Porsche 928 Manual - talk to me?
Discussion
I am currently kicking around some ideas to reduce my 4 vehicles down to one daily (99% likely to be my T4 Kombi) and 1 other.
The 1 other will need to be a bit special however glide(ish) over the horrible roads, etc and cover about 3k miles (only hidden away when the salt hits the roads) covering classic car shows, coffee meets, etc as well as the daily commute when I feel like it.
I have owned a number of Porsche's however never a 928. I really enjoy my AMG E63 and think a nice V8 porker would replace it and cover the classic bases all in one sharky shape.
my budget is £20-25k and there are several up for sale at the moment, the black one with sports seats probably my favourite.
The 1 other will need to be a bit special however glide(ish) over the horrible roads, etc and cover about 3k miles (only hidden away when the salt hits the roads) covering classic car shows, coffee meets, etc as well as the daily commute when I feel like it.
I have owned a number of Porsche's however never a 928. I really enjoy my AMG E63 and think a nice V8 porker would replace it and cover the classic bases all in one sharky shape.
my budget is £20-25k and there are several up for sale at the moment, the black one with sports seats probably my favourite.
You are at the bottom end of the budget for a manual, though for £20-£25k you will get a very good auto.
The so called scary running costs are not as a result of design but more years of deferred maintenance. They're relatively cheap to run for what was a £140k car.
Get one that has been looked after and used regularly and they are very reliable. These are very understressed engines with strong Merc auto boxes.
Manuals are dog leg with a heft to the clutch and a bit marmite.
Great owners groups, so plenty of resource. Rennlist 928 for starters and 928.org.uk for a great bunch of helpful guys.
I use my S4 pretty much as a daily.
Most Porsche specialist can do the basics but there are some idiosyncracies that you'll need a specialist for. 928 Specialists in Stroud and Loe Bank are the go to guys.
Everytime someone says it was built to replace the 911, God kills an IMS bearing.
The so called scary running costs are not as a result of design but more years of deferred maintenance. They're relatively cheap to run for what was a £140k car.
Get one that has been looked after and used regularly and they are very reliable. These are very understressed engines with strong Merc auto boxes.
Manuals are dog leg with a heft to the clutch and a bit marmite.
Great owners groups, so plenty of resource. Rennlist 928 for starters and 928.org.uk for a great bunch of helpful guys.
I use my S4 pretty much as a daily.
Most Porsche specialist can do the basics but there are some idiosyncracies that you'll need a specialist for. 928 Specialists in Stroud and Loe Bank are the go to guys.
Everytime someone says it was built to replace the 911, God kills an IMS bearing.
Castrol for a knave said:
Everytime someone says it was built to replace the 911, God kills an IMS bearing.
LOL, very good!Ready for a drive out tomorrow:
Of course, being a 928, the aircon has stopped working, and it has developed a hot start stall....hence my question about maintenance budget...
JohnnyUK said:
Castrol for a knave said:
Everytime someone says it was built to replace the 911, God kills an IMS bearing.
LOL, very good!Ready for a drive out tomorrow:
Of course, being a 928, the aircon has stopped working, and it has developed a hot start stall....hence my question about maintenance budget...
You know your 928 stuff, bet it is a sensor or vacuum leak, not the thing that dare not speak it's name.
OP, defo join 928.uk. Great bunch and will point you to decent 928's for sale
I think I have seen the black one on C&C. Looks ok if a little tired.
Here's mine
Great cars but you need an expert to look after them (if you want to avoid big bills). I had Paul Anderson in Stroud 4 miles away.
I ran a S4 and a GTS for 40,000 miles - one 20 years old, one 15 years old.
Both were reliable.
Problems included calipers needing a rebuild (to be expected).
Non functioning a/c - fixed quite easily
Electrical problems in the S4 due to poor earthing and lack of use. Easy fix.
Idle issues on the S4 fixed with an ECU rebuild
Failed door stays (common)
Vacuum leaks - easy fix if you know what you are doing
Otherwise routine servicing - but this does include belts and water pump if not done recently.
Mine were both auto. I had a manual GTS for a weekend. Odd pedals and a bit agricultural but very muscle car.
