GS450H / E90 330i / E39 530i

pepsilol

pepsilol

pepsilol

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26 Jun 2011
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Seems impressive performance and economy wise.

Fuel consumption (urban) 30.7 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 39.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 35.8 mpg
0 - 62 mph 5.9 seconds
Top speed 155 mph
Cylinders 6
Valves 24 v
Engine power 346 bhp
Engine torque 271 lbs/f

However are Lexis(?) really that reliable ? Anyone had one of these or one of these transmissions?

Also struggling to find any real specialists in the South Yorkshire area aswell! Found one in Wakefield but its still a trek.
 
I had a gs430 of the same shape as the 450h for a number of years. It was faultlessly reliable. Not even a bulb went.
The downside is that it was dull as ditchwater to drive. Fast in a straight line but the chassis got out of shape really quickly. My main complaint with the car was the ride quality. The suspension is very hard to give a sporty feel but because the steering is utterly lifeless the point is lost. Lexus should have fitted floaty barge suspension.
The cvt transmission in the 450 is good. I've not heard of any failures anyway.
Take the economy figures with a pinch of salt though. You are never going to be on batteries above 15mph at which point its the same as any other 2 tonne, 3.5L car.
 
Its not really a CVT so dont expect many issues on that side, its about the simpliest multi speed transmission known to man.

Being a hybrid means it can provide acceleration without loading the engine as much as it would no electric assist so the engine has to not only make less power for a demanded accleration rate but the power it makes can be in a more efficient part of the engine map..... and the energy is free from breaking. The EV speed threshold has nothing to do with the efficiency and lots of EV would just mean loads of parasitic load later on anyway...
 
Interesting, I need to get hold of one as I am afriad it's not going to handle at all. I understand it's not going to be like my 3 series sport, but I don't want it to be 100% useless and dead around the corner !

I am thinking about getting one and throwing on Lexus warranty or warrantywise/direct, not sure on that side of things.

My brother is convinced I am entering a world of trouble as finding parts are going to be very expensive and rare.

Other option is a 630i with a warranty again.
 
Interesting, I need to get hold of one as I am afriad it's not going to handle at all. I understand it's not going to be like my 3 series sport, but I don't want it to be 100% useless and dead around the corner !

I am thinking about getting one and throwing on Lexus warranty or warrantywise/direct, not sure on that side of things.

My brother is convinced I am entering a world of trouble as finding parts are going to be very expensive and rare.

Other option is a 630i with a warranty again.
 
Buy something German Lexus have yet to master the art of interiors.
 
I own a GS450H and I have just done a 300 mile trip and my average fuel for that trip was 40.3mpg. What people forget the engine is also very high tech having both direct and indirect injectors its one of a hand full of engines with zero NOx.
 
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I've experienced both Lexus and Audi CVT's - they are definitiely an acquired taste. They're great when you're wafting along and under mild acceleration but feel very "buzzy" when you want to give it some. If you're used to manual transmission, it will take a bit of getting used to; it's probably less of a jump from a normal auto but you don't get the normal engine "rhythm" which is part of the traditional driving experiance. If you spend a lot of time in traffic though I think you'd be grateful for the smoothness of the hybrid drive train at the expense of a bit of occaisonal buzziness.

I nearly got a GS450h, and as other posters have said, it's a surprisingly quick car, plus the interior is actually very smart as long as you pick the right colour combo - some of the wood colours can be a bit gaudy (but so can Audi's/Merc's). The deal breaker for me was the boot is v small due to the space the batteries take up - in all other ways the GS is interesting alternative to the typical Audi/BMW/Merc.
 
Looks like GS450H is going to be the one.

Pretty sure I will just wang on the Lexus extended warranty rather than Warrantywise or something. Less headache tbh.
 
Gave it a test drive today and I was quite surprised. Very comfortable, lovely driving position, was well put together, radar cruise was excellent, handling was very good for its size.

Warranty is £1850 for 2 years fully comp no excess and works at £2.54 a day. Will prob do it for 4 years.

Friend believes this to be a complete rip off and says he can buy another car for this much.. :rolleyes:
 
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A friend of mine has the gs450h and he maintains it's the best car he has ever owned. Quite a statement from someone with his car record. He has had some fantastic cars. I have been in his. The car is great very rapid, seamless acceleration and extremely comfortable. The interior is very good, seats are fantastic and dash is really tidy and very modern.
 
Had one for a 24 hours test drive, the car is nicely put together, solid specification, adaptive cruise, mark levinson, keyless entry ( which is brilliant ), bluetooth, nav all as standard, and the other usual stuff.

Its very fast, very very fast, however it's too easy to lose track of what speed you're doing, within seconds you're at 100 mph..Its very quiet on the motorway and it feels like a very nice place to be in for a long period of time tbh.

The cvt makes you feel kind of disengaged from the car, but the lack of gear changes and the smoothness is very nice. It really is automotive silk tbh.

Handling is ok, it's not utter rubbish and its not a 3 series, it's exactly what I expected, it will take some adjusting to the car.

Warranty will cost me something like 650 + vat a year and will definitely go with one.

Pics of the demo

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pepsilol said:
Its very fast, very very fast, however it's too easy to lose track of what speed you're doing, within seconds you're at 100 mph..Its very quiet on the motorway and it feels like a very nice place to be in for a long period of time tbh.
Click to expand...

Very true!

Glad you enjoyed it and will now be buying one! :)
 
That looks absolutely utterly boring and awful. How can you possibly be considering spending actual money on that POS?

It looks like the type of thing id be happy with if id paid for a default "full size sedan" rental in the united states on a fly-drive holiday, which id forget the moment i stepped out of it.
 
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