Sal Collaziano

I'm looking for the quietest interior experience along with the softest ride possible. Is that S-Class or LS?

Nospinzone

I think you need to take extended test rides in both and decide for yourself.

LexRuger

LS is not the softest. Not sure how much non runflats would help though. The current S-Class is on it's last year so the next gen could be improved in the ride quality department. The 2019 A8 is said to be pretty soft and quiet but I've never driven one.

nsaldanh

Sal, If I'm not mistaken you had two LS460s a while ago, the last one being a 2012 LS460. The LS500 is not much different to those cars. I've not noticed the ride to be harsher on runflats nor is it noisier than any of my previous LS460s. My LS500 has the air suspension and it's always on the comfort setting.

Sal Collaziano

Yes, I've had an 04 LS430, an 07 LS460L and a 12 LS460L. I'd like to make it my fourth LS but I keep hearing the ride has become harsh for better handling and that it's not as silent inside as it used to be. I'm glad to hear you're feeling differently... I've always wanted an S-Class but never felt right about spending so much on a car. The magic air ride does sound nice...

dsc07

If you get the air suspension and swap out the run flats for conventional tires, the LS500 comes pretty close to the LS460 w/air suspension. The ride is still a little bit firmer, but not that much. The run flats make a huge difference. With them, the ride is significantly more harsh. I too had an '04 LS430, an '07 LS460 and a '10 LS460L. I was not a happy camper with my 500, until I lost the run flats.

Oh, and if anyone in So. Cal likes the run flats, I've got a set I used for 1 month that I'm willing to let go for $200 (vs. $1400+ new).

Sal Collaziano

Good to know. Thank you... Now I wonder if the S560 has runflats but is just so good at what they do, the car still rides as soft as it does... But, anything pretty close to the LS460 with air suspension would probably be fine... I don't even think I had the air suspension on my LS460L... And THAT was pretty darn good...

nsaldanh

I read somewhere (a long time ago when the car was announced in 2017, I don't know if they ever installed it) that the LS500 has active noise cancellation. Also the roads that I generally drive on are quite smooth and there's little road noise. That might be the reason why I don't really see much difference as far as road noise goes between the LS460s and the LS500.

https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrive...512+sf97710512

I think the S500 has runflats as well (at least the one I test drove a year ago had it.) However that car stickered at $126K vs $90K for an LS.

Wandl

For my money, the S-class would be the leader in comfy & quiet ride. A G90 and (I haven't tried it myself) the 2019 Kia K900 is pretty close. The LS500, in my opinion, is below all these vehicles in vehicle quietness and soft ride even with the air suspension. Not saying that's a bad thing but the LS500 tried to please both crowds and didn't really succeed at either. I'd almost reconsider a LS460 to get what you're looking for though it misses key new features like CarPlay...

A CPO S-class would be a decent buy and the cost of ownership is more than a LS, but not overly significantly so...

Sal Collaziano

Yeah, I'm not too crazy about how Lexus is focusing on performance. I'd definitely jump on a CPO LS460L but it's missing too many features I like - such as lane keep assist. I'm not even sure they have head up display...

Peacebay

That’s quite the lineup.. just out of pure curiosity how would you order them as far as your favorite?

Sal Collaziano

I actually had a 2005 LS430. Not a 2004. The LS430 was my favorite. It felt like a much higher quality vehicle than either of my LS460Ls.

Peacebay

that is awesome. I’ve had the same conversation with my Lexus dealer and they say the 430 was the best vehicle Lexus ever made. The head tech there even drives an 05. Don’t see too many of them getting serviced at the dealer anymore though, they miss em. Thanks for the anecdote, sorry to derail the thread.

aypues

Last year I test drove an LS500 (non F Sport) back to back with an S-Class, and the S Class had a noticeably smoother ride quality. Similarly quiet. The LS had those terrible riding 20” wheels though, and I think the S450 had stock 18’s, so that may account for the difference. No Magic Body Control, just standard Airmatic suspension on the S. Too bad you can’t get 18’s on an LS anymore. I even pulled over during the test drive to make sure I had the air suspension in comfort mode, and it was harsh - compared to my 04 430 UL anyway.

The other thing that really stood out was the interior room was much bigger in the S450. One of my main complaints with this generation LS is how they made the exterior even bigger than the 460L but it’s somehow less spacious inside.

My conclusion was to get the S Class if at all possible and just buy the longest extended warranty you can get (CPO is best), or lease it. Plus Airplay and Android Auto already come with it for 2018+.

aypues

Lane keep is available, it’s part of the Advanced Pre Collision (APCS) system. No HUD though..
2016 got the final update to the nav/infotainment system and it’s fairly modern. I’ve read you can upgrade it aftermarket to give you Carplay.

You might test drive a 2016+ LS460L with APCS, the executive models came with 18” wheels vs the usual 19’s, so that may be the smooth ride you’re looking for if you don’t need 5 seats. They supposedly reworked the air suspension during the 2013 refresh to make it handle better, but I think it’s still noticeably softer than the 500’s setup.

Here’s one I’ve been watching in Bakersfield:
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1e0e2224
and it has the crazy CPO warranty that can be extended to 7 yrs/unlimited miles from when you purchase it.