First Post, searching for a 5-speed S4
08-20-2013 | 09:07 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
First Post, searching for a 5-speed S4
This is my first post to the forum. My old toy car is selling on ebay in the next couple hours and so I'm officially in the market for a 928. I've driven a few and have settled on a 5-speed. I also prefer the styling of the later cars and the improvements to the engine and transmission so that also makes the later cars appealing. There are two "projects" locally (Denver, CO) that I've looked at, but before that I wanted to post a little bit about me from a car standpoint.
I don't have a huge budget and do the best I can supporting my wife as a home schooling mom on my meager income. That said, I do all mechanical work myself and consider myself an above average home mechanic. I have made the most of my small 2-car garage and even have a small MaxJax lift. I had the Audi I'm selling for 8 years and it's built up with OEM RS4 widebody panels and makes 420/480 at the wheels. With a friend we did time trial road racing and I even built caliper brackets and floating race rotor hats for the Wilwood brake system I designed. I LOVE cars, and am just ready to try something new and always wanted a shark. When I drove a local's GTS I knew it was the right car for me.
The reason I bother telling you all of that is so that it can be weighed in when I say I'm looking at a project. I will not be buying it, taking it to a shop and throwing money at it. I'm patient and this car will be a 2nd car that will only be driven when the sun is out. I can handle almost anything mechanically with the help of a good forum, and this seems to be that place. However I don't want to pass up good advice to "run" from a car, and that's why I'm posting here.
It looks like my budget will be around $13k. I am a power junky and would love to be able to afford a supercharger kit in addition to the car. Also, cars are well down on power at this altitude and sometimes 5psi basically makes a car feel like it's at sea level when in the mountains. So a supercharger is on my short list, but that might be impossible to do up front and I recognize that.
Car #1 I'm considering.
It's a 1989 S4 5-Speed with LSD for $7k. It's been for sale for a while and as you can imagine at that price it is ROUGH. The car needs a complete respray or it might be fun to try and vinyl wrap. It's black on black so it would also be a good candidate for a respray if I wanted to do something a little different. Interior is also hammered and probably the most worrying thing is that the dash doesn't work... at all. No speed, fuel, RPM, temp, nada. I think one of the gauges might have worked, but the ones I really wanted to work didn't. From my research on the forum that could be as minor as cleaning a ground or as major as, well, major. The real crime is that it drove beautiful. Shifts were smooth, power was strong, the LSD really laid the power down well. So it seems to be a gem mechanically that was left outside for years after the son inherited it from the father. It would be wonderful to save, but an electrical gremlin of that magnitude has me scared. That said, if I got it for $5k I could probably get my money back out of it in parts with that drivetrain.
Car #2
This is actually from a Rennlist member named Joel. He got the car after his brother died in 2009 and now has the title in hand. It's a 1987 S4 5-speed for $8,500 and has the major upside of already having a Murf stage 2 supercharger kit on it. The Venetian Blue paint has scrapes and scratches and such, but not to the point that you would be embarrassed to be seen in public. The interior however is pretty shot and the white (linen) interior doesn't really work for me. But it is pretty sound mechanically and I think the only major thing Joel was trying to sort was the AC not working and an unwillingness to idle when cold. I would plan to add an LSD right away as well as I expect this car would struggle to get the power down. This is probably my first choice at the moment.
Car #3
I can't say much about it, but it's on Autotrader and Cars.com. It's a red/black 1988 S4 5-speed in Chicago. It's been for sale for a while so I'm guessing others on here know of it and someone might have even looked at it. It looks great in the photos and priced correctly but hasn't sold. I'm hoping someone here might know more about it or live near O'Hare and be willing to look at it. At $9,900 it's the most expensive, but it would also need very little compared to the others. I think he said the AC isn't always cold (guessing a recharge would fix) and that the drivers seat needs a near gear so it doesn't move forward and back. It wouldn't leave me enough money for a supercharger, but a good chunk of change to handle any maintenance items I might need and have a head start on a kit.
I would be open to any other cars you know of that meet my guidelines. 5-speed, 5.0, under 10k. I would even entertain the right 928S or spending all $13k on the right car. An LSD would also be nice.
Hopefully this post was done correctly and I followed all of the guidelines. I'm sure as a new member I'll get my hand slapped a few times and from reading through 100's of posts on here it seems like a fair bit of hand slapping takes place. I believe I did all the mandatory reading (reading a user manual for a car I don't have was really boring!) so that I'm allowed to post. I really understand the value of a good forum and am already a member of the Rocky Mountain Sharks mailing list.
