BimmerJustin

looking at a used gs300 with the wood dash kit. Personally, i dont like it. Can it be removed to reveal the dash and gauge area as if it was never there or is the backing different from models that did not come with the trim.

Found a great car with low mileage but carfax reports an accident with right front damage. Typically it reports if there was frame damage, in this case it does not say, so im assuming it was mostly cosmetic. I would, of course, inspect the car more with this knowledge, but in your opinion would this be a dealbreaker when buying a used model?

The 90k manufacturers service interval on a 99 GS400 does not include the water pump. It only includes the timing belt.

Is this true?

No subscription required.

The 98-00 cars have a hard drive based nav system, the last update for that system was 2005 I believe, they won't be making any others because its difficult due to the hard drive.

If factory nav is important to you, I'd get a 2001. The 2001 has the DVD system and updates are still readily available.

it actually just so happens that the car I am looking at has navi. I think I would prefer if it did not, because I would rather get a garmin or something. But if I do wind up buying this car, I'll just take it for what its worth.

If I buy a 2000 GS with navi, does Lexus offer an update for it? The car is 8 years old and road maps have definitely changed since then, especially around me.

Also, a subscription is not required for Lexus build-in navi, correct?

This car has been excessively serviced virtually every 3 months. Its good to know the owner took care of it, but also a little scary that it needed that much service. I'm gonna call the dealership and see if they will clue me in to what all of this stuff is.

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHisto...8BH68X8Y0024787

Of note: the V8's have a very expensive 90k service requirement, which includes the timing belt and water pump. Usually around $1,500+ at the dealership, $800 from an indi. You'll want to make sure if you're looking at that mileage that it's been done, or factor it into your offer if not. Secondly, do a search for "strut rods" and read up on the "clunk" when those strut rod bushings go out. Not terribly expensive to replace, probably $250-$300 for both parts. You mention bumps and chunks in the road. When you test drive, go over bumps at normal speeds and slow speeds and listen for any clunk noises. If you hear it, you'll know the car is ready for some suspension repairs. Of all the things that could go wrong with cars, the Lexus is by far one of the very best ever built. But, that soft/quiet/smooth ride is at the cost of very soft rubber bushings in all the suspension parts. Those bushings usually last longer than almost all other suspension parts in all cars. But at the 90-100k marks, you start to see some signs of bushing wear on the most abused parts, like the front strut rods, rear carrier arms, and sometimes lower control arms.

do you think it would be fair to say that it is worth buying a GS with higher mileage knowing that this service has been performed?

In that case, then I would probably go with the 400. I assume you're talking used, as you note 400 not 430. Buying used, the V8 tends to be in better shape for the same reason SWO mentioned about power v. weight. The V8 in a GS is almost overkill, with means it doesn't have to work nearly as hard to get moving. Plus, I'm sure after the 2.5 6 in your BMW, you probably have an itchin' for a V8.

I like that BMW! If I could have a 3rd car, I'd probably buy one. However, I spent quite a long time reviewing the 3 series in general, as I really love those wagons, but was spooked a little due to that rear subframe mount problem. After driving just one with my wife, which clearly had that issue, I canned the idea of German in general. When they're right, man are they some serious fun, which is probably 90% of the time. But, when they're wrong, man are they pains in the butts. But if I came across a nice wagon sport of the same design as yours, I'd have to rethink some things. I think they're just the most beautiful 3 series ever made (that design period in general, not just the wagon).

One thing you'll notice though with regards to costs of repairs on the Lexus v. your BMW, is that they aren't cheap, at all. Parts are far more expensive, especially brake rotors and such. But, the upside to that is that you rarely have to fix a Lexus.

You are correct, I am looking at a 1998-2001 or so GS. Basically, I just want to lower my monthly payment and get into a relatively cheap comfortable cruiser. I'm going to try to find one with around 75k-95k miles, which should put it around my price range.

The BMW is great if you live in an area with a lot of winding, open roads, which is where I used to live when I graduated college and bought the car. Now that I've moved so close to NYC. My driving consists of 90% 80mph on the highway, and 10% pulling my hair out at lights and in traffic on roads that haven't been paved in 20 years. So all the joy of driving a Bimmer is lost to a bumpy ride and high blood pressure.

Plus, as I get older ( :( )I find myself caring less about having a sporty/flashy car and more about comfort and luxury. Though the V8 would help ease that transition. :D

How about it OP?

What's the commute like---stop and go--- like NC thinks, or cruising like how I read the post? If you do go for the 400, make sure you have the traction control option. Rear wheel drive+quiet power+snow=trouble.

The rest of the year's driving will be worth it tho.

In my 92 ls, I'm getting around 18-20mpg with an 80/20 mix town and hwy on midgrade, 10% ethanol. When it's reversed, I'll typically get 25-28mpg. Plus, it'll be great on those long vacation trips.

Not too shabby for all that quiet luxury.

I'm not joking when I say that my driving is 90% hwy and 10% city. I do live in a cramped little urban area, but my apartment is 3 traffic lights from I-95 and then a straight shot to I-684, then my job is literally 30 seconds off the freeway in danbury, ct. I do hit some stop and go traffic maybe once a week for about 10 minutes, but no more than that. If I was sure that I could average 24mpg for my commute, I think I would pull the trigger.

As for snow, I try not to concern myself too much with it. If it snows that bad, I'll call out of work. And since I'm on the hwy most of the time they do a nice job plowing and keeping it clear. I also have garage parking at my apartment, so I wont get jammed up in a lot or on the street.

I am going to test drive one this weekend and see what happens. Buying a new anything is dependant on me selling my 3-series first. Interested?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showt...d.php?t=1040689

I had this problem with my 325Ci, and it turned out to be that the front caliper was seized. Only one was seized, I replaced both to ensure the brakes would operate symetrically. Completely fixed the problem.

I'm trying hard to convince myself to just buy a GS400 instead of a GS300, but its just not very practical for me. I live in the northeast, so winter is an issue. Also, with gas prices soaring, its tough to bring myself to buy the less efficient model.

So how many people are in this situation? You drive a lot of miles and just choose to pay the extra for gas and call out sick when it snows hard, just so you can have that extra power.

(Also, I really want the nakamichi system and I'm having a tough time finding GS300's with it)

good to hear it. Since I posted, I've been scouting GS300's (1998-2001) and am pretty set on picking one up.

I wish I could bring myself to pull the trigger on a GS400, but I drive 90 miles a day, and come winter time I dont have a second car. But I test drove a GS300 and I'm happy with the power, and especially the torque coming from driving my 3-series.

Question though: Is there a difference between the 1998, 1999, 2000, and the 2001 as far as reliability? Were there any problems on earlier models that were fixed along the way?

I currently own a 3 series BMW and am looking at the lexus GS300 and the ES300. My commute is long and I'm finally realizing that the 3 series is not the most comfortable when driving 90 miles a day.

I was reading through the GS forum registry thread and noticed people were listing off problems left and right. I was under the impression that lexus was like the standard for reliability.

I'm currently looking at a 2000 GS300, 1-owner, with 94k miles, well maintained. Should I be worried about getting slammed with maintenance costs?

Also, I am looking at ES300s as well. Could I expect an ES300 to be more reliable than its GS counterpart? Also, the GS is about 300lbs heavier than the ES but with the same engine, how much worse gas mileage should I expect to get?

Thanks