View Poll Results: E-shift?
Gotta have it
46
38.98%
Don't need it
14
11.86%
A plus but not a must
56
47.46%
Manual cars only
2
1.69%
Voters: 118. You may not vote on this poll
E-shift, can't live without it....
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 851
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Use e-shift 90%
Looks like I’m in there with Sick – I shift pretty much the way I’ve shifted manuals I’ve owned before. I do downshift regularly and almost always start in 2. Wish I could access 1st though via e-shift. Good explanation of e-shift, Sick.
IMO, the gate shifter has a screwball pattern for 1 and 2 – and on mine, it’s not smooth - and it’s difficult to move from 2 to 1. I seldom gate shift.
IMO, the gate shifter has a screwball pattern for 1 and 2 – and on mine, it’s not smooth - and it’s difficult to move from 2 to 1. I seldom gate shift.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I've only had my car 2 weeks now but I'm already in love with E shift. Didn't take long for it to be intuitive to me, it's a well engineered system.
My wife could care less, and she just drives it in auto mode, but for me...I seriously think I might have to reconsider stepping up to a 430 in a couple years, because I would miss it. It's one of those things that, if you've never had it, no biggie. But take it away...
That would suck.
My wife could care less, and she just drives it in auto mode, but for me...I seriously think I might have to reconsider stepping up to a 430 in a couple years, because I would miss it. It's one of those things that, if you've never had it, no biggie. But take it away...
That would suck.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
I have a vague suspicion that the e-shift went away in the GS430 NOT BECAUSE OF EMMISSIONS, but instead because with the GS400 they found that with as much torque as the engine put out, the e-shift was causing extra wear and tear and causing the 5spd auto to fail prematurely on some vehicles. I think they examined the failure/wear rates on the GS400, then thinking that with the GS430 putting out even more power, the problem would get worse. The emmissions idea sounds like a great cop out for Lexus PR. That way they don't have to admit that the 5spd is marginal in its torque handling of the 430s extra output.
All they did on the 430 was punch the engine out a little, in addition to a few other tweaks. I can't see this affecting emmissions that much.
Anyone else with me here?
All they did on the 430 was punch the engine out a little, in addition to a few other tweaks. I can't see this affecting emmissions that much.
Anyone else with me here?
Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Originally posted by bitkahuna
Not me.
Not me.
I've got close to a year on my SC setup now on the stock tranny with just a trans cooler and valve body work. For 6+ months now I've been pushing 350+ lb/ft RWTQ through it without a problem. Seems like the stock tranny will hold up fine with just a couple more lb/ft of TQ.
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Rookie
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally posted by SC300T
I have a vague suspicion that the e-shift went away in the GS430 NOT BECAUSE OF EMMISSIONS, but instead because with the GS400 they found that with as much torque as the engine put out, the e-shift was causing extra wear and tear and causing the 5spd auto to fail prematurely on some vehicles.
Anyone else with me here?
I have a vague suspicion that the e-shift went away in the GS430 NOT BECAUSE OF EMMISSIONS, but instead because with the GS400 they found that with as much torque as the engine put out, the e-shift was causing extra wear and tear and causing the 5spd auto to fail prematurely on some vehicles.
Anyone else with me here?
I always use E-shift. There's no reason not to; all that selecting it does is arm the buttons. You can then decide when you need them. I use them all the time.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 84
Likes: 2
From: Metropolitan Atlanta
Frankly I was mad that the 98-00 GS300s didn't have E-shift, but the GS400s did. I just didn't want to spend that much at the time. Then when I was ready for the V8, the GS300 gets E-shift, but the GS430 doesn't.
I had test driven the GS400, IS300, 540i, TL, and A6. I believed the Lexus product to be superior. But the Touchshift in my E430 blew all of my prior thinking out the window.
The Benz will let you shift into 1st gear and you don't have to move the gear lever into a manual mode. It is ready to work when you are. I would rate the manumatics listed above as such:
1. Mercedes-Benz
2. Lexus
3. BMW
4. Audi
5. Acura
I can't speak for any others so there may be better ones available, but from my experience, this is how they stack up.
I had test driven the GS400, IS300, 540i, TL, and A6. I believed the Lexus product to be superior. But the Touchshift in my E430 blew all of my prior thinking out the window.
The Benz will let you shift into 1st gear and you don't have to move the gear lever into a manual mode. It is ready to work when you are. I would rate the manumatics listed above as such:
1. Mercedes-Benz
2. Lexus
3. BMW
4. Audi
5. Acura
I can't speak for any others so there may be better ones available, but from my experience, this is how they stack up.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,851
Likes: 4
From: Arkansas
Having driven loaner ISs, eshift, to me, is welcome but not necessary. Gateshifting works fine for me, esp since I'm used to manual tranny to begin with.
What I'd REALLY like is a 6 speed manual in my GS!!! Figure about 0.5 sec improvement 0-60 IF it's a nice, slick box plus the fun of 3 pedal dancing!!! Sigh..........won't happen though.
What I'd REALLY like is a 6 speed manual in my GS!!! Figure about 0.5 sec improvement 0-60 IF it's a nice, slick box plus the fun of 3 pedal dancing!!! Sigh..........won't happen though.
Since im mostly stuck in traffic from rush hour commutes in the greater los angeles area in california, i rarely use the e-shift. I just let the tranny do the work for me. But on occasions i will drive around in 3rd lookin for some fun like how others have mentioned 
Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: International
I use it ocassionally but since I have no rev or boost limiters so I have to be careful downshifting. My ECU instructions tell you not to use at all
My car only has a 4 speed so it goes through all 4 gears, but 1st is pretty damn useless.
My car only has a 4 speed so it goes through all 4 gears, but 1st is pretty damn useless.