Help Needed With Buying Sc430

[rosswf]

Hi everyone,

First post and have read the others but none seem to answer my exact question so any help very much appreciated.

I've been a Lexus fan for some time now - 15 years in fact, ever since I persuaded the old man to give the GS300 a test drive in 1993 (he's now onto his second LS with an SC for the weekend). Bulletproof build quality and incredible refinement which I've not seen bettered by any other marque.

Having looked at the Merc SL, I'm still leaning towards the SC - not least because the Merc commands a premium for similar spec and model year, and the build quality doesn't seem quite as good as it was on the previous SL. I know the SC styling polarises opinion but I've always liked it.

In helping the old man buy his, I looked into the issues with runflat tires and handling, but as his was a 55 plate it had all been sorted by then. However, I'm looking at an 02/03 car, and would really appreciate some info on this issue and whether it's something I need to watch out for. Questions I have are:

1.) Which model year cars were affected?

2.) How did Lexus UK end up addressing the issue? Was it simply replacing the runflat tires with normal tires or were there changes to the suspension setup etc?

3.) Was this done as a standard part of servicing, or only on request, and was a charge made for doing it?

4.) Do I need to be concerned that it may not have been done on a preowned car? If it involved suspensions changes etc, how would I check?

5.) Have Lexus made updates to the handling since then on newer cars over and above these changes? If so can these be retrofitted?

Thanks in advance for any help with that. The remaining questions I have are:

6.) What changes Lexus have made since introduction of the model? I'm aware of 6-speed transmission and LED lights on the 06 car, but are there any others?

7.) Is it possible to buy the alloys (or a 3rd party repro) separately from the current car and if so how much are they? The standard ones are fugly! Likewise the LED taillights.

Cheers

Rosswf

[rosswf]

Hi everyone,

First post and have read the others but none seem to answer my exact question so any help very much appreciated.

I've been a Lexus fan for some time now - 15 years in fact, ever since I persuaded the old man to give the GS300 a test drive in 1993 (he's now onto his second LS with an SC for the weekend). Bulletproof build quality and incredible refinement which I've not seen bettered by any other marque.

Having looked at the Merc SL, I'm still leaning towards the SC - not least because the Merc commands a premium for similar spec and model year, and the build quality doesn't seem quite as good as it was on the previous SL. I know the SC styling polarises opinion but I've always liked it.

In helping the old man buy his, I looked into the issues with runflat tires and handling, but as his was a 55 plate it had all been sorted by then. However, I'm looking at an 02/03 car, and would really appreciate some info on this issue and whether it's something I need to watch out for. Questions I have are:

1.) Which model year cars were affected?

2.) How did Lexus UK end up addressing the issue? Was it simply replacing the runflat tires with normal tires or were there changes to the suspension setup etc?

3.) Was this done as a standard part of servicing, or only on request, and was a charge made for doing it?

4.) Do I need to be concerned that it may not have been done on a preowned car? If it involved suspensions changes etc, how would I check?

5.) Have Lexus made updates to the handling since then on newer cars over and above these changes? If so can these be retrofitted?

Thanks in advance for any help with that. The remaining questions I have are:

6.) What changes Lexus have made since introduction of the model? I'm aware of 6-speed transmission and LED lights on the 06 car, but are there any others?

7.) Is it possible to buy the alloys (or a 3rd party repro) separately from the current car and if so how much are they? The standard ones are fugly! Likewise the LED taillights.

Cheers

Rosswf

Duh - I obviously didn't search very well as I've now found answers to most of the above on several previous posts. Looks like I simply need to check under the bonnet or with the dealer to see if the suspension change has been done. Does anyone have answers to my last two questions though?

Thanks

Ross

[Chris Skelton]

I seem to be the only one here who LIKES the wheels! (But neutral on the car's shape/looks.) Perhaps I should swap my LS Ser 4 wheels with SC owners!

Good luck with it. Looks as if credit wane isn't affecting you.

(I'm annoyed that my Premium Bond chances have been seriously reduced!)

[Guest inicol63]

Hi Rosswf

Question 6 : What changes other than the one in your thread: i guess you have the Bluetooth, i think you have a paddle shift, and different wheels.

Question 7 : You can change the alloys but you have to keep in mind a couple of issue that may araise.

1st the current wheels have sensors fitted whitch have a life span of around five years as they have a Battery on them, to replace they work out at around £110 + fitting per wheel.

2nd If you try to add different wheels then you need to either have the sensor turned off or find a wheel that the sensor will fit into.

If you want any further advice with this pm me and i drop you my number.

Ian

[aquanuke]

The LED taillights are easy to do, but you will get a light out indicator on the dash unless you also buy the ECU which I did but was about $200 for the ecu from the states. But looks a million times better.

[rosswf]

Thanks both - very helpful and useful.

Ian, I'll take you up on that (once I have the car) if you don't mind. I knew the sensors were there but had no idea it was such an issue changing the wheels over. £110 a wheel - ugh. Got to be done though.

Aquanuke, those taillights do look nice - have to weigh that one up a bit though (the only downside for me of the more expensive Japanese cars - the complexity)

As for the credit crunch, well I'm not flush by any means, but I figure this is the perfect time to buy things like this - when everyone else is selling. Savvy or stupid depending on your point of view.

Ross

[Paradroid]

I was never sure about the looks of the SC but now that I've joined the Lexus family it's really grown on me, I like the idea of one because it's exclusive and has a V8 under the bonnet.

Good luck with your purchase :)

[aquanuke]

With regards to the suspension and harsh ride the best mod is to put some real tires on (the ones with air inside) the difference is like night and day.

[rosswf]

Update to this - I passed on the car I was looking at as it turned out to not have had the suspension changes done (the seller didn't know, and Lexus HQ were friendly but not much help - eventually after 20 mins on the phone with the original dealer I got an answer).

My understanding from that call was it was only done if the customer complained, and as such is not something that would be covered now it's out of warranty - and the dealer quoted 'up to 3 grand' to have the same work done now.

Understood it's changing the runflats that makes the most difference, but the car I've already driven is a 55 plate, so not keen on having anything that rides worse than that car - so was wondering:

when did Lexus began to fit this revised suspension setup as standard - was it 03 plate onwards?

Thanks for all the help so far.

Ross

[aquanuke]

Yes it was 03+ that the suspension was updated but tbh I dont think it makes much difference. Most earlier models where no doubt never changed.

TBH if it was me I would just slap on some 20" wheels, Tein coilovers and Daizen anti sway bars and enjoy :)

You will have a totally different car.

[rosswf]

Yes it was 03+ that the suspension was updated but tbh I dont think it makes much difference. Most earlier models where no doubt never changed.

TBH if it was me I would just slap on some 20" wheels, Tein coilovers and Daizen anti sway bars and enjoy :)

You will have a totally different car.

Thanks Aquanuke, another helpful post.

I don't have modding in my blood, though must say I like what you've done to yours. Any idea what sort of cost I'd be looking at including fitting for the coilovers and sway bars? (just roughly will do, the recent drop in the pound will affect it I realise).