So my GS lease is up in about a month and the wife is loving the RX330. I'm at a point where modifications are not worth the time considering she spends most of the time driving it during the day, and I use it at night or on the weekends. The mods on the GS was limited to a set of 17" wheels and ultra high performance all season tires to replace the stock POS tires that Lexus put everyone's life in danger with in driving with them in the snow. I had the tires and wheels from my previous ride, so they would have just sat there, so I figured i'd use them.
I love Lexus, always have been a fan. Heck I used to work for a dealership too(LOM in NYC).. My original intention on leasing the GS for 24 months when I did was to get the '06 GS when it comes out. Sadly, we still have to wait about 6 mos for it, and I think it's going to be more than I want to spend in it's initial introduction, so the next runner up is the RX. I don't mind the RX330 at all, based on the features and amenities in the RX, I don't lose out on the luxuries i've gotten used to in the GS, not to mention my wife is driving me crazy to convince me in buying the GS lease when it's up because she loves the car. She will take the RX though without putting up much of a fight. I wouldn't mind keeping the GS with the exception of the RWD in the snow, and the fact that the car is heavy, leads to so-so power and acceleration. I know the RX isn't much lighter or so much more powerful, but for comparison my mom's 02 RX feels quicker than the GS, even though they are very similar in power with the exception of one being an inline six and the other a V6 (there's no substitute for the smoothness of an I-6)...Geez I have so much to say, i'm just rambling..I'll get to the point..
When I was younger I always told myself I'd never get an SUV because of the increased ride height and loss of handling compared to a sedan. I used to be all about the power and handling. Then I got married. I searched and saw a few old posts of people mocking users by saying that lowering the RX eliminates the purpose of getting an SUV. Will I be going off-roading with it? NO. Do I really need the added ride height? NO. Do I want to have the confidence of making a turn as fast as I used to in the GS or any other sedan without feeling like i'm going to roll over? YES. Which leads me to the next question: Has anyone lowered their RX 330? If so, what spring did you use? I found 3 worth considering so far: TTE, Eibach and H&R. I have no experience with any of the brands. My last ride (Acura) was lowered with Comptech hardware and it was sweet! I always liked the look of the lowered ride height, and I think for suburban driving you don't need to be that high up. I don't need the car slammed to the ground, just a mild, subtle drop will do fine for me.
Compare the 18's in an FX 35 to the 20's in the same car with the Sport Package. My brother has a loaded FX with Sport. One look at 2 FX's side by side with 18's and 20's, the difference and look is obvious. The 18's look stupid IMHO, but he 20's stuff the wheel well nicely, giving it a nice aggressive look. I'm not planning on changing the wheels to fill in the wheel well, so the next solution would be a mild drop, which should do the trick, and improve the handling without compromising the ride much. If it was up to me, i'd also change the sway bars too, but I can't seem to find anything in the aftermarket for the RX. So Anyone have anything to say without flaming? Let me know!

 

Hey bro. Check this site out (I order most of my stuff here as do many of us) until I find out more. They have RX 300 lowering springs.
http://www.l-tunedparts.com/model/st...id=33&cat_id=7

You probably won't get much feedback as most 330s are thus far stock

 

The world’s first hybrid petrol-electric car in the premium segment
Second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive technology delivers power and performance appropriate for a luxury 4x4
3.3-litre V6 petrol engine combines with electric motors to produce approximately 270bhp
Fuel consumption to match a standard four-cylinder saloon and ultra-low carbon dioxide emissions
Continuously variable automatic transmission
World-first application of Vehicle Dynamics Management (VDM) advanced vehicle stability control system
UK debut of production model, due for UK sale in 2005
The Lexus RX400h makes its UK debut at the Sunday Times Motor Show Live, a vehicle that is set to make history as the first hybrid petrol-electric production model in the premium car market when sales begin in early 2005.

Equipped with the latest development of Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, the RX400h offers performance worthy of a conventional 4.0-litre V8 engine, yet achieves substantial improvements in fuel economy, exhaust emissions along with smoother and quieter operation.

