LexusJoeM

Just purchased 2007 ES 350 in great condition with less than 30,000 miles. It drives beautifully on smooth surface, but oh my word, on uneven road / poor pavement, I can feel everything?

This is my second Lexus and I just don't believe a luxury marque should be this rough a ride on average roads. In fact, if this were the norm, the car would be a sales disaster and have significant comment on the web, of which I see nothing.

I've checked tire pressure and it is fine.

Trying to get some thoughts / info so I can have educated discussion with dealer. It is a certified model.

Any help appreciated. - Thanks

jagtoes

Go grab the service manager and take him for a ride. Ask him if this is considered a normal ride for this type of road condition. Let us know what he says.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Well, in your case, the shocks' job is to dampen out all those road oscillations. How many psi you got on the tires? Also check to see if the shocks are leaking. 30k miles doesnt mean its still good.

RickC5

FWIW, and I freely admit I don't know if this could even be considered a possibility on a Lexus, but....

Years ago I distinctly remember hearing about some socks/struts on Japanese cars failing in a unique manner--basically, rather than getting soft & squishy, they got very stiff, almost solid.

Now, whether that possibility exists or not is immaterial, as you really need to get your ES to the dealer ASAP & get those struts/shocks checked out.

garsarno

And the tires - what kind, how much tread life left? I went from a 2007 with 58,000 miles on Kumho Platinum tires with about 6/32" left. When we test drove our 2011, the ride was most smooth and buttery versus the 2007. The lower the tread left, the harder the rubber and hence, the rougher the ride.

RickC5

I actually had the opposite experience with the '08 ES we bought this last December. It came with some Bridgestone Potenza tires installed in Aug, 2010 by the original owner, with maybe 10K miles on them. However, he didn't have the suspension (front & rear) aligned until AFTER all four tires had developed serious cupping on the inside edges. They howled like crazy at highway speeds. Rotating did NOT help at all.

Anyway, as part of the purchase, I negotiated a 50% "rebate" on some new Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires, which I had installed a couple of days later. What an amazing difference! The Michelins must have substantially stiffer sidewalls than the Potenzas, as the ride got noticeably stiffer--not bad or uncomfortable though--and the steering response improved too--tighter & less mushy.

BTW- I recall reading something awhile back that tires should be replaced every five years or so regardless of the number of miles on them. This was primarily due to aging of the rubber, which makes the tires harder (like you mentioned) and results in cracks in the sidewalls.

garsarno

Why do people, having spent some large dollars on new tires, don't opt for the alignment? Helps in bringing back the original factory ride.

LexusJoeM

Appreciate responses from everyone re rough ride (very rough ride). Thank you.

Will be able to get to dealer inn a few days.
In response to some queries, tires are Michelin Energy MXV4 S8. Warranty on these tires is 6 years, 50.000 miles. Tire pressure correct at 30psi.

garsarno

How many miles on the tires?

LexusJoeM

23,000 miles on tires

garsarno

At least 1/2 way gone?

LEGOkart

When you are at the dealer see if they have a comparable modle on the lot and take that one for a ride for comparison.

scottgolf

2 NEW POINTS

1. do you have runflat tires? it means you can drive with out any air in the tires. They all ride hard. never buy runflat tires.

2. A strut type system means the body absorbs the energy, the strut is actually a structural piece on the chassis. This means lighter weight, but rough riding when compared to the double wishbone system. I don't know, but I think the es is a mcphearson strut type front, those are never going to ride that good.

Charlie627

My 2017 Lexus ES 350 with Michelin tires Primacy MXV4 has a terrible ride on routine roads, is only tolerable on interstate highways. I have 33 lbs pressure, and I am thinking of taking it down to 30 lbs, to see if that helps. I can tolerate less tire life and less gas mileage, but I can't tolerate the ride in the city on normal city streets. I have just abandoned the car except for road trips, and drive an old Camry that is smooth on all city road surfaces.

dsandrews2

Please let us know what your experience was with the dealer. I have similar rough ride. If shocks are gone you would notice the swaying and rolling in the handling.