Were they the same trim level? Same PSI in the tires?

 

Yes, both of us have fully equipped GS350 RWD Luxury Packages; his 2013 with 18", my 2015 with 19" [downsized to 18"], and we both run the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 235/45R18 at 33 PSI.

My original 19" on Dunlop 235/40R19's behaved almost like a sports sedan with steering response and directness that belies it 3,800 lbs.
On relatively smooth roads, it was superb, however over severe bumps and pot holes, it would cause a judder with creaking and rattling under the front left tweeter.

The only midsize sedan I've driven that's sharper would probably have been the 2003-2010 discontinued BMW 530i which was even sharper, thanks to its 3,400 lbs weight, but then that 5 Series had a much shorter cabin inside, much less isolation, and much less equipment.
If I remember correctly, the previous generation 5 Series also did not fair well in some collision tests.
.

 

I would also venture to say that his suspension is a little bit more worn in...

 

I've had this 15 F sports since July. Maybe I'm getting old but I can't say it's comfortable for my back and neck. I never had this feel with the 13 luxury only moths ago. It's a nice sports sedan but I'm actually losing my interest. I can't believe I'm actually enjoying my wife's RX

 

Thats why I didn't get the F Sport...

 

I thought about this possibility too.
However, when I look back, I find that cars barely soften in two years at low mileage.
The greatest suspicion is why the 2015 has different front coil & front shock part numbers.

It is quite normal for manufacturers to make running changes to spring rates etc, however most of the time, there is a formal announcement.

 

I like the way my 2015 Fsport seats have about 100 ways to set them. Plus they are more comfortable than my 2014 MBZ E350 Sport. Had the car for almost two weeks and enjoy the rid to work more than the benz. I got my son a 2014 (in 2014) Kia Soul and the GS350 seats still are more comfortable.

 

I would hope the seats in a $60,000 GS are better than the seats in a Kia Soul haha.

The luxury has even more adjustments than the F Sport if you can believe it.

 

Steve and others - what exactly is the difference between the GS Luxury seats and the F Sport? Does this mean there are 3 types of GS seats : base, luxury , and F Sport? Actually that would mean 4 types of seats: base, luxury, F sport, and GS-F ?

I checked out a bunch of GS's at the dealership and drove an F Sport. The seat in it has a dual lumbar support which has inflation/deflation for the lower part of the back, and separate inflation/deflation for the upper lumbar area. This was interesting, but I was expecting a different type of 4 way lumbar with inflation/deflation and the other "way" being to move the lumbar pad vertically. Is that type available (perhaps on the luxury)? then there is the GSF which has a totally different seat from the others....

2nd question - perhaps simple - you refer to the recent refresh to the 4th Gen ES - in which year did that occur? I see you mention that you did'nt like the interior of the first year model of the 4th Gen - in which year did it "improve"? I still have'nt ruled out getting an ES vs a GS.....

 

Correct. The Luxury trim has 18 way seats vs 16 way on the F Sport. The additional adjustments are to the backrest, the luxury has an articulating backrest.

The ES was refreshed for 2016

 

I see, thanks. Found a photo of it as there aren't many Luxury Package GS's around my area, at least that I can find easily. What exactly does the top lumbar button do? The bottom two appear to be the same as the 2 on the F sport.

 

One for lower lumbar and the other for upper lumbar. The top most button articulates the shoulder part forward and backwards. There are so many adjustments on the Luxury Package GS 350 that if you cant find a comfortable setting then your probably not human!

 

and for those who are NOT human, I think they need an LS

 

Actually the seats were better and with more adjustments in my luxury package GS than they are in my LS!

 

in my brief test drives so far, I have preferred the "in and out, up and down" adjustability of the LS compared to the F sport GS, but haven't found a Lux Package GS to try yet. Also, when sitting in each seat for a longer period of time may also change things. I guess also, everyone's tush and back is different…..

the main hesitation I have with getting an LS right now is the increased length of the car - my wife will kill me for taking up extra garage space!