teutonictr

I'm very interested in the GS430 to replace my Mercedes E500, and the features and performance are quite spectacular. My wife has been very pleased with the service at Lexus on her GX470, so it's a strong consideration, but I love the inflatable side bolsters (drive dynamic seats) on the E500 so much I wonder if it will be a deal breaker for me on the GS. Why don't they offer them on this vehicle?

GFerg

Welcome to CL forst of all.

Secondly, I have no idea why. I havent ridden in the new GS just yet, but I keep hearing mixed feelings about the seats. Some say that its really supportive and nicely bolstered, while others say its not enough.

Maybe MB doesnt sell that much of the Drive Dynamic for Lexus to take notice. Its a wonderful feature that MB has, but I dont think a lot of people have it, and thats the same for BMW's comfort seats or whatever they call them. I dunno. Pretty wierd question I guess. Its like asking why, MB doesnt have VDIM or a CD player standard(which they didnt have for awhile, but probably do now).

Anyone else?

LexFather

Welcome to Clublexus, I'l bite.
1. It adds weight. The 06 GS weighs pretty much the same as the older GS
2. It adds complexity. This is one more item that will add to the cost
3. Its not a must have for most consumers. If it does become something that people start demanding in droves, expect Lexus to offer it.
4. Benzs and BMWs have always offered more seating positions. Lexus has been hailed for keeping it simple. Benz and BMW do a nice job giving you tons of seat options.

The side bolsters on the new GS are better than the previous GS, an mprovement item many of us had for that car.

Hope that helps.

flipside909

Inflatable side bolsters! Wow, the MKII Supra (Celica Supra) had that. 1982-1986.

PhantomZX

Don't know if you meant it as a joke, but in case you didn't, the OP is referring to the active side bolster inflators - the car senses cornering forces and inflates the side bolster to hold the driver in better.

AsianGirl007

iTrader: (1)

What the heck is an inflatable side bolster, how does it work, and what is the benefit of it? Does it really "inflate"?

flipside909

Well the side bolsters on the MKII Supra were inflatable with a hand pump, unfortunately it wasn't that advanced with active inflators. But yes this was a real existing option in the 82-86 Celica Supra.

teutonictr

the drive dynamic seats have air pumps in them and as you corner, they inflate and deflate according to the force created by the turn. it allows you to have a rather neutral but supportive seat most of the time, and when you need more grip in cornering, they kick in. The same pumps also operate the pulse massage feature.

Rockville

There's inflatable bolsters all right but you don't want to use them! The new GS seats have a nice wrap around feel and your left arm if your driving has a molded armrest and your right arm has a big center console to lean on. You're wedged in pretty tight and too tight for some of the taller individuals. The side airbags protect you in a side impact from your hip to your shoulder. There are also knee airbags to keep you from submarining in a severe frontal collision. There are side curtains to protect your head. If you get the GS430 you'll have the VDIM system riding with you in case you make a mistake or something sudden occurs. Wherever your seat moves the Seat mounted airbags move with you. It is a safer arrangement than what Mercedes offers IMBO.

teutonictr

I'm not interested in them for safety, but for driving dynamics, just as the product states. When you are going around a curve and wish you had a little more bolster support, it inflates automatically and you have it, but it's not always there jutting into your side, so you also have a comfortable seating position without it. It's a fantastic feature.

Rockville

I was attempting to be humorous and showing the design priorities. Lexus doesn't offer that and just wanted to supply the reasoning. You probably couldn't have the two features at the same time do to the space requirements for both systems. I think the auto bolsters are a nice innovation also. Kaizen...

JellyBean

Had a fully loaded 84 Supra and what you're referring to was the *lumbar* support--the one with the hand pump hanging on the side of the driver's seat. I loved the simplicity of that system.

flipside909

Oops you are right. I have many friends that still have their MKII Supra and love that feature. Some others have made the swap into their AE86 Corollas.