They need to be used regularly. And are thirsty. But very comfortable. A real GT
I ran a S4 and a GTS for 40,000 miles - one 20 years old, one 15 years old.
Both were reliable.
Problems included calipers needing a rebuild (to be expected).
Non functioning a/c - fixed quite easily
Electrical problems in the S4 due to poor earthing and lack of use. Easy fix.
Idle issues on the S4 fixed with an ECU rebuild
Failed door stays (common)
Vacuum leaks - easy fix if you know what you are doing
Otherwise routine servicing - but this does include belts and water pump if not done recently.
Mine were both auto. I had a manual GTS for a weekend. Odd pedals and a bit agricultural but very muscle car.
They need to be used regularly. And are thirsty. But very comfortable. A real GT
Discombobulate said:
Great cars but you need an expert to look after them (if you want to avoid big bills). I had Paul Anderson in Stroud 4 miles away.
I ran a S4 and a GTS for 40,000 miles - one 20 years old, one 15 years old.
Both were reliable.
Problems included calipers needing a rebuild (to be expected).
Non functioning a/c - fixed quite easily
Electrical problems in the S4 due to poor earthing and lack of use. Easy fix.
Idle issues on the S4 fixed with an ECU rebuild
Failed door stays (common)
Vacuum leaks - easy fix if you know what you are doing
Otherwise routine servicing - but this does include belts and water pump if not done recently.
Mine were both auto. I had a manual GTS for a weekend. Odd pedals and a bit agricultural but very muscle car.
They need to be used regularly. And are thirsty. But very comfortable. A real GT
Mine is going in to see Paul in August - a/c not working (again) and hot idle stalls / stumbles (again)I ran a S4 and a GTS for 40,000 miles - one 20 years old, one 15 years old.
Both were reliable.
Problems included calipers needing a rebuild (to be expected).
Non functioning a/c - fixed quite easily
Electrical problems in the S4 due to poor earthing and lack of use. Easy fix.
Idle issues on the S4 fixed with an ECU rebuild
Failed door stays (common)
Vacuum leaks - easy fix if you know what you are doing
Otherwise routine servicing - but this does include belts and water pump if not done recently.
Mine were both auto. I had a manual GTS for a weekend. Odd pedals and a bit agricultural but very muscle car.
They need to be used regularly. And are thirsty. But very comfortable. A real GT
Just spent a few hours at Five Zeros in Bradford on Avon, took the 928 and she had a fair bit of interest from other visitors....
Thanks for all your replies!
Out of interest how do they cope with our scarred and battered roads? Some of the reviews I have watched indicate they are quite firmly sprung?
Previously I owned a 968 Sport and that didn't like the roads however it was on M030 and possibly lowered springs so I put it down to that.
Out of interest how do they cope with our scarred and battered roads? Some of the reviews I have watched indicate they are quite firmly sprung?
Previously I owned a 968 Sport and that didn't like the roads however it was on M030 and possibly lowered springs so I put it down to that.
roca1976 said:
Thanks for all your replies!
Out of interest how do they cope with our scarred and battered roads? Some of the reviews I have watched indicate they are quite firmly sprung?
Previously I owned a 968 Sport and that didn't like the roads however it was on M030 and possibly lowered springs so I put it down to that.
So, mine uses 17 inch wheels pumped to 1 or 2 psi over the standard - drove from Bradford on Avon to Wimborne today - country roads etc - was very very smooth and comfortableOut of interest how do they cope with our scarred and battered roads? Some of the reviews I have watched indicate they are quite firmly sprung?
Previously I owned a 968 Sport and that didn't like the roads however it was on M030 and possibly lowered springs so I put it down to that.
roca1976 said:
Thanks for all your replies!
Out of interest how do they cope with our scarred and battered roads? Some of the reviews I have watched indicate they are quite firmly sprung?
Previously I owned a 968 Sport and that didn't like the roads however it was on M030 and possibly lowered springs so I put it down to that.
Much better than your 968 ride wise. Comfy Out of interest how do they cope with our scarred and battered roads? Some of the reviews I have watched indicate they are quite firmly sprung?
Previously I owned a 968 Sport and that didn't like the roads however it was on M030 and possibly lowered springs so I put it down to that.
