1st time 928 owner.. With Question..

[jeffmc]

This is my 1st run with owning a 928. I am learning a lot about this amazing car. I bought 2 at the same time.. The 928 I am driving is a 85 G Red 5 speed with 65,000 miles. The other 928 I purchased is an 86 Silver automatic which will be for sale very soon after I do a few thing to have it road ready. I will put details up as soon as the 86 is ready.... Like I said I am learning as I go with these cars. Quick questions.. I have no owners manuel with either car and most things on the 928 I am aware of its function.. But... What is the button and rolller on the steering column under the key ignition?.. Quick side note.. I have always been a big fan of the 928 and find it hard to understand why this World Class vehicle is so reasonable prices when other cars of the same year and era ie... 308 and 328 Ferrari? Oh well, Thanks for your response... Jeff

[Mrmerlin]

there are 2 rollers the one on the driver side under the headlamp switch is the light dimmer. The right side is for setting the wiper delay speed.
The pushbutton is for the intensive washers, this runs the small tank pump and the wipers at a fast speed for a few wipes

[Landseer]

You don't know what the controls do, but are preparing to flip a car after you fix it?
NEVER buy a flipped 928 from somebody. Kind of rule #1.

[Pete R]

Sooo, has anyone told you about the timing belts yet?

[jeffmc]

Yes I do know about the timing belts on 928's.. Thanks for the info (always known that to be the case with the 928's and the interference engine).... I am already seeing that there a lot of wonderful nice people on this site who love to spread there knowledge of a wonderfully made German car. I am also seeing a lot of angry folks that will do there best to make you look like an idiot for asking the most simple question... WHY?.. Don't answer. I know why. I am on this site to learn more about this type of car and I enjoy nothing more than talking about cars. I know quit a bit about cars..And there is quite a bit I do not know about cars, but again I am open to learn and thank you again for the help.. Thanks again guys, Jeff.. I figured the knob was to with something around the column. Thanks..

[Mrmerlin]

owners manuals link
Owner's Manual - Online - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[Pete R]

Find a set of factory service manuals. best investment you can make. As long as you do your own maintenance I found they are pretty reasonable to own. If your paying someone $100/hr to work on it, it will get ugly fast.

[Landseer]

If you have experience with mercedes or bmw, some will transfer, but you still need wiring diagrams and other documentation specific to the 928 and will need study it enough to know how the buckets of information are organized. That documentation can be owned for $70 or so.

Car knowledge in the form Japanese or Detroit car experience doesn't help much on these.

About twice a month on these boards, like clockwork, some mopar or ford or camaro guy shows up with a puffed out chest and a cheap 928. They get spanked by the car, really their lack of study habits, and get angry because the car is worth less than they thought.

In fact, one major issue with these cars from inception was the inability / unwillingness of the dealer personnel to learn them. Very complicated. Money loosers for any tech who touched one.
Few others ever invested the time.

Now, 20 to 30 years later, lots of rummage sale buyers show-up demanding answers to technical questions. That pattern shows up pretty quickly, so there can be frustration with their lazy approach, especially when the motivation is from a used car dealer type looking for info to patch a 928 together just enough for a flip.

That's also why so many ailing ones are sitting. Normal car guys don't take the time to figure them out, yet they look so complete and solid as they sit in suspended animation that owners cling to them. Lately, as the owners aged and the economy has turned, there has been a kind of spirit of riddance that has put many into the market.

Best advice is learn to fish, ie, read the tech manuals on these if you want a good ownership experience.

[MPDano]

Let's see the 86 Auto. This means Pics and more Pics. Also, what does it need to be Road Ready?

Don't worry about us biting, we just want to make sure you know what your getting into. We're here to help, no matter your skill level.

[Pete R]

86 or 86 1/2?

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Pete R

86 or 86 1/2?

Questions not to ask unless you enjoy paying higher prices.

Is that the rare and valuable ...

86.5
5 spd
Euro S
GT
Martin Sheen's old car.
etc etc etc

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Questions not to ask unless you enjoy paying higher prices.

Is that the rare and valuable ...

86.5
5 spd
Euro S
GT
Martin Sheen's old car.
etc etc etc

Just curious, are 86.5 5 speeds rare?

[riber.bentsen]

I believe around 500 were made of the Euro 86.5

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by riber.bentsen

I believe around 500 were made of the Euro 86.5

...but there were US Versions of the 86.5's? Correct? Sorry for the post hijack Jeff.