At the same time as the RX400h makes important advances in technology, it makes no compromises in the high levels of quality and refinement that are characteristic of all Lexus models, which have helped make the RX series a great success since the all-new model range was launched in 2003.



New Hybrid Power System

Fuel economy and low emissions have been traditional advantages of hybrid power systems. Where the RX400h is concerned, these qualities are now matched by impressive power output, too. The 400 in the vehicle’s name refers not to engine capacity, but to the fact the output can compare to that of a 4.0-litre petrol engine.

Lexus engineers have developed a hybrid system specifically for the RX400h, based on the Hybrid Synergy Drive concept used to great effect in the new Toyota Prius. They redesigned and refined the electrics, mechanical components and control elements to achieve performance levels appropriate for a luxury 4x4.

The powertrain uses a conventional 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine working in tandem with two powerful electric motors to provide an intelligent four-wheel drive system, improved low to mid-range acceleration, braking and fuel efficiency and minimised carbon dioxide emissions.

In addition to the petrol engine and the electric motors, the system also features a generator, high-performance battery and a power split device that enables power from the different sources to be combined or re-allocated according to driving conditions. The high-speed interaction of the different components in the system is governed by a power control unit.

In order to achieve higher output from the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, electrical capability was increased. Booster devices were added and a new high-speed front motor that operates at twice the speed, producing more than twice the power of that used in the Prius. Adding a rear motor enables four-wheel drive, and a newly developed nickel-metalhydride battery again produces almost double the power of that in the Prius.

The strength of the RX400h’s powertrain is expressed in a maximum output of around 270bhp, compared to 110bhp for the Prius. This gives the RX400h a top speed to match the existing RX300, but with a nought to 62mph acceleration time of less than eight seconds. More than that, fuel consumption is improved to a level usually associated with a four-cylinder family saloon.

The powertrain complies with Euro IV emissions standards and produces much less carbon dioxide compared to rival premium 4x4s with a similar power output.

Maximum efficiency, minimum fuss
Although the RX400h makes extensive use of advanced technologies, it is not complex to drive. The drive system is engaged by means of a gearlever mounted on the dashboard, operating a seamless, continuously variable transmission.

In the course of any journey, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system will operate in several different modes in order to maximise efficiency. At rest, the engine will automatically stop to conserve fuel. At times when engine efficiency is low, such as on start-up and at low to mid-range speeds, the vehicle will run on its electric motors alone, reducing exhaust emissions to zero.



In normal driving, power from the engine will be divided by the power split device both to drive the wheels directly and to power the generator, which, in turn, drives the electric motors. In these circumstances, power allocation is constantly monitored and adjusted between the engine and motors to maximise efficiency. When sudden acceleration is required, engine and electric motors operate in tandem, with extra power supplied by the battery to boost motor response.

Intelligent four-wheel drive
The RX400h’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system uniquely features a second electric motor to drive the rear wheels and provide electric four-wheel drive for certain driving conditions.

Controlled by the Vehicle Dynamics Management system, the four-wheel drive is automatically engaged via continuously adjusted front and rear electric motor torque, as when accelerating hard from standstill or through the gears, when cornering, or whenever a loss of traction from the front wheels is detected.

Moreover, during deceleration and under braking, the engine switches off and the electric motors act as high-output generators, driven by all four wheels. This regenerative braking system optimises energy management by recovering kinetic energy that would usually be lost as heat and storing it as electrical energy in the battery. In addition, battery power level is constantly managed by the engine-driven generator, which means there is no need to recharge the system from an external source.

Vehicle Dynamics Management
In conjunction with the new Hybrid Synergy Drive system, the RX400h has enhanced handling and driving stability thanks to its re-tuned suspension, specially designed Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and the installation of Vehicle Dynamics Management, one of the most advanced vehicle stability control systems currently available.

The VDM is less obtrusive that conventional VSC systems, but is ultimately more effective. By means of high-speed "by-wire" throttle, brake and transmission technology, VDM co-ordinates control of the Hybrid Synergy Drive, the electric four-wheel drive and Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB), adjusting front and rear electric motor torque according to driving conditions and stabilising vehicle behaviour on low grip surfaces, such as snow or mud.

