werewolf

Hi all

I am considering getting a 3rd gen used GS350 for my wife.

I currently have a 1998 GS400 which I love.

I am looking for some feedback from 3gen GS owners who also had the 2nd gen GS model before.

What's better / worse on the new model particularly with reliability and running costs?

Also model-specific maintenance items to watch for (i.e. ball joints, timing belt)

Thanks

rominl

iTrader: (4)

3gs i believe is on timing chain. it's a pretty different car from the 2gs. the 3gs is still pretty new so it's hard to talk about the wear and tear on suspension yet i think. i had the gs400, and now the gs350. i will just run off whatever i can come up with here

2gs:
better built quality
larger interior space
more shoulder / head room
bigger more usable trunk
dated navigation and sound system
more comfortable seat (for same age of vehicle)
not-so-good gas mileage

3gs:
smaller interior, especially rear cabin space
small trunk
less shoulder space
more modern navigation system, screen size/design
mark levinson system good but not great
louder engine sound due to direct injection
fit and finish not as good
seat not as comfortable
more rattling / noise
very good fuel economy
better cup holders
a bit stiffer suspension
slightly better handling

vwynn

iTrader: (4)

theres no comparison...

2gs = Cheaper to buy

CBRA928

iTrader: (3)

GS350 is on a timing chain? so no need to change it? i just came from a 2GS to a 3GS

rominl

iTrader: (4)

someone else please help confirm though. i am really not 100% on this. i think i read it somewhere before, but that's about it

yeah, 1gs is even cheaper

SRGS300

Iv had both 2gs and 3gs and I would say the 2gs has better build quality. But the 3gs is faster nicer a little annoying on rattles and a bit louder engine

LexFather

2GS 400/430 owner here....The 3GS has some longer service intervals. Pricing for maintenance is about the same as the 2GS. Considering the car has been around 5 years next month we haven't seen a lot of wear/high mile issues in comparison to the 2GS.

One small thing I much prefer on the 3GS is the variable heat/cool seats. On the 2GS either it burns your butt or its off

The G Man

The GS350 uses a timing chain. I wish they can put the 3GS powertrain into the 2GS chassis.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

haha i didn't have it in my 2gs, but yes, people i know with that option complains about it too

spine911

iTrader: (4)

GS300 & 350s = timing chains
GS430 = timing belts (thus the smoother engine feel)

timing chains are not forever; typically they will need replacing when it starts rattling (around 100k miles +/-).

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i would imagine more? otherwise what's the point of timing chain when timing belt is also changed around 100k?

spine911

iTrader: (4)

the key is the rattling noise-once the chain starts making noise, time to replace. (mileage is +/-)

as for 100k timing belts, my previous VW TDI had the 100k timing belt but most TDI enthusiasts i know would change them earlier around 80k as insurance....i would do the same thing on ANY belt driven engines as insurance, keep in mind the the rollers, bearings, tensioners are also an integral part of the belt and may fail prior to 100k(or might not) - it is just cheap insurance.

Lexzam

As a current owner and driver of both 2GS and 3GS I would short list main points as:
- 3GS definitely got firmer suspension, e.g. it takes speed bumps much better and has somewhat better handling
- trunk size is a big issue with 3GS, it's much smaller than competition in the class
- also interior space is much better in 2GS
- fuel economy is slightly better with 3GS (GS300 vs GS300)
- 2GS has better visibility through rear window (3GS compensates this with reversing camera)
- 2GS had benchmark braking distance 10 years ago (even better than some Porsches), 3GS stopping distance is more like average -- though braking distances have gone down generally, so not so sure if 2GS is stopping so much quicker than 3GS

NemeGuero

iTrader: (15)

3gs's are ugly..

seriously.

I know I'm biased because I own a 2gs, but I could have just as easily bought the newer gen. But, I didn't want to. I haven't seen a single 3gs that I like.

SNiiP3R

iTrader: (3)

Agree with everything that was said here. I also thought that 3GS seats were not as comfy as 2GS, but that's until I sat in my friend's MB, it felt like I was sitting on the bench. After that experience I now really like the 3GS seats The built quality is fine, the only thing I dont like is the material they've used for the dashboard, looks and feels kinda cheap. But I think the same material is being used on all new cars, so cant complain. The sound system is better I think, it is also alot easier to change CD's now. Rear backup camera and park assistant help a lot in New York.