Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi,

Just bought this 91 bridge spoiler turbo - http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C852935

It drove really nicely, best of the three I saw and it's in great condition, but this is my first Porsche and I've got a few questions:

- The brakes are a bit spongy - they're ok but not amazing as I'd expect in a sports car. Will they need a full strip down, or is this just what 944 brakes are like and I need to get aftermarket pads/discs?
- The interior fan only works on full. I presume this is the resistor which is a quick replacement. What's the best place to get these from?
- The A/C doesn't blow cold. I presume the system has a leak as it was re-gassed by the previous owner about 18 months ago. Is this a Porsche specialist job, or can any mobile A/C man do this?

Other than that it's pretty mint. A few minor cosmetic things I might get done (a scratch, might get the leather reconolised) but I'm pretty pleased that I got the right one.

Sit down before you click:

www.rosepassion.com/en/cat/porsche-944- ... tor/P38578

My god... At that price I might get a second hand one - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-944-9 ... SwjXRXaUhH

It's not a Turbo S, just a plain old Turbo, like my 91...

You don't need to replace resistor, very easy to clean and refit. I had same problem on mine and it's been fine for nearly a year now and it only cost me 30p for a bottle of vinegar!

http://porsche911owner.blogspot.co.uk/2 ... aning.html

As already suggested, the S was a 1988MY car only (actually called the SE in the UK). You have a 91 Turbo, which is the same as a 90 Turbo. Not common, but definitely NOT an 'S'.

Brakes should be epic - if they aren't then they need work. Even a basic 944 with cast ATE calipers/brakes could detach your retinas in an emergency stop when new. Brembo calipered Turbos and then S2s were better still, and cars with medium black Brembos off an S4, like yours, could slow the earth's rotation if applied hard enough. If not then theyre old, dirty, tired, corroded and unmaintained.

I realise that what I have written here may contradict what you have been told elsewhere, but they were wrong.

Don't be disheartened though OP, unless you're one of those speculator types. Up to very recently the 88 'S' sold for little more than the Turbo that came after it, because it wasn't really much different to a spec'd up later car. I preferred the sports seats and bridge spoiler.

You need to post some pics up too - we like pics

Coco-cola works well on the resistor too

But NEVER use WD40!

Right, to reply...

I think they're 928 S4 medium blacks on 250 bhp Turbos, I'd agree they don't exactly throw you at the windscreen though. I fitted new discs and Textar pads all round and changed the fluid, and they still need a firm push on the pedal from speed. The brakes on my Mrs Fiesta ST2 pull that up with less effort.

Apologies, I do indeed have a plain old 91 Turbo (or at least I will when I pick it up tomorrow).

I've only taken the car on a 10 minute test drive so I haven't really tested it fully. The brakes were adequate, but my retinas remain attached so I might investigate some aftermarket options or a good service.

I'll post some pictures when I get it tomorrow.

No such thing as a plain old turbo, enjoy

I've never driven a 944, but the same Brembo calipers on my 928 S4 feel fantastic. First job is to flush and bleed properly as any sponginess = air in system and/or old fluid. Less likely culprit is ageing flexible hoses that are expanding too much on braking. My brakes also hugely improved by complete refurb - I changed all the seals and dust boots (amazing how many pistons moved sluggishly before, but easily and silkily afterwards) and addressing all the side plate distortion issues those brembos prone to, with corrosion building between steel plates and Alu calliper.

Air con no different from any car using expansion valve system, but you do have leak if it's all lost after 18 months. Best identify (dye or electronic 'sniffer' after replacing some refrigerant) and fix leak before full vacuum down of system. If you have to open it to fix leaking part then receiver/drier should be replaced. You may find the leak is just schrader valves at service ports. Has car been converted to 134a? The original R12 not available, so at minimum service ports need changing. The original oil is incompatible with 134a, but as it's sitting in compressor can be left there depending on where compressor sits in system (it's lowest component in 928). So in short yes any good air on guy can sort it if you don't fancy diagnosing and fixing yourself which requires set of gauges, connectors for your system and vacuum pump.