928 Buyer's remorse...
12-16-2014, 02:51 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
this is going to come off as being jerkish, but i dont mean it that way...
Your Issues are EXTREMELY minor and if you had done any research on your dream car you would realize this. this tells me that you leapt before you looked.
Lugnuts for example... easy fix... get new ones and replace them.
it these issues are beyond your mechanical abilities and you do not have deep pockets, the 928 is not the car for you.
they are like beautiful temperamental women. HIGH maintenance but worth every effort when they show you love back..
These cars usually have some minor issue wrong, and are rarely 100% gremlin free... remember that your car is almost 30 years old.. mo matter high the build quality, there will be issues.. rubber bits harden, wiring insulation falls apart...
Consider yourself fortunate. You could have gotten a REAL basket case.
there are wonderful people here that know these cars inside and out. they an walk YOU through most issues.. but you will need to get some tools and not be afraid to DIY... or open your wallet to a good mechanic...
I love my car, and whenever i drive it i forget the pains it causes.... like childbirth..
Your Issues are EXTREMELY minor and if you had done any research on your dream car you would realize this. this tells me that you leapt before you looked.
Lugnuts for example... easy fix... get new ones and replace them.
it these issues are beyond your mechanical abilities and you do not have deep pockets, the 928 is not the car for you.
they are like beautiful temperamental women. HIGH maintenance but worth every effort when they show you love back..
These cars usually have some minor issue wrong, and are rarely 100% gremlin free... remember that your car is almost 30 years old.. mo matter high the build quality, there will be issues.. rubber bits harden, wiring insulation falls apart...
Consider yourself fortunate. You could have gotten a REAL basket case.
there are wonderful people here that know these cars inside and out. they an walk YOU through most issues.. but you will need to get some tools and not be afraid to DIY... or open your wallet to a good mechanic...
I love my car, and whenever i drive it i forget the pains it causes.... like childbirth..
12-16-2014, 04:29 PM
#34
Track Day
Thread Starter
Thanks for all of the great advise.
I'm planning to do as much of the work as I can within my ability. I'm sure I'll fall on my face a few times, but that's to be expected by a dude who has a hard time heating up leftovers!
As it turns out, my wife has a best friend who's uncle was a 928 enthusiast, and knew a lot about fixing them up. I'm sure I'll incorporate his help, as well. I'm in a nowhere town called Danville...pretty accessible to NC though. I'll keep everyone updated with pictures and pitfalls!
Phil
I'm planning to do as much of the work as I can within my ability. I'm sure I'll fall on my face a few times, but that's to be expected by a dude who has a hard time heating up leftovers!
As it turns out, my wife has a best friend who's uncle was a 928 enthusiast, and knew a lot about fixing them up. I'm sure I'll incorporate his help, as well. I'm in a nowhere town called Danville...pretty accessible to NC though. I'll keep everyone updated with pictures and pitfalls!
Phil
12-16-2014, 04:36 PM
#35
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Welcome to the forum, Phil.
I am always amazed when I see someone show up here AFTER they have purchased their 928.
The best advice I could give is too late - spend time on an auto forum BEFORE you buy.
Looks like you got lucky and found a good one.
I am always amazed when I see someone show up here AFTER they have purchased their 928.
The best advice I could give is too late - spend time on an auto forum BEFORE you buy.
Looks like you got lucky and found a good one.
12-16-2014, 06:18 PM
#36
Drifting
Phil -
There are some 928 owners who DIY not terribly far from you. If you ever get to the point where you want to have someone do the things you are not comfortable with or don't have the place to do it (garage), I would suggest you turn on the private message feature in your settings and search for KLVA. His name is Kevin and he's up here in Northern VA. If you can get your car up here to Kevin and leave it for awhile he can take care of things you don't want to attempt. Might cost you an arm, but not an arm and a leg. He will also be super patient in answering your questions and giving you a complete tour of your car. Getting really familiar with everything helps a lot before diving in to fix things. This would be a good time to do a lot of cleaning and study things as you go.
There are some 928 owners who DIY not terribly far from you. If you ever get to the point where you want to have someone do the things you are not comfortable with or don't have the place to do it (garage), I would suggest you turn on the private message feature in your settings and search for KLVA. His name is Kevin and he's up here in Northern VA. If you can get your car up here to Kevin and leave it for awhile he can take care of things you don't want to attempt. Might cost you an arm, but not an arm and a leg. He will also be super patient in answering your questions and giving you a complete tour of your car. Getting really familiar with everything helps a lot before diving in to fix things. This would be a good time to do a lot of cleaning and study things as you go.
12-16-2014, 07:32 PM
#37
Rennlist Member
George m was one of the first guys to help me out by loaning me a timing tool....
You have a great group to help you.
I find that many people are more cape able of dig mechanics than they think they are.
Get some decent tools and a set of lift bars and your life will be much easier.
Also be patient and don't rush things.
You will find that rushing and the "it's good enough" mentality is what gets most people in trouble.
You have a great group to help you.
I find that many people are more cape able of dig mechanics than they think they are.
Get some decent tools and a set of lift bars and your life will be much easier.
Also be patient and don't rush things.
You will find that rushing and the "it's good enough" mentality is what gets most people in trouble.
12-16-2014, 07:33 PM
#38
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
Basic Site Sponsor
In reality, I encourage people to work on their own 928s. Many of the jobs are quite easy.
However, some should never be attempted by even people that consider themselves "professionals".
