I need a 928

[LunarOne]

I'm on my second manual 981 Boxster S and it's probably the perfect summer car. But earlier in the year I added a lovely low miles 1992 BMW E32 730i to my small collection and it's actually become my daily driver since I work from home and don't do a ton of miles. And it's made me realise that there's no reason an older car shouldn't be reliable if you look after it and drive it regularly.

My first introduction to the world of Porsche was my 20-year-older half brother, who had a 944S2 and still owns the 968 he bought in 1991. As a teenager at the time, I was completely enamoured and promised myself I'd get one of my own one day. The same brother bought me a Scalextric set when I was a whippersnapper and the cars in the set were the Porsche 928. As me move closer to the EV era, it occurs to me that I've never owned a V8, and I still have that front-engined Porsche itch to scratch. Maybe kill two birds with one stone with a 928?

So I've been brushing up on my 928 knowledge, reading whatever I can find and watching every 928 video and I think I have a fair idea of what changes happened with what year. I really love the original body shape but I don't want to buy a car just for that. I would definitely prefer a manual, so I've been looking at 1990s 928GTs. But I don't know anyone personally who's owned a 928 and I've never driven one either. I'm guessing it might feel a bit like a BMW 850Ci to drive? I don't have a specific budget but I think I ought to be able to get something nice for around £20k. But I don't know these cars inside out and I'm sure there are plenty of gotchas to watch out for. I'm looking for a car I can drive regularly so it won't be a garage queen but I'd like some semblance of reliability and don't really want a project car. I'm also not buying as an investment - if I were I'd be putting that money towards something else. I placed a bid on this one sight unseen, but as I wasn't able to view the car in person I didn't feel comfortable with bidding above the budget I'd set in my mind for that car:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2021-1...

Can you recommend any buying guides or other resources which would help me choose a nice example and avoid any pitfalls? Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.

Thanks!

Edited by LunarOne on Monday 6th December 01:31

[LunarOne]

julian987R said:

Stating the obvious but a manual commands between 10-15K above an automatic…circa £30k. Therefore, hate to say it, but your budget is a bit low in my opinion.

Thanks Julian! Sounds like I should have kept bidding! As I said my budget really isn't a budget - just a guideline of where I thought prices were. The manual isn't absolutely essential but the 730i is the first automatic I've owned and while it's very big and comfy and relaxing, I do like to do my own gear changing, plus it gives more opportunity for playing the engine like a musical instrument! And as I build my collection of cars, I'd like to focus on manual cars as gears won't be a thing in the EV age and I'll miss my gears as much as a tuneful engine.

[LunarOne]

LordFlathead said:

I've got an 89' GT. Owned it for around 12 years. Previous owner had it around the same time and it has been used properly by the both of us so has high mileage. They are overengineered and solid.

That looks absolutely cracking!

[LunarOne]

Orangecurry said:

LunarOne said:

Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.

Dunno about budget, but a friend of mine's uncle was a few years ago building a collection of GTs - he had a blue and a red, and was looking for a white. He brought them along to our Goodwood Charity Days two years running - one of them won 'Best in show' IIRC.

Time has moved on, and in the summer when I last chatted about it, I think the uncle was going to move them on.

These are good ones though, so won't be cheap.

I'll ask him anyway - don't get your hopes up though... they may be gone already.

As I said, my "budget" isn't a limit and for the right car I'd be willing to negotiate!

[LunarOne]

sparta6 said:

This is a great read and will save you £££ in guiding you in the right direction.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/porsche-928/david...


MPG is around 25 on a run which surprised me.

Worth renewing the Bosch relays as a precaution. Many electrical gremlins are due to 30 year old relays. Shock !
Replace and relax.

Great engineering, dynamics and comfort.

Both LSD and PSD do their job well, and if you get one with PSD it's the same unit that sits in the 959.

Plus you have a thumping V8 soundtrack.

My first Boxster didn't have an LSD but my current one does, and it makes a night and day difference when driving fast on switchback bends. Do not all 928s have an LSD?

