Back in 2005, Lexus decided to continue their competition with brands like BMW and Audi by releasing the second generation of their IS lineup.
The Lexus IS350’s genesis was out of Lexus’s need to square up with the powerhouse’s kids: the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes Benz’s C-class, and Audi’s A4. Although it didn’t come out as equal with the three giants, Lexus cemented itself as one of the best alternative luxury sedans to have.
What keeps the Lexus IS350 on the pedestal is its handling. The handling feel is appealing for most drivers, even without suspension upgrades. That means once the Lexus IS350 gets its well-deserved suspension upgrade, it’ll have a much more desirable handling vibe that goes well with many demanding activities.
Among the best upgrades to get for a Lexus IS350’s suspension is a lowered ride height.
When lowering any vehicle’s ride height, you’re often left with two choices: a set of lowering springs or a coilover kit. We understand that it’s pretty challenging to choose between the two, so we’ve gathered the best of both worlds: all in one list.
See the list below to see the best lowering springs and coilovers that appeal to you most.
Lowering Springs
Do you want to lower your car under a preset ride height? Yes? Then lowering springs are for you! With lowering springs, you don’t have to worry about adjustments and to fine-tune your suspension: manufacturers have already created springs that have preset ride height reduction to help you lower your car.
The list below features the four best lowering spring deals that are worth your money.
#1 H&R Sport Spring
- Manufacturer: H&R
- Spring Type: Progressive
- Height Reduction (Front/Rear): 1.4 | 1.3
- Compatibility: Lexus IS350 (2006-2013)
What a better way to start the list of the best lowering springs than to feature the most popular one? We have to hand it to H&R; they make quality suspension upgrades.
And for the Lexus IS350, they’ve developed the Sport Springs, a set of lowering springs that are guaranteed to make your car more fun to drive and handle.
Getting your hands on some H&R Sport Springs would mean better handling for your car. Not only that, it’ll lower your Lexus IS350 by about 1.4” in the front and 1.3” in the rear.
It’s enough to lower the car’s center of gravity while keeping it stylish and aesthetically appealing. Their progressive design is among the reasons why Sport Springs is their best seller.
#2 Megan Racing Lowering Springs
- Manufacturer: Megan Racing
- Spring Type: Progressive
- Height Reduction (Front/Rear): 1.25 | 1.25
- Compatibility: Lexus IS350 (2006-2013)
If you’re a big fan of racing and you want to incorporate race-like handling to your car while keeping it smooth and comfortable, then you better check out Megan Racing’s lowering springs. This set of lowering springs reduces your car’s ride height significantly, making it more street-worthy.
Megan Racing’s lowering springs are made out of cold wound SAE 9254 steel. It’s incredibly durable and is resistant to premature sagging. And with the lowered center of gravity that you’ll get once you’ve dropped the car, you’ll avoid rolling and bottoming out, especially if you’re encountering sharp and harsh turns.
The springs are also coated with blue phosphate to keep them corrosion resistant.
#3 Tanabe NF210 Lowering Spring
- Manufacturer: Tanabe
- Spring Type: Progressive
- Height Reduction (Front/Rear): 0.8 | 1.0
- Compatibility: Lexus IS300 (2006-2007)
Now, if you own a Lexus IS350 that’s released in 2006 or 2007, and you just want to drop your car’s ride height a bit lower, then check out Tanabe’s NF210 lowering springs.
The NF stands for normal feeling, and it’s what you’ll feel once you’ve got it installed on your Lexus IS350. And by the way, Tanabe is a legend in the car tuning scene, so you can fully put your trust in them.
What makes the NF210 one of the best lowering springs for IS350 is the Sustec technology used to manufacture these springs. It’s a series of unique methods designed to make the springs stronger, thinner, and lighter.
Their Sustec performance lowering springs are also obtainable in three configurations to ensure that it fits the driver’s lowering, comfort, and handling preferences.
#4 Tein High.Tech Lowering Spring
- Manufacturer: Tein
- Spring Type: Progressive
- Height Reduction (Front/Rear): 1.0 | 0.6
- Compatibility: Lexus IS300 (2006-2012)
Entrusting a JDM car to the JDM tuning masters is a spectacular idea. Car enthusiasts consider Tein as one of the giants when it comes to suspension upgrades.
