Flint

Hi all, I used to be quite active here and well, with my vehicle. Sadly other life priorities have shifted focus away from the vehicle and I'm wondering what to do with it. Ideally, I'd love to be able to fix it and drive it, but there I'm afraid there is too much deferred maintenance. I had been spending so much time when I was last able to drive it just to keep it running that other issues that cropped up got no attention. The result, it barely starts, when it does, runs terrible, and was overheating. Now I could maybe fix the overheating, but my guages also failed around the same time, and you can see the snowball effect.

Now, my options are:

Sitting on it. I see the value of them is going up, but this is a typical $10k (or more) away from being worth $5 (or less). If I could solve the starting, guages, and overheating issues, I would be fine throwing some slipcovers on the trashed seats and getting a dash cap and just. And even not running it's just taking up space in my driveway so it's more of an annoyance that I can see it and not drive it. However, It'd be great to have that space again.

Or, I could sell it as a project. I've seen a few project cars with nicer bodies around me. Again $10k into $5k for someone else.

Or, part it out. It's an '84 ROW car (german guages) with good glass and possibly (according to my mechanic who's one of the rare Porsche-trained on the 928) hot non-stock cams (for a Euro) and for sure a semi-custom exhaust (mixture of 32v and 16v parts).

I haven't decided anything yet. But I'm going to give it maybe one or two more attempts to get it to start (and actually run). If I can get it to run to the extent that I can get it in and out of the garage (on an alley behind the house, not connected to front driveway), I'll keep it, otherwise try and decide between the other two options.

To be clear, I'm on the fence what to do with it. I'd prefer to be reassured that if I kept it I wouldn't be putting good money after bad. If it was ultimately that it was best to get rid of it, I'd prefer to part it and let it be an "organ donor" to other 928's--I really wouldn't want to sell it whole and let it crap out on an uninformed owner or let some idiot destroy it.

I will try and get some pics of it's current state up. Warning: it's not pretty.

hlee96

For what it's worth, '84 euro are relatively rare and parting it out would be a shame, unless the body and interior are in such a state that it is not worth for anyone.

Mechanical (engine) problems usually takes the experts almost no thought to get it running again, but as you stated, it will need plenty of cash to make it whole.

Some pics of the car will surely help us give you an honest opinion to what you should do with it. I am leaning to either your keeping it or selling it whole. Parting it out is too much work and another 1/61,000 gone for good.

Good luck with you decision,
Hoi

Eplebnista

If its a manual, you ought to be able to find some poor delusional addict who will save it.

dr bob

Flint --

Post some pics of the car including the engine bay. The factory Euro S cars in 5-speed flavor, if that's what you have, are certainly worth bringing back if the deterioration isn't too severe. Your avatar pic of a snow-covered hood isn't real encouraging, pushing this from "barn find" to "found in a field" status, but pics and your honest description will tell more.

The "$10k away from a $5k car" description has matured some in the past couple years. Both numbers are larger now. There's better recognition of the 928's in the market, and that rising tide floats most boats. It's not to the point where basket-case projects are worth more, at least not yet. But it has affected the value of the finished cars that present well. In that same period, the costs have gone up too. If you do your own work that's a Good Thing.

Markets for the first OB's ('78 - '79) and the latest GTS and GT cars seem to be seeing the most improvement. Your Euro, if it is an S and even better if it's a 5-speed, is also appreciating due to to its relative rarity here in the colonies. Its value will be as a complete restored or at least restorable car with traceable provenance.

Remember that there are other Rennlisters relatively close to you who can at least help you with your evaluation. Jeff Spahn recently went through a pretty serious refresh on his car, so can help you with costs and resto resources in your area. Reach out to him, and maybe he can help you gain some better perspective


Standing by for the picture gallery.

Landseer

Some of us have a pretty good working knowledge of 84 Euro if you want to ask some questions.

Am possibly heading out there for a job, so if things work out, could also take a look at it with you.

medipedicman

Flint if you have any desire to save the car you should really contact Chris ASAP.
What a generous offer

Socal_Tom

If you keep it will you actually use it? If so, then strong vote for keeping. If you can't say "yes" for sure and without reservation cut it loose.

Flint

Sorry it took me a while to get back with the pictures, lot on my plate at the moment.

I also didn't realize my signature line isn't showing up with the year and all, but here's the basic info on the car:

1984 Euro-S, Automatic transmission. No LSD. And yes, the passenger side fender is a US one.

monkez

I must be a little bonkers because I'm looking at this and thinking "how tough could it be? I'm sure the wife won't mind a 2nd non-running 928 in the backyard..."

