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The low speed surging can be a loose, ready to shread-off-teeth timing belt. I wouldn't drive that car one single mile more without looking at the belt.
and $30k for a car in that condition sounds like a seller fishing for a sucker buyer.
Last edited by black04; 03-15-2017 at 03:21 AM.
Reason: more information
well I am of the camp that what we are seeing is not overspray under the car, from a post-build paint job. There is always over spray to some degree underneath, from the factory. If the overspray on this car was due to a later paint job, it would not be just the under carriage showing it, but things like the bolts and other components. Nobody masks the underside, and all over spray on this example is limited to the unibody parts only, just like a factory job.
also, I believe the miles are correct. The one thing miles take away that you cannot clean and get back is the zinc plating. This car's plating is still zinc colored. Dirty yes, but still looking like a lower mile sample from the shiny bits in the engine bay and underneath. Also, the seat pleats look like 30K seats to me, as well as some of the other wear items.
Whether the price is market or not, only a buyer and seller will end up knowing that, but this car is not as bad as what a number of folks here are making it out to be. BTW, I have zero interest in it, and do not know the seller. Never saw the car before.
The underbody of your car doesn't match the exterior color?
yes, my car does match; however, they are not large, splotchy areas like this.
if you look at the front driver door jamb near the front hinges, I see - what appears to be - paint on the weather stripping and other pieces... I guess it could be a reflection...
not saying that a re-spray is a sign of less than the indicated miles, but it just looks odd to me.
well I am of the camp that what we are seeing is not overspray under the car, from a post-build paint job. There is always over spray to some degree underneath, from the factory. If the overspray on this car was due to a later paint job, it would not be just the under carriage showing it, but things like the bolts and other components. Nobody masks the underside, and all over spray on this example is limited to the unibody parts only, just like a factory job.
also, I believe the miles are correct. The one thing miles take away that you cannot clean and get back is the zinc plating. This car's plating is still zinc colored. Dirty yes, but still looking like a lower mile sample from the shiny bits in the engine bay and underneath. Also, the seat pleats look like 30K seats to me, as well as some of the other wear items.
Whether the price is market or not, only a buyer and seller will end up knowing that, but this car is not as bad as what a number of folks here are making it out to be. BTW, I have zero interest in it, and do not know the seller. Never saw the car before.
To have overspray like this under the car from the factory would require that the car first be undercoated then painted. It would also require that the car be fully or nearly fully assembled before it is painted because some of the overspray in on the exhaust, the heat shields and the nose of the transmission. All of the overspray under the car is on top of the undercoating. Look at the original red paint UNDER the undercoating at two jack points shown. I can see a tape line at the corner of one of the stickers in the driver's door jamb.
As to the mileage, I think this car may have as much as 150K miles. I have an 85 with 143K miles that has seats that look nearly as good as these. A 30K car would not have the black worn off the ring around one of the key holes. The spare wheel would not be in such poor condition. The Spare tire cover would not be is such crappy condition. The covering on the rear console box would not likely be shrunken.
To have overspray like this under the car from the factory would require that the car first be undercoated then painted. It would also require that the car be fully or nearly fully assembled before it is painted because some of the overspray in on the exhaust, the heat shields and the nose of the transmission. All of the overspray under the car is on top of the undercoating. Look at the original red paint UNDER the undercoating at two jack points shown. I can see a tape line at the corner of one of the stickers in the driver's door jamb.
As to the mileage, I think this car may have as much as 150K miles. I have an 85 with 143K miles that has seats that look nearly as good as these. A 30K car would not have the black worn off the ring around one of the key holes. The spare wheel would not be in such poor condition. The Spare tire cover would not be is such crappy condition. The covering on the rear console box would not likely be shrunken.
yes... this is what I trying (albeit, poorly) to state...
again, we are just trying to ID what we see...
well I am of the camp that what we are seeing is not overspray under the car, from a post-build paint job. There is always over spray to some degree underneath, from the factory. If the overspray on this car was due to a later paint job, it would not be just the under carriage showing it, but things like the bolts and other components. Nobody masks the underside, and all over spray on this example is limited to the unibody parts only, just like a factory job.
Yep, isn't it amazing how that "over-spray" managed to miss every single nut, bolt, washer, pin, bracket, grommet, body plug, wire harness, brake line, hose, clamp, heat shield, suspension part and drive train?
BTW, did you notice any pics of a door jamb sticker? Except for a tiny glimpse of one with a bit of a curled corner and NO TAPE lines, I'm not seeing any.
Maybe my browser isn't loading all the pics.
Yep, isn't it amazing how that "over-spray" managed to miss every single nut, bolt, washer, pin, bracket, grommet, body plug, wire harness, brake line, hose, clamp, heat shield, suspension part and drive train?
BTW, did you notice any pics of a door jamb sticker? Except for a tiny glimpse of one with a bit of a curled corner and NO TAPE lines, I'm not seeing any.
Maybe my browser isn't loading all the pics.
Agreed; that's what I am seeing too. Also, that is not overspray on the exhaust and heat shields. That is a reflection. There are other glimpses of that area in close up, and no overspray apparent.
