1987 Porsche 928 S4 - aka Daddy's Noisy Car
Discussion
Having just had a bit of work done, and watching the thread on Bruciebonuz's 928 GT, I thought I’d start a thread on my 928 S4. I’ve had it a couple of years and wasn’t my first choice of car though. That was a 944S2 – mostly due to trying one a few years ago and missing out on a peach because I couldn’t get the cash quick enough. I need a car with rear seats so it can be used for more that just special drives. With young children, I don't have that spare time. E36 M3s had also been on the shortlist, but not much else floats the boat.
Anyway, fast forward about 6 years from that time and, having moved house, changed job, and had another child, I’d finally scrabbled some beans together and was on the hunt once more. By now though all the tidy, reasonably-priced 944s had disappeared. A lament on here led to one thing, and then another, and after a pre-purchase check over at a 928 specialist, a price was agreed, and I owned a 928.
This one is a 1987 S4, originally registered in the UK, it was imported around 2010, and shortly after a fellow Sydney-based PHer bought it. The timing of my lament was just about right - it was time for the 928 to be moved on as it was sharing time with one of Huggy Bear's fleet...
This also means it has the important extras of not one, but two, PH stickers in the rear windows.
The Noisy Car is what the kids call it. Its not that noisy, though it is a little more distinctive than the other cars on the driveway, and does sound good on starting up in the garage, so the name's stuck.
The PPI showed there were a few things that would need doing over the coming years, some more urgent than others. The purchase price meant my budget could cover these, so the deal was done. First up were a few things that just had to be done soon’ish – a weep from the top of the gearbox, flexi brake hoses, new rad fan.
All work, including the PPI, has been done at a local, yet nationally-renowned, 928 specialist that just happens to be about 2km from where I live. Over the first two years other items included steering rack refurb, sunroof refurb, new custom-made header tank and finding a particularly well-hidden dry solder joint that had stopped the driver’s seat electrics from working properly. The fix took about a minute, but finding it was a pain.
Otherwise, it's been a fun time, the car loved by the kids, and rear seats means it can be used for more than just fun drives. Its docile in traffic, even in the peak of Sydney’s summer, can fit a mountain bike in the back, and is utterly fun when the road opens. Rear tyres haven’t lasted too well, but 245-section tyres on 17” rims are surprising easy to find and not that expensive compared to the 18” stuff on many cars these days. A pair of Bridgestone Potenzas are currently doing good service.
Except when the little clip that attached the gear lever to the gear rods came loose, leaving me in second gear, on the wrong side of the city, in 35C weather, with my 8 year-old daughter. Yeah, that wasn’t so much fun. But an easy fix.
About 6 months ago, a few items had started to come to light. The timing belt was due, the clutch was starting to feel a bit odd, the rear main seal was weeping, and the head gaskets were still original. So, preparation started, with parts being ordered from around the world. The clutch was a pain to find. Apparently 1987 and 1988 S4s have a particular fitting, which means whilst they can be adapted to use the later GT clutches, it’s a bit hard to find one that suits the original fitting. In the end, two were found, both as OE parts at Porsche Germany. One was swiftly sent to Australia…
Three weeks ago it went in for some major surgery. Engine out, heads off and everything cleaned. On inspection the bores were pristine, to be honest they were expected to be so as the car had still be running smoothly with no problems. Every pipe and hose that could be replaced was replaced. A new radiator fitted as the old one was showing signs of leaking. Heads taken apart, valves re-seated and all external surfaces polished. The invoice itemizes all parts used and work done and is five pages long, labour made up about 30% of the cost.
The result, I think, looks stunning. The pics don't really do justice to the result.
On first driving it since the work two things are immediately obvious. The first is how much smoother the engine sounds. It was by no means rough before, but with everything now as it should be, there is definitely a layer of honey over the top. The second is how ridiculously light the new clutch is – as light as MrsPB’s Golf.
The torquey delivery is still evident, but there’s a new sort of urgency to heading towards the redline, it feels more eager. Lovely.
I’d never expected to want the car enough to get this sort of work done, but it really has gotten under my skin. There are still many things to do, though none are critical. Next up would be sorting the AC. It needs a whole new system really, and I'm not sure I can go another summer without it. Then, a respray as the paint is showing signs of cracking in a few places and there’s evidence of a few minor scrapes that have been repaired. The suspension will need a refresh in a few years time too, and those wheels just don’t do it for me. A set of Cups would be lovely as I can’t really see me putting 16” wheels back on, but they’ll have to wait for now.
Otherwise, its now going to get a lot more use. It gets a lot of urban use, with occasional B-road blasts, but it needs a couple of good runs and I need to work on the excuses to do those...
Anyway, here's some pics of the car and a few before/after shots of the recent work...
Anyway, fast forward about 6 years from that time and, having moved house, changed job, and had another child, I’d finally scrabbled some beans together and was on the hunt once more. By now though all the tidy, reasonably-priced 944s had disappeared. A lament on here led to one thing, and then another, and after a pre-purchase check over at a 928 specialist, a price was agreed, and I owned a 928.
