Bilstein Sport Shocks on OEM Springs???
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KYB GR-2 + Tanabe NF210=poorer handling and still bumpy
KYB GR-2 + stock springs=stock ride but too soft
Bilstein HD + stock = perfect. rides as well but handles better than my friend's stock BMW 5 series
+ Daizen sways for flat cornering with no increase in bumpiness
+ Daizen steering rack bushings for direct steering and better feedback
+ Carson-Tuned STB for that firm Germanic steering feel
TOM's 6 links on the way!
One more reason against lowering--you alter the suspension geometry and that causes camber issues as well as stresses the ball joints unduly causing premature failure.
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Don't continue to dump $$$ on different shocks/struts again if you're reasonably satisfied.
Since you have new oems already, you should just go for the daizen sways next.
YOu will see a dramatic improvement and reduction of body rolls.
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Since it hasn't been brought up yet, if you have a GS3, stick with the HDs. If you have a GS4 you can go with the Sports if you want that type of handling but I would probably go with the HDs as the best all around shock. No experience with the Teins. A GS3 with HDs and the Sportivo stabilizer bar set is about as close as you can get a Lexus to the older BMW marvelous combination of ride and handling. GS4 goes to harsh ride easily with suspension mods. For ride/handling I prefer my wife's GS3 to my GS4. Just responded better.
#21
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Bilstein Sports+Tanabe NF210 lowering springs= too hard and scrapes
KYB GR-2 + Tanabe NF210=poorer handling and still bumpy
KYB GR-2 + stock springs=stock ride but too soft
Bilstein HD + stock = perfect. rides as well but handles better than my friend's stock BMW 5 series
+ Daizen sways for flat cornering with no increase in bumpiness
+ Daizen steering rack bushings for direct steering and better feedback
+ Carson-Tuned STB for that firm Germanic steering feel
TOM's 6 links on the way!
One more reason against lowering--you alter the suspension geometry and that causes camber issues as well as stresses the ball joints unduly causing premature failure.
KYB GR-2 + Tanabe NF210=poorer handling and still bumpy
KYB GR-2 + stock springs=stock ride but too soft
Bilstein HD + stock = perfect. rides as well but handles better than my friend's stock BMW 5 series
+ Daizen sways for flat cornering with no increase in bumpiness
+ Daizen steering rack bushings for direct steering and better feedback
+ Carson-Tuned STB for that firm Germanic steering feel
TOM's 6 links on the way!
One more reason against lowering--you alter the suspension geometry and that causes camber issues as well as stresses the ball joints unduly causing premature failure.
Correct, I only had the Sports, not the hd so I can't do a comparison.
Don't continue to dump $$$ on different shocks/struts again if you're reasonably satisfied.
Since you have new oems already, you should just go for the daizen sways next.
YOu will see a dramatic improvement and reduction of body rolls.![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Don't continue to dump $$$ on different shocks/struts again if you're reasonably satisfied.
Since you have new oems already, you should just go for the daizen sways next.
YOu will see a dramatic improvement and reduction of body rolls.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
Since it hasn't been brought up yet, if you have a GS3, stick with the HDs. If you have a GS4 you can go with the Sports if you want that type of handling but I would probably go with the HDs as the best all around shock. No experience with the Teins. A GS3 with HDs and the Sportivo stabilizer bar set is about as close as you can get a Lexus to the older BMW marvelous combination of ride and handling. GS4 goes to harsh ride easily with suspension mods. For ride/handling I prefer my wife's GS3 to my GS4. Just responded better.
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It costs around $US90 for a full install of shocks and springs, wheel alignment is $40. I think that's cheaper than in the States?
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I was hoping you would chime in on this thread, Ron. Frankly, I'm a little surprised that your post was so short. I've come to enjoy your thesis-like posts.
Just curious, do you think a GS4 with Bilstein HD/stock springs would ride differently than your wife's GS3 because of weight differences?
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If I were doing it again, I would be tempted to go for the HDs on the GS430. Ultimately, you have to ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish. When you start modding a car, whether it was a 68 Z28 or a GS430 you need to clearly assess where you want to be and why you chose the starting vehicle you did. The Lexus strength are reliability and that soft ride. When you start modding the motor and electrics to the point where you compromise reliability and stiffen up the ride to near that buckboard level (OK, you can kid yourself that it is closer to a go kart) you have to wonder why you started with a Lexus as there are better platforms (meaning more modding parts available, and cheaper) than any Lexus.
I have not tried the Teins and there are some good things posted here about them but the Bilstein HDs will banish most, if not all, of the freeway float and with the exception of something unusual happening are going to outlast the car. Once again, everyone's buttometer is different and you need to keep in mind all the mods you have done, including changing tire brand or size, how you drive, what kind of roads you drive on, etc., to get a notion of how the whole package will perform.
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Ultimately, you have to ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish. When you start modding a car, whether it was a 68 Z28 or a GS430 you need to clearly assess where you want to be and why you chose the starting vehicle you did. The Lexus strength are reliability and that soft ride. When you start modding the motor and electrics to the point where you compromise reliability and stiffen up the ride to near that buckboard level (OK, you can kid yourself that it is closer to a go kart) you have to wonder why you started with a Lexus as there are better platforms (meaning more modding parts available, and cheaper) than any Lexus.
