The forum members aren't always right. It's their opinions based on more experience than anyone else. Shops will have more experience but they also want to make money. Members have no profit motive.

 

Not true, the Germans have far superior systems that are rebuildable at home and a hell of a lot stronger. You linked the D3 that is a 2nd gen system before they sorted everything out, even still it's cheaper and better than Lexus as far as design and rebuild ability.

The issue with Lexus is that air is somehow STILL optional on the LS and so is not ubiquitous nor does it have a good design for long term strength. The first gen German systems sucked about the same level but since they kept developing it they quickly grew out of it. Lexus never did

 

So Mercedes? Oh Id take a German part any day of the week. So is it the struts itself that are the sucky part of this system? A bunch of people told me lexus had the most reliable system, guess they were wrong. A part of me buying this was I thought it had Toyota reliability, I know its a different factory and all.
I never would have gone with air if it wasnt for my medical condition with my ears. They all seem to add too much complication to the system. I just hope that if I get my suspension fixed that I might have some smooth sailing for a little bit. Average less then 1000 miles a year.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/39453604700...iABEgIvsvD_BwE

Vs....

https:/m.aliexpress.us/item/2251832626927943.html?gatewayAdapt=gloPc2usaMsite4itemAdapt

https://rebuildmastertech.com/audi/a...010-2018-d44h/

https://www.miessler-automotive.com/...rvice-Kit-REAR

You can see the difference in design and with German cars you can buy rebuild parts yourself if you want to. The Lexus units can't be rebuilt.

 

As one of my older friends used to say - 'They cook - we eat'.