IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

Ground clearance on stock IS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 1, 2021 | 06:09 AM
  #1  
RKSTRAT's Avatar
RKSTRAT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 400
Likes: 41
From: PA
Default Ground clearance on stock IS

Seems very low to me.

Need to be very careful of parking blocks.

Also slightly inclined driveways can cause
major damage.

I have only had one incident……but it was very
expensive.

I feel that the car is very delicate in this respect.

Amazing how you guys can drive a modded lowered car under
daily conditions. The stock clearance makes me very nervous.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2021 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
swaangin's Avatar
swaangin
Racer
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 381
From: nj
Default

Funny you mention parking blocks because on stock ride height, my bumper took a nasty pull from the bottom because of the heavy duty screws from the parking blocks, put a small dent in it (not visible unless you look under the car).

I have lowered the car on RSR springs, when I park near parking blocks, I make sure to just keep my distance (never happened again) and for driveways, you have to angle the car and go slow. I haven't had an issue in a long time and I'm from NJ. The RSR down drops the car an inch, close to stock but eliminates most of the wheel gap. You get used to it
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2021 | 04:04 PM
  #3  
RKSTRAT's Avatar
RKSTRAT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 400
Likes: 41
From: PA
Default

Thanks. I posted today because I found myself
a few inches from a parking block. It was a close
one. But when I park too far from the blocks,
it looks like I don’t know how to park. Most times
I need to get out and take a look, just to be extra
careful.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2021 | 04:12 PM
  #4  
swaangin's Avatar
swaangin
Racer
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 381
From: nj
Default

Yeah definitely, but I also noticed on the front end of the IS, it's very flat. I've had my bumper get stuck on sidewalks or flatter concrete surfaces and it will just scratch the bottom front end but the bumper itself won't be damaged-- you'll notice all IS's have damage under the front bumper, that's unavoidable as most sports sedan would too. Don't worry about it too much

The parking block with the screw sticking out really messed up my bumper the most but I never replaced it, still looks fine
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2021 | 04:22 PM
  #5  
whoismiked's Avatar
whoismiked
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 601
Likes: 290
From: Texas - DFW
Default

You could do what I did and install a front lower bumper fisheye camera combined with Beatsonic front / rear interface which gives you a button on your dash button panel that allows you to click a button and turn on the front camera (or rear) anytime you want. It has saved my bumper countless times and I can pull right up within mm's of parking blocks with ease

https://www.beatsonicusa.com/cameras/cs5ep.html







Last edited by whoismiked; Sep 1, 2021 at 04:29 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2021 | 05:33 PM
  #6  
ShrinkDoc's Avatar
ShrinkDoc
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 653
Likes: 96
From: PA
Default

Another option (2014 FSPORT AWD) is to get larger diameter tires. I run 255/45/18 rears and 225/50/18 fronts. It fills the wheel well and raises the car by 1.5-1.75 inches. Since changing size, the issue of running into objects has been eliminated. The car ride is smoother, no actual change in mpg, slight change in speedometer, no rubbing.

Last edited by ShrinkDoc; Sep 1, 2021 at 05:36 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2021 | 02:16 PM
  #7  
E46CT's Avatar
E46CT
Lexus Test Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 2,585
Default

The IS has very short overhangs, particularly in the front. So being low isn't that big of a deal, providing your low is reasonable. My personal tolerance is Lexus F Sport or Tein HTech (RSR half down) or equivalent. Any lower and to me it's kid / scrape city.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JVT
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
31
Jul 11, 2009 03:48 AM
girlilove
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
5
Dec 1, 2007 12:26 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:35 AM.