Joe '87 S4

I parked my car yesterday in a parking lot and the front bottom spoiler (that's what I call it anyway) got ripped off when I backed out of the parking space. The concrete bumpers were new and very low which I noticed after the fact. I've hit other ones - just touched them and then backed away. But I heard and felt nothing and didn't realize I was that far on top of it. When I backed the car out to leave, It pulled the spoiler off, not completely but enough so it hung down in the front. I pushed it back on as good as I could and thanks to duct tape, it held on for the two hour drive home. Gotta say duct tape on the front of a Porsche just doesn't look nice. I'll take a look at it tomorrow.
My questions: What type of damage can I expect, Is the spoiler necessary or just for looks. I haven't priced one until I look at how damaged it is but not looking forward to buying one if it is damaged. Thanks for letting me vent.

Valentine911

I cracked mine on one of those concrete bumpers as well - dangit! Things cost $400.00 via 928 International. As for damage, mine was light but I intend to put a new one on this summer anyway - like the look.

cali4sun

I've driven without one for 5 years, however in searching the archives seems like it does serve a purpose....I have not driven that fast to take full advantage of it though also, I think the are closer to $500? I do want one though at some point to busy spending money right now on regular maintenance......

'89 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

blazing928

A really annoying fix, or local hardware chain, Bunnings managed to install the concrete blocks with a nail that sticks out above the block, so you can slide over it but the nail catches on the way back!
What annoyed me even more was that I looked at it and instead of lifting the front a fraction and clearing the block, thought ' ahh thats ok I will slide off like normal....not'

So, under the spoiler is a row, about 5 or 6 "Z" shaped pieces of metal that are fixed under the radiator to the body and then to the spoiler.

In my case I made some new ones and re bent the others and refitted with some larger washers.
One advantage of the Porsche way with no washers is that it will pull out limiting damage.... a large washer will hold it , so next time it will most likely break the spoiler. However you need a washer as when the head of the bolt pulls throught the spoiler it makes the hole slightly bigger. So yo will need some washer. You can pull and push the "z" bracket to get a nice straight line.

If the sides or bottom are broken, then a piece of alloy pop riveted on will fix the crack.
It took me a few hours to fix.
One plus was that I finally fixed the 'gape' look at the front as I worked out that the spoiler fits under a sort of metal tab under the radiator intake. One way to tel if a car has had the front ripped of is if it not put back on correctly and you get that gapping look , you can see a row or square intakes where the spoiler meets the body at the front. A bit of muscle and swearing helps to refit.

I run a 165mm ride height but when I get my shocks back from revalving to match the new springs I am going to 170mm to limit further damage an speed hump scrapes.

ROG100

My current price is $525 with free shipping in the States.
Not a cheap animal - glad we can buy it OEM.

Joe '87 S4

Thanks for the responses. I don't have ramps here and I'm taking it in for an oil change and general service next Wednesday so I may just let them deal with it and see what it looks like on a lift. Just really pissed me off.

JoeTaylor

Hi Joe,

Take it from another Joe, me, I have been there. Ripped mine front spoiler off the same way and got it fixed at a local shop that repairs plastic bumpers.

Here my earlier post...

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...good-news.html

I hope this helps.

I got the spoiler repaired, better than new for $170, bought some new hardware (screws and speed clips) and had it reinstalled. No hang ups anymore.

VTY,
Joe Taylor

Mrmerlin

It might be time for some driving lessons, if you have a need to find the curb with your car i would suggest to estimate how close you can get and still leave about a foot or so from the front edge of the car. Just because there is a curb or parking stop doesnt mean you have to hit it .
I hope that you get things sorted out

Joe '87 S4

Thank you, excellent source of info! Mine isn't broken like yours was just pulled forward so it may only need to be pushed back in place but I don't know if it's damaged from the rear - why it was able to pull forward. But thanks again for the link.

Joe '87 S4

My driving skills were not the problem here. These new bumpers looked to be further to the front than normal. I should have taken pics. I went in judging by the cars parked on both sides of me which also, i saw after the fact, were way in too far. If I would have stopped a foot away, I probably would be complaining now that someone smashed the rear of my car cause it was sticking out too far instead of trying to fix a spoiler.

Mrmerlin

Ok lets say this another way if there is anything under your car when you park it then you need to stop sooner so there wont be anything under the car,
besides the surface that the wheels are touching.
This may take some practice you can do this with a few bricks in an empty parking lot,
practice driving up to then and stopping so there is a foot of distance in front the front edge of the bumper to the brick, dont use other cars to judge your distance as most drivers curb their tires and thus if you follow them then you will be buying a new spoiler, alternator, A/C compressor or oil pan, I know it may sound simple but your not driving a chevy, and based on your results you need practice to learn how to park your car. good luck

Jerry Feather

Very well said!!! Duh?

Mrmerlin

I dont know how many times i have seen drivers with nice cars beach the front ends on curbs and parking stops, this might be a new concept ( to stop with room to spare) but it does need to be followed if your driving a car with a low ground clearance

JoeTaylor

Ignore it Joe, no need for driving lessons... just get your car fixed. They all told me the same crap when I tore my spoiler up.

Joe

Joe '87 S4

Thanks. Just makes me shake my head when I get advice for someone (me) who has been driving a 928 for 8+ years and have hit a parking bumper MAYBE a handful of times in parking the car. My question was how to fix it/what damage could be there, not how to park the car. But, I got under there and all the damage was to the plastic cover in the wheel wells. Apparently the previous owner did the same thing at some point and it was tied to the plastic wheel well covers with wire. That gave and it slipped off the front clips. I put it back where it belongs and drilled a few holes in the plastic cover, retied it with some wire and I assume it'll last that way another 8 years even if I don't learn how to park. Hahaha