Suspension Upgrade

[jeffreyt]

have an hour to kill and been reading some of the learned journalist's reviews on the SC.

It seems there was a suspension upgrade on the later models ( around 2007 ?) to improve the overall handling.

Can't seem to trackdown the details of this 'upgrade', anyone have any specific parts details and more importantly anyone know if it made a significant improvement ?

Mine is now 12 years old and the suspension must be getting a bit tired so if anything needs replacing I will

get the upgraded bits if it makes the ride better.

Thanks

[john leeds]

I've also read this but mine is 12 also .buy good quality tyres and not run flats and the difference is massive .mine handles fine on our roads maybe on a track you might notice a difference but will the cost against the small difference be money well spent.

[jeffreyt]

thanks John.

Interesting to see your comments on tyres.I recently bought a spare set of wheels and am currently having them refurbed and standard ie non RF tyres fitted.

I hope the difference is as dramatic as you say.

I have always been interested in suspension tweaks but they have to work and not be too expensive.

I am not that unhappy with the current set up but I do think it could be improved.

Will wait for the new wheels to go on before I do any more on this.

[Paul_G]

Hum, mine is 11 years old and on Goodyears (not RF) have to say the suspension is about the worst I've encountered on a performance car. I've had it checked by Lexus and they say it's OK. Will follow this thread with interest :)

[alphacat]

I have a 2005 (2006 model) this has a 6 speed box . My Log book has an added sticker saying this model has the Lexus 430Sc modified uprated suspension.. I went for this model as apparently the early suspension (the one slated by the Top Gear hamster) did have inadequate suspension ,mainly I understand to soft for the US market.. I have no issues with mine regarding suspension, road holding, comfort or ride. I like it just the way it is but I wouldn't call it a 'sports car' it doesn't make enough noise (actually it doesn't make any noise) and that's the way I like it.

[jeffreyt]

I went onto the US forum to pick their brains and one of the posts back put me onto a site that lists all the Toyota/Lexus suspension parts and their part numbers for each year. When I get some spare time I will compare the part numbers for my 2001 model and say a 2010 model to see what is different.

I have also found out that H&R Springs do a set of springs for the SC430 but I suspect they will lower the car a tad which I am not necessarily looking for but if it improved the ride and is not too drastic it could be acceptable.

Anyway,I am going to get my new wheels and non RF tyres on after Christmas,see what difference that makes and then get the car up on a ramp and have a real good look at the state of all the suspension bits and how worn it all is.

Will post up how the new wheels perform and what I find when its up on the ramp.

[alphacat]

I didn't think 'ride' was the problem.. The main problem was road holding 2005 + models are much improved I have driven both, but you cant have everything...

[Paul_G]

With mine it's the potholes mainly, on a smooth surface it's fine, but if the road gets bumpy so does the ride! Out of interest what's the weblink for the US forum?

[jeffreyt]

whoops,should have been a bit more specific.When I said 'ride'I meant the whole comfort/roadholding/cornering bag of tricks.

I was recently following my son in law round a twisty stretch of road with not a good surface and was really struggling to keep up on the corners and being jolted around.He has a newish BMW 3 series diesel.

Now I know these SC's are not sports cars but with that V8 under the bonnet I would expect to be able to keep up with a stock family saloon and be reasonably comfortable in the process.

Thats the benchmark for me.

I will look up the link for the US forum later today,just had a summons from the boss to sort out the hoover which apparently won't suck!

[jeffreyt]

here is the US club link

us.lexusownersclub.com

[mikeyv]

I will look up the link for the US forum later today,just had a summons from the boss to sort out the hoover which apparently won't suck!

Ours did same yesterday, snapped drive belt was the cause, so no brush roll action, and no dog hair movement from carpet.

Mrs V was all for chucking it in a skip before I checked it!!

[alphacat]

My 430SC was certainly capable of keeping up with my sons BMW... I took him to Wales (from North Yorkshire) to pick it up. A 335 Diesel with a 6 speed auto box 285 bhp standard but his had the upgrade ECU to 340 bhp. Bearing in mind that's over 40 bhp more than the 430SC.. In no way was the BMW the faster car. My son is a complete petrol head and was very concerned it was his first auto car... That's where the difference lies. The 430SC is perfectly tuned to the 6 speed box. The BMW is a diesel .. The diesel produces power over a narrow rev range and the auto box just isn't effective... As most will know diesels seem to run out of real grunt at high speed no problem if 70mph is all you do... But who does that? Lots of torque but by the time they actually need the power at high speed the engine is not producing it at them revs. I left him standing. In fact I was home over an hour before he was. I admit I did get carried away keeping a few motor bikes behind me..and it wasnt a race that would be silly .....!!!!!! but ...... That's what life is for.... He sold the BMW after a few months his excuse was the gearbox which is no way as good as the 430SC .. Its response is not as quick and it has hardly any engine braking in sports mode..( a big issue what's the point of having a sports mode if you cant use engine braking)10 marks to Lexus 2 marks to BMW.... I will be keeping the 430SC for along time..

[Paul_G]

I learnt something here, Lexii are more reliable than vacuum cleaners :)

[alphacat]

Some Lexii are more reliable than some vacuum cleaners !!

[Paul_G]

Fair point my Dysons are pretty bullet proof....

[jeffreyt]

my quest to improve the suspension has taken a strange turn.

I was looking through some specialist suspension sites last night and Mrs T happened to walk past and noticing I was looking at 'car'sites remarked 'I hope you are not thinking of buying ANOTHER car !?'

No dearest .... I then wxplained I was planning to replace some parts on the Lexus to make it go round corners more efficiently.

That was alright then ,she then added 'as long as it doesn't end up being uncomfortable like the Volvo.'Uncomfortable' in her terms means a hard ride.

The volvo had the firmish 'sport ' suspension option from new which is marvelous when you have a heavy load but is the complete opposite of a soft ride.

As I am thinking of getting a third car ( an old Beetle before their prices go through the roof) it could be in my interest to keep the Lexus as 'comfortable ' as possible as we do use it quite a lot in the summer months.

I will have to give this some careful thought as I want Mrs T on side when I pass the casual comment 'you know we do have room for another car dear.......'

[alphacat]

Even with the upgraded suspension and better road holding my 430SC has the best ride I have ever had in a car without it being too ..wallowy... Probably the best way is to look for another 430SC preferably a late 2005 with the 6 speed auto box (mine was first reg in Nov 2005) If you get one before March 2006 it will also have the lower road tax.. while I admit there are not many around you can get them. Put you Mk 1 model in part exchange or sell it privately (probably the best option ) many buyers wont be aware (or maybe wont care!!) of the differences between the Mk1 a and Mk 2 so prices are still high.

Mk1 probably £6500 to £9500) Mk2 around (£11500 to £20000) but a 2005 will be around £12000.