928s - As financially ruinous as rumours?

delays · Feb 17, 2008

Hi folks,

I'm very interested in 928s, but have a few questions about the cars themselves, and most specifically about where the 'costs' come from. Every time somebody recommends a 928, another comes along and says 'watch out, it'll be expensive'. But is the 928 actually that bad?

Obviously, being a large V8, it's going to like a drink of aromatic tipple, and being a classic Porsche other associated costs such as servicing and insurance are likely to be high. How much is an average service? And what else creates costs for these cars?

I'd like some definitive answers to silence the critics.

Thanks in advance.

patrick.w · Feb 17, 2008

I've only had my 928 ('89 S4) for two years (I'm sure there are many others on this site who have owned one for much longer), and so far I have found the financial impact of ownership bearable, but you could not describe it as cheap.

With regard to servicing, mine is looked after by an independent Porsche specialist, where the hourly labour rate is obviously the same for all models (& at £50 + vat per hour probably on a par with a Volkswagen dealer?). The low availability of pattern parts, when compared to a 911, may play a part in higher maintenance costs, though there is always someone breaking one on E-Bay for secondhand parts.

The engines are rumoured to be pretty much bulletproof, and mechanically I've had no real problems, though the electrics are fairly complicated, and I can imagine fault finding and rectification in this area could be a pricey affair.

I loved the look of the 928 when it was first released, and always wanted one, and when I found mine it was fairly low mileage (70k), and in very good condition, with only the cam-belt/water pump needing to be done. I believe that the differential in price between an '89 911 Turbo (similar performance?) in similar condition and the amount I paid goes a long way to easing any pain in the ownership costs.

If you do decide to buy one ensure that you look at as many as you can, buy the best one that you can afford, and do it soon while you may still be able to afford the odd gallon of petrol for it!

glen p · Feb 17, 2008

I have owned my s2 for about two and a half years now and found it not that expensive to run. never had a problem getting any parts that i needed. lots of specialist on the net if you are prepared to spend some time looking, and i find that most things are priced fairly reasonable compared to modern day cars. if you know one end of a spanner from the other try to do as much of the work (servicing etc) yourself much more rewarding and save some money. as regards insurance i pay £200 a year fully comp and i do not have a limit on my mileage but the car must be used as a second car and i live in a high risk area on the outskirts of manchester, my seven year old renault espace costs me £500 and limited to 6000 miles a year !!!
dont let the doughters put you off, go with youre heart and buy one,you will not regret it i am sure of that.

glen p · Feb 17, 2008

a full service kit from my local opc is approx £90, oil/air/auxillary air filter/ fuel filter/plugs/sump plug seal and then add the price of couple of gallons of oil. all can be replaced by someone with a small amount of technical ability.

Brett928S2 · Feb 17, 2008

Hi

Good question

All the above answers just about say it all, the only major cost I have had is Cam belt/water pump change at around £400..ignoring my Nitrous stuff lol..

Insurance isnt too bad depending on age and mileage...

To be honest the main cost is petrol...think well under 20mpg...mine does around 14 mpg in town..

But as I always say...when I go out every morning (daily driver) and that HUGE V8 rumbles into life , I get a smile that lasts all the way into work

All the best Brett

GAFTON · Feb 17, 2008

Hi! Before you can properly answer that question you need to answer these: will you do your own servicing/repairs? If not will you find a good independent nearby? Which particular problems will your car have? With the benefit of hindsight I now realize that I had work done which was unecessary - I didn't know any better and the people ( one independent and one main dealer) either didn't know or didn't choose to tell me.... This is one car you do have to be knowledgeable about (although a lot of help is available online, here and at Rennlist.com and in person ask Brett, above - he is most helpful) Parts are generally expensive (I've been quoted almost £1800 for cats by the main dealer and the independent didn't feel he could do much better - they both felt the parts had to come from Porsche; good thing they're not needed yet) but I suspect long-lasting (so probably cheap in the long run); a main dealer 12k miles service is close to 1K (half for an independent?); you can get an idea of reduced service price at www.jzmachtech.com , but I have not used them because of the time/distance involved. My insurance, with agreed value, unlimited mileage, PCGB track events included ,etc. (brokers are: A. Manning and they are very helpful) is very reasonable. Fuel: using Shell V-Max think about £62 per 220 miles (not bad, my 4 cylinder Passat is at about £45 per 235 miles). The car is just wonderful, but be careful, you could easily become a 'sharkoholic' too (like many/most owners)!

delays · Feb 18, 2008

Thanks very much guys for your helpful comments.

How much mechanical ability do I need to be able to perform my own service on a 928 (assuming early 4.5 or 4.7 examples)? There are a few specialists around my way, but as Glen P mentioned, I'd imagine the feeling of satisfaction of keeping your own 928 on the road would be great.

Thanks again,