can an SC be made to handle like a bmw e39....?
01-31-15, 03:48 PM
#16
Lexus Champion
02-01-15, 05:50 AM
#19
All I can say, these are two different cars when it comes to handling and performance, the BMW is a great handling car and fun to drive... Yes the biggest problem is reliability, I felt It was always in the shop for maintenance.....wait it was...LOL .... The sc is a great reliable car fun to drive, once you've changed a few things here and thier but still not the same handling of a BMW. Just saying as it is.... But I would never give up my sc for an BMW, I rather drive than be at the shop all the time....
02-01-15, 08:54 PM
#20
Take everything with a grain of salt that you read here. Also keep in mind half of this forum (no offense, but it's not what it was ten years ago) is filled with people driving SCs that are in DIRE need of serious maintenance, so they have no clue what these cars are capable of or how they drive when you put in the work and money into them.
Too many teenagers or people with nothing but hopes and dreams will come on here and badmouth SCs because they bought a car for $2k and expected something great out of it haha.
Too many teenagers or people with nothing but hopes and dreams will come on here and badmouth SCs because they bought a car for $2k and expected something great out of it haha.
Ryan
02-03-15, 10:35 AM
#22
97 SC300, I couldn't have said it better...And no offense aimed at anybody on this forum...But so very many of the SC's now days are just that...6-10 owners, driven almost into the ground and not well maintained, and owned by many younger people that don't have the years of work and savings and money to put into the car to bring it up to stock condition...So, their cars will drive and hadle poorly compared to those that have well maintained and upgraded their SC's. Again, no offense offered, just noticing the same...These cars are awesome when broght up to snuff!!
Ryan
Ryan
02-03-15, 11:54 AM
#23
Lead Lap
Take everything with a grain of salt that you read here. Also keep in mind half of this forum (no offense, but it's not what it was ten years ago) is filled with people driving SCs that are in DIRE need of serious maintenance, so they have no clue what these cars are capable of or how they drive when you put in the work and money into them.
Too many teenagers or people with nothing but hopes and dreams will come on here and badmouth SCs because they bought a car for $2k and expected something great out of it haha.
Too many teenagers or people with nothing but hopes and dreams will come on here and badmouth SCs because they bought a car for $2k and expected something great out of it haha.
02-03-15, 10:31 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
02-04-15, 10:32 AM
#25
Just chiming in because I spent most of the last 5 years in an E39 540 Sport (that we still own) and an E46 M3 6-spd. If I could get the SC to have nearly the balance of handling, road feel, steering, and overall smoothness and rigidity that either of those BMWs had, combined with Lexus' inherent reliability, just by slapping on some bushings and sway bars, I would never consider buying another car again! However, before I end up spending all the money on modifying the SC, I guess I need to drive one already modified in such a way so I won't be disappointed with expecting a "BMW-like" drive. I've so far just done Supra Eibachs and KYB AGX's, and to my surprise, the "boat" feeling is pretty much gone. A quicker steering rack could go a long way though. (can we swap in a MKIV Supra rack?)
I sold my M3 because there was always a big $ repair item coming down the road (subframe, VANOS), along with the constant electrical annoyances familiar with German cars, and I was ready to come back to Toyota/Lexus last fall knowingly forgoing the sublime balance of those bimmers for relatively stress-free ownership. We still own the 2003 540 (150K miles), but will probably sell it this year as well, as its value just doesn't warrant the cost of maintenance and repairs. If I could wrench everything myself, and know that the transmission would last another 100k, then I would keep it in a heart beat. It still drives so well, even for a 4-door, heavy car. But I can't, so adios BMW.
I sold my M3 because there was always a big $ repair item coming down the road (subframe, VANOS), along with the constant electrical annoyances familiar with German cars, and I was ready to come back to Toyota/Lexus last fall knowingly forgoing the sublime balance of those bimmers for relatively stress-free ownership. We still own the 2003 540 (150K miles), but will probably sell it this year as well, as its value just doesn't warrant the cost of maintenance and repairs. If I could wrench everything myself, and know that the transmission would last another 100k, then I would keep it in a heart beat. It still drives so well, even for a 4-door, heavy car. But I can't, so adios BMW.
02-05-15, 09:08 PM
#28
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
the problem is just that there's _always something_
02-08-15, 08:19 PM
#29
Talk about handling; this guy used front and rear crossmember and suspension, plus the engine from an SC400. So much win in this car! LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMAy7Z6zys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMAy7Z6zys
Agreed it would be tough to do OLT...But make the right changes to the SC, and you might be surprised how close to the BMW E39 the SC could handle like...But stock, no way.
Right on! 1 thing to mention that makes the SC seems (not fact) that it doesn't handle sportily is its low power. If you make it fast & powerful, then it'll be more quickly responsive to handling. Good handling isn't the same as power issue, but they're related and support each other.
I am about to make some significant changes to the Rack, and to the front and rear suspension in my Twin Turbo V8 Project, so, let's see how it drives afterwards...
Ryan
