SimonC

I need some specific advice about buying a 928. I live in Oslo, Norway, and don't need a car for everyday use. I drive only 3 or 4 times a week and can manage without a car if it needs to be off the road for long-term maintenance. It can be cold here in the winter, with some snow, but on really snowy days, I just dont drive.

Car taxes are incredibly high over here. A used Norwegian registered 928 costs around 30 thousand dollars, and importing one will cost about 25 thousand in toll charges. BUT, if I register a 30 year old one, it can be registered absolutely free as a veteran car. I could buy one of the early ones, and spend a few years working on it until 2008 when it will be 30 years old (arent the first ones from 1978?).

At the moment I drive a 944 from 1986. It is wonderful, and Im happy with it. It has 250 000 km on it but has never let me down. It has given me a taste for Porsche, and a V8, and I love the design of the 928 (I am a designer - so this means a lot).

I can do a fair bit of maintenance myself, but am willing to pay for professional work if its needed. I understand the risks of an old, yet technically advanced car. I recently had a Citroen XM and bled money, even though it was a wonderful car.

So, I need the following advice:
1. Should I upgrade from a 944 to a 928, based upon my usage patterns, or am I asking for trouble?
2. Is a 1978/79/80 model a really really bad choice (considering that it will save me over 25 000 dollars)?

Looking forward to your advice.

Regards

SimonC
Oslo
Norway

Pfunde

Hi Simon, just same tax issue's as here in Denmark. I've got a 78', totally restored and it runs fantastic . It's been upgraded regarding brakes/engine/clutc/gearbox/93 interior/gts mirrors . If you can find a cheap one in Germany, ($3000) and a nice lowmilage donor car from say 90 ($6000), you could get a wonderfull car. Had 928's since 88, and I'll never be without one for sure....

You're asking
1. Should I upgrade from a 944 to a 928, based upon my usage patterns, or am I asking for trouble? yes, upgrade - no trouble, if you behave
2. Is a 1978/79/80 model a really really bad choice (considering that it will save me over 25 000 dollars)? No, but it all comes back to the car you choose, how it's kept and so on.....

SimonC

Wow, thats a mighty nice 78 model you have.

Do they need such updating? - sourcing two cars and sorting it all out is a bit too much for me I guess. Or is it basically an engine swap and some interior parts you mean.

Ian928

Hello Simon!

I'm from Norway too, and I have a 1980 "S" model. My tip would be to look for a manual 78-80 in Sweden, they are just as cheap there as in Germany and easier to acces (relatively...). There also seems to be a lot of manual cars in Sweden compared in Germany. An "S" would of course be preferable, but then it would have to be a 80 or newer (there are also a few early cars with swapped in "S" engines). A good place to look is here: http://www.blocket.se

In fact, you could import a shabby 78 and a damaged 94 GTS, strip completely and paint the 78 body and then swap over everything from the GTS , thus producing a tax-free GTS. Nothing for the purists maybe, but here in Norway(and probably Denmark) it makes a lot of sense.

I have used my 928 in winter and it is totally capable.

SimonC

Could you say more about the S model change?

Simon

Ian928

Hmm... I believe the major difference is the engine: 4,7l 300hp in "S" versus 4,5l 240hp in 928. Also bigger brakes and stiffer suspension(not sure on the suspension though). Maybe taller gearing.

Externally, the "S" model was distingushed by front and rear spoiler and bodycolored rubber bumpstrips along the side. In my opinion the cleaner look of the early cars is superior.

FlyingDog

S cars also tend to come with more interior 'options' like the cassette box and rear center console, more leather, less cloth, parcel trays under the dash. I think the suspensions are the same stock, but S cars are probably more likely to have sport suspension or LSD added. The standard gearing is the same within each year.

SimonC

Is it a simple job to swap the engine for an S model, or does that require changing the wiring loom, CPU, fusebox and almost everything else?

I agree that the 78 version without rear spoiler looks a lot better. Can the spoiler be removed on the S2?

Simon

FlyingDog

An engine from an 80-83 S should be easy. An engine from an 84-86 S (S2) would be a lot of work. The spoilers are removable. To make it look right you have to fill holes replace window trim and replace the rear quarter windows.

Ian928

A lot more effective than to swap engines would be to add one of the available supercharger kits. Carl's at 928 Motorsport has centrifugal kit that is proven and produces good power: http://www.928motorsports.com/parts/stage2.php, Mark at 928 Specialists has also a prototype Autorotor kit running that looks promising and will hopefully be released soon: https://www.928gt.com/default1.htm (this is the 32V kit)

Ian

gruffalo

Hei Simon,

the early cars are great. It will be a nice upgrade over your 944, don't worry ;-) Try to find a good one, restoring a shabby 928 could (will) be (very) time and money consuming.

And the early cars also respond well to forced induction, with their low compression.

Have you read the buyers guide on www.porsche-club-norge.no

MM

SimonC

Thanks for the link to the buyers guide.

It seems like there are a lot of automatics out there. How difficult is it to change an auto to a manual?

Simon

Pfunde

Simon, I payd 4.400 Euro to have engine swap + new clucth + new a/c condenser + pick up and delivery in Germany at www.tebernum.de . And the reason to by 2 cars, parts a much cheaper that way. If you have to buy everthing bit by bit you'll end up paying big time, just my opinion/experience.
I took everything from the 93 for the interior + mirrors, and it was not that difficult, however I had to make new brackets for the rearseats, and small change to the roof, but had that done with alcantare instead of leather.

Kolbjorn S

Hei Simon,

I used to own a '82 S in Norway. I recommend you to look for a nice well-cared & looked after car, regardless of it being S or not. I highly recommend a 5-speed. You might want to give Espen at Autotuning in Fredrikstad a call, he used to own a 928 loong time back and perhaps he knows of something available. Then remember to do a proper pre-purchase inspection before buying.

lykke til!

SimonC

Finally got a 1980S Manual. Its wonderful. Have to put it away for a few years because of the customs tax until its veteran. Have driven it a couple of days now and Im hooked! Fantastic cars. I am just envious of everybody who has them as daily drivers NOW!

Now, I just have to find the battery to be able to store the damn thing (see separate thread with images of car)

Simon