Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2012 BMW 7 SERIES VS 2013 Lexus GS Near Scottsdale, AZ

The 7 Series offers an optional Side and Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The GS Series only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 7 Series and the GS Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

The 7 Series’ corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the GS Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 7 Series for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Lexus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GS Series.

There are over 77 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 7 Series’ warranty.

The 7 Series has more powerful engines than the GS Series:

As tested in Car and Driver the 740 is faster than the GS 350:

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the 7 Series’ engines produce their peak torque and horsepower at lower RPM’s than the GS Series:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the 7 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative on the GS450h.

The 7 Series has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GS Series (21.7 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the 7 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the GS Series:

The 7 Series stops much shorter than the GS Series:

For better traction, the 7 Series has larger standard tires than the GS Series (245/50R18 vs. 225/50R17). The 7 Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GS Series (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 7 Series has standard 18 inch wheels. Smaller 17 inch wheels are standard on the GS Series. The 7 Series’ 20 inch wheels are larger than the 19 inch wheels on the GS Series AWD.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 7 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GS Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 7 Series offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The GS Series doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 750i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the GS Series.

The 750i has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GS Series doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 750i’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the GS Series (120.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches). The 750Li’s wheelbase is 14.2 inches longer than on the GS Series (126.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 7 Series is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the GS Series.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 750Li is quieter than the GS 350:

The 7 Series SWB has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the GS Series.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 7 Series Li’s available rear seats recline. The GS Series’ rear seats don’t recline.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 7 Series’ trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The GS Series’ useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

If the windows are left down on the 7 Series the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the GS Series can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 7 Series’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GS Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 7 Series to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GS Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 7 Series detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The GS Series doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.