Carrera 4S questions

[Ron.G]

I'm going to look at a 1989 1/2 Carrera 4S with a friend of mine who might be interested in buying, depending on the condition and a PPI.
Anyone care to share there opinions on this year car? any thing to look for that might be known problems with these cars? All wheel drive sounds like it could get a bit technical and expensive.
I don't know much about this model so any info would be great.

Whats with the half year thing?

[vreference]

The consensus is that the Carrera4 AWD system is expensive to repair and generally to be avoided unless you need AWD to deal with weather. I haven't heard much from anyone about how often their C4's AWD is in need of repair but I gather they aren't utterly bullet-proof. The flip side is that, from my experience, you can get more for you money with the C4 vs. a C2; most buyers avoid the extra weight and complexity of the C4. The C2/C4 differences have been discussed ad nauseum but I’m not sure if you’ll find much about the C4S; I’m not familiar with the model myself.

[Ron.G]

Thanks for that info.
I'll do a little more digging and see what else I can find.

[Bill Verburg]

964 C4 used a "Star Wars" AWD system. They work great on slippery roads when new. As they age maintenance costs rise geometrically. If you really want AWD look at 993 which has a lighter, more sporting and less complicated AWD setup

Joel Reiser wriote a nice article in the April '07 issue of Pano

some tidbits

There are wear parts that will require replacement, like the clutch pack at the front of the transmission

lateral and longitudinal acceleration sensors have been known to fail @ ~$2k a pop

another wear item torque tube bearings, new tube ~$2k, rebuilt ~$1.4k +labor

[silverc4s]

Oh yeah, 1989 1/2, remember it well. This was the USA introduction of the 964. The first cars here were all C4's, all sunroof coupes, all guards red with black interior. There may have been a few exceptions, but if that is the description of the car you are looking at, it is most likely one of the first built/imoprted by PCNA, while the 1989 3.2 911 Carreras were still being built and sold here.

They are heavy, the 4wd system is NOT for sporting use, but more for driving in foul weather. and as has been said there are way too many mechanical bits and most are probably wearing out as we speak.

993 is the best choice for 4wd, IMHO

[Pingo]

Originally Posted by silverc4s

the 4wd system is NOT for sporting use, but more for driving in foul weather. and as has been said there are way too many mechanical bits and most are probably wearing out as we speak.

I have never heard of a single 964 C4 which has needed major work to the AWD system. And not for sporting use.????

The system has it's origin from the 959.

[Ron.G]

Thanks guys. I think that pretty much rules it out as a track car.