Jondun

Hi All, Has anyone seen this: https://www.evo.co.uk/lexus/lc500/205816/2023-lexus-lc-reworked-chassis-and-updated-interior-for-flagship-gt or this: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/lexus-launches-the-lc-ultimate-edition-with-bigger-screen-and-samurai-inspired-upholstery-213137.html? I drove the 500 about three years ago and loved it but the one aspect I hated was the fiddly trackpad; probably even more awkward for me as I'd evolved with BMWs iDrive control wheel over four different models since 2009. That was a significant deciding factor which influenced my choice in buying a BMW 840 coupe just over a year ago. I love the car but have never forgotten the 500 and the above articles have rekindled my interest. I spoke with my local dealer yesterday who said he'd check and get back to me. In the meantime I'd appreciate any input from existing owners - many thanks. Jon D

Thanks for the objective comments Malcolm; I haven't totally given up on the LC and I'm waiting for a call from the dealer to let me know when they have a car with the adjustable head restraints for me to try. I think it'll be a while before the 8 is available to drive but I'll certainly let you know what I think after I've driven it.

All comments are purely subjective and I'm sure there'll be those who disagree but the following is just my personal opinion. As I said earlier, I don't think I've ever driven something quite so exciting and that engine has to be one of the best around. The interior fit, finish and quality of materials is of a very high standard and I've never seen such attention to engineering detail. As in previous cases of driving the likes of Porsches, Audis, Mercs, Bentleys and Maseratis, the true test has always been how my own car feels afterwards and this was the only time that I had initial reservations about my BMW 640i. I say 'initial' because I immediately felt that I was sitting 'ON' my car, as opposed to sitting 'IN' the LC and the steering in the Lexus is vastly more responsive and, more importantly to me, gives much more feedback - so far, so good for the LC. I took my car on an identical and very familiar route including motorway, town, and my favourite twisty minor road circuit. Granted, the LC has it in steering but when I really push my car the excitement is just as satisfying, albeit lacking that glorious V8 roar and rumble. Where my car scores over the Lexus is in hard cornering on uneven surfaces - mine feels more 'planted' and gives greater confidence. Of course, you can't drive like that all the time, especially if you want to hang onto your licence and where, for me, the BMW leaves the LC wanting is in everyday 'normal' driving. It's far more comfortable and in 'Sport+' mode almost as good as the Lexus, the ergonomics are better, the secondary screen is on the same eye level and closer than the LC's, if needed you can get two adults in the back, there's loads more space and lastly, not that it's a financial concern, 28mpg over 18 is a consideration. Also there's that awful trackpad and the fixed head restraints; granted the former could be a learning curve but nothing can be done about the seats, which resulted in the car being, quite literally, a 'pain-in-the-neck' and, two days on, it's only just wearing off. Probably my physique but I just can't get on with these fixed, forward arching head restraints. This is my second successive 640i which tells me a lot and I'm now even more eagerly awaiting the new 8 series - 0 to 60 in 3.7 secs will be a lot of fun. Yes, some say it doesn't look anything special but that's what I like about BMW - they lean more toward the understatement. I just wish BMW sales staff would learn from Lexus; my recent experience with Lexus Edinburgh was the best I have known - no pressure, loads of knowledge and, listen out you flim-flamming BMW salesmen, no bulls**t..!

Thanks both for the input, I've got it for a few hours yet and I have to say that it's the most exciting car I've ever driven and if the nav is controllable by voice input, that would be a significant positive, as is the concierge. My major worry is trying to summon up enough will power to keep your right foot off the floor - the pick-up, the sound, the steering, they're addictive and I'm seriously concerned about keeping my driving licence!!! The true test will come this evening when I get back in my 640i...

Picked up the car yesterday morning and have it until Wednesday evening. Driven it on motorway and in town but mostly on twisty B roads, of which there's an abundance here in Fife. Positive impression so far: amazing handling and throttle response, beautiful cabin fit/finish, best standard of engineering I've ever seen in a car (even the front suspension turrets are beautifully finished). Negatives: slightly harsh ride on the 21" rims even in 'comfort', but that's the trade-off for such sharp handling - if I get serious I'll try the base model on 20s. Slightly intrusive fixed head restraint, but not so bad as Audi and Porsche (after a few miles I wanted to arch my neck rearwards, not an issue on short trips but I would find this a problem on long drives). Main negative and a significant one is that woeful trackpad; I gave up trying to follow the screen cursor while trying to control it with my left hand with the car in motion. I find it all but unusable unless stopped and I know that having to go into a sub menu for something as basic as seat heating would annoy me in the winter. Still two days left with the car so not closing my mind yet. However, I'm very keen to know when the BMW 8 will be available...

