I'm debating on whether to lower my IS500 with lowering springs. I've had lowered cars before but never on a Lexus. Here are my concerns and questions:

1. How much did it reduce the "Lexus" ride quality?
2. Did it affect the ability to use adaptive suspension at all?
3. How much did rock chips increase to the front bumper? Hood?
4. Has it damaged/shortened the life of any suspension components? ex/ leaking shocks
5. How much more often does you the bottom of your car get scraped?

Love the handling and looks of lowered cars. But this being a Lexus, I'm a lot more concerned with the things I mentioned above. Thanks!

 

(1) I used RSR Downs on my 2020 IS300 F Sport, it made the car feel the way it looks, sporty. You'll feel more bumps, but otherwise it doesn't significantly hurt the ride quality in my opinion.

(2) I believe RSR states that their springs are compatible with the factory suspension settings so you shouldn't lose that at all

(3) if chips are of great concern for you, I strongly suggest getting full front end paint protection film (PPF). Even factory it's gonna get beat up, lowered 15 mm is likely gonna slightly add to it. I personally have my entire front end (hood, fenders, bumper) as well as the side skirts and rear bumper wrapped in PPF.

(4) I can't fully speak on the longevity, others likely can. I drive my car about 2300 miles a year. There's some bumps I've hit where I've cringed and become concerned but absolutely no leaks and I've had them on about a year

(5) lowering has its downsides primarily for the front end, not really the rest of the bottom of the vehicle. You obviously have to be conscious of taking speed bumps (not a huge deal) and other awkward areas of a downhill/uphill/slope. I personally haven't scraped anything (even with horrible Colorado roads) since lowering so if you're good about taking things at angles, it's a non-issue.

- Shane

 

Sure lowering springs will decrease the life of the dampers, but if your car is new I would worry about it until 40k miles or 60k kms.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...to-borrow.html

Will someone please reply to this thread?

Swift is asking for a car to do development on Swift!



This is not my picture, thanks to whoever photoshopped it. It's my screensaver and goal for next spring. I'll have springs before I get the car.

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I just reread what I posted, I meant wouldn't worry about them for a while.
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1. I have the RSR Down Springs and they've been making the spring for Lexus vehicles for a long time. I would say it's a bit stiffer but still maintains a good ride quality. You're not hopping all over the road or anything like that. I've had them on the car for about 40K miles and my shocks are still good, car still rides fine.
2. N/A
3. 100% get your car wrapped in PPF or whatever the protective film is. My front bumper looks like garbage now, there are rock chips ALL over it. I can send a pic, it sucks but I don't really care much anymore, but you just got your IS500 so I would get it done ASAP. Bumper + hood only.
4. I got mine at 30K miles and I'm at 75K now and still good, no leaking struts and I don't see any reason to change them
5. When I was on 18" wheels + OEM tires, my car scraped on VERY STEEP roads but if I angled it properly, no scrape. I recently got 19" and I have never scraped once. I threw on a front lip and I still don't scrape and I drive the car hard. I think here, this matters what kind of spring you go with, if you go significantly low (Super Down) then 100% you will be scraping but regular down, is only an 1" so it's not that bad. Just need to start angling the car more. Scraping is inevitable in this car, even at stock height I've scraped a few times

 

I have the RSR- Down Springs in the box, and as soon as I put my NIA kit on, I scraped coming out of my driveway... Made me nervous to go any lower since I'm still at stock height... This post made me feel better.. I've since, started making adjustments since I know I even have the "potential" to scrape just getting in my driveway.. I guess that's just part of the "low-life".. gotta adjust... will be even more when the springs go on in about a week..

 

I used Tein H Techs on my IS200t in 2016 when new. The H Techs are the more conservative 1/2" drop spring, matching Lexus F Sport blues roughly.

Ride was stiffer for sure, a bit on the jarring side.
Did not own car long enough to affect damper life, but it will generally.

you have to pay to play. in this case 1) Cost of the springs + alignment 2) ride comfort 3) damper wear

and potentially scraping but i dealt with little of that. IS has short overhangs.

I would strongly advise against anything beyond Genuine F Sport blues or H-Techs or similar. Anything over 1" drop is not recommended as you are severely changing angles of stuff, roll center, etc, will ruin handling. not to mention ruin looks.

Go very conservative, very professional when you do a drop. You want that professional high end "motorsport" engineered look. no slammed/burnout/freeway take over look! Less is more!