 12, 2003 | 10:11 PM
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I think the s class is the best car overall with the sport package appearance making it look less like a yuppie boat. the base ls is kinda bland but the next 2 levels are better and you can hook it up with 18s and make it hot. the bmw is a good car but not in this league luxurywise.
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Old Jun 13, 2003 | 04:13 PM
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You gave us a specific BMW 7-Series, and a specific Lexus LS, why not a specific S-Class

Personally if you get a S55 or 600 its amazing (Mercedes) because you've gotten top of the top. Even if it is a *spluge* or money.

The Lexus IMO lacks in the looks but is the best if your not looking or interested in the S600 or S55. The S500 some can say people only buy for the name. If your looking for reliability, go for Lexus. If your looking for comfort, you shoud've gone for Lexus. Catch my drift? Not that i'm saying the S500 is bad or anything! Also don't tell me bull about the S500 being faster, if you wanted speed you should've woken up and gotten the S55 or S600!

Nice to see you here S55inPA!

The BMW to me looks *okay*. The rear takes a little while getting used to and so do the extremely huge wheel wells that can contain even bigger rims! The front looks cool but i'd still rather take the older 7-Series like other's have said. The Current 745Li is still pretty cool but it's last on the list of these three i'd take. The 760Li is even lower because one only buys that JUST for the name. The power? It's only 438hp and 440lbs torque IIRC. The S600 would be a better choice in this sense because of the massive 500+hp it produces!
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Old Jun 14, 2003 | 09:28 AM
  #12  
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Default hello vraa

hi vraa,

i thought i would check out what's happening on the Lexus boards after shopping for an LS430 for
my mother. in the end she bought a E500. mainly because the LS is going to be touched up
a little for 04 and i wanted her car to be current for a couple of years.
so far my venture into Lexus land has been very cordial!!
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Old Jun 15, 2003 | 04:22 PM
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Like others have echoed, if money is no object, the S55 would be my choice hands down. The AMG line is absolutely amazing. I currently love the new E55, and think it is well worth the $80k price tag. I grew up in a MB family, so I spent my childhood longing to eventually own a MB. And like it or not, the 3-pointed star is a definite statuts symbol.

That being said, the LS430 offers many advantages. I've spent a lot of time driving this car, since my girlfriend owns one. While it may lack the power of the S55 (but what car doesn't?), it definitely holds its own against the S500 and the S430. The interior of the LS is more luxurious and user friendly than the S Class (although the new generation S- Class greatly closed the gap). The Navigation system and ML sound system in the LS is superior to the S-Class. When I looked at the S-Class last fall, the Navigation was still CD-Rom based. The Bose stereo sounded ok, but nothing great. Looks wise, the S-Class is the clear winner IMHO. The LS430 is a bit too conservative for my tastes, while the S-Class (especially w/ the AMG body kit) is stunning.

However, concerning reliability, Lexus is the clear winner. I really hope MB can reverse their recent fall in the JD Powers and Associates ratings. It is this reliability concern that is making me weary of purchasing a MB over another Lexus next year. My Lexus experience has been fantastic over the past 5 years and it's made me a real loyal customer.
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Old Jun 15, 2003 | 08:30 PM
  #14  
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Default Re: Lexus LS430 vs. Mercedes Sclass vs. BMW 745

Originally posted by lexusls430
Which car do you think is better?
The electric smoothness of the LS400, and its legendary reliability still cannot match the solidity, grace and magic of a three-pointed starred MB S-class. Trust me.
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Old Jun 27, 2003 | 01:31 PM
  #15  
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well isnt in the s 430 model of mercedes you have to pay extra for a wood and leather steering wheel and shift ****. that what i think really brings out the appearence of the enterior of the car manily the Lexus LS 430. and in the rear seats in the LS and the S Class, they both have some type of system that u can adjust the temp and change the radio. The S class u have to bend over and change because ins attached to the rear of the center consol. The LS only thing u have to do is flip down the center cup holder thingy to change the temo and radio. and the LS have seat masagers, i dont know if the S Class does or not, but for a car that is OVER $75,000. it should come standard. i dont think it does i think it only comes standard on the S 600, which i think it entirely TO MUCH to pay for a car 125,000?. So in my opinion, i think that the Lexus LS 430 ( Luxury Sedan ) is the best car to buy. i dont know bout the 7 series so i wont even comment on that.

HoLLa

Last edited by titanskj10; Jun 27, 2003 at 01:32 PM.
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