Bruce '89 s2

If I may take some of your valuable time I’d appreciate some input.
My wife can’t get on with my non-auto box – not that she’s even tried – too happy with her Merc 280CE.
BUT she says she’d be VERY happy to have a 944 AUTO. I think that would be cool parked together as a pair at the back of the motel.
I’ve found a 1984 auto with a reasonable history belts done et al.
Are there any particular problems or, indeed advantages, with these earlier cars??
We’ve had the Merc for more than ten years and it was my pride and joy until the arrival of the S2.
The Merc will have to go and I’d be sorry as I know every nut and bolt on it and that Rotweiler howl when it’s up on the cam is unforgettable. (Don’t worry I’m not looking for a buyer here).
Your input will be read to her in bed late at night and it might convince her that it’s a really GOOD idea.
All contributions welcomed
Happy motoring.
***Was going to post a picture of the S2 and the Merc here but can't work how to yet***.

Bruce – Scottish Highlands

Bruce '89 s2

Sorry about the double posting.
Just a click too many.

Chad S

My wife drove mine for the first time the other day. When she returned from the grocery store I asked how she liked it. She said she liked it but she wasn't sure if she liked the 4 guys’ that came up to her and asked her about the car.

emilysgranny

Buce; summed up in 3 words, check the trans. They are notoriously the weak link. Also the flex plate at the rear of the t tube. HTH

Bruce '89 s2

Can't take a hoist with when veiwing the car.
What should I look for (or listen to) tranny-wise when doing a test drive??
Is this early gearbox different to later ones and not as strong or is it because the auto's get 'gunned, more??
I Know it's only a 3 speed box but it is for the wife and I'll only drive it when mine's being worked-on and off the road. (Not too often, hopefully)

Devia

Chad - that is priceless! She must really love you, you know? Just tell her it was a bunch of geeks like us.

I don't think there is anything more than what you would check on an automatic; here's the checklist I use:

1) When was the last time the transmission was serviced? They should have changed the filter, too.

2) After the car has warmed up, and you shift it around, put the car in Park, and check the tranny fluid. It should be reddish, but not brown, nor with chunky bits in it.

3) Drive it under a few different conditions, from a stop: up to 30mph; up to freeway speed on a freeway.

(A nasty trick I had to use to check the tranny on my bf's DSM was to get it to shift into third, then hit the breaks, and see how she downshifts. That was the only way to show my mechanic it had a problem. He said tranny will need to be replaced in a year or two, but that is a known problem on the Talon/Eclipses. He didn't seem to think it was a problem, as long as I keep on top of it.)

It should not jerk when it shifts, but you will feel a shift. Kind of like when you shift a stick smoothly. Automatics are hard to abuse, unless you really go out of your way.

4) Check under the car with a flashlight, and see if there are any tranny leaks. If you see some liquid, I use a white piece of paper, and stick that on it, then look; if it isn't red, not tranny. Sometimes a tranny leak could just be the plug or the lower gasket, which is easy to fix, rather than replacing a whole transmission.

6) Check the differential, while under the car. Get it on a lift, if you can, and see how it looks. I'm not sure, but there is probably a U-joint, or something, along the transaxle. Forgive me that I don't know that area of detail. See if it's in good condition. If it looks worn, it shouldn't be too difficult to replace, but deduct off of price, accordingly.

6) Your wife will love the car! After I get mine, I'm hunting for an identical one for my bf, but in an auto. (Though he may change his mind about sticks, after I get mine!)

Good hunting, and I hope I've been a little bit of help.

- Julie

Tom Carson

Great advice from Julie.

The automatic is an 3-speed Audi/VW 087/010, very reliable - used in Audi & VW (including their turbos) through the 80's & 90's. The transaxle has the 087 final drive which takes diff fluid and the 010 tranny it mates to, ATF.

Like most automatics, the fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles (per the book) and if you do this and don't race it on a regular basis, it will last as long as the best of them.

There's is a flex damper in the front of the torque tube in place of the manual's clutch which last about 80 - 90k miles and is just as expensive get replaced.

Obviously the car is slower than the 5-speed and to many of us, not as much fun. On the other hand, if you're not into shifting for the fun of it...and that Damper has many miles left...and go through Julie's checklist...there should be nothing about the transmission to worry about.

sweanders

How about getting a 968 tiptronic? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Bruce '89 s2

Last first - it's for the wife - 968 tipronic - lovely BUT I've only got a 280CE as a swap - several £££k'short for that and she wouldn't appreciate it anyway cause I'd always be out in it.

All the advice is sound and much appreciated. I didn't know about the damper at the engine end of the torque tube - apart from service history is there a visual check on that: or a wiggle-it-about-under-the-car-thingy I can do that may show it's needing attention???
Talking of being accosted at the supermarket - that's where I get the most approbation for the S2 - often return to the car to find someone hovering about who wants to talk Porsche. ('course could be they might have stolen it if I'd been delayed for a few more minutes)

Got to bed at 5.30 am last night (this morning). Fitted a 60gig hard drive to the pc and the BIOS wouldn't recognise it - tonight typing this on the laptop 'cause the PC is f******d. So I'm off to bed now @ 12.30 UK time.
Gentlemen, I thank you for time and patience with this newby,
Happy motoring,
Bruce

Tom Carson

update the BIOS...hey wrong forum!

wife & I spent this past xmas holidays in Scotland and a very long drive through the Highlands...stunning...and trekkers everywhere

went to Loch nest...no Nessie...in the Caribbean we were told

Bruce '89 s2

Sorry I didn't meet up with you - but in the winter we go to the Med.
Come in the summer we're open 24/7
Now I AM going to bed it's 12.45 am and I'm kn******ed after last night.
Goodnight gents