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Can anyone help re 944 advice?

P

PFB

New member
Hi guys,

First post here, as I'm new to Porsche.
I am seriously considering a particular 944S purchase. I love the car's looks, but would really value any advice to bear in mind when looking at the car.

It's a 20 year old model, on 110k. Engine rebuild in the 90ks, lots of history by the sounds of it. New cam chain and slipper at 100k, plus a major service.


So, what should I be looking for when I go along to see it?


All and any advice much appreciated.

Rgrds
PFB
 
An engine rebuild that didn't include the cam chain and slipper in the 90ks - what else didn't that rebuild include and why did it need a rebuild so soon are the alarm bells I have ringing.

I'd still be concerned it needs new cams through sprocket wear or case hardening deterioration until I had someone who knows their stuff check it over. Otherwise all standard stuff from the buyers guides linked above.

As it happens Rick who runs the site the links above come from told me yesterday he is thinking of selling his 944S which is a well sorted example.
 
Thanks for that fast response, guys.

Apparently it had big ends, rings and cam belt at 95k. Then at 102k an £1100 service which included the cam chain and slipper. It apparently has a well documented and stamped service record, the full original tool kit and manual. It also has the boot roller blind and case for the removeable roof panel, both undamaged. I gather that these are getting rarer?

Do I detect potential problems, then, with cams/sprockets? Rough price to fix in event of problems?

What should be a (ballpark) asking price do you think for a 20 year old 944?

It looks in excellent condition, but beauty is only skin deep, as they say...

Rgrds
 
At least £1k for cams and the rest if it needs them and yes, that's the biggest 944 weakness IMO - it's only relevant to 16v models though as the 8v has only one camshaft and therefore no chain (still has belts though). It's very, very, very unusual to need bearings and rings at that mileage. So much so I wonder that it was abused in terms of oil changes or oil level in earlier life.

In terms of what is a 20 year old 944 worth - how long is a piece of string? 20 years is more than enough to see a poorly maintained car virtually worthless. A really perfect one I'd value about £5k (for an S), but others may disagree and I know they can sell for more than that. Work backwards from £5k taking money off for anything you consider would need money spent on it to get it the way you want it and see where you end up. I'm guessing something around the low £3k mark if it's a nice one as that history rules it out for ever being perfect IMO, but it's very difficult to know without a lot more detail - if it's a nice metallic blue or black it'll be worth more than if it's chocolate brown for example, ditto if it has leather in black or blue or linen (light cream) rather than burgundy tartan cloth.
 
Guys, thanks for all your help. I have seen the car, and it's not the one for me.

First impressions were that the various different shades of mismatched paintwork highlighted an 'interesting' life for this 944. The rear panel had been off at some point, and seam filer was left wanting. Rear screen had the water ingress problems too.

The engine was hunting to a degree, possibly a vacuum/ manifold issue. Just ran a little rough, really, even when fully warmed up.

Seating was a major issue for me - not comfortable, and spent a while fiddling to see if this problem could be alleviated but no joy. I think I'm too tall for the car!

Gearbox ok, but steering very tough, with a definite tight spot when turning, and an associated noise at certain points in the steering column's travel

Acceleration ok, but not staggering - a little lacklustre, really.

Lots of history and owners, but just not ticking the boxes for me, so sadly it's a no on this occasion.

Many thanks to all who helped with advice, much appreciated.

Rgrds
PFB

 
PFB,

Interesting - well done for avoiding it. There is a saying that there is no such a thing as a cheap Porsche ... there are some ropey ones around, for sure. I looked at 7 S2's before I bought one (and read at least three times that number of adverts.)

How much of the problems you spotted were with that particular car, and how much with the 944 model in particular? Seating, for instance, is very similar on all 944's (some had bigger-bolstered sports seats, but they were the same other than larger bits down each side.)

All the best in the hunt for a good example, if you persist with the 944 dream. S's don't seem to be very loved (as Fen said) because they are as complex as the more powerful S2's, but produce no more power than the simpler 2.7's.


Oli.
 
Regarding seating - I'm 6' 2" ( and 17st. [:)]) and can get in my S2 OK. With the introduction of the S2 the seat was lowered 30mm and the steering raised 15mm (or something like that) which may help you if you can get a later car.
 
ORIGINAL: xenon

Regarding seating - I'm 6' 2" ( and 17st. [:)]) and can get in my S2 OK. With the introduction of the S2 the seat was lowered 30mm and the steering raised 15mm (or something like that) which may help you if you can get a later car.
Click to expand...
Really? Gosh I didn't know that! As Fen said, "Every day is a school day".

I stand corrected!


Oli.
 
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