Hey guys (and gals?) -

A newbie here. Just discovered your forum today...its solid. You guys have a really nice community going here.

I'm really pondering an '04 LS and wanted to get the thoughts of those of you who have many miles behind the wheel. As for history, I came from a 2001 BMW 740iL, sport package, etc. I really liked the car, but late last year, it started having some of the typical BMW issues (electrical problem, radiator, etc) so I got rid of it while it still had its CPO warranty. Great car, and i still miss it.

I went for an '07 BMW 550i, with sport package and manual transmission. Its a great car, and a real rocket, but hoenstly, I am missing having a full size sedan, like a 7 series or an LS. I've had an ES300 before and thought it was amazingly reliable.

So, with only 5 months and 7000 miles on the 550i, why would I sell it? I suppose that for the money ($64k), I was expecting to LOVE LOVE LOVE the car, and while I think its a great car, I dont adore it. That, and I miss a full size sedan more than I thought I would. At the time, I thought going from a 7 series to a 5 series would be fun & sporty - which it is - but I miss the luxury ride. I spend a lot of time on the interstate for work, and I miss a cruisemobile.

So, with that being said, if you will indulge me for a few questions, I would appreciate it.

1. Am I right that between '04 and '06, there are minimal changes? Thus, getting an '04 isnt missing out on anything profound?

2. I drove an LS once, with a salesman, so I didnt really get to play with it much, but as far as handling goes, is it "responsive" enough? I sort of recall it being super luxusious - kind of like a large marshmallow. I realize it wont be as "performance oriented" as the BMW cars, but does it handle well enough on curvy roads not to feel like my grandfather's car?

3. The "Sport Suspension" option - does it really change the handling? The Sweet '04 that I found doesnt have it - and I cant really find one nearby that does. Just wondering if its something I should really look hard to find.

4. Is Mark Levinson stereo everything they say.....as in, amazing?

Any other thoughts to ponder and share in my search?

I looked back through many pages of posts so as not to repeat anything previously posted, so forgive me if I am asking the regular newbie questions.

Many thanks...

- lawguy aka Pete

 

I just bought a 2006 LS430, with modern, premium, and sport packages. I had just a 2003 E500 Mercedes. I had test driven the LS430 before, however never with the sport package. I had always considered the LS430 floaty and town car'ish. The Sport Package is quite different. This car has allowed me to make the transistion very easily. While I may not hear the road as much as I did before, and the LS is certainally not as athletic as the E500 was, I can at least feel the road. This made a world of difference to me. Now the BMW is quite more dynamic than E500, so you may not feel as satisfied I am now. I am so looking forward to minimal shop time compare with the E500. Btw, I am disappointed with the Mark Levinson. The HK in Mercedes was much better. The ML has it over the Hk on CD playback (Yet no MP3!), however the radio and satellite playback is fair and certainlly less than the MB HK is.

Randy B

 

Welcome to the forum Lawguy

I would suggest looking into a 04-06 Ultra Lux as it will come standard all the options (sport setting, air suspension, etc). The handling will definately be different from your new 5 series (my brother has one and I've driven it). The BMW has pretty precise steering, sporty and its great but I still perfer my LS cause I don't really drive that aggressively anymore. I think a lot of it is from the tires setup too from the BMW to the Lexus. Your 550's would be much more low profile than the standard Lexus (unless you get the 18" Sport Edition). Quiteness, you really can't beat the LS. If you are describing yourself as mostly and interstate drive, this is the car for you. Of course I'm bias

 

I came from 10 years of German's finest BMW,MB,Porsche,Audi and my worst car on record was a Lexus GS400 back in 97(98' model).It was in the shop for 5 months out of 8 months we owned. I still have 1 MB 1 Porsche and just got back into Japenese(Lexus) this year. I am tired of driving car that beat you to death and was looking for a ride that glides. You need to remember that Lexus isolates you from outside and pampers you inside the car. You WILL miss lots of German Precision and you WILL NOT be happy when you try to turn corner from apex to apex because this is a car that does everything completely opposite...Not BAD, just DIFFERENT...

 

IMO the best thing to get is a 2004 LS430 Ultra. All the same "features" as the 2005-2006 (bluetooth, etc.) and you'll spend less while you wait for the LS460's to come down in price. I got my 2004 LS430 Ultra a few months ago, and it's the best car purchase I've ever made for the money - hands down.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus, Lawguy!

1. You are correct that between '04 and '06 there are minimal changes. The '04 was the introduction of the mid-cycle refresh.

