I've tried searching the forums and apologize now if this has already been discussed.

Why did Lexus do away with the E-shift on the GS430? But than made it available on the 2001-2005 GS300's? Like I would assume it made more sense to have it on the GS4x0's. Please enlighten me.

...and yes I'm stilling looking for my GS! For some of you who know me.

 

Lexus wanted to make the 430 lean more towards the luxurious and classier side rather than the sporty side. It was later determined that the market for the 430 were for an older, more established class of people (car estimated to be priced at $58k off the lot) who still had a little bit of enthusiast in their blood. Typically, younger people who love to drive sportier cars, weren't in the tax bracket to afford those models. The 300 had the Sport Designs so they would rather point the emphasis of sport in that direction and give those models E-Shift and yet still make them affordable to attract the younger buyers. Just my opinion.

 

I think my 98 GS400 has E-shift and its just shy of useless. You cant go to first while rolling. 1-2 shift is embarrassingly slow and the shifter gate is a pain to learn to shift quickly through.

It would be great if it actually shifted faster and firmer gear to gear when in manual mode or gate shifting. Seems like it would just need a servo to open up the flow of fluids when in a sportier mode and limit flow when in regular driving mode.

 

There is a thread about it from way back in the days. 2000-2001 time frame. Good luck on your search.

 

Found an old post of mine, pasted below

98 - 00 GS400 has e-shift, 98 - 00 GS300 does not
reverse it for 01+
2001 + GS430 no e-shift
2001 + GS300 eshift

Scuttlebutt is that it was done so that the GS430 could meet ULEV emissions standards.

 

Because e shift is garbage and would ruin the luxury appeal that they're trying to give off. U can't put an LS430 engine/tranny/valve body with e shift it just doesn't make sense. The 430 was refined for luxury and personally I think the steering wheel controls for the stereo system is 100 times better then the useless e shift

 

I don't think it has to do with emissions since this is an option it's not like your forced to use the e shift. They changed the cats to meet better emission standards. E shift shouldn't matter...

 

That info came from several different dealers / techs at the time the change occurred. Can't attest to it's veracity.

 

I've never driven the Gs430 but most people say it is more refined than the Gs400 which I have. I have driven the Ls430 though and I can see why e-shift wouldn't make sense in the Gs430. Truth be told e-shift is nothing special on a stock Gs. I mostly use in for engine braking with my Gs400 that's about it.

 

Have yourself a read:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...nalysis-5.html