Macallan

I am currently in the market for a GS 350 and I am targeting a low mileage 2015. I live in Charlotte, NC and have looked at several options on Autotrader, CarMax, CarGurus and the Lexus CPO website. I have found several good options around the $35K mark that have the options I would like (Heated seats, Mark Levinson) however these models tend to also have the F-Sport package or Luxury package as well. I have also found several base model (+ Premium) options for closer to $30K that do not have the F-Sport, Mark Levinson. Music is a high priority and I also like the idea of not having to worry about the F-sport staggered tires (cost and inability to rotate) however i do like the look of the F-Sport.

I have read several threads that say the Levinson is a worthy upgrade for the money and if I could find a base model with only the Premium Package and Levinson that would be a home run. However, this does not seem to be a common configuration. So if music is a priority and I don't really care about 18 way seats, rear temp controls, rain sensing wipers, etc. Would it be better to buy a base model with only the Premium Package and do my own aftermarket upgrade to the stereo? I have called a local audio retailer and they are not very helpful as I don't yet have the car. They just tell me to bring it in and they will take a look. They did say that they likely could add a subwoofer/amp for $1500 but didn't know if they could upgrade the speakers without a complete and expensive $5K overhaul. I am not going to spend $5K on a stereo but $2K seems reasonable if I can save $5K on the overall price of the car.

Has anyone compared the base model audio with an aftermarket sub to the Levinson option?
Has anyone replaced the base model door speakers while still using the supplied head unit?

bb700092

Rain sensing wipers is included in the Premium Package.

np20412

1500 for amp and sub seems costly. My local guy quoted me 750 for an 10" boxed woofer and amp with wired bass controller. He said that would add plenty of oomph for what I want.

AJLex19

There are a few threads on this topic:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-levinson.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...on-or-not.html

I have the standard, base system and am happy with it. I'd rate it as very good to excellent. I recently rented a 2017 Audi Q7 SUV while on vacation and thought the sound system was terrible (maybe it was just the acoustics of the car). Also have heard base systems in a lot of late model cars i've rented lately (Infiniti Q50-very good; Cadillac XT5-very good; Range Rover Sport-good) and my '13 GS's standard audio is so much better.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with either one but the Mark Levinson system is def. tuned for clarity. Most folks concur that the base system is more "punchy." The Mark Levinson option is great because you won't pay such a crazy premium price for it in a used/CPO 4GS.

wooc747

Mark Levinson system is a must. Sounds so much better than premium system.

OneFunGS

Kinda a noob question, but how many speakers is the Premium system vs the ML? I am coming from an 800 watt 17 speaker system currently into a non-ML spec GS and want to know what I am losing ha

yardie876

I believe it’s 12.

OneFunGS

That aint half bad. Seeing has how I am giving up literal cubic feet of interior room, I doubt I'll notice a huge difference then, thanks!

AJLex19

I believe the standard system is 12 speakers and is 300 watts. The ML is 17 speakers and 835watts.

OneFunGS

sweet, thanks. should be adequate

Longevite1

Sorry, out of topic.

18 ways seat must have.

MustangSal

I’ve been a musician for 35+ years. Music is important to me. I listen to a variety of styles (rock styles mostly). I have a 15’ Fsprt with all the bells (ML) and am very happy with the sound quality. It’s a little forward biased (if you’re sitting up front) and central if you’re in the back. Settings (which are vitally important to anyone who actually gives a crap about their experience) must be toggled to your music or it’s going to sound like garbage at some point as the volume increases. There is no set it and forget it if you’re looking to run at the higher end performance spectrum of any system, aftermarket included.

Ml, for mild use everyday...is perfectly fine.

Dildildil

Where are the extra 2 speakers located ? Im counting 10 speakers

3 front dash
2 front door
4 rear doors
1 rear deck

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Some of them are 2 in 1 speakers

rytmask

on the back shelf there are also additional two mid rangers in ML