I've just been wondering with people saying that the new IS is no BMW in terms in handling/suspension. What exactly is the problem with the IS suspension and how would you improve it? I own a IS350 with the sports suspension, but I'm coming from a 97 Camry with TRD suspension (Bilstien/Eibach) and for me at least, the new IS handling is way better. Anyway, I just wanted to see what everyone else thought about ways to improve the suspension and handling.

 

Like you've already noticed, it's all relative. Go test drive a 330i for comparison... otherwise it's just conjecture. You might not notice any difference given your driving style.

 

just wait till some aftermarket companies coming out with stuff like coilovers and sway bars. that will change teh characteristic of the is, and it will handle a lot better

 

I have driven a 330i and many other cars. Truthfully, I think that the BMW is a little more responsive, but I'll I'm wondering is where the new IS can be improved and what it lacks comparted to a BMW suspension (because I really don't know how to explain how the BMW feels more responsive, it just feels that way). I'm sure that with coilovers and sway bars the car will handle a lot better. However, I just wanted to get everyone else's input.

 

I think once the mods are out you can match a 330's handling for less than 2k (e.g. coilovers + sways or springs+shocks+sways)

 

The difference is in the entire chassis. Everything from engine position, weight, swabar settings (and thickness), choice of busings, type of shocks, shock mounting position, etc. etc. The list goes on and on.

People will tell you can "match" a 330i with a set of coilovers or sways. The truth is, 99% of people would never notice a difference in the first place, but for those that do, the aftermarket work may make the car handle mechanically as well on a skidpad, but that's no guarantee it'll provide you the same feedback through the steering wheel and your butt.

 

During my test drives, the biggest difference I noted between the 330 and the IS was in steering precision and feedback. I don't know whether this is a result of Lexus choosing an electric power steering setup, too much power assist, or whether it's simply a difference is front suspension geometry, but the bottom line is that the 330 was more enjoyable to hustle down a curvey road, despite the horsepower deficit.

 

I think Bichon kinda hit on this best so far, but again it's all dependent on your own personal feelings... The biggest issue I've heard or seen so far isn't that the car doesn't handle well... it's that the steering feels overboosted and lacks feedback, which in turn doesn't inspire the same confidence that the BMW does.... all the suspension work in the world won't change that... now is there a way to cut the power steering entirely? Or to turn down it's responsiveness at all points (seeing as how it's a variable assist setup dependent on speed...) that would be what I'd want... Give me my first gen MR2 with no power steering at all, or my Supra when it got so cold my power steering hose froze and burst... that's road feel and feedback!

 

I second that!!!

...the rest is upto the driver...

 

Suspension and handling are very subjective matters. As a general rule for the "safety" of the public most all cars come from the factory with pre-programed understeer at limits. Apparently the safety nannies have determined that's what's best for the skill level of the majority of drivers.

Exploring the true limits of the suspension can't be done safely on public roads. Generally speaking there are very few drivers that can extract the maximum handling from an average car. Even the magazine test drivers while better than average are still not up to the task. An average driver in a perfectly setup car will be slower on a track than a good driver in an average car. To say that a 330i is far superior or the Lexus is lacking are just too overstated and over emphisized. I have had e46 330i sports and they do handle well. Our current IS350 sport also handles well. If you want a daily driven good handling car both are very capable. If you want a track car, build a track car. Track cars are extremely fun on the track but suck bad on the highway. Same goes for road cars. A road car is great for the street but on the track they are lacking. In my opinion going with big sway bars and coilovers on the IS is a mistake unless you are a track junkie. The daily drivability will suffer. Maybe it's a sign of my age but I have owned many wonderful cars and built several tube frame cars as well. My STi started life as a fun street car and evolved into a seldom driven on the street fun as hell track car.

 

I have not driven the new 330i, but I've owned a 330cic for a bit over 4 years
and even the older e46 model seems to have a much better road feel
than my is350. I'm not sure if it actuallly handled better, I have not really
pushed the is350 yet. I have no regrets though, as the IS does just about
everything else better than my old 330cic...I was under no false impression
that i was buying some "outrageous handling machine" when i bought this
IS350, i knew it for what it was the minute i test drove it, a mini muscle luxury
cruiser, that handles decent...

 

Exactly my feelings, having come from a 99 e36 M3.