Suspension question and which year to buy 96 97 or 98
#1
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Suspension question and which year to buy 96 97 or 98
Hi i m new to this club so still learning about the LS 400
so I have 4 questions ;
- When purchasing a Lexus LS400 how can I tell if the suspensions are gone?
- And , do All LS400 between 96-98 have air suspension ? if so how do I know that but looking at the car is there something inside the car like a switch or something ?
- If so should I stay away for the ones with air suspension?
AS I said I m new to this club .
I am still looking for a nice low mileage 96-98 in CA ,though not sure if i should go for a
1996
1997 or a 1998
Any thoughts and why? i have 8 k
Thank you
so I have 4 questions ;
- When purchasing a Lexus LS400 how can I tell if the suspensions are gone?
- And , do All LS400 between 96-98 have air suspension ? if so how do I know that but looking at the car is there something inside the car like a switch or something ?
- If so should I stay away for the ones with air suspension?
AS I said I m new to this club .
I am still looking for a nice low mileage 96-98 in CA ,though not sure if i should go for a
1996
1997 or a 1998
Any thoughts and why? i have 8 k
Thank you
#2
Welcome to CL. As with any suspension, remember the purpose of the strut is to dampen. T most common way to test is to push down on the hood and trunk and to get it bouncing. If struts are bad then the car will continue to bounce up and down. If strut is good then it should bounce once and then stop.
Other ways:
Drive it to see if it bounces
Check for irregular tire wear
Check mileage - if over 100,000 miles and they are still OEM then they are getting close according to mechanics.
The LS either came with air or standard strut/spring suspension. I don't have air but I believe there is a switch on the center console. Many prefer air because you can lower it with aftermarket air ride controller versus lowering springs and/or coil-overs.
It's a start brother
Other ways:
Drive it to see if it bounces
Check for irregular tire wear
Check mileage - if over 100,000 miles and they are still OEM then they are getting close according to mechanics.
The LS either came with air or standard strut/spring suspension. I don't have air but I believe there is a switch on the center console. Many prefer air because you can lower it with aftermarket air ride controller versus lowering springs and/or coil-overs.
It's a start brother
#3
BahHumBug
iTrader: (10)
problem with the OEM air is that it is known to die with ~80-110k miles give or take 20-30k miles.
oem replacement airshocks are ~$1,100/each from the dealer. also, if you get a controller for the OEM airsusp. you can't drive low as it will wear the shocks out VERY VERY fast, and most guys who use controllers drive at a normal/high ride height and park very low.
oem replacement airshocks are ~$1,100/each from the dealer. also, if you get a controller for the OEM airsusp. you can't drive low as it will wear the shocks out VERY VERY fast, and most guys who use controllers drive at a normal/high ride height and park very low.
#4
Lexus Champion
Hi i m new to this club so still learning about the LS 400
so I have 4 questions ;
- When purchasing a Lexus LS400 how can I tell if the suspensions are gone?
- And , do All LS400 between 96-98 have air suspension ? if so how do I know that but looking at the car is there something inside the car like a switch or something ?
- If so should I stay away for the ones with air suspension?
AS I said I m new to this club .
I am still looking for a nice low mileage 96-98 in CA ,though not sure if i should go for a
1996
1997 or a 1998
Any thoughts and why? i have 8 k
Thank you
so I have 4 questions ;
- When purchasing a Lexus LS400 how can I tell if the suspensions are gone?
- And , do All LS400 between 96-98 have air suspension ? if so how do I know that but looking at the car is there something inside the car like a switch or something ?
- If so should I stay away for the ones with air suspension?
AS I said I m new to this club .
I am still looking for a nice low mileage 96-98 in CA ,though not sure if i should go for a
1996
1997 or a 1998
Any thoughts and why? i have 8 k
Thank you
In fact the 97 is better than a 95-96
http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html
I think more cars were built without air suspension than with it. There is now an aftermarket rebuilder reducing the costs of replacement. They also offer a conventional coil replacement for factory air suspension cars.
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...id7_pid47.html
At the above site you will see pictures of the coil vs air shocks. On a used car simply turn the front wheels all the way and look at the front shock area. You will easily spot whether it has coils or air.
Coils
Air
#6
page 3 of the specs / pricing sheets shows it
http://www.lexus.com/contact/model_s...ricing_ls.html
I haven't seen those years with air suspensions but I live in the southern midatlantic.
LS430 ultras have air suspension and you see very few of those in the states surrounding me and a much higher persentage in CA, so there may be more LS400's with air suspension in CA where Terry007 lives..
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#9
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Found a car but need advice
hi
i found 2 cars
is it best to buy a
1997 with 121 k for 5700 dollars
or a
1998 with 75 k for 7700 dollars
thank you
for your thoughts
T
i found 2 cars
is it best to buy a
1997 with 121 k for 5700 dollars
or a
1998 with 75 k for 7700 dollars
thank you
for your thoughts
T
#11
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#15
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Definitely go with the 98. I bought one about 3 years ago and could not be happier. I do have the air suspension option and it is still working flawlessly even after 140,000 miles. From what I've read people say that the coil setup has better driving feel (more responsive). When I bought mine I did not realize I had air suspension until I got it home, but it handles decently for a 3900 lb sedan.
The motor is still silky smooth and strong (VVT-i is awesome) and has required nothing more the recommended maintenance. I get about 22 mpg average, but on long highway trips I can easily get 28 mpg. The transmission is smooth and solid.
Good Luck
The motor is still silky smooth and strong (VVT-i is awesome) and has required nothing more the recommended maintenance. I get about 22 mpg average, but on long highway trips I can easily get 28 mpg. The transmission is smooth and solid.
Good Luck