RE: Porsche 928: PH Carpool
Discussion
Anglophile - agreed. I came to my 928 after ownership of a 911, the 964 model. My eye-opener experience came at a PCGB Silverstone track day, held using the full GP circuit. I'd booked an instructor session, without giving it much forethought. Well, needless to say, it was the best £20 I've ever spent. He could not only drive my car round Silverstone in a much quicker time than I'd achieved, while also taking less out of the car, but he also demonstrated that the 928 platform is so much more stable than the 911's of that time are when it came to the high-speed corners.
A 928 remains the car I have spent the most high-speed time in on public roads and it is the performance and sure-footed handling above 100 mph that really makes it unique. The faster I went, the more confidence I had with the car, whereas a 964-era 911 gets "interesting" at 100+.
A 928 remains the car I have spent the most high-speed time in on public roads and it is the performance and sure-footed handling above 100 mph that really makes it unique. The faster I went, the more confidence I had with the car, whereas a 964-era 911 gets "interesting" at 100+.
Have always loved the shape of the 928 having owned an S2 back in the mid 90's.
I have read that one of the potential high cost areas for these cars is the camshaft sprockets. Obviously if they go there are twice as many as the 944S2 which has the same set up and on which they are a known weak point.
I have read that one of the potential high cost areas for these cars is the camshaft sprockets. Obviously if they go there are twice as many as the 944S2 which has the same set up and on which they are a known weak point.
Wadeski said:
Does the 928 really offer the B-road fun of its arse-engined brother? I'm impressed if it does. I've driven an 8er and was a bit dissappointed (never meet your heroes...although it was a V8 not V12).
A 928 GT manual could be a lovely thing, so long as it makes you really want to drive it.
I've owned 3 928s including a manual S4 (very close to a 928GT) and a 964 C2 manual with LSD. A 928 GT manual could be a lovely thing, so long as it makes you really want to drive it.
The 928GT is heavier than contemporaneous 911s (964) and you do notice that in the drive. It has similar power to weight (c. 215bhp/ton), less traction off the line, and far more composed handling on or near the limit. There is much more torque all the way through the rev range which you really notice in a rolling start drag race from say 50mph in 3rd gear.
The 911 has wonderful steering feel. I've never driven a car that demanded to be thrashed like a good 964 does. The sound of the flat 6 and the delicacy of the controls make for a great B road hooner. It has just the right amount of power too. My Boxster Spyder (251bhp/ton) is almost too quick, but that is as much a function of hopelessly long gear ratios (75 in 2nd anyone?) than power.
The 928 on the other hand is a neutral handler that offers very safe handling, although with its long wheelbase and 50/50 weight distribution, it can be provoked into lurid slides and drifts. Especially since the 928GT model was fitted with an LSD as standard. There is not the feedback or chatter you get with a 911, nor the frenetic nature of the revs. It's more muscle car like.
But a lot of what makes it perhaps the 2nd choice for taking apart the B2026 is simply that it is way, way more refined than the '64. There's less noise, less vibration and much more stability particularly at high speed. Russell Bulgin, when he tested the prototype version of the GT the very rare 928S4 'SE' said there is nothing other than a 959 that offers this much thrust above 120mph.
I've since sold the 964 (and I do miss it). The Spyder is for sale. Many 928s have come and gone but I still have "Helga" a 1979 928 5 speed hot rod with upgraded everything and pasha velour interior. Great cars. Every Porsche nut should try one.
Joel
MattCSLnut said:
Especially a certain '87 928 S4 Manual aka "Great White" we both owned, hey Joel ??? 
GREAT cars the 928
I've been very fortunate to own 2 of these "Land Sharks" and would happily have another one in a heart beet.
Yes indeed, great cars. I sometimes wish I'd kept that one and had it repainted in some crazy colour - my wife didn't like white! GREAT cars the 928
I've been very fortunate to own 2 of these "Land Sharks" and would happily have another one in a heart beet. 
