911 owner thinking about a 928 S4
06-16-2005, 10:54 AM
#16
928 Collector
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Vinny look around a lot before you buy. 11k for an unmaintained '88 S4 auto ..... would have to be in perfect shape.
Money pit:
Yes. Very possible. The only way to know if it's one is to have a 928 guy look it over. Oil leaks? $$$ Performance issues? $$$ Noises? $$$ If you get a good 928 it will not cost any more than any other car to maintain. Look around and learn a lot first.
Money pit:
Yes. Very possible. The only way to know if it's one is to have a 928 guy look it over. Oil leaks? $$$ Performance issues? $$$ Noises? $$$ If you get a good 928 it will not cost any more than any other car to maintain. Look around and learn a lot first.
06-16-2005, 11:36 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by VinnyC
... coments are much appreciated - especially yours Dave C.
Here is the problem. The car is in Ct. ...in Milford
06-16-2005, 11:39 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
PPI
Vinny: These shops are prob too far away, but they might be able to suggest a mechanic in the area. Paul at PAR, owner of pcar dealer, in New Rochelle, 914-637-8800. Cheech of Rennwerke, Elmsford, NY, independent Pcar shop, 914-592-4006.
I would only add to the thorough answers here, if the owner was a car "fanatic" I'll have to change my definition to include mechanical neglect which is what 63K on a Tbelt is. You know used car salesmen never have maint. histories, if they do, and you believe them, you are at risk to put it nicely.
I would only add to the thorough answers here, if the owner was a car "fanatic" I'll have to change my definition to include mechanical neglect which is what 63K on a Tbelt is. You know used car salesmen never have maint. histories, if they do, and you believe them, you are at risk to put it nicely.
06-16-2005, 12:59 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
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I also recommend Paul at Par Cars however he probably has one or two 928s with records sitting in his showroom to sell you as well. Might as well check it out.
06-16-2005, 06:04 PM
#21
USMarine
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Originally Posted by VinnyC
I am new to the forum an have been considering a 928 purchase. I have been a "911 Guy" for many years and have been recently intrigued by the 928. The shark styling and classic 928 headlights have captured my attention. I have not seen one on the road in years. Recently at a NY PCA concours I saw a few 928's that really turned me on to it. I don't know much about them but I have been trying to read as much as possible. Rennlist is a great source of info.
I came across a 1988 928S4 w/ 63,000 miles and think it is priced fairly at $11,995.00. Since the book value on these cars is never the market value, I'm wondering if It is a good deal. I have not been able to obtain any service information, but I have been told that the car is original - meaning no belts changed or water pump, etc. The car looks clean.
My biggest concern is that I'm going to end up with a money pit. I've always had the impression that the 928 was difficult and expensive to work on. In addition, it's difficult to find a qualified mechanic or shop to do the work. These impressions may be totally wrong and thats why I need some help on this.
Is this a good deal?
Is the cost of ownership very high??
What should I look for???
Does anyone bring their 928 to the Porsche Dealer for repair anymore????
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I came across a 1988 928S4 w/ 63,000 miles and think it is priced fairly at $11,995.00. Since the book value on these cars is never the market value, I'm wondering if It is a good deal. I have not been able to obtain any service information, but I have been told that the car is original - meaning no belts changed or water pump, etc. The car looks clean.
My biggest concern is that I'm going to end up with a money pit. I've always had the impression that the 928 was difficult and expensive to work on. In addition, it's difficult to find a qualified mechanic or shop to do the work. These impressions may be totally wrong and thats why I need some help on this.
Is this a good deal?
Is the cost of ownership very high??
What should I look for???
Does anyone bring their 928 to the Porsche Dealer for repair anymore????
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.928s4vr.com/shark.htm
In my opinion you can't go wrong with a 60Kmiles "88 928 at $11K if the work you have to put into it is not too extreme but I would be willing to bet if you had about $5K-7K set aside the you could put into the car it will be just fine.
and yes "I would buy it".
06-16-2005, 09:08 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by MarkRobinson
I went the opposite route: had a few 928's before I bought my 911 turbo. 
Love them dearly, though price difference is obscene.
Love them dearly, though price difference is obscene.
06-16-2005, 11:45 PM
#23
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Dave C. knows his stuff.
I think any running S4 of that age will need a pretty thorough maintenance catch-up if you want to count on it and really drive it, and if it has had minimal maintenance....there's a lot to do. And YOU are going to do it.
Miles or not, age and not being driven is bad for these cars as well.
The whole point of owning a 928 is to drive it as much as possible and enjoy it for what it does.
I think any running S4 of that age will need a pretty thorough maintenance catch-up if you want to count on it and really drive it, and if it has had minimal maintenance....there's a lot to do. And YOU are going to do it.
Miles or not, age and not being driven is bad for these cars as well.
The whole point of owning a 928 is to drive it as much as possible and enjoy it for what it does.
06-17-2005, 09:29 AM
#24
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Hi Vinny,
Some Air Cooled owners are making the plung into shark infested waters. They have joined this forum & already have thier sharks. Looks like your not far behind. Like Dave C. has said, not driving these cars is the worst thing you can do to these cars. My brothers car has over 200k and just had a compression test done and the #s were outstanding. To quote Justin's sig . . . "Drive it like you stole it." Search the Rennlist classifieds for a shark. No one takes better care of there cars than a Rennlist member. Good luck with your search.
Some Air Cooled owners are making the plung into shark infested waters. They have joined this forum & already have thier sharks. Looks like your not far behind. Like Dave C. has said, not driving these cars is the worst thing you can do to these cars. My brothers car has over 200k and just had a compression test done and the #s were outstanding. To quote Justin's sig . . . "Drive it like you stole it." Search the Rennlist classifieds for a shark. No one takes better care of there cars than a Rennlist member. Good luck with your search.
06-17-2005, 10:17 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
Vinny,
Spent a couple of hours last night swapping out the stock rear rotors with cast hole rotors and new pads. It was no different than working on the turbo. Piece of cake except for the spacer that was stuck on the hub. Took a little work nothing a little might can't resolve.
These things really are a marvel from down below. From what I have gathered from my few months of ownership is that other than the Timing Belt, general maintenance is pretty straight forward and can be handled by the average enthusiast so long as you don't mind getting dirty and throwing your back out on occasion.
Oh and you have to worry about that coolant stuff, makes for a slippery mess. 
I would agree with everyone here that changing the rubber components (hoses etc) would be a high priority, along with a TB check or replacement. I did that in the first week or so along with coolant and radiator flush. Made a big improvement, temp is perfect even with the A/C on full. Was a beggar of a job but once you figure it out it is really pretty straight forward. The piece of mind knowing it was done is well worth it.
Good Luck
Spent a couple of hours last night swapping out the stock rear rotors with cast hole rotors and new pads. It was no different than working on the turbo. Piece of cake except for the spacer that was stuck on the hub. Took a little work nothing a little might can't resolve.
These things really are a marvel from down below. From what I have gathered from my few months of ownership is that other than the Timing Belt, general maintenance is pretty straight forward and can be handled by the average enthusiast so long as you don't mind getting dirty and throwing your back out on occasion.
Oh and you have to worry about that coolant stuff, makes for a slippery mess. I would agree with everyone here that changing the rubber components (hoses etc) would be a high priority, along with a TB check or replacement. I did that in the first week or so along with coolant and radiator flush. Made a big improvement, temp is perfect even with the A/C on full. Was a beggar of a job but once you figure it out it is really pretty straight forward. The piece of mind knowing it was done is well worth it.
Good Luck
