schnellfahrer

Was anything different on the 85 951 from the 86 951? Is there any reason not to buy a 85? (85-87 models are priced equally in Norway).

Appriciate any info.

Eivind

Cyrus951

lol, sorry for the hijack, but your avatar is amazing lmfao

Tom M'Guinn

The only thing that occurs to me is that the car is more likely to have un-updated parts, like a 2 piece cross-over pipe, crack-prone headers, etc. Of course, if it has lasted this long, the parts are either working or they've been replaced by now. Also,like an 86, it will have the older style front brakes, no air bags, etc.

jedi951

the 951 didnt get revised until 87 so if I were you I would probably go for an 87 since it at least had the peace of mind of the automatic tenssioner, though still questionable its better than not to have it. Also you might already get the two piece cross over like Tom stated along with non broken accordion headers, unlike mine. Plus of course will be easier to sell being a newer model.

Peckster

87's have a different offset that will take more styles of wheels.

Earlier ones have a transaxel oil cooler and forged rods.

TonyG

jedi951

>>>I were you I would probably go for an 87 since it at least had the peace of mind of the automatic tenssioner, though still questionable its better than not to have it.<<<

It's not an automatic tensioner.

An automatic tensioner would tension the belt automatically.

None of th924/944/S2/951's have such a device.


The only thing it's good for is to set the tension for you when you loosen the locking nuts so you don't have to use a belt tension measuring tool.


It is better to have it for the reason I mentioned above. But it makes zero difference in the reliability of the car, the timing belt, etc...

If you do not work on your own cars (ie change the timing belt) it will make zero difference.

It's only a benefit if you do the work on your own car. Any shop that you would pay money to, to have the timing belt change should own the proper belt tension tool 99% say they do in fact have it. But ask to see it and you'll get all sorts of excuses...

TonyG

TonyG

Also the early 944 turbos have the following expensive problems unless corrected by a previous owner

1. Early style 1-4 header with no expansion joint (even more prone to cracking than all the rest of the 951 headers which are prone to cracking).

2. Early style, non insulated 1 piece cross over pipe


These are the biggies.

The air bags with the later models are not something I would consider an advantage since they are gen1 airbags, and the explosive charges contained therein are getting real old as are the sensors/triggering devices, and the wiring (corrosion) connections.

I dumped mine in my '88 and went with an '86 dash/steering wheel for that reason (plus you save considerable weight).

TonyG

TonyG

>>>87's have a different offset that will take more styles of wheels.<<<


If you plan to use or perfer the later style factory Porsche wheels.

If you like the earlier factory Porsche wheels or are going to go to aftermarket wheels, the offset will make zero difference for wheel choice as you can order any aftermarket wheel (99.9%) with early or late offset.


Also tranny oil coolers can be had on any year of car.

TonyG

Tb311

So between 85-89 what would be the best year to get, the 87? I am looking to get a 951 too and I would your opinions. As I have noticed most people have the 86, any reason why?

lart951

The Turbo S models from 88 - 89 keep their values better if they are left unmolested, also you pay extra for them because they have better brakes, larger turbo better suspension, so it doesn't make sense to buy a 89 to upgrade the car. If you are looking to mod the car Extensively I guess 86 -87 would be a better alternative.

I could be wrong since I am new in the forum, but let the experts enlighten us.

Danno

I've seen early '85 951s and they were actually hybrids with the 944NA. Had the early-style square dash and single-sided calipers with 15" wheels.

Ahmet

Yes, but it was one of the rarest options. I don't think one's likely to see a 87 or 88 (non S) model turbo w/one. Adding the cooler would require disassembly of the transaxle to fit the cooler drive gear onto the diff.

Danno, how many have you seen? I've heard that only about 26 of them were made in early 85 (before the metal workers strike), that used the early interior +15 inch wheels. I would be curious about what type of calipers they used, if you have further info.

Tb311, you see more 86s around because more of those were made than any other year of the 944 turbo. I like the 86s because there's plenty of them out there to choose from, the forged rods, standard tranny cooler and they're lighter. With that said the later models have various improvements, the only one of value to me is ABS and better front suspension geometry +slightly better front calipers (more even pad wear). That's excluding the turbo S' ofcourse, which have lots of extra stuff. I would decide on an 85/86 or later car based on if I want ABS or not!
Ahmet

Danno

"you see more 86s around because more of those were made than any other year of the 944 turbo. "

More than all the later model-years combined.

KLR

I've always wondered about that. Does anyone know why they made/sold so many in the first year and never had the same success afterwards? Was it that the price increased? Or did the 944S, S2, and G50 911 poach sales, or what? I can't imagine that the car got a bad rap after it's first year, since there weren't any notable problems in year 1 with the '86s.

TonyG

Ahmet

The issue of a tranny cooler is irrelevant anyway without the LSD being an option.



TonyG