When I traded in my 330i for the SC430, I COULD NOT be happier! But, the handling is quite different between the two. While the 330i was very tight, the SC430 feels relatively sloppy. More like a cruiser as I've heard other say. I am wondering if there is anything obvious that can be done to make the ride/handling more similar to the BMW? Incidentally, I am a Mod-tard. My car is totally stock.

 

I think the three biggest things that can improve your handling and give you the feel you want is

#1 daizen sway bars $500
#2 tein cs coil overs $1500
#3 tires

(personally I cant afford the tein cs coil overs right now so I went ahead and just got the springs which are cheap)

I did all my mods at once, rims, drop and sway bars and the handling is very crisp now, no floaty feeling at all. I can hit them turns pretty fast now and its fun

 

As Tony said.

The sways will help out immensely. Do not forget to align it afterwards.
The car is very neutral in the corners unlike other Lexus's which are front heavy.
Stock run flats do not lend to cornering very well so an option may be to swap them out to non run flats as many here have done or get better runs flats if they exist.

 

Thanks for the info. Who does the work... Dealer? Do people have the items shipped to the dealer and have then do it?

I swapped my run-flats a while ago for Michelin PS2's, which I really like, but they didn't do too much for the cornering. I had pilot sports on my BMW and loved them.

 

just curious, I want to keep the stock 18" wheels and OEM size tires,
I do plan on switching to non run flats in about a month.

will adding just the sway bars help intensely?

the car seems like it doesn't want to turn at all (bobbing during cornering)
ofcourse I do have Stock suspension.

when I do add the sways bars, will the ride be stiffer?
(keep in mind I'am getting Continental Pro tires 18" size(non run flats) with the sways bars.

thanks.....

 

The sways by themselves will make a difference (at least it did on my car). As for getting that german car feel, I still can not get that despite having all of the above mentioned modifications. I don't think it can be done; it is a different type of car all together. Please correct me if I am wrong. The car has too much flex even with the top up. One good thing is that the Teins are totally adjustable because I have spent hours adjusting compression and rebound to get a feel that I like. I almost have the car the way I like it but it's still not close to the feel of a porsche or bimmer.
-Dan

 

Hmmmm handling would go under.........o yeah the suspension section, not engine. Mods move this to the right section.

 

Actually this belongs in the SC430 section. I believe it was there originally and somehow got moved?