Originally Posted by bimmer416

I find the slk has a very compact design and looks really claustrophobic, i mean it looks to compressed in my opinion.. the z4 on the other hand has a nicer design more of a guy's car in my opinion but again the room is same on the inside and the soft top :/... I myself have owned 3 series, 6, b7, and now M3, in terms of reliability between all these and maintainence cost, my 02 330 was the best as i really pushed that car nearly to limits.. the only issues i had were after 150k km.. the throttle body which is common, alternator, battery, a wire that burnt in rear light (was recalled).. sunroof shade clip breaking (common) repaired myself... and the coolant expansion bottle with a hairline crack (replaced myself also).. Now i drove that car to 290k km and sold it and all i can say is that it still drove like brand new, I had probably spent around 2000$ for issues from what i remember in the 5 or 6 years that i owned it ...So the only Z4 i would go with is the ones with the 3.0 litre and not the 2.5L, because that 3.0L was a masterpiece and definately alot of fun to drive!

I love german cars and have tried bmw, audi, and benz and never thought i would ever get a japanese car but the SC has really made it to my heart over short time. Obviously maintenance has costs (timing belt, ball joints, bushings, brakes, etc..) but this is one car I can always get inside with piece of mind and not worry about anything going wrong and i think easily until 400k km.. the only thing that has given me a hard time was the ride, well wobble shake issues to be more specific and to be honest it wasnt bad at all until I put wheels and drove without hub rings.. replacing bushings made everything better but i think my hub is slightly bent from driving without hub rings.. so again mostly my mistake because of my inexperience with customizing as i never had to do that with my previous cars and again there are many riding without any issues at all so if you do something you gotta do it right, many experienced members on here suggest mods that improve the car alot such as coilovers, bushings, etc.. not to make it sporty but to make it more comfy and ride smoother..

now it terms of handling, yes this is sort of a boat as you describe it but i have learned that you have to enjoy this car for what it is, its a luxury cruiser which requires mostly a relaxed driving style and is definately a head turner, i mean for me the perfect look for it is with staggered 20's but i really dont think there is a car out there in and under its level thats better looking.. I also learned this from the amount of compliments i get and seeing people always stopping to look at it then they walk around to check the badge plus there isnt many around which makes it rare and it definately has this exotic look to it. I specically love the wide smooth body and if lowered slightly with big wheels it definately looks INSANELY Beautiful and I can say that anyone owning it will learn to recognize how beautiful it is plus its definately a step up from slk or z4.

aside from a relaxed driving style, the car is more roomy then other two, has seats in rear if needed for kids or desperately for adults, many standard features which are options in the other 2. Very smooth design where many cant tell if its a convertible unless there experienced with cars (big plus for me).. It looks proportional with the roof up or down and as mentioned wont handle sporty, if you like feeling the road, flying around corners, speeding through traffic, cutting between cars, this isnt the car for you..

Originally Posted by MadHungari

Harold57 is almost correct ("If you don't like the car, don't buy it"). I would say that if you don't LOVE the car, don't buy it. Trust me--after a few month, initial car love typically fades to car like (and for my SC, stays there), while initial car like typically fades to . . . . It will not grow on you. Based on your comments, I predict that if you buy an SC now, you will be listing it on Craigslist before a year has passed, and you will be wondering what to buy (next). It does not appear that the SC is the car for you. I suggest you keep wondering (now).

Originally Posted by 76210Guy

I've owned 2 Corvettes, one SL500, BMWs, Infiniti and more. When I bought the SC430 I fell in love with it and after three years, every time i get behind the wheel I smile. Yeah, its not a sports car, so if you need one go get one. But if you love the idea of driving with the top down and enjoying a smooth ride with ample power for most things lawful, and a few a little above the law (yeah I got my first ticket in 25 years in my SC), it's a great automobile.

Oh yeah, and when people stop you to comment about the beautiful car? That's just gravy on top.

Originally Posted by gpz

This is a really great answer thank you. I drove a beautiful 2004 today at the dealer Egyptian Sand with saddle only 21,000 miles expensive $32,000. The ride wasn't as bad as the other one i drove awhile back but for sure there was no fun factor. I think you are right one has to change there approach driving this car. It was total comfort though and I sat in a SLK afterwards and it was really cramped. The only thing with the SC as I was driving I said to myself why don't I just get a 4 seat convertible either a Lexus or a BMW 3 series because the SC doesn't feel like a roadster so why even go there ? Maybe I am wrong and it would grow on me.

Originally Posted by bimmer416

Im a bimmer and audi guy mostly, but the sc has really grown on me, it will DEFINATELY on you too . Btw it has WAY better feeling after the bushings are changed to poly, very sharp and firm! But ya i myself was looking m6 and sl55 or even the quattroporte.. but m6 was soft top.. sl55 has many issues, and quattroporte has the same transmission my m3 has and the SMG pump/clutch and drveshaft end up needing replacing which is $10k +... Im super happy with the SC.. im only at 80k miles if i do find the perfect color combo like mine with super low mileage, ill definately replace for that but I think im always going to keep an SC on my driveway ..

anyhow goodluck!

Originally Posted by gpz

great to hear this yes if i could fix the ride situation i would be cool. My BMW with the run flats and sports package is a drag but still tight but the SC is just weird. I found a really great deal on a 2002 color combination i like Egyptian Sand and Saddle $11,000 but 147,000 miles should I be worried ? The service records look good though.

Originally Posted by gpz

p.s. so what year up to 2005 is going to give me the tightest/best ride ? Also how many miles is a safe bet ?