Issue with Ride Quality and Sound
 

Hello,

I just bought my first car, which is a 2021 Lexus ES 350. It's a base model but with all the bells and whistles (Premium Package, upgraded 18" tires, power trunk, parking package, wood trim, etc.). I've broken in about 3,700 miles onto it so far and on many Texas roads, it's quite a lot of road noise. PSI is at 37psi one tire and the other 3 tires are at 36 psi. It's definitely not a quiet ride. Especially on the highway, there's so much noise! My last car was a Honda Accord 2015 and the Lexus isn't that much better. On the baby smooth roads, yes, it's quiet and comfortable but every car is great on these roads. I've checked the panels and everything seems to be in line.

I purchased a $48,000 Lexus because of the quietness and smoothness. Mercedes and BMW 5 series seems to be smoother at the same price point.

Anyone also experience not a smooth or quiet ride quality you'd expect from a Lexus and done something about it? Maybe tires? Panels? Window seals?

Also anyone broken in 60k+ miles on their 7th gen ES? How is the ride after persistent use? Does it still drive like new?

What new BMW 5 Series is at the 48K price point?

Sorry meant similar price point. $7k additional for an e class or 5 series base.

Adding some sound deadening material to the vehicle should resolve that issue.

I am at 37K miles, 19 ES F-Sport, which doesn't have all of the insulation and comfy factor from non-Sport model, it has low profile tire which handle good but not too good when comes to road noise and comfy, the suspension is different and more aggressive, all doors and panel have been stripped down to minimum the weight, but overall it rides really quiet.

I tested drive 21 ES 350 UL (non-hybrid) and it is dead silent.

I am pretty sure the Hybrid version is even more comfy and quite LOL

If you do 80 MPH on a rough highway yeah you will hear wind noise and road noise, I mean ***** it ain't a RR...

You can buy a Noise Measurement and test different car at the same driving condition, that's the only way you can tell for sure, our "feel" sometime is controlled by our emotion, so if you "think" it is noisy, it will always feel like that, only "numbers" don't lie...

Engineers do benchmark against their competition as a normal part of vehicle development so any difference should be negligible in this day and age.

I think people are just expecting too much due to the urban myths/legends (some somewhat justified) about Lexus quietness. In the past this was true relative to other makes, but as of 5-6 years ago, everyone figured out how to be just as quiet as eachother. There's not much mystery or science or room left on the table in enhancing a vehicle further. In fact Lexus Chief Engineer for the 7ES said they actually had to purposefully louden the 7ES back up as it was too quiet. There has to be some noise baked/allowed in as too quiet can cause fatigue. In other words, it's beyond the scope of your understanding. Just leave it to the engineers. Sit back and enjoy the ride... or trade your car in for what you think is better.

You can let some air out of the tires. That will help. I run mine at 28 PSI cold they warm up to 32 PSI at highway speeds. I have already been warned the tires will rip off the wheels and I will crash and die. But I am still here after many miles. And they do not even get hot at highway speeds only warm. My 2010 ES350 ran factory correct on the door jab sticker at 30 psi with a nice ride. These new tires have so little sidewall is why the ride is not as good as expected.

Fascinating if true. Where'd you see that quote?

I agree with CJS, you should run the tires at the factory recommended pressure.

There are also a couple other thngs you can do. Foremost is to switch out your wheels (since you have 18-inchers anyway) for the noise reducing wheels that are optional on the Luxury and standard on Ultra Luxury. They were engineered for precisely this purpose.

0Would noise reducing wheels or 17 in wheels feel more comfortable/smooth? I hate 19 in wheels in our tesla, too stiff due to shorter side walls.

I agree, going to 17" wheels is another valid suggestion, and it would cost less too.

This is the last thing I would do! If you want a quieter ride, get quieter tires. As tires age and wear, they get louder. Check the TireRacks test and survey data for noise levels among makes and models of different tires.

Also, consider going to a smaller wheel so you can fit a tire with a taller sidewall, while keeping the OD (outside diameter) of the tire the same a stock. Anyone who has plus-sized a tire/wheel package can testify as to the resulting disadvantages of noise and poor ride. The up side is looks and handling. Pick your pleasure!

Yep - I just love the look of the 19" FSport wheels and wouldn't give that feature up despite the downsides of low profile tires.

I read that in some of the early literature as well. I don't know where to find it at this point, but it was in messaging from Lexus. That doesn't necessarily mean it was true, but it suggests there might be something to the claim.

First thing I would do is lower the PSI in your tires to around 30 cold. The difference in ride quality will be dramatic.

BMW 5 Series is a much more sophisticated and expensive car. if you want to compare the ES to something similar, drive a Toyota Avalon or a Buick Lacrosse or something like that. Equipped like your ES a 5 Series would be $70k.