I wish I'd never done it !

[Foulsbane]

Several of our members have been following my post about changing from Air Suspension to Coilover Suspension.

I have to say here and now, if you can afford it stay with Air Suspension !

Had I replaced the rear units I would be in a whole better place now, why ?

Let me answer !

1. Nothing is as smooth as Air Suspension.

2. Nothing is as quiet as Air Suspension.

I feel now like I'm running on Town and Country tyres, for those who know, they're extremely noisy.

Coilovers have spoilt the whole Lexus experience.

We are taking a trip from the Midlands to the Isle of Wight soon, I'll let you know what the quality of ride is like on motorways.

The way I feel at the moment, I'm going to be looking for another Lexus.

[Herbie]

I have never had, or been a passenger in, an LS430 so maybe that makes a difference, but I have been a passenger in a few RXs with air and I don't think it makes any difference at all - certainly not enough difference to make the extra complexity and cost in repairs, worthwhile.

[ColinBarber]

I think it makes a bigger difference on a saloon but still isn't that much in it compared to good quality OEM sprung suspension. What coilovers did you use - it is those, rather than being non-air, that has compromised the ride and increased noise.

[Jake430]

I tried coilovers in a 430 years ago. 3 failed in 700 miles. I put the air shocks back in the front and got lexus standard shocks for th rear. Car handled great. 

[Foulsbane]

29 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

I think it makes a bigger difference on a saloon but still isn't that much in it compared to good quality OEM sprung suspension. What coilovers did you use - it is those, rather than being non-air, that has compromised the ride and increased noise.

 I bought a full set of coilover springs from BC Racing, supplied by Apex Performance, at a cost of £769 for the full kit.

Designed specifically for the LS430

The mechanic who fitted them had nothing but praise for them, he used to fit the same type on race cars.

[Malc]

8 minutes ago, Foulsbane said:

he used to fit the same type on race cars.

might it possibly be that the set you have fitted is purposefully for a distinctly hard precise ride ....  as in racing .....  rather than for supreme leisurely wafting along comfort ?

just a thought 

Malc

[cruisermark]

I can only suggest driving the car for a while and see if you will get used to it and find the ride acceptable to the point that you maybe able to live with it.

[ColinBarber]

1 hour ago, Foulsbane said:

The mechanic who fitted them had nothing but praise for them, he used to fit the same type on race cars.

Exactly the problem then. They are designed to improved handling, with the ability to lower the vehicle, meaning they are stiffer which will compromise ride quality and noise.

Even 'comfort' coilovers are harder than Lexus stock suspension.

[Foulsbane]

Everybody's missing the point here, although the company specialises in race suspension, these units are designed for the LS430 and have adjustable shocks , and I've set them on the softest option.

There is without a doubt a world of difference between standard suspension and Air Suspension, at least that is my experience.

[The-Acre]

Just my thoughts here.  Last year I went to see a Celsior like mine with another member, that one had coil suspension not air.  Driving it around those London roads it felt no different at all from air suspension, so I agree with Herbie, what was the point of Lexus doing it in the first place.  Drive an LS400, you can't improve on that!

[GrahamG]

Not trying to convince anyone, just sharing my experience which was transitioning from 15 years with a Mk III LS400 [without air suspension] to a LS430 with air suspension there was no difference in comfort or ride.