Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

928's have always been on my radar but I've heard some horror stories and been put off. So can you guys give me some actual figures for running a 928. I'm interested in a GT or possibly a series 4, and I'd do maximum 2000 miles a year.

It's a bit of a "how long it a piece of string" question, but it does depend how much you are prepared to DIY servicing. There are guys I know who buy all the stuff and service it themselves for around £100 for oil and filters a year. But the same as 944's, the cam belt is every 4 years regardless of mileage, and around £300 for an Indy' to do. An Auto' needs the thrust bearing pressure released once a year and can be done by yourself. Very worthwhile car to own though, and well worth it. You should study the buyers guide on 928.org website.

lot of car for little money bought mine 4 years ago 1987 s4 £2000 no mot but drove ok serviced it +pads front and rear cam belt change at Paul Andersons £500

Read one advert saying 'all the dreaded engine work done' are there any expensive issues to check for?

Personally I would believe the stories.

Potdog seems to have pulled of some sort of miracle.

The Porsche 928 is like any other car (relatively speaking ) i.e. you get what you pay for. And if you could buy fully working reliable super cars for a few thousand pounds and run them with dirt cheap classic car insurance then EVERYONE would be doing it?

It also depends what you mean by 'running costs' ? Are you talking about fuel consumption or a standard service cost? Because there are more import things to consider when your thinking of buying a vehicle aged between 17 and 34 years old and most probably with 100K+ miles on the clock. You need to thoroughly check all the major components, engine, gearbox, suspension, steering, brakes, electrics etc. all of which could seriously damage your bank balance if found to be faulty. A full service history is useful but should not be taken as a guarantee. (I've just bought a car with a FSH and it's a shed).

You also need to decide if you want an auto or a manual? All the GT's were manuals & 90% of S4's were autos with a chasm of difference between them in terms of driver experience. (in my opinion)

The 928 has a very strong, knowledgeable and enthusiastic following who will be only to happy to assist you in you purchase. A 928 guru would be worth their weight in gold in pointing out faults on a 928 for sale and getting money knocked off the asking price. (If that's the way you want to play it)

I would also recommend you get a driving experience with as many 928's as possible, especially a good one, so you can tell a bad one. Again the 928 community should be able to help you with this.

It should also be noted that you don't buy a 928 to make a profit and you should be prepared for garage bills worthy of a super car unless you going to do all the mechanical work yourself and even then be prepared for costs of OEM Porsche parts witch can be excessive. The front lower control arms are £1K+ each, same for a set of springs and dampers and to have a gearbox refurbished by Porsche (i.e. properly) will be £6K+.

On the up side - when you drive a 928 you are driving a super car which will always put a smile on your face, looks stunning from any angle, has unparalleled build quality and is becoming more and more valuable and exclusive on the road.

Good luck.

Porker928 makes some excellent points!

I would add that there are relatively so few of these cars around, and the youngest are so old, that examples are highly individual in terms of condition. It's impossible to give general running costs.

Expenditure also depends on how fussy you are, or your philosophy on preventive maintenance, or just how much you like spoiling the car for the love of it. For example my S4 has a little over 70,000 miles on it. I'm halfway through replacing all shocks and springs. They don't really need changing (another 928 owner is happy to replace his rear struts with my old ones!), but I assembled the parts pretty cheaply by keeping an eye out for deals, ebay etc, I enjoy working on the car, and I love to get her as near to original as possible (mechanically - not a concours man). I have probably gone broke "saving" money on 928 parts, but that's just me. Another owner may fancy buying one, spending nothing on it beyond fuel, then moving it on. You can see how hard it is to generalise!

Hi

The honest answer is that the 928 is a car just like any other, you get good ones and bad ones....

Mechanically its almost indestructible , electrically , hmmm, well lets say , just check EVERYTHING electrical works before you buy one

Although if you are good with a Voltmeter you will be fine...

Having said that ..a 928 is rather special...

Now for my famous saying... When I go out every morning (daily driver) and that HUGE V8 rumbles into life it puts a smile on my face all day...

All the best Brett

Crank end play on an auto! The engine is gone if it not within tolerance or cuts out when warm. There are good ones out there, and an enthusiasts car would be the way I would go ( I am going to go this way when the time is right ). I had a 1991 S4, but I fancy an early manual car next. I'm keeping my eye on one up here that only has 40,000 on the clock.

If you can do the work yourself you might get by on spending £500 to £1000 a year on servicing and general maintenance and repairs.

If you are going to be paying someone else to do the repairs, maybe £2000 per year.

Expensive items are the ecu, maf (mostly for the S4, GT and GTS, even if you just have them refurbed every X years), radiator, keeping the intakes sealed (S4 GT and GTS)

My choice would probably be the 86 S2, more robust ECU and MAF, good point in the evolution of the engine (last of the 4.7's), same brakes as the S4, nicely tuned suspension and the classic styling.

My predictions are that the GT, GTS and 86'S2 are going to be the collectors cars, as well as the very early 4.5's due to rarity.

If you are asking......you cant afford it!!!!