And for the best lowering springs for Lexus IS350, they’ve developed the Tein High.Tech, a set of lowering springs made from vanadium; most springs are made of steel alloys, so you’ll see first-hand how they pay special attention to their products.
The High.Tech lowering springs are more durable, lighter, and capable of retaining more spring stroke than the typical lowering springs. This set of springs slightly lowers your Lexus IS350’s stance while keeping a high-quality ride.
With the High.Tech springs on your Lexus IS350, you’re guaranteed to have a more attractive car that exhibits enhanced performance.
Coilovers
Coilovers are great if you want to have control over a car’s ride height and damper settings. Most coilover manufacturers have created innovative products that give you the freedom to fine-tune the said coilovers and give you a more comfortable riding feel.
All of these configurations are based on your preference, of course.
#1 Yonaka Spec 2 Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: Yonaka Motorsports
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 784 | 672
- Compatibility: Lexus IS350 (2006-2013)
Yonaka is one of the titans in the car tuning scene. And although they’re experts in all things Honda, they can upgrade your Lexus IS350’s suspension pretty well. The Yonaka Spec 2 coilover kit makes the Lexus IS350 worthy of both the streets and the track.
This coilover kit is designed to accommodate the most demanding driving styles known to car enthusiasts.
With 28 levels of adjustable dampening settings, you can set your ride’s stiffness depending on your preferences. The height adjustability system allows you to adjust your car’s ride height up to 3” to 4”.
The height and dampening adjustment are also independent of each other, so you won’t ever have to worry about messing up one setting while tuning another.
#2 Tein Street Advance Z Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: Tein
- Type of Construction: Twin-tube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 504 | 504
- Compatibility: Lexus IS350 (2006-2013)
Here’s another top-tier suspension upgrade from Tein, and this time it’s a coilover kit. The Street Advanced Z is the successor of Tein’s famous Super Street coilover series.
This coilover kit exists to give your Lexus IS350 a sporty ride quality with a matching aggressive stance, all along with a wide array of damping force modifications. The Street Advanced Z is the result of extensive R&Ds, and it will surely make your Lexus IS350 sportier than it already is.
The Street Advanced Z utilizes Tein’s proprietary tech, the Advanced Needle technology that allows the driver to feel the changes in damping force settings noticeably. This coilover kit is excellent for people who drive daily and perfect for spirited drivers who want to limit test their Lexus IS350 on the track.
If you’re a demanding driver who wants the best for your car, then you’ve got the right coilover kit.
#3 BC Racing – BR Series Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: BC Racing
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 672 | 560
- Compatibility: Lexus IS350 (2006-2012)
The BR Series from BC racing belongs to the best coilovers for IS350 for one main reason: it’s the best budget coilover kit. Spending too much money just to get your hands on some quality coilovers is tough, and that’s understandable.
However, the BR Series coilovers specifically for the Lexus IS350 will give you both quality and affordability.
This coilover kit has a fully adjustable height that is independent of the 30 levels of dampening adjustment. There are also camber plates for both the front and the rear, so don’t worry about purchasing them separately.
And also, you can also fit in Swift Springs on these coilovers; just ask them, and they’ll do it for you!
#4 KW Variant 3 Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: KW Suspensions
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 515 | 450
- Compatibility: Lexus IS350 (2006-2013)
By far, the KW Variant 3 is the best coilovers for Lexus IS350 on this list. But we warn you: perfection comes with a price. If you want the ultimate freedom to fine-tune your suspension to whatever preference you want, then get your hands on KW Suspension’s Variant 3 coilover kit.
It’s a premium coilover kit that allows you to tweak your suspension setting on ranges not available on the typical coilover kit available in the market today.
Inox-line stainless steel coils. Height and dampening systems that are independent of each other. Parameters approved by German standard testers. Infinitely adjustable rebound damping; yes, you’ve read that right.
These are just some of the awesome gains that you’ll get from Variant 3. It’s the best coilover kit for your Lexus IS350 that your money can get.
The Lexus IS350 is one hell of a luxury sedan. While it looks good on its own, reducing its ride height gives it a new lowered stance that makes the car look more aggressive, stylish, and assertive.
Getting the best coilovers for Lexus IS350 will provide it with a new look, along with improved handling and performance.