Lexus IS and GS Coilovers
Lexus IS coilovers are listed by generation, drivetrain and front lower mount. Your first job is matching your exact IS or GS to the right title. After that, decide whether to keep Lexus AVS adaptive damping or replace it.
The IS and GS share more than a badge. Several brands list them side by side, and one BC Racing kit covers both in AWD form for certain years. We list kits from BC Racing, KW, Fortune Auto, Öhlins, TEIN, Feal and Ksport for these cars. Here is how the listings break down.
Lexus IS Coilovers by Generation
These are the IS splits exactly as our listing titles state them.
First generation, IS 200 and IS 300
BC Racing lists the 1999 to 2005 IS 200/IS 300 RWD, Extreme by Default. Fortune Auto lists the 1998 to 2005 IS 200 (SXE10) and IS 300 (JCE10) as separate kits. KW lists the 2001 to 2005 IS 200, IS 300 (XE1/JCE1) Sedan and Wagon. TEIN and Feal list the IS 300 too.
Second generation, IS 250 and IS 350
RWD and AWD split here. BC Racing lists the 2006 to 2013 IS 250/IS 350 RWD and a separate AWD kit. It also lists a separate 2010 to 2015 IS 250C RWD kit for the convertible. Fortune Auto lists the 2006 to 2012 IS 250/IS 350 (GSE20) and the AWD (GSE25). The Öhlins Road & Track listing covers the 2006 to 2013 IS 250 RWD and IS 350 RWD (XE20).
IS F
KW lists the 2008 to 2014 IS F. TEIN lists the 2008 to 2014 IS F (USE20L) in Flex Z, Mono Sport, Street Advance Z and RX1. Ksport lists the 2006 to 2013 IS F RWD.
Third generation, 2014 and up
BC Racing splits by front lower mount. The 2014 to 2015 IS 250 RWD and 2014 to 2016 IS 350 RWD use front eyelet lower mounts. BC Racing also lists a 2014 to 2016 IS 300h RWD eyelet kit that includes the IS 200t. The 2017 to 2022 IS 200t/IS 300 RWD/IS 350 RWD kit uses front fork lower mounts, F Sport included. AWD cars have their own 2013 to 2023 IS 250/IS 300/IS 350 AWD kit.
That fork-versus-eyelet split is a good example of why titles matter when you shop Lexus IS coilovers. Two IS 350s a couple of model years apart can need different front coilovers. Confirm on the product page, or call 1-800-460-9106 with your VIN.
Lexus GS Coilovers by Generation
The GS follows a similar pattern, with more engine and hybrid variants in the titles.
1993 to 1997 GS 300. BC Racing lists the GS 300 RWD. Ksport lists the GS 300 (JZS147). Feal lists the 1991 to 1997 GS300.
1998 to 2005 GS 300, GS 400 and GS 430. BC Racing lists one RWD kit that also fits the Toyota Aristo. Fortune Auto lists the GS 300/GS 400 (JZS160/JZS161). TEIN lists the GS 300 (JZS160L), GS 400 and GS 430 (UZS160L) separately.
2006 to 2012 GS. BC Racing lists the GS 300 RWD/GS 350 RWD. Fortune Auto lists the GS 300/GS 350 RWD (GRS191). Ksport splits GS 300, GS 350, GS 430 and GS 450h by drivetrain.
2013 to 2020 GS. BC Racing lists a GS 350 RWD kit and a GS 250/350 AWD kit. TEIN lists the GS 350 (GRL10L) in Flex Z and Flex AVS, and the 2016 to 2020 GS F (URL10L) in Mono Sport.
AWD Splits: Where the IS and GS Share a Kit
Where a brand lists both drivetrains, AWD and RWD cars get separate listings. The most useful one to know is BC Racing's 2006 to 2013 IS 250/350 AWD and 2006 to 2012 GS 300/350 AWD kit. One listing covers both cars in those years.
Do not stretch that to other years or to RWD cars. For 2013 and later, BC Racing lists separate AWD kits for the IS and the GS. Fortune Auto lists the 2006 to 2012 IS AWD as GSE25. Ksport lists AWD versions of the IS 250, IS 350, GS 300 and GS 350 separately.
If your car is AWD and the title does not say AWD, it is not your kit. Call us before you order.
Adaptive Damping: AVS on the IS and GS
Some IS and GS models, often F Sport trims, came with Lexus AVS adaptive damping. That changes the shopping list. You can keep the system working, or you can replace it.
Keep AVS with TEIN Flex AVS
TEIN builds the Flex AVS for cars with AVS. TEIN says it "enables ride height adjustment without deactivating AVS." Damping is controlled by the car's AVS system, so it cannot be adjusted by hand. Ride height is full-length adjustable. Dealer listings note the kit is not compatible with cars without AVS.
