purchasing my first 944

**Gareth** · Jul 20, 2009

Im new to the porsche world and am looking to buy a 944. Im going to view one tonight but am slightly worried about the mileage. Its currently got 176k on the clock but is backed up with full history. Its had the belts changed 2k ago. The car is a S2 3.0 with generally good body work and very good leather. The guys asking £2400.
I would be grateful for any comments.

Thanks Gareth

AntB · Jul 20, 2009

If the belts were done 2K ago - ask if the cam chain was also done (at that milage may need it) - or at least inspected - along with the cams

pauljmcnulty · Jul 20, 2009

ORIGINAL: **Gareth**

Im new to the porsche world and am looking to buy a 944. Im going to view one tonight but am slightly worried about the mileage. Its currently got 176k on the clock but is backed up with full history. Its had the belts changed 2k ago. The car is a S2 3.0 with generally good body work and very good leather. The guys asking £2400.
I would be grateful for any comments.

Thanks Gareth

If it's as described then bite his hand off! [

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Mileage is not an issue, recent history is. Belts need doing every four years max, so check this if it's been laid up for a while. Also check, or have inspected, the cam condition at that mileage as wear could mean an expensive replacement, well over £1K.

At that mileage there should be history of many of the regular replacement parts being changed already, such as clutch, engine mounts, water pump, front wishbones, head gasket possibly, CV joints, wheel bearings, that sort of thing. Could be a better deal than a lower mileage car that is due many of these items.

As always check the sills (inside!) and wing bottoms. "Generally good" bodywork could mean anything.

**Gareth** · Jul 21, 2009

I put a deposit down on the new 944 (S2 3.0) last night and am absolutley chuffed to bits with it. General body condition is excellent with just a couple of surface rust spots (one been on the roof and the other on the nsf wing). The interior is immaculate fitted with grey leather seats with no bolster wear what so ever. The mileage is currently at 179k which was putting me off slightly but is backed up with full history (Dealer history upto 145k). I was extremely impressed with the performance, no knocks, Rattles etc.. The only thing i could fault is there was a slight whine on drive but im not entirely sure if this is a fault?? .It has12months mot but unfortunately no tax but no big deal. I managed to get it for £2400. Will get pics up later this week once ive picked it up.

Copperman05 · Jul 21, 2009

Congratulations looks like you may have got yourself a bargain there..

Edd

AntB · Jul 21, 2009

got any pics?????

**Gareth** · Jul 21, 2009

I should be picking it up on Wednesday il get some pics up then. Has anyone experienced the whinning noise before?

Copperman05 · Jul 21, 2009

ORIGINAL: **Gareth**

I should be picking it up on Wednesday il get some pics up then. Has anyone experienced the whinning noise before?

Erm, yes you could say that...
TBH it depends on the amount of whine and how much you are willing to put up with. Most of these cars whine a bit, but if it whines alot (like mine did) it can be somewhat annoying if not that serious mechanically(although many will say they have driven many miles with their whiny boxes).

My gearbox had a whine, it also had a problem selecting some gears, I had it changed with a s/h unit when the clutch went. Now I have no whine whatsoever and its like having a new car. I'm not sure if I would have changed the gearbox if the only issue was the whine, but I guess it all depends on what you are willing to put up with and how deep your pockets are...

Edd

944 man · Jul 21, 2009

Porsche will tell you that they all do it... Ive been in a <20k mile Turbo Cab. that screamed, whilst my stripped out 150,000 mile series one car is virtually silent. My new 2.7 has been named Banshee its so loud: but at least it has provision for a radio that I can turn up to drown it out... [

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jasonp · Jul 21, 2009

hiya gareth, great choice,give it a month and you will love her!!,always good if you can keep a few quid set by for things that might crop up,not relevent if you do your own spannering so much, but important if you dont, i fall into the latter catogory, enjoy her,get used to the power steering and how wide she is, they are so much fun and still look great on the road[imho],not forgetting how good they drive. regards jason p

**Gareth** · Jul 22, 2009

The whine is not excessivley loud but i think i will be sorting it out in the near future as the release bearing is noisey so while the box is out thought i may as well strip it. The noise increases as the speed does so i was thinking maybe the diff bearings?? I do work in the trade for volkswagen so i could do the work myself. Wheres the best place to buy parts other than the dealers, Our company uses gsf for a lot of parts just wondering if theres any other good parts specialists or websites i can use. As for the belts they were changed 2k ago at an independent dealers just not too sure about the cam chain.

xenon · Jul 22, 2009

Change the cam-chain tensioner slipper at the very least - easy job and the old ones can go brittle, crack and fall off. Then the chain lashes and snaps....

944 man · Jul 22, 2009

You wont be able to repair the transaxle without access to special tools to set the differential.

**Gareth** · Jul 22, 2009

Thanks For the advice. Il change that first any advice on wheres best to purchase the parts?

xenon · Jul 22, 2009

I bought the upper and lower slipper along with all the cam cover and plug seals for about £70 from PCT Coventry. You should do the seals at the same time.

**Gareth** · Jul 24, 2009

Picked up the new car last night and have to say i was totally amazed by the drive on the way home on the m60. The car drives absolutley spot on and the power is excellent. When i got home i had a good read through the folder full of service history and reciepts. The belts, cam chain, upper and lower slippers were all changed 2k ago. The only fault i could find was the release bearing is noisey. All in all i think i have got a really good deal. Il take some pics tonight and post them up.

Suffolk944 · Jul 24, 2009

Good stuff Gareth, look forward to the pics. Welcome to the slightly mad but utterly brilliant world of 944 ownership. [

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AntB · Jul 24, 2009

ORIGINAL: **Gareth**

The only fault i could find was the release bearing is noisey. All in all i think i have got a really good deal. Il take some pics tonight and post them up.

Can I ask what makes you say that?? Reason being is - if its because of a rattle type noise when you do not have the clutch depressed in neutral when idling - again I read that this is normal and its the idle shaft to the gear box (or something like that) . Mine too at 80K has a slight rattle when idle with no clutch depressed and the Porsche specialist I use said thats perfectly normal. One of the directors of GT One (the indi that I use) worked for porsche when the 944 came out - and was one of the first techies to work on the 944 - and this was a common customer complaint that was classed as normal.

Cheers

**Gareth** · Jul 26, 2009

It does sound like the release bearing, it only happens when the clutch is pressed to engage gears once it is released whilst driving the noise is gone. Another reason the car was serviced 2k ago and they did pick up on this and put it down on an advisory repair sheet. Her are some pics ive taken -