3rd Ride in My Finally Home S4
01-08-2009, 01:35 AM
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3rd Ride in My Finally Home S4
We've had a lot of icy weather, but fortunately, in the week I've had the car now, I've had it out three times.
I don't think I've ever known a car with as much ability to make speed almost boring. The car is obviously quite capable.
On a down note, or greed note anyway, I feel that it's NOT quite as quick as my last "performance car", a 2003 Supercharged Mustang SVT Cobra. It blows it out of the water ever other way, but the 425ish HP of the Mustang, with all its torque (and 6 speed) definitely still pulled a bit harder, despite the convertibles extra weight and relatively mediocre aerodynamics.
This will not do, of course, so, contrary to some sound advice, I'm sure, I still intend to supercharge once it's confirmed to be tip-top service/maintenance-wise. A RMB will soon compliment my X-Pipe and high-flow cats...
Meanwhile, while looking for snow tires, I seem to have struck a deal, trading some of my older toys for a 1983 Bitter SC, which itself is another cool car. More to come on that, but it has me thinking I'll just skip the snows, this year, and reserve the 928 for clear days. Next year, I'm sure I'll get snows and new rims, etc.
Do any other Rennlisters have an Bitter or had any experience with them? There's not much out on internet, it seems...
The car has seemed quite together since I've had it back. It does have a bit of a "surging" issue occasionally while idling, as well as when driving. (not all the time though...)
I'll have that vacuum part changed out soon, which hopefully is causing hard-ish shifts, low brake boost & the surging issues.
I still have no clue how the hell the engine oil dipstick could have "broken off" near it's spirally-part. Any clues???
Another anomaly is that the bezel (?) that surrounds the passanger side door-key has some play. It can be "pulled out" about 1/8". I didn't check into it yet, but I'd assume that tightening that up will require me to completely strip the interior trim from the door???
It's been cold, so even with clear roads, I'm sure I'm not coming anywhere near the potential of the car. I did get to take some turns at speed though and am blown away by what I've seen.
The brakes still seem a bit weak. Any clue on how long is "normal" to break in new pads enough to have full stopping power???
Anyway, it's been awesome. Can't wait to drive it again. Of course, I'm kind of excited to tinker around with that Bitter SC as well. It's the smaller-motored 3.0 liter version with an automatic transmission, but still, an interesting car. Certainly a rarity with only 450ish ever made. Will I be the first to offer a comparisson between the 928 and it? Hey, they're both GT's, and more or less from Germany. Same weight too. More to come...
Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania - 1989 928S4 - Auto
I don't think I've ever known a car with as much ability to make speed almost boring. The car is obviously quite capable.
On a down note, or greed note anyway, I feel that it's NOT quite as quick as my last "performance car", a 2003 Supercharged Mustang SVT Cobra. It blows it out of the water ever other way, but the 425ish HP of the Mustang, with all its torque (and 6 speed) definitely still pulled a bit harder, despite the convertibles extra weight and relatively mediocre aerodynamics.
This will not do, of course, so, contrary to some sound advice, I'm sure, I still intend to supercharge once it's confirmed to be tip-top service/maintenance-wise. A RMB will soon compliment my X-Pipe and high-flow cats...
Meanwhile, while looking for snow tires, I seem to have struck a deal, trading some of my older toys for a 1983 Bitter SC, which itself is another cool car. More to come on that, but it has me thinking I'll just skip the snows, this year, and reserve the 928 for clear days. Next year, I'm sure I'll get snows and new rims, etc.
Do any other Rennlisters have an Bitter or had any experience with them? There's not much out on internet, it seems...
The car has seemed quite together since I've had it back. It does have a bit of a "surging" issue occasionally while idling, as well as when driving. (not all the time though...)
I'll have that vacuum part changed out soon, which hopefully is causing hard-ish shifts, low brake boost & the surging issues.
I still have no clue how the hell the engine oil dipstick could have "broken off" near it's spirally-part. Any clues???
Another anomaly is that the bezel (?) that surrounds the passanger side door-key has some play. It can be "pulled out" about 1/8". I didn't check into it yet, but I'd assume that tightening that up will require me to completely strip the interior trim from the door???
It's been cold, so even with clear roads, I'm sure I'm not coming anywhere near the potential of the car. I did get to take some turns at speed though and am blown away by what I've seen.
The brakes still seem a bit weak. Any clue on how long is "normal" to break in new pads enough to have full stopping power???
