chikoo

I have this posted under "suspension & brakes" but not received much response (read only 1).
Hopefully, by posting it under general, I will be able to get the attention of a broader audience.
(Mods...if you need, please delete or merge the thread from suspension & brakes to this one)

So I have 47000 miles on my 08 IS250 and since the last 3-4k miles I have noticed that my car is no more "luxury". It goes "thwack" over road cracks and cats eyes on the highway.
When driving slow, say under 30 mph, it is even worse. If I go over cracks or a pothole, it goes thwack and the whole passenger cabin dash, and the doors shimmy & shake.
Took it to Sewell Lexus and after 2 days called to say everything is perfect. Nothing wrong with the suspension of the car.

Tire pressure is 35psi front and 37psi rear.
Tires: Turanza ER33 and half worn.

.......................

So I have been driving a lot of loaners with varying mileages while I work the Lexus dealership on this issue since the last 20 days or so

2011 IS250 with 14K
2011 IS350 with 23K
2011 RX450 with 4.5K
2010 RX350 with 41K
.
Here is what I observe:

The Lexus (be it the IS or the RX) has great supple yet firm suspension up 35k- 40K. Beyond that, the suspension is downright firm (read harsh). Mine is at 47K. Which means it is settling down..all the way. Dealership is not willing to call it a warranty issue. It is simply the design of the vehicle, and no failure of any suspension component. In fact their master technician even called it "not aging gracefully" is my issue.

What do you say? I am at a loss right now on how to deal with Lexus or enjoy my car as a Luxury sport car anymore. It is simply a hard riding teeth jittering sport car, no more Luxury.

Shervin350

i think it all depends how it was cared for and what kind of road it was drivin in, mine is like day one nothing has changed with 55k on it now, maybe is just time to switch out ur shocks, it might be little smoother if u put 33 and 35psi but not gana be gas friendly, replace shock and you should be good to go

Alantjai

drop your tires! take michelin ps3 for the comfort and quality.

most tire will ride terrible after few thousand miles, except the michelin ps3 ( have used a lot of tire brands/models.

The michelin ps3 is very smooth serieusly~

chikoo

Might I dare to ask if you have driven another IS with lower mileage (say 20k) and compared it's ride? Even I did not realize that my car was driving so harsh until I drove another with lower mileage. Than it hit me. Then I remembered how much smoother my car rode at 20K and even 30K. But after 40K, no more.

I am driving a loaner RX350 with 41K on it, and it rides just as harsh as my IS with 47K, with all the rattles and bone jarring ride.

cchase231

I have noticed this as well ('07 is250). I just rolled over the 50k mark and the ride is definitely not as "luxurious" as it was at 25k when I got it. I replaced the tires (with michelins) in the fall hoping that would have a bigger impact than it ended up having. The car has been driven on Michigan roads it entire life, so I am sure that doesn't help. It seems to have gotten more harsh since it got cold this year and combined with the rattles you would think I had a racing suspension. My car seems to have "aged" the most in its last 5k miles and doesn't seem to have that "Lexus feel" anymore. My car is rougher and noisier than my brothers '02 is300, I would definitely like to know how to get that "Lexus feel" back.

fewslowcar

The most common reason over time that cars loose their nice ride is suspension bushings. Have you guys checked in what kind of shapes your bushings are in?

laobo979

iTrader: (5)

It not gonna be like that first day you got it. When thing go threw wear and tear.

Shervin350

couldn't tell no difference none what so ever, but than im someone who would drive little more to drive in a perfect street

Fizzboy7

I currently have a CT loaner. Now THAT things rides harsh!

SeanIS350

iTrader: (2)

I noticed the same thing on my 07 IS350 but I thought it was because I was in need of new tires. I had the dealership inspect my suspension prior to the warrenty expiring and they said "all suspension components were perfectly fine". I probably started noticing this in the late 40k's... I'm currently at 57K.

rac2max

LOTs depend on your tires. Just replaced a set of 4 tires w/ Michelin Primacy MXM4. LOVE THEM....no road noise, much quieter interior, total satisfaction (beside the dash rattles and center console ERRRR). My car is 08 with 53K miles.

chikoo

The Lexus Dealership looked at my car for over 15 days and reported no wear and tear on any suspension parts.

When I inquired about measuring and comparing actual ride height vs. design, they said they do not have any such information and cannot do that

chikoo

Just in case you missed it, I have 47K and still riding on original ER33 Turanza tires with more than half tread left. I baby my car, yet......

chikoo

Drive without your radio on and you may notice what we are noticing...this car ages horribly, and methinks it is the suspension that while showing no signs of failure, is losing its efficacy.

chikoo

I have a 2001 RX300 (11 years old) and it still rides better than the RX350 with 41K. Something is definitely wrong with the suspension components of the newer vehicles.

I had a 2000 ES300 that I sold off at 180K and it drove like a Lexus all the time.

In fact my 03 Mazda6 which I sold at 110K had better (tight yet comfortable) suspension all the time.

I am genuinely depressed with Lexus and my car in particular.