Wessa

Firstly, Hello All.

So, Im about to buy the car i thought i'd never own!. Im really looking to be getting behind the wheel of a 1991 928 s4 in a week or so.
It's Dark blue with 80klms on the clock. Belts, suspension renewed with full service history. Link is here.. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...-596817876.htm Take a look please.

I will be picking it up from the North island in New Zealand and driving back down to the South island. A real great road trip even if we are going into Winter here.

So guys, Can you tell me the common problems, without deflating me too much lol.. Also why you are still pleased to be an owner..

Im sure i will be back with some more questions. I like the look of the rear muffler bypass mod.. Although im not really into mods..It would be a crime though not to hear the 5ltr in its full Awesomness eh..

Thanks.

Gary.

Randy V

Welcome.

You got here just in time - BEFORE buying.

Suggest you read through the New Visitor FAQ thread posted at the top of this forum. All pages. There is much info in there for the potential buyer of one of these beasts.

Then, pay a 928-savvy mechanic to do a PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) on the car. Use the inspection findings to negotiate a better price on the car. Or decide on passing on it.

Knowledge is power - don't be the guy who buys a 928 without his eyes wide open.

If you want serious assistance, post several pictures of the car, exterior, interior and engine compartment, as well as the asking price.

The gang here will tell you how much you can plan on spending to get it fully sorted, as well as if the price is appropriate for the car in question.

Good luck.

Wessa

Thanks Randy, I have now added a link.

Advice welcome guys.

Gary.

Nicole

First impression: It's a very beautiful car - beautiful color, and overall great condition. If only they had not messed with the dashboard and glove box lid...

The 1991 model is quieter than the older models, and has more power steering assist. Things to consider are similar to the other S4, GT, and GTS models.

Since it's an automatic, one thing you should definitely have checked is the pressure on the flex plate (under the cover at the back of the engine), and the crank play. The guys here can give you more details on how to measure, etc.

Best of luck with the purchase!

Wessa

Thanks for the heads up Nicole.

Although looking through the threads, the techy stuff is going way over my head. Im now thinking to much techy issues for me to handle..
Yeah, the only bug for me is the repaired damage to the dash.
The guy also has the front lower skirt too which was taken off due to catching speed humps etc...

FreedP

Find a Shark group in your area. They could be a big help. Enjoy.
Welcome to the deeeeeeeep end of the pond.

marine928

Gary, welcome aboard! Take your time and buy the best shark you can afford. It took me almost a year to pull the trigger until I found what I was looking for. The most import thing above all is the PO's past maint. records. If they are lacking or can not be verified, seriously think on passing. If there are more than 1 previous owner try and speak with them.
Above all enjoy the best example of Porsche engineering ever produced in the 80's and 90's.

Dave928S

'Smiffy' who posts on quite a few forums and occasionally here, is in NZ and would be a good person to have a chat to. He is VERY knowledgeable on 928's and may be able to help you, or advise who could help with a PPI. I'm not sure where he's located in NZ. Here's his profile page ... with PM and email contact links .... https://rennlist.com/forums/members/18431-smiffypr.html

Car generally looks pretty in pretty good condition.

BTW ... I looked at the pics and wondered what the 4 dimples on the rear panel are .. reversing sensors??

Wessa

Thanks all.

If i cant get hold of Smiffy i will get AA to give it a full PPI.
Oh, and yes reversing sensors.. A bit ugly..

The Q&A pages are interesting and helpful. The heating system is a deffo beware eh..

Hilton

G'day Gary,

If the car's in Auckland, you might want to get Motorscience to check it over for a PPI.

The owner, Peter Booth, is factory trained in 928's and used to work on them at AFN in the UK. He did my PPI (including emailing me pictures and a report) for my 89 I bought from a guy in Auckland 6 or so years ago and Peter's report was spot on. If nothing else, ask him to check the crank end play (something the AA won't do), to make sure the car isn't on the verge of thrust bearing failure. I was put onto Motorscience by some folk on the NZ 928 yahoo group (which Smiffy is on).

edit: ah just noticed is in Whangarei.. probably a bit far to get the owner to pop down to Auckland, even with the tunnel.

Gary Knox

Gary,

Nice looking car, and with the low Kms, I'm sure it will provide many thousands of enjoyable kms for you. There are quirks to maintenance of these cars, and it is money well spent to keep them maintained and not let them deteriorate.

There is a bloke named Eric McCall in Aukland who had several 928's a few years ago when I visited NZ (had dinner with he and his wife). You might contact him if you have a chance for any advice on the car. He did some of his own maintenance, as I recall.

Best wishes, and welcome aboard.

Gary Knox
928 Owners Club charter member and current Treasurer
'94 928 GTS auto
'89 928 S4 manual

namasgt

Make sure this car does not have a trust bearing failed engine (TBF). This a problem with automatic cars that the "flex plate" pressure has not been released periodically as a maintenance item. Very easy to check if you have a lift. Search for "trust bearing failure" or "TBF" or "crank end play check". There is instructions on how to do it and what the correct end play should be.
Too many times people have bought an automatic only to later find out that the engine block is cracked from TBF and they need a new engine.

namasgt

Here are two links on how to check it, note that the bolt gets torqued to 66 ft/lb a little higher than factory specs. You should also replace the old bolt with new, you cant reuse it. I would personally use a dial gauge to check the end play much more accurate than using calipers. Good Luck, car looks beautiful.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...re-w-pics.html

http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/9...earticleTH.pdf

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...pictorial.html

Also with the car on the lift check to see if the transmission is leaking any oil from behind the torque converter. The oil pump O-ring goes dry and ATF starts leaking out slowly. Transmission has to be removed to fix this.

As another inspection to be safe, I would also have the mechanic check the cam gear bolts to make sure their tight to factory specs. But your main thing right now is to check for that crank end play.

Wessa

Thanks very much for the detailed heads up and contacts guys.

I will do my best to get this stuff checked.

Also, thanks for the Welcome.

Wisconsin Joe

First thing: Welcome. You are doing yourself a favor by asking these questions before you buy the car. A lot of the "techie stuff" seems intimidating at first, but it's not all that hard. Some of it is involved, some is a royal pain in the... but most of it is doable. The experts on here (and I'm not one of them) offer advice and suggestions for anyone who asks nicely.

And it's a nice looking car, but...

Make sure the flex plate/thrust bearing is checked.

The ad says the Timing Belt has been replaced. What about the water pump? They are normally done together (often referred to as the "TB/WP"). If the water pump fails the belt will go. If the belt goes, so does the motor.

I did a quick check on the NZ$ and it's about $12k USD. That's not a bad price, if it's as good as it looks. A good inspection is well worth the cost.

And last (sorry, I can't resist):
Someone took the steering wheel out and put it back on the wrong side!!!
That really should be fixed.