Hi everyone, I have been researching 928's for the past 6 months and have driven quite a few. And without divulging my preferences looking for some feedback as to which models you prefer for the overall driving pleasure and reliability.

Manual trans or Auto
Which model? S/S2/S4....GTS?
If you know of any well sorted cars for sale please drop me a private message

I have a 93 MBZ 500E and cannot wait to add a 928 to the quiver.

Thanks in advance!

Bob in Orange CA

 

Welcome. You already have a MB 500E, so your off to an excellent start ! Personal preference on auto vs 5 spd, older vs newer, etc. Make the choice on what you really like.02 T

 

Thank you. The 500E is an awesome machine for anyone that knows them and one of the most comfortable performance vehicles I have been in. Doesn't feel like 93. I can only think the 928 maybe a coupe/2door similiarity.

Cheers!
Bob in So Cal!

 

Welcome to the hunt.

Our recommendation is always the latest model that you can afford.

 

Welcome. In my opinion, if you have good knees, and love performance, you will love a 5spd. Depending on which body style you prefer, the later s4s are just awsome cars but the 86.5 is one of the most awsome cars out there. I used to love the old bodys the best but changed after buying an 88s4 auto. I have to have an auto because of bad knees. I am fine unless I get stuck in traffic then can hardly get out of the car if driving the 5spd. The older cars had the doubble clutch disk and required a good push on the pedal. The new s4s mostly have the single disk and are much more managable for an old guy like me. Even with bad knees, my next purchase will be an s4 with a 5spd.

Now, there are plenty of cars out there. Don't let your excitement force you into a bad decision. You want a car that has been well maintained. Especially look for proof of when the timing belt was last changed. Mine broke the 2nd day after purchase on my first shark. Fortunately it was a 79 non-interfearance engine and didn't bend valves. The rule of thumb is that the 16 valve cars are mostly non-interference and the 32 valvers are not. (Will bend valves when TB breaks). Get to know some of the list guys that live near you and rely on their advice. Remember, there will be more cars for sale tomorrow and the day after. You can wait. Patience will really pay off in the long run. Try to find the color combination you like best but let the maintenance and current performance speak for the car. Please have a pre purchase inspection. There are some forms on it somewhere on this list.
I have bought 3 sharks on ebay and have not been too disappointed. Remember, on an auction, the car must be what they say, so try to read between the lines to figure what they are not saying.

Good luck and welcome to the family,

 

86.5 manual with LSD and sport suspension.

 

S4, auto, fast & comfortable. Great for long trips!

 

The autos in these cars are pretty great (Mercedes sourced) but I think I'd have more fun with a manual. Early bodies (pre-87) are lighter, 87+ have better aerodynamics. You can also source a kit for right around $1k that puts a fiberglass front and rear to match the later cars on the earlier lighter body (that's what I did) but then you have to find the factory signals and tails which are more expensive than the fiberglass bodywork. Price also goes up pretty dramatically with the newer body style.

'85 and '86 on the old body style had the 5.0L US engine that got 280ish hp from the factory - with a new xpipe (~$300), fuel pressure regulator (~$100) and new computer chips from Porken (~$150) they end up around 300hp at the wheels, which are probably your best bang for the buck in power. Euro engines from the same period start with more ponies but end up with less and are a little more expense to boot. The same 5.0 engine carries on from '85 up to the GTS, but they're serious money. 87 and up use different computers, so they're like the Euros, more HP up front, but you can't use Porken's chips with them, so they don't end up quite as high even with similar mods. You can get pretty close with Sharktuning, but it depends on the skill of who's tuning.

Generally, electrics are cheap, interiors are expensive, and engines are really reliable.
There are a few notable exceptions. The AC vac accumulators are about $100 a/pc and there are 7, so make sure they work. If you're like me, you think "I can still drive it without AC" but then you end up parking it all Summer because it's miserable. So make sure that works. The computers and MAF end up running around $1000 per if you need them NOW, but you can wait and find a decent deal on eBay sometimes.

86.5 is probably the sportiest, because it had the later (desirable) suspension, the bigger engine, and the lighter body. All of them are fun though, so it's a matter of preference. Mine was an '85 5.0 Auto that I got a great deal on. If I had it to do over, I'd probably have picked an '87 manual with perfect interior. But truth be told, if I'd waited, I probably wouldn't have ended up with one at all, and I still love the '85.

 

'89 S4. In manual or auto.

'89 was the last year before airbags and additional weight.
In the auto, it has the best final drive ratio for acceleration.

Great value.

If money is no object, an 89 GT is the Holy Grail of light weight and good power. This will be a 5 speed.

If you want the ultimate a GTS is just great, the wide rear looks amazing... I could look at one all day, every day.. But you will have to address oiling issues and some engine quirks. All of which can be done very nicely by Greg Brown at Precision Motorwerks.

You are very, very close to one of the very best 928 mechanics in the world. Buy a lottery ticket.

I went with an '84 16v because it is non-interference and much easier to maintain. I use it as a daily driver and couldn't be happier.

Which ever shark you go with, have Greg Brown do the PPI. Don't fall for the first one you think you like. Drive many, and only PPI the car you really want to own. Then LISTEN to what GB says.

Good Luck with the hunt, and hope to see ya at Sharktoberfest this year!

 

I'm partial to the '82 5spd myself! Really though, I think every year is a good year, just buy the best maintained and well documented shark you can find.

 

Bob since you are quite near Greg Brown you really should have him look over any 928 which you consider buying.....BEFORE YOU BUY IT !!!
My preference is always the 5 speed no matter what year. And the 89 GT is my choice for the very best 928 ever made. I have never been much of a fan of the GTS for a number of reasons not the least being a very high premium which many are willing to pay.
But I have an old ugly 1980 P O S which I still have way too much fun with on the track.