I don’t suppose anyone here knows something about the history of the 928 S2 on Autotrader with 223,000 miles and had an engine rebuild in 2019?
It’s cheap and been on up for a year at least with no one buying it. If it’s up to date with maintenance I don’t see the problem with it, I’ve heard 928s can do well over 200,000 if well looked after.
My 996 is happy on original IMS at 191,000 miles.
By the way did you know that the 928 was originally designed to replace the…
It’s cheap and been on up for a year at least with no one buying it. If it’s up to date with maintenance I don’t see the problem with it, I’ve heard 928s can do well over 200,000 if well looked after.
My 996 is happy on original IMS at 191,000 miles.
By the way did you know that the 928 was originally designed to replace the…
Edited by Megavalve on Monday 24th April 14:21
Last year I changed to an S4 manual coming from a manual 993 and a manual 964 C2 which I had before. I can echo most previous comments. The 928 was a complex car for its time but from today’s perspective it is mechanically or electrically significantly better then similar cars from the mid-80’s (XJ-S, 635 CSi).
Most important is to buy the very best you can find as parts are not cheap and most of the work requires extensive labour. Buy a EUR 15k project car with bad paint and you will quickly own a 50k car that is worth 30k.
On any 32V car change the timing belt / water pump / tensioners immediately unless you have firm proof it was done recently. Have your mechanic check all rubbers and hoses that perish over time, if they look allright chances are the PO loved his car dearly and was prepared to pay for keeping it in good condition.
As with any car of similar age, be prepared for the odd niggle very know and then. I had a small vacuum issue with the HVAC, a faulty cooling reservoir sensor, and a front shifter cup that needed replacement (ouch). I drive the car twice a week and believe that is the best way to keep it error-free. Gas mileage is a robust 15 MPG.
Do drive one before buying. A 928 is an altogether different car than a 911. It is much heavier and you feel it. The car is pretty fast once it is rolling but do not expect to beat 964s or 993s at traffic lights. Shift quality is okay-ish but not on par with the 964. But once rolling in 3rd gear there is little competition and you immediately realize these cars were made to drive over 200kph all day long.
As for auto versus manual I guess the reason for selling your thunderous 63 Merc is you want the manual, but otherwise I think the automatic fits the car well. Also a matter of taste is whether you want the pre-86 original body or the much restyled later one (S4, GT, GTS).
In terms of style and practicality little can beat it. I take my road and mountain bikes in it so I can enjoy driving and riding in one run.
Most important is to buy the very best you can find as parts are not cheap and most of the work requires extensive labour. Buy a EUR 15k project car with bad paint and you will quickly own a 50k car that is worth 30k.
On any 32V car change the timing belt / water pump / tensioners immediately unless you have firm proof it was done recently. Have your mechanic check all rubbers and hoses that perish over time, if they look allright chances are the PO loved his car dearly and was prepared to pay for keeping it in good condition.
As with any car of similar age, be prepared for the odd niggle very know and then. I had a small vacuum issue with the HVAC, a faulty cooling reservoir sensor, and a front shifter cup that needed replacement (ouch). I drive the car twice a week and believe that is the best way to keep it error-free. Gas mileage is a robust 15 MPG.
Do drive one before buying. A 928 is an altogether different car than a 911. It is much heavier and you feel it. The car is pretty fast once it is rolling but do not expect to beat 964s or 993s at traffic lights. Shift quality is okay-ish but not on par with the 964. But once rolling in 3rd gear there is little competition and you immediately realize these cars were made to drive over 200kph all day long.
As for auto versus manual I guess the reason for selling your thunderous 63 Merc is you want the manual, but otherwise I think the automatic fits the car well. Also a matter of taste is whether you want the pre-86 original body or the much restyled later one (S4, GT, GTS).
In terms of style and practicality little can beat it. I take my road and mountain bikes in it so I can enjoy driving and riding in one run.
Edited by Dirty gertie on Monday 24th April 14:23
I like mine so much I haven't started it in 9 years. Here's a quick video of me cranking it for the first time since 2014
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qs4ocjgHZdk
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qs4ocjgHZdk
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