RamahX

OK, I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a members 84 944, lots of records, work (to include recent TB and WP), and parts.

This will be my Daily Driver. I'm retired Coast Guard, so its not like I have anywhere to be (for now...).

I'm a Mercedes spy from over at Peach Parts and Pelican, have a fully equiped shop, can pull engines transmissions etc, just short on excess cash after retirement pays bills (which is why we drive old Mercedes Diesels ) That means I'm used to being semper-vigilantis on my maintenance and repairs, as well as going nuts on cosmetics etc. Currently have an 87 300SDL in incredible condition and it will stay that way - EVERYTHING works. We're on our 3rd MB, had an '86 BMW 535i before that (wish I'd never gotten rid of that one).

Whats making me nervous is reading Clarks and other sundry post... Almost sounds like no matter what be prepared to pay through the nose. I'm the king of scrounge on the Benz, but not sure if I can be on a 944. It's intimidating, but I've always wanted one and this one should check out (see it tonight).

What say y'all? *standing by for flogging*

Reimu

The expense and unreliability of a 944 is vastly exaggerated by people. As long as you can do your own work you'll be fine, and there are loads of spare parts around here.

RamahX

Thanks Reimu. I guess I've become different in my expectations/perceptions of German cars. I get them for their utility value. The utility of daily driving and the additional utility value one gets from the sheer joy of driving these machines.

Never really see anyone make my "sheer joy of driving" about their high mileage Taurus/Accord etc... ;->

pontifex4

The 944 sounds like an excellent choice for you, in that case. You'll want to do the work yourself to keep maintenance costs low, and as noted above, used parts are extremely plentiful once you know how and where to ask (here and on Pelican).

They hold a lot of stuff, so they really aren't bad as a utility vehicle, either.

Good luck -- what colour is it?

V2Rocket

if you can afford the old merc diesel, the 944 will not be so bad...great cars, both of them.

J Berk

This is correct.

The biggest issue will be catching the car up on maintenence that was not performed.

Once you do that it will be a fun, light, reliable DD.

Voith

Not bad for coupe..

John_AZ

The PO will give you a lot of information you do not understand. He may also have cut corners.

Most of the repairs happen due to poor maintenance on the basics.

You will need to spend at least 1 hour a week under the hood looking and listening for problems.

Watch your fluids. Coolant recovery tank especially. NO milkshake-oil/coolant mix.
Watch the battery charge level. If it drops at all or the dash light begins to flicker, check the entire battery & charging system.
Check the belts tension as often as necessary until you do not have nightmares about a bent valve.
You must learn how to tension belts.


Use the same oil that the PO previous owner used. Do not mix/change until you have had the car for a year.
Do not scrimp on cheap anything. Get Porsche, Meyle or K&N oil filters. Change the fuel filter and the tank fuel screen.

The car has a pulse and heartbeat. Once you understand the car will not let you down.

Read www.clarks-garage.com every time you get on the computer for the first year.

The car can only be as good as you make it to be for a daily driver.

GL
John

River

+1

John has it spot on. Once you get over the hump, things are smooth sailing. Just usually tlc. And, if you're buying from a Porsche type, odds are things shouldn't be as excessive. And, now I need to check my fuel screen, lol! I keep forgetting that! LOL!

To help, when I bought mine. NADA was done to it. Zip. Zilch. Well, at least not the owner before me. Before him, someone did a few things to it I think (steering rack, ignition switch, etc). And to further help, here's a list of work I've done and replaced during the last year. (including parts replaced). And I know I'm missing more than a few things! LOL!

