Hi guys - I'm usually hanging out on the 987 forum but my wandering eye has me looking at a 1990 944 S2 coupe for a 2nd DD.

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/result/add...&frnID=8664506

All my questions most likely have been covered within the depths of the Forum but is anyone up to giving me a quick low-down on these cars? Reliability? What to look out for? I see this one mentions new timing belt and water pump. Standard stuff for the age?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

If the car doesn't come with records, I'd change out the belts, or at least pull the covers and check them. The S2 is a great daily driver. Lost of low end torque so you don't need to be shifting all the time. You'll like it.

 

I daily drive my S2 cab as much as I can during the summer. Great daily driver.
Timing belt/water pump, tension pads, and clutch seem to be the top 3 maintenance items.

 

If it hasn't been done recently(or you have no records of it being done) change out the timing chain and timing chain tensioners (top and bottom). If the timing chain goes out, you are looking at a new head or an expensive repair.

 

I raced an S2 for a season and my friend daily drove one - wonderful cars.

 

I daily drive mine, no second car so it HAS to be reliable...
Bought at 40,000km, now at 295,000km.

Only let me down as follows:

Rubber centred clutch failed. However (and if I'd known) could have kept driving it for a while as the clutch has backup drive dogs to ensure limp-home ability. A local drove like this for 8 months before replacing the clutch...

Coolant sensor in radiator failed, leaving cooling fans running and killed the battery.

Fuel pressure regulator failed (high) resulting in ECU shutdown and no start.

Water pump impeller fell off, resulting in overheating. Noticed this and shut down before any other damage.

Wiper linkage fell off due to wear, easy fix.

Rear wheel bearing got noisy, plenty of warning on this one so was able to prep for it.

That's it!

Cheers,
Mike

 

Chris here
944S2 daily driver and autocrosser.

Did the cam chain tensioner, all belts, shaft seals, fuel hoses, radiator hoses, basically went after everything rubber in the engine compartment and replaced it.

Bought just about everything off only944 and installed it.

Rear axle boots replaced, A/C compressor replaced, headlights upgraded.

A friend bottomed out the front of the car (old suspension still) and one of the radiator top mount bolts punched a hole in the top of the (old plastic) radiator side tank, hot side, and after a few tries at replacing it, I took a local 944er's advice and had an aircraft welder redo the entire hot side radiator tank in aluminum. Now it runs cooler throughout.

Apart from that, it's been a daily driver now for over 2 years. Stalwart performer and a pleasure to drive every day, and I mean drive, not just transport myself to and from.

Yes, I do work on the car myself, but have availed myself of some excellent advice both through the forums and with some local 944ers that I've met through the forums, who have been kind enough to come over and do the dirty with me, when needs be.

Coming attractions: Konis all round, 17"ers maybe, tach needs replacing, dash recover, some funkiness in the sunroof needs investigating, tailgate lock needs tightening (rattles in idle), and yes, new engine mounts. The hits just keep on coming!

HTH
Best
Chris

 

Thanks guys! Still no word from the seller. Will cal today...

 

I did mine as often as I can...as said above belts, tensioner pads ext and you should be good

 

That's a nice looking car. The Canadian version has some options I wish we had in the US, such as non-airbag.

I've had my highly modified S2 for 18 years and drive it about 2-3x per week to work, rain or shine. It has 143K miles and runs like new.

As others have said if you do purchase this car you should pull the cam cover and check the condition of the cam chain and tensioner. This particular car does not have many miles but even at 62K the chain tensioner pads could be worn. I replaced my tensioner at 50K and it had quite a bit of wear. I replaced it again just a few thousand miles ago and it had little wear... might be the Redline synthetic oil I've used for the last 18 year :-)

Good luck.

 

Hi, new to the forum but long time reader! Think I scooped the same S2 you were looking at last Thursday Must've been really close in terms of how quickly we both called the owner. Love the car but she needs a little work. Been a pretty exciting last few days.

Funny enough, it was the exact same car I looked at last year when the previous owner I purchased from beat me to it! I even purchased it on the exact same day that the seller bought it on a year ago.. It was pretty special to have seen it again and been able to finally purchase her after months of grief trying to find the right Turbo or S2.

 

Nice snag! Let me know when you get it out!

 

Congrats and enjoy!

 

What kind of work?

I was looking at the same car and speaking with the seller and given the price and pictures it seemed pretty turn-key to me.

 

Aiming for Weissach's Cars and Coffee this coming Saturday at Spanish Banks. Bring the Spyder!