This one is a 1987 S4, originally registered in the UK, it was imported around 2010, and shortly after a fellow Sydney-based PHer bought it. The timing of my lament was just about right - it was time for the 928 to be moved on as it was sharing time with one of Huggy Bear's fleet...
This also means it has the important extras of not one, but two, PH stickers in the rear windows.The Noisy Car is what the kids call it. Its not that noisy, though it is a little more distinctive than the other cars on the driveway, and does sound good on starting up in the garage, so the name's stuck.
The PPI showed there were a few things that would need doing over the coming years, some more urgent than others. The purchase price meant my budget could cover these, so the deal was done. First up were a few things that just had to be done soon’ish – a weep from the top of the gearbox, flexi brake hoses, new rad fan.
All work, including the PPI, has been done at a local, yet nationally-renowned, 928 specialist that just happens to be about 2km from where I live. Over the first two years other items included steering rack refurb, sunroof refurb, new custom-made header tank and finding a particularly well-hidden dry solder joint that had stopped the driver’s seat electrics from working properly. The fix took about a minute, but finding it was a pain.
Otherwise, it's been a fun time, the car loved by the kids, and rear seats means it can be used for more than just fun drives. Its docile in traffic, even in the peak of Sydney’s summer, can fit a mountain bike in the back, and is utterly fun when the road opens. Rear tyres haven’t lasted too well, but 245-section tyres on 17” rims are surprising easy to find and not that expensive compared to the 18” stuff on many cars these days. A pair of Bridgestone Potenzas are currently doing good service.
Except when the little clip that attached the gear lever to the gear rods came loose, leaving me in second gear, on the wrong side of the city, in 35C weather, with my 8 year-old daughter. Yeah, that wasn’t so much fun. But an easy fix.
About 6 months ago, a few items had started to come to light. The timing belt was due, the clutch was starting to feel a bit odd, the rear main seal was weeping, and the head gaskets were still original. So, preparation started, with parts being ordered from around the world. The clutch was a pain to find. Apparently 1987 and 1988 S4s have a particular fitting, which means whilst they can be adapted to use the later GT clutches, it’s a bit hard to find one that suits the original fitting. In the end, two were found, both as OE parts at Porsche Germany. One was swiftly sent to Australia…
Three weeks ago it went in for some major surgery. Engine out, heads off and everything cleaned. On inspection the bores were pristine, to be honest they were expected to be so as the car had still be running smoothly with no problems. Every pipe and hose that could be replaced was replaced. A new radiator fitted as the old one was showing signs of leaking. Heads taken apart, valves re-seated and all external surfaces polished. The invoice itemizes all parts used and work done and is five pages long, labour made up about 30% of the cost.
The result, I think, looks stunning. The pics don't really do justice to the result.
On first driving it since the work two things are immediately obvious. The first is how much smoother the engine sounds. It was by no means rough before, but with everything now as it should be, there is definitely a layer of honey over the top. The second is how ridiculously light the new clutch is – as light as MrsPB’s Golf.
The torquey delivery is still evident, but there’s a new sort of urgency to heading towards the redline, it feels more eager. Lovely.
I’d never expected to want the car enough to get this sort of work done, but it really has gotten under my skin. There are still many things to do, though none are critical. Next up would be sorting the AC. It needs a whole new system really, and I'm not sure I can go another summer without it. Then, a respray as the paint is showing signs of cracking in a few places and there’s evidence of a few minor scrapes that have been repaired. The suspension will need a refresh in a few years time too, and those wheels just don’t do it for me. A set of Cups would be lovely as I can’t really see me putting 16” wheels back on, but they’ll have to wait for now.
Otherwise, its now going to get a lot more use. It gets a lot of urban use, with occasional B-road blasts, but it needs a couple of good runs and I need to work on the excuses to do those...
Anyway, here's some pics of the car and a few before/after shots of the recent work...
That is really beautiful. You must be so pleased with how that engine bay looks!
On the body work - don't be in too much hurry to make it perfect. If it's too good you will hesitate using it for all the little jobs (driving the kids to clubs etc) for fear of picking up a chip/dent. Just enjoy it.
On the body work - don't be in too much hurry to make it perfect. If it's too good you will hesitate using it for all the little jobs (driving the kids to clubs etc) for fear of picking up a chip/dent. Just enjoy it.
Glad you're continuing to enjoy it Lee, looks great. I might head down with that paperwork now we're almost neighbours, would love to go out for a nostalgic spin in it and feel the improvements 
I told you the Cups would end up going down the list of important wants.
I do support what someone said above about the bodywork - I know it's pretty good, it seems extravagant and you may fear for it more. But hey, whatever makes you happy.
I told you the Cups would end up going down the list of important wants.
I do support what someone said above about the bodywork - I know it's pretty good, it seems extravagant and you may fear for it more. But hey, whatever makes you happy.
