928's - any good?

[Robster]

I seem to have developed a curiosity about getting a 928. Does anyone have any experience of owning one? I've read the horror stories (cambelt etc), but I like the idea I can get my boys in the back (checked that out at a car show). Big V8, what's not to like? (Well...fuel consumption for a start LOL).

I think I need to see if I can find one to test drive...

[hot66]

Johnny has just bought one

[pht9]

Do it, great cars

Hard to find one thats without fault, they were expensive cars to maintain properly

Be prepared for a faults 'to-do' list, helps if you can do a bit yourself

Most cars need the following work, so check with seller history of these items

Suspension joints/bushes
Brake calipers
Electrical faults
Recent cambelt (less than 4-5 years)
Window seals

Best success with your search

[KS]

Mine cost me £2000, loved every mile (when it started). As Phil says, electrics are a bugbear, with the relay/fuseboard located under the footboard. If windscreen leaks (like mine did) then the terminals get wet and corrode. On mine, it was the fuse for the fuel pump that corroded, meaning regular replacement to get the pump going. BUT, such a blast to drive!

[Burma-Shave]

Yep, I have a bit of a story to tell about how I got mine, but too busy getting it road ready to write it up here! Anyway i'll tell a bit here..caution, evangelism alert..

'928' covers 78 to 95, so covers quite a few development stages. A bit like a 911, early ones are simpler/purer, have less power and less kit - and vice versa.

The only one I have driven is the one I bought. It was neglected, no service history, no idea about timing belt change etc. But it made it from the Mediterranean to Dundee, which tells you something about them.

They are always called a big GT, and yes it feels bigger than a 911, but they arent big by modern standards. Again mine is on tired suspension and had a broken exhaust, but is nice enough to punt along in, and I imagine as it is a manual, with fresh suspension and a tuneful exhaust it could be great fun.

Interior is definitely built for comfort, everything is well padded and ergonomically sorted, the dead pedal is huge and, best of all, the brake and clutch pedal have '928' moulded into the rubber . Crossing france and half the uk in a day was a total breeze, totally fulfilled GT expectations.

Mine is a south of france car so there is no rust, and the electrics arent damp and rusty, but I have still been through the main earth points and yes it it relatively 'electrical' car that is nearly 40 years old.

I have always fancied one and that has got stronger, they are so of their time. I think they are handsome and rather unique. Yes if you get a sorted one it is unlikely to be a nightmare. I got a cheap one knowing I would enjoy going through it all, and most of it is easily doable. I am getting a specialist to do the cam belt though.

Not trying to big up early cars (much) but I went for a 78 manual with no sunroof because of relative lightness, fewer electrics, narrow body, no spoilers and PASCHA of course, but also they are non interference valve trains, so broken timing belt isnt game over.

Anyway, read the buyers guides, and you know about Paul Anderson, right?

Happy to chat via PM I you want..

[Robster]

Cheers guys, very much appreciate the knowledge and first hand experience. I am some what torn between a later (s4) era with the power, or an early one like yours Johnny. I much prefer the purer look of the early 4.5 on teledials, would I be disappointed with the performance?

Johnny, thanks for the offer of sharing further knowledge, I will touch base via pm. In the meantime I need to start saving, it will need to be on a budget so a simpler early car may be the only choice...I had better start saving...

[Burma-Shave]

Excellent! Go early! - although an early car + manual has flipped from being least desirable to very desirable, as is the way of things with old Porsches. It seems the middle age group (analagy SC and 964) are currently cheapest. Don't forget '78s are starting to be tax exempt next year too.

Working on mine today, have solved my hot start issue with a new fuel pump check valve I already had in my box of bits in the garage - result!

I don't know if you will be disappointed with only 240hp - and remember US cars had even less, until well into the 80's - its not going to be as fast as the modern 2.0 turbodieselzzzzzzz - but these cars arent really about driving on the doorhandles. I took mine out today for first drive since I sorted the gearbox linkage and it is as you would expect, a little boat-like on the roundabouts and then V8 goodness up the straights. Some fresh suspension will sharpen it up but it won't lift off oversteer or anything - far too well engineered for that

Pretty sure I need trans mounts as well - at $90 each, half the price of later cars, ahem..