For what it's worth, I'd love to see someone fix this up...

Flint

If I had the money and time, fixing it up would be my choice. I would honestly feel bad letting someone else attempt to drive or fix it knowing what I know about all its issues, hence my inclination to part it should I decide to get rid of it.

If it ran relatively reliably, and I could get some cheap car covers that didn't make the seats look worse with them on (and I wouldn't refuse one of those carpet-like dash covers at this point), I'd probably drive it once or twice a week to work (there's no way it is good for children with those seats) As far as the exterior, that crappy 80's clearcoat is annoying, maybe a wrap someday.

But at this stage, like I said, I need to get the gauges working (that's in the house, I've been trying to clean the contacts on the foil circuit board) so I can tackle the overheating issue (assuming I get it to start). It will probably need a timing belt since it's been sitting so long (I did that job the last time). And the rear suspension is sagging on the driver's side. Yes, time and money, and with two little kids both are in short supply these days.

The Deputy

I'm on the other end of the spectrum from "monkez".

Call in hospice...and let her go peacefully.

But, seriously...you're looking at a ton of money to bring that girl back to life. Sure you could throw a little bit it's way, to get it drive able again...but whatever you put into it...you'll probably never see again.

Good luck, with your decision.

Brian.

Flint

Good counterpoint, Brian. The amount of money I could potentially put into it might be better spent on finding a decent condition one. Not sure I'd do that specifically, I've since developed a thing for V8 5-series (E39's in particular, had one that was totaled in a rear-ending after only two years of ownership). But, you never know.

dr bob

Looking for that engine-bay shot showing the twin distributors of the Euro S motor. If it has that engine, the cosmetic resto costs will be justifiable. Fix it, drive it for five years or so, and you'll likely be able to recover most of the resto costs minus use. It's going to be a project, but...

Get with Jeff Spahn to find his painter and get a number for that part of the project. You are a stet away from Rob Budd at Classics9 for the interior work. That puts the mechanicals on you. Pump up the tires and that left side will come up nicely.

------

There are no extra-special fun cars that are cheap to own. This 928, another 928, the E39 you mention. None will be Toyota-cheap or Honda-reliable. Ever. And the interesting maladies that come with the cars can make them extra challenging.

Balancing all that is a reminder that no car is a good investment just looking at dollars and numbers of them. Older cars are really worse than new cars in so many ways, especially when it comes to reliability. Friends who drive new BMW's dump them before the warranty runs out. Or they get a full-maintenance lease just so they know how much and for how long; No surprises except tires. Neighbor drives an Audi Q7 with low miles. The little "maintenance" light came on. $800 just for the scheduled stuff. Any surprises are added costs. Every 3-5k?

Mine costs around a dollar a mile to drive these days. That doesn't count my maintenance/repair time (charged off as 'therapy'...), the costs of the workshop, or the costs of my time keeping it nice. The market for the cars is rising slowly, and there's that 'interesting' factor in that there just aren't many around. Does owning it make any sense? None really. At the same time, does owning -any- car make sense? I can make a substantial case for ride-sharing services and an empty garage.

Flint

My daily driver is a 2.7t A6. Yeah...

Anyway, after the 928 it seems everything ('cept the A6) is a breeze to work on. Honestly, the BMW's I've worked on were the easiest, at least that era (snap-on hoses, finger-tight torque specs, etc). The 928's hurdles seem more that more and more parts are NLA. The gauges (with all-German warnings) that I metaphorically tossed in the basement I recently learned are around $600!

Oh, and the hood cable is broken so I didn't mess with opening it for the pics, but I assure you it has the twin-dizzies in there.

docmirror

I've done a few of these so here's my take on it.

1. DIY only. If you must, or choose to pay outside labor, just stop right now and sell it here or on CL. There is NO POINT in going further if you don't do the engine, interior, and electrical work. Sure, you can farm out the paint, but everything else has to be done by your hands.

2. As a non-runner, you are way way behind the curve. Telling a buyer they have to have it shipped or towed is bad mojo. This means getting it to the point where it will run under its own power, and stop pretty reliable. This will basically add $1000 to any asking price you put on it.

3. For cripes sakes, take a vac, and a washrag to the car before posting it for sale. If you can't find 3-4 hours to clean it, then just give it away or donate to the local car donation place and take the tax credit. Nothing bugs me more than a car full of crap. grrrrr....

4. I try to buy fixers that have at least one major system in fair or good shape. I like a car with decent paint, and rough int and engine. Or good running condition but needs paint and int. Or better two of three being in decent shape. Looks like you have an all-three condition.

Clean it up some, get to run as best you can, and let it go. Others will take it from here.