1988 928 S4 Automatic value
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: TEXAS
1988 928 S4 Automatic value
I recently purchased my first Porsche, a 1988 928 S4 with supposedly 95, 000 miles on it. To be honest I bought the car to resale it because I’m really looking for an 86.5 _ 5 speed. I have records from car fax showing that the timing belt was changed at 64000 miles back on the 11th in 1998 at the dealer along with other things. The mileage on the car is not right but I have reasons to believe it has less than 120000 miles on it. Carfax is not sure if it’s a roll back or a clerical error the car is showing to have had 79,861 miles in early 2004 and then again 70,704 in early 2007 then 79,925 in late 2007 which is when the owner whom I bought it from added 15000 miles to the car and now its showing 95000 miles. My guess is that the odometer stop working and they changed it. I’m assuming the car still has less than 120,000 miles on it since it looks like the timing belt area has not been touched for a long time. Either way Im planning on buying a timing belt change kit from 928int and change it my self. The car has never been in a wreck, and the pain on the front bumper has some road chips on it, and rear bumper has some small crack s visible from 2_3 feet standing away from the car. The clear coat on the rear hatch has been completely removed by the owner. The interior is in good shape compared to the cars age but it does have some small cracks on the dash close to the windshield. What I want to know is if I made a mistake buying the car for its price. I paid 6500$ for the car the asking price was 7000. I drove the car for 4 hours straight from another state to my apartment the engine ran well and the transmission shifted smoothly. I want to know if the price I paid for the car is what its really worth or was it a good deal.
Last edited by namasgt; Nov 30, 2008 at 02:21 PM.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,306
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From: Bellevue, WA
Nice find I'd say for $6500. I'd keep it for now since market is a bit depressed. Check the belt visually through either the breather holes by removing the air tubes or removing the upper covers (search threads). There's a tool called the Kempf tool worth getting just to check and adjust TB tension. TB failure is catastrophic in S4's so a kit from one of our sponsors is great thinking.
Take a look at the coolant reservoir it looks a bit discolored. Mine looked the same and leaked about a pint a week due to a hidden crack underneath it. Also get a cover for the jump point (forward corner, passenger side) to protect from current draw or accidental arching.
Small detail but the rear badge is for a 928S vs 928S4. They look good without too (mine does) :-).
Congrats!
Take a look at the coolant reservoir it looks a bit discolored. Mine looked the same and leaked about a pint a week due to a hidden crack underneath it. Also get a cover for the jump point (forward corner, passenger side) to protect from current draw or accidental arching.
Small detail but the rear badge is for a 928S vs 928S4. They look good without too (mine does) :-).
Congrats!
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: theporscheconnection.com
replacing the belt is a must, its 10 years old and must be replaced at this point, i wouldnt even bother checking it out before hand, just buy the stuff you need and take care of all the WYIT stuff and keep driving
One of the first things i would do is replace those insane speaker grills. Or at the very least paint the chrome portions black for the time being.
One of the first things i would do is replace those insane speaker grills. Or at the very least paint the chrome portions black for the time being.
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It sounds like you got a good deal for a clean car, despite the unknown mileage.
Do you have a picture of the drivers seat?
What do you mean by "The clear coat on the rear hatch has been completely removed by the owner"?
A few things I notice are:
- missing exhaust tips
- lettering from the 83-86 928S models
- lose front spoiler (passenger side)
- missing cover over the positive battery terminal in the engine compartment
- speaker grilles from spaceship enterprise
- broken rear AC vent
It seems like with a little bit of TLC, this can become a really nice car.
Do you have a picture of the drivers seat?
What do you mean by "The clear coat on the rear hatch has been completely removed by the owner"?
A few things I notice are:
- missing exhaust tips
- lettering from the 83-86 928S models
- lose front spoiler (passenger side)
- missing cover over the positive battery terminal in the engine compartment
- speaker grilles from spaceship enterprise
- broken rear AC vent
It seems like with a little bit of TLC, this can become a really nice car.
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 4
From: TEXAS
Thanks for your kind replys.
I'm planning to do the T-belt change in spring. I don’t drive the car a lot, will also change the plugs with the original Bosch ones and replace the fuel filter
I will check the coolant, the owner told me that the radiator was changed before he bought it, he said it cost the dealer almost 2000$, and yes I don’t like the speakers either.
I'm planning to do the T-belt change in spring. I don’t drive the car a lot, will also change the plugs with the original Bosch ones and replace the fuel filter
I will check the coolant, the owner told me that the radiator was changed before he bought it, he said it cost the dealer almost 2000$, and yes I don’t like the speakers either.
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,675
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From: TEXAS
Thanks Nicole for the comment.
These pictures were taken by the owner at his work place the drivers seat does look worn but I don’t have a picture of it. The owner only send pics of the good points of the car, but he was a good fellow. The car was left in the dealer’s lot for a while before he bought it; the clear coat on the hatch on the top part (the roof part) was damaged so he basically removed it only on the top part but the paint itself is in good shape, there is some small paint bubbling around where the side mirrors are mounted (the car spent a long time in Louisiana).
I did notice the exhaust tips missing from the pictures before I went there and apparently the owner before him (probably the same person who installed those speakers from spaceship enterprise) had not only removed the big muffler but had also cut the pipes coming out of the resonators and welded these 3 inch pipe pieces to guide the exhaust gases to the ground. I was disappointed, it will cost me around 450$ for 2 used resonators and a used original muffler. But for the time being I’m taking the car to a muffler shop to bend and install 2 pipes from the resonators all the way to the back. I can’t pass inspection with the way the car is now, Texas is very strict.
