When I bought my 1999 GS 300 brand new I also looked at the GS 400. I had already read about Lexus's E-shift, but had never heard any real reviews of it's performance. I knew at the time I could not afford the GS400 so I did not want to even dissapoint myself by driving the 400, and then turning around and buying the 300. So I was very happy with the GS300, still own it today and love it.. but I was kinda dissapointed i didn't have those cool E-shift buttons. So fast forward to Feb 2002 and I buy a brand new GS 430... and what do I see?? No E-shift. NOW, the E-shift only comes on the 300, because Lexus says the E-shift will comprimise the 4.3's engine managment/performance/software. I love my GS 430, it's insane and the Mark Lev is so cool.. but there's something in me that is pissed I never got the E-shift on either car. Did I totally miss out? Do any of you use it often? Or do you play with it the first month and then never touch it again? I was just kinda curious..

If you want to see the GS 430 or the GS 300 go to the members gallery and look under my clublexus handle, JeromeBaker

 

I love it....I use it all the time! It really gives you control over the gears and turns it into a different car. I love the throttle response.

 

You're not missing anything as you can do the same thing with your console shifter. It was a big disappointment to me when the car wouldn't upshift right when I pushed the button. I think it's more gimmick than anything. Sure, you can keep your hands on the wheel and shift, but who can't drive thier car with one hand anyway?

I play around with it every once in a while, but it still doesn't satisfy my craving for a manual. I love my 400, but the auto is regrettable. My next car will be manual for sure.

 

I'd agree that it is cool, but in my opinion, it is not instantaneous enough to be of real value in spirited driving. I'd also agree with the post above that you can do the same thing with the stick that you can with the buttons.
I'd be curious to know what the Team Lexus drivers think of this, do they use the buttons, the stick or just allow the automatic to do it's thing when racing?
Also, has anyone got an opinion on the Swift Racing or RMM transmission upgrades and how they affect shifitng on a stock or mildly modified GS4?

 

I think E-shif is a must.

I was in the same situation as u bro, i bought a brand new 99gs300, back then the didn't have the e-****, so boring.

Fast forward a year a so, 2001's and even 2000's i think got them.

I sold my 300 and bought a 400 and man i couldn't have been more happy.

E-shift is just amazing. I do every launch in second gear, actually it starts to pull from 1st then pops to second, u can hit the redline in 2nd, 3rd, 4th,5th.

When slowing down, its just almost as manual, u can pop it from 5-4-3-2, and u can feel the downshift nicely, in those times your speeding and the brakes aren't just doing enough to stop you.

3 words: MUST HAVE IT.

I want to go back to a gs300 and start turboing it, so even now i'm looking for a 00-01 for the job, just because of the E-****.

Trust me son

 

E-shift,

 

and oh ya to answer the last part.

YES U DID< YES U DID, just pop buy a dealership, ask for the used 400's, take it for a spin, u see what i'm talking about

peace

 

I have a 2001 GS430 without E-shift. The GS400 that I test-drove had it.

I did not like E-shift, based on my first experience:
1) 1st gear is off limits with E-shift.
2) In spirited driving (such as a winding country/mountain road), E-shift is difficult to use, because, unlike paddle shifters which stay in the same position when the wheel is turned, these buttons ride around with the wheel.

Sure it would have been nice to have, but I am not losing any sleep because the car doesn't have it. Neither should you, IMHO.

 

yeah, it's nice to have, but for me, after a month of driving, i now barely even use it. i find no point since the GS4's V8 has so much juice in it already. if you want it to downshift, just press the gas a little more.

 

I don't know man, its AMAZING.

when u drop it into gear 2 in M-mode, u stomp on the gas, gear 1 takes over, goes all the way to 62500RPM then pops into 2nd, then u have the option from here on the red-line every gear from there.

U pop it to 3, or it will just red-line in 2nd. Same in 3rd and 4th etc.

Like i said, i'm in it everytime i start the gar, as u know u can't pop it into 2nd when its cold and all, but when it warms up, watch out pests on the road.

Makes the sporty feeling the gs needs. After all, it is a sports sedan.

 

when u drive and gas it all the way down, it will drop it 1 gear lower, not as good as dropping it in 2nd and pulling from their.

assuming your in D,=5th usually at speeds over 60km/h

 

I hope this info helps.