SW17LS

I've owned both, and that's true yet not true.

Yes the GS Is sprung firmer but it actually rides better at speed. The ride is flatter and feels more solid, more similar to the LS. The ES is more cushioned at low speeds over bumps and speed bumps, driveway aprons, etc. It rides well but it's not a very sophisticated ride. It sort of rides like a Buick. At speed it's vague and loose.

And my GS was firmer than the 3GS.

The BMW 5 Series is actually a very smooth riding car.

I was surprised how much I liked how my GS rode.

Blueshark

So, i will not loose much in the comfort side for the GS ?

SW17LS

No, I would t worry about that at all. If we were talking about the IS it would be another story.

I missed absolutely nothing about the ES.

LexBob2

Have you driven a GS yet? You really need to personally drive one to know if one is right for you vs. the ES.

Blueshark

You are right, yes i did last year while searching, dont really remember the feeling. I'm pooling here to have a group consensus so i didn't miss anything individually and for the initial question that i had, which is the reliability.

But, i'm getting some good feeling that it is a good upgrade if i don't go with something that i know already, which is a newer ES.

SW17LS

Once you move out of the ES to the better cars it's hard to go back to the ES. It's a good car, but it lacks that special something that the better cars have.

OceanView

So if someone wanted a GS, which years are the best for reliability? 08-12 ?

SW17LS

There was no 2012. Definitely avoid the 06, I would try and get a 10-11. The car had a VERY minor refresh in 2008. 2007 was the first year of the 350.

Ideally try and get a 2013. Huge difference between a 4GS and a 3GS. The GS doesn't hold its value like the ES r LS, so you can get a nice 2013 for low to mid 30s.

Blueshark

I wonder if the GS forum members would agree of your conversation ? Would this be a logical may to think, that the latest previous generation is better than the youngest newer generation or it is more complicated than that.

SW17LS

The new 4GS is a huge improvement from driving dynamics, ride, quality, etc. Lots of people have upgraded from the 3-4 GS, and all of the issues with the 3GS in terms of rattles, etc seem to be sorted out in the 4GS.

ESh

That's true. But that car goes over 25000 used.

SW17LS

It does, that's why I said if you can stretch to go that route I would.

Aron9000

Or just buy the best 2002-2005 GS430 you can find with low miles. IMO its a much better built car than the 3rd gen GS. Things like bluetooth calling and an aux input for your mp3's can be added pretty easily for less than $800.

Just because something is "old" doesn't mean it isn't bulletproof reliable. Just look for a low mile, garage kept, always maintained(with receipts) car. I've had my 1992 SC300 for 4 years now, driven it from 60k to 91k, in that time I've had to recharge the a/c and replace the clutch hydraulics for a total of $500. These older model Lexus cars, IMO if you take care of them they are probably the best built cars on the road bar none. The 3rd gen GS isn't screwed together nearly as well as the 2nd gen cars IMO.

SW17LS

Eh, the 2GS is really outdated at this point. Even with the issues, I'd still choose a 3GS.

ESh

We are on the same boat.