1985 928 S Questions

[KingSalmon911SC]

Hello All;
I am considering purchasing a 1985 928S, Automatic, Low Miles. Are there an specific issues (Positive/Negative) with this particular year 928?
Thank You;
Richard

[Danglerb]

Have a professional inspection done by a mechanic that works on as many 928's as possible. It should take maybe 2 or 3 hours, but maybe 1/3 or more you could do yourself with a check list and a helper (verify everything electrical, fans, switches, motors, bulbs) the rest needs a pro and a lift. In the first half hour the mechanic should know if the car is too bad to bother with a full inspection, but best to work that out ahead of time.

Here is a list of mechanics people like.
http://www.eatel.net/~dslabat/mech.htm

Low miles as in 10k or less than 100k?

BTW anything on ebay, cars.com, craigslist, autotrader, hemmings, collectorcar, etc. etc. has already been looked over by the sharp guys, and may have a thread even discussing someplace.

Don't skip doing a carfax or autocheck or both.

Good luck, and the more you tell us, the more we can help.

[Danglerb]

And to answer your basic question, regarding the 1985 model year, is it a US or Euro?

1985 is an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks the valves hit the pistons.
It uses an older version of fuel injection brains without diagnostic outputs or knock detection, but if you can find a shop with the latest SharkTuner it can be tuned (chips made for the brains).
It doesn't normally have the issue with the torque tube pinch clamp that later models do.
1985 is the old body style, which changes in 1987, and a unique 288 hp 32v motor that also changed in 1987 to 315 hp with a different head and intake system.

Generally its the cheapest priced 32v 928, kind of in the middle between the earlier 16v and newer S4.

[MGW-Fla]

I've owned two US '85s & if its been well cared for & is in good shape, its alot of 928 for the money. Timing belt & water pump are paramount, so if there's no documentation of when those were last done, I'd make that a priority 1st thing. Much cheaper than the upper half of the engine if the belt breaks. The US 85-86s were detuned, & have lots of room for increasing the HP & torque. Probably more so than the other models. The most inexpensive two ways are chips and an xpipe with the cats removed.

[KingSalmon911SC]

Thanks for the response! The car is for sale by owner with 38,000+ miles, perfect CarFax. All records are just service at required intervals. I am somewhat nervous about deterioration from sitting; albeit, inside storage & driven occasionally to keep battery & fluids up. The car is in the lower 48. I am hoping that my friend, Marshall "Red" Jones of Northwest Motorsports in Boise, Idaho, can inspect it. I have owned 2 - 914-6's & a 69 911; however, I have no ownership experience with 928's.
Lastly, I don't know if there is "One Year(s)" 928 to Buy & "One Year(s)" to Avoid.
Thanks Again;
Richard

[MGW-Fla]

The 1985s are plentiful as far as 928s go as they imported alot of em compared to other years. They can have the typical eletrical gremlins as any 928 can too, especially if the car spent much of its life outside and exposed to the elements. Sounds like yours is a great example for a potential canidate.

[MGW-Fla]

Well, most will tell you with a 928 the same as with any car, buy the newest, and/or best example that you can find & afford.

I think with your car sitting inside, but not driven, I'd still do the timing belt & water pump unless its been done in recent years by someone who knew what they were doing. A car with only 38k miles may have had that done at 35k, but that may have been 5 years ago. Porsche recommends 60k miles, but no years recommended. Most 928 experts(I'm not one) say 45k miles or five years max. Check the tention annually.

[MGW-Fla]

Oh, and I'd also replace the fuel hoses under the hood just due to the age, great prevention vs. a fire.

[Danglerb]

Model years are about features and body style, with a good bump in performance with Euro and 32v models. Automatic vs 5 spd is often a HIGH personal preference item. Newer cars picked up pounds as well as HP, again very much personal preference.

I have no clue about your friend Mr. Jones, but if he doesn't have a lot of experience with a 928 its just shooting in the dark, and these cars are all about condition.

38k miles isn't valuable low, but its nice. What I like to see on a carfax is that the car has been driven enough in the last 3 to 5 years, at least 2k/year so that problems have been fixed and not ignored or allowed to increase. Cars that only have a few hundred in recent years often have a reason they weren't driven.

[MGW-Fla]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

........ Cars that only have a few hundred in recent years often have a reason they weren't driven.

good point

[KingSalmon911SC]

Thank You All! The car is a US Model. It was driven regularly until 1992, approx. 20,000 miles. Since then, it has been driven approx 1,000 per year,with full serive at 34,500 in 2007. Always stored inside, no modifications other than one set of Michelins. It does have a couple of "dash light" issues. I will clean all the grounds. On start up there is no smoke, no telltale noise, nada. Body & interior are almost like factory new. There are no dings or paint fading and No Rust or Chrome Pitting(SW Car).
I will definitely replace all hoses, fuel/vacuum lines, etc. Mr. Jone's shop is a Porsche shop exclusively. He has been involved with Porsche for over 40 years.
I am encouraged! I will be retiring in the next couple of years & I thought I'd better buy my rides now, while I have the income. Car will be stored inside in Idaho & be driven about 4 times a year when I go to the lower 48 for vacation. I have heard that 5 speed cars have clutch issues; thus, an automatic probably makes better sense for my pocket book & age.
Thank You All Again!
Richard

[Danglerb]

My point is that a Porsche mechanic might as well be BMW or MB as far as checking out a 928, the issues and behavior are different enough that many things will not be noticed or properly diagnosed in terms of how serious the problem might be.

Tickets and fun are the issues with the 5 spd, long boring trips are for the Auto or when your stuck in traffic.

good luck.

[Shane E]

Where at in Idaho Richard?

I grew up in Orofino and still go there every year to visit my family. I have three sharks that I keep in WA and like you am getting them bought, prepped and ready for my retirement, while I'm still in AK making the good money.

If you ever stop by the Power Plant in Cordova say hi to Danny Ackmann for me.

As far as that '85, you can't really go wrong as long as the maintenance is kept up. The only reason I go with the newer '86.5 is because I like to add extra horse power to mine and need the bigger brakes that come on that model.

Good Luck!!

[KingSalmon911SC]

Wow! The Older I Get, the Smaller the World Gets! I too will be retiring to the Orofino, L/C Valley area. Additionally, a decent trailer on the Oregon Coast & another in Idaho's Mountains - Fast Car to commute back & forth in the summer & a 4x4 or SVX for winter commuting.
Take Care!
Richard

[Shane E]

Well if you ever get stuck with something on your shark there is a gent that lives in Moscow that used to own an '85 and now has an '87, and I'm sure he would give you a hand.