As of this afternoon, in the car port of salvation:

[Ian 2.2S]

Agree with everything Johnny has said. My first car Porsche was a early 928, silver/pasha/teledials/auto, bought it late 80's when 10 years old. The early cars without side mouldings have the purest lines, but quite vulnerable (don't park in Sainsburys like I did one day, and through the window saw some b@stard purposely open his door onto it - didn't get out quick enough).
Mine was an auto, so performance was moderate, but was quite entertaining when you mashed that huge pedal into the deep pile and found kickdown.
Great ergonomics (no doubt to counter the criticism of 911s), all major controls in finger reach of steering wheel on binnacle.
Was my daily/only car for quite a few years. Felt the fuel cost a bit, but the important thing is you are travelling in real STYLE.
Had to do a head gasket on one bank (wasn't so confident in those days and had main dealer do it - ouch!). Then one morning, started it, was idling, then suddenly stopped. Cranked it over a few times, then had that horrible feeling - has the cam belt snapped? Yep. Rang round, lots of blowing through teeth and talk of £1000's. Luckily, I spoke to a knowledgeable guy at a parts dealer, who said early 4.5, no problem, no overlap. He sold me a new belt for 40 quid. Fitted it DIY. Loosening the nut on the crank damper took a scaffold tube combined with the weight of the car!
A few years later, I thought it was going to start costing a fair bit in repairs and maintenance, so started looking round, found a dealer who had a 2.2S and was prepared to do a straight swap.....and that's another story
Just do it , you know it doesn't make sense

[coomo]

Bought this few weeks ago.Looks roughish but apparently lots of recent work done.my guy in USA reckons it was ok.Wouldnt normally entertain other than its manual.Should be able to mark up pretty competitively.

[Nick Moss]

I had a 1979 928S 5 speed manual in the mid eighties, it was my daily driver. £11,500 from Nick Faure (my 3rd Porsche from him). My commute from Taplow to Reading allowed for the the occasional burst to 155 mph, so it was certainly not slow. Wet roundabouts and Mway slip roads were blank canvases for lazy, controllable drifts. Even at 6 years old it had a few minor issues, the most annoying was the failure of the vacuum controlled headlamp aim system.

[pht9]

I opted for a manual S4

In 1988 they built a limited run RHD version for the UK market of 42 cars. In Europe they were badged as Clubsport (I think around 20 cars)

Only available in Red, White, Silver and Black. They came pretty well specced with leather interior and special pinstripe cloth, Air conditioning. Very importantly for me, all had manual gearboxes. Hand selected blueprinted engine, without sunroof and special 8J and 9J x16 Forged alloy wheels (made by Fuchs)

A really special car, drive very well. Its never going to offer what a 911 does, but very neutral balance and that V8 engine sound is intoxicating

I searched to find a white one, as the colour works very well with the styling

I've been working through it tidying it up, its mainly original paint, so has stonechips and blemishes, but is a real user that not worried about the weather conditions

I recently needed to replace a rear wheel bearing, and got sucked into 'while I'm in there' and restored the complete back end suspension

SEfrt by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr

Untitled by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr

Untitled by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr

Untitled by tech 9 motorsport, on Flickr

[Bootsy]

I like that - do look good in white

[Burma-Shave]

Very nice Phil, bet that gans well. Disturbingly clean though.

I never new there were so many closet, GT-piloting cads on the DDK

[Robster]

Wow! That club sport is the business

[coomo]

Jesus F****** Christ that looks tasty.Breaking news guys, The manual 928 is now rapidly being elevated to where it should be.Awesome long distance cruisers,that are pretty bullet proof and possess amazing styling.Please note, this is not a poor sales tactic to promote my shed en route from USA!