gs4to4

My friend wants to challenge me, for $$ too. Mine's a 98, his is a 2000.
I know my car's faster, but is there any chance that I can loose?
Anyone remember the 0-60 times or the 1/4 mile? Thanks

JAC JZS

To put it simply, all things being equal, a GS400 should be slightly faster than a 540i(roughly .2 faster). A 540i 6-speed with an excellent shifter should be slightly faster than a GS400(.1-.2). In the real world though all things are usually never equal so the GS4 vs. 540ia will be close depending on the drivers(launch, etc...). The GS4 will 8/10 times beat the 6-speed 540 because most drivers are not expert shifters and won't pull the shifts needed to outrun the GS4.

gs4to4

Jac JZS, thanks for the reply,
Most people will disagree with this, but I think the GS 400 "bogs" a little if you floor it from a dead stop. I noticed that the wheels don't even chirp if I floor it from a dead stop using full throttle. But, if I give it 3/4 throttle at the start, and increase to full throttle immediatly after the car gets moving, the wheels will spin for a sec and then the car will pull harder.
I also tried launching with the "left foot on brake, right on gas" technique. This usually created too much time lost due to wheelspin, but most people will say this is the best way to race, just not in my experience...
SO, what is the absolute best way to race the GS?

GS400_PUSHER

well my best 1/4 times were when I gate shifted verses e-shift. You have to practice tho! the GS can be funny sometimes when taking off from a stand still.

gs4to4

Gate shifting the GS? what RPM do you shift at?
What method do you use to launch?
Thanks

jeffandi

You should't have much wheel spin if you do a brake torque launch properly. The key is to keep your foot on the brake and lightly (don't floor it!) press the accelerator down to just before the rear wheels spin. Then on launch, release the brake and press the accelerator down. Try this, it's the only way you will get 0-60 times close to Lexus spec times.

Jeff

gs4to4

How much gas do you give it right before you first take off? So you're saying the best way to launch is to have the brakes just help a bit, and a perfect launch is that point when you're able to take off without having the wheels spin at all, or just a bit?

jimxo

Just take the trac off leave the car in "D" and punch it, you'll beat the 540 every time.

GS400_PUSHER

Man it takes practice ....Go out on a back road and play with the car alittle. You need to get used to your car.

gs4to4

Oh I've been practicing from every light for the past 2 years now! I was just curious as to what method gives the best result based on track results, not just opinions or "it feels like" this method is faster.

alexulan

Toss up, 50% chance you will lose by a hair.
50% chance you will win by a hair.

I say cheat. Get a Twin Turbo while he is not looking.

LexFather

For all intents and purposes, performance wise, these 2 are equal. It will all be in the jump you get.

gs4to4

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only by a hair, but its good to know that the GS 400 is the king!Now for the ugly: The 540 is really an awesome car, (more on this later)
We raced many times, a total of about 8 races, maybe more. He kept wanting a piece of me because he thought he had a chance of winning. From a stop, the GS leaps faster while the bmw sits there spinning for a little longer (both cars have 17's).
When we reach 30mph, I start to pull away by only a foot or two. So by now, considering that I took off better, I am 2-4 feet ahead of him. Every race, very close, very consistant results. Between 60-85mph, he starts gaining on me. At about 100mph, he almost catches up, but by then, the race is over and I hit the flashers.
But, on a rolling start 5mph, not only does the 540 take off faster, but I cant catch up to him and he usually wins by about half a car length. So in conclusion, the reason the 540 looses is because it spins too much of the line and the GS pulls a tiny bit stronger in low gears.
Back to the bmw "awesome car." After the races, we switched cars and drove each other's rides around for a good hour or so. My impression is that the bmw is a better "drivers car," much better actually. The transmission shifts are crisper, the torque convertor is much better than ours, the steering and suspension are incredible, very stable, never sloppy, and the engine feels a lot faster and sounds mean. Overall, the bmw feels a lot faster than the GS, but in reality, its not. In the GS, you don't really feel the speed, in the bmw you really do. Inside, its kind of ugly, cheaper, outdated, not cool, although he does have more gadgets than the GS. The ride is pretty harsh, less luxurious, feels a little cheap and its noisy too. Outside, he's got a full M5 kit installed so the car looks awesome. But an average 540 doesn't look nearly as good as a GS. He already has reliability problems and his car's a 2000! Mine's a 98 and its flawless.
So to sum it up, the bmw is more fun to drive, maybe even a better car if you plan to lease and beat on it every day, but when it comes down to it, the GS is a better car to live with every day.

alexulan

I agree on all parts.

gs4to4

Thanks alexulan
I was expecting criticism. After doing some thinking,
I concluded that the GS would be my choice, even if I was to lease a car and live with either the Lexus or the BMW for a few years. But if I was to rent a car for a few days, I would pick the 540, for the thrill, and for variety.