I have a first-gen xB. I like the way it handles. It's not a Porsche, but it ain't bad for a household appliance on wheels

However, I am getting fatigued by all the road noise. There's only so much sound deadening I can do. I want something better.

Is it possible to combine suspension pieces (anti-sway bars, etc) with really soft shocks and get the best of both worlds? Maybe airbags instead of shocks?

I want Lexus IS-F handling with Lexus LS460 ride comfort.

Can it be done?

 

df 210's and Monroe's are simplest way to close the gap to that

coils and Koni's will get you there

 

change out all your suspention bushings to energy suspention urathane bushings, add rear sway bar.. get progressive coil springs.. thats a good start,
also double up the sound deadener on the floor and on the wheel wells...
mine is as quiet as a coffin... er... caddy...

 

bump

 

you could develop selective magnetic ride control to the car, but that is rediculously expensive.

maybe a seat cushion? so the car will handle well, but the ride will be easier on you? seams like the simplest and cheapest one to me, it is really hard to try and get both worlds when it comes to suspension, it is really more of a continuum where you have pillow soft ride comfort on one end, and brutal stiff race suspension on the other.

you could get adjustible sway bars and see which settings give you the best compromise, and maybe coil-overs with adjustible ride height and dampening, but air bags do not make cars handle well.

 

I mean I want to make the entire car ride smoother and *quieter*. My butt doesn't hurt or anything ;)

 

Suspension is going to do little to nothing for road noise. Road noise is going to be most influenced by sound deadening and tire selection.

 

As far as noise levels, the tire selection is the only way.

Less rim- more tire. (aka more sidewall)
Non aggressive tread pattern.
Usually 'comfort' tire or touring tires are quietest.

What wheels/tires are you running now?

 

The cheapest suspension mod you can do to improve the handling of the car is the RSB. I got my TRD for less than $100, and the install only takes about 30 minutes. Improvement on that will be better coils and tires. Get some Falkien 912s for the tires... great performance for the quality. For the best tuning in of your suspension, you would need coil covers to achieve what you are after. Either that, or bags.

 

All stock suspension/wheels/tires

 

Any other ideas?

 

One thing I've been toying with lately, adding some sort of sound deadening to the firewall. I don't know how well that will work so I'll keep you posted. Also, some closed cell foam will help with sound deadening like you wouldn't believe. I pulled up my carpet again and layed out a few large pieces across the floor and into the wheel wells. Huge difference there.

Improved handling you really should look at the added sway bars, energy suspension bushings, and progressive coil springs. Also, go for a ride in another box with some of the mods done to it. With the right rims, tires, coils, and shocks put together with a good set of suspension mods, you can have the tightest handling in the world with the comfort of a luxury car. My setup I have currently feels like a very well tuned european luxury sportscar. I have my front konis set to medium (2 clicks) and the rear is set to soft (full off). Check the profile for the list of mods.

Have you made any changes to the car yet?