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Getting that first bruise - it will happen to all of us sooner or later! As I’m approaching my first year driving and 10,000 mile maintenance, I’ve learned to “go easy” over those bumps and watch those side curbs. From a value standpoint, I will go the mobile repair route to get my battle scars fixed - repair will also include fixing minor chips in the front from normal wear and tear. It’s not a show car. I consider the scratches minor and cosmetic, so I didn’t feel a need for a full removal and painting. I’ll share pics when it’s all done. Overall, I’ve been very pleased with my ES 350 F Sport. Mechanically no issues - reliable and runs as advertised!
My first bruise happened today. Despite AnthonyMJ's excellent advice I still managed to hit a curb with the front spoiler during a parallel parking maneuver.
I would have hoped that the collision warning system would have gone off before that happened.
The curb was below the sensors. I could have seen it with the camera showing the spoiler swinging out over the curb, but I was looking out the windows at the car behind me. It seems we just can't be too careful.
Getting that first bruise - it will happen to all of us sooner or later! As I’m approaching my first year driving and 10,000 mile maintenance, I’ve learned to “go easy” over those bumps...
This seems like a very poor design to me. Why should I have to "drive on eggshells" around town? I like to zip around. Now I have to worry about going a little too fast over every bump?
Take a look at the picture in the first post in this thread. That parking curb is not that high, but it looks like it would scrape that bumper if the driver pulled in a little more.
This seems like a very poor design to me. Why should I have to "drive on eggshells" around town? I like to zip around. Now I have to worry about going a little too fast over every bump?
Take a look at the picture in the first post in this thread. That parking curb is not that high, but it looks like it would scrape that bumper if the driver pulled in a little more.
The front end is very low. We will all eventually get that bruise.
I disagree, the vehicle is at a standard height for a sedan. It's able to go over 6" parking curbs.
Lexus indicated they have lowered this generation of the ES. I will not be testing mine on any 6” curbs! Now with that said, our sixth gen ES had a scrape on the bottom of that lip. You couldn’t see it but I had to slightly trim the clear bra so the frayed edge wasn’t showing.
The reason why the ES is susceptible to scrapes like that is not just the amount of ground clearance to the front lip. It is also because of the longer overhang from the front wheels to the front of the bumper. When the car is on pavement with a downward slope, the longer overhang reduces the clearance to the bottom of the bumper when the car approaches the spot where the pavement levels off.
That longer overhang is typical for front-wheel drive cars. Thus, if a rear-wheel drive car, like the LS or GS, had the same amount of ground clearance as the ES, it would still be less susceptible to these kinds of scrapes than is the ES.
The reason why the ES is susceptible to scrapes like that is not just the amount of ground clearance to the front lip. It is also because of the longer overhang from the front wheels to the front of the bumper. When the car is on pavement with a downward slope, the longer overhang reduces the clearance to the bottom of the bumper when the car approaches the spot where the pavement levels off.
I live in a high-rise condo building with parking in the basement. The driveway leading up to the garage door is at a downward slope, probably about 15 to 20 degrees.
I'm considering buying a 2019 ES. Now, I'm afraid that when I drive it home, I'll scrape the bottom of the front bumper pulling into my condo.
I live in a high-rise condo building with parking in the basement. The driveway leading up to the garage door is at a downward slope, probably about 15 to 20 degrees. I'm considering buying a 2019 ES. Now, I'm afraid that when I drive it home, I'll scrape the bottom of the front bumper pulling into my condo.
Sounds like time for a test drive to your building/parking spot!
Lexus even specs they lowered it from the last generation.
Can you point me to these specs? I Googled it and couldn't find anything. Since I currently own a 2004 ES 330, I'd be interested in knowing how much lower the 2019 is compared with the 2004.
Can you point me to these specs? I Googled it and couldn't find anything. Since I currently own a 2004 ES 330, I'd be interested in knowing how much lower the 2019 is compared with the 2004.
Honestly I heard it in one of the earlier commercials - I will search myself and see if I can find for you.
Can you point me to these specs? I Googled it and couldn't find anything. Since I currently own a 2004 ES 330, I'd be interested in knowing how much lower the 2019 is compared with the 2004.
Here you go. Pull up the Redline review on Youtube and at the 5:47 mark, he states that Lexus lowered the car by TWO inches as compared to the previous generation. I knew I had heard it somewhere.
07-17-19, 09:32 AM
