Suspension Upgrade + LC500! (Part 1)

Ok ok so I have been very very bad about posting updates on this car - my excuse is that my free time is spent blogging about my GT-R, and getting used to a new job I started in May.  Oh and I was overseas for a few weeks too, back in March.

Excuses aside, after I returned from my trip in March, I decided it was about time I did something about the car's ride. As many know, the early IS-F cars were criticized for having a harsh ride, while some people claimed they got used to it, or that it was the price to pay for the sporty nature of the car.

The problem for me was, I did not want to purchase another set of Ohlins like I have on the GT-R - which as a result was driving more smoothly and more comfortably than the Lexus!  But, while the Ohlins DFVs are superb, they require rebuilding every 2 years or 20,000kms. For a durable car like the Lexus (i.e. Toyota), this was not going to work.

Further, as some of you remember, I been given use of a GS-F as a loaner - and I loved the way that car rode.  Some asking around revealed that the GS-F uses dampers made by Sachs.  Then, I read on the ClubLexus forum that someone had replaced their 2008 IS-F OEM shocks with those from a 2012 IS-F, which also happen to be made by Sachs!  

So I knew a swap could be done, and further, these parts were OEM and thus not as expensive as aftermarket Ohlins! And no need to rebuild! So win-win...

My dealer agreed to do the swap, but told me they could not extend the car's warranty to the shocks, only the warranty for the shock itself would be available. Not a big deal. So I went ahead and ordered, and a few weeks later got the call!

Nothing special about these cars other than the new car smell...

Lexus hospitality can't be beat!

While the mechanics worked to install the suspension, the dealer decided to give me taste of what to expect.

"Go have fun!" they said!

Unfortunately, it was all for nothing. Because a few hours later the dealer called and told me that they had only ordered the shocks and NOT the springs! Oh and something called a bump stop needed to be ordered as well.

Obviously, being the first to try something in Japan means that you have be very patient.  Or, have a sense a humor about the situation, or both.

In any case, I returned to the dealer somewhat disappointed, but then soon forgot about it as I spotted this car, one of the first ones in Japan!

Trust me, looks WAY better in person!

Hard to tell with the black leather, but the interior is ALL leather...and GORGEOUS!

Nice little touch there

My advisor was particularly proud of this touch - the 3-D effect LED taillamps! Hmm, maybe an idea for the GT-R? Lol.

So this initial visit wasn't a total loss - I got to see the new LC500 (and got a free car wash. Oh and got to drive the GS-F around all day...)

GS-F versus IS-F

So when I had the IS-F at the dealer for its biannual shaken, they surprised me by giving me a very special loaner car for the day - this beautiful black pearl GS-F!!

Nice number plate. As if the driver would forget...

As I had a few chores to run, well, why not use this GS-F? So I promptly got on the expressway towards Tokyo, and onto Kanpachi Dori.

This Aston turned some heads. Not me, though, in this stealthy black Lexus...

My destination being, my usual Nissan dealership. I had to pick up some parts for a project I am doing on the GT-R.

This car looks SO much more powerful and aggressive than any Nissan sedan they had there.

Parts picked up, I stopped by Dino's to see what he thought. He had praise for the looks, but again, failed to be impressed by the ride and the transmission. Of course, German cars are better he said.

Fits nicely in his driveway though.

Me, I loved everything about the car. I thought the IS-F had plenty of gadgets, but in between the heads up display and 4 different speedometer modes, I thought the GS-F was very nice.  The ride is MUCH better than the IS-F, and frankly, the car doesn't feel any slower despite the weight gain.  In fact, it felt just as nimble, likely due to better body rigidity.

And since I haven't driven the more expensive M series BMWs Dino uses as his benchmark... well, for me this could be the one. Toyota quality, even though it costs more here in Japan than back home in the USA.

It fit nicely in my garage, too!

Alas, it was soon time to pick up the IS-F.

Side-by-side, the GS-F looks much more modern. Of course, it IS!

My overall verdict is, a logical next step after the IS-F. Actually, the natural evolution of how a new IS-F based on the current model might be.  Except, getting back in the IS-F, I could immediately sense how much smaller and nimble the car felt. Not quite as refined as the GS-F for sure, as it lacks the leather and Alcantara the GS-F has, along with all the gadgets. Problem in Japan is, these are $120,000 cars!  So that will have to change before I buy one. 

Meanwhile, what can I do to further improve the IS-F to be more like this...

GS-F Test Drive!

So when I dropped off my IS-F for its 6 month inspection, I took a quick look at the following cars:

The interior looked cheap. Same materials as used in the IS-F? Expected better from a GS!

The look is growing on me. Still think the rear quarter is weird though.

Turbo model! Curious to see how this drives...

 In any case, the next day I went to pick up the car:

And saw this monstrosity...

 But the highlight was when Ishikawa-san pulled this out of the garage:

Check out that license plate!!

Ok so I'm not as well dressed as Ishikawa-san. But very happy!

Forget to take a photo of the ultra-clear heads up display the car has!

Lots more legroom. Love the color actually!

Bit surprised that a real harness could not be passed through...

Same basic engine means, the car feels slower and less nimble than the IS-F

Looks much better though, I think.

Especially with these LED headlights!

Why they kept the brakes on the IS-F black....

Even from the rear, looks great. Hey, real exhaust pipes!!!

Everything in the car is much more refined than the IS-F, as would be befitting a GS sedan, and the power is fine. Not as urgent as the IS-F, but then again we are hauling around another 400kg I think.

What I was really impressed by was the ride quality - Sachs dampers apparently, the same manufacturer as that which supplied the later model IS-Fs.  I may have to eventually replace the early OEM Tokikos with the later model OEM Sachs in my car.

Meanwhile, I have a couple of mods coming up soon....stay tuned!