GS300 or GS430 differences
I think you're better off going with the 430, because the price difference between used 300 and 430 is almost non existant.
As far as changing the motor, I dont think it makes sense to. A simple set of headers on the 430 will gain roughly 50hp, bringing the horse power to 350. I wouldnt want anymore without AWD system. Then add high stall converter, supras differential and LSD, and you'll run low 13's all day long.
As far as changing the motor, I dont think it makes sense to. A simple set of headers on the 430 will gain roughly 50hp, bringing the horse power to 350. I wouldnt want anymore without AWD system. Then add high stall converter, supras differential and LSD, and you'll run low 13's all day long.
The other things when comparing GS300 to GS430
1) GS430 has standard HID's, with proper optics and self leveling. GS300 has regular halogens, and simply buying HID conversion kit isn't recommended.
2) Most GS430s have wood steering wheel, but you can find one with leather. It's a matter of taste, but I think wood one look a lot better, but the leather one feels a lot better, and is a lot more practical.
3) GS430 comes with 17" wheels, while GS300 comes with 16" wheels. GS suspension is quite firm, and 17" wheels with low profile tires can be quite rough. I sometimes want to swap my 17's with 16's, to make the ride a bit more comfortable, but I don't think it will look right.
One other thing to consider - the pre 2001 models, both 300 and 400, had throttle cables which makes them a lot more responsive and provides a lot more feedback than the throttle by wire system found in the newer models.
1) GS430 has standard HID's, with proper optics and self leveling. GS300 has regular halogens, and simply buying HID conversion kit isn't recommended.
2) Most GS430s have wood steering wheel, but you can find one with leather. It's a matter of taste, but I think wood one look a lot better, but the leather one feels a lot better, and is a lot more practical.
3) GS430 comes with 17" wheels, while GS300 comes with 16" wheels. GS suspension is quite firm, and 17" wheels with low profile tires can be quite rough. I sometimes want to swap my 17's with 16's, to make the ride a bit more comfortable, but I don't think it will look right.
One other thing to consider - the pre 2001 models, both 300 and 400, had throttle cables which makes them a lot more responsive and provides a lot more feedback than the throttle by wire system found in the newer models.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Just going through a bunch of these gs 300 and 400 threads and I was wondering what are the differences in the suspension? Aluminum suspension bits on one and not the other? Sway bars?? anything?
The reason I ask is because of the obvious difference from motortrends test.
"The 300's handling numbers were respectable, 0.80 g on the skidpad and 60.9 mph in the slalom; but the GS 400 was sports-car spectacular, 0.87 g on the skidpad and 66.9 in the slalom. A '99 GS 400 returned a whopping 0.90 g on the skidpad and 65.9 mph in the slalom."
Brakes would seem near identical from motortrend comparison stopping distances. Can anyone confirm that they are the same as well?
The reason I ask is because of the obvious difference from motortrends test.
"The 300's handling numbers were respectable, 0.80 g on the skidpad and 60.9 mph in the slalom; but the GS 400 was sports-car spectacular, 0.87 g on the skidpad and 66.9 in the slalom. A '99 GS 400 returned a whopping 0.90 g on the skidpad and 65.9 mph in the slalom."
Brakes would seem near identical from motortrend comparison stopping distances. Can anyone confirm that they are the same as well?
Just going through a bunch of these gs 300 and 400 threads and I was wondering what are the differences in the suspension? Aluminum suspension bits on one and not the other? Sway bars?? anything?
The reason I ask is because of the obvious difference from motortrends test.
"The 300's handling numbers were respectable, 0.80 g on the skidpad and 60.9 mph in the slalom; but the GS 400 was sports-car spectacular, 0.87 g on the skidpad and 66.9 in the slalom. A '99 GS 400 returned a whopping 0.90 g on the skidpad and 65.9 mph in the slalom."
Brakes would seem near identical from motortrend comparison stopping distances. Can anyone confirm that they are the same as well?
The reason I ask is because of the obvious difference from motortrends test.
