rorror45

I heard that there was some suspension tuning on the 2022 model (vs. 2019, 2020, and 2021) that makes the ES a little bit more firmer or driving like a "german" car. Can anyone confirm this?

mcomer

Excerpts from Lexus literature as changes for the 2022 ES range over 2021:

Rear suspension member brace rigidity has been increased for improved stability and ride comfort.

The available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) has been updated with a revised control valve
and a linear solenoid, expanding the variable damping force range and contributing to better stability
and ride comfort. (F-Sport with any drivetrain)

Refinements to the brake master cylinder, booster and brake pedal have resulted in better overall brake
feel and enhanced initial brake force and pedal feel.

Engine cover has been updated with additional sound-absorbing material to enhance engine sound insulation

LexFinally

Consensus seems to be that there were very, very small changes. I wouldn't expect any fundamental transformation in over-the-road driving character.

E46CT

I actually want my ES softer. it rides too firm as is. I already had my share of german stuff and sick of it. I want something that rides and bounces like an old lincoln town car.

Can we get a Grandpa Edition Package?

mikemu30

I'm up for that but I opted for the FSport for other reasons.

rorror45

you drive a 2021 ES?
Is it a f-sports or non f-sports?

mikemu30

Me? Mine is a 19 FSport.

rorror45

Oh no i meant the other guy up there

E46CT

Mine is non F Sport. I wanted something the kids don't like and I found it.

rorror45

Interesting to hear that non-fsports feels firm

peteharvey

There is a chance that the suspension tuning - ie the spring and shock absorber rates have changed.
Because the part numbers have changed.
Often, when part numbers change, there is a change to the spring rate or shock absorber rate.
The varying part numbers may also represent different trims/models.

I can say that the F Sport trim is unlikely to have changed part numbers, hence the F Sport handling/ride should be unchanged since release.
Not sure about the Non-F Sport ES350 though?

2020 Lexus ES350 Parts - LexusPartsNow.com
Front Spring & Shock Absorber - 2020 Lexus ES350 (lexuspartsnow.com)


For example:
Maybe changes to front right coil spring:
08/18-01/21
48131-06K20 Genuine Lexus Spring, Coil, FR (lexuspartsnow.com)

09/20-onwards
48131-06F10 Genuine Lexus Spring, Coil, FR (lexuspartsnow.com)

05/19-onwards [for F Sport perhaps?]
48131-33D10 Genuine Lexus Spring, Coil, FR (lexuspartsnow.com)



Front left shock absorber:
Definitely a front shock absorber change?
08/18-09/20
48510-80A45 Genuine Lexus ABSORBER Set, Shock (lexuspartsnow.com)

05/19-09/20
48510-80A48 Genuine Lexus ABSORBER Set, Shock (lexuspartsnow.com)

09/20-onwards
48510-8Z475 Genuine Lexus ABSORBER Assembly, Shock (lexuspartsnow.com)

08/18-onwards [with AVS for F Sport]
48510-80A47 Genuine Lexus ABSORBER Set, Shock (lexuspartsnow.com)



Also maybe changes to front roll bar, but unlikely - the first two part numbers may represent different models?
08/18-onwards
48811-06300 Genuine Lexus Bar, STABILIZER, FR (lexuspartsnow.com)

09/20-onwards
48811-06350 Genuine Lexus Bar, STABILIZER, FR (lexuspartsnow.com)

08/18-onwards F Sport
48811-07030 Genuine Lexus Bar, STABILIZER, FR (lexuspartsnow.com)



I have not investigated the rear suspension part numbers.


I have a 4GS, and this is how the suspension part numbers changed from 2012-2020 for both the Luxury and F Sport trims.

E46CT

Yeah we used to run these part # spreadsheets back in the BMW days 12-15 yrs ago. At one point the E46 BMW was juggling 5 different steering racks. And some parts could never be explained.

But really at the end of the day for 99% of this, especially for this kind of car, no one would be able to tell the difference.

As far as 7ES riding firm, yes most opine that. Not super firm, but not what you'd expect from an ES. Overall I'm satisfied. Though, not thrilled. Afterall, 99 if not straight up 100% of the ES suspension/architecture is Camry, aside from slight tuning /rate variations to account for weight and other minor model specific characteristics. For example the weighted dampers on the struts savage geese points to as "Lexus engineering for quietness/comfort" -- turns out the Camry LE has the same exact rubber isolators on its struts lol.

peteharvey

In the GS, there was a big difference between spring rates from the original 2012-15 as President Akio took over with his "No more boring cars" adage, versus the much softer 2016-20 models as TMC backflipped owing to consumer feedback.
I have both 2012-14 and 2015 coil spring with different part numbers and different look/design below, but they feel about the same.
Below, the left is the 4GS 2012-14 front coil, while the middle is the 4GS 2015 front coil which is "flattened" down the bottom perhaps for more initial softness.
The right spring is the 2015 rear coil.
The 2015 4GS shock absorber is much more tied down than the 2014 4GS shock absorber which is much floatier.
The 2015 4GS handles almost like a compact sedan, but the ride is tiring; while the 2014 doesn't handle as well and floats around, but it has a much more pleasant ride.





Below is a pair of 2015 4GS front coils on the left, with a pair of 2016-20 4.5GS front coils on the right.
Notice how the midlife update has 1" more unsprung axial height?
However, the 2016-20 midlife updates stand no taller than the original 2012-15 4GS's.
The 2016-20 has a 1" taller spring, because the first couple of inches of compression are softer than the original coils.
The original coils are firmer via Akio's adage of "No more boring cars".
The updated coils are softer, with a backfip to softer springing due to consumer feedback.





The thicker the diameter of the bar, the stiffer the coil.
The more coils or winds per axial height, the softer the coil.
The wider the diameter of the helix of the coil, the stiffer the spring rate.
A coil with a taller uncompressed axial height will have longer spring travel, if everything else is the same.
If the diameter of the bar is thinner with a softer spring rate, then the axial height of the coil must be much taller for the same ride height.

LexFinally

I could be wrong -- I haven't checked it out -- but I read somewhere that Camry deleted those rubber isolators in 2019 after having them in 2018. Of course, if they did, Camry buyers have the right to feel they shouldn't have.