Jetto65

hello,
Need your honest opinion.
Just looked at a 1987 928 S4 milage is at 117K, automatic. Pretty rough looking but the engine runs. All original. Ran a carfax and decoded the VIN. Has been sitting not running since 2011.
Known issues: injectors not working correctly. Used Quick start spray to run the engine and it ran for a minute, needs new gas tank as it leaks at high level, needs new tires and a change all the fluids. No maintenance records so timing belt, water pump and the works need to be done.
Owner will take less than 2k for it as he needs the space.

I am interested as I am looking for a long term project on my dream car. I do have a 99 Boxster already which is a great car and made me Porsche fanatic.

Is it worth it being a S4?

Cosmo Kramer

That's a pretty cheap entry price I say go for it!

Jetto65

Kramer,
that is what I am thinking being a S4

hlee96

How's the interior and exterior? Auto? Thrust Bearing issues then? Depends on how much you are planning to spent. My '89 with 86k miles and brand new paint and decent interior needs about $15-20k in work (engine refresh, torque tube, ac system) to make it perfect, not counting on making the interior perfect (?another $5-10k easily with Rob Budd/Champagne).

Anyway, $2k is not bad for an S4.

Jetto65

hlee96
front seats are decent rear need repair. The whole care is filthy but its all there with the exception of the aftermarket gear shifter missing the boot. cracks in the dashboard but original carpet. Exterior paint is oxidized but no rust noticed. Not sure about auto transmission. Owner says he moves it around out of his shop for making space (he is a mechanic and brought it from NY state 2 years ago).

Hilton

The tank leak is likely to be the sender gasket, or the breather hose from the main body to the neck.

If it isn't running at all without the started spray, its going to be either fuel pump related, or electrical short in the injector harness, or the LH fuel ecu has failed.

Sounds like it needs the usual $5-8k in parts, so if you're prepared to spend that, then have a good look at cars in the $8k price range and see if you're better starting with a cheap one, or one with better cosmetics, as once the mechanical work is up to date, the cosmetics will cost a lot to fix up.

Cosmo Kramer

Once you get into it you can assess what it needs. Worst case scenario with only 2k invested is part it out, but with that many miles (assuming the odometer works) I would hope it just needs refreshing and not major engine/trans overhaul.

Speedtoys

Buy it...put aside 8-10k for the first 12mo of work it needs.

worf928

So... basically ... a hurricane Sandy car? Maybe? Check for mold or other evidence under the carpets.

If you are looking for a multi-year project and want an auto then maybe this is the car for you. You can very easily drop $25k in parts and outside services (interior, paint, rebuilds) into a 928. Figure-in a couple of hundred hours of your labor along with a similar number of hours - if not much more - researching what and how.

If you're up for that then go for it.

karl ruiter

I got into my S4 project car for $4k. I have not tracked what I have spent on it, but not really that bad, I think. Perhaps another 3 or 4k. That includes a ps rack, brake pads and rotors, a full intake refresh, B2 piston, caliper pistons, transmission oil lines, and I don't know what all else. I don't regret it, but I would say that unless you have loads of time right now you are looking at a project that is going to drag out for many years. There is a long list of things that are wrong with the car right now, and there there is also a long list of things that will go wrong soon after you get it going. Cars that have been sitting and under maintained are like that. Just because they are sitting does not mean things don't deteriorate. The years can be whittled down a bit if you are willing to spend more. I did the intake refresh on mine something like five times before I finally had it running the way I want. If you are pony up to do the full intake refresh the first time it won't save you any money (or cost you any) but it will save you a year or two.

Mrmerlin

NOTE a shadow in the garage on jack stands could be your next step,
this condition could last for months or years

Speedtoys

Here is what you are buying:

Ninespub

^^^^^^ what he says. Speedtoys beat me by $20K but then again, he did a whole lot more "personalizing". I'll have $35K in a 928 that is still only $5K from being worth $20K. If I had the cash at one time I wouldn't do it. I'd have bought the best I could for the money. If you don't and can wait multiple years and thousands of dollars later for the satisfaction of ALMOST having it right, go for it. That being said, I still would not sell mine tomorrow for $30K. Its all about time (yours) and money (yours). At the end of the day, 2 grand will possibly net you $4-5K if you parted it out properly with the large amount of time (yours) and space to do so. Best of luck, its a very slippery slope!

77tony

This is a REAL easy one. Buy Stan's 86.5. T

Bigfoot928

I wish I had started with a roller.... I would be 20K ahead.... like that would make a difference...