We list Flex AVS for the 2013 to 2020 GS 350 (GRL10L) and the 2014 to 2016 IS 250 (GSE30L). The 2014 to 2017 IS 350 (GSE31L) and the 2016 to 2017 IS 200t have Flex AVS listings as well. Earlier GS models have Flex AVS listings too.
Replace AVS with a passive kit
A passive coilover kit replaces the AVS dampers. None of our IS or GS listing titles mention a cancellation kit or AVS compatibility for passive kits. Call us before you order one for an AVS car, and we will confirm what your car needs to stay free of warning lights.
Not sure if your car has AVS? Look for a wiring connector on top of each damper, and check your build sheet. Your VIN settles it.
Picking a Kit for How You Drive
The IS and GS are mostly street cars, with the IS F, GS F and well-built IS 350s seeing track days. Match the kit to the job. A highway commuter wants a different spring rate and damping setup than a weekend track car. That holds even on the same chassis.
Daily driver with a lower stance. BC Racing's BR Series has 30-click simultaneous compression and rebound. Swift Springs SPEC-R springs are an upgrade option on most BC Racing fitments. TEIN Street Advance Z and Flex Z bring 16-click damping. Keep the spring rate sensible for your roads.
Street and track days. Our KW listing for the 2014 to 2020 IS 250, IS 350, IS 300h (XE3) RWD is the KW V3, with independent compression and rebound. Öhlins Road & Track brings DFV valving on the second-generation RWD IS.
Built to your spec. Fortune Auto hand-builds in Virginia with custom valving. Feal hand-builds in Murrieta, California. Both suit drivers who want to talk spring rate and use with the builder.
Whatever you pick, set ride height with the car on its wheels and let the springs settle. Our guide on how to set ride height on coilovers walks through it. Then get an alignment, because height changes alter camber and toe. Snug each locking collar once height is set. Our guide to how coilovers affect ride quality helps you balance stance and comfort.
A note on unsprung weight. That is the mass the springs do not carry: wheel, tire, hub, brakes and part of the arms and damper. A coilover kit alone does not cut it. Lighter wheels do. If you are still weighing coilovers against springs only, read our comparison of coilovers vs lowering springs. New to all of this? Start with what are coilovers.
Whichever brand you choose, good performance suspension on these cars starts with the right listing. The title is the fitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do IS 250 and IS 350 coilovers interchange?
Many listings cover both within the same generation and drivetrain, such as BC Racing's 2006 to 2013 IS 250/IS 350 RWD kit. Some brands split them, and BC Racing splits the third generation by front lower mount and year. Buy the listing that names your car.
Do Lexus IS coilovers fit the GS?
Only where a listing says so. BC Racing's 2006 to 2013 IS 250/350 AWD kit also covers the 2006 to 2012 GS 300/350 AWD. Other years and RWD cars use separate kits. Check the title, or call us with your VIN.
Can I keep AVS with coilovers?
Yes, with TEIN Flex AVS on the cars we list it for. TEIN says it allows ride height adjustment without deactivating AVS. Damping stays under AVS control and cannot be adjusted by hand. Dealer listings note it is not compatible with cars without AVS.
What is the difference between front fork and front eyelet lower mounts?
It is how the front coilover attaches at the bottom. BC Racing lists 2014 to 2016 IS models with front eyelet lower mounts and 2017 to 2022 models with front fork lower mounts. The two kits are not interchangeable, so match the listing to your year.
Are there coilovers for the AWD Lexus IS?
Yes. BC Racing lists AWD kits for the 2006 to 2013 IS 250/350 and the 2013 to 2023 IS 250/300/350. Fortune Auto lists the 2006 to 2012 IS 250/IS 350 AWD (GSE25). Ksport lists AWD versions too. AWD cars cannot use RWD kits.
Which coilovers suit a daily-driven IS 350?
Pick the listing that fits your year and drivetrain, then choose by how you drive. BC Racing BR and TEIN Flex Z suit street use with adjustable damping. If your car has AVS and you want to keep it, look at TEIN Flex AVS. Call us and we will narrow it down.
Do I need an alignment after installing coilovers on my Lexus?
Yes. Any change in ride height alters camber and toe. Set the height, let the springs settle, then get a full alignment. Recheck it if you change height later.
Not Sure Which Listing Fits Your IS or GS?
Send us your VIN. We will confirm the generation, drivetrain, front lower mount and whether your car has AVS, then match it to the right kit.
Call 1-800-460-9106. We carry BC Racing, KW, Fortune Auto, Öhlins, TEIN, Feal and Ksport for these cars.
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