Do all air susp have a height switch?
10-20-04, 05:27 PM
#1
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Do all air susp have a height switch?
I just picked up a 99 LS400 and trying to determine if the suspension is air or std.
What is the easiest eay to be certain? The ride is great(compared to a ML320, Lightning and solid suspensioned Z28)
thnks,
-Craig
What is the easiest eay to be certain? The ride is great(compared to a ML320, Lightning and solid suspensioned Z28)
thnks,
-Craig
10-20-04, 10:11 PM
#2
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I believe all the electronic air suspension equipped LS400s have the second switch next to the shifter that would say something like "sport" and "normal"
very rare I might add...
very rare I might add...
10-21-04, 12:37 AM
#3
finally.. someone with a 98-00LS.
Welcome....
You can pretty much bet your dollar its std. VERY rarely did it come with air suspension, and you would be able to notice the car elevating. as junction mentioned, there would be a height HI/Normal button next to the Power/Snow button on the gear plate.
Btw, having Std suspension is a GOOD thing.... espcially if you dont want to put up with leaking bags, and car going off track, and the whole headach/expense of the air system.
Welcome....
You can pretty much bet your dollar its std. VERY rarely did it come with air suspension, and you would be able to notice the car elevating. as junction mentioned, there would be a height HI/Normal button next to the Power/Snow button on the gear plate.
Btw, having Std suspension is a GOOD thing.... espcially if you dont want to put up with leaking bags, and car going off track, and the whole headach/expense of the air system.
Last edited by GRAND_LS 4; 10-21-04 at 12:38 AM.
10-21-04, 06:22 AM
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Yeah, I picked up an immaculate CPO Black '99 LS with 45K. I'm telling you, I'm amazed at the care that was given to the car. Other than the usual hairline cracks in the wood on the steering wheel (which I can take car of using a techique I use on gun stocks), I've yet to find a flaw. It catchs attention and you wouldn't have a clue it didn't just drive off the showroom.
It doesn't have the Nak system and even though I wanted an air ride, I'm more than satisfied with the ride of the current susp. Is the Nak that much better sounding? (keep in mind your talking to a nutcase audiophile that really isn't that satified by automotive systems)
Answer me a question, does the elec air system compensate for dive and roll?
-Craig
It doesn't have the Nak system and even though I wanted an air ride, I'm more than satisfied with the ride of the current susp. Is the Nak that much better sounding? (keep in mind your talking to a nutcase audiophile that really isn't that satified by automotive systems)
Answer me a question, does the elec air system compensate for dive and roll?
-Craig
10-21-04, 08:50 AM
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Luna
I cant stress enought to take the LS to the Dealer. Put it in for its first service and start a reputation with the Service manager. Stress how you are looking forward to a log service relationship. ASk them to pull up the service history and see what missing to bring the car 100% up to date.
Once he see how commited you are and in how good condition the car is is he will probably offer to replace the cracke wheel under the Lexus "Good Will" warrenty. Lexus KNOWS they have a majore problem with wheels cracking and they are taking care of it for good service customers.
They replaced mine on my very first vist with no hesitation what so ever..
About a year later while it was in for service the nicked the wood and alos put a small scratch in the leather portion. Well they replaced the whell again with zero cost to me. Lexus has absolutly the best service!!!!!
Jerry
I cant stress enought to take the LS to the Dealer. Put it in for its first service and start a reputation with the Service manager. Stress how you are looking forward to a log service relationship. ASk them to pull up the service history and see what missing to bring the car 100% up to date.
Once he see how commited you are and in how good condition the car is is he will probably offer to replace the cracke wheel under the Lexus "Good Will" warrenty. Lexus KNOWS they have a majore problem with wheels cracking and they are taking care of it for good service customers.
They replaced mine on my very first vist with no hesitation what so ever..
About a year later while it was in for service the nicked the wood and alos put a small scratch in the leather portion. Well they replaced the whell again with zero cost to me. Lexus has absolutly the best service!!!!!
Jerry
10-21-04, 11:18 AM
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I looked for a long time to find a 98-00 LS w/ the electronic air suspension in it. I found one on the other side of the country from me but when my friend out there went to go look at it, the condition wasn't up to what I wanted.
I was told that the air suspension equipped LSs rarely sold. I know out of the 100s I looked at for sale in CA, NONE of the ones I saw online, in person, or at dealerships had the air suspension...
I was told that the air suspension equipped LSs rarely sold. I know out of the 100s I looked at for sale in CA, NONE of the ones I saw online, in person, or at dealerships had the air suspension...
10-21-04, 05:04 PM
#7
Lead Lap
The 98-00 LS is not all that rare. Here are the calendar year (not model year) figures from Lexus for sales of the LS400:
2000 15,785
1999 16,303
1998 20,725
1997 19,548
1996 22,171
1995 23,540
1994 22,367
1993 23,701
1992 32,455
1991 36,796
1990 42,496
1989 11,574
I have the Nak and more than once I have sneaked out to the garage to listen to a CD -- it sounds incredible - but I doubt if it sounds all that much different than the standard system when the car is moving when there is wind and road noise. Personally I wish I had the standard or Nav audio system since I could have more fully integrated my Nokia phone kit with the std/Nav systems.
