Hello from an S2 hunter - couple of Qs...

Robbo149 · Dec 19, 2007

Hi all,
just recently signed up to the forum to do a bit of research. I'm new to the Porsche marque, after nearly 20 years of VAG motoring & I'm looking for a 944 S2. A couple of questions on the 2 cars I've looked at so far-

On both of the ones I've seen so far I noticed the panel gap between the bonnet & wings was huge, is this normal?

Also, one of them has a huge, comprehensive history file, but I noticed that it had had a new cylinder head & exhaust cam a few years back at around 75k miles (currently on 110ish). Should I be concerned about this?

Thanks in advance.

Oh, & if anyone is selling a nice S2, let me know. Must be a good one as It's going to be used as my daily.

Cheers,
Robbo

edh · Dec 19, 2007

Hi Robbo & welcome to the forum

I wouldn't worry too much about panel gaps - as long as they are consistent all round. Watch out for rust - esp in the sills & wings.
Check all the electrics work & there's no sign of damp/water leaks.

Cam replacement may not be a bad thing - quite the opposite. Do some searches on cam chain / tensioner & sprocket wear & you'll see [

]. History of Belts / water pump replacment is also important. It's a bit suprising they didn't do both cams though.

Recent clutch is worth having - it's an expensive job, & make sure you keep a reserve for the inevitable minor jobs you're going to need on a car this old.

Having said all that - the cars are very solid & well up to the task of daily use. I think that lack of use is one of their main enemies. They are built to do high mileage.

Good luck with the search

Ed

zcacogp · Dec 19, 2007

ORIGINAL: edh
I wouldn't worry too much about panel gaps - as long as they are consistent all round. Watch out for rust - esp in the sills & wings.
Check all the electrics work & there's no sign of damp/water leaks.

Cam replacement may not be a bad thing - quite the opposite. Do some searches on cam chain / tensioner & sprocket wear & you'll see []. History of Belts / water pump replacment is also important. It's a bit suprising they didn't do both cams though.

Recent clutch is worth having - it's an expensive job, & make sure you keep a reserve for the inevitable minor jobs you're going to need on a car this old.

Having said all that - the cars are very solid & well up to the task of daily use. I think that lack of use is one of their main enemies. They are built to do high mileage.

All sound advice. Particularly the bit about the ones which are used regularly being better examples. (My S2 used to be used twice a week, and was a grumpy, sulky thing - starting badly, never running smoothly, never pulling *that* well. When I changed jobs I started using it for 40-ish miles a day, and it is MUCH better for it. In almost every respect.)

Do be prepared to look at a good number tho'. I looked at 7 before buying mine. OK, one of the 7 was probably a good example and I missed it, but there is quite a lot of tat out there.

Happy hunting. I came from the VAG stable as well, and it is a good thing to move onto!

Oli.

Robbo149 · Dec 19, 2007

Thanks for the tips guys, much appreciated. The remark about regular use makes sense - the first one I looked at had been sorn'd for 2 years, recently MOT'd & tons of money spent on it to get it back on the road again. This one seemed to really struggle to start (turned over for a good 20-30 secs before catching), probably due to lack of use. It had also had some sill repair work done too I think.

Cheers,
Robbo

gemmerson · Dec 19, 2007

Like you I looked for a long time for an S2 as I also use mine nearly every day. I actually specifically looked for a car with lots of previous owners as my theory is each time it gets sold, usuallly through a dealer in the early years, it would be given a service, checked over and gererally looked after reasonably well. These cars will do 250k miles easily by just following the simple rules of servicing, so if its had cams and a new head, assuming its done by a good indie, should be ok. As with nearly every car, regular use is much better for them rather than being stored for years or used occassionaly, Mine is a 91 with just a hint of rust speck on the wheel arch on one side but most should be as good if not better bodywork wise.

G

Diver944 · Dec 19, 2007

Welcome Robbo [

] Read back through plenty of old threads to get a feel for the cars and make sure you look at lots of cars because there is a HUGE dfifference between good and bad. A new head and cam 35,000 miles ago is nothing to worry about (it possibly had the old camchain snap). Any S2 should have it's camchain replaced every 50k miles as they do wear.

There is a thread at the top of the 944 section with some links to good buyers guides - good luck, you picked the right time to buy as the market is slow in the winter

Frazerb · Dec 19, 2007

Robbo,

Like everyone else - Welcome!!

The S2 is a great car and althought I do not use mine a lot it does benefit from use when I do. I bought mine back in September and had spent three months previously looking at 911s before I came across my now loved cab. I am a previous 911 owner and the S2 in many ways is a better engine compared to the previous 3l SC I had.

Anyway my reason for the post is that there is actually a couple of good cabs around just now and this is the season to buy them - REAL bargains!!! The cab is actually very practical and can take a real hammering even in the rain the roof is so good. Anyway if your budget can go to £6K you can get a real bargain this time of year on a "good" cab.

No matter what you do enjoy the forum and the S2 arrival - when ever that is.

Cheers...Frazer

RC18B 911 turbo · Dec 19, 2007

Hi and welcome to the Forum. The 944 S2 is a very good car, I still enjoy mine nearly a year later. I hope you find the right one.

peanut · Dec 19, 2007

the 944 is a great car and I now think the S2 is the best . The turbo valances give a nice modern look to what is essentially a 25+ year old design.
As edh and others have said, make sure that you budget for a new clutch , waterpump belts, chains and tensioners as well as possibly cill repair if the car hasn't already had this work done recently . They are very expensive items.

I cannot imagine not having a 944 now or ever. There are various other cars I have considered and tried but I keep coming back to the 944

Axl Rose · Dec 22, 2007

I know it a bit of a gamble but have a look at that.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-PORSCHE-944-S2-BLACK_W0QQitemZ110207498394QQihZ001QQcategoryZ9860QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
..depends how much time and work you're willing to put in a car..there's always an option to go and have a look before the auction ending..i just can't belive they're actually going that cheap..i know that i should let my '85 Sapphire Metallic go as soon as the water pump's done but..looking at the prices lately..i feel like i should just keep her under cover as i'm not ready to let a car in that condition go for £1500 or so..no way!!

Diver944 · Dec 22, 2007

ORIGINAL: Axl Rose

I know it a bit of a gamble

How unloved does that look [

]

A bad car can look pretty good in pictures, but that one makes no attempt to do so. No bids at £1600 with only a day to go, I doubt it will make that much but it will cost several thousand to make it anywhere near decent. It's an honest advert, but you need to be seriously handy to take on a project like that. I would add at least a 1 in front of the mileometer too, but luckily we all know not to look at that with 944's because it is so easy to adjust.

Axl Rose · Dec 22, 2007

[/quote]
you need to be seriously handy to take on a project like that.
[/quote]

I would..if i could..unfortunately there's just no more space in my garden nor have i got the time..the Sapphire Metallic needs to be put back together and it's about time to start working on the Alpine White..she's been sitting in the corner for quite a long time now..and all these nice bits i've been buying for her - S2 style front bumper(fibreglass replica to fit straight on early Lux but it's only a "cast" so i need to figure out how to do mounting/fixings)..got indicators for the bumper and a pair of lights will arrive shortly,931 badge panel,924 Carrera GT bonnet scoop(i know that some people think it looks s**te but i like it..and useful),951 side skirts/spoilers(which also need quite an amount of work to bring back to life)..and that's just the looks..brand new clutch kit sitting in attic..brake flexis,gaskets and so on..most bits are OEM and still bagged...[

]
Still missing a few bits though - would love a pair of cup mirrors,bridge spoiler and driver side scripted door handle..