993RSCS

I have an opportunity to buy a 60,000 mile S4 5 speed manual with 60,000 miles, 3 owners, which has been sitting in a warehouse for 10 years. Current owner bought car 11 years ago, drove about 400 miles, then parked the car. He said when he parted the car, it ran but had some vacuum leak problem so didn't run correctly.

Paint is in pretty good shape, interior is in very good shape - no cracks in dash, leather in great shape as is carpet. Engine has not been run in 4 years.

I checked the car out yesterday and one thing that is definitely wrong is the shifter. The shifter seems to be very loose, with the ability to put the car in reverse then pull the lever over to right easily to where 4th gear is. The owner reports that there were no issues with tranny when car ran last. Does anyone have any thoughts on what could be wrong with gear box? Possibly a linkage issue?

Any thoughts on how much is would cost to get this baby running again? Engine is not locked - I was able to put car in gear and move back and forth, seeing fanbelts turn. No oil leaks where car has sat for 10 years.

CraigL

That sounds like a loose or worn rear shift coupler, which should be an easy fix once you put the car on a lift, jack stands or liftbar.

Gary Knox

And/or a loose/worn ball cup on the front shifter rod.

G--

F451

Have you driven any manual 928 S4's as comparison? I was shocked at how loose the 928 shifters have felt in perfectly fine running and shifting 928's. Not to mention the super long throws.

At this point in their lifespan they all will need the shifter mechanism freshened up if it has not already been done IMO.

And the cost of getting it running, could be minimal, but getting it into safe daily driver condition, that's a whole 'nother discussion and would likely not be cheap.

If the initial buy in is low enough, it might be a fun project.

993RSCS

I actually have never driven a 928. Perhaps the shifter is normal, although I've been driving manual transmission cars for 30 years and have never felt anything so vague and loose.

I have known of this car since a collegue of mine bought it in 2001 from a rennlister in Oklahoma. I've been talking to him for years about selling it and he is finally ready. I'd like to get it into good running shape, which will require new tires, cleaning out fuel system, probably changing fluids and plugs. Do you think I could get all of that done what $? Less then $4k? $8k? Selling price is pretty cheap but not a give away (not cheap if it costs $10k to get it perfect), and I realize car is probably worth $12-14k if running well and sorted out.

Thanks for all the info.

Paul

Hilton

Your first stop should be someone localish with a good running 5-speed, so you can see what the car could be like. Plus the knowledge you'll gain from talking to owners is valuable. Get in touch with rennlister SeanR - he works on 928's for a living and is in TX. He'll be able to quote for the "usual" slew of fixing up an S4 (its all pretty common age-related stuff).

Assuming it needs all the usual maintenance, I'd bank on around $5k in parts to make it drive really well - that would fix pretty much all the major systems including: intake and cam cover seals/sensors, all the rubber hoses, plugs/wires/caps/rotors/MAF, timing belt/water pump, new shocks, AC refurb, shifter linkages, all fluids, engine mounts and pan gasket. That price assumes you're doing your own work, and there are no nasty surprises (like bent valves, ABS pump, ECU rebuild etc.).

The shifter linkage decays badly in these cars - there are multiple plastic bushings between the shifter and the transmission, and if they're breaking up, it will be very sloppy. Easily put back to stock with about $35 in parts and some cursing, or changed to a short-shifter for somewhere around the $100-150 price point depending on which shifter setup you go with.

James Bailey

it will need the t-belt/water pump service as well as intake reseal, all coolant hoses, idle stabilizer etc. but is low miles and a 5 speed !!

F451

Don't forget the fuel lines!

Don Carter

I would pass on it and PM me the seller's phone#

Bilal928S4

Yeah Don,
And how many 928's is enough?
I am a 928 addict and I have been sober for the last 15 minutes.
Aaah, forget it. Give me a fix.

justaguy

You need to talk to speedtoys he just went through this with his car.

Tom in Austin

IMO, there's a lot to do to get a 928 into 'good running shape', especially if you take care of all the 'while you're at its'. I've spent more than $15K on mine (so far), and have done nearly all of the small stuff myself. Definitely consult with Sean since he knows everything on 928s and is just up the road in Denton.

993RSCS

Do you know the name of his shop in Denton? I'll try to get in touch with him. I'm going to go ahead with the project - hopefully it will not be too much.

Thanks again for all the info.

Paul

993RSCS

found it - just called.