jmac43

I am really excited about finding this little play toy, a 2002 SC430 with 62K, Egypt Sand Pearl. Two questions from the get go....Is there any problems with the hydrolic system on the tops, I have a friend with a Mercedes 500SL and he has had to replace the pumps..pretty expensive. The second question is there any difference in the wheels of the SC other than the center piece that is attatched to the wheel. I have found a set of 2007 wheels and I am thinking of replacing the orginal 02 wheels with them. Any comments.....thanks...hope to see you on the road one of these days

tfischer

I have had my '02 SC since its first week on sale in May of 2001, and have had no problems. Not that you should generalize from that one instance, nor from an episode involving one guy with a Mercedes. However, if you read here, and look at JD Powers and even Consumer Reports, you will see that the SC430 is one of the most reliable and trouble-free cars ever made.
The SC top and the MB SLK top were made by the same supplier and are remarkably reliable and trouble free - you can read the posts here to learn a few things you should not do with the top, but it should continue to provide you with trouble-free operation.
As for the wheels, I'm sure somebody here with experience in the wheel department can answer that.
Happy motoring.

OBP

Have not swapped out my wheels but 100% sure fitment wise, a 2007 OEM set will fit on your 2002 with no trouble. Everyone wants to lose those pie plates anyway.

For TPMS, there may be differences between 2002 and 2007 but you can just change out your 2002 TPMS and put them in the 2007 wheels I guess. Or some people lose the TPMS totally.

tromly

yes, those pie plates must go, and get rid of the TPMS!