Air Suspension Pkg Vs Touring Pkg

[Gibbs]

I'm looking at a 2008 LS 460L that has the air suspension package (ASP). The ASP has "Sport" and "Comfort" settings. However, according to the 2008 LS brochure, the suspension that comes with the Touring Package (TP) is "Sport Tuned". I know from talking with the dealer's parts manager that the TP air suspension has different struts and a different computer. Of course, the TP also gives you larger brakes front and rear.

If I purchase this car it will never see a racetrack, but don't want to wonder if I'm going to roll over on twisty country back roads and I really don't want to experience brake fade on those roads. My question is, how much of a difference do the TP's suspension and brakes make on the handling of the car? Is it worth it to hold out for a car with the full TP? TIA

[pj8708]

Hello Donald.

I apologize for someone not getting back to you sooner. Part of the problem is that someone who drives a 460L with air suspension is not terribly common. lol

I have not driven a LS460L with the ASP so I can't compare it's temperment to one without the ASP. However, my current Lexus has the Sport and Comfort settings. My wifes 2007 Volvo S80 had on the fly setting for Comfort, Snow, and Sort.

In each of these cars the Sport setting stiffened the suspension so the car would reduce the amount side to side roll, and its handeling on curving roads.

If I'm not mistaken, the 460L, because of it's additional weight, I would think it already come with a stiffersuspension.

My thought, waiting for the TP package isn't worth it. As I already said the Sport setting will take care of your needs about 80% of the time unless you decide to enter the Race to the Top at Pikes Peak, Colorado. lol

Please come back and let us know how things are going

Paul

[Gibbs]

I drove to Tennessee this past Saturday to check out the car. In addition to the ASP, it also had the Luxury Package and the Mark Levinson sound system. It was nice to finally drive a long body and I think it would work for me with the ASP in "Sport" mode and the transmission in "Power" mode. The rear was spacious and the reclining, cooled seats were fabulous.

However, this particular example was apprently owned by a heavy smoker and there was already some corrosion on the rims and under the hood. I suspect the corrosion was due to the car being from Massachusetts, where they salt the roads frequently. So, I decided to pass.