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I recently purchased a 2001 that happened to have the sport package badging. Absolutely love the car but find the car rides a bit harsh over crappier roads that my 1995 LS400 just kind of floats over. (On smooth highway pavement the 2001 has the clear advantage and it corners like a demon when called on to do so.) I kind of glossed over the sport package when purchasing because I was laser focused on maintenance history, lesson learned. The car was meticulously maintained by a single owner over 22 years. All major maintenance done including recent timing, valve cover gaskets, knock sensors radiator, alternator, suspension components, you name it. So I’m trying to figure out a way to keep it rather than just give up and resell it. Do you think there’s a way to replace any suspension components to give it a more forgiving ride? Or would that just be a stupid endeavor and I should eventually resell the car to someone seeking out this type of ride? Thank you in advance.
Others would know more but I suspect you'd get a better ride with smaller wheels, I think the sport ones are 18s? Also these cars at this age all need a suspension refresh - all the rubber bits.
Thanks .. my wheels are 17s they didn’t have 18s until 04-06. Prior owner was super on top of maintenance I have the full record through lexus including recent replacement of various suspension components so I don’t think it’s stuff being worn out. I just had my car inspected at the local Lexus dealer after buying it (required in NY) and believe me they would point out if they thought suspension components are worn out they have every financial incentive to do so and can hold up your inspection approval. But all they could recommend was wiper blades. Also my 2019 Subaru Outback sits on 18s and is way more comfortable a ride than this LS430 so I think it’s the sport suspension. Basically I feel all kinds of bumps and expansion joints in the road that I never noticed in my Outback or 95 LS400.
That's odd, as I sought to replace my old worn OEM non sport struts, springs, etc a year and a half ago, with all new OEM Sport components. The car felt and still feels phenomenal with the Sport line of parts, so I wonder if something is worn that may have been missed. I work at a Subaru dealer and my 04 430 rides heaps better than anything on the lot now haha.
Hmm, ok very good to know thanks. I will have things checked out then maybe by another shop. I mean, I expected a firmer ride with the sport suspension but I didn’t expect to feel every frigging expansion gap and bump in the road, as I still expected an LS430 with some level of comfort. Maybe prior owner cheaped out but this is someone who did full timing and water pump service at the dealer just a year before they sold it and all kinds of other major work, I have 22 years of records where they have taken it to the dealer for absolutely everything, so I don’t get the sense they were just cheaping out left and right. Something isn’t adding up. It generally handles as I would have hoped it just feels like every last little bump and vibration is transmitted up to me.
Here are some excerpts from the most recent Lexus service history (car has about 211k today), I cut out all non suspension stuff, thanks for any help I’m really new to all this, sounds like I need a shop to really thoroughly go through the suspension as it shouldn’t be this harsh. I am also going to call the Lexus dealer that serviced the car for years can maybe learn something 9/15/2021 (204258 miles)
SERVICE: FRT SHOCK ABSORBER DESCRIPTION: ~|~REPLACE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER ~|~BOTH FRONT BUMP STOPS HAVE DETERIORATED AND ARE MISSING. R/F SHOCK IS AN AFTERMARKET DESPECTRUM SHOCK. REC REPLACING BUMP STOPS. ADDED SHOCKS TO ESTIMATE. ADDED FWA ~|~REPLACED FRONT SHOCKS AND TOP HATS WITH BUMP STOPS
SERVICE: FRONT AXLE DESCRIPTION: ~|~DELETED LINE. RETURN PARTS. NEED CASTER BUSHINGS NEEDED NOT NOT ARMS ~|~LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING AT LEAKING / TORN. RECOMMEND CASTER BUSHING AND 4WA. ~|~SEE LAST LINE FOR CASTER BUSHINGS ONLY PARTS WERE NOT INSTOCK. SPECIAL ORDERED FOR FRIDAY OR POSSIBLY MONDAY
SERVICE: F LWR CTR AM MT/PT B DESCRIPTION: ~|~REPLACE BOTH FRONT LWR CTRL ARM MOUNT/PIVOT BUSH ~|~BUSHINGS ARE TORN AND SPLIT & LEAKING SPECIAL ORDERED PARTS ~|~FRONT LWR CTRL ARM MOUNT/PIVOT BUSHINGS, R&R (ADD ALIGNMENT)
SERVICE: *REAR SUSP DIAG DESCRIPTION: ~|~REINSPECT SUSPENSION AND ADVISE IF ANYTHING NEEDED AT THIS TIME. ~|~REAR STRUT BUMPERS ARE NO LONGER PRESENT. ADVISE ON STRUTS , MOUNTS , BUMPERS AND 4WA ~|~REPAIR CAN WAIT UNTIL NEXT SERVICE. WILL NEED TO ORDER PARTS PRIOR TO DROPPING OFF.
I have to check speed code on tires when I get back to train station where car is at right now, but I know they are 4 Michelin Premier A/S mounted at dealer in 2019. They are kind of in that “yellow” zone as far as tread depth not bald yet but maybe 10k more miles on them max. No dry rot.
With 211K miles the original springs could be worn out. On another member's 04 sport it felt the same way. We replaced them with aftermarket LESFORJORS sport spec springs and now it rides nice but still handles well
It’s at 32 psi all around, unfortunately, I wish it were that simple
I booked an appointment with a really good independent mechanic around me later this month, explained to them my concern, will see what they might figure out
With 211K miles the original springs could be worn out. On another member's 04 sport it felt the same way. We replaced them with aftermarket LESFORJORS sport spec springs and now it rides nice but still handles well
just my opinion but the sport package is kind of rare,
you see more UL's than sport package and someone might want one bad enough for you win
there is a video about how good LS 430 's are and the car in the video is a sport
I have an 02 with sports suspension and a 03 without. The 02 is better (more stable which I like) on the freeway at 75-80 MPH. Around town, not much difference. Both cars have 18 inch wheels and oversize Yokohama tires. I always run 36 psi.
In this day and age, I believe it is really important to have secure, safe and a very good handling car. There are a lot of people out there that should not be driving. The sports suspension is very desirable.
I plan to upgrade the 03 with 100,000 miles by installing polyurethane lower control arm bushings. They help stabilize the car.
Sport Package Question