2/11 ENGINE FLUSH,OIL CHANGE
2/11 INSTALLED NEW FUEL FILTER
PASS DEQ
INSTALLED NEW BOSCH FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR
CHANGE FUSES TO GLOW FUSES/TEST ALL OTHER FUSES
CLEAN CONTACTS OF ALL RELAYS AND PORTS
CLEAN CARPETS,DETAIL
INSTALLED NEW WIPER BLADES
2/11 INSTALLED NEW AIR FILTER
2/11 INSTALLED NEW OIL FILTER
3/5 INSTALLED NEW BOSCH COPPER SPARK PLUGS
3/11 INSTALLED NEW BOSCH OXYGEN SENSOR
3/11 INSTALLED NEW REAR STABILIS HATCH STRUTS
REWIRE PASSENGER SIDE HATCH STRUT WIRE
3/11 INSTALLED NEW DME RELAY / OLD RELAY WORKS IN GLOVE BOX AS SPARE
3/11 INSTALLED NEW DME TEMP SENSOR
3/11 GREASE HEADLIGHT BAR AND JOINTS
GREASE DOOR HINGES AND ASSEMBLIES
GREASE WINDOW TRACK ARMS
GRAPHITE APPLIED TO ALL LOCKS
OVERHAUL ALL INTERIOR SWITCHES
INSTALL CD PLAYER
UPGRADED CD PLAYER WIRING
3/11 COOLANT FLUSH PERFORMED
4/11 INSTALLED NEW SUNROOF GEARS
OVERHAULED SUNROOF MOTOR & MECHANISIM & ADJUST & NEW HARDWARE
INSTALLED TWO NEW SUNROOF MOTOR RELAYS ON RAIL
APPLIED PHIL'S WATERPROOF GREASE TO ARMS/CABLE/HOUSING/GEARS
CLEAN ALL GROUNDS
CLEAN ALL SENSORS
CLEAN AND ADJUST AFM
REMOVED AIR BOX HOUSING AND CLEANED
CLEANED FROM AIR INTAKE TO THROTTLE BODY
ADJUST THROTTLE BODY CABLE
REPLACED REAR WIPER BLADE
REPLACED ALL REAR TAILIGHT LIGHTS
REPLACED DRIVER'S SIDE SUNROOF HINGE ON AIR SPOILER
REPLACED ODOMETER GEAR TO NEW. APPLIED PHIL'S TO ALL MOVING PARTS
REPLACED ALL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BULBS (3)
OVERHAULED REFLECTIVE HOUSING
INSTALLED NEW DASH BULBS
USED FUEL TREATMENT IN GAS TANK (CHEVRON PRODUCT)
INSTALLED NEW REAR WIPER CAP
NEW DRIVER'S SIDE SUNVISOR CLIP
INSTALLED NEW OEM POWER STEERING BELT
INSTALLED NEW OEM ALTERNATOR/SERPITINE BELT
5/11 CUSTOM WINDOW TINT
5/11 REPLACE TIMING BELT NEW @137K NEXT IS 5/14 OR 167K
REPLACE WATER PUMP @137K
FULL FRONT END SEAL KIT DONE
ALL PARTS DISSASEMBELD AND CLEANED
ALL ROLLERS REPLACED TO NEW
OIL COOLER HOUSING WITH NEW SEALS AND GASKETS
POWER STEERING RACK FLUSHED
INSTALL PROPER FLUID ATF DEXTRON IID
INSTALLED SHRADER VALVE LOW SIDE AC AT COMPRESSOR
5/11 CHANGED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TO LED (X2)
NEW POWER STEERING PULLEY INSTALLED OEM
AC FLUSHED AND VACUUM TESTED
INSTALLED PROPER 134 FITTING ON COMPRESSOR SIDE
INSTALLED NEW CAPS FOR COMPRESSOR SIDE AND TOP SIDE
6/11 REAR HATCH OVERHAUL-NEW RECIEVERS BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE
CLEAN, LUBE, AND REPLACED HARDWARE & ADJUST
REPLACED WASHER FLUID RESIVOR CAP AND WASHER TO OEM
INSTALLED NEW HOOD BADGE
7/11 INSTALLED NEW SUNROOF SEAL ON SUNROOF
7/11 WHEELS BALANCED AND ROTATED
CLEANED, REAPPLY SUNROOF SEAL ON BODY
INSTALLED NEW REAR HATCH SEAL
USED 3M WEATHERSTRIPPING
7/11 INSTALLED NEW CRANK REFERENCE SENSOR
7/11 GREASE ALL DOOR JAMBS
7/11 LUBRICATE INTERNAL COMPONETS FOR WINDOW REGULATOR
7/11 INSTALLED USED REAR SEAT BELTS AND HARDWARE
7/11 INSTALLED NEW DISTRIBUTOR CAP
7/11 INSTALLED NEW ROTOR
7/11 INSTALLED NEW ROTOR SCREW
7/11 INSTALLED NEW MAHLE OIL FILTER
7/11 INSTALLED NEW OEM INTERIOR CABIN LIGHT
7/11 NEW SHIFTER SPRING INSTALLED
7/11 SYSTEM OVERHAULED ON SHIFTER ASSEMBLY
12/11 BRAKE FLUSH
INSTALLED SUPER BLUE RACING FLUID DOT 4
INSTALLED DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SCRAPER NEW
INSTALLED NEW OEM GLOVE BOX LIGHT
INSTALLED NEW RENNBAY METAL GLOVE BOX ARMS
INSTALLED CUSTOM SPORT SEAT IGGEE SEAT COVERS
1/12 REFURBISHED, CLEANED, ALL INTERIOR WINDOW SWITCHES (3)
1/12 REFURBISHED, CLEANED; REAR WIPER SWITCH AND SUNROOF SWITCH
2/12 RIMS POLISHED. INSIDE LIP CLEANED
2/12 INSTALLED NEW SUNROOF RECIEVERS
3/12 INSTALLED REMANUFACTURED INJECTORS
3/12 ENGINE FLUSH & SEAFOAM TREAMENT TO GAS LINE AND ENGINE DONE
5/12 REPLACED EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS INCLUDING NEW HARDWARE
8/12 INSTALLED NEW OEM REAR WIPER MOTOR CABLE NUT
6/12 INSTALLED NEW REAR WIPER MOTOR CABLE NUT
6/12 INSTALLED NEW KONI YELLOW SPORT REAR SHOCKS
6/12 INSTALLED NEW KONI YELLOW SPORT FRONT STRUTS-INCLUDING ALL NEW HARDWARE AND CUSTOM CONVERSION TO RECEIVE INSERTS.
6/12 INSTALLED OEM NEW LOCK NUTS FOR STRUTS
6/12 INSTALLED OEM NEW STRUT SEALS
6/12 FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE
6/12 INSTALLED NITROGEN IN TIRES
6/12 RE-GREASED HEADLIGHT BAR AND JOINTS
6/12 INSTALLED OEM NEW IGNITION RUBBER SEAL
6/12 INSTALLED OEM NEW FOG LIGHT SCREWS
6/12 INSTALLED OEM NEW 944 REAR EMBLEM
6/12 REMOVED AFTERMARKET PIN STRIPING/HALF WAS WORN
6/12 ADDED LUCAS OIL TREATMENT-QUARTER BOTTLE
6/12 INSTALLED CORRECT FITTINGS FOR HIGH AND LOW SIDE AC PORTS
6/12 ADDED PAG 100 OIL (1 OZ)
6/12 ADDED ONE CAN OF 36OZ AND ONE CAN OF 12OZ 134A
7/12 REMOVED/ CLEANED/ AND INSTALLED NEW OEM AC CONSOLE SWITCH

