1985 928S I'm looking at

[gbgastowers]

I am new to the forum and just looked at and drove my first 928 today. Pretty awesome but needs a lot of cosmetic attention which will be part of the fun. It's a 1985 928S auto with about 150k on it. The guy that's selling it is in North Carolina. He got it from a 2nd owner in California that owed him money. He had it worked on recently at Black Forest Porsche in Charlotte. He provided them with a used S4 radiator and they flushed and cleaned the system due to the fact that when the old rad failed it caused the fluids to mix. They replaced the battery($175) and went through the electronics. Everything works(windows,locks,sunroof,seats,AC etc). They also replaced the climate control head with an updated version. The car is mechanically sound but has a lot of cosmetic problems. They also adjusted the shift linkage and he told me the guy in California put in a Jaguar shift kit that makes it shift through the gears too fast so he manual shifts it to get the rpms up. It has some aftermarket exhaust pieces also. It has passed NC inspection and is tagged. Driving it felt really good and comfortable though the tires are a bit flat spotted. Here are some pics. He's asking $8000. How does it look and whats it worth?

[gbgastowers]

[gbgastowers]

[MPDano]

Heres your Specs:

85-86 S - 4-auto (US)
5.0L-32v
M28/44
288 Horses
302 Torque
10.10:1
LH-Jetronic
152 Top Speed
6.8 sec 0 to 62mph
14.9 1/4 Mile
3439 pounds

[Mrmerlin]

8K is too much IMHO
with the body damage ,and the cork on the tailpipe ( cut off the single and put on a true dual)
Not to mention the other issues i would keep on shopping, look for a nice S4 for 8K

[87S4]

Too much even for Canada

[harborman]

Did someone paint that intake manifold red? Was that the normal color?

[MPDano]

That Intake was painted.

Here's is why I wanted you to post the question here. This is an "S" and a little over 2K. They are out there, so I would walk on that one unless you can offer a whole lot lower. What do you guys think the car he is looking at is actually worth?

Heres that link:

1983 Porsche 928S for quick sale first $2600 firm

[harborman]

Originally Posted by MPDano

That Intake was painted.

Here's is why I wanted you to post the question here. This is an "S" and a little over 2K. They are out there, so I would walk on that one unless you can offer a whole lot lower. What do you guys think the car he is looking at is actually worth?

Heres that link:

1983 Porsche 928S for quick sale first $2600 firm

The one you pointed out is not bad for the price. I can't imagine getting one in running condition any cheaper!

[JK McDonald]

I like the intake runners - I’ve always had a weakness for a redhead. You might keep an eye on eBay motors for a while before making any serious moves toward a purchase. This is especially true for $8K with 150K miles and the cosmetic issues you mentioned. Although the mileage is not always a deal breaker for a well maintained and documented 928 engine, to me a long list of basic appearance problems may indicate the owner’s attitude toward the areas you can not see.

Here is a similar 85 with 150K miles (salvage title) plus a very desirable 5 speed.

Porsche : 928 : eBay Motors (item 270543658061 end time Mar-15-10 16:26:23 PDT)

The 928 Porsche was engineered to be included amongst the best road cars available and even now (dollar for dollar) is still a tremendous value. As others will also tell you the 1st rule of a 928 purchase is to buy the best you can afford and always have an experienced 928 mechanic go over your final selection before you close the deal.

By searching through this site you can get a feel for the important issues to consider vs the price. Also there is comfort in knowing that Wayne and his crew are a great source of information, parts and help to assist in any restoration questions.


Good Luck, Michael

[Landseer]

Ditto above. Price is way out of line, don't be mesmerized by driving characteristics.

A fully sorted newer S4 can be bought for that price.
In this condition, not above $3000 or so, and that's stretching it. Maybe more if it were a solidly shifting 5 speed, which it isn't. Don't buy the jaguar shift kit comments. No compatibility. More likely somebody dropped the pan and put in a Mercedes spring kit, but if its not shifting correctly, you'd better plan for some diagnosis and repair. May not be an issue, but I hate being the guy that has to clean-up a "performance enhancement" gone wrong. BTW, This is essentially the MB 4 speed auto trans used in the more powerful MB sedans in the 80's. Internals are a direct replacement, so the MB dealer is the place to order any parts by part number, not Porsche. (note, MB parts folks usually have no clue, they try to bring-up parts requests by MB car model, so you either say 85 MB 4XX SEL or give them the part number off the piece being repaired). There are a couple of spring kits available for the MB for different shift characteristics BTW, if its upshifting too fast its probably a misadjusted Bowden cable that attaches between the throttle linkage and transmission. At 25 years old I like to buy examples that don't have a history of performance upgrades or signs of kid ownership, like the amp thing in the back.


Nice that it runs. Both of mine (32V) came home in better original condition for less than half that money combined (1700 for one 2000 for the other), each with half the miles. One we know ran, one we weren't sure. I just elected not to start them, actually not even to turn them over!, before replacing the timing belts.

Budget $3000 min, more likely $5000 for initial mechanical maintenance if you do the work yourself before you rely on it. If you don't do your own work, cut and run now. Brake rotors are $90 each, so that kind of stuff adds up quick as you peruse it and bring stuff up to standard.

