ehaze

let my start by saying there has been a Lex in my family since 94, starting with the LS400.

fast forward a decade or so, then I owned a LS460. The LS460 is possibly the biggest letdown of an automobile I've ever owned, ever. The wind noise, the build quality, the fact that it's an inflated Camry, the car sucked. The LS460 was replaced with an E63 Benz, amazing car.

just sold my Audi S4 and still have a Volt (daily driver).

Should I buy an GS350 F-Sport or spend the extra dollar and get into a BMW 550i M-Sport?

(moderator clarification/correction in bold as was originally stated as GS-F but ehaze meant GS350 F-Sport)

metrathon

LS with wind noise? Are you sure you closed your windows?

And then you are comparing the LS with E63? You gotta be trolling.

ehaze

LS460 and wind noise, clearly you don't know what you are talking about.

Looking for input from people that have gone from a LS to GS and can speak to build quality.

2014GS350F

Get the 550 if you want a boring interior design, a car that will more likely have mechanical issues and 25 less hp. Get the GS F if you want cutting edge design, reliability and more power.

ehaze

The GSF makes ~435 hp, with what mods?

2014GS350F

No it's 467hp. So my bad, you'll get 32 more hp with the GS F. 550i is 435hp.

http://www.caranddriver.com/lexus/gs-f

dchar

The 550i has more torque, but it also has a few hundred pounds more weight. I believe the GSF would perform and handle better than the 550i, though. The current generation 5-series has been a major letdown, and should be redesigned soon. I also agree with the statement that the 550i has a boring interior and isn't the most reliable. But if you're expecting the GSF to be as fast as an E63, then you'll be disappointed. Even though it has an F badge, it doesn't really compete with the M5 or E63 AMG or CTS-V. Gotta admit that I was kinda disappointed when they released the specs for the GSF, but now I'm getting a little excited. Should be a great car, and the reviews should be pretty good if they compare it correctly. Maybe Lexus will come out with an even more hardcore version to compete with M and AMG and V.

Kinda surprised you didn't like the LS460, since many members on here drool about it. Was it a current generation LS460? Also wondering, why are you getting rid of the E63 if you like it so much and stepping into something cheaper and slower?

RNM GS3

550i will be much faster and mod friendly.

GSF is more special and should be more fun to drive.

I would get GSF as current 5 series is due for a change by 2017.

SW17LS

I think when the OP is saying "GS-F" he means a GS F Sport not an actual GS-F. That explains his comments about power and his comments about "paying more" to get into a 550.

As for the OP's issue with the LS, he must have had an early build LS460. Those issues have been addressed. In fact, I just test drove a 2015 LS460 and found it incredibly well built, no wind noise, etc.

My GS has 39k miles on it and has been excellent, no issues, very well built.

jcochong37

Let us not forget BMW greatly underrates their HP.

GS350 is my first Lexus. Had 2 BMWs prior. Seems to me the biggest selling point for Lexus is reliability.

If all luxury brands had the same impeccable reliability, would your first pick be Lexus?

SW17LS

For me the issue isn't reliability, I lease so for the most part, everything will be reliable enough for 3 years. For me the issue is mainly pricing and packaging. To get features I am used to and want (such as...ventillated seats) requires huge options on say a BMW, MB or Audi, making them considerably more than a Lexus.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

I think GS F will be more expensive than a 550i for sure.

BTW early built LS460 does have wind noise issue.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

sounds like you have zero idea what you are talking about. while not on every car, considerable number of LS had serious wind noise issues. the problem was especially serious in the first year (2007), but even on 2008 or 2009 i have seen the problem. actually one of the highly respected members in our ls460 forum pinpointed the problem and fixed the issue.

for OP, it's a tougher call between 550i m sport vs gs f. first of all, how do you know the 550 will be more money? i think the gsf (loaded) is going to be around 85k, but that's just my guess since lexus hasn't released info. i would think the 550 is just priced very similarly so i think the price difference is relatively minimal

power wise, on paper the 550 is less but like others said, the turbo gives it more tq at low rpm, plus if you are into mods, a quick tune and the 550 will gain noticeable power, whereas nothing comes easy on the gsf.

exterior and interior look is subjective so i will leave that to you. i personally quite like the f10 interior, comparing to the gs interior i have both have pros and cons. but i don't like the extensive use of suede in the gsf, plus the steering wheel looks out of place.

i think the 550i m sport will ride more luxurious than the gsf given their different aspects. gsf probably has better brakes.

are you going to buy or lease? if you are buying, i think the gsf will give you better residual down the road, especially the car is somewhat limited. if you are going to lease? depending on the time but my guess is you can get better deals on the 550

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Letdown = the realization that one's expectations are above and beyond the reality of the matter.


In other words, any product (such as the LS or GSF) will be a letdown only if you wish it was something that it wasn't.


If you want the GS-F to be better than the M5 or E-Class AMG, it'll be a letdown. If you want the GSF because it's a GSF, it won't be.

S2000toIS350

The tough thing here is the fact that the current cars in this category are so monsterous.

My previous boss is a swap a lease junky. He just got rid of a 14 M5 three pedal car in favor of an E63S (he really wanted AWD). Both of these cars have the insane button on on the time.

The GS F will be the best GS yet, but it really won't be on an equal footing in terms of performance as the rockets mentioned above.