Bottom line, it doesn't really matter what we think. It is up to the prospective buyer to get a ppi and establish the actual facts and circumstances of this car. It is likely the truth is somewhere between Jerry's eye and mine.
The "overspray" issue seems to be identical to my car. (I do have the undertray as well...I removed it while performing an oil change. And it's never been painted. All original,
Also the cadmium plating is very clean AND the cosmoline is still in place on my car. The example in question just seems much more "used" for the milage.
The motor, wheel wells and interior where taken before I had even really started to clean and go over the car. No cracks in the IP.
The boot release switch functions, all accessories (including the heated seats) A/C functions as well.
All documentation came with her. including a car cover.
The mileage on my S4 was 25k when I found her a few years ago and she pretty much look the same if not better now with 32k.
So.....Honestly with only 30k miles on this same color example the mileage could be true but the storage and maintenance was subpar at best. Or the speedo stopped functioning for a bit perhaps.
in any case the amount being asked for seems quite high for this condition IMHO..
Last edited by CYTH; 03-15-2017 at 06:13 PM.
Reason: add info
The choice between $30k for an overpriced low mile auto with no service history needing $1000s in catch up maintenance vs. Stan's (Mrmerlin) black fully sorted 5-speed LSD for less should be a no btainer.
Maintenence is EVERYTHING when buying a 928. Not just what was done and when, but who did the work and the level of their competence. Forget mileage, buying a car from someone like Stan is priceless. You could easily have over $40k into that red car and sill not be nearly as nice or well sorted as Stan's. The red car is just sitting looking pretty with shiny paint and low miles in a showroom waiting for an uniformed fool with $30k burning a hole in his pocket. The miles are low and the condition of most wear items is good, but the FL salt air and lack of regular use and proper maintenance make it less valuable and desirable than a well cared for higher mile car.
If low miles and red are a must, keep looking. If not buy Stan's car. You aren't likely to find a better car at any price.
I've said it many times, I'd rather have a 928 with 200,000 miles and great maint records than a low mile one with little to no records. I've done more head gaskets on low mile cars than high mile ones.
Wow, so many responses, this really is a GREAT community of 928 owners. Thanks to everyone who chimed in to help. You guys knocked some sense into me - it's hard to resist a car with such low mileage. But you guys are right. I don't know if it was repainted, the over-spray is probably ok, but the corrosion on the fittings, the spare wheel, the trunk liner, the ratty key entry, something seems FISHY and I REALLY didn't like the seller, a true used car salesmen that could have used a good kick to the head . Anyway I did a little digging and called the last garage that serviced the car was told it needed a CONSIDERABLE amount of work so that did it for me. So if anyone knows of a mint red S4 with < 60k miles please let me know
Originally Posted by Mrmerlin
how would you feel about a turn key 88 and all of the things I listed have been done and more,
with 5 speed LSD and fresh carpet and 52k miles, cost would be less than the red car
Thank you for the offer, I might consider it if I can't find a red one to my liking :-) What happened to the rear wing ??
Originally Posted by linderpat
Agreed; that's what I am seeing too. Also, that is not overspray on the exhaust and heat shields. That is a reflection. There are other glimpses of that area in close up, and no overspray apparent.
Bottom line, it doesn't really matter what we think. It is up to the prospective buyer to get a ppi and establish the actual facts and circumstances of this car. It is likely the truth is somewhere between Jerry's eye and mine.
I think the paint was ok, the stickers on the door didn't look like they were removed and there was no masked paint line either, must have been the photos - I had an iphone and it was dark.
The "overspray" issue seems to be identical to my car. (I do have the undertray as well...I removed it while performing an oil change. And it's never been painted. All original,
Also the cadmium plating is very clean AND the cosmoline is still in place on my car. The example in question just seems much more "used" for the milage.
The motor, wheel wells and interior where taken before I had even really started to clean and go over the car. No cracks in the IP.
The boot release switch functions, all accessories (including the heated seats) A/C functions as well.
All documentation came with her. including a car cover.
The mileage on my S4 was 25k when I found her a few years ago and she pretty much look the same if not better now with 32k.
So.....Honestly with only 30k miles on this same color example the mileage could be true but the storage and maintenance was subpar at best. Or the speedo stopped functioning for a bit perhaps.
in any case the amount being asked for seems quite high for this condition IMHO..
I know so many on the forum have "issues" with low mileage cars but in this case the experience has been stellar! I couldn't be happier and continue to do it's upkeep and maintenance...More of a therapeutic exercise I must say...
Manual, LSD, NO rear A/C was exactly what I was looking for. Admittedly I wasn't a great fan of red but with the tan interior it's offsets nicely and I've grown used to it. Since it's all original paint and purchased used decades after manufacture I guess one can't get too choosy..
Below images are when I was prepping the paint for a local concours show...
Last edited by CYTH; 03-16-2017 at 04:59 PM.
Reason: reorder text and images
03-15-2017, 03:20 AM
. Anyway I did a little digging and called the last garage that serviced the car was told it needed a CONSIDERABLE amount of work so that did it for me. So if anyone knows of a mint red S4 with < 60k miles please let me know 