Cheburator mk2 said:
You did not buy it from Hilton by any chance? If yes, the UK owner is also on here and I played a small part in its resurrection in the UK. Small world...
I bought it off Hilton. I did stumble upon a guy here (years ago) I thought might have been a previous owner, dashed him a message but never heard back.Google [bot] said:
Glad you're continuing to enjoy it Lee, looks great. I might head down with that paperwork now we're almost neighbours, would love to go out for a nostalgic spin in it and feel the improvements
I told you the Cups would end up going down the list of important wants.
I do support what someone said above about the bodywork - I know it's pretty good, it seems extravagant and you may fear for it more. But hey, whatever makes you happy.
Any time, Stu, just need to find that time! And preferably one when its not pissing down.I told you the Cups would end up going down the list of important wants.
I do support what someone said above about the bodywork - I know it's pretty good, it seems extravagant and you may fear for it more. But hey, whatever makes you happy.
The bodywork is fine, I know - AC definitely got to be sorted first. A set of Cups was offered but the work done at Chez Bruce hoovered the contingency that could pay for them...
And thanks all for the comments. Before I went ahead with the work, I added the budget to the likely sale price to give myself a mythical budget to see what else I could get. And, honestly, nothing appealed. There were a handful of E46 M3s, but I'm not really fussed by the E46 looks. The budget wouldn't stretch to an M635CSi, and whilst I originally wanted a 944S2, and would still like one, I'm not sure I want one instead of the 928. An Ur Quattro was wafted under my nose but the price for that was too rich for me.
So, I reckon this is likely to be hanging around with me for a while yet
Of course, it was always going to be the way of things... No sooner had the car come back from 4 weeks at a specialist getting lots of work done, than a couple of little items crop up that require a further visit.
First, the passenger window refused to lower. Its been a bit slow, but always worked, and as the car is a warm place to be at the best of times I tend to drive around with the windows opened unless its pissing down. Anyway, this time the window stopped working when I got in the car to come home from work on one of the warmer Spring days. Sat in Sydney's rush hour traffic (look up 'Military Road' if anyone doubts its crap - that's my way home) with one window and the sunroof open was fun.
The second item started the next day. The first start of the day was fine, but then subsequent starts sounded like the battery was labouring - I put it down to needing a new battery, as there were no other signs the alternator was on its way.
Managed to get into the workshop last week. The window was more painful than we first thought. The switch checked out OK and we couldn't find any loose wires, but it seemed the motor wasn't working. So, door card off, motor out, take it apart, clean, regrease, reassemble (cos you can do that with some old stuff!) check for operation and reinstall. Just like a Haynes manual
Still not working once installed. Check again for loose connections, find one and solder it. Still intermittent operation. Check for loose wires, find another dodgy connection, solder, and go again. OK, but there's a third loose connection still under the dash. Its not stopped working yet, but I know which bits to wiggle... Its somewhere in the photos below
When we were taking this apart, one of the more surprising things to find was that the cover to the fuse/relay box is a piece of wood. I expected aluminium or steel, but wood it is, and it seems to work well.
The battery and alternator were tested and both OK, so maybe it just had a day off - need to keep my eye on that. Again, the battery compartment is a little surprise, in the boot, hidden under the hope-I-never-need-it spare wheel, which itself has a cover of corrugated plastic. Odd, yet probably exactly what it needs.
Anyway, we're back on track and have through flow of air!
First, the passenger window refused to lower. Its been a bit slow, but always worked, and as the car is a warm place to be at the best of times I tend to drive around with the windows opened unless its pissing down. Anyway, this time the window stopped working when I got in the car to come home from work on one of the warmer Spring days. Sat in Sydney's rush hour traffic (look up 'Military Road' if anyone doubts its crap - that's my way home) with one window and the sunroof open was fun.
The second item started the next day. The first start of the day was fine, but then subsequent starts sounded like the battery was labouring - I put it down to needing a new battery, as there were no other signs the alternator was on its way.
Managed to get into the workshop last week. The window was more painful than we first thought. The switch checked out OK and we couldn't find any loose wires, but it seemed the motor wasn't working. So, door card off, motor out, take it apart, clean, regrease, reassemble (cos you can do that with some old stuff!) check for operation and reinstall. Just like a Haynes manual
Still not working once installed. Check again for loose connections, find one and solder it. Still intermittent operation. Check for loose wires, find another dodgy connection, solder, and go again. OK, but there's a third loose connection still under the dash. Its not stopped working yet, but I know which bits to wiggle... Its somewhere in the photos below
When we were taking this apart, one of the more surprising things to find was that the cover to the fuse/relay box is a piece of wood. I expected aluminium or steel, but wood it is, and it seems to work well.
The battery and alternator were tested and both OK, so maybe it just had a day off - need to keep my eye on that. Again, the battery compartment is a little surprise, in the boot, hidden under the hope-I-never-need-it spare wheel, which itself has a cover of corrugated plastic. Odd, yet probably exactly what it needs.
Anyway, we're back on track and have through flow of air!
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