Any Regrets Due to the Stiff Suspension?

5579 Views 14 Replies 13 Participants Last post by qsz06, Jun 3, 2009

stangar

Discussion Starter · May 29, 2009

I'm greatly interested in the F and my recent test drive was on the dealers normal test route. I'm also considering the C63 AMG but I'm concerned about the possible maintenance issues (expensive) years down the road as I tend to keep my cars a long time.

Does anyone have regrets regarding the IS F due to the suspension harshness or other issues? Wish you had bought something else (like the C63 AMG)? Thanks.

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Jeff Taylor

· #2 · May 29, 2009

The suspension doesn't really bother me, but I could see it being a problem if most of the roads you drive on are bad. Luckily for me, most of the time the roads are pretty good around here.

If you are serious about the car, I would hope that the dealer would allow you to do an extended test drive. Be sure to drive it on rough roads and the roads you drive most frequently. That will hopefully reduce the chances of a nasty surprise later.

Good luck,

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

jbeatty

· #3 · May 29, 2009

I've only had mine for a month but I haven't minded the suspension. The roads in San Diego aren't great (fixing potholes was reduced for budgetary reasons.) It is about as stiff as my last 3-series with runflats but less stiff than the 911 I had before that. I doubt that stiffness will be a major differentiator with the AMG but I didn't research it.

If you can find a new 08 you can get the F for much less money than the AMG. There are still a few out there and you can get them for high 40's here in SoCal.

veerals05

· #4 · May 30, 2009

Both awesome cars. As stated above, I would ask for an extended test drive. I live here in Atlanta and the pot holes are pretty bad, but I don't have any complaints yet.

The C63 is a beast though... If ya have the money to pay for those expensive repairs it might be a better fit, because the suspension is softer...

Flipside909

· #5 · May 30, 2009

There is always the option of the aftermarket world with the F. You can opt to go with Tein CS-T coilovers which will give a more compliant ride...with 16 way adjustability.

micaISF

· #6 · May 31, 2009

if you live in an area with a lot of bad roads or you drive long distance often, the ride can be a bit harsh.

kingpreetham

· #7 · May 31, 2009

I have driven may miles with quite a few 200 mile trips and one 800 mile trip. I did not mind the suspension at all, in fact i was surprised how comfortable it felt. You can still sense the Lexus in the beast of a sports car. I have no regrets.
However, if you have bad roads i would watch out.

FBTO

· #8 · Jun 1, 2009

I actually switched cars with my dads Mb c300. The Mb had a great ride, very comfy. But about half way through the week, I was actually missing the nice tight ride of my F. Could not wait to get back into it!! So, no regrets!

RiotGrip

· #9 · Jun 1, 2009

As a new owner of the IS-F and someone who test drove a C63AMG, I can say the F is the best choice for several reasons.

1. Much better luxury for price point, you can't even get radar cruise on the c-63
2. Lexus reliability
3. Gas mileage is excellent for a high performance V-8 ( I get 25-27mpg on the hwy)
4. There are some good deals on lightly used IS-Fs compared to the C63 in particular.
5. I didn't think the C63 was any less stiff of a ride.

My IS-F is my daily driver, and I'm happy with it--no regrets whatsoever.

slowIST

· #10 · Jun 1, 2009

My brother has a C63. I trade cars with him all the time.

The suspension in the Benz is actually stiffer than the Lexus.
It's easy to feel the difference in comfort between the two. Also, the C63 bolsters are a bit too tight for me (5' 8", 160 lbs.).

I'm happy with my Lexus.

Supraman16

· #11 · Jun 2, 2009

slowIST said:
My brother has a C63. I trade cars with him all the time.

The suspension in the Benz is actually stiffer than the Lexus.
It's easy to feel the difference in comfort between the two. Also, the C63 bolsters are a bit too tight for me (5' 8", 160 lbs.).

I'm happy with my Lexus.

Off topic, but which do you prefer...the C63 or the IS-F?

slowIST

· #12 · Jun 2, 2009

For normal driving around town on the highway, i'd choose my F. The C63 just seems waaay too stiff and bumpy.

For aggressive, spirited driving, the C63 wins. I took a usual canyon pass with the Benz and got it sideways on almost all of the turns, with great prediction and control. It out brakes us (or initial bite is just much, much more intense) and has tons more torque. It just feels like second nature trail braking and powering through the turns.

After the coilover project and brake upgrade to my F, i'll re test both cars on the same canyon.

Hope that helps, Doc. =]

Ps. even more off topic, Have you ever seen a white IS-F driving down the San Fernando strip in Burbank? Goofy lookin Asian dude with big glasses.. Some time last year i was driving through Burbank with my commander and she pointed out a white IS-F. I haven't seen any other white ones in the valley. Just thought it might be you.

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stangar

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 2, 2009

slowIST said:
For normal driving around town on the highway, i'd choose my F. The C63 just seems waaay too stiff and bumpy.

For aggressive, spirited driving, the C63 wins. I took a usual canyon pass with the Benz and got it sideways on almost all of the turns, with great prediction and control. It out brakes us (or initial bite is just much, much more intense) and has tons more torque. It just feels like second nature trail braking and powering through the turns.

After the coilover project and brake upgrade to my F, i'll re test both cars on the same canyon.

Hope that helps, Doc. =]

Interesting. The mags always mention the stiffness of the F but sometimes do not mention the C63 being even stiffer. I guess the expectation is for a Lexus to have a Lexus ride.

Bulls23337

· #14 · Jun 2, 2009

over the long term, you'll have less expenses and problems with the F. german cars are very expensive to maintain and are known for their glitches as well. the C63 also will snuff you with the gas guzzler tax, and crappy fuel economy over the long haul. i don't mind the ride in the F. it's controlled, yet compliant enough for when the daily driven or taken to the twisties.

qsz06

· #15 · Jun 3, 2009

Not as smooth as my old G-35 but handles much better.About the same stiffness as my 08' CTS with FE-3 suspension. A whole lot more fun to drive than both put together. My old 03' Z06 is gathering dust, but I'm sure the new will wear off soon. I would like to find out more about the coilover kits available because it is my daily driver and roads here are by no means perfect. Any input would be helpfull.

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