Just picked up my first Porsche - Guards Red 944 S2!

[andrew_churcher]

Hi All,

Just a quick note to say that I finally made the decision to buy my first Porsche (sufficient cash and offstreet secure parking!!). I have always been a big fan of the 944 so to pick up an 1990 S2 in excellent condition was the ultimate result (not to mention Guards Red!!).

Peter Morgan described it as being in "exceptional" condition for its age and that is enough for me! ( u may even see it in the tried and tested of the a future Porsche 911 World mag....maybe....) It wasnt the cheapest but I feel like it was a bargain and significant money has been spent recently to keep it in proper order.

I picked it up tonight and it took a few miles to get used to the car (swapped from a e36 328 iS). It felt so much lower and wider and what an event driving it. The thing I like most is that people usually dont know what it is...so you only get occasional glances....but those who know Porsche....know what it is.

Anyway. I am absolutely stoked with the car and cant wait to get out with the club (I am London based so I think thats R20).

PS: Is it just me or how cool are pop up headlights...

PSS: Any other 944 enthusiasts out there (any Porsche enthusiast really).....if you are London based or near enough...I would be really keen to get out for some group runs...if you have any planned.

Enough for now.

AC

 

[Copperman05]

Hi Andrew,

And welcome to the forum, we will want to see pictures of this beauty as soon as possible please.[] Glad you have found one you are happy with, your going to really enjoy it I can tell. hehe

I too am in London, Crouch End N8 and I'm always keen on meeting fellow 944 and Porsche enthusiasts, why dont you get yourself upto the Porsche meet at the Ace cafe on Saturday, not always loads of 944's but a good place to start.

Pop up lights are very cool, turning that switch becomes an event all in itself...

Edd

 

[andrew_churcher]

Hi Edd,

Thanks mate! Definitely looking to get some photos taken as soon as. Maybe when the sun comes out again (though i may not post them until mid 2010 given recent weather!! haha)

Would love to make the event but I am in Portugal this weekend (lads golf trip). But I have noted a couple of events coming up. One at Porsche Shop in late Oct and another catch up near Sidcup on 26th Sept.

Anyway - no matter. Definitely keen to catch up with fellow enthusiasts. Can i access any more photos of your car on the forum? Looks very nice.

Catch you soon

AC

 

[Copperman05]

Well seeing you asked[], I posted a few pics when I had the wheels refurbed recently... http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=475368&mpage=1&key=&#475368

Where in London are you?

Edd

 

[Diver944]

Hi Andrew, welcome on board.

It's always nice to hear from a brand new owner who is completely made up with his new toy [] We look forward to the pics when the sun starts shining

 

[Lemon]

Hi Andrew

Welcome to the mad house[][][]

Look forward to the pictures.

Lee

 

[wolfie308]

Good morning and welcome Andrew - congratulations on your choice of model and colour. It's well known that red is the fastest colour[]

As a fellow Lunduner and S.2 devotee, I'm sure Oli will be along shortly to introduce himself.

Looking forward to pics[8D]

 

[andrew_churcher]

Hi All,

Well I am still smiling this morning so thats a good sign. I even checked it this morning in the garage (I am tragic with new toys!!)

Will get some pics up soon and hopefully catch you all soon for a drive.

Also Edd, that refurb job by Lepsoms......looks amazing (as everyone else pointed out!) that has to be on my to do list.

AC

 

[edh]

Enjoy the car - just a note of caution though...

What's the history on cams/chain/tensioner? a quick check now could save you ££££

 

[andrew_churcher]

Hi Ed,

I have taken this straight from the inspection report undertaken prior to purchase (Peter Morgan). Car now has 127k miles.

The critical cam and balance shaft belts were last changed in February 2008 at 120K miles. At this point there is a large bill showing a complete cylinder head rebuild, new front and rear dampers discs/pads and calliper overhaul, water pump etc.There is no record of the clutch change, but this must have occurred. Typical clutch life is in the range 50-70Kmiles​

​

Any additional thoughts based on the above? The large bill was in excess of £6.5 k which included 57 hours of labour at a well regards indy. The guy proactively targeted lots of the usual wear and tear items.​

​

Rgds​

 

[edh]

Wow - that's a big bill! I can't see how they would have the head done without at the very least inspecting the cam sprockets (there's a small chain between the two cams - only one of the cams is driven from the cam belt, the other takes its drive from a sprocket half way along the cam)

All sounds good - perhaps worth lifting the cam cover at its next service?

btw, I hope clutch life is more than 50-70k - obviously depends on where its been driven, but most 944's do fairly high miles, plenty of motorway work, and seem to go much longer between clutch changes.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Andrew and welcome to what gets called the mad house - its only mad sometimes! PCGB is great and everybody on here loves their cars.
I hope to do the porscheshop event too
Mike

 

[andrew_churcher]

I will add it to the to do list as it is due the annual oil service in the next 2-3 mths. Thanks

Hope so!!

 

[DavidL]

Unless there is a bit more in the report I'm surprised about the assumption of a clutch change on a car at 127K.

Lots of cars are still on their original clutch at that mileage and as it's quite a big (and expensive) job it would be documented in the bills.

I would be inclined to say assume it hasn't had a clutch which means it could go for another 30K or start to cause problems tomorrow. You'll tell just from driving it mind, as would Peter Morgan, so it should be ok for a bit.

 

[PSH]

Hi Andrew , welcome to the forum and congratuations on your new toy.
I'm London based and try to get out when I can , hope to see you and car in the near future.
As some have already stated here the clutches on these cars are capable of covering a lot of miles, well obver 100k and far more if driven.. er more sedately shall we say.. personally I can't see why anyone would want to do something so silly as driving conservatively in a Porsche..[8D][8D]

Welcome

Pete

 

[andrew_churcher]

I am putting money aside now....[]

 

[Suffolk944]

Hello and welcome to our happy (usually) band of enthusiasts. Yes quite a few of us around London/Southeast, look forward to seeing you out and about somewhere soon.

 

[StuK]

Hi Andrew and welcome. I'm a relative newbie too, I've had mine for just over 2 months now and I still have a quick peek to say hello to her in the garage each day! I've still got a permanent smile on my face as well, but then nothing's gone wrong yet!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Welcome, that certainly sounds like a car with the important 16V mechanical bits well and truly covered!

Take a look at the "events" faq. The open day at RAS in Kent is worth a trip from London, and the Porscheshop open day in October will be a big 944 gathering.

 

[Diver944]

As Oli would say, the S2 delivers its power in such a refined and capable manner that you don't need to rag the clutch or keep your foot planted like you do in a standard Turbo. As a consequence the clutch life is 2 or 3 times as long IMHO. We've personally put over 100k miles on our S2 clutch and I'm pretty sure it was original when we bought it at 92k.

My wallet has just shuddered now that I have tempted fate so blazenly []