3rd Gen Lexus RX hard suspension (merged threads)
 

I bought my wife a 2012 RX350 with luxury package -with the 19" wheels of course. I hate the bumpy ride. I found a thread posted with the same complaint. Is it worth the trouble and expense to try pushing the dealer for 18" wheels to improve ride performance? I made mistake of assuming that Lexus + Luxury package would represent the very best in ride performance.

Before you get too upset check the tire pressure. 32PSI is the inside the door number. Many dealers over inflate the tires.

Welcome NCbigred. Sorry to hear you're not enjoying the ride. Have you checked the tire pressure? The dealer may have overinflated the tires. And the tires themselves could be the culprit. Michelins are better than the Dunlops and Bridgestones.

"Bumpy Ride" as compared to what? I had several LS430/460 and I also find the RX350 ride not as good as the LS. I have a 2011 RX350 with AWD and 19" wheels. I knew that I was getting a shorter wheel base, 19" wheels, and an SUV. I did not expect the ride to be as good as the LS. However, the RX fills my current needs better than the LS. Hope your "ride" gets better as you drive it more.

with correct tir PSI and few thousand miles to break-in tires/suspension etc, it will eventually smooth out the ride. I drove/drive lot fo SUV/CUV and RX still the best when it comes to having quietest/smoothest among its competitions.

I have 19" Dunlop on the 450h and when the tires have 37 PSI cold (will inflate to 41 PSI when temperature rises) it is bumpy and noisy. I reduced it to 31-32 cold (35 psi warm) and the ride is much smoothier and less noisy (but bad for you mpg).

I also the 18" on my 350 and will trade with you??????

i agree with the other members with the question:
compared to what vehicle?
and how was your "test" drive when you were purchasing the vehicle?

Check your tire pressure, they normally give you 36psi where it should be 32.

Thanks for the feedback
 

I have owned Chevy Eqinox and Trailblazer SUVs. Never had a complaint about a bumpy ride like my new RX350. I have checked tire pressure and have over 4000 miles. Still a rough ride. Reviews of the RX describe the ride as plush. Not plush yo me. I am still curious about whether anyone has ever actually gone to the trouble of switching to smaller tires. Call me crazy. Thanks for your feedback.

I have found just the opposite on tires
 

usually the dealers let them down to 26-30 pounds so they drive softer, than when you put the proper pressure in them they ride much harder. No way to get a true test of ride driving a vehicle unless you stop and check pressures;;;which we did one time years ago, and added air!!!:D

My 2010 RX is stiffer than my 2007 RX, but the 2007 also felt like it was going to roll onto its door handle if I turned the wheel at all above 50mph. As with everything else in life, compromise.

switching to smaller tires won't do the trick.
and that would make the SUV look ugly.
No offense intended, but you should have stayed with a Chevy.. or maybe the Cadillac SRX.:)

i'm with Panyo regarding compromises, i like how the 3rd generation RX has a more masculine stance compared to the 2 previous models.

Thanks again for all the feedback. I do like the manly appearance with the 19s. I will keep driving the old TB and let my wife enjoy the RX. Certainly a significant step up in quality from the Chevy. The lesson learned to to do a bit more test driving before purchasing. I was determined to have the RX under the Christmas tree.

19" rims
 

I have the 19" rims and Dunlop's my 2012 RX and it is not as smooth s my wife's ES but it looks damn good. I checked the cold tire pressure and it was 37. I lowered it to 35 and noticed a difference. I am considering going to 32 but feel it will cut gas mileage. I am getting 21 around town on regular fuel.

Our 2010 is smooth for the most part. We have Michelin tires though. My front strut makes noises do y'all know what could cause it? I have 21k miles. No thread jack intended

I have had an RX with 18s as a loaner and it is a bit more smooth. I'd never dump the 19s though. They look too good.