Anyway, it's been awesome. Can't wait to drive it again. Of course, I'm kind of excited to tinker around with that Bitter SC as well. It's the smaller-motored 3.0 liter version with an automatic transmission, but still, an interesting car. Certainly a rarity with only 450ish ever made. Will I be the first to offer a comparisson between the 928 and it? Hey, they're both GT's, and more or less from Germany. Same weight too. More to come...
Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania - 1989 928S4 - Auto
01-08-2009, 01:48 AM
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Do any other Rennlisters have an Bitter or had any experience with them? There's not much out on internet, it seems...
Another anomaly is that the bezel (?) that surrounds the passanger side door-key has some play. It can be "pulled out" about 1/8". I didn't check into it yet, but I'd assume that tightening that up will require me to completely strip the interior trim from the door???
Another anomaly is that the bezel (?) that surrounds the passanger side door-key has some play. It can be "pulled out" about 1/8". I didn't check into it yet, but I'd assume that tightening that up will require me to completely strip the interior trim from the door???
If the lock barrel can be pulled out of the door a bit, sounds like you're missing the allen bolt that holds the lock barrel in place (under a rubber plug on the edge of the door).
There's also an anti-theft plate too inside the door; they also help hold the lock barrel in place. If the bolt is there behind the plug, then its likely you're missing the anti-theft plate - they're often not put back in by previous owners or mechanics after lock-related work, as they're fiddly to get in/out, and require stripping the door panel apart to get at.
If you do take apart the door panels to check/replace the plate, replace the door arrestor while you're in there (assuming your 928's doors don't hold themselves open any more).
01-08-2009, 02:02 AM
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Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania - '89 928S4 auto
01-08-2009, 02:03 AM
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The bitter looks like a rebadge of a Ferrari 365 GT4/400/400i/412i... Get the Ferrari instead! There are some great buys for the V12 touring car these days...I am talking decent ones in the $25k range!
01-08-2009, 02:32 AM
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01-08-2009, 02:50 AM
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The guy who runs the CA smog test place I frequent has a black Bitter SC. Cool looking car in 412ish sort of way.
01-08-2009, 03:57 AM
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When I first saw it, from a distance, I thought it was a Ferrari 400i myself. I hope to get into a 400i sort of car, hopefully this year, but this deal came about through a trade with my mechanic. I'm ditching a '86 Maserati Biturbo Spyder & a '71 Mercedes 280S towards the trade. I need space more than anything now.
The Bitter has a made in Italy body, and mostly German/American mechanicals, yet it was assembled in Austria and then delivered to Germany for testing and finishing. The car I'm getting is the 3.0 liter, but they later offered stroked versions that sported a 3.9 liter displacement. (doubled the torque)
Dam, I'd love a 400/412... Was checking out a black one on eBay this week. Even had wire wheels. Stunning!!!
Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania - '89 928S4
The Bitter has a made in Italy body, and mostly German/American mechanicals, yet it was assembled in Austria and then delivered to Germany for testing and finishing. The car I'm getting is the 3.0 liter, but they later offered stroked versions that sported a 3.9 liter displacement. (doubled the torque)
Dam, I'd love a 400/412... Was checking out a black one on eBay this week. Even had wire wheels. Stunning!!!
Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania - '89 928S4
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01-08-2009, 11:50 AM
#8
That was apparently the problem with my passenger door. Could pull the lock partly out with the key. Couldn't believe how simple the fix was, when I mentioned the problem at an independent specialist - just tightening the bolt like Bill suggests.
Nick, good luck with the Bitter. No personal experience, but remember them from older car magazines and yearbooks.
Cheers,
Erling
Nick, good luck with the Bitter. No personal experience, but remember them from older car magazines and yearbooks.
Cheers,
Erling
01-08-2009, 02:21 PM
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Nick,
Reading thru these, everyone has given good advice on the loose door lock - but we may not have been specific enough.
Open the door and look at the back edge near the lock. There should be a black rubber plug. Carefully pry it out, and look inside. Depending upon what you see, get an Allen wrench (hex key) or 10mm socket to fit the bolt. Push the lock in firmly and tighten the fastener. Replace the rubber plug.
Reading thru these, everyone has given good advice on the loose door lock - but we may not have been specific enough.
Open the door and look at the back edge near the lock. There should be a black rubber plug. Carefully pry it out, and look inside. Depending upon what you see, get an Allen wrench (hex key) or 10mm socket to fit the bolt. Push the lock in firmly and tighten the fastener. Replace the rubber plug.