Hi, I'm brand new to the forum, with a bit of a dilemma, so thought I would throw this out for comment. About three months ago I purchased a pre-driven '06 IS250 AWD. I test drove the car several miles and really liked everything about it. I felt the ride was firm, but this was part of what made the car feel so good. The test drive was on pretty smooth roads with three people in the car on a nice warm day. After owning the car for a few weeks I noticed how the car could be quite harsh on certain roads shaking me up pretty good. This was with stock 17" tires, 36psi and suspension that is stock and perfect (I had Lexus check it out). As time wore on and winter came the roads got bumpier, the suspension might have gotten stiffer with the cold, and my neck was having a hard time taking it all. Not wanting to give-in a decided to put on "winter" tires and wheels, but move to 16" tires and buy very good smooth riding Michelin all season tires, I figured this would smooth things out. Well it did improve the ride for the most part, but mostly with the small bumps, the mid size waves/bumps in the pavement still come through loud and clear. Others who drive or ride in the car, like my wife, agree the ride can get to be quite choppy at times, but they don't feel the pain in the neck I have developed. So I have a sensitive neck! I've tried different driving positions to no avail, and if I stay out of the car a few days (driving our SUV which is sort of bumpy) I am fine. I've even talked to my Dr. and he basically said if it hurts when you do this, don't do this.
So here is my real question(s), I really like this car and would like to keep it, but what do I do? I actually found a place willing to make custom coil springs that would be softer than stock. They believe going to a rate about 25% softer would help considerably. We would keep the stock height, and stock shocks/struts. Has anyone modified their suspension harder/softer/lower, that could give me an idea how much effort it is to have the new springs installed? Does anyone have a feel for the stiffness of the stock shocks/struts to get an idea of how well they would work with softer springs? It would be great if I could get this thing a few notches closer to an ES like ride. Other thoughts, suggestions, besides buy an ES. Thanks for any help.