rustytank

I just picked up a 2013 ES300h and it rides much bumpier than my 2013 ES350. Yes, i have two ES's. I love my ES350 so much, bought another one but a hybrid... Anyway, they both have same tires(Michelin Primacy Mxv4) but the ride is so different. Any ideas?

jollick

Did you check the tire pressure with a gauge?

rustytank

Well, i checked the pressure on the display and they're both same, 1 psi off on a wheel or two...

Did some research just now and found this:

"The ride quality in the ES 350 is pure Lexus. Smooth, predictable, even-keeled and luxurious. See that pothole – but don’t feel it much. But the suspension is noticeably tighter in the ES 300h, probably owing to the placement of the heavy battery array. Bumps are felt more, but handling seems better in corners."

LexBob2

In their Road Tests of the ES350 and 300h, Consumer Reports said of both, "lackluster handling", a "less plush ride" and "although the ES still rides well it's no longer luxury car plush". In the article they didn't discuss ride and handling for each model separately.

Lexus has no doubt gone to a firmer more sporty ride, whether that's good or bad is up to the individual. Most owners here seem to be satisfied..

rustytank

I'm assuming that's for the 300h. My 2013 ES350 is a plush and smooth ride. Even more plush than previous ES's as i have owned every es models since 98.

I'm really disappointed on this bumpy ride on my 300h... Would suck to trade it in a week after buying...

LexBob2

CR's comments seemed to apply to both models. They didn't break out any differences in this respect.

lesz

When I bought my ES350, I also considered buying the ES300h, instead. I took both vehicles for reasonably thorough test drives. While I know that a test drive isn't the same as driving the vehicle for an extended period of time, if there was any difference in ride quality between the ES350 and the hybrid, it wasn't enough for me to notice it on the variety of road surfaces on which I drove both vehicles.

jim256

You use the term "bumpier", can you clarify? Less absorption of sharp road shocks like concrete dividers? Less control in reaction to road swales? Vibrations felt in the seat? Etc.?

If the '13 300h is brand new, I don't have any likely suggestion, but if it was pre-owned, you could have anything from an out of balance tire(s), to bent wheel, to bad or replacement shocks, to frame or chassis damage from an accident. The 300h is heavier because of the batteries and MG's, but only about 110 lbs.

rustytank

I can feel more bumps and cracks on the road but its fairly smooth compared to lower end cars like a Camry or something... But the main thing is, every time i hit a big pot hole i can feel the shock springing/bouncing for a split second. My ES350 never does this, its cushy and absorbs the impact not springy... In fact, any of Lexus's i've driven for that matter... Its something i would feel on a rental car...

Mike_1GO

iTrader: (2)

how miles on the es300h ? I have a friend who blew a strut at only 30,000 miles on an RX450h. I doubt yours has as many miles but it never hurts to check the struts for leaks.

rustytank

Car was purchased brand new. It was a leftover inventory. It had 8 miles at the purchase, 60 miles now. I doubt there is anything wrong with the suspension. It doesn't feel like blown struts, it feels sporty, more stiff.

rustytank

I did part number search on sewellparts.com and turns out, ES350 is equipped with 2 different sets of struts and coils, one of which is shared with ES300h.
I'm guessing this is the stiffer/sportier suspension equipped on ES350's with 18" wheels as well.


Green = Stiff suspension
Orange = Soft suspension

ES 300H

FRONT STRUTS
4851080582 - ABSORBER ASSY, SHOCK, FRONT (RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48510-33680
4852080302 - ABSORBER ABSORBER SET, SHOCK, ASSY, SHOCK, FRONT (LEFT, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48520-33680

REAR STRUTS
4853080641 - ABSORBER ABSORBER SET, SHOCK, ASSY, SHOCK, REAR (RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48530-33500
4854080017 - ABSORBER ASSY, SHOCK, REAR (LEFT, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48540-33500

FRONT COILS
4813133C10 - SPRING, FRONT COIL, (RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE)
4813233060 - SPRING, FRONT COIL, (LEFT, DRIVER SIDE)

REAR COILS
4823133640 - SPRING, COIL, REAR (RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE)
4823133640 - SPRING, COIL, REAR (LEFT, DRIVER SIDE)


////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


ES 350

FRONT STRUTS
4851080582 - ABSORBER ASSY, SHOCK, FRONT (RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48510-33680
4852080302 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, FRONT (LH, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48520-33690
4851080606 - ABSORBER 6 ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, FRONT (RH, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48510-33690
4852080320 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, FRONT (LH, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48520-33690

REAR STRUTS

4853080641 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, REAR (RH, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48530-33500
4854080017 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, REAR (LH, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48540-33500
4853080706 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, REAR (RH, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48530-33490
4853080655 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, REAR (RH, PASSENGER SIDE) MARK 48530-33510,B PACKAGE &SPORT PACK&TIRE & DISCWHEEL-225/45R18 ALL SEASON TIRE ALUMINUM
4854080020 - ABSORBER 6 ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, REAR (LH, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48540-33490
4854080019 - ABSORBER ASSEMBLY, SHOCK, REAR (LH, DRIVER SIDE) MARK 48540-33510,B PACKAGE &SPORT PACK&TIRE & DISCWHEEL-225/45R18 ALL SEASON TIRE ALUMINUM

FRONT COILS
4813133C10 - SPRING, FRONT COIL, (RH, PASSENGER SIDE)
4813233060 - SPRING, FRONT COIL, (LH, DRIVER SIDE)

REAR COILS
4823133640 - SPRING, COIL, REAR (RH, PASSENGER SIDE)
4823133640 - SPRING, COIL, REAR (LH, DRIVER SIDE)
4823133630 - SPRING, COIL, REAR (RH, PASSENGER SIDE)
4823133630 - SPRING, COIL, REAR (LH, DRIVER SIDE)



I wish i had known this before the purchase...

Amphibulus

It's my first Lexus, I have the ES300h 2014 and it's hard to believe that the suspension could be any softer then this.

I come from a Mercedes C250 2012, and it's really night and day. So far I'm happy with it.

rustytank

Im glad u are happy with your 300h. I think it depends where u are. The 300h is smooth on flat surfaces but very bumpy on rough surfaces. And im in NYC and the streets here are terrible.

jachim1

I have same problem with my es300h its so stiff and uncomfortable on nyc streets that makes my teeth rattle i can't believe anyone would say this car is comfortable. I came from ls460 make biggest mistake in my life changing to es300h its loud noisy and i can't stand this elevator sound when u coming to stop. Gas consumption is ok when u drive like old lady otherwise is around 33mpg, mark levinson way off compared to ls460 and bigest disappointment is seats comfort and leather quality i got the ul version with perforated leather not nulux and looks like it has at least 300k on them all wrinkled just terrible my ls 460 seats with 260 k on it looked much better and seats looked like new my previus ls430 with 420k looked newer inside. I use my cars for livery services i know lexus in and out i love lex for quality ,reliability and long lasting compared to other makes like bmw (good until 70k) or benz (good for 80k without repairs) but i don't think so es300h will stand like his predecessors. That's my 2 cents