This one is at least a partial repaint, with back bumper plug painted over (should be black). From the first picture it is clear that the motor mounts must be replaced as the oil filler is sitting too low relative to the cross brace. Long messy job requiring detachment of lower A-arms, stabilizer bar and steering rack. If overall pictorial condition is any indicator, and it almost always is, you are looking at a lot of suspension refurb while you are in there. Based on pictures, this car is a neglected mess. Not saying it isn't saveable, just that its very expensive to do so and the owner is taking his 3K plus your 5K DIY parts only and not giving you a sorted car. Or even the car with a box of parts.

Red paint looks stupid on the intake, especially agains the blue. Keep looking. There a lot of good cars in RTP area and Charlotte, too, plus good support group.

The california car comment is interesting. If it were a 64 buick, that started rusting in the showroom, a california climate car would surely be a positive thing. With the 928 and 944 though, especially the 928, you rarely hear about underbody rust, even on new england cars. Its amazing. They did rust protection right. So, knowing it was in a drier climate is good, but with 928's the cliche california car thing doesn't have the condition-indicating value when considering rust.

You asked an opinion, don't mean to offend you, but I've been working on rescuing 4 of these things, plus several for friends, non-stop for the last 30 months. For instance, I've done 6 motor mount / oil pan gasket jobs. I overspent on the first car, 4500 for a running 84 5 speed that in retrospect shouldn't have been bought for more that $1500. The owner here no-doubt knows full-well he's out of line. Trolling for the uninitiated. Don't get hooked on the idea and get burned like I did.

I mean, I've got a nice original 86 auto, fully sorted, very clean soft original interior, rocket fast and smooth, which turned 90K yesterday, that I was contemplating with my dad yesteday that might sell for $6500 in this economy.

[bxtech]

I agree.......$8K is WAYYY too much!!! Especially in this condition. Too rough. Even if the asking price was dropped by 50% to $4K, I'd still "walk". Much better cars for much less money in today's market.

If you are looking to spend $8K, buy a good condition S4. They are easy to find and I've seen some nice ones priced around $6-$7K!

[Griffinroydonal]

The price is way out of line and cars in N.C. can be found in good condition starting at $3500 to $4000. The Gold 84 I bought a year ago was just such a car, now after normal parts replacement I still need a Brown factory steering wheel , Brown door panels and seat covers. I am in the car for $5,000 and feel pretty good about it. Keep looking.

[gbgastowers]

I am going to keep looking. I first have to convince the wife that I deserve it. After doing some research I bet the seller told me it had a Jager Engineering shift kit( not a Jaguar shift kit). Kinda of sounds the same here in the south. Thanks for all the input. I'll be back. Gunar

[Mrmerlin]

a nice S4
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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Price reduced, car is now listed on eBay for $9,500 with no reserve, contact me if you have any questions

Matt

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-Spe...item35a7ebdb03

[gbgastowers]

Merlin,
If I plan on doing as much of the maintenance and repairs on the car as possible, what year car would be best for me. I am a 43 year old that has some light mechanical experience and am good at research. I know that the later you go the more kinks have been worked out and more refined, but it seems you have more complicated things that can give problems(ABS,32V,Air Bags, etc.). More bells and whistles = more stuff to malfunction. Thanks in advance. Gunar

[Normy]

Originally Posted by gbgastowers

Merlin,
If I plan on doing as much of the maintenance and repairs on the car as possible, what year car would be best for me. I am a 43 year old that has some light mechanical experience and am good at research. I know that the later you go the more kinks have been worked out and more refined, but it seems you have more complicated things that can give problems(ABS,32V,Air Bags, etc.). More bells and whistles = more stuff to malfunction. Thanks in advance. Gunar

The easiest cars to work on are the earlier 2-valve cars.

But the problem with many of them is they aren't the tiger that the later cars are. There is of course the 928S2, but these are rare in the US, and when you find one you are, nine times out of ten...looking at a basket case.

Listen: The advice given above about buying the most expensive 928 you can afford is SOUND. You don't want to be using your layman mechanics skills to try to restore one of these things; they aren't that exotic at all- that's a myth. 928's have complex electrical systems, but the injection/ignition and drivetrain are about the same as a period Volkswagen Golf. WHAT will kill your new hobby quick is maintenance cost if you buy a beater.

Here's another question: What are you going to do with it?

Daily driver?

Weekend fun machine?

Autocross car?

These need to be answered before we can really tell you what to do with that car. $8k is a bit steep for that car, but do you really like it? If you do, then buy the damn thing and get it over with!

Dude, you only live ONCE. If you think it is for you, then do it!

Are you a perfectionist? If you want it to be perfect, then if you buy that car, be prepared to spend somewhere between $5000 and $10,000 beyond the purchase to bring it back to perfect. Keep that fact in mind~

It's your choice. I'd personally prefer to see an '85 928 restored than wind up in the hands of some kid who will probably wreck it.

Good luck-

N!

[tlsmith1999]

+1 what Merlin said.

I bought my S4 for $4500, and have put close to $6K into it and it is no where near as nice as that '89. Plus that one is a 5spd. It is a steal at $9500. It looks like most of the more expensive maintenance has already been taken care of (TB/water pump, and top end refresh).

[Danglerb]

Looks like? Before you make an offer on a 928 you need to have a PPI done by the best person you can find, who at a minimum should be expert in 928 issues and have no connection to the car in question.

Also I don't really give a rats behind how many things they have fixed, its what is left to fix that concerns me most, and the 928 can be a pretty deep well, not to mention how frequently repair work is not done well.

[tlsmith1999]

Yes, looks like. This is a known car in the local area, the work was performed by a known 928 owner that I would trust to do great work. I might still get the PPI, but on that one I wouldn't be too worried without one.