Good idea to lower my commuter gs300?
#1
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Good idea to lower my commuter gs300?
Noob here. Did a bit of research on lowering cars. Just want to get some reassurance from you guys.
don't want to lower for stance or anything. Plan on putting some nicer 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels on it and I figure a 1.5 to 2 inch drop would top it off(idk I'm guessing). And i would really like to keep the smoothness of the ride if possible. But main concern i have is if it's a good idea to lower my gs which is also my commuter/family car. Drive to work is a good 15 minute street 15 minute highway for one trip. This car will be driven a lot. Big reason why I bought her was the reliability and durability. Of course I'll be doing regular maintenance and all that. Will lowering add more problems with all the driving? Tires wear faster I would assume. Is that all? From my tiny bit of research, if I want to keep the smoothness I better save up for coilovers. Safe to assume just getting lowering springs won't help with all the driving it'll be doing or help keep a smooth ride.
If it isn't a problem lowering, what's a recommended rim size, (I'm fine with 18 or 19s) tire width, offsets, and coilover kit to fit the needs of a commuter. These 16 inch stock rims with curb rash has to go.
Sorry, was searching around didn't find a question like this. Might be common sense to most but I have no idea and just want to make sure. Thanks.
don't want to lower for stance or anything. Plan on putting some nicer 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels on it and I figure a 1.5 to 2 inch drop would top it off(idk I'm guessing). And i would really like to keep the smoothness of the ride if possible. But main concern i have is if it's a good idea to lower my gs which is also my commuter/family car. Drive to work is a good 15 minute street 15 minute highway for one trip. This car will be driven a lot. Big reason why I bought her was the reliability and durability. Of course I'll be doing regular maintenance and all that. Will lowering add more problems with all the driving? Tires wear faster I would assume. Is that all? From my tiny bit of research, if I want to keep the smoothness I better save up for coilovers. Safe to assume just getting lowering springs won't help with all the driving it'll be doing or help keep a smooth ride.
If it isn't a problem lowering, what's a recommended rim size, (I'm fine with 18 or 19s) tire width, offsets, and coilover kit to fit the needs of a commuter. These 16 inch stock rims with curb rash has to go.
Sorry, was searching around didn't find a question like this. Might be common sense to most but I have no idea and just want to make sure. Thanks.
#2
I've got 18's on my GS that I have lowered as far as my tein comfort sports will go. The ride is just like stock but with a little added performance. I don't scrape on anything. Love every minute of driving it. I drive it probably 50 miles each day to work and back.
#3
I do like how low you got on Tein CSs. Is that as low as they go? Personally I wouldnt get down that low because i like the even gap between the tire and lip look. So no tucking for me. But its nice to know the CS can get that low.
#4
live.love.laugh.lexus
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Noob here. Did a bit of research on lowering cars. Just want to get some reassurance from you guys.
don't want to lower for stance or anything. Plan on putting some nicer 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels on it and I figure a 1.5 to 2 inch drop would top it off(idk I'm guessing). And i would really like to keep the smoothness of the ride if possible. But main concern i have is if it's a good idea to lower my gs which is also my commuter/family car. Drive to work is a good 15 minute street 15 minute highway for one trip. This car will be driven a lot. Big reason why I bought her was the reliability and durability. Of course I'll be doing regular maintenance and all that. Will lowering add more problems with all the driving? Tires wear faster I would assume. Is that all? From my tiny bit of research, if I want to keep the smoothness I better save up for coilovers. Safe to assume just getting lowering springs won't help with all the driving it'll be doing or help keep a smooth ride.
If it isn't a problem lowering, what's a recommended rim size, (I'm fine with 18 or 19s) tire width, offsets, and coilover kit to fit the needs of a commuter. These 16 inch stock rims with curb rash has to go.
Sorry, was searching around didn't find a question like this. Might be common sense to most but I have no idea and just want to make sure. Thanks.
don't want to lower for stance or anything. Plan on putting some nicer 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels on it and I figure a 1.5 to 2 inch drop would top it off(idk I'm guessing). And i would really like to keep the smoothness of the ride if possible. But main concern i have is if it's a good idea to lower my gs which is also my commuter/family car. Drive to work is a good 15 minute street 15 minute highway for one trip. This car will be driven a lot. Big reason why I bought her was the reliability and durability. Of course I'll be doing regular maintenance and all that. Will lowering add more problems with all the driving? Tires wear faster I would assume. Is that all? From my tiny bit of research, if I want to keep the smoothness I better save up for coilovers. Safe to assume just getting lowering springs won't help with all the driving it'll be doing or help keep a smooth ride.
If it isn't a problem lowering, what's a recommended rim size, (I'm fine with 18 or 19s) tire width, offsets, and coilover kit to fit the needs of a commuter. These 16 inch stock rims with curb rash has to go.
Sorry, was searching around didn't find a question like this. Might be common sense to most but I have no idea and just want to make sure. Thanks.
#5
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Thanks for replies
I was considering saving up for tiens cs coilovers. Thanks. Now I know at least a lot of driving isn't going to be rough on the tires or lose the smoothness. Thanks. Now to figure what kind of wheels I want.