I get less than 24mpg on average in my Boxster, and about 22mpg in the 730i so I'd be surprised if a 928 in my hands got anywhere near 25mpg even on a run. But I'm not looking for economy as I only do one or two long road trips a year, and none in 2020 and 2021! Usually I head down to the South of France via the Alps or the Pyrenees and I'm not sure the French are too friendly to older cars - especially in the cities. But I expect the UK will be just as bad soon. London already is!

I've bought that book you recommended - thanks for the tip!

[LunarOne]

Discombobulate said:

Great cars. Did 35k miles in a S4 and a GTS as daily drivers in 2004/5.
Most common electrical problems are caused by poor grounds / old fuses rather than relays but easy to fix.
Thrust bearing / flex plate can be an issue on autos if not checked / adjusted by someone who knows what to look for (eg Paul Anderson in Stroud).
HVAC issues common too. I fixed my air con in the GTS but it took some work.
Overall very reliable and superb cruisers. And look uber cool these days. And Rennlist is a fantastic resource for info.

Thanks! I'm not averse to having to spend time and money on a car to keep it in top condition - that's part of the fun for me. Electrical gremlins are not usually too much of an issue for me as long as spares are available. I managed a B-grade at A-level electronics back in the early 90s so I know my way around a test light, multimeter and oscilloscope. And I'm fairly handy with a spanner too. It's just interiors and bodywork and paint that give me shivers down my spine - I'd have to get a professional involved!

[LunarOne]

Cheburator mk2 said:

I did 20k miles in a S2 5spd as my only car in 2003-2004. Then I did another 60k miles in a GT between 2004 and 2007. I now have a GTS 5-spd and a GTS 5-spd race car.

I have also driven quite a lot an 8-series that belonged to a friend. The latter is a pure GT - there is no sportiness in it all. Looks superb, but its design is cashing checks that the drivetrain/chassis cannot honour. The 928 on the other hand is a perfect blend of sports and GT abilities.

Don’t buy a project. Simple as that. I have restored my GTS to factory fresh condition and I am 90% done restoring to a factory fresh condition a complete and running 2-owners 928S4 5spd which was always serviced at one and the same OPC from 1989 until parked up in 2006. Both have been “interesting” projects - financially, logistically and time scale wise. Spend the money on a car which has had money and love recently.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm definitely not looking for a project car, but I don't mind if there are niggly issues that need fixing. Just this evening my 730i has developed a new fault - the blower will only run at full speed or not at all. It's a common fault that will likely require the "sword" repairing, probably by fitting some new MOSFETs as I don't think you can buy the parts new.

[LunarOne]

julian987R said:

LunarOne said:

julian987R said:

Stating the obvious but a manual commands between 10-15K above an automatic…circa £30k. Therefore, hate to say it, but your budget is a bit low in my opinion.

Thanks Julian! Sounds like I should have kept bidding! As I said my budget really isn't a budget - just a guideline of where I thought prices were. The manual isn't absolutely essential but the 730i is the first automatic I've owned and while it's very big and comfy and relaxing, I do like to do my own gear changing, plus it gives more opportunity for playing the engine like a musical instrument! And as I build my collection of cars, I'd like to focus on manual cars as gears won't be a thing in the EV age and I'll miss my gears as much as a tuneful engine.

this has got your name on it.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1129910

thats as good as it gets right there.

That's lovely, but £54k is too rich for me I'm afraid. I'll have to settle for something a little less as good as it gets!

[LunarOne]

Castrol for a knave said:

Right, would or would be not rust buckets aside, here's your starter for 10

Thanks very much - super helpful! I've bookmarked all those links as well as this page so I can find it in the future.

[LunarOne]

Orangecurry said:

...so sorry - both cars gone. When he makes up his mind, he doesn't hang around.

They were both GTS.

Thank you for asking for me - much appreciated!

[LunarOne]

cirks said:

You most definitely shouldn't have kept bidding........................

only because I bought it ;-)

Congratulations Cirks! My mother is very ill and in the very last few days or weeks of her life. As her sole carer, I didn't feel right going to go and have a look at the car in person. I've been discussing it with someone who owns a couple of these cars a knows a lot about them. We decided that I'd bid, but I wasn't comfortable about bidding higher without getting to actually see the car. Is it as good as it looked in the photos? I really hope you got a fantastic car and it lives a long, happy and cherished life under your ownership!

