Hi I have recently purchased a 2023 RC 350 F-Sport. I am new to this Model Forum b ut not new to Lexus or Club Lexus. My last 2 cars were BMW 5 Series, have had multiple Lexus Models in the past. All gens of LS ex current, Gen3 GS which I loved. I installed F-Sport Sways and RCA blocks to lower the front. Wish that was an option on the RC but more about that in a little. Wife currently has a 2021 IS 350 F-Sport which is what drew me to test drive the RC. Was expecting the RC to drive/ride similar to the IS but was I wrong. In my wife's words the RC drives more like a bimmer, she has context as she has had several BMW in the past.

Light Mods to begin shortly - scheduled for tint Friday the 14th. Currently looking to add a trunk spoiler, bouhg tone of Ebay more for trial to see if I like it and also color as I plan on going gloss black. My car is Caviar. Also looking at the NIA kit as suggested by forum member.. Also going to talk to the dealer about F-Sport springs as the front wheel gap needs to be addressed.

Car is well optioned ex ML which is disappointing, however the IS has the base system which I found more then adequate as I do in the RC as well. May look to upgrade in the future but not a priority.

Here is a pic, hope to contribute to the forum and learn from current members as well. Happy 4th.

 

That's a great looking car, and welcome to the forum. You are pretty spot on with your driving impressions as it doesn't drive like a "typical" Lexus as far as luxury and ride quality, but me personally, i'm ok with that. The first thing I did a couple of years ago was RS-R Superdown springs and H&R wheel spacers. That completely solved the ride-height issue I had with it and it now looks proper. Also, as i've mentioned to several new owners on here, buy the Takeda cold air intake. It will greatly improve engine sound, like, really let it open up and sound like a beast, and possibly some performance as well. It's an easy DIY install and probably the best $450 I ever spent on the car. Good luck with the mods and keep us posted.

 

Thank You for the welcome and the advice. I am familiar with H&R as I had them on my 5. It appears though that the RC has lug nuts vs. studs ( please correct me if wrong).
I will look into the intake. As for the springs, given it is brand new with warranty I though it better to stick with OEM installed by dealer so I don't get any issues. I realize the Fsports do not drop as much as the Rsr but may need that compromise. Please tell me more about the spacers , this interests me. How do you accommodate spacers when using lug nuts?
Thank You.

 

Looking good. I would throw on the rear trunk lip spoiler (something minimal/subtle) and perhaps the F Sport springs if you must go lower and call it a day. Looks professional, adult, classy, and mighty as is. Personally i'd keep it fully high and stock. suspension travel is your friend for a road car.

been there done that with 19 cars, most lowered, including 3IS F Sport. if i could go back i would keep it fully stock. but F Sport springs aren't such a terrible evil. Will look nice and the drop is mild.

 

your RC uses studs and nuts--unless it got the change the 3IS.5 got?-- then It does not use wheel bolts. you can get the type of spacers that uses its own studs but you'd have to make sure you're triple on top of all the torques of all the fasteners. and keep in mind you'd basically be trusting the security of your wheels to whatever manufacturer made the spacers and your triple checking everything. also keep in mind you'd have extra weight with this method.

The correct way is to use extended studs and standalone spacers. but pressing out and pressing in new studs is a lot of labor. The best way is no spacers at all, or use wheels that space out naturally.

 

To add to that if you did get the BMW type wheel bolts, then you can simply by spacers and extended bolts. classic bmw trick. keep in mind you'll have excess wear and tear by essentially increasing the leverage on suspension. you'll also have a lower effective spring rate

 

Thanks for the education. I did a quick search and saw studs have to be changed. No go for me and would not want to pay for something I can't easily remove myself. Learned an expensive lesson with the 5 as far as mods go. I now have an inventory of stuff I am trying to sell. Lucky if I get 50 cents on a dollar.

That said, I would still do the f-sport springs installed at dealer, this way no warranty issues and could be sold/traded in as a totally OEM car.

Maybe down the line I will do 20" wheels with a proper offset and new tires. If proper fitment no need for spacers.

 

The ML isn't bad, without it, it's actually worst. The gap isn't bad and makes the car functional. Nice looking car though. You'll love the trunk space it offers during travels. I love the track pad as it's easier to navigate the screen (it's cumbersome to reach forward to touch the screen as we currently have the '23 RX). Good move in moving to Lexus family.

 

Thanks, Yes I do wish it had ML but in such a small cabin I think I can get the base system to work for me. So used to the I-Drive controller in the 5, the one thing BMW does well. I am getting used to the track pad as well. I hate leaving fingerprints on the screen. The gap in the front looks really excessive to me. My wife's 21 IS is much lower. I am waiting on pricing for dealer install of the F-Sport springs, not a done deal yet.

I do like the trunk space, particularly with the seats down. Plenty of room for us.

 

Very nice. Just picked up mine last Tuesday. Could not be happier with my choice. Love the color combo, Incognito/Black with Red Interior. Highly optioned.

 

What that car looks great/ Love the color combo and those wheels. Are the 19" or 20"

 

E46CT, I am having a heck of time with the Fsport springs. Since Lexus does not make a specific spring for AWD not sure the dealer will accommodate me. Keeping warranty in tact is important to me, I do have AVS so that is my only real concern. I may try some other dealers to see if they will do the install.

How have others approached this with a new RC? Who has had the dealer install the F-Sport springs for RWD?

 

They are 19”

 

Contact RS-R and ask them about the warranty concerns. IIRC lowering it will not affect anything with the car as far as electronics, it's just basically making the car sit a little lower. I did mine and had an aftermarket company install them and have had ZERO issues, except for some scraping on driveways and them damn pot holes in the roads!