[riber.bentsen]

Someone at some point posted production-numbers, but I don't remember them, apart from my own car's.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by riber.bentsen

I believe around 500 were made of the Euro 86.5

All of the 86 Euros have the suspension and brake upgrades that only vin 1000 and up of 86 USA cars do, so there is no 86.5 Euro version.

Last I checked there were 42 1986 Euro's in the USA.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

All of the 86 Euros have the suspension and brake upgrades that only vin 1000 and up of 86 USA cars do, so there is no 86.5 Euro version.

Last I checked there were 42 1986 Euro's in the USA.

How many 86.5 US 5 Speeds in the US Mike?

[jeffmc]

Originally Posted by Landseer

If you have experience with mercedes or bmw, some will transfer, but you still need wiring diagrams and other documentation specific to the 928 and will need study it enough to know how the buckets of information are organized. That documentation can be owned for $70 or so.

Car knowledge in the form Japanese or Detroit car experience doesn't help much on these.

About twice a month on these boards, like clockwork, some mopar or ford or camaro guy shows up with a puffed out chest and a cheap 928. They get spanked by the car, really their lack of study habits, and get angry because the car is worth less than they thought.

In fact, one major issue with these cars from inception was the inability / unwillingness of the dealer personnel to learn them. Very complicated. Money loosers for any tech who touched one.
Few others ever invested the time.

Now, 20 to 30 years later, lots of rummage sale buyers show-up demanding answers to technical questions. That pattern shows up pretty quickly, so there can be frustration with their lazy approach, especially when the motivation is from a used car dealer type looking for info to patch a 928 together just enough for a flip.

That's also why so many ailing ones are sitting. Normal car guys don't take the time to figure them out, yet they look so complete and solid as they sit in suspended animation that owners cling to them. Lately, as the owners aged and the economy has turned, there has been a kind of spirit of riddance that has put many into the market.

Best advice is learn to fish, ie, read the tech manuals on these if you want a good ownership experience.

Thank you for the advice.. Yes this is my 1st go with A German performance car. I bought 2 at the same time because that was part of the deal and the price was very good. The 85 is the one for me-being Manuel transmission,mileage,color and that something I just can't put my finger on. The 86.5 which it seems the masses says is a much better car is in rough shape.. I will learn and ask simple questions(because I have always found that being full of pride and trudging threw something while making several mistakes along the way is a much more bumpy road than asking questions from someone with more experience and knowledge-Even if the most bone head question will solve the problem).. I am starting to see why there is so much passion for these cars.. It seems to be a must...

[jeffmc]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Let's see the 86 Auto. This means Pics and more Pics. Also, what does it need to be Road Ready?

Don't worry about us biting, we just want to make sure you know what your getting into. We're here to help, no matter your skill level.

Thanks you very much. The 86.5 will crank but not come to full start. Relays seem to be fine(but will double double check). I was told to put a straight charge to the fuel pump and it hummed for me but when the car was cranked the fuel pump would shut off..It wants to start with a little gas poured straight into the intake but not getting a constant supply.. In a nut shell. Car will turn over(but not come to a full start). Ran a 12volt battery charger straight to fuel pump and it hummed strong. Took fresh air blower relay out(which blower was working fine)and put temporally in fuel pump relay spot and still no start...........................

Any replies would be very thankful for.. Thank you again...

I will post pictures after I clean it up.. It unfortunately has sat for a while. The interior is in bad shape. Body is straight with just a 6" dent on front passenger fender above the center of the wheel..

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by jeffmc

Thanks you very much. The 86.5 will crank but not come to full start. Relays seem to be fine(but will double double check). I was told to put a straight charge to the fuel pump and it hummed for me but when the car was cranked the fuel pump would shut off..It wants to start with a little gas poured straight into the intake but not getting a constant supply.. In a nut shell. Car will turn over(but not come to a full start). Ran a 12volt battery charger straight to fuel pump and it hummed strong. Took fresh air blower relay out(which blower was working fine)and put temporally in fuel pump relay spot and still no start...........................

Any replies would be very thankful for.. Thank you again...

I will post pictures after I clean it up.. It unfortunately has sat for a while. The interior is in bad shape. Body is straight with just a 6" dent on front passenger fender above the center of the wheel..

Post before pics too. Gotta have a baseline at your work.