Hello fellow members,

I have a doubt about the new lexus GS 300 and GS 430. Both cars have a fuel tank of 71 liters, and 71 liters for a v8 is not that good (approx 500 km). I was thinking about buying the GS 430, but the fuel tank is the problem, its that here in Spain you can't get anywhere with a full tank.
I have a BMW 7 serie, and I can perfectly get to Madrid (650 km) with a full tank, which is not that much, but good enough.
So, my question is, do you think that there is a possibility that in the next coming year or 2 years Lexus will enlarge their fuel tanks, or will it stay like this???? If so, I will be thinking of buying a BMW, although I don't like the model (320 d) but it has a great motor.
I really hope they change the fuel tank.

Thank you

Radium

[quote name='Radium' date='Jul 25 2005, 08:45 AM']Hello fellow members,

I have a doubt about the new lexus GS 300 and GS 430. Both cars have a fuel tank of 71 liters, and 71 liters for a v8 is not that good (approx 500 km). I was thinking about buying the GS 430, but the fuel tank is the problem, its that here in Spain you can't get anywhere with a full tank.
I have a BMW 7 serie, and I can perfectly get to Madrid (650 km) with a full tank, which is not that much, but good enough.
So, my question is, do you think that there is a possibility that in the next coming year or 2 years Lexus will enlarge their fuel tanks, or will it stay like this???? If so, I will be thinking of buying a BMW, although I don't like the model (320 d) but it has a great motor.
I really hope they change the fuel tank. 

Thank you 

Radium
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I am waiting on the petrol/electric hybrid version of the GS 300. It is supposed to have a 3.5 litre V6 engine, have the same consumption as a 4 cylinder engine and the performance of a V8 engine when the V6 and eletrci motors combine. That should get you to Madrid wiht no problem.

they will not change the fuel tank. It's slightly smaller than the series II GS tank but does more mpg so range is about the same.

[quote name='UKDentonGS300' date='Jul 25 2005, 01:45 PM']I am waiting on the petrol/electric hybrid version of the GS 300. It is supposed to have a 3.5 litre V6 engine, have the same consumption as a 4 cylinder engine and the performance of a V8 engine when the V6 and eletrci motors combine. That should get you to Madrid wiht no problem.
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do not believe the hype regarding mileage on the hybrid.

learn from the RX400h lessons - Lexus started off hyping the mileage figures, and slowly changed the emphahsis to performance.

I am certain the 450h will be a lovely car, and will have startling performance - but it will not have fantastic ecomony.

The mph may well be good [b][i]for a car with its performance[/i][/b] - but they will not be equivalent to a 4 cylinder econbox.

Buggers, I am now in a tough position. Went by the BMW showroom this afternoon, and I have seen the new BMW 7 serie (the re-touched one) and looks better than the previous one. There is a possibility of me buying the 730d where you can do 1000 km with a full tank, but I just still like the GS 300/430.
I will have a test drive with the BMW on friday, and maybe the lexus next week. Lets see how they drive.

And a shame that there wont be a possibility of enlarging the fuel tank

[quote name='Radium' date='Jul 25 2005, 06:56 PM']Buggers, I am now in a tough position. Went by the BMW showroom this afternoon, and I have seen the new BMW 7 serie (the re-touched one) and looks better than the previous one. There is a possibility of me buying the 730d where you can do 1000 km with a full tank, but I just still like the GS 300/430.
I will have a test drive with the BMW on friday, and maybe the lexus next week. Lets see how they drive.

And a shame that there wont be a possibility of enlarging the fuel tank   
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So how often do you drive over 600km without stopping?

Suppose would depend on the distance between each major town

[quote name='MAC_600' date='Jul 28 2005, 08:53 PM']So how often do you drive over 600km without stopping?
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My parents and I, are dutch, but we live in spain. We travel like 4/5 times a year to the Netherlands by car, in this case with the BMW 740i (approx 650km with full tank) we just get to Madrid. Though, it is annoying when you have to wait at the pump stations till its your turn, when you rather drive on for a few more hundred km.
Today we did a test drive with the new BMW 730d (approx +1000km with full tank), which has a maginificent engine and transmission, though it does not have the beauty of the lexus GS.
Its a shame the tank couldn't be 15 litres bigger, then we would have bought it like 2 weeks ago. But, I am planning or rather of thinking in buying the BMW or Mercedes, but in the back of my head Lexus is still there. Its a great shame.
If anyone can give me good news, I'll be very happy.

Thank you,
Radium

its seems a very strange thing to base your decision on?

you HAVE to put fuel in it sometime.


All other things being equal - then maybe it could come down to this. but you seem to prefer the GS, and to be reluctantly buying a BMW - just because it has a larger fuel tank.

[img]http://www.ajmshopping.co.uk/manage/images/products/04-04-007.jpg[/img]


3 of these and
problem solved

LOL!

Only 10 litres of spare fuel allowed in France. None at all in Italy - it's illegal!

Its not the problem of refueling, but the time wasted in refueling, I feel comfty in a car when driving about 500 km, and then I must stop and refuel the car, is annoying, and plus, gasoline is getting by the day expensive, ie in Holland one litre of unleaded is 1.45 € and here in Spain 1.10 €. Diesel is therefore more attractive, any GS coming out in diesel in the near future? then I WILL wait, hehe.

You could always convert to LPG. Granted, it's not as cheap as running a diesel on chip-fat or central heating oil , but cheaper than petrol nevertheless. Plus you'll go further between fills because you've got a tank of gas AND a tank of "gas", so to speak!

[quote name='eXOBeX' date='Jul 30 2005, 01:54 AM']You could always convert to LPG.  Granted, it's not as cheap as running a diesel on chip-fat or central heating oil , but cheaper than petrol nevertheless.  Plus you'll go further between fills because you've got a tank of gas AND a tank of "gas", so to speak!
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That was an idea, but here in Spain LPG is prohibited, which in a way sucks, but it is for "safety". Oh well, I will have to think a lot this weekend. But thanks everyone for their info.

Radium

I travel from England to Spain 2/3 times each year and stop on route every 2/3 hours for a coffee or a pee and top up the tank during one of these. Travelling Lexus class on the continent is a joy.