garygve

I don't know if they are any quieter I was looking for a better ride. I wasn't really listening for noise so I can't say for sure. What brand were noisy the Dunlops?

pokemon

Dunlop grand trek touring. I found the suspension is MUCH softer and a lot noisier than my X5.

somecar

We traded our 2009 RX 350 for a new 2014 RX350 and are very disappointed. The ride over bumps is terrible. Unfortunately we did not test the car over a bumpy road because we were so pleased with the 2009 and did not think there was any reason to do so. Did not know that Lexus had changed the suspension and the dealer did not tell us. Have endured 8500 miles but will not continue to do so. Dealer told us that changing from 19 inch tires to 18 inch tires (at a cost of $1500) would help but the Lexus technician says it would only help a little. My wife has a bad back and we are going to get rid of the car. Am very upset and will not replace it with a Lexus.

somecar

I suspect you did not drive an earlier model such as the 2009 over rough roads. Did go to the dealer and drove a 2015 RX350 with 18 inch tires over a rough road. It was somewhat better but not as good as the 2009 that we traded in. I have to decide if the small improvemant is worth the $1500 that the dealer will charge to change to 18 inch tires or if we would be better off just trading in the car for a new much better riding car at a different brand dealership. Also, I get from the treads that there seems to be some debate over which tires would give the best ride. That complicates the decision even more.

JDR76

Actually yes, I have driven the 2nd gen RX and you are correct in that they are softer. No argument there. It's just that, again, I would never describe the ride in the 3RX as being harsh or rough.

Hopefully you can find an acceptable solution. You mention going to a different brand. What are you thinking of looking for? It'll be hard to find anything that matches the softness of the earlier gen RXs.

JT4

I agree with you. While the newer RX's may not ride as soft as the older models I don't consider the the ride in the new RX harsh at all..

As a matter of fact my wife's F-Sport obviously rides firmer than a reg RX but it by no means feels harsh at all, even over speed bumps..

And I think you may be right in that it my be hard to find a current SUV that rides as soft as the older RX's.

bob01

I have the same Bridgestones, 18 inch wheels. I lowered the pressure from 32 psi to 30 psi. That has helped but probably not enough, I am still evaluating. In answer to another writer, I did test drive the car but obviously not enough.--a few blocks on reasonably smooth city streets. I agree with the comment I should have tested without the dealer on a course that included concrete freeway. I didn't do freeway because it was the rush hour. If the reviews hadn't claimed a "plush" ride for the 3red gen RX I might have been more careful in my purchase. One person, commenting on the reviews, claimed his RX was way softer than his Mercedes-Benz E class which at least in some configurations can be quite soft I read. bob01

vlad_a

I will point out again that comparing an aged 2RX to the new 3RX is not fair. By that time the struts have worn out and will not restrict spring movement as much, granted those appear to be softer to begin with. This will results in a boat-like ride, perceived by many as soft and even luxurious.
The ride between my IS300 and the RX is night and day different, and the IS, having progressive springs and Koni shocks, is not harsh by any means. I have no reservations taking the IS on long trips and have done so. In the RX, we have gone cross-country and it is as comfortable as it gets. I couldn't have wished for a better tourer, although there were times when I wanted more sportiness on those 70MPH speed limit stretches.

JT4

I can't comment on the ride of the E Class, but I'm sure it has a soft ride, especially the luxury model.

But coming from two ML350's, first a 2011 and then a 2012 I can say without a doubt that the RX rides better. IMO the RX F-Sport with it's firmer suspension and better handling still rides just as good as the 2012 ML we had, but the RX is a much quieter and more refined vehicle.

MDames2

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2010 RX350 with 26,000 miles on it. I came from a 2007 ES350 that I had from new. The ES had a buttery smooth ride. And although the RX isn't as smooth as the ES it is not close to being harsh. So, even with this comparison (ES to RX) I find the RX to have a quite acceptable ride. My RX has 19" wheels on the OEM Michelins. Ride quality is a very personal evaluation. Each person has to decide on their own how it feels and act accordingly. But in my mind, by no standard does the RX have a harsh ride.

recycled

The RX 350 takes a little getting used to. On well paved roads it is super smooth however on rough roads it is somewhat rough but I have got used to it. I tried a new Acura RDX and found the ride rougher than a 2011 RX. I am happy I went with RX for ride and quality reasons.

Enjoy your RX!
Cheers, Guy.

Carver

I was given a 3rd gen RX as a loaner while my 2nd gen RX was being serviced and based on the terrible ride I experienced I will never own the 3rd gen. When you leave Sewell in Dallas you will turn onto Lemon to head back to town. The topping is smooth but the surface is uneven with the faults very close together as I got it up to about 35 MPH the back end actually began to bounce sideways and of course the noise was unacceptable as well.

Whatever the reason, stiffer springs, tire pressure or whatever, it's a big enough deal to create a four page thread at CL. What I don't understand is why no one has tried softer rear springs. Changing the suspension on Lexus is not an unusual pursuit, there are companies who make a living respringing luxobarges but by making them stiffer rather than softer but softer is certainly doable .

Someone mentioned in an earlier post the culprit seems to be the rear springing, springs are cheap, someone please do this, my 2 gen won't last forever and I'm looking to you pioneers to solve this issue before I nee a new car.

Get with a suspension specialist, explain the problem and let him solve it.

CapeDave

Do you have any names for these companies that could possibly make the ride softer? It is so weird that it only shows up on certain types of or distances of bumps.

Bottom line, this should require a fix from Lexus. They obviously missed something. Something big. When the bumps happen I really start fantasizing about a Ford Edge or anything with a softer ride. And when I have a passenger, I actually turn red with embarrassment at the crappy suspension. Hoping they do not notice the rock hard ride. Yeah, right!

Carver

There are many but Strutmasters is one I have personal experience with. I used their kit to replace the air suspension on a disgusting little 88 Lincoln I once had the misfortune to own.

Looking through their offerings I see they already have kits for some Lexus. I found them to be responsive during my process and if they were made aware of the need for this mod I'm sure they would have it engineered and have a kit out very quickly.

Send them a link to this thread.

UPDATE: I sent them a link to this thread.

CapeDave

Excellent! I will be very interested to see what they come up with. It is really the only thing I do not like about my car. Well, that and no heated steering wheel. Another major oversight