Currently have a 98 BMW 540i and am fast approaching warranty end. Love the way the car drives and handles but won't own this car out of warranty. Am considering looking for a 98 or 99 GS4 and have heard there are modifications I could make which would make it handle similar to the 540such as L-tuning. I haven't driven a modified GS yet but would like to hear from others who have made the comparison between the 2.

 

Hi,

this from 2 ex-540 owners:

1.if you prefer not lowering the gs, just get the steering ecu+trd F+R sway bars, and may be chasi braces

2.add on l-tune suspension or eib/hr springs+bilsteins, your gs would outhandle 540w/sport.

i am simply passing comments from now gsowners who owned 540s before. hope you enkoy your new gs.

william

 

Thanks. Any estimate on the cost of those mods? Now all I have to do is find one that's been modified to test-drive. Would the L-tuned 2001 give an accurate representation?

 

An L-Tuned 2001--if you can find such a beast that you can drive--would be an accurate representation. The main difference other than aesthetics between the two is a little extra torque and a lack of E-Shift on the newer car. The former's not really noticeable because Lexus hasn't quite tuned the 4.3L engine beyond not losing HP/torque due to weight. The performance should be virtually identical to the GS400. The latter can be tested on any GS400 so just use the L-Tuned GS430 to demo the handling capabilities.

I currently have a 2001 GS430 with the L-Tuned steering ECU, shocks, and springs, and I have the TRD sways and chassis brace on order. I probably won't add the strut tower brace because I've heard it doesn't do much and I'd prefer not to remove my engine cover (only on the GS430). I find the handling on the car to already be very good, and I've heard that with the TRD equipment on order, it will be incredible...

Hope this helps,
Scott

 

cost of l-tune components, estimates from steeve's price:

springs+shocks: $550
sways 575
chasis brace 275

double check w/ steve at carson toyota.

 

Get the engine strut tower bar (STB) instead the the chassis brace since the GS already have a chassis brace, but no STB.

STB is a better than chassis brace

get the chassis brace if you have done everything else