My guess is that the wood steering wheel cracks people complain about are from impacts - my wood wheel has no cracks but maybe the maple wheels in the Platinum Series are not as prone to cracking.
Although I specifically "ordered" the 2000 LS I purchased last November with "no air suspension; no Nav", the next LS I buy will have air suspension and probably Nav too. Air suspension was only an $1,800 option in 2000 and it might help on the terribly rough roads in the central U.S. I find the standard suspension though to be quite acceptable.
During my 14.5 years of LS ownership, I have had very poor - no, really awful - service from Lexus dealer service departments and far better service and prices from independent repair shops specializing in Lexus. Ask around - maybe you can find a good independent shop near you in Tennessee.
2000 15,785
1999 16,303
1998 20,725
1997 19,548
1996 22,171
1995 23,540
1994 22,367
1993 23,701
1992 32,455
1991 36,796
1990 42,496
1989 11,574
I have the Nak and more than once I have sneaked out to the garage to listen to a CD -- it sounds incredible - but I doubt if it sounds all that much different than the standard system when the car is moving when there is wind and road noise. Personally I wish I had the standard or Nav audio system since I could have more fully integrated my Nokia phone kit with the std/Nav systems.
My guess is that the wood steering wheel cracks people complain about are from impacts - my wood wheel has no cracks but maybe the maple wheels in the Platinum Series are not as prone to cracking.
Although I specifically "ordered" the 2000 LS I purchased last November with "no air suspension; no Nav", the next LS I buy will have air suspension and probably Nav too. Air suspension was only an $1,800 option in 2000 and it might help on the terribly rough roads in the central U.S. I find the standard suspension though to be quite acceptable.
During my 14.5 years of LS ownership, I have had very poor - no, really awful - service from Lexus dealer service departments and far better service and prices from independent repair shops specializing in Lexus. Ask around - maybe you can find a good independent shop near you in Tennessee.
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10-21-04, 07:08 PM
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From my experience the air suspension option doesn't really improve the ride that much, at least in older LS's. A couple years ago I drove three '93 LS's pretty much back-to-back; two with the standard suspension and one with air. The ride difference was barely discernable. The owner of the air-suspension Lexus had just spent $3000 to have all 4 air shocks replaced! Ouch!
10-21-04, 08:20 PM
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Originally posted by Kansas
The 98-00 LS is not all that rare. Here are the calendar year (not model year) figures from Lexus for sales of the LS400:
2000 15,785
1999 16,303
1998 20,725
1997 19,548
1996 22,171
1995 23,540
1994 22,367
1993 23,701
1992 32,455
1991 36,796
1990 42,496
1989 11,574
I have the Nak and more than once I have sneaked out to the garage to listen to a CD -- it sounds incredible - but I doubt if it sounds all that much different than the standard system when the car is moving when there is wind and road noise. Personally I wish I had the standard or Nav audio system since I could have more fully integrated my Nokia phone kit with the std/Nav systems.
My guess is that the wood steering wheel cracks people complain about are from impacts - my wood wheel has no cracks but maybe the maple wheels in the Platinum Series are not as prone to cracking.
Although I specifically "ordered" the 2000 LS I purchased last November with "no air suspension; no Nav", the next LS I buy will have air suspension and probably Nav too. Air suspension was only an $1,800 option in 2000 and it might help on the terribly rough roads in the central U.S. I find the standard suspension though to be quite acceptable.
During my 14.5 years of LS ownership, I have had very poor - no, really awful - service from Lexus dealer service departments and far better service and prices from independent repair shops specializing in Lexus. Ask around - maybe you can find a good independent shop near you in Tennessee.
The 98-00 LS is not all that rare. Here are the calendar year (not model year) figures from Lexus for sales of the LS400:
2000 15,785
1999 16,303
1998 20,725
1997 19,548
1996 22,171
1995 23,540
1994 22,367
1993 23,701
1992 32,455
1991 36,796
1990 42,496
1989 11,574
I have the Nak and more than once I have sneaked out to the garage to listen to a CD -- it sounds incredible - but I doubt if it sounds all that much different than the standard system when the car is moving when there is wind and road noise. Personally I wish I had the standard or Nav audio system since I could have more fully integrated my Nokia phone kit with the std/Nav systems.
My guess is that the wood steering wheel cracks people complain about are from impacts - my wood wheel has no cracks but maybe the maple wheels in the Platinum Series are not as prone to cracking.
Although I specifically "ordered" the 2000 LS I purchased last November with "no air suspension; no Nav", the next LS I buy will have air suspension and probably Nav too. Air suspension was only an $1,800 option in 2000 and it might help on the terribly rough roads in the central U.S. I find the standard suspension though to be quite acceptable.
During my 14.5 years of LS ownership, I have had very poor - no, really awful - service from Lexus dealer service departments and far better service and prices from independent repair shops specializing in Lexus. Ask around - maybe you can find a good independent shop near you in Tennessee.
10-22-04, 11:37 AM
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So why did the air suspension fall on it face during the 98-00 timespan? Cost of replacement or was it too soft (even in sport mode) as I have read in reviews?
What is the main difference between the platinum and std ed?
-Craig
What is the main difference between the platinum and std ed?
-Craig
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