Thanks for clarifying the drive mode and cruise switch layout, that's very reassuring. My brief test drive was about this time last year in awful weather and with the salesman sat next to me. I don't remember using the cruise control but I did try the different drive modes and agree that the control knob was very easy to use. However, like you, I found the touchpad all but unusable on the move and that's what I was referring to in my previous post when comparing it with BMW's idrive system. I suspect you're right about the unlikelihood of BMW offering any discount on the 8 when it goes on sale but I'm not in any great hurry as my 640i is less than two years old, so I might wait another year and see if there's any change in policy. My current car was discounted by £16k, which makes the depreciation slightly less eye watering - another point in the LC's favour. If only I could find a Porsche with more comfortable seats, the decision would have been made ages ago.

Good job I called the garage before setting off to Edinburgh on Monday morning to double check that they had the car on-site. They said "yes, the 3.5 hybrid is all ready for you"... Why, I rhetorically ask, do some folk simply refuse to listen to what you say? From the outset I'd said I was only interested in the V8 and we discussed the merits of the 5 litre engine in some detail. They now have to get the V8 over from Glasgow and I'm waiting to hear whether it'll be next week or the one after that. In the interim BMW revealed the new 8 series 4.4 litre V8 at Le Mans last Friday and it's not a million miles off the concept. 0-60 in 3.7 sec and, more importantly, unaltered cabin ergonomics. I've driven Porsches, Audis, Mercs and the LC but, IMO, nobody does switchgear like BMW. The two functions I use most are 1, for the adjustable suspension, steering and throttle which is a raised rocker switch right next to the gear lever and 2, the active cruise which is controlled by a small cluster of raised buttons in different shapes on the LH spoke of the steering wheel. Neither require looking for and are instantly located by touch - and that's not to mention the intuitive idrive controller. I drove the LC for an hour last year and I already know that I'll find that very frustrating. However, there's that incredible V8 and amazing steering response that might swing it for me. Either way, I'll wait until I've driven the 8 series and it might come down to how much BMW will move on the £100k+ asking price.

Thanks both, this sounds like very good advice. I'd much prefer the glass roof on the base model and the fact that it comes on 20" rims is an additional incentive. Also good to know that the 4WS and LSD aren't particularly significant for road use. I like to have a bit of fun on the twisty and relatively traffic free B roads up here in Scotland but, at the age of 69, my track days are a fading memory.

Completely agree with everyone here - I've never understood this cult of huge rims and skinny tyres. I had 20" wheels on my previous BMW 640i and hated the ride so I configured my current 640 on 18s. So much better to drive in all respects. I've got an LC500 Sport+ on test drive for two days next week. I'll see how I get on with the 21" wheels; it might be the deciding factor in whether I change or stick with BMW, at least you get a choice when configuring the latter.

Thanks for the replies, as I suspected, with such a rare beast, I very much doubt if I'll get any discount, but there'll be no harm in asking if I get serious about it. As to parking, agreed that I'm already used to wide doors, parking miles from anyone else and returning to find another car inches from mine! Obviously that's not going to change but I'll miss the surround view from my BMW. That and the 18" wheels, had 20s on my last 640 and hated the crashy ride, so configured my current car with 18s, might not look as 'cool' but the ride is far more compliant and it handles just as well. Shame the LC500 Sport + comes on 21s, but two days next week will tell...

Thanks, I already know that there will be many aspects of my current 640i that I will miss particularly, as you say, the idrive and surround view. However, I will not miss the wooden steering and from the memory of my short test drive in the rain last year, it felt almost like you just had to 'think' it through the corners - I'd never driven anything with such responsive steering. The true test will be when I get back in my own car on Tuesday evening; as on countless prior test drives, it's always been a case of 'why on earth do I want to change this car' and that's why this is my second consecutive 640i. BMW are revealing the new 8 series at Le Mans on Friday...

Hello all, Having owned BMWs since early 2009 I'm seriously considering swapping my 2016 640i for the above. I had an hour in the car last year and I've got it booked for two days next week, so that'll give me chance to know a lot more about the car. Any suggestions as to what to look out for would be very much appreciated, additionally, can you expect a dealer discount? Many thanks