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I fine with 3M you need to apply pressure for a little while and then it sticks fine. Mine are holding well
Whenever a plastic part needs something like the 3M to adhere to it clean it really well with alcohol and if you are really afraid of it coming loose scuff with a fine sandpaper then clean it
Drove our '15 GS for the first time in a long time. Some highlights/noticeable differences between it and our '18:
Seats in the '15 are a little bit more comfortable/easier to get comfortable in for some reason. It takes me a lot longer and takes a lot more fiddling to get comfy in the '18.
Body stiffness/solidity is noticeably better in the '18. This is apparent even just when opening/closing the doors. All those additional laser welds/adhesives on the newer model actually add up to a noticeable difference.
Ride quality/road feel. Ride quality is still quite good and smooth in the '15 but is a little bit more jittery than the '18. Road feel is significantly more present in the '15. The '18 is noticeably more detached. '18 GS feels like a smaller LS whereas '15 GS feels like a bigger IS.
Fun to drive factor goes to the '15 for sure, but this could be due to the rear wheel steering option that my '18 doesn't have. Feels much lighter on its feet in this regard and more eager to turn in. Definitely has higher limits due to rear-wheel steering, but not by as much as you'd think. '18 GS is great in this regard as it's already very agile/nimble and easy to maneuver.
Steering weight in Sport S+ definitely gets heavier in the '15. Both cars get quite stiff in Sport S+ mode. I'd say it's pretty equal. I don't think the '15 GS gets stiffer suspension wise than the '18. '18 GS definitely gets softer in Normal and even softer in Eco mode.
I said in the past that '15 GS suspension damping doesn't seem to change in Eco/Normal/Sport S modes like the '18 does. This is incorrect. It definitely does, but the difference is way more subtle, borderline unnoticeable. Steering response with VGRS definitely changes between Normal and Sport S modes, just like '18 GS (despite what Lexus literature says about the changes only occurring in Sport S+ mode). It feels like the '15 GS has stiffer springs or '18 GS dampers are tuned differently and allow the dampers to soften up more than '15 GS allows.
Engine performance feels about the same, but the '15 feels like the lighter car between the two.
Engine/transmission performance/responsiveness goes to the '18. The FKS motor feels much more eager and free to rev. Definitely the more lively of the two, whether it's mechanical differences, electronic tuning/programming differences, or both.
Engine noise with the sound generator on both is much louder/sportier and certainly more aggressive in tone in the '18. '15 GS is more muted and less aggressive in this aspect.
'15 is noticeably quieter to drive but I think this is because it has dual-pane side windows whereas my '18 does not.
Overall, I forgot how nice our '15 GS is to drive. It just passed 100,000 miles and still feels great to drive. Feels very new, even compared to my '18 GS with less than 20,000 miles. These cars age incredibly well.
Drove our '15 GS for the first time in a long time. Some highlights/noticeable differences between it and our '18:
Seats in the '15 are a little bit more comfortable/easier to get comfortable in for some reason. It takes me a lot longer and takes a lot more fiddling to get comfy in the '18.
Body stiffness/solidity is noticeably better in the '18. This is apparent even just when opening/closing the doors. All those additional laser welds/adhesives on the newer model actually add up to a noticeable difference.
Ride quality/road feel. Ride quality is still quite good and smooth in the '15 but is a little bit more jittery than the '18. Road feel is significantly more present in the '15. The '18 is noticeably more detached.
Fun to drive factor goes to the '15 for sure, but this could be due to the rear wheel steering option that my '18 doesn't have. Feels much lighter on its feet in this regard.
Engine performance feels about the same, but the '15 feels like the lighter car between the two. '18 GS feels like a mini LS whereas '15 GS feels like a bigger IS.
Engine/transmission performance/responsiveness goes to the '18. The FKS motor feels much more eager and free to rev. Definitely the more lively of the two, whether it's mechanical differences, electronic tuning/programming differences, or both.
Engine noise with the sound generator on both is much louder/sportier and certainly more aggressive in tone in the '18. '15 GS is more muted and less aggressive in this aspect.
'15 is noticeably quieter to drive but I think this is because it has dual-pane side windows whereas my '18 does not.
Overall, I forgot how nice our '15 GS is to drive. It just passed 100,000 miles and still feels great to drive. Feels very new, even compared to my '18 GS with less than 20,000 miles. These cars age incredibly well.
Agree on all your points, however, I cannot attest to the rear wheel steering as both my '15 and '20 was/is AWD
The last few model years definitely have focused on the "mini LS" feel
To me it is like going from my NA Miata into and NC (not taking into account the ND). Still the feel and fun but the later model has a bit more luxury that is more appealing to a broader audience. Although the sales numbers on the GS don't reflect the broader audience piece
Installed an OEM-type rear spoiler from SportWing - hard to see since it's black, so tried some profile shots:
Before:
And after install:
Personally, though I'd heard more than enough testimonials on using the 3M tape only, I decided to man up and drill the holes for the mount. Took my time, it went perfectly, and I'm happy with the result!
Are these clip-on covers or did you vinyl wrap? I want to cover my mirrors and door handles, but I'm getting pretty tired of all the hassles of doing vinyl myself. I have read the handle covers disable the touch mechanism of the handles though... What is your setup?
Installed an OEM-type rear spoiler from SportWing - hard to see since it's black, so tried some profile shots:
Before:
And after install:
Personally, though I'd heard more than enough testimonials on using the 3M tape only, I decided to man up and drill the holes for the mount. Took my time, it went perfectly, and I'm happy with the result!
Looks great! I was in your shoes back in 2015 when I also drilled into my trunk to install the spoiler.
07-29-20, 12:11 PM
