S2 Running Costs - 6 Month's Update

[Rtwoodstock]

Cost Update as of 12th April 2016.

This is a hopefully helpful list of the costs of running a relatively solid S2 for the last 18 months. With a slight caveat that these (for some, at least) may seem like large sums to run a car for just short of 20,000 miles. I think of it as a relative bargain and barring a failed fuel pump regulator thingy (thankfully not too far from home) it has been extremely solid - doing at times 800 mile days in all kinds of weathers from Stockholm to Marrakech.

This is a rough list for anyone thinking of buying one of these cars of what to expect. I would, also, add that obviously some of the costs are if not quite one off costs were definite possibilities when I bought the car and expected - e.g., the belts needed doing and the gasket at 120,000 having never been replaced was also a matter of time.

I would also add it is far from a mint car although it is a very solid example. It was prior to my purchase of it last year serviced once a year at JMG for the previous ten years or so having done roughly a couple of thousand miles a year. So, has had a bit of a shock to the system ...

And in my ownership has been serviced/looked after by Pro-9 in Redditch. Who have been excellent in every respect.

Anyway updated as of 12th April 2016:

Trips since last update: Scottish Highlands; Stockholm and back; Marrakech and back via wander through Spain - Long trips accounting for slight uptick in fuel MPG but did for the suspension (it was the original) hence just picked up from new Koni replacement.

No additional anticipated costs until main service due in about 6,000 miles probably at some point in the summer.

Has done approx 28,000 in last 24 months. Current mileage 130,613.

Purchase price: £4,250
Belts Change: £580.80
Servicing (incl. MOT costs etc): £1,737.60
Fuel Pump problem: £170.39
Head Gasket: £1563.60
Radiator and some associated bits: £540
Suspension Replacement (Koni)/Linkage sorting/New Discs/Pads etc: £2,300 approx
MPG Average: 32.31

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[graham.webb]

That's interesting, Robin. Hopefully you'll have fewer large bills in future years. My S2 has averaged about £1000 p.a. over the 9 years I've owned it.

Most recent was c£800 for annual service/MOT, belt re tension, fluid changes, and new front brake hoses. The latter turned into a bit of a fight, with seized/snapped unions and bleed nipples...the saga ended with a replacement calliper (S/H, sourced by Northway). The car has been with them for 13 years now (previous owner too), and there is always a sensible conversation about work that's necessary now, and those jobs that could wait until next time! Evens out the cost a bit...very happy with this approach and the work that they do.

 

[Rtwoodstock]

I feel that is fine though. Allowing for the belts being due and the head gasket being a coming storm as it were. For the enjoyment I've had and the original purchase price and no depreciation costs I still really feel I've had value.

And in terms of fuel I think many who don't have experience of these cars would be surprised how reasonable they are even compared to many modern cars (once they are put under any kind of load).

Although, my car does relative to many quite high miles these are almost exclusively on long European roadtrips which suits it.

This is my 4th 944 but first S2 and not being mechanical at all I allow roughly a 1000 for servicing and another 1000 for unforeseen/preventative work.

 

[wolfie308]

Just by way of comparison, I've owned my S.2 for eleven and a half years and about 45k miles over which time I've spent north of £17k. However this does include sills both sides, offside front wing bottom repair, paint all over except rear panel and diffuser, KW suspension,Mo30 anti roll bars and poly bushes, 968 castor mounts, clutch, master and slave cylinders, torque tube overhaul, exchange gearbox, power steering pump, belts, rollers etc. x2, water pump, exhaust and decat, tyres x6, fog/driving lights x2, boot, sunroof and window rubbers, all servicing by Indies and loads of other bits.

What is comforting though, is the knowledge that it's worth at least, if not more than I paid for it. Can't be bad for a daily driver and only car. []

 

[Rtwoodstock]

Really isn't bad at all when you look at it over such a period of time and of course the enjoyment they can bring. Looked at overall not too many cars that deliver the 'bang for buck' when looked at overall.

 

[Rtwoodstock]

Unfortunately, I week later I discover whilst left by the side of the road that need a new radiator. So, can addd another £500 or so to the costs list. Not a great month for the car and consequently for my bank balance.

 

[Rtwoodstock]

On a side note just wondered how the KW suspension is working out for daily driving? Before the gasket went a suspension refresh was next on the list and had done some research and on balance had come round to the idea of Koni but wasn't entirely sold on the idea for my use. Anyway, any thoughts appreciated.

 

[John Sims]

I think that because 944s are cheap to buy people are lulled into a false sense of budgetry. It's an old Porsche. You wouldn't expect an old Bentley, or an old Aston Martin to be cheap to run.

 

[edh]

KW's are great - and make the 944 feel more "modern" somehow. I increased the spring rates on mine so the car is a bit firm for a road car now (still usable and fine for long euro trips), but the standard setup is pretty good.

I think that if you plan to keep the car for the long term, it's one of the best improvements you can make.

 

[wolfie308]

Unfortunately, I week later I discover whilst left by the side of the road that need a new radiator. So, can addd another £500 or so to the costs list. Not a great month for the car and consequently for my bank balance.

Really sorry to hear - saw your Facebook post......bad news it wasn't a hose!

 

[Rtwoodstock]

Absolutely, am not complaining at all - It evens out over time in my experience providing the car is reasonably solid. Just not great when all comes at once. But at least is back on the road and all seems fine now. Will take it up to the north of Scotland in the next week and then Stockholm and back - Ready for the trip to Marrakech in the New Year.

 

[Rtwoodstock]

Many thanks for that - I am going to investigate further with a view to carrying out probably early Spring.

 

[Rtwoodstock]

Unfortunately, wasn't as long a break as I'd hoped just picked up from Pro-9 - New suspension and discs/pads - as well as service (interim); MOT and few other bits and pieces. But, hopefully, will have a break for a while and to be fair it has done some miles.

 

[zcacogp]

Good to see that you aren't afraid of using your S2! Marrakech and Stockholm aren't exactly quick trips to the shops, either ....

Those costs look about right when compared with mine although you are paying for labour as well. I reckon on about £1000/year, much as Graham said, but I do my own maintenance. And, funnily enough, this doesn't seem to be affected by mileage done.

They aren't cheap cars to run, but when you factor in the lack of depreciation (and possible mild appreciation), and the enjoyment you get from driving them, 944's don't make bad long-term ownership proposals. I've had mine 10 years and it's worked out very good value when compared with more modern alternatives.

Oli.

 

[Rtwoodstock]

No I use it almost exclusively for big road trips and has been all kinds of places on all kinds of roads.

From experience I think I may be coming to the end of the list of the things that tend reach the end of their natural life in these cars at that 100 to 130,000 range. So hoping for a bit of cost break until next service is due and am sure the costs will start to average out. Just an expensive few months ... but too be fair it has done some miles and been some places reliably and in reasonable comfort which is kind of the point of it. So, won't complain too much.