2. Handling, IMO is more than adequate, however you are best off getting a test drive and forming your own opinion. In my view the LS handles relatively well but it is focused more on ride comfort than sporty handling.

3. The Touring Package with air suspension is fairly rare, I haven't driven it myself, but I expect that it does make some difference in the handling.

4. The Mark Levinson audio system is excellent, IMO. It has also received numerous awards, for instance Edmunds named it the top sound system in every year of its consecutive top ten lists: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...7/article.html If you can get it, it's a big plus IMO.

Speaking of Edmunds, they particularly liked the '04-'06 LS 430 in their test, which features the air suspension: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...3/pageNumber=1

Take care and good luck on your vehicle search!

 

To be honest, I used to be a huge fan of Mercedes and BMW until I visited Germany in 2005, and notably the BMW plant near Munich. While it is true that completed cars roll off the line in Bavaria, did you know that some of their car frames are manufactured in a former USSR republic? German manufacturing, indeed - remember the Yugo? Also, while BMW has a very high "sport" profile there, Mercedes (on all but their highest models) has about as much "sport cred" as a 1978 Lincoln Continental or a Dodge Neon would have to us...

I had a 1999 C230 Sport that I drove from the time it was new until 2004, and there was no comparison to Lexus. Think about it - Mercedes has almost 100 years of reputation, and Lexus doesn't even have 20 and stands on equal footing with Mercedes. You can only rest on your laurels for so long.

Yes, I am a fan of Lexus.

Buy the 2004 you are looking for, it is my understanding that there were no cosmetic/appearance upgrades from 2004 to 2006, and I think the mech stayed the same as well.

 

I got rid of my 545i because or transmission issues along with terrible service at local BMW dealer (they gave me chevy aveo as a loaner). BMW was too sporty for my taste also, car (steering) felt very heavy, but handling and power was unmatched.... I could race just about anyone in that car and win, where else in my LS430, I just chill... and enjoy the ride. LS won't dissapoint, but I do recommend the ULTRA as well, because it seems like you are leaning towards luxury vs. sport.

Ultra Luxury Selection with Pre-Collision System (PCS)
- Mark Levinson® [6] 11-speaker 240-watt [7] Premium Audio System
- Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System [10] with backup camera [11] and Bluetooth® [12] wireless technology
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control [13]
- Pre-Collision System (PCS) [14]
- Adaptive Variable Air Suspension
- Laminated side glass
- Manual rear-door window sunshades
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Front and rear climate-comfort seats with heat/cool ****
- Headlamp washers
- Power door closers
- SmartAccess
- Rear-Seat Luxury Group:
Power slide seat adjuster with power headrest, with memory and massager
Air conditioner controls with Air Purifier
Cool box
Audio controls
Swivel-type reading lamps

what more do you need in a car???

 

I would NOT categorize the stock non-sport LS as Lincoln-like at all. It feels very good on the road (of the 2004 model C&D or R&T said it "knows where straight ahead is" better than any of the Germans) and shoudn't be confused with a boat like a Lincoln. That said, I put a set of Tein CS coilovers and some 19" performance tires and wheels on mine and as a result it's more more like a BMW in its on-the-road feel now than it is like a stock LS. You'll probably have to change the wheels and tires (and possibly more) to get rid of the 'grandpa' appearance, but that depends upon you're personal perspecitve. That's part of what drove me to make the modifications to mine -- they just look pretty grandpa without some mods. Just be careful not to downgrade the awesome nature of the car while you're modding it. That's the tough part.

You should drive one. IMO, the Sport suspension is a clear step closer to "sporting" feeling than the stocker, and it might be just what you'd want.

Not amazing at all, IMO. Now, the one in the LS460 -- that's pretty amazing if you use a good source material for the music, such as a very well done movie soundtrack. Not that many music CDs are recorded with enough care to allow that system to shine, though.

Re: BMW -- I've owned a few BMWs (most recent was an E46 M3), driven lots more, and liked most of them pretty well at the time. I drove a new 535is last weekend. It is a nice car and all, but then I got back in my LS and it just made the BMW seem cheap, crude, and under-appointed, even though it was pretty loaded for a 5-series. Be prepared to be ruined once you spend a few miles in the right LS.

One final thing: Be sure to drive an LS (preferably the actual car you are thinking of buying) for a couple hours straight to make sure that the driver's seat fits you okay. There has been a small percentage of owners, but still a meaningful number IMO, complain that their right thigh goes numb or they otherwise can't get comfortable in the LS seat due more or less to a hard spot or somethign a few inches down the right leg. It's been a major problem for some, and no problem at all for most, but you should take notice before you buy.