Looking for input or those that have had both air and non air suspension. I currently have a 10 LWB AWD with air. I have had this car for about 5 years and have put 50K miles on it. The car has given me no issues outside of standard maintenance. The car now has 95k miles and I am considering replacing with a newer model year that does not have air. I love my current car with air but am concerned that it will start having issues being close to 12 years old and 100k miles.

Who on this post has over 100k on 10-12 models with air suspension and did you have issues?

Did anyone go from air to non air either being on current car or by upgrading and if so did you regret it? Did you find a major difference in the ride?

Thanks

Me. None. LS without air isn't LS. Even if it starts acting up - you have to pay to play. Non-air rides like a old big car. Just a car. Not LS.

I replaced mine (original) at 150k miles, I had no issues with old one other than a bit of rust. I was just afraid that it fail in the middle of nowhere. It was expensive even though I did it myself.

so you replaced air shock with air shock? you only had to do one? was it an oem or aftermarket?

Yep, that is my concern that I wont be as happy with a non air and will regret getting rid of the car.

I replaced all four with OEM air shocks.Got the parts off Ebay from Triplecreations (Alex).

Having had both, the air suspension makes the car IMHO.

The right rear air strut on my 600 failed at 81,000 miles. It was replaced at the Lexus dealer at a cost of $2014 ($1814 of which was paid by a third-party warranty).

I don't have an LS air, vs LS non-air direct comparison to make. I do, however, have air suspension on my Tesla Model S, and my LS460L had the strutmaster coilover swap when I purchased it. Coilovers with the correct spring and dampener rates designed for the LS still feel quite nice. There is a nuanced cushiness in an air suspension ride, but it's not like you sacrifice a smooth airy ride when you go to traditional coilovers.

I personally wouldn't replace an entire car if you are afraid the air suspension is bound to fail any day. You don't lose much in the way of comfort (my opinion of course). If you had more control over height adjustment without modification, it might be worth keeping/replacing the air ride based on the cost. If my goal was to stay as close to a stock ride as possible without eating the cost of repairing the OEM air ride, I would either pay for an aftermarket air suspension with full adjustability, or just do the strutmaster swap.

Just to clear up widespread misconception: air suspension isn't just air shocks. It's also TEMS - variable shock strength. That's the main benefit, not the ability to raise/lower.

Air cars also actively counter crosswinds and road crown in conjunction with the VGRS system.

The air car is in general more isolated and aloof than a coil car with less feedback without becoming floaty. I prefer coil type cars personally speaking though, air just doesn't feel right in some way I can't quite articulate unless I'm not involved with the drive at all. When set to max stiffness in a German car it's nice but the ride is not at all smooth anymore at those settings

The ride being more isolated is what you really notice. It feels overall more polished.

I drive a 2011 LS-L with AWD. For me, having driven road trips in both air and non-air, the air suspension is not worth the the potential aggravation and increased maintenance cost. My non-air rides excellent, it wafts…and I like it!

If Lexus starters using bilstein Orr whatever air shocks I’d change it to air shocks instead of the oem spring shocks that I did , knowing what I know and living where I live those rubbish Lexus struts won’t survive 2-3 years…it’s all once piece and it’s stupid to have to replace the whole thing when it will potentially fail so easily in certain conditions.