Advice appreciated for 928S

[ultimasimon]

My everyday driver was an old 928S (83) but it suffered a blown head-gasket recently, rendering it a 4.7 litre waterpump. It literally empties the entire cooling system out of the exhaust pipe. I know that these cars are not that popular amoungst the "true Porsche" fans, but it was an excellent car until now, and as their resale value is virtually nothing, I have decided to spend the money and get it done and keep it. It may well need a full rebuild or another engine as it has covered 152K now.

Can anyone recommend a decent Porsche engine builder / mechanic that charges sensible non main-dealer prices near to Heathrow?

Thanks for any advice in advance, Simon

[domster]

V near Heathrow, v cheap (20 quid an hour when I used him) is Patrick Schembri at Porschembri. May need to google name or see 911&PW. He can certainly do tech work, not sure about full rebuilds. Would advise getting engine from breakers maybe?

Have googled.
Details are: www.schembri.co.uk

Tel: [phone]

His rates may be higher these days, I used him about 4 years ago.

>> Edited by domster on Friday 29th November 17:06

>> Edited by domster on Friday 29th November 17:06

[ultimasimon]

Thanks domster, I'll give him a ring on Monday. I know I wouldn't trust this to any old mech. Also I have the complete set of Porsche factory manuals so if I was able to find a Porsche mech that did "privates" this could be an option.

[NineMeister]

Simon,
We rebuilt the engine from a nice S2 manual a year or so ago, mainly due to oil consumption problems. We fitted rings, valves and guides, with the usual pulley upgrades on the front and a new water pump, but from what I can remember the final bill, with very competitive parts pricing, including a new clutch, worked out to about £5000 including VAT.

Now, for the work involved I think that this is reasonable, but not when you consider that I was offered a 928S4 manual two weeks ago for less than £4000. So my advice is to consider your long term objective for the car, it may be a lot more sensible to just repair the gasket and upgrade the car to the S4 as soon as it is done.

[ultimasimon]

NineMeister said: Simon,
We rebuilt the engine from a nice S2 manual a year or so ago, mainly due to oil consumption problems. We fitted rings, valves and guides, with the usual pulley upgrades on the front and a new water pump, but from what I can remember the final bill, with very competitive parts pricing, including a new clutch, worked out to about £5000 including VAT.

Now, for the work involved I think that this is reasonable, but not when you consider that I was offered a 928S4 manual two weeks ago for less than £4000. So my advice is to consider your long term objective for the car, it may be a lot more sensible to just repair the gasket and upgrade the car to the S4 as soon as it is done.

Thanks for your advice NineMeister. As you see It's a bit of a problem. AFN Chiswick quoted me circa £5k for a complete rebuild. I don't want to throw the car away as it already stands me in about £5k. Then there is the body work to consider; it's not that bad but could do with some fresh paint. If I did all the work and kept it for ever then this could be feasable. Somehow though, I can't see me doing this either which means I would just be throwing good money after bad. Back to square one. Clearly this is the reason that 928'S are cheap second-hand.

[whoozit]

Contact James at JM Autos 01992 788 911, in Waltham Cross. He's looked after my cars (including my 2 928s) for several years and is a 928 specialist. In fairness, I should state that he is a friend - but he is recommended as a specialist by 911 and Porsche World and 928 owners' clubs.

[craigw]

My ongoing quest for a "winter" car has continued and failing to find a good BM 635 I've been looking at 928's. I was offered a 200k 1997 s4 last week, think I could have had it for about £3750, it has fsh, new tyres, rebuilt gearbox and a new rad (however the coolant system warning light is still on), not leaking though?? any thoughts everyone ?

[Whoozit]

Cheap car now but it still has supercar costs if anything busts. Even for a winter hack, you'd be looking at steering rack/suspension/random electrics problems.

[NineMeister]

Buy it, sell the engine to Ultrasimon, flog the problematic rack to Whoozit, punt the tyres onto a 911 owner, pocket the profit and scrap the rest......

Or just buy it, enjoy it, and if anything major breaks take it on the chin.

[iguana]

Or buy my nice 944 which will be on the market soon for under that cash

[craigw]

has to be an auto I'm afraid Iguana.

[HermanTheGerman]

UltimaSimon,

This may be of interest.




----------- Advert follows. Adtype is forsale, Status is trade

Porsche'' breaking

Body style: all
Gearbox: all
Fuel: all

911 SC
928
944
924

e-mail for parts availability/prices

Location : Slough, Berkshire
Telephone : [phone]
To email the advertiser go to www.findit.co.uk/cars/porsche/489891.htm


>> Edited by HermanTheGerman on Wednesday 4th December 08:47

[domster]

I have full list of breakers somewhere that I did for Stig when he wanted a G50. Dodn't include Don Valley as thought he knew them already. They are the largest and they google. For the rest, I will email them if you want.

[ultimasimon]

Thanks for all your help guys, I will let you know what happens as soon as possible