Great forum - it answered the questions I needed for my LS purchase last week, thanks!

So, had my LS600hL almost a week now, and loving it except for the ride over rough roads. The 19" tires hit bumps and potholes real hard and it got to the stage where I was ready to swap the LS for something else - until I took a new XJ Jag with 19" wheels out this morning.

The real surprise was how much worse the Jag rode over the very same road, and how uncomfortable and noisy it was.

I got back into the lush LS600hL with a new respect for its road riding abilities, but I can't help feeling the 19" low profile tires are the culprit on rough roads. (Highways are a different story. It is like sitting on a magic carpet with virtually no bumps felt at all).

Anyone tested both 18" and 19" wheels on an air suspension LS? Is there much ride difference? I can't get any other size wheels to test because most luxury cars including Lexus are coming out now with 19" or 20" thumpers.

I know this car looks better with 19" wheels, but comfort comes first and I'm willing to trade looks for it. Is there a better ride difference with the 18" Executive optioned wheels?

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded)

Mercedes SL500 AMG
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife's)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)

 

What's the tire pressure on your tires ? If they're too high, the ride will be rougher than it should be.

Sometimes the dealers might have forgotten to lower them back to normal before delivering the new car since they were usually overinflated for shipping to protect the rims.
The tire pressure of my tires were too high when I took delivery, I had to tell them to lower them back to normal(about 33 psi) before I drove it home.

 

yes, check tire pressure.

i did have experience in 600hl with 19s and my ls460l with 22s, surprisingly my car rode better than the 600hl. i was stunned. i didn't know the tire pressure, but the tire could be another issue, some of the tires are just giving harsher rides

another thing i heard is that the 600hl being heavier also makes the car ride harsher

maybe you can also consider putting on the stock 18s?

 

Yes, tire pressure was the first thing I checked. They were about 3 psi higher than spec, but reducing them to 36 made no difference.

Sometimes tire makes or new vs worn will change the ride too, but never dramatically, and it is dramatic I want. The LS is running Dunlop MAXX, and tread is excellent.

I think my LX470 has spoilt me. It has always been a great ride with those huge tires on 16" wheels, and that is what I always enjoyed about it.

My son, who is an executive with Toyota and works with Lexus, told me he found little change between the 18" and 19" in ride comfort generally, but I thought I might be able to get away with lower pressure on the smaller wheels to get more comfort, albeit trading accelerated wear for the better ride.

Funnily enough the Jag test has made my LS ride appear much better - maybe it was a mental shift I needed.

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded)

Mercedes SL500 AMG (sun)
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)

 

I am really surprised to hear that. When I upgraded my SL500 to AMG I went from 17" to 18" wheels and the ride hardened up appreciably. If it weren't for the better looks (and expense!) I would have still been on the smaller wheels for ride comfort.

But you going to 22" is extreme in my pampered world , and I wouldn't have thought it. Maybe you don't have the roads we have in some parts of New Zealand. They are well paved, but often badly repaired.

And I guess I'm being super-indulgent here. I can't afford a new Bentley or Roller which will solve a lot of my problem, and we're really only talking about the top 2% of comparitive ride quality that most others don't even notice.

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded)

Mercedes SL500 AMG (sun)
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)

 

ah too bad you are in new zealand i have a set of spare stock 18s that i was going to offer to try on

 

Appreciate the offer, thanks. Probably much less hassle if someone with the tire difference experience could tell me what I'm missing ridewise, but then this viewpoint is always subjective.

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded)

Mercedes SL500 AMG (for sunny days)
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)