#7
are those coils adjustable body? cause lowering it all the way without adjusting the body is going to blow those coils quick
i went a different route (not completely on purpose but its alright) i got the sage rcas and im on 19's. it was orignally going to go on bags but i like how it turned out. my car doesnt see any kind of hard driving at all though. im not sure if you considered any performance to go with your mods
just remember to plan your stuff so it will save you a headache later on down the road
i went a different route (not completely on purpose but its alright) i got the sage rcas and im on 19's. it was orignally going to go on bags but i like how it turned out. my car doesnt see any kind of hard driving at all though. im not sure if you considered any performance to go with your mods
just remember to plan your stuff so it will save you a headache later on down the road
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#9
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
I'm having a REALLY tough time deciding between Megan LP's
THESE!!! (HKS Hipermax LS+) (they appear to be REALLY clean/MINT, except for the one missing **** or whatever he's pointing to in the one pic)
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-T...2d4ae6&vxp=mtr
BC Racing coilovers
STANCE coilovers
ORRR.....
or should I just spend the extra and get the TEIN CS and be able to upgrade to the EDFC kit later on.... (which is really nice for changing roads if driving across the country- which I very well may be doing later this year with the my GS4!- To VEGAS!)
Lastly, the BILSTEIIN PSS coilover kit is also on my mind... so unsure.
I have the 30mm (SAGE) RCA's already installed up front, and the Exact (20mm?) RCA's installed in the rear. Currently sitting at 0.00% of 'neg' camber in the rear! - So I can't wait to DECIDE a set of coilovers and install them so I can lower the back a little more and correct that
PLEASE give input- ANYBODY/EVERYBODY! thanks....
#10
Lexus Test Driver
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I'm currently on Megan EZ with Megan RCA on stock 16s. I'm tucked in the rear and showing almost alil bit of top tire on the front. I commute my car to work. Its not that easy to ride cuz my settings are mid-level soft so there's alil bounce when driving over dips. I have one problem, I noticed when I turn my wheel full lock , my steering become off aligned if that makes sense. I would turn the wheel full lock to the other side and it would be normal again. Any reason why that happens? I drive and when I make turns, they're wide now just so I won't loose control of my steering wheel.
#11
My GS is daily driven, I do about 75 miles round trip to work, and then other errands so it can be up over 100 miles easily a day.
I'm on BC Racing Xtreme Drops, 10k front 10k rear (with how I like a bit sportier/stiffer ride I kind of wish I would have gone a bit stiffer, maybe 14k 12k, but the 10/10 rides nice and almost like factory just a bit stiffer/tighter). 19x9.5 and 19x10.4 +22 or 24 (cant remember) Varrstoen ES3's.
The roads here in central FL are pretty nice, but even going over cobblestone its not bad as long as you arent going really fast.
The only issue I would say would be the upper A arm hitting the body, I hole sawed the lower portion the metal but didnt go to the second layer so there isnt a huge hole, and it bought me a little extra room, but on sharp bumps it will clunk.
Heres a pic of my car for reference.
I'm on BC Racing Xtreme Drops, 10k front 10k rear (with how I like a bit sportier/stiffer ride I kind of wish I would have gone a bit stiffer, maybe 14k 12k, but the 10/10 rides nice and almost like factory just a bit stiffer/tighter). 19x9.5 and 19x10.4 +22 or 24 (cant remember) Varrstoen ES3's.
The roads here in central FL are pretty nice, but even going over cobblestone its not bad as long as you arent going really fast.
The only issue I would say would be the upper A arm hitting the body, I hole sawed the lower portion the metal but didnt go to the second layer so there isnt a huge hole, and it bought me a little extra room, but on sharp bumps it will clunk.
Heres a pic of my car for reference.
#12
, I noticed when I turn my wheel full lock , my steering become off aligned if that makes sense. I would turn the wheel full lock to the other side and it would be normal again. Any reason why that happens? I drive and when I make turns, they're wide now just so I won't loose control of my steering wheel.
I know on my 240 which uses a slightly different mounting style, if the rack bushings wear it will allow the rack to slide around so you will have similar symptoms to what you are describing.
The GS uses a bit different style rack mount on the one side, so the rack physically bolts to the crossmember and isnt just pinched in place, but it still has a bushing there which could hypothetically wear and allow the rack to shift slightly.
I would jack the car up and check bushings, it could be a very simple fix.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
That sounds like it could be a rack bushing issue?
I know on my 240 which uses a slightly different mounting style, if the rack bushings wear it will allow the rack to slide around so you will have similar symptoms to what you are describing.
The GS uses a bit different style rack mount on the one side, so the rack physically bolts to the crossmember and isnt just pinched in place, but it still has a bushing there which could hypothetically wear and allow the rack to shift slightly.
I would jack the car up and check bushings, it could be a very simple fix.
I know on my 240 which uses a slightly different mounting style, if the rack bushings wear it will allow the rack to slide around so you will have similar symptoms to what you are describing.
The GS uses a bit different style rack mount on the one side, so the rack physically bolts to the crossmember and isnt just pinched in place, but it still has a bushing there which could hypothetically wear and allow the rack to shift slightly.
I would jack the car up and check bushings, it could be a very simple fix.
Last edited by SPRTNYDSN; 08-25-14 at 11:32 AM.
#14
im riding 19's with just an rca kit. 30mm. trd sways and that's about it for suspension aside from urethane bushings everywhere. my aim was to keep the ride smooth while making turns flatter. I still don't like the rear sway though. :P
#15
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I bought my gs3 6 months ago slightly dropped on ksports.... i wore out the inside of my tires pretty quickly now im thinking there wasnt an alignment done but i need it raised since these vegas roads suck. So ive bought the bilstein HDs but still not sure which springs for a good ride..... any thoughts?