aerolithe

I am looking to buy a grey market 928 s4 1991. The car is presently register.
What are the differences between a North American 928 and a ROW car.
What should I look for?

Wisconsin Joe

I don't think that would be a true 'grey market' car.

Those cars had to go through a process that brought them into compliance with various DOT rules for lights, emissions and safety. Commonly called 'federalization.'
Big cue for those is the corner markers. Very often, they are just trailer lights. There will also be the turn signal repeater on the fender behind the front wheel.

The 'grey market' importing was essentially stopped in 88. Mercedes bought a bunch of congress-critters and had them stop it to keep importers from cutting into sales and profits.

I would think that a 91 would have been brought in under the 25 year rule, which means it was brought in in the past year or so. It should be unaltered.

I can't think of anything to look for that would be different than any other 91 S4.

Imo000

That's not the case if the car came to Canada after being 15 years old. In that case the car doesn't need any kind of federalization to be plated for Canadian roads. I've worked on a Japanese spec S4s with RHD headlights with Ontario plates, no extra side marker or any kinds of federalization ad-ons.

rbrtmchl

If you have signatures turned on, you can see pics of my '91 USA S4 and my '89 ROW (Japan) S4. There are differences in the front lights and in the rear lights as well. As IMO says, the '89 came with RHD H4 headlights that I still need to change out for LHD lights. Side / corner markers are also different as stated by Wisconsin Joe.

aerolithe

So, nothing like the earlier year the motor and transmission are different.

Thanks for your input

gbarron

Fog lamp assemblies are different as well. Finding a replacement unit to replace a cracked glass is a chore...ask me how I know!

Mostly the NA and ROW '87-up cars are practically identical other than lighting arrangements, some slight differences in electrcal/switches, and any county specific requirements where the car was sold (i.e. CAT overheat warning system).

rbrtmchl

aerolithe -

There is an excellent description on Wikipedia for every model year of the 928. I believe one or more Rennlisters have contributed to the Wikipedia entry, e.g. Vilhuer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_928