I had the same problem. In the first few trips with mine (a '96), I was disappointed with the road noise. I now realise it was because my expectations were unrealistically high. What you need to do is, after driving your LS for a week or three, drive any other (non-LS) car, which will now seem most uncouth by comparison.
Apparently, the more worn a tyre, the louder the road roar - something to do with the tread-to-road-surface air gap being smaller, hence more distortion of the air passing between tyre and road.
On a local stretch of newly-laid blacktop, mine on new Dunlop D8Zs (£68 each, inc valves & balancing!) is almost silent up to about 60mph.
I also thought my car too harsh-riding below 50 mph when I first had it, but this disappointment has also evaporated after the odd drive in an "ordinary" car!
Excessive Road Noise, Problem Or Over Optimistic
in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club
Posted