The loose front spoiler was also taken care of by the owner before I went there, I took a look at it and it seems like its in good condition from underneath.
Please tell me which terminal cover is missing (where exactly is it on the engine compartment).
I noticed the broken AC vent 3 days ago, one is missing.
The leather on the two rear quarter panels has been shrinking and has come off, I don’t know if the leather can be recovered (stretched) or I need to buy new leather. But my concern is now to change the T-belt.
thanks again
These pictures were taken by the owner at his work place the drivers seat does look worn but I don’t have a picture of it. The owner only send pics of the good points of the car, but he was a good fellow. The car was left in the dealer’s lot for a while before he bought it; the clear coat on the hatch on the top part (the roof part) was damaged so he basically removed it only on the top part but the paint itself is in good shape, there is some small paint bubbling around where the side mirrors are mounted (the car spent a long time in Louisiana).
I did notice the exhaust tips missing from the pictures before I went there and apparently the owner before him (probably the same person who installed those speakers from spaceship enterprise) had not only removed the big muffler but had also cut the pipes coming out of the resonators and welded these 3 inch pipe pieces to guide the exhaust gases to the ground. I was disappointed, it will cost me around 450$ for 2 used resonators and a used original muffler. But for the time being I’m taking the car to a muffler shop to bend and install 2 pipes from the resonators all the way to the back. I can’t pass inspection with the way the car is now, Texas is very strict.
The loose front spoiler was also taken care of by the owner before I went there, I took a look at it and it seems like its in good condition from underneath.
Please tell me which terminal cover is missing (where exactly is it on the engine compartment).
I noticed the broken AC vent 3 days ago, one is missing.
The leather on the two rear quarter panels has been shrinking and has come off, I don’t know if the leather can be recovered (stretched) or I need to buy new leather. But my concern is now to change the T-belt.
thanks again
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
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Likes: 19
I almost bought that car 1 month ago from Willie down in Shreveport, LA. What concerned me was that Autocheck reported the car as being registered in a FEMA designated storm zone. Also there seemed to be some rust on the radiator and cross brace nuts in the engine compartment. I never saw that before on any other 928's. Maybe it being in an area with a lot of salt air, I don't know. As I live in Pennsylvania, and could only go by the same pictures you also were given, I decided it was too much risk with out actually seeing and driving the car. Willie also told me that it had new carpet in it and that made me wonder, why? But it is a very nice looking car with a great color combination. I'm sure my worries would have proven unwarranted and for $6500, you have plenty of room dollar wise to bring the car up to snuff and still be in it right. Just do that timing belt ASAP, or a least have it carefully inspected for cracking and proper tension. Good luck with your new Shark and welcome to the fold!
Joe
Joe
Three Wheelin'
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From: Bellevue, WA
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The clearcoat issue puzzles me. To the best of my knowledge, your car should not even have clear coat - unless it was applied later. I'm wondering, if your car got some cheap repaint at some point, that is now flaking off in some areas. Or if someone decided to just wet sand and clear coat it. The latter sounds rather unusual, but still possible.
Either way, I hope you can sort things out and get this baby into top shape. You sound like someone with the patience to do so, and I wish you best of luck!
Either way, I hope you can sort things out and get this baby into top shape. You sound like someone with the patience to do so, and I wish you best of luck!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,162
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From: Johnson City, TN
There are some options for replacing the exhaust pieces, some require a little muffler shop work, inexpensive though. Same side offset Magnaflows will work as resonators.
A number of Rennlisters report changing-out their exhausts to customs, and several have offered their old systems to others. The old systems seem to last a long time.
You might inspect motor mounts, as they would be failing now if not already replaced in its history.
Just some thoughts.
Nice looking car, by the way.
A number of Rennlisters report changing-out their exhausts to customs, and several have offered their old systems to others. The old systems seem to last a long time.
You might inspect motor mounts, as they would be failing now if not already replaced in its history.
Just some thoughts.
Nice looking car, by the way.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,742
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From: Lillington, NC
For $6500, you have a very awesome base car to start fixing and modifying.
I would definitely make the timing belt and water pump a priority on the list.
Make all the cosmetic issues last on the list.
I have a stock S4 rear muffler you can have free, just pay shipping.
I would definitely make the timing belt and water pump a priority on the list.
Make all the cosmetic issues last on the list.
I have a stock S4 rear muffler you can have free, just pay shipping.
Last edited by cold_beer839; Nov 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 4
From: TEXAS
I almost bought that car 1 month ago from Willie down in Shreveport, LA. What concerned me was that Autocheck reported the car as being registered in a FEMA designated storm zone. Also there seemed to be some rust on the radiator and cross brace nuts in the engine compartment. I never saw that before on any other 928's. Maybe it being in an area with a lot of salt air, I don't know.
Joe
Joe
Willie did talk about you being interested in the car. it took me about 5 hours inspecting the car. The carpet in the car is not new. the only carpets that he put on the car was one for the rear to cover the gas tank under the original carpet and the removable front ones which he bought from a salvage yard off a 87 928.
I knew about the flood issue that car fax was not sure of. if it was in a flood I’m assuming that it would have cost a lot of money to get the car back on the road, all the interior parts look original to me, I also checked the fuse box area no sign of water being there. If it did had flood damage the insurance should have reported, that’s if the car was insured. The car did spent a long time in an area with a lot of humidity. All the electrical work in the car (the rear hatch also) except the side mirrors, they sometimes don’t work.
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,675
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From: TEXAS
RE: TB change. Have a look at this thread:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...rken+tensioner
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...rken+tensioner
Again thanks a lot