So my interest is growing for a 944

[Fen]

I am ambivalent about the spoiler myself (jeez, this fence doesn't half hurt), but I dislike the original mirrors and like the lozenge.

Scott et al - I think the problem with the S2 is not that it isn't reliable if maintained, but that most are not maintained properly or at least haven't been in the past long enough that the damage is done. Add to that the fact that the proper fix is relatively expensive (circa 20% the value of the car) and that the worst case with no fix virtually writes it off by destroying the engine and it's a bad set of circumstances.

Personally I wouldn't avoid an S2 but I'd ask probing questions about the cams and chain. A blank look from the seller would put me off or I'd be wanting the car for way below market value or to be allowed to have it inspected with the cam cover off.

 

[Neil Haughey]

I also prefer the rubber spoiler, although I have always though that the perfect look would be the 968 from the wings back and the S2/951 front ala S3 like somebody else said.

The flag mirrors have never really looked right IMHO but the 968 mirrors don't look right on the 944 (to curvy).

The steering wheel is one of the great modern design classics so I love that bit and no way would I take it of for some generic wheel.

As for S2 reliability well my car has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. In nearly 7 years and 70K miles of driving it has never let me down. BTA my spending patterns on the thing have been closer to you boosty guys then the nonsense I some times hear or read about how cheaply these cars are to maintain. Therefore I think I agree 100% with Fen again.

Personally I think severe top end wear on the S2 is due to using thin oils, irregular use and oil changes coupled with not warming up and cooling down properly. I know many will argue against this but ask yourself how it is that my 170K miler is frequently ragged round to 6K + rpm but blows no smoke on overrrun or acceleration yet has never had a top end rebuild (AFAIK the cylinder head has never been of but like Fen alludes to the cam cover has been many many times)

 

[Fen]

My 192,500 mile S2 cab didn't blow any oil either, but it did have a pair of cams around 145k. That said my Turbo didn't visibly burn oil but when it had a top end rebuild along after a HG failure around 149k it was much better for it.

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

I also like the rubber spoiler suits the look of the car.

Plus my car is just coming upto needing the cams being done but I don't see it having been done before in the service history and surely it can't be the first time they've been replaced at 216,000 miles I should've checked that at the time but didn't know about it until afterwards anyway.

 

[zcacogp]

£192,500 miles? 216,000 miles?

Those are good miles, and would dispel any myths about these engines not being reliable or well built. Although I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that you create your own luck by having it properly maintained.


Oli.

 

[944psi]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Turbo vs. S2. Don't get me started. (Sorry - relates to a discussion elsewhere, where I am very nearly regretting having bought an S2 instead of a Turbo!)

ORIGINAL: poprock

K-reg 944? That IS a late one - I have never seen anything later than an H before I think (or possibly a J) ...


Oli.

All of the later Guards Red S2s that I have seen, have (IMO) an awful depressing grey interior that just lets the car down. Of course some would say it is the redness of the exterior that does that!

From the K plate S2 in the above quote.

S2 vs Turbo - Never driven a turbo and only considered one once - but only because of the white paintwork with red (can-can?) leather interior;

Perhaps I'm missing out? But as someone recently said elsewhere - which applies to me too - "the S2 at the moment is a far more capable machine than I am as a driver" - so until I find it lacking in performance in some way, then I'm happy with my S2! Horses for courses I guess.

Phil
'91 S2, Linen on Linen, CAT delete, Rear wiper delete, Rusty not deleted yet, Sunroof bag delete, Daily driver!

 

[Fen]

I actually like the grey, though I think the dash top and door caps might be better in black. I've never owned a full black interior 944 but I find they can look very tired (as with any black interior really) unless they are very clean and in excellent condition. Cobalt blue I did have and it's an awful colour for dash and everything to be in though the earlier marine blue is OK. Burgundy is burgundy [:'(] and all that's left for the later cars then is linen which was replaced with classic grey.

My ideal 944 would be a Cobalt blue Turbo cab with blue hood and classic grey interior and I might even buy one if a nice one came up at the right money.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

Must say I am probably in a minority of one but overall I do prefer the rubber spoiler to a bridge spoiler. To me the bridges do just look like a bolt on after market accessory that doesnt really suit the car.

I didnt mind the rubber spoiler on my black lux but on the white turbo it just looked too out of place on a white especially. Same for the black bumper rubber, It seemed to contrast too much with the lines and shape of the white rear end. I deleted the black bumper strip and got a spurious bridge spoiler from porscheshop to clean up the rear end. In my view it looks much better on a white car. Had it been black I may not have bothered changing them. I also prefer the flag mirrors over the cup ones anyday.

John.

 

[Neil Haughey]

One of my big reasons for keeping and loving the Porsche is that unlike 90% of modern cars it doesn't have some form of grey interior. I hate grey interiors with a passion. OK my Saab is grey but atleast I have several shades of grey and a brushed aluminium effect dash to lift it a bit. Seriously guys I find the interiors of modern german cars incredibly depressing and Porsche (excepting the Cayenne in tan or chocolaty brown) even worse then BMW. Its almost bad enough that a Honda accord with pensioner spec tan leather is a nicer place to be then most Audi/BMW/MB etc. that I see.