"The 300's handling numbers were respectable, 0.80 g on the skidpad and 60.9 mph in the slalom; but the GS 400 was sports-car spectacular, 0.87 g on the skidpad and 66.9 in the slalom. A '99 GS 400 returned a whopping 0.90 g on the skidpad and 65.9 mph in the slalom."
Brakes would seem near identical from motortrend comparison stopping distances. Can anyone confirm that they are the same as well?
430's come with auto dimming side mirrors (a hidden feature I guess). It also comes with a campus if you don't get the navi.
Brakes are pretty good, stops faster than a Ferrari 355. 60-0 in 118ft if memory serves me right. Problem is, they fade quickly.
The 430 provides great amount of torque in the lower range for city driving.
I think you're better off going with the 430, because the price difference between used 300 and 430 is almost non existant.
As far as changing the motor, I dont think it makes sense to. A simple set of headers on the 430 will gain roughly 50hp, bringing the horse power to 350. I wouldnt want anymore without AWD system. Then add high stall converter, supras differential and LSD, and you'll run low 13's all day long.
As far as changing the motor, I dont think it makes sense to. A simple set of headers on the 430 will gain roughly 50hp, bringing the horse power to 350. I wouldnt want anymore without AWD system. Then add high stall converter, supras differential and LSD, and you'll run low 13's all day long.
50 HP from headers, which superheaders are these? as far as I know the only headers that fit perfectly on the 430 are the S&S and I've read that they give you 6 - 10 WHP ...The other things when comparing GS300 to GS430
1) GS430 has standard HID's, with proper optics and self leveling. GS300 has regular halogens, and simply buying HID conversion kit isn't recommended.
2) Most GS430s have wood steering wheel, but you can find one with leather. It's a matter of taste, but I think wood one look a lot better, but the leather one feels a lot better, and is a lot more practical.
3) GS430 comes with 17" wheels, while GS300 comes with 16" wheels. GS suspension is quite firm, and 17" wheels with low profile tires can be quite rough. I sometimes want to swap my 17's with 16's, to make the ride a bit more comfortable, but I don't think it will look right.
One other thing to consider - the pre 2001 models, both 300 and 400, had throttle cables which makes them a lot more responsive and provides a lot more feedback than the throttle by wire system found in the newer models.
1) GS430 has standard HID's, with proper optics and self leveling. GS300 has regular halogens, and simply buying HID conversion kit isn't recommended.
2) Most GS430s have wood steering wheel, but you can find one with leather. It's a matter of taste, but I think wood one look a lot better, but the leather one feels a lot better, and is a lot more practical.
3) GS430 comes with 17" wheels, while GS300 comes with 16" wheels. GS suspension is quite firm, and 17" wheels with low profile tires can be quite rough. I sometimes want to swap my 17's with 16's, to make the ride a bit more comfortable, but I don't think it will look right.
One other thing to consider - the pre 2001 models, both 300 and 400, had throttle cables which makes them a lot more responsive and provides a lot more feedback than the throttle by wire system found in the newer models.
brakes are the same, suspension is the same.
430's come with auto dimming side mirrors (a hidden feature I guess). It also comes with a campus if you don't get the navi.
Brakes are pretty good, stops faster than a Ferrari 355. 60-0 in 118ft if memory serves me right. Problem is, they fade quickly.
The 430 provides great amount of torque in the lower range for city driving.
430's come with auto dimming side mirrors (a hidden feature I guess). It also comes with a campus if you don't get the navi.
Brakes are pretty good, stops faster than a Ferrari 355. 60-0 in 118ft if memory serves me right. Problem is, they fade quickly.
The 430 provides great amount of torque in the lower range for city driving.
Not all the 430's had auto dimming side mirrors because mine are not, I do have the auto dimming rear view mirror though ... And what is campus, i don't have nav but I dunno what campus is
edit: did you mean compass, the one in the rearview mirror?
The 400/430 have a stiffer spring set up than the 300. this could account for the difference in the motortrend tests. The stiffer spring was to compensate for the additional weight of the motor and the additional torque in the rear.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Re
Work1,
Just curious, without going into too much detail, what electrical problems did you have with your M3? I will admit I almost left Lexus for an '04 330i w/ ZHP package but decided to stay and buy an '02 GS430... So glad I did.
