928 s4 1988

It's an old car, almost 30 years old at that, anything can happen anytime.
I had 1987 S4 that I bought new, had it for 3 years and put about 70k miles, car was bulletproof and required just regular scheduled maintenance and never developed any issues.
30 years later though all bets are off.

 

I have a 1985 928S, a 5 speed Euro model imported new from Germany and federalized here in the US. The car has been totally reliable and the engine as noted above with the prior poster's S4, has been virtually bulletproof...not a single major issue in 32 years. The 928 is truly a well-built, solid GT car. At only 80k miles, your friend's S4 is hardly broken in. In a cover story a few years back Classic & Sports Car magazine, noting its "supercar performance and practicability," proclaimed the 928 to be "the classic world's biggest bargain!" I tend to agree but think they went a tad overboard with the supercar performance part.

 

I daily drove a 1987 928 S4 for probably 7 years or so. It had some niggling electrical gremlins (i.e.? remote hatch pull was intermittent, had to replace window switches, and one or more directions on the seat controls were iffy).

Oh, and the clutch slave hose blew once - $50 part, 20 minute replace & bleed.

Otherwise? Was absolutely reliable until an engine compartment fire, due to a split fuel line connection (which could happen pretty much any time, in any car.) After that? Too many little issues due to things that had seen too much heat, so I sold it off.

Still think about getting another...

 

+1
On reliability. In 6 years just a Bosch relay needed replacement on mine.

Performance: Group tests of the time showed S4 was quicker than Lamborghini Countach and Lotus Esprit Turbo at TRC test track. S4 is solidly planted above 150mph.

The Weissach axle is a card up its sleeve on cornering ability.

 

Love the 928!

 

You'll love the car, they're great. I had a 1983 S. Only issues were some quirky electrical things. Nothing to keep me from driving it though. Well built, fun and powerful. Oh and they look great inside and out. I say get it if it looks good.

 

i had one of these. great car. properly maintained there were no issues.
bought it used, kept it for a year, sold it for what i had in it.
it was pretty cool frankly.

 

You are right, they are cool cars. Each of my female companions have remarked the same. How is the F40 doing? Haven't been in one for 6 years now.

 

well that almost makes 2 of us....it is in storage at bob houghtons til i figure out where i want to be and have it shipped there.....

 

Common issue unfortunately. A friend of mine lost his 928S4 through an engine bay fire.

From 928s R Us:

"The fuel lines in the Porsche 928 engine bay can become dried out and brittle, and are prone to leakage. Since these lines carry fuel (some under high pressure) through the hot engine bay, it is possible that a fuel leak could lead to an engine fire. An engine bay fire quickly gets out of control and in only minutes can turn your car into an inferno.

There are many documented cases of this, which have lead some to think that the 928 is prone to engine fires. The fact is that any car with fuel injection has a potential to catch fire if the fuel lines age and begin to crack. The solution to this is a simple one: Replace the rubber parts of your fuel delivery system with new ones."


Prices are only increasing. The 928 GTS is the one to get, however becoming expensive, so a late S4 with the digital dash is the one to go for. I still look at 928 S4s. The Porsche specialists in my city want to inspect prior to committing to undertaking any electrical work on them. Their reputation for annoying electrical issues is well founded.

I always thought that a 928 S4 would be my first Porsche, I still think they look incredible after all this time, have the build quality of having been"carved from granite", sound great and are very appealing. Ultimately I went for different models, but still have an interest. I would still love one.

 

Common issue for all Bozo's who leave old fuel and oil pipes in situ. I know of at least four 308's who suffered this fate. Worse one was when an old oil pipe split over the top of manifolds. Whoosh!

Post '94 GTS is at the top table, closely followed by the livelier, lighter and tighter GT. A good analogue dash pre-cat S4 is the current bargain of 80's supercars. Get a good one while you can. Majority of electrical hiccups are down to old relays. At $5 each just renew all relays and carry some spare

 

Would be good to see it at the Isle Of Man Supercar event next year. Best tarmac in Europe

 

Some useful reference points here

https://porsche928prices.simplesite.com/

 

Its a pretty bullet proof car. A few service items like timing belts, biggest issue with the 928's. Great too excellent car in good shape.

 

I've had 2 over the years and they were great. The S4 was better than the 82 'S', by a mile.

Reliable and easy to work on.

 

looking to find one... best place to look? I guess the 5 speed manual is in greater demand still?

 

Yes, the manuals are still in greater demand.