Hello! Right now I own 2000 BMW 540i, 6 speed sport. But I'm thinking to move to Lexus, because I had a lot of reliability issues with my current car. I need something more reliable. So my question is, Lexus gs430/300 what's difference between them(except performance), what model is more reliable, is it real that lexus gs430 is THAT boring to drive and it isolates your from road(well of course I will compare to my current 540i).

Thanks.

 

GS300 Slow, but i think more reliable.

 

Also I've heard that there's two types of audio systems, stock one(Nakamichi I guess) and MArk Levinson, is there great difference in them?

 

welcome to clublexus. gs300/400/430 are very reliable and you can't go wrong. coming from a bmw, you will not like the steering and handling that the GS offers.

use the search function and you'll find endless information. happy reading and hope you join the family.

 

The 430 is a reliable car just like the 300. The GS wont handle like the bmw. The 430 is probably about as fast as the 540. The stock sound system in the 2nd gen GS is a pioneer i believe. Nakamichi is the upgraded sound system in the 2nd gen GS the mark levinson is only in the current models of lexus.

The GS suspension does leave something to be desired. Its pretty soft and floaty. If you get some nice coilovers though it makes it nice.

Coming from a 540 I would think you would be most interested in the 430. The 300 is SLOW unless you turbo or something like that. Do you plan to mod?

 

Pioneer is the stock system, but Nakamichi was used as the upgraded sound system from 98-00, Mark Levinson from 2001-current.

 

I think I will go for gs430, my friend has is300 and damn its so slow vs my 540. And gs300 is even heavier.

 

?!?!???? so you're going with a 300 or 400/430?

 

AH I didnt know that.

 

If you want handling better than a BMW, it's possible.

Get some CS or Tein coilovers, front TRD strut bar, rear strut bar, front and rear sway bars (there's a debate whether Daizen sways or TRD sways are better, but you can't go wrong with either - I have the TRDs and rec them over Daizen, you can search for it in the suspension forum). It's an investment, but WOW does it make a difference. You'll be stuck to the ground when you corner and will go around them super fast.

That being said, you should honestly go for the GS430. The GS300 is really underpowered, unless you turbo it. The GS400 has a bland interior and has some quirks, especially the balljoints. It is .1 second faster than the GS430 somehow though.

If you have the money, get an '03 SportDesign with the SADDLE interior. Hottest possible GS you can get.

Keep us posted! ClubLexus is a great forum and truly is one of a kind.

---------
By the way, if you want fun in your GS, first get the SRT intake with ECU upgrade, then if you want more fun, get the LSD from the supra. Still not happy? Get the Greddy EvoII exhaust system, it's not super loud and has a real nice growl to it. You can check youtube for how it sounds.

 

The 430 is fast in a straight line and on the highway (I've raced and beat a 540i on the highway, not sure if it was 6-speed or not though), but it's like a boat around corners, unless you upgrade the suspension ... But i can guarantee you the 2GS beats the 540i in comfort AND reliability hands down

 

sorry it was typo. I wanted to say gs430 instead of gs300

 

My 540 6 speed does 0 60 in 5.5, and 1/4 mile in 14.0. I don't think lexus can do that. Well I wish gs430 had 6 speed. How much does it cost to upgrade suspension?

 

You may want to utilize the awesome tool that is available to us...the "search" function.

 

GS's are ten times more reliable than 540i's. I have a friend that owns one and he's paid a lot of money in repair costs. There are members on CL that have NEVER had problems with their cars even with high milage.