I'm in hospital for a minor op, just came around from general anaesthetic and my first thought was, 928- should I chop my Alpina in for one? Obviously on my subconscious mind quite a lot!
I think the ride and low ride height might be the main concerns for me, I only wish this life were full of high speed long distance dashes to a distant workplace.
I agree it looks way more modern than it has a right to. Lovely!
I think the ride and low ride height might be the main concerns for me, I only wish this life were full of high speed long distance dashes to a distant workplace.
I agree it looks way more modern than it has a right to. Lovely!
barchetta_boy said:
MattCSLnut said:
Especially a certain '87 928 S4 Manual aka "Great White" we both owned, hey Joel ???
GREAT cars the 928 I've been very fortunate to own 2 of these "Land Sharks" and would happily have another one in a heart beet.
Yes indeed, great cars. I sometimes wish I'd kept that one and had it repainted in some crazy colour - my wife didn't like white! GREAT cars the 928
I've been very fortunate to own 2 of these "Land Sharks" and would happily have another one in a heart beet. 
but I'm sure "Great White" is enjoying it's new life Down Under 
imp75 said:
That grey 928 looks really rather more modern than it ought to. Fantastic height and best photo of a 928 I've ever seen. Def need to watch Risky Business tonight......
THANX for the compliment My previous 928s youthful appearance was down to a few factors such as it being a 1991 M.Y. 928 S4s (the final year for the S4) its modern colour, addition of clear front & side indicator lenses, later CUP 2 17" GTS wheels and CUP mirrors.
Regarding the ride height , that's mainly down to extreme suspension compression most cars suffer from going through Karussell
then its actual ride height shown in the pix below.
Edited by MattCSLnut on Monday 9th December 23:09
Limpet said:
I was in a sleepy Oxfordshire village the weekend before last when three 928s rumbled through in convoy, all bearing rather fruity sounding exhausts. Owners club outing, perhaps? Anyway, what a noise! Made this petrolhead grin like an idiot for a bit. 
Beautiful cars.
Yes that was the annual 928.org pilgrimage to the Merry Miller in Oxfordshire. Sadly I wasn't among them as family duties called!Beautiful cars.
jondutyfree said:
Edited to add: Lovely looking example in the article, welcome to the gang, I really like the mobile phone in the centre console, I wonder what the chances of finding one on ebay is.
Thanks mate. Yes the phone was the clincher. Still worked for the last owner but he took the fuse out as it fired off all kinds of annoying noises upon start up! I can imagine the Earl of Cawdor (cars first registered keeper) calling his mistress on it now!Edited by jondutyfree on Monday 9th December 15:31
Wadeski said:
Does the 928 really offer the B-road fun of its arse-engined brother? I'm impressed if it does. I've driven an 8er and was a bit dissappointed (never meet your heroes...although it was a V8 not V12).
A 928 GT manual could be a lovely thing, so long as it makes you really want to drive it.
The 928 S4 outhandles and outguns the 8 by a country mile.A 928 GT manual could be a lovely thing, so long as it makes you really want to drive it.
The 8 is more refined and modern, and a great looking car but it's too heavy for the engine and just as thirsty as the Porker.
Neither will compete with a 911 on the twisties though, but then a contemporary 911 in similar condition will cost 3 times as much!
hairykrishna said:
I think the description I once read likening them to high end speedboats was probably best. Slightly unwieldy feeling at low speeds, but once 'up on the plane' at fast A road speeds they're just astonishing.
That's actually a very good description of how they handle. They can handle fast corners so much better than you expect them too. I won't push mine to ten tenths on a public road, as the speed I would be carrying would be certain death in an 'off', Weissach Rear Axle or not!BrotherMouzone said:
Does the auto box suit the car’s / engine’s character better or the manual box?
I haven't tried the manual but as it's a dogleg box that doesn't like to be rushed when cold, it can take some getting used to apparently. I won't lie in that I would have preferred a manual GT, however you can't be too choosy on spec if the right car comes up at the right price with these. The auto does suit the car very well though and on long journeys and in traffic you'll be glad to have it.
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