New Wheels and Install Questions
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: AL
No, I don't have PCS. It's an all metal grill so it might interfere with the sonar. Might want to just put some metal screen between your existing sensor and grill for awhile to see if it messes it up before you buy a new grill ;-)
Car looks great. I saw a silver GS at the dealer today that had the chrome grill and lower grill. It was hotter than a firecracker. Some won't like it...I first thought of 300C copycat but as I took it all in, I dig it. Now that the dealer is selling Element 114 stuff, I may get the car lowered with the Tanabe springs. This is my wife's daily driver and it must ride smooth. So be honest please...how does it ride on the Tanabe's?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,541
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From: nj
I'm curious about the same thing. It seems that a lot of the people here get their brand new car and drive right off the dealership right into the mod shop. I would like to hear opinion from someone who has driven a stock GS300/350 for at least a couple of month and than decided to mod it. Also, how would it affect ride quality and handling in bad weather (snow, ice, rain, potholes, etc.)? I just got my GS350 and drooling over each picture posted on the forum 
I value the smooth ride over the cool look, so kind of indecisive if I should just keep everything as is.
I value the smooth ride over the cool look, so kind of indecisive if I should just keep everything as is.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 3
From: NY
I'm curious about the same thing. It seems that a lot of the people here get their brand new car and drive right off the dealership right into the mod shop. I would like to hear opinion from someone who has driven a stock GS300/350 for at least a couple of month and than decided to mod it. Also, how would it affect ride quality and handling in bad weather (snow, ice, rain, potholes, etc.)? I just got my GS350 and drooling over each picture posted on the forum I value the smooth ride over the cool look, so kind of indecisive if I should just keep everything as is.
I value the smooth ride over the cool look, so kind of indecisive if I should just keep everything as is.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 2
From: nj
SGT, thanks for the feedback. Its valuable to me since you are a fellow East Coaster w/AWD I probably going to wait through the winter to get a better feel for the ride. I'm coming off ES350 lemon where the ride was waaaay too floaty, handling was **** poor, and performance... anyway. GS350 feels to me just at the threshold of comfort where anything less might be a let down.
I see that everybody favors Tanabe NF210 in here. Also, someone mentioned those cost $400 including installation. That is a very reasonable and probably the cheapest and the most significant mod. Would this installation be "reversible" without any significant damage if I don't like it? What I mean, since I'm gonna keep my stock Lexus springs, would I be able to put them back to restore the original ride if I don't like NF210?
Also, how about 17" vs 18" w/FN210? Obviously, the profile of the tire with 18" wheel will be lower which makes a ride even more rougher. Would it make sense to keep my stock 225/50-17" if I go with FN210 and if I don't care about a look of a bigger wheel?
I probably going to wait through the winter to get a better feel for the ride. I'm coming off ES350 lemon where the ride was waaaay too floaty, handling was **** poor, and performance... anyway. GS350 feels to me just at the threshold of comfort where anything less might be a let down.I see that everybody favors Tanabe NF210 in here. Also, someone mentioned those cost $400 including installation. That is a very reasonable and probably the cheapest and the most significant mod. Would this installation be "reversible" without any significant damage if I don't like it? What I mean, since I'm gonna keep my stock Lexus springs, would I be able to put them back to restore the original ride if I don't like NF210?
Also, how about 17" vs 18" w/FN210? Obviously, the profile of the tire with 18" wheel will be lower which makes a ride even more rougher. Would it make sense to keep my stock 225/50-17" if I go with FN210 and if I don't care about a look of a bigger wheel?
Last edited by twister; Nov 25, 2006 at 05:32 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: AL
I agree with SGT in that the ride is more controlled with the new springs. I happen to like a little feedback from the road as long as it's not harsh and these springs deliver. I had the 17" wheels and with my new 19" and stiffer sidewalls I also get a significantly better turn in and handling. The ride is a little more noticable but it feels more German like I'm use to so I'm happy with the results. If you want to keep the luxury feel with new springs, I would stick with the stock 17" wheels as I still thought that was a good ride combination.
I also saved the orignal springs and Wheels/tires so I can return it back to stock if I want to. I think it will cost me $250 to reinstall the old springs (same as to install the new ones). There should be no issues with swapping back. Just remember that the AFS Height sensor in the rear will probably need to be adjusted too.
I also saved the orignal springs and Wheels/tires so I can return it back to stock if I want to. I think it will cost me $250 to reinstall the old springs (same as to install the new ones). There should be no issues with swapping back. Just remember that the AFS Height sensor in the rear will probably need to be adjusted too.
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From: D2'sville
Yeah I notice thay a lot of our customers are running the NF as opposed to the DF series. I think its due to the relative "newness" of the car. The core demographic of its buyers are a bit more conservative, I'd bet as the car picks up age there will be more DF users popping up.
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