New 944S owner

[breezer]

Afternoon all, I just thought I'd introduce myself (well, my car) and ask a few questions.

I just picked up a white 1988 944S with 61k miles and a life of being left in a dry garage. It hasn't been used properly for 2 years, but has been run periodically, and moved around the driveway.

It seems to be in pretty good condition with no visible rust or even dents, 4 Pirelli P5000s that were new when it was parked up, immaculate interior, etc, but I've left it with a local Porsche specialist to try to get an MOT and service done.

Aside from bypassing the switch at the rear of the power steering box, getting an MOT, and doing a full fluids and belts change, what else should I try to get done before I use it?

I already have an M Coupé which does maybe 7k miles a year, so I suspect the Porsche will remain a low miler while I own it: are there any preparations specific to the 944 that I should undertake when storing it for up to a month at a time?

Finally, what are people's thoughts as far as value goes, once it's up and running? I can't find any with under 100k miles, or in white (is this more or less desirable than other colours?).

I went into this completely blind, on a whim, because I was offered it for a very good price and it came from a good friend of mine. I normally research all my potential car purchases for a number of months, including all available reviews, forums, talking to dealers and specialists, etc. Let's hope I haven't goofed too badly in bypassing this! I'm aware it's seen as the 'runt of the litter', which is fine by me - might help my insurance (I'm 25).

Thanks all!

P.s. Sorry, no pics until I get it back and polished up!

 

[edh]

Don't worry too much about values, just use it and enjoy it.. White is a good colour for 944's - but not everyone agrees...

While the belts are being done, it might be worth changing the waterpump as well - essentially just the extra parts cost as everything is apart anyway.

Fuel filter sometimes gets missed - that's worth doing during the service

 

[Hairyarse]

Hi and welcome to the forum. With waterpump comment above think you got most things covered.

I'd suggest a trickle charger if laying the car up for a month at a time, although suggest you drive it more is a better option

Mine starts first time every time, but once didn't run for 6 weeks and my battery was dead

Look forward to the pics

Cheers
Andy

 

[andy watson]

Hi and welcome,

Sounds like a good deal you have there finding one under 70k let alone 100k is something, it will put a smile on our face every time you drive her that you won't to park up for too long!

The only thing you will need for sure is a battery conditioner / trickle charger, these cars hate being left idle and drain batteries and kill them, in 10 years I have had 3 batteries!!!......

Having the belts and rollers done is a smart move, and need to be changed every 4 years, I know everyone recommends the water pump is changed but as yet I have not had mine changed ( should I have said that) and just had my 3rd belt change.

Have fun and enjoy look forward to the pics

Oh and by the way the S is as good as the others, just in a different way[]

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi and welcome, white is certainly the best colour, but I'm probably biased[]

Comments as above for the waterpump and trickle charger. would add to make sure the camchain is looked at along with its guides and tensioner, as they are not on the Porsche service schedules and they are now beginning to have problems, at 25 years of age, the low miles on yours may help but it seems to be an age thing as much as anything.

Look forward to the pics and thats an excuse for this one -

 

[breezer]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I'll suggest the water pump too: how much would you expect it to cost? It's with Chris Turner - I rocked up and he has some beautiful classic Porsches there.

It's probably worth just flushing the fuel too, if I replace the fuel filter, as it's probably degraded. Is fuel filter an easy DIY job?

I also read something about the camchain tensioners being subject to catastrophic failure issue: is this on the Ventiler engine, or another one?

Having looked at trickle chargers for the M, I in the end went for an isolator switch. I think I'll do the same for this one: it also acts as a further immobiliser!

Sorry for all the questions.

Oh, and Mike - those white ones look gorgeous. Are they yours?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

I had the 2 for a while, just got the one on the left now, with the plate from the one on the right!

The lower pic was taken last Sunday at Rutland Water, where we had 19 944s for a run out. All types, early "square dash" 2.5s, "oval dash"2.5s, 2.5S, 3.7, 3.0S2s, a cabriolet, Turbos, ranging from a standard 220 up to around 400bhp and the white one that started out as a basic 2.5 8v, but is now a 3.0 16v with supercharger!

The twin cam motors have the short chain that drives the inlet cam from the exhaust, they are the 2.5 S like yours and the 3.0 S2.

The water pump is a silly price -£300 + from Porsche but can be had for £200 ish from German Ebay. The problem is if they go, you need to do the whole belts thing again, and they often seen to go just after a belt change, maybe the extra tension or something?

I like the idea of the isolator.[]

 

[Hairyarse]

Fuel filter is an easy DIY job. OSR under the car, just need a hose clamp, spanners and watch you dont empty the canisters contents of fuel in your face!! []