Cyberpunky

Is the car you are looking at modified ? I have read that the more modified it is, the less reliable it is, and I tend to think that it's true. A common issue with these cars at their age(apart from what's mentioned above) is a lot of the original rubber needs replacing including hoses like vacuum and fuel lines , as well as suspension. If these have been replaced that can save you a lot of work

Having said that, don't be put off these cars, as owning one of these cars is the best!
peace
Cyberpunky

John_AZ

River,

Watch out on the PAG 100 OIL--thick, 1 OZ should not matter.

Use POE 100 or PAG 46

Porsche ND-8 is PAG 46

John

F40LM

Ditto

xsbank

Hey River, looks exactly like you hacked into my list! Owned the car for a year and almost identical repairs/ refurb done.

AzOnly thing I quibble with is putting nitrogen in your tires, which is a total have. Air is already 80% nitrogen - unless you are routinely taking your car to FL410 you should save your money for gas.

RamahX

Bought a members '84. He was a nut about maintenance and originality. Too many items recently done to list but high points are:
Complete front end job; new timing and balance, alternator belts, rollers, seals
New power steering system including new steering rack and updated hose
New updated water pump, hoses
New struts and shocks, replaced springs
Alignment
Replaced ball joints, tie rods etc
926 chrome rims
Deleted rear washer and plugged
New coil, dist, rotor etc
New Iridium plugs and wires
New TPS
Replaced MAS
Replaced fuel pump relay
Replaced oil and coolant sensors
A/C overhaul and new switch, parts etc (frigid : )
New clutch
Recent brakes (Ferodo)
Replaced wiper motor and regulator
New higher voltage alternator
Car painted in last couple of years
All lights, bulbs work
Replaced windshield wiper arm on steering collar
Runs Mobile 1 15W-50
Filled transaxle with Mobile 1 75W-90


A lot more small stuff

I just repaired the dreaded battery box leaks, pulled pass carpets, cleaned, beat pass seat rails with sledge hammer (rusted in place) and reworked.


Installed nice sheepskin covers (removed both seats to do it right)

He gave me a garage full of spare parts;
Polished intake manifold, reconditioned injectors, and assoc gaskets
Half case of Mahle oil filters
Bosch fuel filter and other assorted items
Set of CV joints and boots
New clock (just installed)

Shifter bushings are tight, car handles like a dream, great acceleration and stopping. Emer brake works. Elec windows had work done and work, sun roof also. All snaps etc on rear carpet, no leaks. Runs cool and strong.

Soooo, I'm all in!

RamahX

O... Now I'm running only White Gas. I wanted to benchmark it so first fillup was regular, added injector cleaner.
Next tank was WG and I feel the difference. I could be in hopeful disillusion but I live in Dahlonega, Ga Now car pulls up these mountains stronger with it. Again, I could be wrong...

Changing oil tomorrow (still M1 15W-50) again just to be sure and also benchmark it mileage wise. Also plan on a Rennbay fuel line kit and replacing oil cooler gaskets/o-rings.