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I took out the air suspension and installed Bilstein coilovers on my 01 LS. The airsuspension felt too mushy (after having driven 7series for 13 years)
The Bilsteins are wonderful. Tight but not harsh. The car was lowered 1 1/2"; it also changed the stance slightly.
The Bilsteins are made precisely for the specific LS, they are not a generic coilovers. Everything fitted. I like them
Thanks. I'm assuming you bought new Bilsteins and not used JDM market ones.
I saw a few used sets and was wondering if anyone used them.
I have a stock 04, No air suspension.
I love the car, but boy is it a floaty pig. I want to tighten it up, but not make it harsh. Not looking to slam it either.
The Lexus OEM Rear Sport Sway Bar is 1mm bigger than stock.
I have Ultra Racing rear,19mm which is 5mm larger.
It has made a big difference.
Lexus did not offer a Sport Front, Ultra Racing does offer one.
I bought Polyurethane front bushing to use with OEM bar. It helped tied up the front a bit.
@3
yes, they were new coilovers, and I also went to the sport rear swaybar.
left the front end as is. Some say that the poly bushing made the ride harsher.
Thanks semar.
Did you do any experimenting with height? less/more and notice difference.
1 1/2 would be max for me.
I run 17's and just ordered Conti DWS06's
I also run 17" Lumaraii wheels on Michelin (PO just put new ones on prior to sale). Did not like the stock height - it looked somewhat like an oxcart, out of proportion.
Some like the magic carpet ride of the airsuspension; I drove the car 700 miles on the OEM airsuspension. On perfect road surfaces it did ride like the magic carpet. On rough roads it was not quiet and smooth. Of course it did not rattle but you still could feel the road.
It could not see the overall benefit of raising the car from Normal to High. We do not have 4wheel drive roads I would take the car on anyway. When I saw the PO service records and saw he replaced already 3 airshocks within 116k miles at C$ 2200 a pop plus labor at 150/hr I bit the bullet and went with the Bilsteins. They are a top quality product with a "Lifetime" warranty. I had their shocks installed on some of my Bimmers and never had a problem with them One (528i) had over 350k with them.
When you buy a specific system (they make several product with adjustable damping devices) each product is specifically designed for the car. e.g. weight, so the spring rate is designed for the car. giving it the right feel.
By lowering the car just 1 1/2" I still can get a hose nozzle between the tire and the body to clean out wheelwell properly.
I am not in the extreme camber look. The car is a daily driver and our roads are not comparable with the Southern California streets.
I feel Lexus could have done better with their airsuspension system. I feel it is a somewhat hit and miss thing. What bothers me is the extreme high cost for replacement, not even a repair is available. I know it is a luxury car but it does not give them a blank cheque.
I got 20's with a 35 profile front and 30 rear, stock shocks with Cobra Super Low springs. Its still soft, but it doesn't roll about like a 70's Cadillac Coupe De Ville
Had Bilsteins installed along with alignment. These were used JDM imports. Had approximately 25k on them.
Lowered a bit over an inch.
New 17" Conti DWS.
Impressions;
Ride is firmer and more planted. Not harsh.
Corners much flatter.
It feels more connected and not as vague.
06-05-17, 11:01 PM
