I am still on the fence in terms of choosing between the GS and 5 Series, but today I finally got the chance to test drive all of them and my comments are as follows:

1. 2006 Lexus GS430 & GS300
The GS430 in Blue Onyx looks awesome. Those 18" rims make the car and although the body style is exactly the same as the GS300, they still physically look like totally different vehicles for some reason. I had a 2001 GS430, so I wanted to compare right off the bat. The power is still incredible and the handling is also quite improveed (I had to L-Tune my 01). The steering feels more solid and the handling with the Sport & Power ECT options performed very well. There is also a nice reving sounds to the GS430. The Interior is beautiful and I too will be one of the ones to say the new GS looks a LOT better in person than from just photos.

It's a sleek looking car, sportier than before yet still luxurious. I think Lexus did a great job with this redesign.

The GS300 was fine too. Maybe I should have driven the GS300 RWD first instead of the GS430 since the GS430 spoiled me, but the GS30 has good power, nothing wrong with it. Heck even the standard rims looked OK and better in person. But it still was not breathtaking like the GS430.

2. 2005 BMW 530i (2006 Not Available yet, but can order it now)
- For 2006, the major change is the engine HP upgrade to 255HP. I test drove the standard 225HP engine that has been around since 2001. The Acceleration is smooth (more power would be great as expected in the 2006s) the handling is great (BMW's forte), the steerring is nice and tight. This is a quick car for only 225HP. And most of all it was fun to drive (every BMW owner will tell you this) I am one of those fans of the exterior look of these new 5 series, so I am into it. The Interior is not as nice as the Lexus of course. What makes me lean towards this vehicle is the available sports package which makes this more sportier (Sports Suspension, 18" rims, etc...).

The reason I am mostly comparing the GS430 to the 530i is due to the price. A 530i can get up there in price (nicely equipped) and enter GS430 pricing territory (the new 550i later this year hits Mid to high 60s). Then it almost seems like a no brainer to go with the V8 Lexus, however I am still not sure which I will choose. Could it be due to the 4.3 Lexus V8 has been out since 2001 and could change to a GS450 / 450h at any time (as early as next model year)? You know it's coming, but does it really matter? Probably not, since you can never catch up, but it would be tough buying a GS430 now and then finding out that the brand new V8 and Hybrid are coming out in just a year with so much more HP. To some this will not matter. I waited several months for my 2005 GX470 just to get the 270HP V8. Some people said it doesn't make too much of a difference, however I still feel better that I got the updated V8.

Either way it's a great time to buy a mid-size luxury vehicle, since there are so many to choose from and the competition is very keen now.

 

Thanks for the impressions and comments LEXGUYNJ, well done. I've been also mulling over between BMW and GS430.

 

Hey Dlomshek, no problem at all. This is a tough decision and if you want all sportiness with a little luxury and the name plate and the 5 series is the way to go. If you want the ultimate luxury with some sportiness the GS is the way to go.

 

I test drove the 530 recently and had a couple of impressions as well.

1. Lack of value. The 530 didn't even have Nav and it was already $53K

2. Although I appreciate BMW hanging tough with the inline 6, this one sounded like a light truck. BMW engines used to sound better, sort of like a smooth turbine-like hum.

3. Cheap interior: The seatback recline control button jammed half the time I tried to use it. The model on the show floor did the same thing. Also, the temp controls for the climate system had a rough, almost like sand in the gears feel and sound. Unexcusable in a luxury car let alone a fifty thousand dollar one

4. I-Drive. Sucks. I couldn't change the radio station without pulling over the first time

5. Check out JD Power and get ready to get intimate with the service department. No thanks.

6. Styling. I like the outside. I think it's a much better looking car than the GS, 2nd or 3rd generation. The 5's inside is small and stark. Good riddance Mr. Bangle. He ruined the 7, and luckily for BMW, wasn't unleashed to the same degree on the 5.

in short, I decided I can put some more miles on my GS and wait for the GS460 or whatever it is going to be when the bigger V8 arrives.

 

Get both of 'em! You seem to have a sweet collection already started!?!

 

nice! Although, I dont think 2006 530i will feel significantly faster because its torque has raised only tiny bit. Same as with GX470, big hp raise, small torque raise and small difference but bigger bragging rights...

Just get GS430, as you said, you will never wait it out :-).

 

FYI, a 80 lbs lighter E90 330i 6 speed is faster than GS430 in 0-60. With same powertrain the 06 530i automatic will be quiet faster than GS300. Realistically you looking in the low 6 range for the 06 530i. Torque although important for automatic in acceleration, geat ratio and power loss is also important.

