Lexus LS fails Auto Motor und Sport braking test - AGAIN
04-10-08, 12:27 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
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Lexus LS fails Auto Motor und Sport braking test - AGAIN
The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport is reporting that a revised Lexus LS has failed the braking test a second time. A few weeks ago the new Toyota Landcruiser V8 Diesel also performed disastrously in this area. Poor braking and stability issues have long affected Lexus and Toyota models in various European roadtests.
Toyota recently sent Auto Motor und Sport a heavily revised Lexus LS and Toyota Landcruiser V8. The Landcruiser showed improved stopping power but still displays heavy fading. Despite a revised braking system, the Lexus LS tested displayed the same weak braking characteristics as the first LS tested needing over 150 meters to come to a halt. The previous LS tested needed precisely 150 meters to come to a stop. Directional stability was also rated as poor when the brakes were engaged under emergency condition with the LS displaying a tendency to yaw.
Toyota recently sent Auto Motor und Sport a heavily revised Lexus LS and Toyota Landcruiser V8. The Landcruiser showed improved stopping power but still displays heavy fading. Despite a revised braking system, the Lexus LS tested displayed the same weak braking characteristics as the first LS tested needing over 150 meters to come to a halt. The previous LS tested needed precisely 150 meters to come to a stop. Directional stability was also rated as poor when the brakes were engaged under emergency condition with the LS displaying a tendency to yaw.
04-10-08, 03:31 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Considering that 150 meters is roughly 450 feet, what the heck does their test consist of? It must be stopping repeatedly from speeds well over 100mph, since the LS stops from 60 in around 125 feet IIRC. 
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04-10-08, 03:54 PM
#5
i say this is probably after a lot of stopping to test the brake fade issues on cars. i agree it's a big issues that a lot of manufacturers are neglecting. i don't know about the ls460, but on my old gs400, after driving 400 miles from san jose to los angeles, the brakes faded so bad it wasn't funny.
one of the biggest reasons why i have bbk on all my cars
one of the biggest reasons why i have bbk on all my cars
04-10-08, 06:01 PM
#6
Super Moderator
Braking is an LS strong suit.The car needs just 113 feet to stop from 60 mph, which puts it on a level with sports car thoroughbreds such as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (112 feet).
04-10-08, 07:46 PM
#7
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The LS460 over here in Middle East Asia is amazing, in braking and stability
The brakes are too sensitive(unwanted shudder) but stop well.
Anyway, regarding the braking issue, I told my dad before buying LS460, that many magazines from USA, got bad numbers in 60-0 or 100-0 braking test on the LS460. But my dad wasn't convinced and later on explains to me, I shouldn't worry about it because we in the GULF(UAE) are getting the Japanese version of LS460 from the agency. I didn't believe it until I drove it. It stopping power is amazing.
(Please don't flame me for not testing it with an 'equipment', it was the feell of the braking)
I think my evidence proving my dad's theory would be clear after watching this video.
[b]Watch the link of a japanese LS460 whopping a A8, S class and 7series in braking and stability test.[B/]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jDL-Vj3Dgk
I don't think that the LS460's brakes available in USA or North America are bad but, I would point the finger on the tyres for the long distances. I think a better set of stickier tyres would do the trick.
The brakes are too sensitive(unwanted shudder) but stop well. Anyway, regarding the braking issue, I told my dad before buying LS460, that many magazines from USA, got bad numbers in 60-0 or 100-0 braking test on the LS460. But my dad wasn't convinced and later on explains to me, I shouldn't worry about it because we in the GULF(UAE) are getting the Japanese version of LS460 from the agency. I didn't believe it until I drove it. It stopping power is amazing.
(Please don't flame me for not testing it with an 'equipment', it was the feell of the braking)
I think my evidence proving my dad's theory would be clear after watching this video.
[b]Watch the link of a japanese LS460 whopping a A8, S class and 7series in braking and stability test.[B/]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jDL-Vj3Dgk
I don't think that the LS460's brakes available in USA or North America are bad but, I would point the finger on the tyres for the long distances. I think a better set of stickier tyres would do the trick.
Last edited by OBI_agent; 04-10-08 at 07:57 PM.
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04-10-08, 07:53 PM
#8
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04-10-08, 08:00 PM
#9
still, they are different tests. if auto motor is really testing the brake fade issues, then the ls460 can have superb braking distance, however after 100 braking or so, the car just won't stop anymore.
all ls460 have the same brakes, doesn't matter if it's the US or japan or uae. the ls460 brakes are very sensitive, especially with the ECB setup. no doubt about that. however brake fade has nothing to do with it
all ls460 have the same brakes, doesn't matter if it's the US or japan or uae. the ls460 brakes are very sensitive, especially with the ECB setup. no doubt about that. however brake fade has nothing to do with it
04-10-08, 08:29 PM
#10
Super Moderator
That's because the majority of the magazines tested pre-production LS460's equipped with crappy tires, which are not the same as those proper tires used in production cars. Some of them even clearly stated that fact. The kind of tires used is a major factor that affects stopping distance.
04-10-08, 08:35 PM
#11
Speaks French in Russian
Brakes were tested in the wet. Probably has more to do with the tires than the actual brake itself. 450ft is long, but from what speed are they braking from?? For all we know they could be braking from autobahn speeds.
04-11-08, 01:39 AM
#12
Pole Position
Brake test is really heavy duty. Constant stops and goes from high speeds around the test course and fade effect shows. Nothing to worry about since you will never be that extreme situation in real driving conditions
04-11-08, 08:21 AM
#13
Agreed. This '08 LS stops quicker than my '06 GS430 did and both had the BBK's.
This LS doesn't dive or yaw...just SQUATS.
I think, given equal tiring, it will stop as fast as any other 4,300 pound strato-lounger.
Whit
04-11-08, 08:29 AM
#14
Just and FYI: My car has the touring package. I have larger vented rotors, ceramic pads and I think 2 or 4 piston calipers. These are among the finest brakes on the market, I mean phenomenal. The ceramic pads have almost zero fade. Better-much better than my E-38 7 BMW.
I can't say I know how the stocks brakes work.
I can't say I know how the stocks brakes work.
04-14-08, 03:07 PM
#15
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According to this recent review from Autozeitung, the GS450h also suffers from poor stopping power. I have seen this comment on many Toyota and Lexus products before in Europe.
Is it me, or do perhaps European Lexi get different braking systems for some reason? Or has it something to do with the tires?
http://autozeitung.de/online/render.php?render=0122465
Is it me, or do perhaps European Lexi get different braking systems for some reason? Or has it something to do with the tires?
http://autozeitung.de/online/render.php?render=0122465