944S advice please guys!
Discussion
Hi there, I have just bought a really clean 88 944S and as it's my first Porsche (I have a fleet of Lancia Montecarlos!) I could do with the benefit of your experience.
1) Insurance - I am 33 and would like a classic policy but with no mileage restrictions. Car would be garaged etc but I am getting quotes for £700 which seems high -can anyone recommend a company?
2) The car has been really looked after (red coupe C944 OAN - anyone know it? Chap from Wiltshire) and I'd like to keep it in this state as will own it for a few years. What oils do you guys recommend? Is there a good supplier of service items I should know about or do you go to Porsche direct?
3) Can you recommend a specialist London-Cambridge area for servicing?
4)What tyres are best for the 944? Has the slightly naff telephone dial style alloys but I ain't changing the... currently has Pirellis on the rear, NCTs on the front. I drive fairly hard but do motorway miles sowear rate must be reasonable
5) Is there a Haynes manual/ other literature I should get hold of?
Would greatly appreciate advice esp on the insurance as I pick it up Saturday!
1) Insurance - I am 33 and would like a classic policy but with no mileage restrictions. Car would be garaged etc but I am getting quotes for £700 which seems high -can anyone recommend a company?
2) The car has been really looked after (red coupe C944 OAN - anyone know it? Chap from Wiltshire) and I'd like to keep it in this state as will own it for a few years. What oils do you guys recommend? Is there a good supplier of service items I should know about or do you go to Porsche direct?
3) Can you recommend a specialist London-Cambridge area for servicing?
4)What tyres are best for the 944? Has the slightly naff telephone dial style alloys but I ain't changing the... currently has Pirellis on the rear, NCTs on the front. I drive fairly hard but do motorway miles sowear rate must be reasonable
5) Is there a Haynes manual/ other literature I should get hold of?
Would greatly appreciate advice esp on the insurance as I pick it up Saturday!
Hello. Good choice, and don't listen to anyone that tells you the S is slower than an 8v as it is just jealousy. 
A good place for service stuff is www.berlyn-services.co.uk German & Swedish and Euro Car Parts are also useful sources.
Mine runs on Mobil 1 15/50, although it can be a bit thirsty, drinking about 1 litre per 1000 miles or so. I've heard Castrol RS can be a bit better consumption wise.
I have Goodyear F1s on 16" D90s and they are excellent, with good wear rates and fantastic in wet weather.
There is a 944 series Haynes manual but it is american and only for the 8v cars. Most of the running gear is the same as the S, but the engine is totally different. Your best bet is to get a burned CD copy of the Porsche factory workshop manuals from ebay. The original set is about £400, but I paid about £10 for the CD version. Depends on your morals I guess.
Cheers.
Marcus
A good place for service stuff is www.berlyn-services.co.uk German & Swedish and Euro Car Parts are also useful sources.
Mine runs on Mobil 1 15/50, although it can be a bit thirsty, drinking about 1 litre per 1000 miles or so. I've heard Castrol RS can be a bit better consumption wise.
I have Goodyear F1s on 16" D90s and they are excellent, with good wear rates and fantastic in wet weather.
There is a 944 series Haynes manual but it is american and only for the 8v cars. Most of the running gear is the same as the S, but the engine is totally different. Your best bet is to get a burned CD copy of the Porsche factory workshop manuals from ebay. The original set is about £400, but I paid about £10 for the CD version. Depends on your morals I guess.
Cheers.
Marcus
Hi,
I also have a 944S (1987 model- no differnce). Great car. First things first: go to www.titanic.co.uk/944 and join the e-mail forum. there's probably about 100 e-mails a day ranging from Turbo boys to problems with oil leaks on my S...
Second, Big topic on the 944 forum, but I'm with Carol Nash 9as a 26 year old), paying 360-odd.
I mentioned that its an everyday car, and asked about limited mileage. They got it covered. Deffo. worth a ring.
Thirdly; I tried Mobil 1 (0W40) and it was too thin. i use Castrol 15W-40, which the car seems to like.
4. cant help with the specialist. i'm in Kent, and do my own servicing.
5. Tyres; not sure about. Suggest ask others on the form
6. Yes. Forget the Haynes manual "book of lies". Theres the whole workshop manual ("PET") which is on CD-rom. There are plenty going around which you can borrow for evaluation peuposes. Agaion, ask on the form
7. When you join, say Hi to me!
Will,
944S
I also have a 944S (1987 model- no differnce). Great car. First things first: go to www.titanic.co.uk/944 and join the e-mail forum. there's probably about 100 e-mails a day ranging from Turbo boys to problems with oil leaks on my S...
Second, Big topic on the 944 forum, but I'm with Carol Nash 9as a 26 year old), paying 360-odd.
I mentioned that its an everyday car, and asked about limited mileage. They got it covered. Deffo. worth a ring.
Thirdly; I tried Mobil 1 (0W40) and it was too thin. i use Castrol 15W-40, which the car seems to like.
4. cant help with the specialist. i'm in Kent, and do my own servicing.
5. Tyres; not sure about. Suggest ask others on the form
6. Yes. Forget the Haynes manual "book of lies". Theres the whole workshop manual ("PET") which is on CD-rom. There are plenty going around which you can borrow for evaluation peuposes. Agaion, ask on the form
7. When you join, say Hi to me!
Will,
944S
Hi Adam,
I always thought that classic insurance always implied a limited mileage (I could be wrong though
)
I have an S2 which is a 16valver like yours but with the 3 litre engine. My local OPC and the independant that I use (JZ Machtech) both recommend Castrol Magnatec 10w40. I have used this for the past 5 years and 50,000 miles with no fillups needed between 12,000 mile services.
Try these websites as well as Bert for parts, but always double check with your local dealer as it is surprising the number of parts that 'independants' actually charge more:
www.porscheshop.co.uk
www.design911.co.uk
www.type911.co.uk
www.porschapart.co.uk
North London by the M25/M1 I would recommend JZ Machtech. I live in Northampton and drive 40 miles to get there.
I recommend Continental Contisport tyres. Good grip, low noise, good life, but tyres are a very personal thing and I bet you will get much differing advice.
Finally welcome to Pistonheads, and maybe see you on Titanic 944 as Will already suggested
I always thought that classic insurance always implied a limited mileage (I could be wrong though
) I have an S2 which is a 16valver like yours but with the 3 litre engine. My local OPC and the independant that I use (JZ Machtech) both recommend Castrol Magnatec 10w40. I have used this for the past 5 years and 50,000 miles with no fillups needed between 12,000 mile services.
Try these websites as well as Bert for parts, but always double check with your local dealer as it is surprising the number of parts that 'independants' actually charge more:
www.porscheshop.co.uk
www.design911.co.uk
www.type911.co.uk
www.porschapart.co.uk
North London by the M25/M1 I would recommend JZ Machtech. I live in Northampton and drive 40 miles to get there.
I recommend Continental Contisport tyres. Good grip, low noise, good life, but tyres are a very personal thing and I bet you will get much differing advice.
Finally welcome to Pistonheads, and maybe see you on Titanic 944 as Will already suggested
Seconded Scottster...they have no idea what they are selling
I ended up paying the postage twice as they only refunded the value of the goods supplied which were not correct for my model of car....nothing more than a Porsche bauble & trinket bazaar
>> Edited by clubsport on Wednesday 16th July 16:38
I ended up paying the postage twice as they only refunded the value of the goods supplied which were not correct for my model of car....nothing more than a Porsche bauble & trinket bazaar
>> Edited by clubsport on Wednesday 16th July 16:38
diver944 said:
I have an S2 which is a 16valver like yours but with the 3 litre engine. My local OPC and the independant that I use (JZ Machtech) both recommend Castrol Magnatec 10w40
williamp said:
I tried Mobil 1 (0W40) and it was too thin. i use Castrol 15W-40, which the car seems to like.
basil brush said:
Mine runs on Mobil 1 15/50, although it can be a bit thirsty, drinking about 1 litre per 1000 miles or so
Interesting different experiences with oil here.
When I bought my S2 it had been under Mobil 1 0W40 since new and I just thought it would be better/safer to switch to something a bit thicker, in order to avoid leaks because of old/dry seals, so I went for Mobil 1 5W50.
In my case I have noticed oil consumption does not vary with the type of oil but with driving conditions - the engine drank nothing in one track day whereas it required half a liter on a relaxed 300 miles cruise. Doesn't this sound a bit contradictory ?
I had a chat with a motor designer who works by Pug who said to me the best oil was theoretically the one with the lowest first figure and the highest second figure.
The first figure refers to the viscosity when the oil is cold, therefore that's what is supposed to prevent the engine from excessive wear in the critical phase of use : during cold starts. The lower the better.
The second figure refers to the capacity of the oil to keep its property under high temperatures : the higher the better.
The conclusion would be that the ultimate oil today should therefore have a grade of 0W60. Apparently it exists but I forgot the name of the maker (probably because it is rather expensive).
I'm hungry for more opinions on oil grades ...
>> Edited by Thom on Thursday 17th July 08:24
I run a 944 Turbo on 10/40 Magnatec and have never had problems. I probably top up with between 0.5 - 1 litre of oil between services.
I use Continental ContiSport tyres - great grip, good wear. Highly recommended but call around as prices vary dramatically (my quotes varied by over £200 for a full set). Person who owned the car before me had Falkens on the front - not bad budget tyre, and Avons on the back - absolutely lethal wet or dry. Great fun on roundabouts though...!
I use Continental ContiSport tyres - great grip, good wear. Highly recommended but call around as prices vary dramatically (my quotes varied by over £200 for a full set). Person who owned the car before me had Falkens on the front - not bad budget tyre, and Avons on the back - absolutely lethal wet or dry. Great fun on roundabouts though...!
I am bowled over by all of your helpfulness - thanks very much. Managed to get a good quote (First Point - Luke)
Owned the car almost a week, most agreeable handling and feels very well built. But: Very 'wooly' steering in the straight ahead position, also tram lines quite a bit. Tyres are standard width and at 29psi. Also quite twitchy on very fast corners (having said that I am used to mid engine Lancias which have great feedback). Will get the tracking looked at but what do you think? Am I just being an old tart?
Lovely car. Broke the hazard switch and glove box stay already though (suspect a bodge by the dealer I bought it from however). Anyone got spares of these for sale?
Owned the car almost a week, most agreeable handling and feels very well built. But: Very 'wooly' steering in the straight ahead position, also tram lines quite a bit. Tyres are standard width and at 29psi. Also quite twitchy on very fast corners (having said that I am used to mid engine Lancias which have great feedback). Will get the tracking looked at but what do you think? Am I just being an old tart?
Lovely car. Broke the hazard switch and glove box stay already though (suspect a bodge by the dealer I bought it from however). Anyone got spares of these for sale?
The glove box stays are a bit of a weak point. You can get metal replacements but they are expensive considering how small they are (£40ish from Berlyn Services). I only have one left on my car.
The handling shouldn't be twitchy on fast corners. I would get the tracking checked as it sounds like something is out.
>> Edited by basil brush on Thursday 24th July 12:09
The handling shouldn't be twitchy on fast corners. I would get the tracking checked as it sounds like something is out.
>> Edited by basil brush on Thursday 24th July 12:09
3psi sounds a litle low Will 
www.prestigeparts.co.uk/ make aluminium glovebox stays but if you keep an eye on ebay he auctions some every now and then and I managed to get some for 25 quid with no rival bidders
Porsche only sell an entire glovebox lid for over £200
www.prestigeparts.co.uk/ make aluminium glovebox stays but if you keep an eye on ebay he auctions some every now and then and I managed to get some for 25 quid with no rival bidders
Porsche only sell an entire glovebox lid for over £200
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