 

[Fen]

You and I have sooooooo differing tastes in interiors it's untrue. Babysh*t brown is not a colour I would ever own.

 

[jamescharnley]

Personally, I hate with a passion grey interiors.... they remind me of grey leather shoes that were all the rage at the same time as pink shirts & leather piano keyboard pencil ties [:'(][]

 

[912UK]

that will be almost the same reason why Jo and I walked away from an S reg 996 Last year.. stunning Burgandy then a grey interior which looked like a Hire car in America bland and boring... cup holder any one... it's in grey plastic.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

£192,500 miles? 216,000 miles?

Those are good miles, and would dispel any myths about these engines not being reliable or well built.

Can I jump in and say that my S2 is at 178,000 miles too.

Oh and it's got a lovely linen interior which is far better than dark depressing black (but I also love the grey interior S2 pics and the modern Porsche Savannah brown that everyone seems to hate [&:] )

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

Mine also has a linen interior which gives a nicer atmosphere in the car I think. I'm not sure if I'm the only one but I think the dials could do with a better colour just to set it off from the rest of the car, I do quite like the blue dials that the Alpina Roadster S I drove the other day had.

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

Seriously guys I find the interiors of modern german cars incredibly depressing and Porsche (excepting the Cayenne in tan or chocolaty brown) even worse then BMW. Its almost bad enough that a Honda accord with pensioner spec tan leather is a nicer place to be then most Audi/BMW/MB etc. that I see.

You are kidding aren't you? I was in an OPC earlier today picking up some parts and sat in a 997C4S with grey leather interior. Well it was a beautiful place to be. One of the best interiors of any car i've ever sat in - including Audi which are the industry benchmark when it comes to interiors. Last weekend I sat in a Ferrari F430 at the airport at one of those 'Best of the Best' stands, and for a car that is £40k more than the 997C4S I sat in today it felt plasticy, basic and more suited to a Fiat Punto let alone a £120k supercar - the seats were nice but that was about it. I agree that BMW's have always been depressing cars to sit in. I don't like the orange dash lights and the expanse of black, but certainly the 996 and 997 911 and latest generation of Audis have the best interiors by far.

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

Last weekend I sat in a Ferrari F430 at the airport at one of those 'Best of the Best' stands, and for a car that is £40k more than the 997C4S I sat in today it felt plasticy, basic and more suited to a Fiat Punto let alone a £120k supercar - the seats were nice but that was about it.

I have to agree there about the interior of the F430 I think it looks very tacky too and the build quality was shocking as a lot of the stitching had come out of the leather on the seats and the carpets had come loose off the side of the footwells I don't know how they can justify charging that much for such a shoddy peice of engineering I had to drive one in work the other day I'm not a big Ferrari fan so I wasn't all that enthusiastic about it it was good fun on the road apart from someone yelling at me when I was waiting at a roundabout 'stupid young tosser more money than sense' or words to that effect and I hadn't even done anything wrong as far as I could tell but slow speed manouvering was awkward to say the least.

 

[Suffolk944]

Well am glad to hear that there are a few of us rubber lovers out there (as it were !) That said the deletion of the bumper rubber looks pretty good to my eyes - is it an involved task ?

I like generally like the black interior of my car though have added a few silver bits and bobs to break it up a tad.

 

[George Elliott]

I removed the Bumper rubber as follows:
Obtain a 944 rear bumper (you won't want to do this to the original). You don't want a Turbo bumper.
Pre-fit new bumper & align brackets (you will have no rear towing eye) ready to bolt up after Painting.
Unbolt the screws to remove the Rubber Bumper Trim.
This will expose about ten Dia 8mm Holes.
Get Qty ten M10 Countersunk Head Allen Bolts with Nuts and washer in Stainless. (any Fastener Shop)
Drill & Countersink the Bumper to achieve a Bolt fit of minus 1mm or 2mm on the bumper surface.
Silicone Seal the Nut/Washer side of the fastener to keep water out from the inside.
Skim, Flat, Prime, Paint at Bodyshop.
Carefully fit & admire[8|]

BTW I like the Grey 944 trim, - my own car has Linen with Black Carpet & Door Furniture on a Black car which I find OK, and quite practical.

I also like the rubber spoiler, although it gets grubby underneath, and the tar spots on the back panel are a pain. I imagine the Bridge would fix those prob's. I do not like the 968 TurboS spoiler. In fact the only car which should have a rear spoiler is a 911 or any "beaver-tail" profile car.(eg TT - but it needs suspension & steering first)
Ref aerodynamics, I think the 951 may benefit from a front splitter at 100+. A pal of mine reports a "lightening front" sensation in 3 figs - on the autobahn[8|], although nothing serious enough to let a 535d past......

George

944T
964

 

[912UK]

update... Ok I have seen a few 944's now and yep I think we will get one

But I happened to speak with a fellow 993 owner who has just sold his car to go back to 944 he knows of a nice car, which is not for sale but just sitting there and is burgandy and cream leather, just what we want and also an S2. Well looked after but no longer needed and with out much effort would be offered for sale.. So lets see where this goes..

keep you posted it will be a while I am sure..but sounds very interesting..

 

[jason]

I still know of one that will be for sale soon....[]