I really will do my best to be an asset to this community as well as my local 928 community. I always loved to help people with Audi stuff and it's weird to be without the Audi after all these years. I think most local owners have my cell number and address in their phones! I found that having all the specialty tools and a lift makes you very popular among your car buddies. ;-)
I don't have a huge budget and do the best I can supporting my wife as a home schooling mom on my meager income. That said, I do all mechanical work myself and consider myself an above average home mechanic. I have made the most of my small 2-car garage and even have a small MaxJax lift. I had the Audi I'm selling for 8 years and it's built up with OEM RS4 widebody panels and makes 420/480 at the wheels. With a friend we did time trial road racing and I even built caliper brackets and floating race rotor hats for the Wilwood brake system I designed. I LOVE cars, and am just ready to try something new and always wanted a shark. When I drove a local's GTS I knew it was the right car for me.
The reason I bother telling you all of that is so that it can be weighed in when I say I'm looking at a project. I will not be buying it, taking it to a shop and throwing money at it. I'm patient and this car will be a 2nd car that will only be driven when the sun is out. I can handle almost anything mechanically with the help of a good forum, and this seems to be that place. However I don't want to pass up good advice to "run" from a car, and that's why I'm posting here.
It looks like my budget will be around $13k. I am a power junky and would love to be able to afford a supercharger kit in addition to the car. Also, cars are well down on power at this altitude and sometimes 5psi basically makes a car feel like it's at sea level when in the mountains. So a supercharger is on my short list, but that might be impossible to do up front and I recognize that.
Car #1 I'm considering.
It's a 1989 S4 5-Speed with LSD for $7k. It's been for sale for a while and as you can imagine at that price it is ROUGH. The car needs a complete respray or it might be fun to try and vinyl wrap. It's black on black so it would also be a good candidate for a respray if I wanted to do something a little different. Interior is also hammered and probably the most worrying thing is that the dash doesn't work... at all. No speed, fuel, RPM, temp, nada. I think one of the gauges might have worked, but the ones I really wanted to work didn't. From my research on the forum that could be as minor as cleaning a ground or as major as, well, major. The real crime is that it drove beautiful. Shifts were smooth, power was strong, the LSD really laid the power down well. So it seems to be a gem mechanically that was left outside for years after the son inherited it from the father. It would be wonderful to save, but an electrical gremlin of that magnitude has me scared. That said, if I got it for $5k I could probably get my money back out of it in parts with that drivetrain.
Car #2
This is actually from a Rennlist member named Joel. He got the car after his brother died in 2009 and now has the title in hand. It's a 1987 S4 5-speed for $8,500 and has the major upside of already having a Murf stage 2 supercharger kit on it. The Venetian Blue paint has scrapes and scratches and such, but not to the point that you would be embarrassed to be seen in public. The interior however is pretty shot and the white (linen) interior doesn't really work for me. But it is pretty sound mechanically and I think the only major thing Joel was trying to sort was the AC not working and an unwillingness to idle when cold. I would plan to add an LSD right away as well as I expect this car would struggle to get the power down. This is probably my first choice at the moment.
Car #3
I can't say much about it, but it's on Autotrader and Cars.com. It's a red/black 1988 S4 5-speed in Chicago. It's been for sale for a while so I'm guessing others on here know of it and someone might have even looked at it. It looks great in the photos and priced correctly but hasn't sold. I'm hoping someone here might know more about it or live near O'Hare and be willing to look at it. At $9,900 it's the most expensive, but it would also need very little compared to the others. I think he said the AC isn't always cold (guessing a recharge would fix) and that the drivers seat needs a near gear so it doesn't move forward and back. It wouldn't leave me enough money for a supercharger, but a good chunk of change to handle any maintenance items I might need and have a head start on a kit.
I would be open to any other cars you know of that meet my guidelines. 5-speed, 5.0, under 10k. I would even entertain the right 928S or spending all $13k on the right car. An LSD would also be nice.
Hopefully this post was done correctly and I followed all of the guidelines. I'm sure as a new member I'll get my hand slapped a few times and from reading through 100's of posts on here it seems like a fair bit of hand slapping takes place. I believe I did all the mandatory reading (reading a user manual for a car I don't have was really boring!) so that I'm allowed to post. I really understand the value of a good forum and am already a member of the Rocky Mountain Sharks mailing list.
I really will do my best to be an asset to this community as well as my local 928 community. I always loved to help people with Audi stuff and it's weird to be without the Audi after all these years. I think most local owners have my cell number and address in their phones! I found that having all the specialty tools and a lift makes you very popular among your car buddies. ;-)
08-20-2013 | 09:19 AM
#2
Race Car
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 5
From: Greensboro, NC
Congratulations-definitely read up in the PPI info and such at the top of the forum.
Do a search-I think you'll find some info on 2 or 3 of the cars you are looking at.
There are some great local members to you who can help with a look-see and even PPI.
Do a search-I think you'll find some info on 2 or 3 of the cars you are looking at.
There are some great local members to you who can help with a look-see and even PPI.
08-20-2013 | 10:03 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
Yes, I read all of that as well. I've got a pretty good idea of what to look for, but I also know I won't be getting a perfect car. Just have to decide what I feel like tackling and what I don't. For instance to have Rob redo an entire interior in leather costs more than a stage 3 supercharger kit, so I need to pick and choose what makes sense, what I can live with till later, and what I really need right now. So much new information to take in!
