jpuzas

I got the go ahead to buy a previously owned C63 (2009) or something equivalent for around $45k give or take. But every time I drive the 928 there is something special about this car. I got it off my father in 1998 with 95K miles and redid a lot of items and now it has 150K. I did all the work except for timing belt and clutch stuff. Between 98 and 99 I did:
1. Remanufactured steering rack new resevoir
2. New tie rods and ends
3. New brakes all the way around including rotors
4. New CV joint boots on both half shafts inner and outer
5. Adjustable Konis all the way around stock springs
6. New wheel bearings in rear
7. Cleaned repacked and new seals on bearings in front
8. Installed clarion sound system with MB quart speakers in factory locations
9. Kinesis k28's 18" with 255's on front and 265's on rear very balanced
10. New door holders (not sure what the name is) in last 5 years
11. New fuel pump, fuel filter OEM
12. New 02 sensors OEM
13. New cap rotors, wires, coils all OEM
14. New clutch pressure plate and throw out bearing
15. All new interior bits to replace cracked plastic bits
16. Fuel pump relay
17. Timing belt, tensioner (new OEM), water pump
18. new part for water circulation near thermostat forget what it is called
19. clutch slave cylinder


Car has been maintained really well:
1. Replaced tranaxel fluid at least two times with Redline Synthetic
2. Been changing the oil with mobil 1 around every 6K
3. Changed the anti-freeze with Mercedes Benz antifreeze twice
4. Just replaced power steering fluid by sucking out and adding new till clear
5. Been replacing brake fluid at least 1 time per year

Here is what I need to do to keep it in tip top condition:
1. Rear main seal, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate. Might be able to resurface flywheel
2. Timing belt and water pump and rollers etc
3. New O2 sensors
4. fuel filter
5. new fuel lines in engine compartment
6. Bleed brakes
7. Drop tranny and fix shifter torsion spring that keeps shift lever centered (something broke and it does not return to center)
8. Transaxel fluid
9. Replace antifreeze
10. Probably due for new wires (I recently did rotors, plugs, caps)
11. Fuel pressure regulator (have to give it gas to start when hot) starts cold just perfect
12. Replace blue brake fluid hose to clutch


As you can imagine the car has been perfectly reliable. For 70K miles and 13 years car has not failed to start or stranded me. But I am looking at about $3K in parts and a fair amount of my time but I would likely have someone do clutch work and timing belt probably another $1.5K in labor plus my time for the other stuff.

I drove a friend's C63 and it is really nice but not special like the 928 and both are really fast and fun. The 450 horsepower vs. the 320 oddly enough makes it no more exciting to drive for me.

So the decision is down to sell 928 as is and get probably get $10K if I'm lucky probably $8k with the work that needs to be done and put another $37K towards a C63 and have factory warranty and fun newer car to drive. So what would you guys do?

Jeff.

Adamant1971

Buy the C63 and keep the 928 as a project. 8k is not alot of money, and not worth selling IMO.

Landseer

From your list, add intake refresh including sensors, you mentioned fuel lines, motor mounts and pan gasket, ready for brakes again, tie rod ends, etc?
The stuff you did prior to the 60K mi you put on it would be due again and the above would need to be addressed. Lots of work if you keep it. 8 might be possible if the interior and exterior are flawless, though, and its a 5 speed S4. If its an earlier car, maybe dreamin.
Looking at a solid 3000 in parts, as a budget. Reality check time, being as you are looking to make a big money decision.

tv

That is it, they are special.

With the right exhaust sound better than any merc and can go as fast you ever will want to on US roads. Just not new or pricey as the merc. Unless the sentimental value of this 928 is too much, then why not sell this one and then go after a low mile 928 GT or GTS? Cheaper and better solution.

jpuzas

Space is the problem. I have a 3 car garage and 4 cars already including mini van, station wagon, 1987 944, and the 928. Just no place to put it.

Jim Devine

Mercedes depreciation is terrible. You will probably
lose more in a couple of years than the 928 will ever cost you. Something to think about.

Adamant1971

Try a one car garage and three cars.

I would take the 928 over the 944.

jpuzas

944 is being saved for my son. I think the 928 is too much car for a 16 year old and the 944 gets 30mpg on highway. It is perfect with 150K miles and surprisingly holding up better than the 928. Not sure why - I treat them the same. It is also easier to work on and parts are cheaper.

Landseer

There is something special about 944's too. They just seem to run and run.

What year is your 928?

jpuzas

The 928 is a 1987 S4.

mickster

No matter what car your son ends up with (and I think the 928 is pretty safe from a crash-worthiness standpoint--agree being a lot of car--and cool for a 16 year old), I strongly recommend you send him to a Porsche Club of America teen driving course. I've heard nothing but good things; it teaches respect for speed, controlling a car and safety.

IcemanG17

Here is my thinking...................back in 2008 I ordered a brand new E92 M3....dual clutch paddle shift, 414hp, 8400 redline....all the modern gizmo's.....honestly the ultimate daily driver.....power-performance & still comfortable.....

However....its not a 928....not that it wasn't a GREAT car.....in the 2.5 years I owned it I lost $30k in depreciation......928's are honestly cheap to own....sure its pricey to pay a shop to turn the wrenches, but if you do it yourself, its really not that pricey....

If you are looking for more performance, you have lots of options...... Which all depend on your local smog laws and goals for the car.... 6.4L strokers are the most reliable, but also the most expensive (think almost all of your $45k budget for nice one)...but WILL pass smog......supercharger kits are around $10k, but typically won't pass smog....both will get you at least the power of the C63......

fbarnhill

Well, you just don't appreciate how special they are after driving them for a bunch of years until you sell it. Then you go through the next 5 or 6 cars trying to see why they are just not satisfying that special need that the shark fulfills. Then you go out and buy another shark all the time wishing you still had the one you already had sorted out. Spend the money getting the shark perfect, then you will really appreciate it. After finishing mine this year and taking a long road trip, I came home and told my wife that I certainly knew what it was like to drive a $80k super car and on top of that, I own it and owe nothing to anyone for it.

Best of luck,

Adamant1971

Amen

yardpro

i have a friend that bought the s550 two years ago. They paid $45,000.00. I was with him at christmas when the mercedes dealer called to see if he was interested in the new 2012 model.. It was $112,000.00

When he asked about his on trade, they offered him $19K... he lost almost $20K in value in two years....
that is ridiculous.