I think it's funny how similiar and yet how DIFFERENT the two interiors look. There are so many similiarities and yet the 3rd Gen looks so much more beautiful and refined and sporty. Just in case that you don't see it, there are the similiarities:

Shifter, shifter gate, cup holder, the center console near the shifter gate moves up to the center console with the nav screen, of course the steering wheel, the gauges, lack of wood on the dash in front of driver and passenger, the buttons behind the shifter(though now hidden under armrest),

 

Definately a nice upgrade

 

Great comparison pic. I must add, the 2nd gen does not look that outdated at all and is still better built and has better ergonomics than most new cars. And the Optitron will be missed. 2nd Gen GS= INCREDIBLE used car

 

Your comparo pics did it for me. I've always loved the "mid 90s" toyota look, but the 2nd gen dash screams toyota to me (green led clock, swoopy blend of instrument panel into center stack). That 3rd gen dash is a work of art--very german looking--but clean and uncluttered.

 

Actually it's funny that you posted the picture of the interior of the E-Class Mercedes, because I used to think that that was the most beautiful interior on the market for a mid-size luzury sport sedan. I went to the Auto Show here in Philadelphia and before going there I had seen a lot of pictures of the GS's interior, well when I got to the Auto Show I sat in my favorite MB E55 AMG, as I'm sitting there, I was wondering why I didn't find the interior that great any more. I really did understand. Then after I went over to Lexus and got yelled at for sitting the in new GS, I realized that I didn't like the E-Classes interior anymore, because the GS's is just SO much more beautiful. I think it's the best interior in this segment. I know a lot of people say that the Audi A6's interior is the best in class, but I don't understand why, I think it's ugly.