Looking for some feedback from some of the long time owners of non-air suspension models to chime in. I've had my 08L (97K miles) for two years now and have yet to experience this "smooth/fantastic compliant" ride I seem to read so much about ( I have the 18" factory rims).
The ride quality I have always experienced seems very harsh when going over mild to moderate pavement imperfections and transmits a lot of impact into the car. I use a digital tire gauge and run between 30 - 32 psi. Over smooth pavement the ride is decent and compliant with very little harshness being transmitted into the chassis. Car still has the original shocks, but I replaced ALL front bushings about 15K miles ago (yes, bolts were tightened down once weight was on suspension). There is NO bouncy, bouncy feeling and when doing the old push down test on the corners of the car - just back up and dead stop. Last month when I rotated the tires I inspected all ball joints, sway bar end links finding all tight/perfect. I currently have Michelin Pilot MXM4 tires all the way around. The fronts are just a hair above the wear bar indicators and the rears have about 4/32" left. The tires have been on the car for close to 6 years, so I know they have been through a bunch of hot/cold cycles - which I believes changes the physical properties of the rubber itself.

So.......Is my rough ride simply a result of tires near the end of their life cycle? Has anyone else personally ran these tires with similiar results? I am planning on replacing all tires within the next month or so with Pirelli P7 Cinturato All Season Plus tires. Shoot, I rode in my buddies (don't laugh too hard) 1991 Oldsmobile Regency Elite and that car with 175K miles rides WAY, WAY better over the same exact roads I have experience with - It literally floats over with nothing coming through the chassis - makes me jealous of his $1,500 hoopty. A flagship Lexus should have a much better ride - or al least as smooth as 27 year old Oldsmobile!

Thoughts?
Advice?
Experience?

 

Well, a '91 Olds is going to float and sway and dive and wiggle. If that's what you want......... The LS, like most modern luxury cars, has a more sporty ride dialed in. Not trying to defend it, just different. Try the new Pirellis - they may improve things slightly but do't get your expectations up too high. If you still aren't happy with the ride, go to your nearest Lexus dealer and take a test drive in a 3 year old CPO LS460. It should ride pretty much the same as your '08. If it is much better then you may need to consider replacing your shocks. Harsh ride can be due to too soft (worn) shocks as well as too stiff shocks. Remember, "shocks" are not shock absorbers (that's what the springs are for), they are dampers.

 

"Car still has the original shocks,"

This is your problem. 18 inch tires are very thick. I can run over almost any pothole with them. I have 19 inch tires now and the ride is a little more firm but that is the trade off for stability and looks.
Get a set of KYB struts all around. The original old ones are not reacting fast enough over bumps. Made a big difference for me at 92K miles. I only changed the fronts. The backs are still strong. With new struts installed you will barely be able to bounce the car up and down by hand.

 

Very well said and I can attest to what you wrote here. I used to have a 95 Delta 88, and man that thing was like a boat..
The LS still has a quality ride feel, even without the air suspension, and my RWB I feel still has some refinement that takes some getting used to.

 

 

 

Non-air suspension crew checking in.

Lack of rubber on old tires will definitely increase NVH. I got new winters a little while back and the difference was night and day. Rides butter smooth now.

Sounds like you already found the solution to your problem

 

Have you checked your tire pressure. My dealer always puts mine way too higher. door usually calls for around 33 and I always find they put it up to 40 sometimes! Pisses me off. I lower it down to 32-32 and I get back my nice ride. Of course it doesn't have that floaty old car feel like others say but I ride around in other modern cars and then get back in my LS and its a magic carpet!