This is not like Lexus power hike. BMW power hike are genuine and shows up on the acceleration result quiet well. A 6 speed 530i will give GS430 automatic a great run.

 

The 430's smoothness mated to an ultra smooth 6 speed transmission will have you drooling. I cannot speak for the 530's inline 6 but I can't see a 6 as being as smooth.

The 430 has plenty of low RPM torque to get you through turns and passing without the tranny shifting like a mad man. But if you persist, expect to feel the rubber band sling shot of acceleration when you need it.

As I've said in other posts, the 430 is certainly not going to steal a trophy from an SL55 but for the price, you can't do any better to end up with the best bundle of performance & smoothness.

Read my review of the GS430. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=154780 If you want to hop to performance and final thoughts you'll find them at then end.

 

So? Neither is meant for drag racing. The GS would feel, and emphasis feel stronger, its a 4.3, a V8, has more torque and power...and in the end unless you go racing, feel is what counts.
As for the Lexus power hike, fact is an LS430 compares really well with the 745i in terms of acceleration (see comparisons) and with less power, so I guess in that case a 290 horese actually feel like more. Please give the "German horses" theory a rest...

 

Well said.

 

GS vs 5 Series

lexguynj,

Not really sure why this is a tough decision for you. They are both great cars but in very different ways.
5 series is a hardcore SPORT sedan with great power and handling, and it comes with a manual. I test drove the 545i and i came away extremely impressed with its power and handling. BUT i hate how it looks.....Its just a very ugly design, and i even like the 7. Another thing is the interior is just HORRIBLE. It looks and feels cheap. Then ofcourse there is the reliability factor. The one i test drove had a light in the dash saying the car had a flat tire, which was incorrect.

GS is not as responsive or will handle as well as the 5.....But the handling part can be upgraded with aftermarket parts at least. The new GS looks GREAT also, nobody will say "That car is ugly." But the best thing about the car is the interior. Once u sit in the new GS, you feel like a KING. Its so comfortable and everything looks and feels of great quality.

To me, the GS's Style and Luxury outweigh the small amount of performance it gives up to the 5.

 

I agree with you. While the 545i is a great car to drive, but both the exterior & especially the interior is probably undesirable enough for me to care too much about the rest.

 

?????

The 745i in edmunds did 0-60 in 6 second flat.

While the LS430 did it in 6.4. That's a huge difference when you are talking about a sub 7 second car.

Did well?

The LS430 is light at 3990 lb. The 745i starts at 4360 LB.

Almost 10% heavier and did 0-60 almost half second faster.

Let's put this in perspective.

The outgoing 540iA (automatic) with 290 HP at end of 2003 at 4000 LB was doing 0-60 in around 6 second.

This is the simple truth. The old E39 540iA with 290HP and about the same weight will outgun the LS430 as well.

Compare to 3707 lb GS430 automatic (which is about 300 lb lighter than E39), the 540iA is 0.3 second faster to 0-60 than 300HP GS430 according to edmunds figure on GS430.

GS430 has both weight and HP advantage. The torque is the same at 325.

hmm. I guess my comment still stands.

 

I had a E39 M5 and it had a 3.15 rear end. So did the 540iA with the sport package. I think BMW's secret is the gearing. Better acceleration, but higher engine speeds and worse mileage.

I'm not sure what the rear end on a GS430 is but I'm sure it's less than 3.15.

Different cars, different missions.

 

Okay. I was mistaken on the source.

The new 6 speed LS430 did 0-60 in 6.4 second per the motor trend's test in 2004.
While the 745i at 300LBs heavier did in 6.1 second. Still significantly faster.

As far as displacement and output goes. That is really BS.

745i actually has a 4.4L v8 4398cc.
LS430 displace 4290CC. So we are talking about 100cc. Or 2.3% difference in displacement.

BMW 4.4 valvetronic V8 has 35 more HP, and 10lb feet more of torque. 12% more HP, and 3% more torque (at higher RPM).

However, the 745i is 10% heavier. Therefore, the higher output of the engine is just about cancelled by the weight. Not to mention the torque is only 3% higher.

In automatic, the torque number will trump the HP for acceleration. The 745i has 10% weight only a 2.3% and 3% advantage in displacement and torque should tell you something about the german HP.

In addition, you have overlooked the other stuff i posted. You still can't explain a 10% lighter GS430 will not beat less output E39 540iA.

Like I said, BMW are always conservative with their numbers while Lexus is little on the high side. To this date, I have not yet seen a LS430 with 6 speed that did 0-60 in under 6 second nor does it comes with 6 speed manual (manumatic is not a manual transmission).