Yes, I believe the ML's are built in Alabama. I guess that explains the quality issues. As far as power goes, I was thinking of cars, not trucks. The GS430 (4.3L) puts out 300 hp & 325 lb/ft torque. The bigger engine BMW 540i (4.4L) puts out 282 hp & 324 lb/ft torque. The S & E430 (4.3L) put out only 275 hp and 295 lb/ft torque. Benz also finished dead last in performance in high end luxury car comparos by Motor Trend and Car & Driver magazines. Interestingly, the LS430 (290 hp) out-performed the Q45 (4.5L, 340 hp) in 0-60 and 1/4 times. Now that's impressive!

 

I agree. It's really surprising how underrated the Lexus/Toyota engines are. I spoke with many people who claim that the LS430 3UZ-FE 4.3L engine is weak (only 290 HP), yet it still outperforms the 340 HP Q45! Plus, speaking from personal experience, the LS430 is no slouch when it comes to getting up to speed.

 

I'll be another to vote that the LS430 certainly is NO slouch! My cousin has one (along with a GX470, and a 1993 LS400) and boy does that thing have pick up?! And its soo smooth even when compared to multiple S55's i've been in, but then agian those are S55's, race inspired (almost). But when comparing directly to S430? I can't say anything for sure because there are none i have been able to compare to. But S500? LS430 seems like it pick's up speed quicker and smoother.

After an extensive serach the LS430 1/4 mile times are 14.7, S430 is ...missing.. i couldn't find anyone with the S430 times but i did find S500 which is 14.5 and the 745 is the same as the LS430

http://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/...6_bmw_745i.pdf

 

Let's slow ourselves down here. Let's not forget that consumer reports (who I don't normally find to be wrong) has said that the S-Class for for 00-02 is a "very unreliable" car which is NOT recommended. Meanwhile, flip to the LS and you can go back 5-6 years and find nothing but perfect reliability. If I am going to pay $80k + for an S500 (closest in HP to the LS430), I will not tolerate that type of unreliebaility from a mass produced car.

drink300

 

Hmmm, interesting. I guess it all depends on who's doing the testing. Motor Trend breaks it down like this:

1) BMW 745i, 0-60 = 6.4 sec, 1/4 mile = 14.6 sec @ 97.5 mph, braking 60-0 = 116 ft.

2) Lexus LS430, 0-60 = 6.1 sec, 1/4 mile = 14.5 sec @ 98.3 mph, braking 60-0 = 115 ft.

3) Benz S500, 0-60 = 6.6 sec, 1/4 mile = 15.1 sec @ 98.0 mph, braking 60-0 = 123 ft.

I guess that maybe Lexus has taken the crown from BMW as the "Ultimate Driving Maching" Those 745's sure are damn ugly now. The front looks like it belongs on a pick-up truck or SUV and the rear looks like it was stolen from a Chrysler. From what I've seen, it looks like the new "5" will be just as ugly. I'm glad Lexus hasn't gotten that radical.

 

Perfect! Also even more so that when a car that offers you the same thing, for $1,000's less, same features and luxuary, you kind of wonder what mistake you made!