* * *
Once again, everyone's buttometer is different and you need to keep in mind all the mods you have done, including changing tire brand or size, how you drive, what kind of roads you drive on, etc., to get a notion of how the whole package will perform.
* * *
Once again, everyone's buttometer is different and you need to keep in mind all the mods you have done, including changing tire brand or size, how you drive, what kind of roads you drive on, etc., to get a notion of how the whole package will perform.
My objective is simple -- I am fine with the ride around town. On the highway, the handling is sometimes horrid, particularly over expansion joints and other uneven surfaces. I am not looking to make my car into a cornering machine. I seldom race the car, and can count on 1 hand the number of times I've been inclined to take a clover leaf at speeds above 30 mph. I like the Lexus ride quality (particularly with the 16s that I'm currently running for the winter). What I want is for the suspension to soak up the bumps, not the cabin. Sometimes the cabin gets so easily upset, tossed and turned on the highway. If I could get rid of the uneasyness, and take away some of the highway float, yet retain the same plush ride on the side streets, I would be in heaven. In a word, I want the ride to be "solid." Maybe that's an impossibility with a 7.5 year old car with 90k+ miles. I really don't know, and I won't know unless I try something else.
Last edited by e-man; 12-29-06 at 04:29 PM.
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You are a wise man, Ron. A wise man. You need to know where you're going first in order to know how to get there.
My objective is simple -- I am fine with the ride around town. On the highway, the handling is sometimes horrid, particularly over expansion joints and other uneven surfaces. I am not looking to make my car into a cornering machine. I seldom race the car, and can count on 1 hand the number of times I've been inclined to take a clover leaf at speeds about 30 mph. I like the Lexus ride quality (particularly with the 16s that I'm currently running for the winter). What I want is for the suspension to soak up the bumps, not the cabin. Sometimes the cabin gets so easily upset, tossed and turned on the highway. If I could get rid of the uneasyness, and take away some of the highway float, yet retain the same plush ride on the side streets, I would be in heaven. In a word, I want the ride to be "solid." Maybe that's an impossibility with a 7.5 year old car with 90k+ miles. I really don't know, and I won't know unless I try something else.
My objective is simple -- I am fine with the ride around town. On the highway, the handling is sometimes horrid, particularly over expansion joints and other uneven surfaces. I am not looking to make my car into a cornering machine. I seldom race the car, and can count on 1 hand the number of times I've been inclined to take a clover leaf at speeds about 30 mph. I like the Lexus ride quality (particularly with the 16s that I'm currently running for the winter). What I want is for the suspension to soak up the bumps, not the cabin. Sometimes the cabin gets so easily upset, tossed and turned on the highway. If I could get rid of the uneasyness, and take away some of the highway float, yet retain the same plush ride on the side streets, I would be in heaven. In a word, I want the ride to be "solid." Maybe that's an impossibility with a 7.5 year old car with 90k+ miles. I really don't know, and I won't know unless I try something else.
But modern suspensions, especially when you start modding, have a greater role for the shock absorber or strut than just dampening the spring. It's why ultimately it is a lot better to find an OEM manufacturer that does the R&D work for you. They can try all the combinations and deliver the kind of ride/handling that they are after. And they use a lot more than a shock or spring or bushing here or there. I really am disappointed in current BMW ride but there were reports that it had gotten a lot better with the second gen run flats. I spent a week with a friends new 750 and I felt it was still too stiff. When he wore the runflats out, he replaced them with non-runflat tires and I have to say, I like the bimmer a lot more now that he's done that. If you can get a recommendation on a shock that is between stock and the HDs that might be ideal for you but from what you describe, stay away from the sports. At least you should be able to take some of the offers up on trying some different setups out.
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My "car money" is currently set aside for my 90k service (which will run around $1,200), but once that is out of the way, I am going to seriously consider upgrading the shocks. If I could only do the swap myself, I would try all the various set ups.
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e-man,
I had Bilstein Sports on lowered springs.Currently I'm on Bilstein HD on stock springs. Believe me when I tell you my current set up handles as well as my old setup, except the rough uncomfortable ride is gone and I no longer scrape over speed bumps and multilevel car-park ramps.
In fact, on rough roads, I can go even faster as the greater suspension travel ensures that more rubber stays glued to the ground ensuring greater grip.
My only regret is I wasted so much money on trial and error before settling on the ideal solution. I would not want a fellow CL member go the same time consuming and expensive route that I went.
1 further suggestion : get the Daizen sways and steering rack bushings![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I had Bilstein Sports on lowered springs.Currently I'm on Bilstein HD on stock springs. Believe me when I tell you my current set up handles as well as my old setup, except the rough uncomfortable ride is gone and I no longer scrape over speed bumps and multilevel car-park ramps.
In fact, on rough roads, I can go even faster as the greater suspension travel ensures that more rubber stays glued to the ground ensuring greater grip.
My only regret is I wasted so much money on trial and error before settling on the ideal solution. I would not want a fellow CL member go the same time consuming and expensive route that I went.
1 further suggestion : get the Daizen sways and steering rack bushings
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
where did you get your bilstein hds from? i'm thinking about doing your set up with the hds and stock springs.