xfea

Opinion – Bilstein Sport vs. HD and Eibach?

I’ve been reading the posts, and I know there is no one right answer, but wanted to get some feedback from all you experts.

I just bought my second Lexus, a 2001 GS 300. (My first was a 1986 LS400 – LOVED it – sorry I sold it).
The car is nearly flawless with 83,000.

The only issue that has come to light is the wondering, vibrating, very slight occasional knock from the front end.

I figure the bushings and or ball joints etc are worn so I have on order:
CA bushings,
Steering rack bushings
Sway bar bushings
(DAIZEN)
Lower ball joints
Tie rod ends.

I figure this will pretty much rebuild my suspension.
I also noticed the shocks are pretty weak so I went and ordered Bilstein Sport all around.

The questions are:

I plan on running the stock wheel / tire (215/60 x 16).

Most all of the posts re: suspension, shocks, etc. are about more modified rides with bigger (lower profile) tires.

Will the Sport Bilstein be too harsh with the ‘thick’ stock tire?
I know some have said you lose the silky Lexus ride with the Sports, but almost all those posts are with lower profile tires – what about the stock profile?

And, I noticed a LOT of folks recommend going with the Eibach 1” lower springs.
Now would be the time to do it – if I do – not that much money (what is a good source?)

So – bottom line.

1 - stock springs, stock tires, are Bilstein Sports too harsh (I like sporty – but I like Lexus luxo too)
2 – Eibach springs with Bilstein Sports and stock tires– any harsher? Are the Eibach’s ‘hard’ and would this make it too harsh for the wifey?

I know there is a ton of stuff on the posts – but would appreciate feedback. It’s not too late to change the Bilstein order, and getting the Eibachs looks to be easy enough/

Thanks

sivikvtec

I can't speak to how the blisteins ride, but you also need to replace your front caster arms to fix your vibration problems.

check this out...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...and-facts.html

kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

I had H&R springs with blisteins sport shock/strut on my car before I got coils. Love the ride. Nice and comfortable. A bit stiffer from stock due to the lowering springs but the combo will give you that sportier feel. Plus blisteins are life time warrenty I belive.

xfea

I'm a bit confused, I thought the Control Arm Bushing Kit made by DAIZEN that is sold by TM Engineering has the caster arm bushings.

No?

Or do you mean I need to replace the arms for some reason?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

You're good to go. The Daizen set does have the caster bushing.

sivikvtec

yea, I didn't realize that was with the kit. The arm itself is fine... so you are good.

xfea

Kevin,

Thanks for the feedback.

Now I feel pretty good about my choices.
All the DAIZEN bushings.
- Sway bar
- Steering rack
- Control arm (including castor arm)

Bilstein Sport all around.
Looks like I'm down to only one question.

Lower springs? Yes/No? (Eibach?)

Will still stiffen the ride too much?
Is is purely cosmetic?

(Dang - what a slippery slope. I told myself I'll take the time to find a perfect 2001-2002 GS 300 and not put any $ into mods. But here I am going down that road...haha. I can see it now, wheels next, and then to replace the stock front end stereo, headlights, .... NO!)

kevin.tran

iTrader: (4)

Not a problem. As far as the lowering springs it WILL stiffen up the ride (nothing unbearable) but you'll gain better handling and appearance. If you're gonna get lowering springs IMO get coils. That way you can lower/raise as much as you want. I had springs for a while till I got coils because I wanted to go lower and ended up wasting a lot of money i.e paid for spring install, than paid for new shocks and the install, than bought coils and paid for them to be installed when I could've went and got coils in the first place and saved almost a grand. Goodluck in your decision.