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I'm new to this forum and I hope that's the right place to post this.
I just bought a 2001 gs300 with 192k, it does have a few suspension issues that I'm fixing now but I got it for $2500 so that was a deal.
I drove a 2005 530i right after driving my GS and I was surprised with how the ride quality is much less in the newer gen BMW, the steering was lighter than the lexus too!
I have to say that I'm very pleased with how comfortable and well made this car is, I had a 2004 Accord manual which is extremly reliable but was looking for a comfortable ride and thought of the ES, Avalon, LS before I drove a GS and loved the balance of comfort and handling in it.
I don't like cars with stiff suspension "and hate lowered/lifted cars" but I don't like cars that move like a boat so 5 Series BMWs have always been my favourite, until I drove a GS.
My biggest concern is MPG, it gets similar figures to the I6 BMWs of that year but compared to even RWD V6s it's kind of a GSP in the city, highway is surprisingly close to the I4 Accord "25+"! but I guess you save more by not replacing engine/transmissions/radiators/bushings/electrical than the extra gas you spend over an Audi lol
Congrats on the buy, Adoh2010. You can't go wrong on that price but yeah, you'll need to do some suspension work. I still love my GS's ride, especially on the highway.
But ride quality is often a subjective thing so I don't know that the BMW is that much worse unless you are saying a smoother, cushier vehicle is what you wanted and then found.
The last good Bimmer for ride according to pundits and fanboys is the E39, but those are aging now. If you spend the money on your GS and fix things, you'll be richly rewarded.
The "E60?" BMW is actually pretty disappointing to drive. It handles worse than the E39 and isn't that much smoother. It rides almost exactly like the Accord: light but precise steering, a little bit tight suspension but so much vibration and noises getting into the cabin. At the limit the BMW obviously shines but who gets there on the street? The Accord is even better in terms of interior holding up with age!
Now the GS is a bit less fun to drive but the ride quality is worth the boatiness for me. I was at first looking at LS and ES keep that in mind
All 4 tie rods have been replaced "$100 parts", it now needs 2 rotors and something is rattling in the exhaust system that I'd check when I have time. I hear a rattle when I rev the engine, it happens at 1000-1500 rpm and is coming from the middle or back of the car.
06-06-15, 06:57 PM
2001 GS300 vs 2005 530i
