Hello everyone, I'm new here and looking for advice. Two days ago I purchased a used 2008 gs3500 for my wife. Her 2001 gs300 (still running strong and steady at 150k) is being handed down to our 16 year old . My wife test drove many vehicles before deciding on a 3rd generation gs.

The sad news is that she currently hates how the vehicle rides. It is a much rougher ride than her loved 2001. Seems to be rougher and more loud than other 2008's and 2009's gs's she test drove. The vehicle came with stock 18" rims and Yokohama tires (245/40/18).

The dealer won't take the car back. Apparently in California you need to purchase insurance ($250) to be able to return the car within the first 48 hrs. Stupid me declined that insurance.

Trading in the vehicle just doesn't make economic sense since I all ready paid license and taxes (at a hefty 10%). I would like suggestions from others on this forum on how I might make the ride smoother and quieter. I know tires can make a big difference. thanks in advance, John

 

My best advice would be try to swap the tires for Bridgestone Serenity's. Hopefully your wife would find it a much more pleasant ride!

 

welcome to clublexus. sorry to hear your problem

however, i have to be honest and say it's probably pretty hard for you to get back the kind of ride you had with your 2001 gs. i had 98 gs400 and now 08 gs350, the gs350 is sportier and the suspension is definitely stiffer than the previous generation.

look at tires, that's an option. you can also try to find the factory 17s and see if they will help the ride. but imho that's about all you can do

 

welcome to clublexus, you need to change those run flat tire's out very fast with some michellin pilot sport a/s. They are very soft tire's and are very quite. When i put thede tires on my car from dunlop run flats it was a day n night difference. Also keep in mind its practikly a new car so the suspension will only get softer from here now.

 

I agree with what the other members here are saying. Lexus with the 3GS made the decision to make a more BMW-like car. It is tuned to be more firm, and it also has runflat tires on a high percentage of them. Tell us what model of Yokohama tire you have so we can validate if it is a runflat or a stiff tirewall tire.

Others here have mentioned the Bridgestone Serenity and I can also recommend that tire as a very quiet, smooth, comfortable tire that also is safe in the rain.

You should also check your cars ride height. Post a pic of the car if you can. If it has been lowered than the springs could be reducing ride quality.

I doubt moving to 17" wheels will make much difference.

 

get some air ride shocks, she def won't feel anything after that, major upgrade as well as price but peace of mind.

 

Thanks all for the input.

The existing tires are Yokohama Advan A-10. There are 17,000 miles on them.

I don't think the vehicle has been lowered. At least the Lexus dealer told me no modifications have been made. But I really wouldn't know. I'm attaching a picture that might show the height.

 

Is the ride really that rough? I have an IS250. It can be as bad as that.

 

I also noticed that the 3GS V8 engine is much more audible than the older ones!

 

Looking at the picture the suspension is normal.

The tires you have are known to be bad. When you read the online surveys only 10-20% of people would buy that tire again, and the comments complain about noise and ride comfort.

There are 2 tires which members of this forum have bought which really transform the ride comfort. One is Bridgestone Turanza Serenity, and the other is the Michelin Primacy HP. Read the reviews on tire rack.

I think you will find changing the tires should solve 90 percent of the problem.

Also the bridgestone serenity is a non run flat. The Michelin Primacy comes on run flat and non run flat so make sure you avoid the run flat.

 

I had a similar problem with my 2009 GS until I realized that the dealership puts 46psi into the tires when it should be 33 psi each - dealerships do this so that tires wear less. Check the pressure. When I dropped to 33psi, the ride was much better.

 

Yes lower psi is better on tis car.

 

Tire pressure was 43 psi. I lowered it last night to 38 psi. I'll give 33 psi a try.

I have read other reviews and suggestions. I think the best may be to use a 17 wheel with Bridgestone Turanza Serenity. If that doesn't do it, I'll be car shopping again.

Curious if any one wants to make a trade for 18" wheels and tires. I'm in the Sacramento area.

 

If those tires are the originals with 17K miles that's your problem right there. These performance tires start getting louder and rougher with that much wear. The most quiet and comfy tire I've tried is the Bridgestone 960AS. Guranteed or I'll pay for one of them.

 

Here are the two options for you:

1. Replaced the tires with Michelin Primacy HP or Pilot Sport A/S, Yokohama is famous for its loudness and harshness, but the performance is AMAZING (it will take corners like you are on rails)!!!

2. It might looked silly but comfort is what you want then downgrade from 18" to 17"


*** If you want comfort, do not get run-flat tires as replacement. ***