GS uses more sport oriented tires so they will produce more noise. Especially the FSport or the new Luxury model with the 19's.

The ES typically come with tires that attempts to maximize ride comfort and fuel economy so they are usually quieter.

GS has a intake sound amplifier so that's were you will notice the throatier sound when accelerating.

 

The GS has a throatier intake sound like you said. Road noise and wind noise, on good tires I think the GS is quieter.

As for Sport oriented tires, you'd think that but the tires that typically come on AWD GS' are grand touring tires...same as on the ES, even the F Sport.

 

Thank you. Looks like I will be on the hunt for a '12 or so LS.

 

Are the GS' tires wider?

 

I've had all three, the LS is by far the smoothest and quietest of the bunch.

What you loose in the 2012 though is the latest styling and the newest infotainment. I love the big wide screen that I had in the GS and have in the LS. A 2013 is the latest styling and has all of that so if I were you I would look for a 2013...

They are slightly, the ES runs 215 width tires and the GS runs 235 with tires. Thats not that big a deal though with good quality tires, for instance the LS also runs 235 width tires (245 in 19s) and its quieter than both.

The GS is more refined, more sound deadened, and more substantial than the ES in general.

 

Is there any way to turn off / remove the sound enhancer on the GS? I'm taking delivery Saturday and I would like to quiet it down even more.

 

Sure, you can remove the intake and replace it with the intake from a 3GS. That will work and no sound generator.

I would live with it a while though. I did and came to like it. You only hear the growl at high RPMs. Like, heavy acceleration.

 

I have Michellin PSS on my F Sports. With the dual pane front windows and something new in the door design (that I don't know) the thing is quieter than my old luxury running on 18". I do feel a bit more impact over the bumper as expected due to thinner rubber. ES ride is too floaty IMO. And the intake sound is only that noticeable when someone floors the thing to high rpm and in S+. Same goes with luxury.

 

Yeah, I think I'll let it in for a while. I don't go FT that often, only when I'm racing supped up '89 Civics

But do I need to replace it with something else if I decide to remove it? Can't I just ... plug the whole or smth?

 

What do you mean by old Luxury? 3GS?

 

No, the sound creator is built into the intake tube. If you want it to sound right you have to replace the intake.

He had a 2013 luxury model.

 

A K&N Air Intake will raise HP, and has no sound generator.
The GS350 supposed to get 12 extra horses at 5,500 rpm on top of some 306 horses already, so a 3.9% improvement is hardly noticeable.
http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...prod=69-8704TP

More on the sound generator here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-n-intake.html

 

K&N filters can cause some problems. I also, based on previous experience on MB an BMW, believe that there is no increase in HP. I love the sound generator on the '13.

 

There's also an F-sport intake, and it doesn't have the sound generator on it.

 

When I first test drove the GS350 back in early 2012, there was engine roar on moderate acceleration, while cruising was actually quieter than the old 3GS.
However, I find that my 2015 GS350 is very quiet on moderate acceleration, and that engine roar is gone?
I still have my 3GS to compare both back to back.
I find that the 4GS roar under acceleration is all gone, hence I have put off plans for modifying the intake system.

Is it just me, or have they actually altered the intake or sound insulation this year?

I also find the new silver luxury 19" [from the F Sport] a trifle bumpy and noisier, but okay I guess.
Really, they should have an option for an 18" of the same styling for a truly opulent ride in the 4GS.
Likewise, the 3IS luxury rides very opulently on 17", rather than on the F Sport's 18".