esanmiguel

Hello, its me again. n00b member here.
I just aquired my 87 Porsche 944 that has 140 on the odo. I have receipts that the timin belt was done as well as the mounts , clutch, and brakes. The timing belt was done 40k miles ago. I plan on not driving this car anymore until I replace the timing belt/water pump/tensioner.

My question is, at 140K, how much more miles can I still get with this car, assuming all belts are changed, synthetic oil is used, and all fluids and cooling system is maintained ? Is it uncommon to go 200K miles before a major rebuild? Again, this is my first German car coming off Japanese cars where 200K miles plus are no problems. How many 944 guys out there has 200K miles or more on the original engine ?

In regards, to my particular 944, the engine is rather strong all the way to redline. I am not burning white smoke and so far not burning oil. I havent done a compression test yet, but the car definitiely runs well However, I have never driven any other 944's so I cannot compare.

tod84944

If the engine is taking care of, 200k should be no problem. I have talked to folks that have gone past that point. The trick is regualr maintance and the timing belt changed out and prorerly tensioned. I think you will find the build quailty in the 944 better than in the jap cars. How many 20 yr old datsuns do you see sreaming down the highway? Or toyota or honda. Actually I can't think of anyone with a 84 car from Japan.

944Play

Rod bearings are a possible weak point, but perhaps only on engines with lots of track time. Do a search. When the time comes, check your drain plug for the Xmas tree of death.

My 944 suffered some internal corrosion, causing a HG failure. A previous owner obviously did not change the coolant fastidiously. The point is, regular maintenance is the important thing.

esanmiguel

Thanks for the reply.. However, I have to defend Datsun! Before this Porsche, I used to have a 1972 Datsun 240Z that had an L28 running dual SU carbs. The L series are legendary for reliability and simplicity. Its too bad I had to sell that car a couple of years ago. Dont care much about other Jap cars, I was simply a Nissan addict

Now my hobby is this Porsche :

triscadek

Someone here has I don't remember which 944 with over 330,000 miles and I don't believe he has even pulled the head.

My 87 S has 184,000 miles on it and I have no qualms about flogging it.

Still runs like the ape with the stripe on his ....

MM951

Hey, I must defend datsun too! I gotta 83 280ZX with the l28e engine...and that thing is just a awesome car, if rusty...I've seen plenty 20+ year old datsuns running around...but still..944 engine is bulletproof!

tod84944

I will agree that the 240 Z was a legendary (did I spell that right) car. It didn't have the look of Japanese cars of the time or of today. It is a good looking car. I'm just not a fan of the civics's and the others. To me, they are just ugly cars. But I will stand by my statement that you will not find many 20 yr old cars that have held up as well as the Posrsche, granted at the price of the cars when they were new, they more than likely had more time put in on schedule work. I hope that I didn't offend your ownership of the 240 Z.
'

Tremelune

My car's got 140k...I swear to god it could take a grenade hit. Pulls to redline smooth, never burned a drop of oil...

Just change the fluids and the belts on time. I don't often read about engine internals being the death of a car around here, except for timing belts.

Bruce '89 s2

256,00+ miles no probs. Mobil-1 0/40 every 6k

ilikemy944

177,000 miles day before yesterday, no internal engine work at all, a few seals tho.
I flog it very hard on a daily basis, including driving from GA to OH for 944 fest

140 is new life

v944god

944 engines are just as reliable as any other engine.

I've never worried about the engine.

SidViscous

142+ here. Daily driver with occasionall 4 hour + jaunts to NY City or Montreal and the like. Only had one serious problem and that only delayed me for about an hour (Coil).

Take care of it and you'll get another 140K.

pete944

I have 175,000 miles on mine and I'm shootin for half a million.
Wade B here on the 'List has 275,000+ on his 86 944 and the engine is all original. (even the clutch!)
If well maintained they will run forever.

jenket944

Personally just hit 100k yesterday on the drive back from winning ES at the Central Florida SCCA Solo II! Nice way to celebrate, eh?

Tremelune

256k on an original clutch? That is a man to buy cars from.