robo356

I've been unsuccessful in finding a really excellent 89 930, and am considering expanding my search to include 87 and 88. Can anyone compare the "in town" driving characteristics of the 4 and 5 speed versions?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

Daley88930

i have a 4 speed 88 and believe me it is great around town. I do not miss the extra gear. I have been in a few street races with M3s(6cyl--I have no idea about the 8 cylinder versions) etc. and there is an amuseing characterictic when they wind out each gear and shift while I am in the same gear. But, it does not last long since I blow by them by the time I am done with second. Love the car and do not miss the 5th. Good Luck

Geoffrey

The 5spd is vastly better than the 4spd box in many respects, including syncros, shift feel, shift linkage, and gear spacing. If I were going to buy one, I would consider 1 91/92 before a pre 89 model.

Shark

What is giving you trouble? Price, color, type (cab or coupe), too modded, not modded enough, no service history, etc.

Just curious

robo356

I've been looking for an original, fully documented, 20-50K mile,coupe,pristine condition, $40-45. Color is secondary.

Rob

schnele

I am going from a 4sp to a G50/50 in my 87 930 I will keep all posted.

Noah930

No experience with a 5-speed, but I've heard the same things that Geoffrey mentions above. I've got a 4-speed in my '87. Personally, in-town driving is mostly a 1st and 2nd gear affair. Sometimes 3rd gear. (I'm not big on lugging the engine.) On the highway, mostly 3rd gear. I live in much more urban areas than San Luis Obispo, though. 4th gear is only useful if I'm doing a minimum of 70-80 mph.

ChristianR

The 4 speed cars have very lonnnnnnng gears, I had my guy redo the tranny shortening 2nd and 3rd, made the car a blast to drive

Christian

Bruce M.

I have a G-50 in my '78, after my 930 box gave up the ghost. Gotta say I'm a convert to hydraulic gearshifts in these cars. Gear spacing means you stay on boost easier, too.

Hey Schnele, didn't you say you were two weeks away about two months ago ? Keep the faith. I'm down, too. Getting a new turbo built for me....

Norske

if you want the 5 speed, go with the 91/92. Better AC etc. I have owned both trannies. the 4 does have taller gears, but unless you are tracking the car, it won't matter very much to you. I disagree that the 5 is "vastly superior" . It is a better tranny but the 4 works just fine, esp if you use Swepco in it.

schnele

Bruce, I am so ticked. It is going on 14 months and my tuner tells me "it will be done when it is done."

jimculp

14 months for the tuning and build I assume? I was under the impression that once the car is running, tuning can be done in a day- no?

DonE

Including the ability to choose better gearing if you go custom. At Barber, I could only use two gears - the 4sp does is not a tranny for a technical track or for city traffic. The 5sp is MUCH better in every respect - wish I had one....

bernocco930S

I am right down the road in Thousand Oaks. Bring you wallet!
1989 930S Factory M505 Turbo Coupe Slant 5-speed YOU NEED THIS CAR!!
eric

schnele

Sorry for the hijack, I did a lot more than EFI, parts delay was a big part of it waiting on parts that were promised and never delivered that really hurts a shop, when space is an issue they move your car out and jump on another one. The Chromoly tubing for the roll bar was delayed and the AC components as well as the odd size silicon hoses from Samco but everything is in place now.