Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi folks

I registered after stumbling across the website in a Google search for 944 buying guides. This place is a real treasure trove of information, which I'm looking forward to making good use of.

I'd be very grateful if someone with a little knowledge could enlighten me as to the virtues and pitfalls of the 944 automatic. I have decided on an auto because of where I live (Central London), and a 944 because it seems to fit the bill of the usable/practical pseudo-classic. A budget of £3-3.5k seems to be about right for what I'm looking for (as late as possible, in decent condition with some history), and should hopefully give me a car which only needs ongoing/preventative maintenance rather than a full overhaul in the foreseeable.

Being new to Porsche, I've a few questions that I'd really appreciate opinions on.
1. Most buying guides barely reference the auto, meaning that I've had to piece together bits of information from a number of sources. Is there a de facto information source (years, engines, options etc.) that I've missed?
2. If not, what's worth knowing about the auto? I've done plenty of research on the 944 in general, but any advice there is appreciated also.
3. Is there a generally accepted "Stage Zero" service for these things? I'll probably start with a full service and fluid change (inc. coolant flush and ATF), brakes and a suspension refresh. Is there anything else that's worth doing as a starter for ten?
4. Are there any nice, easy upgrades for the 2.5/2.7 lumps, to liberate a few lost bhp? (I spotted a "chip" on Ebay, which seemed more legitimate than its price suggested)

Thanks in advance!

Hi

Before all the advice gets posted, it might be worth popping along to one of the Ace Cafe Porsche nights and get a feel for what good looks like and having a chat with owners. There will be lots of 944's at Simply Porsche Beaulieu on 5th June. I am sure that the guys on here will be happy to spend some time with you on the day.

Buying the wrong car will cost you as much again, especially if you are not good with a set of spanners or can't weld.
Lots of good cars out there and a lot of expensive crap.

Feel free to ask lots of questions and show us any cars that you like the look of.

Auto boxes are generally good, we had a thread on here recently about servicing. Should you, shouldn't you. Opinion is definitely divided.

Good luck

Hi Sean

Thanks so much for the reply.
Ace Cafe is usually a weeknight, if I'm not mistaken? If so, long working hours will probably put pay to any chance of me attending that.

On the subject of changing ATF, I've had a few cars with 'sealed for life' autoboxes, and all have benefited from a fluid flush/change. Unless there's something specific to the 944 box, I'd be inclined to go ahead and do it.

Look forward to any other information!

Might be worth investing a Tenner on this 944 all models buyers guide :-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/184 ... UTF8&psc=1
Clive

Good grief. Amazon was the last place I thought I would find a 944 buying guide. I'm all for investing a few quid in my hobby, but there are reams of information available on the internet.

Do you happen to know if the book features anything on the auto box specifically? If so, that would justify the purchase.

The condition of the auto box will be apparent as soon as you test the car.

All the other 944 watch out areas will not be so obvious.

The rubber drive coupling (at the front where the clutch goes in a manual) is a very expensive failure point.

Belts and water pump. Don't just go on milage, but also age. Also on 16v models, the timing chain tensioner slipper.

I had to have mine changed virtually as soon as I bought the car. It doesn't matter so much about the age or mileage, it's the service history and making sure it's driven regularly. A mistake I believe I made in buying one that was garaged for 10 years. I'm now spending obscene amounts doing all the recommissioning work and replacing all the rubber parts that have disintegrated over the years of not being used and serviced.

The 944 buyers guide from Amazon by Andrew Higgings & Jon Mitchell has 2 references to Automatic transmission p35 & 44 (useful tips).
If you buy it or/then ring JMGarage and speak with the co-author (ie Jon) no doubt he could give you a lot more info on that topic.
Wish the book had been available in 2004 before buying my first (of 3) 944's.

Excellent insight, thank you. Are there any symptoms that identify this clearly?

Thanks for that. Are there any complications with doing this on an auto, or is it just a case of 'business a usual'?

JMG 944 buyers guide:

http://www.jmgporsche.co.uk/index.php/menu-articles/articles-buyers-guides/item/180-944-buyers-guide

I'll approach this one a little carefully, but are you sure you want an auto? They are not well regarded compared with the manual and I haven't heard anyone ever say anything good about them. I'll quickly caveat that with the comment that I have never driven one - I'm simply going on what I have read and heard. An auto would indeed make traffic easier but the auto box on a 944 is going to be of a very old design and pretty primitive compared to modern affairs (they are 3-speed only for instance). I would also suggest that a 944 has a lot of weaknesses as a town car besides needing to change gear; the visibility is awful and the controls heavy to name but two. The strengths of a 944 appear on an open road where the chassis and balance really shine through, but the joy of this sort of driving is dulled for me when you are in a car with an automatic gearbox. An auto 944 would therefore be neither fish nor fowl, and I suspect they are cheap for a reason.

Having said that, the manual gearboxes on the 944 were a standard pattern Audi unit from the era so I imagine that the autos will be the same, and hence fairly robust albeit agricultural.

I'm also in Central London and drive my 944 as an only car so you'd be very welcome to come and have a nose around it if you wanted. PM me if so.


Oli.

I agree with Oli, but it's obviously your choice. This popped up locally to me, no association etc.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater