Monday 29th June 2015

Porsche 928 S4: PH Carpool

A lovely example of 'the forgotten Porsche' very much enjoyed by one enthusiastic PHer

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Name: Trevor Brooks/v8trevster
Car: Porsche 928 S4
Owned since: 2012
Previously owned: "TVR Griffith 500HC, Jaguar XJS 4.0, Range Rover 3.5 Vogue SE, Rover 820 Vitesse, plus numerous rep-mobiles and runabouts."

Why I bought it:

What else to replace a 118d with as a daily?

"I had first tried to buy one of these in 2006, but just couldn't find one that I was happy with (and could afford) so bought a very tidy XJS instead. Then a few years later a good friend of mine bought this car after spending years (literally!) looking around for the perfect car. So when my friend came to sell it I couldn't say no, and it replaced a BMW 118d as my everyday car!"

What I wish I'd known:
"I had done a lot of research when I bought the car, and I bought it from a friend who had possibly done even more research than me. So there really isn't much that I wasn't forewarned about. The community and mailing list on 928.org.uk is completely invaluable, and made sure that I was fully prepared for the realities of 928 ownership before I ever sat behind the wheel."

Things I love:

Leather, leather everywhere!

"What's not to love? The car has a full leather interior (not just seats, but dash and headlining, etc) - the smell is wonderful, and combined with the rumble of the Porsche 5.0-litre V8 is really quite intoxicating. Plus everything works! Fundamentally this car is from a different era, and back then Porsche had such high build quality that it just isn't comparable to most modern cars. There aren't many 26-year-old GT cars that you can use everyday, but you can with this one, and I do!"

Things I hate:
"There's really not much to hate, although when we had the bad snow in winter 2012, it made me realise why most people's everyday cars are slightly more practical than mine. But even that resulted in me buying another V8 (in the form of a Range Rover), so I have the 928 to thank for that experience too..."

Costs:

V8 uses lots of money

"Running costs are high, but that's the deal you enter into when you buy one of these cars. MPG is 15 around town, 25 on the motorway. Servicing and tyres costs around £1,000 to £1,500 per annum at a good specialist. On the flip side insurance and road tax are really cheap, and your servicing costs are met by the fact that the car appreciates rather than depreciates. So overall I'd say a good experience. Lots of 928 owners service the cars themselves (and there's lots of support through 928.org.uk and rennlist) but I'm not that mechanically minded so tend to use 928 guru Paul Anderson in Stroud. Paul really knows what he's doing with 928s - so much so that I won't trust anyone else to look after mine."

Where I've been:
"This really is the perfect vehicle to tour around in - it's taken me down to Surrey, South Wales, Bristol, Liverpool, Yorkshire, and many many other places, and just eats up the miles with minimal effort and maximum comfort. Also been to numerous PH Sunday Services, breakfasts at Shelsley Walsh, days out with 928.org.uk, etc."

What next?
"The time has come for me to part company with my 928. Unfortunately I don't have room/money to keep it as a weekend car (my TVR fills that role more than adequately!), and I need something larger for my everyday car."

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[unsprung]

Well, well, well. How could such an iconic machine go 25 days on PH with nary a whisper. Kindly allow me to post.

First of all... simply gorgeous.

Secondly, what other older GT could look brand-new on the forecourt, today? Goodness, gracious. Porsche began putting pen to paper for this car in the early 1970s! (launched in 1977)

Yet it looks utterly contemporary.

I'm not surprised that the owner drives it daily. Comfortable cabin and a seriously useful hatchback. Prodigious amounts of torque.

I'd investigate a different brand or class of tyre. Reduce the cost of consumables whilst making little difference in performance.

Best wishes to the new owner, if you sell it. Pity you can't keep it 'til the end of time. Truly a bit of history, a gem.

[Leins]

PH needs to hang its head in shame that this thread has been ignored for so long, especially with all the "what car" nonsense threads going on at the same time

Anyway, wonderful car OP and best of luck with the sale. These S4s are getting better looking all the time, and can't believe it's 28 years since I first saw one on the cover of Performance Car, and shortly after rumbling down the road outside my house

[nickfrog]

ALWAYS loved them but that's an age thing, I'm 46. They looked 20 years ahead of their time when they came out. In many ways they still do.

[rich888]

Leins said:

PH needs to hang its head in shame that this thread has been ignored for so long, especially with all the "what car" nonsense threads going on at the same time

Anyway, wonderful car OP and best of luck with the sale. These S4s are getting better looking all the time, and can't believe it's 28 years since I first saw one on the cover of Performance Car, and shortly after rumbling down the road outside my house

The Porsche 928 is one seriously underrated super car, with the S4 5 litre models rated for 320 HP and the GT and GTS rated even higher.

Even today very few cars are faster 0 - 60 or top speed.

Collectors across the UK and abroad and are finally realising and appreciating what 928s are worth.

[405dogvan]

Lovely car - brave daily driver but using cars is the way to keep them working (and there's stuff on 928s that, should it fail, you'll need to mortgage a home to replace it - so KEEP it working!!)

The only reason I don't really desire a 928 is that I never really got past my love for 944S2s (not Turbos - please) - but it tickles the same 'chunky coupe' thing with me, GT over 'boyracer coupe' perhaps ;0

[callahan]

Gorgeous car, I've always loved the shape of the top section of the doors.

Is it a manual of auto, can't see that in the text?

[Snubs]

callahan said:

Gorgeous car, I've always loved the shape of the top section of the doors.

Is it a manual of auto, can't see that in the text?

Judging by the gearstick in the photos, it looks like an automatic to me.

[callahan]

Snubs said:

Judging by the gearstick in the photos, it looks like an automatic to me.

Well spotted, couldn't see that on my phone.

[whythem]

Lovely car, and definitely on the list. Coincidently my little 924S which is my daily has failed to start this morning. First time she's let me down in 3 month's and plenty of miles.

[Matt Bird]

unsprung said:

Well, well, well. How could such an iconic machine go 25 days on PH with nary a whisper. Kindly allow me to post.

First of all... simply gorgeous.

Secondly, what other older GT could look brand-new on the forecourt, today? Goodness, gracious. Porsche began putting pen to paper for this car in the early 1970s! (launched in 1977)

Yet it looks utterly contemporary.

I'm not surprised that the owner drives it daily. Comfortable cabin and a seriously useful hatchback. Prodigious amounts of torque.

I'd investigate a different brand or class of tyre. Reduce the cost of consumables whilst making little difference in performance.

Best wishes to the new owner, if you sell it. Pity you can't keep it 'til the end of time. Truly a bit of history, a gem.

Apologies for this, scheduling mishap! Published before it should have been, whoops...


Matt

[dbdb]

The 928 is a wonderful car - and my favourite Porsche by a country mile.

[pSyCoSiS]

Lovely and understated cars.

Not long now until these start soaring up in value.

[myhandle]

I really like 911s, but this is also just great. The shape is ageing extremely well. It is a shame they are such a rare sight compared with the 944 and 911 Carrera 3.2. Very pleased that they are going up in value, so that the owners will hopefully spend a bit to keep them in good order.

[J4CKO]

pSyCoSiS said:

Lovely and understated cars.

Not long now until these start soaring up in value.

Already seems to have happened, 20k and up these days.

[rtz62]

Sir, I doff my cap to you!
I would love to own one, although the thought of having to sell one of my children to pay for repairs somewhat worries me.
I've never quite understood the sun visors in the rear, but other than that it really is a wonderful old beast.
There's an old guy near me that I see driving an early white one on a regular basis, it looks a little rough around the edges but it gets used, which I'd guess the majority don't.
I've always promised myself a 911 Turbo from the same era, but this has turned my head....

[m444ttb]

I'd sell the TVR and keep the 928 (it's safe to say such things on PH these days right?). I'd really love a 928 and I'd guess that car is worth at least the same as my 996 Carrera 4, if not £5-10k more so probably out of reach forever now.

[unsprung]

Matt Bird said:

unsprung said:

Well, well, well. How could such an iconic machine go 25 days on PH with nary a whisper. Kindly allow me to post.

First of all... simply gorgeous.

Secondly, what other older GT could look brand-new on the forecourt, today? Goodness, gracious. Porsche began putting pen to paper for this car in the early 1970s! (launched in 1977)

Yet it looks utterly contemporary.

I'm not surprised that the owner drives it daily. Comfortable cabin and a seriously useful hatchback. Prodigious amounts of torque.

I'd investigate a different brand or class of tyre. Reduce the cost of consumables whilst making little difference in performance.

Best wishes to the new owner, if you sell it. Pity you can't keep it 'til the end of time. Truly a bit of history, a gem.

Apologies for this, scheduling mishap! Published before it should have been, whoops...


Matt

No apology required, as far as I can tell. This fine article was on PH and any PHer could have commented it at any time.

[MattCSLnut]

pSyCoSiS said:

Lovely and understated cars.

Not long now until these start soaring up in value.

That boat has already sailed my friend. Most S4s are now firmly North of £10K and there's very little to choose from.
GTs & GTSs are up in the high £20K. There's an immaculate GTS currently For Sale on fleeBay @ £50K
I miss both of my S4s ...especially the very rare '87 S4 Manual with factory LSD.

[J4CKO]

My 944 quelled my enthusiasm for ageing Porsches, I loved it but it was more of a hobby than transport, the 928 is a lot more complex, but happily not as rust prone.

[unsprung]

There are Australians here on PH. I wonder if they have an opinion on the value of this car if purchased from Oz and shipped Down Under.

One could ask the same of the Americans. However, I'm guessing that a) 928 prices are comparable or more affordable in the US and b) one would need to hope for that eccentric buyer who fancies a RHD German.

In the US, RHD is allowed. As is the importation of cars that are 25+ years old.