Flagship Of The RX Series
The RX400h shares the sleek and muscular styling of the RX300, but will be the flagship of the range riding on bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and featuring a redesigned front grille, fog lamps and bumper. The cabin displays all the trademark Lexus values of peerless comfort, outstanding quality and driving ergonomics. Exclusive brushed aluminium trim reflects the state-of-the-art technology used in the powertrain. On the instrument panel in front of the driver, the tachometer is replaced by a power meter. The driver can also monitor the operation of the different elements in the Hybrid Synergy Drive system by means of a continuous read out on the seven-inch touch display screen on the centre console.

source: http://www.carpages.co.uk/lexus/lexu...1_21_05_04.asp

February 14, 2004
The world first hybrid Lexus RX400h 4-wheel drive SUV at the 2004 Geneva Motorshow
Its completely new hybrid system is based on the Hybrid Synergy Drive concept already used on the Toyota Prius. On the RX400h, It employs front and rear electric motors and a 3.3 litre, V6 petrol engine, which combine to produce a maximum power output of approximately 200 kW (270 hp) via continually variable automatic transmission and electric 4-wheel drive.

This gives the RX400h a comparable top speed to that of the existing RX300, but overall performance superiority (0-100kph/62mph) in less than 8 seconds. Furthermore, the RX400h boasts the lowest Premium SUV CO2 emissions in the world.
The RX400h will already be on the market during the first quarter of 2005.



source: http://www.auto-innovations.com/actu-news/051.html

 

Thre reason I posted the hybrid as it is suppoed to be a lil more performance minded as an RX goes. But with 9,000 orders already made and a date of April 2005, I doubt your trying to wait.

Four-Wheel Air Suspension

The available Four-Wheel Air Suspension controls vehicle height, depending on driving conditions and needs. At speeds higher than 62 mph, the vehicle lowers 0.3 inches automatically (Normal mode), providing increased control and lower drag coefficient. For additional control during sport driving, you can select Low mode, which lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches. For low-speed emergency driving on rough terrain, you're able to switch to High mode to raise the ground clearance to a full 8.3 inches. Or, for easy passenger access or loading, the vehicle will lower an additional 1.2 inches (Access mode).

That is what you can order for the RX to help with the sport.

 

Based on what it's saying, the air suspension is more for aerodynamics and ease of entry than anything else, not to mention the lowest setting is half of the drop you would get with springs. That doesn't help the unsightly wheel gap that I'm trying to reduce..It's also probably a hell of a lot more expensive to opt for the air suspension than pay a couple hundred bucks and get the springs. I'd install them myself as well.

 

Would an Eibach Pro lowering kit defeat this Option, Or ADD & Enhance it? ...too reduce the wheel well gap?

 

With the air suspension you can buy the air ride controller which allows you to drop the car more than stock. It drops the LS430 with air suspension about 3-4" I believe and also raises it about 1' over stock., so based on that it should be roughtly the same for the RX air system. Otherwise, a few of us are waiting for companies like TEIN to release their adjustable coil kit for the RX330 which is in the works right now.

 

Check with your leasing company to be sure what mods (if any) are allowed. One downside of a lease is that you don't really own the car. If they're going to be picky about what you can do, just don't spend your money on something that's irreversible when it's time to return it.

As to the 330's handling, I'd say mine is somewhat better (stiffer) than my RX 300. The ride's not as plush, but roll is minimized. Kinda surprising for an "SUV". The trade-off (comfort vs. performance) is about even. Those 18's don't help the ride as much as they do the handling. Another trade-off.

Several testers have noted that the standard suspension is superior in handling to the air suspension simply because body movement is more tightly controlled. . . . jury's still out on that one.

 

I'm picking up info from other threads/posts here that the 400h will NOT have this available, could someone in the know please set me straight on this matter. ...and NO WOOD either? 50K, C'mon, enlighten me guys/gals, thanks. This is what the Eibachs do for the FX