i just purchased 03 ls430 UL with 86k miles, it came with 17inch original wheels,im looking to upgrade to eathet 18 inch originals or some nice 20s staggered, dont know what to do, car sits pretty high and i dont want to lower it cause of the air suspension,,,help

 

well, once you put anything else you will see that the car sitting even higher! If you are not going to lower the car, 20s will look rather bad!! 18s would be a better choice!

Welcome to CL........

 

thank you for youre advice

 

What's the issue of you not wanting to lower it? If its the cost of the controller, you can adjust the rods to lower it a bit.

 

You have air suspension? So you either have the UL or the ultra hard to find CL with the air suspension option added. Either way, why do you NOT want to lower it if you could? Afraid the suspension would fail at some point?

For me, I'd do 18 rather than 20. At some point and with the wrong wheels, 20s start to make a car look like a large toy car, rather than a luxury vehicle with cool wheels. Also, keep in mind the larger you go with wheels, the lower your mpg is going to drop.

 

IMO, by FAR the biggest drawback to larger-than-18" wheels and tires is the deterioriation in ride quality, quiet and comfort that WILL accompany the change (assuming you have well-chosen 18's and even if you choose your 19"+ for max comfort and quiet). In my experience, mileage will drop a MPG or so, but that's not enough to concern me. It's the reduction in overall quiet and comfort -- the main features that set the LS apart from "lesser" vehicles - that concerns me more.

 

well i just bought the car and i love it, i didnt know there was a way to lower it without switching suspensions,

 

5 days ago i purchased 03 ls430 white UL with air suspension and 86k on it.one previous owner, car is in mint condition inside and out,love it so far. this morning i realized that my rear passenger wheel was lower then the other three, i guess about 1" .I let the car warm up for 10 min and it didnt raise, when i pressed the button for HIGH option, that same wheel raised but not as high as the other three,DOES THAT MEAN I HAVE A BAD AIR SHOCK,,??

 

Ha, well buddy, do a search, Every UL has the same issue, but your shocks are good.

 

You just need to adjust the rods.

 

^ what they said. there is a ton of info on "the rear passenger sag" on UL's...just gotta search.

 

Solution, start having more passengers sit on rear left side...