FS: 87 5 Speed, project car $4800

Glenn M · 01:42 PM

I bought the 87 5-speed with 90K in April for $5k knowing that the car didn’t run. Silver/burgundy I figured for the price I could get a motor if needed. It would crank but not fire. Belt timing all lined up. PO had WP and belt just changed, humm. Hoped it was something fairly simple. I wanted a 5 speed to use it as a daily driver and something to autocross.

Should have run compression then but hey it's a 5 speed, when I did they were: 1&2 normal, 3&4 130’s 5&6 40’s 7&8 zero. Looks like the valves are crashed!

Good - sport seats heated, sports suspension, extended steering wheel hub, rear a/c, flip up rear spoiler. Passenger seat in great shape (seatback can be swapped for drivers, could get a comfort seat for passenger side). Paint decent, recent repaint, area in front of passengers headlight on the fender has a gash where someone back into the car before I got it. I have a replacement headlight lens..

Bad – drivers seat bolsters shot, suspension original, no belly pans, front spoiler missing, dash and POD cracked, carpet floor mats bad. Replica cups need painting. No LSD. No radio and the motor thing.

Computers, fuel pump and MAF all checked good in my other cars.

I have tracked down a motor, know where I can get a nice used leather dash and POD.

Wife is far from happy, it’s only our eighth car. What can I say, it’s a disease. I’ve wanted to build a second garage but not sure we will stay in this house, three bedrooms, three boys (17, 16, 14).

I’ve been having second thoughts, just a big project but would be fun in the end. I wanted something I could autocross and take to the track every once in a while and have a daily driver. I don't have the garage space to work on it. Did I mention my wife is on my case.

Anyone interested in the car? I've spent some time cleaning things up. Wheels in the picture not the cups I have. They where chrome 19" chinese made rims, didn't like them at all.

$4800 takes it!
PM me if interested or gminucci@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Glenn

Glenn M · 12-17-2008, 05:52 PM

Good - sport seats heated, sports suspension, extended steering wheel hub, rear a/c, flip up rear spoiler. Passenger seat in great shape (seat back can be swapped for drivers, could get a comfort seat for passenger side). Paint decent, recent repaint, area in front of passengers headlight on the fender has a gash where someone back into the car before I got it. I have a replacement headlight lens. Rest of the interior pretty good.

Bad – drivers seat bolsters shot, suspension original, no belly pans, front spoiler missing, dash and POD cracked, carpet trunk matt bad. Replica cups need painting. No LSD. Radio not connected. Passenger side mirror glass missing. Few tools missing. Steering wheel and shifter boot rough.

Computers, fuel pump and MAF all checked good in my other cars.

It could be head gaskets, oil looked fine (no water or metal) but fairly new, anti-freeze was new also as the belt and pump were just replaced, see attach parts list. PO has also said the engine was making a noise. I never got it to run more than a few seconds.

Miles 91K

VIN WP0JB0922HS861389

87 928 S4 Option Codes

Code Description
M018 Sports Steering Wheel with Elevated Hub -30mm
M139 Seat Heating System, Left Seat
M158 Radio, Blaupunkt Reno SQR 46
M340 Seat Heating System, Right Seat
M341 Central Locking System
M347 Forged Wheels Platinum Anodized, Rim 7 x16 , Tire 225/50VR-16
M383 Sport Seat Left, Electrical Vertically Adjustable
M387 Sport Seat Right, Electrical Vertically Adjustable
M418 Side Protection Moldings
M302 Type designated on rear end
M474 Shock Absorber (SPORTING) Front and Rear
M484 Version for USA
M490 Sound System
M481 5 speed manual transmission
M494 Additional Amplifier
M533 Anti-Theft Device
M570 Air Conditioner with Improved Efficiency (Rear A/C)
M650 Electrical Sliding Roof

Glenn

Glenn M · 12-18-2008, 06:10 PM

interior shots

Glenn

rhjames · rhjames's Garage

my first reaction is that it needs a (engine) top end.....

that said, you probably know the drill----and the cost.

too bad, it's a nice looking car.....but looks aren't everything.

part it, or fix it--then sell it.

--Russ

roblav · roblav's Garage

The add here provoked some interest for me. An S4 5 speed and all... but I compare it to my 83S 5 speed which I paid $3500 for. It was running and driving and the interior was much better. My car would not stay in 3rd gear, but all that fix required was the rear shift universal. And it was a Louisiana car without any corrosion.

I agree with rhjames assessment. Maybe you'll get lucky with a sale on Ebay.

Danglerb · 12-19-2008, 08:40 AM

Its funny normally being an S4 is a big plus, but replacing the motor is so much more costly than an earlier car is turns into a minus. (buying a cheap used motor, not rebuilding)

OTOH I bet it would sell quick at this price in a few months.

artikulieren · 11:44 AM

I would probably trade my '87 for it... Between that car and my poor '88 I could probably make a nice machine... would the LSD from my auto '88 transfer into a manual transax? but it sounds like the last thing you need is another auto S4! and the last thing I need is another project! I say def. an ebay car, might make a tidy little profit too.

stick1975 · 12-19-2008, 12:06 PM

Wish I didn't have so much money tied up in other projects. Looks like it has allot of potential.

Danglerb · 12-19-2008, 07:55 PM

LSD is the same for both AT and 5 spd in the model years you have, put the 5 spd ring gear on the LSD.

Glenn M · 12-20-2008, 05:49 AM

I bought the car because it had potential, there is no doubt it needs work. This is not a car you want to take to a shop and have them do the work. It is a DIY car. When it's done you won't be afraid to drive it anywhere and do the occasion autocross or DE. That is what I was looking for. A nice car but not so nice you were afraid to take it out.

My other two are too nice to make into DD. I might end up doing that with the 88 anyway. I just love these cars!

I may also look into a 4 post lift for the garage, a few guys have lower ceilings.

Glenn

Herr-Kuhn · 12-20-2008, 05:54 AM

So this car needs to have the heads reworked and a new belt to be running once again?

Glenn M · 02:23 PM

John,
I don't know exactly what is wrong with the engine. Compression test looks like crashed valves. PO had replaced the belt and other items in 2006 from 928 Inter.
Timing marks all lined up. Could also be a broken cam?

Computers, MAF, and fuel pump all checked ok in my 88.

Oil and coolant looked fine when I drained them.

Glenn

Herr-Kuhn · 12-21-2008, 05:45 AM

If it was closer I might consider it...it would be a perfect excuse to pull the engine and lower the compression for the ultimate twin turbo conversion. If the interior was nice and the car had original paint it would be different, but it looks like there is $6K to make the car right, maybe even more and it would be impossible to tell what condition the tranny is in.

Glenn M · 12-27-2008, 01:40 PM

I'm going to put the 5 speed into my Strosek.

Thanks,
Glenn