WillTT

Just getting some opinions: I just got a 2013 a few months back. Love the car but the only thing that bugs me is the stiff suspension. I heard the 11 and 12 cars have softer suspensions and they stiffen it up again for the 13s? I'm not planing to track the car much if at all so any suggestions? Stock 11 or 12 springs? Aftermarket? Thanks

bnizzle87

That's odd. I've driven both my (then) stock 08 and a few '11, '12, and '14, and I have to say the '08 was by far the stiffest among them. Lexus revised the suspension every year to be very compliant but still more performance-oriented for this model, which I'm glad they chose to year after year. But if your ride is feeling stiff to you, I would suggest coilovers that are more suited for a luxury softer ride.

ISFLexy

I'd suggest going with some springs, such as Tein H techs, or the Swift.

I personally went with the Tein and i noticed a big difference, much less stiff, yet still planted around corners.

subiepunk

iTrader: (7)

I thought the stock suspension on my 08 was soft, but then again I also came an STI with 16k springs all around. The 18k/14k setup I have right now doesn't even feel stiff to me. As suggested if you just want a mild drop and better ride go with springs. If you want height adjustability and custom spring rates BC with swift is a great option for the money.

ForzaF

iTrader: (3)

From what I understand its the earlier models have stiffer suspension , My 12' came with swift springs and I feel its very bouncy over a stock 12' that my bro in law has when going over train tracks or a dip in the road surface. Now his brother has a 08 and tells me its much stiffer

WillTT

I was thinking about Tein springs. How much does it drop the car? I don't wish to drop the car too much as I have a steep driveway. Any pictures? Thanks.

streetx

iTrader: (4)

Pretty sure the on company that makes springs for 12+ ISF is swift. Thats 1" drop in the front and .5" drop in the rear.

redspencer

iTrader: (1)

You are correct that the suspension of the 2013 model had been stiffened compared to the previously revised suspension of the 2012 model.

The attachments provide a better explanation of the changes to the dampening force of the shocks for both the 2012 and 2013 IS-Fs. 1st and 2nd attachments are for the '12 MY and the 3rd and 4th attachments are for the '13 MY.

ISFLexy

It drops it 1" front and 0.7" rear, a little more after settling. I find it getting in and out of most driveways a breeze still at that drop.

Like others have posted though, I think they only make them for 08-11 model years...

SoCalISF

I had driven at least 10 different F's from '08 to '14 during my search for the right car. I personally found the '13 and '14 cars to be the best ride, and best handling, all other things being equal (tire size and tread life, mileage on car, etc).

Not sure if things have changed in the preceding 8 months, but the only spring available for the late cars when I purchased my '13 late last year were the Swift's.

Car drives great with the Swift's and an F Sport rear sway bar, but if you are looking for a drastically improved ride it isn't going to happen with just an aftermarket spring swap. If anything my car rides slightly stiffer than with the factory springs.

WillTT

Great info, thanks!

WillTT

I guess I'll either have to live with the ride or go for coilovers. It's just strange to have the ISF as the stiffest ride of all my cars (E30 M3, 996 GT3, & 993 TT). Maybe I'm just getting old

JamesISF

Very useful info. Did you get it out from Service Manual? Thanks

SoCalISF

Hahaha! We all are getting older my friend! It wasn't too many years ago when the ride of a vehicle was much less concerning to me than the way it handled.

I have had literally dozens of 'keeper' cars over the last 37 years, many of which were lowered with any combination of trick suspension components, that in retrospect rode much worse than an F, yet I too notice the the minor deficiencies of my F.

And I concur about the comparison, you would think those E30 M3's (which if you still have it should be under lock and key the way clean examples have appreciated) or the GT3 would ride at least as 'bad' as an F.