I purchased my car about a year ago at 77k. Since then I have replace 2 of the air shocks. The front driver and rear passenger..

I think the other 2 have gone and 85k is about what you can expect for the life of shocks, I live in the north east where roads are pretty bad..

So now my choice is to purchase 2 more shocks at 1900 (ouch) or go to coil overs (Tein CS are 1700)?. Now in my experience coil overs only last about 20 - 30k. So if I can spend 1900 and not have to worry about shocks for another 4-6 years im inclined to do that? Any thoughts?

I paid a premium for the ultra model so im some what hesitant to can the suspension but it might make sense to..

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ion-infos.html

I've contemplated this when considering the 430's, at the first sign one is dying, to move with an adjustable coil system. Unless you prefer the factory air and are willing to pay. Might also contact some of the vendors here on the costs of coil over suspension systems.

 

Ive replaced 2 already which is what make its a delima I got the 2 i replaced used but new. Ive seen the quality of coilovers degrade of the last ten years which also factors in.

 

You could always go for coil springs and a traditional shock/strut.

 

Ah forgot about that option let me look

 

Check here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ion-infos.html

 

Hmm so I have

1) go to stock springs 1800?
2) Cheap coils 800?
3) Tein CS 1600
4) 2 air struts1900

 

You could find a used set of OEM springs/shocks...junkyard, parts recycler, current LS430 owner wanting to clean out the garage. Pretty sure I saw someone selling factory springs/shocks for like $250.

 

I switched from the stock air susp to bc racing coilovers almost 2 years ago and roughly 40k miles ago. I drive roughly 25000 miles a year so basically every year I should be replacing my coilovers? I've never heard of coilovers only lasting 20-30k, where did u get this info?

I drove the car from 29k-99k and just had the original break pads replaced, so I think my highway commute is hopefully not too bad on the car wear and tear wise. I also put some 40K+ miles on a set of low pro nitto 555's and they only looked a little more than half aged (35% life left) when I took them off last month and had very little inner tire wear at all (rear tires btw).

BTW x2 my coilovers were like $900 + 100+ install, I think the meagans are like $800.

 

Also think about when the coilovers actually need rebuilt, most options stateside are $100-150 per damper. Keep in mind that the CS line from Tein aren't able to be rebuilt by TeinUSA, they must go to Japan unless things changed since I last owned a set.

My experience doesn't reflect the 20-30k rebuild mileage on coilovers either, more like 60k+.

 

What will a coilover start to do before it needs to be rebuilt? Will it just get real soft and loose its responsiveness?

 

That's the reason I went with steel lowering springs.

 

Pretty much yes, the damper will slowly lose its ability to control the spring's rebound and give you the floaty/bouncy feeling over dips at speed.

You can somewhat lengthen the timeframe of this condition with the damper settings, say you normally drive around with your dampers set at 12(f)/10(r), when you begin to notice them going you can stiffen them to 16/14 or whatever and kind of retain the ride characteristics you had before. It helps, but just know that it's time to look into rebuilding or buying new dampers.

 

Only problem is that out rears are under the rear seat so u gotta take out the rear seat to get to the rear coil damper adjustment. I have mines set very soft, I wonder if this will increase the life

 

Ive have numerous pairs 25 - 30k seem to be what I get on them in NYC. Ive spoken to people who have blown megans in a year.