I will say that the OEM GS suspension (whether 300 or 430) floats like a Buick to me... Swapping out suspension was one of the first things I did.
You will have a harder time finding loaded 02,03,04 GS430's. They are quite rare. I did a nationwide search for mine. Here is a link to yearly production numbers.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=152340
Year End Sales: taken from the link above
'01 GS430 - 4,613 sold nationally...
'02 GS430 - 2,458
'03 GS430 - 2,078
'04 GS430 - 1,348
Gen 1 DVD navi. came in '01's
Gen 2 DVD navi. came in '02's & '03's
Gen 4 DVD navi. came in '04 & '05 I believe (with green interface background and building icons on the maps)
Just curious, without going into too much detail, what electrical problems did you have with your M3? I will admit I almost left Lexus for an '04 330i w/ ZHP package but decided to stay and buy an '02 GS430... So glad I did.
I will say that the OEM GS suspension (whether 300 or 430) floats like a Buick to me... Swapping out suspension was one of the first things I did.
You will have a harder time finding loaded 02,03,04 GS430's. They are quite rare. I did a nationwide search for mine. Here is a link to yearly production numbers.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=152340
Year End Sales: taken from the link above
'01 GS430 - 4,613 sold nationally...
'02 GS430 - 2,458
'03 GS430 - 2,078
'04 GS430 - 1,348
Gen 1 DVD navi. came in '01's
Gen 2 DVD navi. came in '02's & '03's
Gen 4 DVD navi. came in '04 & '05 I believe (with green interface background and building icons on the maps)
Just going through a bunch of these gs 300 and 400 threads and I was wondering what are the differences in the suspension? Aluminum suspension bits on one and not the other? Sway bars?? anything?
The reason I ask is because of the obvious difference from motortrends test.
"The 300's handling numbers were respectable, 0.80 g on the skidpad and 60.9 mph in the slalom; but the GS 400 was sports-car spectacular, 0.87 g on the skidpad and 66.9 in the slalom. A '99 GS 400 returned a whopping 0.90 g on the skidpad and 65.9 mph in the slalom."
Brakes would seem near identical from motortrend comparison stopping distances. Can anyone confirm that they are the same as well?
The reason I ask is because of the obvious difference from motortrends test.
"The 300's handling numbers were respectable, 0.80 g on the skidpad and 60.9 mph in the slalom; but the GS 400 was sports-car spectacular, 0.87 g on the skidpad and 66.9 in the slalom. A '99 GS 400 returned a whopping 0.90 g on the skidpad and 65.9 mph in the slalom."
Brakes would seem near identical from motortrend comparison stopping distances. Can anyone confirm that they are the same as well?
Brake distance isn't bad but lacks pedal feel.
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Rookie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Thanks for the input,
I've got a MK1 Aristo right now which I like, but I've been contemplating turbocharging the 8 cylinder in a MK2.
.7-.8g is pretty big difference. Spring/dampening rates and tires at minimum I would think. I wouldn't blame it all on weight, the toyota V8 is actually lighter than the 2JZ
The sway bar is a pretty hefty unit on my MK1 Aristo. MK2 Aristos may have received someting similar. It might may be an option to take MK2 Aristo bar and put it on the MK2 GS.
I've got a MK1 Aristo right now which I like, but I've been contemplating turbocharging the 8 cylinder in a MK2.
.7-.8g is pretty big difference. Spring/dampening rates and tires at minimum I would think. I wouldn't blame it all on weight, the toyota V8 is actually lighter than the 2JZ
The sway bar is a pretty hefty unit on my MK1 Aristo. MK2 Aristos may have received someting similar. It might may be an option to take MK2 Aristo bar and put it on the MK2 GS.
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jessejames
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
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Mar 29, 2005 02:21 PM
2001, 2002, 300, 430, clublexus, difference, differences, gs, gs300, gs430, headlight, hid, lexus, options, replacement
