Ride Comfort Between Ls460 & Ls460l

[2008ls460]

Hello all. I am new in this forum and a new owner of LS460 and LS460L. When I bought the LS460 I found the ride to be very sporty comparing to the ES300 that I have with adjustable suspension. Everybody has his/her own ride preference. I like to have a more comfortable ride than sports. The LS460 has a sporty ride. I called the Lexus service manager couple of times and even test drove it with a service man at Lexus dealership to see if it was normal. The mechanic told me it is normal and Lexus has stiffened the suspensions on these cars a little to get a better handling. But the LS460L with Air Suspension is much more comfortable. I found that the Sport mode of the air suspension is almost exactly the same as the LS460's ride. And the Comfort mode of the LS460L is way more comfortable. It provides an extra extra smooth ride and comfort on local streets and highways. It is so smooth that it feels like you are sliding over greasy road. Don't think me wrong about handling of the comfort mode. It still has a great handling. But one thing I realized "as someone mentioned it on this forum before" that the LS460L is better quality checked than the LS460. And I find that to be somehow true. The LS460's engine sounds (or at least mine) like a very quiet Diesel engine. I called Lexus to report the problem and the service manager told me that "tick tick tick" sound is normal. Also stopping at a light the engine was not dead silent. I can feel the tiny vibration and a very silent engine sound in the cabin. But the LS460L is DEAD SILENT with absolutely NO VIBRATION. It might be true that Lexus is trying to push people more towards LS460L with at least $5000 extra cost comparing to LS460 with standard options. I love my LS460L in comfort mode. It feels like my living room is on the road while I am listening to super fine ML soud system, soft, lexurious, delicate, plush, comfortable, gorgious, rich, very well put together and beautiful interior and the last but not the least fine, soft and super touch feelings of the steering wheel. Bottom line: If one wants to have a comnfortable ride go with LS460L air suspension and you don't have to get the Touring package with that. One can get just the Air Suspension with 18 ich wheels which makes it even more comfortable. By the way this is what I have. And if one likes a little stiffer ride then go with LS460 and as I said at least $5000 cheaper. But the LS460L with air suspension can give you the touch of both world to select at your finger tip, Sport or Comfort. I love my LS460L. I cannot keep myself away from it and I hope everybody else does too.

[oohryry]

Thanks, I'll make sure I remember all this ten years from now when I can afford one. But I still love them regardless.

[jlawr]

2008LS460,

I hope you don't plan to keep the "L" too long beyond warranty. If the air suspension goes out it'll cost $5k to get fixed.

[2008ls460]

2008LS460,

I hope you don't plan to keep the "L" too long beyond warranty. If the air suspension goes out it'll cost $5k to get fixed.

On this car, any thing out of warranty will cost a bundle and people should know it before buying a car this expensive. So enjoy it while you have it.

[SW03ES]

2008LS460,

I hope you don't plan to keep the "L" too long beyond warranty. If the air suspension goes out it'll cost $5k to get fixed.

If by too long you mean until 150k-200k miles...

The air struts won't even be a question until then...

[was.happy]

I have a 2007 LS 460 built late in the model production year. I have been disappointed with the ride quality in many respects. I traded up from the ES hoping for that "silky smooth" and quiet ride that one expects in a car of the caliber of the LS. It's strange. On some road surfaces the ride is very good. But, on too many others, it is harsh/sharp (with the accompanying noise to go with it). In some respects the ES is better. In fact, I recently rented a Dodge Avenger when travelling and was surprised how often I noticed that it rode better (and quieter) than my LS would have under the same road conditions.

Some say the move to a stiffer suspension was to improve handling. Unfortunately, I don't think that was accomplished. My car still handles like a big car (body roll, etc.), but without the consistently smooth ride of one. Some credit the problem to the tires. They look good and help with the styling changes made to produce a better looking, sportier LS - much improved over its predecessors. I'm just sorry the ride suffered in producing the new look, which I really like.

As for the engine noise at idle, I have that problem also (diesel sound, knocking, tapping, clicking, etc.). See the thread on Intake Valve Noise. It seems that some LS 460 owners have never experience this problem; some have but it was corrected by application of the related Lexus Techical Service Bulletin; and others - like me - were told "It's normal; get used to it." I don't think it requires a move up to the 460L to get an engine that is quiet at low speeds and at idle, since many (most) 460s are fine - just not mine.

By the way, I'm not one of the "Lexus haters" who slip into this forum from time to time. I have driven a Lexus for years and love them. However, this latest one has not measured up to what I expected.

[RFeldes]

Mine is quite as a church mouse....I am having a problem figuring this out... Engine noise...."Get used to it".. BS!!! Call your Lexus regional manager. As far as the ride.. much better for me as I like a stiffer ride/ handling than my somewhat previous sloppy 400/430. I am truly perplexed.