[LunarOne]

JohnnyUK said:

I've had mine nearly 5 years - it's been one hell of a journey and cost me a lot more money than I envisaged!

But....I had a spirited drive behind my wife's 991.2 GTS today, easily kept up with her and I fell back in love with it (and her!)

Fabulous - what do they call that colour?

[LunarOne]

Orangecurry said:

I love visiting Rennbowland.

https://rennbow.org/porsche-colors/DoveBlue%20Meta...

The lady in the first picture linked is probably the least likely 928 driver ever. I'm not usually one to disparage someone's fashion choices, but those shoes are tragic. I guess they match her skirt, which is a shame. As a former student of shoe design, I'm really struggling

Sorry was I supposed to be looking at a car?!

[LunarOne]

Not one I'd pick. I'd be quite happy with any of these though...

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/history/porsche-se...

[LunarOne]

Stunning! You're not helping me dispel my desire for a 928!

[LunarOne]

Castrol for a knave said:

Thanks guys.

It's been a labour of love, and it has a full engine rebuild from Paul A. In fact, the block used to belong in Tony the flat bed driver's S4 - seen earlier in this very thread.

A few jobs to do - the steering wheel leather is a bit worn and the seats needs a recolour. I fitted a Blaupunkt SQ46 , which is the looky likey with the SD cards in the fake cassette slot. Full new speakers and sub in the back. took me a full day to chase out all the old rats nest and replace chocblocks with decent bullets connectors etc.

I'll give it an oil and filter plus front pads and tranny oil change over Christmas.

It has an x pipe and sounds epic.

How do you find the SQR46? I bought one for my '92 730i and it looks like it was born to be there, but I'm not impressed with the sound at all. The Silvercrest horror that was in there when I bought the car sounded so much better!

[LunarOne]

JohnnyUK said:

I also have one in my 928, but it's going through am Audison Forza 8.9 Bit amp / processor with 10 Audison Prima Speakers and an Audison Sub in the boot.

It has a rear bias sound, with six of the speakers behind the driver, and is hands down the best car hifi I've ever heard. Perfect in fact.

Highly recommend Stuart at Accutek in Winchester.

I was considering an Audison Forza installation in my Boxster S as it doesn't even have Bose and therefore sounds like a Fisher Price® My First Car Stereo. But the Gulf orange colour wasn't growing on me and I didn't want to spend a small fortune on audio for a car I wasn't going to keep. But I've had it 2.5 years so maybe I should have. The colour still hasn't grown on me but I do love the car. But right now my priority is looking after mum (and finding a nice 928 that I can afford). (And finding more garaging space!)

[LunarOne]

Claret Badger said:

Took three adults and luggage to Denmark and back so practical as well (if a little snug in the back!)

Looks lovely! Whereabouts did you go in Denmark? I spent a year in Aalborg in 2005. It's a funny country when it comes to cars. Many ordinary people drive rustbuckets, because when you buy a car you pay for the car, then 180% registration tax, and then 25% VAT on the whole lot. So a £10k car ends up costing £35k. Unless it's a 2-seater only commercial vehicle with space for loading, in which case it gets different plates and a different tax regime. I knew someone who bought an Audi R8 and registered it as a commercial vehicle for tax purposes. But then you're not allowed to use it for commuting so he kept it at the office!

[LunarOne]

alabbasi said:

I've had one since 2012. I'm not in love with it and i've probably not driven it since 2015. It's an 88 S4 auto. I also have a 98 R129 Mercedes Benz SL500 which seems to check all the same boxes, but does it better.

Maybe time to let someone else love it? That SL in the background is another I hanker after - an R107 which was made until 1989...

[LunarOne]

alabbasi said:

LunarOne said:

Maybe time to let someone else love it? That SL in the background is another I hanker after - an R107 which was made until 1989...

I havent driven that one much either :-)

Wanna do a BOGOF deal?