08-20-2013 | 10:24 AM
#4
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 8
From: Nebraska
Welcome Chuck, Good luck with the search and you have come to the right place for advice. "These guys are good". You sound like you will make an excellent 928 owner and I really like your thinking on the supercharging.
It is a great car, especially for someone who is capable of doing most of their own work. It was the most advanced car of its time and after 20plus years it does take some care from a good wrench to stay in shape.
It is a great car, especially for someone who is capable of doing most of their own work. It was the most advanced car of its time and after 20plus years it does take some care from a good wrench to stay in shape.
08-20-2013 | 11:12 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
Thanks for the welcome RGS944, I find myself in Nebraska fairly often, maybe we can meet up some time. My wife and I met and lived in Lincoln so I'm fond of your state.
Hey Cole. Auction closed so now the serious 928 shopping starts huh? It's your fault for letting me drive yours and then sending me craigslist ads all the time... ;-)
Hey Cole. Auction closed so now the serious 928 shopping starts huh? It's your fault for letting me drive yours and then sending me craigslist ads all the time... ;-)
Trending Topics
08-20-2013 | 11:40 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 323
From: Friday Harbor, WA
Welcome! And great first post. I think your goals are realistic, and doing your own work will make a lot more things possible.
Some thoughts on the three cars you are looking at: '89's are a "sweet spot" for many folks, they have the digi-dash but not the airbags and PSD which were '90-on. I think LSD would be high on your list, and not trivial to retrofit given the transaxle design. There's been a few threads here.
Relative to boost, remember that '87 and early 88's had a lower compression ratio (9.4 vs 10:1 for later cars). For the '88 you will need the build-date off the sticker, or maybe it can be figured out from the VIN# or engine#.
A/C problems are usually not hard to fix, o-rings (and resulting lack of freon) are the usual culprits. Adding freon without replacing o-rings usually leads to frustration .
You didn't mention mileage. These cars are very solid, and high miles is not an issue-- as long as they are reasonably well cared for. A higher-miles car with good paint and interior will have a lower price, and might be a good choice.
Good hunting!
P.S. Congrats on closing the sale for your Audi!
Some thoughts on the three cars you are looking at: '89's are a "sweet spot" for many folks, they have the digi-dash but not the airbags and PSD which were '90-on. I think LSD would be high on your list, and not trivial to retrofit given the transaxle design. There's been a few threads here.
Relative to boost, remember that '87 and early 88's had a lower compression ratio (9.4 vs 10:1 for later cars). For the '88 you will need the build-date off the sticker, or maybe it can be figured out from the VIN# or engine#.
A/C problems are usually not hard to fix, o-rings (and resulting lack of freon) are the usual culprits. Adding freon without replacing o-rings usually leads to frustration .
You didn't mention mileage. These cars are very solid, and high miles is not an issue-- as long as they are reasonably well cared for. A higher-miles car with good paint and interior will have a lower price, and might be a good choice.
Good hunting!
P.S. Congrats on closing the sale for your Audi!
08-20-2013 | 12:12 PM
#9
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
.....if you want to know how deep my love for the 928 runs...
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=48252
08-20-2013 | 01:56 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 846
Likes: 2
From: Trondheim, Norway
S4 5-speed is an excellent choice, and very good value!
I know Joel (but not the car), he's definitely an honest guy who knows his cars very well, so you won't have any problems with him
I know Joel (but not the car), he's definitely an honest guy who knows his cars very well, so you won't have any problems with him
08-20-2013 | 02:31 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 33
From: Puyallup, WA
If you don't have to depend on the car as a daily driver, have room to work on it without it getting in the way if it get's laid up due to an unexpected long term repair, and you can do the work yourself, you are an ideal first time 928 owner that is limited on budget but not on time.
Look forward to reading about your future build.
08-20-2013 | 05:21 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 6
From: Y-Bridge City, Zanesville, Ohio
This link:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pors...craigslist.org
or this google search:
"porsche 928 site:craigslist.org"
Will tip you off to Craigslist listings.
But mostly I'd be patient and read this forum daily for a few months or longer.
Good luck.
Will
https://www.google.com/search?q=pors...craigslist.org
or this google search:
"porsche 928 site:craigslist.org"
Will tip you off to Craigslist listings.
But mostly I'd be patient and read this forum daily for a few months or longer.
Good luck.
Will
08-20-2013 | 05:41 PM
#13
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 8
From: Nebraska
Thanks for the welcome RGS944, I find myself in Nebraska fairly often, maybe we can meet up some time. My wife and I met and lived in Lincoln so I'm fond of your state.
Hey Cole. Auction closed so now the serious 928 shopping starts huh? It's your fault for letting me drive yours and then sending me craigslist ads all the time... ;-)
Hey Cole. Auction closed so now the serious 928 shopping starts huh? It's your fault for letting me drive yours and then sending me craigslist ads all the time... ;-)
