F-Sport Springs - Got Them - Here's My Opinion
08-04-09, 04:44 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
F-Sport Springs - Got Them - Here's My Opinion
F-Sport Springs on Stock Luxury Shocks. I put 5 Tein Silencer Rubber sleaves (medium, 90-130) on each rear spring, around the tight, closely spaced loops before I gave the springs to the dealer. They were okay with it. In fact, they said that some of the Lexus vehicles come with silencer rubber straight from the factory.
Note that I have stock Lexus 18" wheels, so that has an impact on ride quality (a positive one).
I dropped the car in the morning and got it back the same day.
The mechanic was careful to warn me about the springs before putting them on, knowing that many people would be disappointed by the loss of comfort. I listened and appreciated his advice and warning. (I thought it was a very professional thing to do, considering they would have given up a little revenue if I had decided not to do it.)
Looks: MUCH better. Most of the wheel gap in the front is gone, or significantly reduced. The rear wheel gap is almost completely gone. I took before and after pictures. I am planning to post them this week.
Comfort: I drove some very rough freeways and smaller roads for several dozen miles. Virtually no loss of comfort. In fact, when driving slowly over normal bumps and road irregularities, the ride is actually a little softer and springier.
Rear squat while accelerating: Almost gone. Very nice and controlled now.
Body roll: I had very little of this leftover after the sway bars, but the springs improved it even more. It's not harsh. It feels more composed.
Lane changes at freeway speeds: Amazing now.
Nose dive while braking: Almost gone. Before, the car just felt like it didn't want to cooperate. It didn't want to remain composed during harder braking. Now, it just stops. Much more composed and controllable.
Float: I didn't notice any float when hitting dips at freeway speeds.
Noises: I though I heard a metal "clink" from the driver's front spring when I came to my first stop. I was still in the dealer's parking lot. I dont' know what it was, but it almost definitely wasn't the infamous clunk.
Overall: Extremely satisfied. Little to no loss of ride quality. Much better handling. Much better appearance.
Note that I have stock Lexus 18" wheels, so that has an impact on ride quality (a positive one).
I dropped the car in the morning and got it back the same day.
The mechanic was careful to warn me about the springs before putting them on, knowing that many people would be disappointed by the loss of comfort. I listened and appreciated his advice and warning. (I thought it was a very professional thing to do, considering they would have given up a little revenue if I had decided not to do it.)
Looks: MUCH better. Most of the wheel gap in the front is gone, or significantly reduced. The rear wheel gap is almost completely gone. I took before and after pictures. I am planning to post them this week.
Comfort: I drove some very rough freeways and smaller roads for several dozen miles. Virtually no loss of comfort. In fact, when driving slowly over normal bumps and road irregularities, the ride is actually a little softer and springier.
Rear squat while accelerating: Almost gone. Very nice and controlled now.
Body roll: I had very little of this leftover after the sway bars, but the springs improved it even more. It's not harsh. It feels more composed.
Lane changes at freeway speeds: Amazing now.
Nose dive while braking: Almost gone. Before, the car just felt like it didn't want to cooperate. It didn't want to remain composed during harder braking. Now, it just stops. Much more composed and controllable.
Float: I didn't notice any float when hitting dips at freeway speeds.
Noises: I though I heard a metal "clink" from the driver's front spring when I came to my first stop. I was still in the dealer's parking lot. I dont' know what it was, but it almost definitely wasn't the infamous clunk.
Overall: Extremely satisfied. Little to no loss of ride quality. Much better handling. Much better appearance.
08-04-09, 07:46 PM
#5
PS: good write-up
08-04-09, 07:52 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
SCRAAAAPPPPEEEE!
Well, within 5 hours of owning my not-so-slammed car, I scraped the bottom of the front lip. About five paint-removing war wounds.
I was driving about 1 mph (seriously) through a parking lot that has a dip in it. A significant dip with a little crevace in the lowest part. I crept over it at about .25 mph, but it didn't matter. Scrape. It didn't bother me, though. It helped temper the positives of the day. I'll take it as a warning for future encounters with dips, bumps, curbs, etc. Gotta be careful.
(Honestly, to me, having to be careful with it is part of the fun. It forces me to recall the upgrades. I would have gotten a truck if I wanted to fly over and conquer dips and curbs!)
Second drive follow up: My wife and kids had no complaints. My wife recognized that the car took off better from stops and was also able to stop better. She agreed that the lower stance make the car look better. She did feel bad about the scrape. But, I explained that it was to be expected and it's just a warning to be more careful in the future.
BTW - I hope to post follow up review later to see whether other realities set in after driving it for a while. So, if you're not sure about doing the same thing, you might want to get more opinions and read future reviews.
Well, within 5 hours of owning my not-so-slammed car, I scraped the bottom of the front lip. About five paint-removing war wounds.
I was driving about 1 mph (seriously) through a parking lot that has a dip in it. A significant dip with a little crevace in the lowest part. I crept over it at about .25 mph, but it didn't matter. Scrape. It didn't bother me, though. It helped temper the positives of the day. I'll take it as a warning for future encounters with dips, bumps, curbs, etc. Gotta be careful.
(Honestly, to me, having to be careful with it is part of the fun. It forces me to recall the upgrades. I would have gotten a truck if I wanted to fly over and conquer dips and curbs!)
Second drive follow up: My wife and kids had no complaints. My wife recognized that the car took off better from stops and was also able to stop better. She agreed that the lower stance make the car look better. She did feel bad about the scrape. But, I explained that it was to be expected and it's just a warning to be more careful in the future.
BTW - I hope to post follow up review later to see whether other realities set in after driving it for a while. So, if you're not sure about doing the same thing, you might want to get more opinions and read future reviews.
