I had previously owned 944s. I have been scouting around for a well-maintained, low mileage 928S4 in Guards Red with a Cashmere Biege interior for the past few months. The car is to be my daily driver. However, the plan changed this month. I was offered a 2008 Mercedes Benz C-Class as a company car. Therefore, the intent to purchase a 928 as a daily driver has fizzled away. The 928 will now become a weekend fun driver. The original budget was $20,000. My wife and I agreed to shrink the budget down to $10,000 now that there is no requirement for the 928 to become a daily driver.

I have been doing research for quite a number of months on the 928S4, including religiously reading the First-Time Buyers FAQ on this forum and following the forum discussions on 928s. I also purchased Jim Morehouse’s complete set of technical documentation to gain a better understanding of maintenance. Unfortunately, my knowledge thus far has been geared towards the 928S4 32-valve model. I am now considering a 16-valve model. But my knowledge is limited here and I need to make a fairly quick decision. This is where I need the guidance from this forum.

I came across the following ad in Pelican Parts (three owner 1984 928S, Chiffon White, 55K+ plus miles verified on Carfax, $11,000):

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=339535

The car is located in Ashland, OR (280 miles from Portland). There are no Porsche shops in Ashland. Therefore, the kind and knowledgeable owner has agreed for me to fly to Ashland today (at my cost of a $270 ticket) and drive the car north to Portland to get a PPI at my local shop. I agreed to the $11,000 asking price contingent upon the PPI not showing an major repairs exceeding $2,000. The $11,000 price includes the 16" 993 7 and 8" wheel, an in-dash Blaupunkt am/fm/cda replacement, a separate set of the original flat-dish wheels, car wheels, toolkit, original spare wheel covers and car cover.

A few areas of attraction for me towards this car are: no fear of timing belt failure killing the engine, low-mileage, interior and exterior in great condition (no dash cracks), and lack of rear air conditioning (less maintenance headaches). The owner is a religious Oregon PCA member and retiree driver.

I am not excited about the dark brown interior or the 4-speaker system, but can get used to it. I have a concern regarding the "dirty" appearance of the engine bay. However, my main concern is the actual mechanical condition of the engine. I am hoping the PPI will tell more about it (the current 3rd owner only has his and the second owner's service records). The water pump and timing belt was last changed in 2004 at 45K+miles. She now has 55K+ miles.

Do you have any purchasing advice specific to this year and model or towards this particular car? Are there any initial preventative maintenance that I should perform (e.g., change out vacuum hoses?)

Thanks in advance!

P/S.
Nicole, I will probably be looking to purchase a light-burled dash kit to update the dark brown interior if I decide to purchase the car

PP/S.
In the event that there is a future flame war between 944 and 928 owners (which I hope to be one), I hope you will understand my dilemma. I will not take sides, but just sit and watch the interesting debates. However, I will take my gloves off for the good fight if us wasserpumpers are denounced by them air-coolers!

 

Additional pics of the car:

 

More pics...

 

can't help with the specifics of 16V cars so I'll leave that to someone who can

Best bet is to find a local 928 rennlister who can come and look at it with you (Unless you know for definite that your local shop that you also know and trust, has lots of 928 experience)

I'm sure that I recall 928ers in Portland. Change the thread title to 928 Owners in Portland wanted for PPI

Cosmetically it looks very good from the pics. Wish my 88 and 90 looked that good.

 

Excellent suggestion! The Portland Rennlisters that I recollect from following this forum are 928ntlsow (Keith), PorKen and Joe F. Anyone on Portland wanna help me to take a look at the car early next week? The car is scheduled for a PPI at Stuttgart AutoTech. I can bring the car to you.

 

Hi Andrew:

First you need the car...

This looks like a very clean car for its age. You mgiht want to connect with some of the locals there and see, if anyone can go and inspect it with you. You might want to offer to buy them lunch or dinner or both for the favor - or find a local 928 expert shop to do a full pre-purchase inspection.

Under no circumstances should you buy a 928 that has not been looked over - no matter how clean it is. But clean ones are usually better taken care of overall, and more woth fixing a few potential bugs. Fixer-upper 928s can be a nightmare...

Best of luck!!!

 

Hi Andrew,
Specifically when will you have the car in Portland?

I am here for the weekend, although I do have an obligation on Sunday afternoon, but on Monday morning have to be in Eugene until Friday. If you are driving the car back to Roseburg, I would be happy to take a look at it one evening next week if you'd like to stop in Eugene on the way through.

I am assuming that if the PPI is ok, you probably won't take it back to Roseburg, but if so I am sure we can work something out.

Disclaimer: I am not a very good mechanic, but I have had 928's since about 1990 and two were 16V cars. translation: my expertise is questionable.

Let me know if I can help.

Cheers,
JF

 

Hi Joe,

I went to Medford/Ashland this morning to pick up the car from the owner. It is now in Portland after 4-1/2 journey. I scheduled a PPI with Stuttgart AutoTech (Lake Oswego) and will bring it to them on Monday.

I can't tell if you are living in Roseburg or Portland. Your post suggests Roseburg. But the location in your profile says Portland.

Assuming that you are currently in Portland....is there any chance that you may be able to take a look at it on Sunday morning before you leave for Eugene? I can drive the car to you.

If this will work, can you PM me with your contact info please? However, I can understand if you are unable to make it because of prior personal commitments. Thanks in advance!

 

If you can live with the brown interior why not this?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...0&cardist=2012

Only 35k miles!

 

Thanks for the tip Whitefox. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to purchase a 928 sight unseen. My current busy work schedule does not allow me to take a few days off to go out-of-state to inspect cars.

I have the car in my temporary possession at this time. The exterior and interior is amazingly pristine. I will know about the mechanical condition come Monday or Tuesday after the PPI.

Thanks again!

 

For that price I would expect it to be pristine. That's easily '86.5 or higher mileage S4 pricing, and an '84 just doesn't compare, powerwise.

I can take a quick look at it on Sunday. I can point out major external flaws, but I don't guarantee anything.

 

Hi PorKen,

Thanks for the help. Can you PM your contact info to me please? I'll get in touch with you!

 

Andrew, PM sent. I would also recommend that you have Ken look at it too. If you want, you can bring it to my place, we can put it up in the air and Ken can look at it at the same time. You guys let me know what you wnat to do.

I have a previous obligation at 2pm for a couple of hours. Other than that, I have some time in the morning, or in the evening if morning does not work out.

Let me know what works.

 

See you in the morning, Joe.

You actually have your liftbars out from under the car?

 

Joe and Ken,

Thanks for offering to help me with this car. See you in the morning!