Ls430 air suspension after market or coil overs?

[TKhan430]

My strut on my 430 will need replacing in the future. Is there a brand of coil overs which make the car handle like air on normal settings? Or would you recommend replacing the strut with an aftermarket one as I've seen on eBay a pair of struts. 

 

Thanks 

[Supafly]

From what I've read in the past I think some of the early LS430's had standard suspension (coil springs and shocks) and that people have fitted these to air sprung models.

I'm not certain about the specifics but hopefully a quick search will clarify.

[BigBoomer]

Check on the ClubLexus US based forum for plenty of details on changing the suspension from air to coilovers.
In the USA only the top 2 specs (out of 5) of the LS430 had the air suspension.
The air suspension gives you both comfort and handling by being dynamically adjusted for level, spring rate, and damping, as well as improving fuel economy on motorway drives as it lowers the car to give lower drag.
Going to coilovers you will lose out as they are NOT self-levelling, will not lower at speed, and they are inevitably a compromise w.r.t. comfort and handling as you cannot design a coil over be both comfortable and handle well.
The specific coil overs used and their setup will determine the comfort and handling characteristics of the car.
Plenty of people are happy with coil overs but personally I would stick with air.

[TKhan430]

7 hours ago, BigBoomer said:

Check on the ClubLexus US based forum for plenty of details on changing the suspension from air to coilovers.
In the USA only the top 2 specs (out of 5) of the LS430 had the air suspension.
The air suspension gives you both comfort and handling by being dynamically adjusted for level, spring rate, and damping, as well as improving fuel economy on motorway drives as it lowers the car to give lower drag.
Going to coilovers you will lose out as they are NOT self-levelling, will not lower at speed, and they are inevitably a compromise w.r.t. comfort and handling as you cannot design a coil over be both comfortable and handle well.
The specific coil overs used and their setup will determine the comfort and handling characteristics of the car.
Plenty of people are happy with coil overs but personally I would stick with air.

Thanks for info will have a look at the USA clublexus. Phoned Lexus it's 1250 per strut! For that money whole suspension system could be done. Would be interested in most comfortable set up (not fussed about performance) lol

[steve2006]

Mine had, fortunately, already been converted before purchase using a USA sourced conversion kit from Strutmasters.

I can’t compare air to springs obviously but the ride is fine to me and zero problems.

Cost of the kit, I think, was less than one replacement air strut from Lexus plus a few hours labour.