New Member - 08 SC430
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From: CT
New Member - 08 SC430
Hey Folks, new member here. Just bought a 2008 Matador Red Mica with Ecru interior tonight. Just over 40K miles on it, new run flats, brakes and fluids/filters from a dealer only 90 miles away 
Other option was a white one but there's something about a red convertible that says "screw the white one, it's a colorful world!".
Decided on this instead of a MB SLK55 AMG for the same $. I really think I'll want the rear package shelf and I'm not a racer so tempting as the AMG was, I went with the SC. (The SLK seems more of a "girly" car and screams mid-life crisis when an old dude rides it
) Besides I have an E350 and would prefer the reliability & quality of a Lexus. I figure I can put another 100 or 150K on the SC but the Benz is a crapshoot once you pass the warranty period.
The forum looks great. Learning a ton reading the posts!
Jim
Other option was a white one but there's something about a red convertible that says "screw the white one, it's a colorful world!".
Decided on this instead of a MB SLK55 AMG for the same $. I really think I'll want the rear package shelf and I'm not a racer so tempting as the AMG was, I went with the SC. (The SLK seems more of a "girly" car and screams mid-life crisis when an old dude rides it
) Besides I have an E350 and would prefer the reliability & quality of a Lexus. I figure I can put another 100 or 150K on the SC but the Benz is a crapshoot once you pass the warranty period.The forum looks great. Learning a ton reading the posts!
Jim
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Jim,
I have the exact same car year and color combination. It's my most favorite car of all the 48 cars I've owned in my lifetime.
What brand run flats were installed? Most are hard riding. Some of the newer Michelin run flats ride very nice.
I removed my Bridgstone Run Flats and installed non-run flat Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires on my 2008 red/ecru SC430 and it rides like a dream now.
JR
I have the exact same car year and color combination. It's my most favorite car of all the 48 cars I've owned in my lifetime.
What brand run flats were installed? Most are hard riding. Some of the newer Michelin run flats ride very nice.
I removed my Bridgstone Run Flats and installed non-run flat Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer tires on my 2008 red/ecru SC430 and it rides like a dream now.
JR
Last edited by FLYCT; Oct 11, 2014 at 07:28 AM.
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Picking it up next week. Not sure of the tire mfg - seem to recall Bridgestone. I saw a fair amount of info on the run flats being a harsher ride than non run flats but they had just put them on. I'm going to ask if they can swap them out for regular tires but if not, I'll suffer for awhile - still rode better than my E350. Or maybe the seats are just cushier so the rough roads weren't as noticeable If I can switch I'll not get the spare tire kit - haven't needed but 1 in the past 10 years. Likely just carry a tire flat repair kit & small compressor like I do on my motorcycles.
I did note that Michelin's seem to be the favorite here.
If I can switch I'll not get the spare tire kit - haven't needed but 1 in the past 10 years. Likely just carry a tire flat repair kit & small compressor like I do on my motorcycles.I did note that Michelin's seem to be the favorite here.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Florida
Welcome DiggerJim! I have a 2008 also, though mine is Black Sapphire Pearl over Camel...great car. You won't regret getting it instead of the AMG.
I had a SL500 AMG for a few years, and after it hit 55 K miles, it was like everything started falling apart on it one after another....I'd have one thing fixed, and a month later - something else would break....the suspension system alone was killing me (the shock-sensors went out one at a time - to the tune of $1500 for parts & labor each time one went out!)
After the AC compressor fell apart (literally), I figured it was time to dump it. I loved the way it handled, and it had some really nice features (I still miss the massaging seats on long trips), but the SC is a much better car overall. Mercs don't seem to have the reliability they once did....and the labor & parts costs are ridiculous...
I'd owned a few Toyota's back in the '70's (an old FJ40 Landcruiser & a Toyota Chinook Camper) and I was impressed with their ruggedness & reliability, but I had never owned a Lexus before - I always thought they were just overpriced Toyotas..... the SC was my first Lexus, and it was a revelation - I just bought another one two weeks ago (a White Pearl ES 350 - we traded my wife's almost new VW CC in for one).. I'm sold on them now and can't believe I waited this long.....
Enjoy your new ride, and welcome to the club....
I had a SL500 AMG for a few years, and after it hit 55 K miles, it was like everything started falling apart on it one after another....I'd have one thing fixed, and a month later - something else would break....the suspension system alone was killing me (the shock-sensors went out one at a time - to the tune of $1500 for parts & labor each time one went out!)
After the AC compressor fell apart (literally), I figured it was time to dump it. I loved the way it handled, and it had some really nice features (I still miss the massaging seats on long trips), but the SC is a much better car overall. Mercs don't seem to have the reliability they once did....and the labor & parts costs are ridiculous...
I'd owned a few Toyota's back in the '70's (an old FJ40 Landcruiser & a Toyota Chinook Camper) and I was impressed with their ruggedness & reliability, but I had never owned a Lexus before - I always thought they were just overpriced Toyotas..... the SC was my first Lexus, and it was a revelation - I just bought another one two weeks ago (a White Pearl ES 350 - we traded my wife's almost new VW CC in for one).. I'm sold on them now and can't believe I waited this long.....
Enjoy your new ride, and welcome to the club....
Last edited by NAmVet68; Oct 13, 2014 at 02:12 PM.
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Someone told me that you should never own any German car that wasn't still under warranty. So I went Japanese
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