For instance, there's no possibility that a "home mechanic" is going to be able to correctly rebuild that automatic transmission in the OP's 1986 928. No possible way. Not going to happen. They just don't have the experience, nor the knowledge of what to replace and why. They may be able to make it work and have it move the car around for 10,000 miles....but there is no possible way that it will last another 50,000 or 100,000 miles....there's simply too many "supercessions" of pieces that no one knows about (including every single one of the local Mercedes transmission "experts" that I've had the task of redoing their work). There's pieces inside there that not even Mercedes can tell you to replace....they simply do not have the information/knowledge any longer. Add that into the fact that virtually all (including the "local" Mercedes transmission "expert") also use "offshore" components....which are not going to make it 50,000 miles, much less 100,000 miles.
One needs to know their limitations....and that is when they need to drop their wrenches.
However, some should never be attempted by even people that consider themselves "professionals".
For instance, there's no possibility that a "home mechanic" is going to be able to correctly rebuild that automatic transmission in the OP's 1986 928. No possible way. Not going to happen. They just don't have the experience, nor the knowledge of what to replace and why. They may be able to make it work and have it move the car around for 10,000 miles....but there is no possible way that it will last another 50,000 or 100,000 miles....there's simply too many "supercessions" of pieces that no one knows about (including every single one of the local Mercedes transmission "experts" that I've had the task of redoing their work). There's pieces inside there that not even Mercedes can tell you to replace....they simply do not have the information/knowledge any longer. Add that into the fact that virtually all (including the "local" Mercedes transmission "expert") also use "offshore" components....which are not going to make it 50,000 miles, much less 100,000 miles.
One needs to know their limitations....and that is when they need to drop their wrenches.
__________________
greg brown
714 879 9072
GregBBRD@aol.com
Semi-retired, as of Feb 1, 2023.
The days of free technical advice are over.
Free consultations will no longer be available.
Will still be in the shop, isolated and exclusively working on project cars, developmental work and products, engines and transmissions.
Have fun with your 928's people!
greg brown
714 879 9072
GregBBRD@aol.com
Semi-retired, as of Feb 1, 2023.
The days of free technical advice are over.
Free consultations will no longer be available.
Will still be in the shop, isolated and exclusively working on project cars, developmental work and products, engines and transmissions.
Have fun with your 928's people!
12-16-2014, 07:37 PM
#40
Rennlist Member
Omg....agreed
I rebuilt a 727 transmission in college in a Jeep Grand Cherokee chief..
It worked for a while then I had to manually downshift... Then it let go....
I rebuilt a 727 transmission in college in a Jeep Grand Cherokee chief..
It worked for a while then I had to manually downshift... Then it let go....
12-16-2014, 07:52 PM
#42
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
gmshtr
Think of it this way, there is no other car forum in the world where in less that a day you would of received this much information on the issues you posted.
This is one of the great things about owning a 928 if you are into DIY.
Think of it this way, there is no other car forum in the world where in less that a day you would of received this much information on the issues you posted.
This is one of the great things about owning a 928 if you are into DIY.
12-16-2014, 08:00 PM
#43
For instance, there's no possibility that a "home mechanic" is going to be able to correctly rebuild that automatic transmission in the OP's 1986 928. No possible way. Not going to happen. They just don't have the experience, nor the knowledge of what to replace and why. They may be able to make it work and have it move the car around for 10,000 miles....but there is no possible way that it will last another 50,000 or 100,000 miles....there's simply too many "supercessions" of pieces that no one knows about (including every single one of the local Mercedes transmission "experts" that I've had the task of redoing their work). There's pieces inside there that not even Mercedes can tell you to replace....they simply do not have the information/knowledge any longer. Add that into the fact that virtually all (including the "local" Mercedes transmission "expert") also use "offshore" components....which are not going to make it 50,000 miles, much less 100,000 miles.
One needs to know their limitations....and that is when they need to drop their wrenches.
One needs to know their limitations....and that is when they need to drop their wrenches.
12-16-2014, 08:11 PM
#44
Welcome to the tank!
As you can see, there are lots of great people and professional mechanics who really care about the 928 and their owners!
Start with a can of Deoxit 5, a fistful of 141 951 253 B (51) relays, this chart (http://www.928intl.com/repair/Relay/earlyrelay2.htm) and then work your way up to harder things. Half of your electrical problems will be conquered by getting to know on this chart (at least mine were). That's how noobs like me (bought my 1988 S4 18 months ago) slowly begin conquering the easier stuff, and working up to harder problems.
Google and search is your friend. Write ups like Dwayne's garage and others are awesome! If you can't find the answers there, then ask here!
Sounds like you have help in the area with other owners...which you really can't put a price on! Its priceless!
Brian
As you can see, there are lots of great people and professional mechanics who really care about the 928 and their owners!
Start with a can of Deoxit 5, a fistful of 141 951 253 B (51) relays, this chart (http://www.928intl.com/repair/Relay/earlyrelay2.htm) and then work your way up to harder things. Half of your electrical problems will be conquered by getting to know on this chart (at least mine were). That's how noobs like me (bought my 1988 S4 18 months ago) slowly begin conquering the easier stuff, and working up to harder problems.
Google and search is your friend. Write ups like Dwayne's garage and others are awesome! If you can't find the answers there, then ask here!
Sounds like you have help in the area with other owners...which you really can't put a price on! Its priceless!
Brian
12-16-2014, 08:29 PM
#45
Instructor
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Perth Western Australia
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After 7 years of ownership your list is like a trip down memory lane and if you keep your car for 7 years you will look back on these as minor. Except for the fuel leak doesn't look like anything that would stop me driving but I would limit my alcohol intake with the broken rear light!
Enjoy the car, even when mine is up on its liftbars it looks nice.
Enjoy the car, even when mine is up on its liftbars it looks nice.
