Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi there, I'm a classic car enthusiast, I've been into pre-war stuff but did recently own a BMW Z3 2.8. I've always liked the 928 and am now in a position to buy one. There's one on ebay at the moment, marine blue 928 S4 at £5995.
I've been in contact with the seller and it sounds like a good one, previously owned by a "Porsche Club Member" who did all manner of work on it. All the important jobs seem to have been done.
The thing is, I can't get an RAC or similar inspection as he won't hold the car for me and I wondered if anybody on this forum knows the car? Or owned it previously?
I'm aware of the fact that it's over 20 years old, but is 137,000 miles OK on a 928? Ordinary cars would be knackered at that mileage!
There are a couple of faults. Fuel gauge intermittent, sender replaced so not that, seat heating inoperative, bulb blown in "D" indicator, but that's about it.
I'm really tempted to just buy it, but knowing so little about the 928 I'm hesitating.

Have you considered that if the seller doesn't want an inspection that it may not be all he says it is? There will always be another.
A few years ago I saw lovely Lotus for sale. It looked tidy & drove ok. I paid a £200 deposit & then had a profesional inspection in case in my excitement I'd missed somthing. I had. It was good in all the places that are usually bad. But the engine needed a 6K rebuild! Lost my deposit but lived to buy somthing else. I would never spend hard earned without an inspection.

Hi

I used to be the PCGBs 928 Moderator, so know a fair amount about 928s as well as owning one....

Firstly that car has been looked after by Paul Anderson.....which is great !

You could ring him as he will remember the car and Paul is EXTREMELY helpful ( although hard to catch on the phone)...if you have problems, I will ring him for you....

Thats the good bit....

No matter what that advert says (I have read it all carefully) I would bet the drivers side seat Bolster is VERY worn.....they have carefully avoided it in the pictures.....although its not the end of the world at around £70 for a trim shop to replace...

Its a bit pricey.....but its a dealer not a private seller...so he would HAVE to give you some warranty....

Its around 1 to 2k over average price at the moment.....

BUT ,,, whatever he says you NEED it checked, either by another 928 owner ( I would do it if it was nearer) or by Paul Anderson....

Take my word at that price its not going anywhere quickly....lol

Any more questions just ask.....

And dont be put off...928s are GREAT SUPERCARS....

My famous saying now.....lol...."when I go out in the morning (daily driver) and turn the key, and that HUGE V8 rumbles into life, it puts a smile on my face for the rest of the day"

All the best Brett

Hi

Car looks good in the pictures and sounds ok.
There is not a 928 owners club in the UK but perhaps he means the internet groups 928 UK or 928 GB?
BHP for an S4 is 320 as its not a GT.
I would hold out for an inspection and as Brett says talk to Paul Anderson.

Bet its got corrosion in front of the windscreen and on the filler cap but that is really minor.

Stephen

If Paul says it's a good one, give him 5k

If not how about the cat C car

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Porsche-928-S4-Au ... 286.c0.m14

Don't worry too much about the ?Cat C part at that price

Thanks for the replies. I've tried to contact Paul Anderson but his voicemail says he is away until the 14th.
I contacted the seller and have negotiated the price down to £5,000....well, basically I offered £5,000 and he said he would take it.
He said he would have no problem with an inspection but was not prepared to keep the car if somebody else turned up with the money.
These cars seem like a bargain. I've been looking for a more modern classic and have looked at Mercedes 500SEL, Jensen Interceptor, BMW 635CSi. I am a bit worried about the mileage. 133,000 but a lot of 928's seem to have done this kind of mileage. It does say it has a full Porsche history. Is this mileage OK?
I guess that any car like this is going to be a risk, but he says it was previously owned by a Porsche Club member (he did tell me the name but I forgot) who did all the important jobs on it.
I don't know. The last car I bought was a 1932 Standard Nine that had been "subject of a restoration to the highest standards" and when it arrived there were about 50 things needed to get it right.

UPDATE! I've spoken to the seller this morning and I asked about the bodywork as it doesn't actually mention it on the listing. He said that it was 21 years old and was not "perfect" and had "paintwork here and there".
I don't suppose there is anybody on this forum who could go and have a look at it for me? I will pay you for your time.

Hi

I wouldnt worry about the mileage in the least...mine has done 142,000 and is barely run in lol...there are 928s in the States that have done over 600,000 on the original engines

Bodywork is another matter......although a LOT of the body is ally and not steel so they very rarely rust, although particulary on the rear wings (near filler cap) its galvanised steel and they can bubble under the paint (mine has but it doesnt bother me)

Get him to send you some pictures of the bodywork.....he should be prepared to do that for 5k....lol...I would

All the best Brett

Maybe I'm expecting too much from a £5,000 928. It's not going to be perfect after over 20 years of use. As long as it's mechanically OK and not crashed/repaired I can get minor bodywork issues sorted when I've got the money.
I've got an 8 month old van and it's got a number of scratches/imperfections already.

The car is not actually as far away from me as I thought. I somehow got the idea it was south of London....but it's only 113 miles away in Redditch. I'm gong to drive down in the morning and have a look at it myself.

there's another one on ebay, a silver one that's listed as a "concours second prize winner" and it's just been reduced to £3000. People are paying more than that for old Ford Cortinas and Escorts. Prices seem really low for these 928's. There's over a dozen on "Classic Cars For Sale" and none have sold. The 928 must have its day eventually!
Most desirable/exotic cars are out of reach for people like me, it seems here is one that is not.

Sorry just read this thread.

That's my old 928, but it used to be on EDZ928 which I retained.

No wear on bolster or corrosion below screen!

Am in hotel, on phone so can't reply in detail. Seller excellent chap so suggest you have inspection. I don't think it will sell in hurry at that price. Paul Anderson was impressed by it, and I really did spend 6K in 3 years on catch up maintenance and spoiling her.

Adrian

Hi Adrian

Ah well if it was yours it cannot be all bad lol

How long ago did you sell it and is the seller a Trader ?

All the best Brett

He's a trader in Mercedes classic cars by the look of it, but he's selling it as a private sale and not through his business.
He says he bought it to use himself and not to sell on, but now needs the money for his business. That's what everybody seems to say these days.

Adrian hi there, I don't want to trouble you too much on your holiday, can you just tell me very briefly is the bodywork OK on it...I mean I don't expect it to be perfect but are there any issues with the car at all? Mechanically it sounds OK and you certainly went over it by the look of it.

I'm going to buy it tomorrow if I like the look of it....and I'm no expert in these cars (well, not yet, but I guess I soon will be)

Also just listed on Pistonheads http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1189764.htm a 91 S4 105k...... at £3,750 its got to be worth a look.......

All the best
Andrew

Hi

Damn thats cheap for a 91....and it looks good as well...

All the best Brett

Wish I was on holiday - am working to keep myself in 928s <g>

Don't wish to be disloyal to my old car but I would also look at that new one on Pheads which has similar maintenance - very few 928s have had new mounts. My TB and water pump more recent though (Paul Anderson about 5000 miles ago).

Try a few before you decide. They take time to sell so take your time. Mine is a good car (Paul A was impressed by it) but not the only one out there!