Porsche 928 S4 Buyer’s Guide
41 years since its first production run began, and still today the Porsche 928 makes for an enjoyable drive – be it automatic or manual transmission. Many good examples can be had for under PS12,000 while an excellent manual example could fetch double that sum.
Be mindful that prices have dramatically soared; look for mint cars with complete provenance.
Engine
The 928 is equipped with a front-mounted, water-cooled V8 engine that drives its rear wheels. This engine displaced 4.5 L (232 cubic inches), producing 240 horsepower in Europe but reduced to 219 in North American models due to emissions equipment restrictions. To find an engine in good condition and without evidence of overheating and past routine maintenance requirements is key; look out for any evidence of overheating or failure of routine service; alloy engines tend to be durable but the cam-drive belt can break under hard driving; when this occurs rebuild costs could exceed even that of some complete used cars – so keep a close watchful lookout for signs of this issue before investing.
Engine access should be straightforward, with its cams easily visible using only a mirror and flashlight for inspection. A hoist would make inspection even simpler when lifting is required to gain full access. Check cylinder head appearance as well for any coolant leaks; valves should open and close freely for ease of inspection; exhaust system should be free from rust; turbo boost pressure should be sufficient with no smoke coming from tailpipes.
if your vehicle features manual transmission, check its clutch for shuddering or clunky shift action. Since replacing clutches can be expensive, any signs that they need replacing could add up quickly in repair bills down the line. A leaky oil cooler should also be avoided, while radiators must contain plenty of coolant without leakage issues.
The 928 S4 introduced in 1987 marked its first significant revision in ten years and offered extra power, thanks to revised camshaft profile, altered intake systems and an additional resonance chamber or tract that enabled longer intake tracts to close off at lower rpm while shorter ones opened up higher speeds to increase flow and power output.
Transmission
Porsche designed the 928 with both speed and comfort in mind, so its rear axle ratio of 2.75:1 was fitted – at that time unique in terms of global gear ratios – to give an exceptionally stable ride that could handle long-distance driving.
Early Porsche cars featured manual transmissions that were both cumbersome and slow; by 1988 Porsche had made significant strides forward by offering the S4 model with its five-speed dog-leg gearbox and powerful 5.0 litre V8 engine producing 320bhp.
The S4 engine featured numerous revisions compared to earlier models, such as new pistons, cylinder heads, camshafts and larger intake valves compared with earlier ones. This resulted in significant power gains while being able to cope with increased torque output of this model.
At its inception, the 928 was an exceptionally expensive car compared to other 911s at the time, costing in excess of $100,000 new. Due to its light weight, large capacity V8, and excellent handling it made an excellent long distance cruiser with an exquisite soundtrack that accompanied its movement.
Whoever enjoys driving an early manual car should ensure all electrical switches work as intended before making their purchase decision. Checking climate controls to make sure everything works smoothly can also help. Also get your air-conditioning serviced regularly by an experienced mechanic; an owner’s manual should include this information but these intervals may differ between cars. To find a good car with low mileage and complete service history is the ideal scenario.
Power Steering
Power steering reduces the force necessary to turn the wheels of your car, improving maneuverability and control. Unfortunately, power steering systems can fail due to wear-and-tear, or other causes; if you detect signs that yours has stopped working as intended it is imperative that it is repaired promptly in order to avoid serious damage to your vehicle. To help diagnose and address power steering problems follow these steps.
At its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1977, the Porsche 928 was an engineering triumph albeit with some compromises. While it featured four seats and was equipped with an impressive 237bhp V8, these figures represented more flexibility than world-beating performance.
Nearly 80 per cent of cars sold last year had automatic transmission, even though most buyers prefer manual gearboxes. V8 engines make an ideal candidate for automatic transmission; look for well-kept examples with full service histories where an experienced specialist has checked and tightened flex plates and torque tubes correctly – otherwise these could become loose and cause catastrophic failure.
Expect to spend quite a lot for a first class, fully documented 928 S4 automatic with excellent provenance and clean record. Prices have skyrocketed between 2015-2021 as more people with no history find themselves paying overinflated sums of money for these cars with crappy panel fit or paint depth issues still on the market. It would be wise to spend as much time driving as many 928s as you can to familiarise yourself with what makes one good and discover their panel fit or paint depth indicators that may give an indication as to care taken cared-for care taken to maintain them well over time.
Body
The 928 was constructed using lightweight materials; doors, wings and bonnet were all constructed of aluminium while its bumper sections featured polyurethane mix bumper sections. Rust shouldn’t be an issue with these cars but can still form around suspension subframes and hatch areas (where corrosion can cause screeches and rattles). Overall the bodywork should be in great shape but be wary of signs of cheap repairs such as poorly matched paint or inadequate panel gaps that suggest cheap repairs may have taken place.
Look for full provenance – this will ensure that the car has been well taken care of. Mint condition 928s represent the best value, meaning fully original with no aftermarket parts and all functioning including air conditioning. If you want to be able to drive it yourself, ensure it has Porsche N0 rated tyres fitted and that mirrors match.
In addition to standard equipment, the S4 also offered optional extras which could be specified when ordering it – these included sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring system and digital trip computer features. In 1988 a Club Sport version was unveiled; 100kg lighter than regular production S4, equipped with an electric steering column-mounted shift lever and special engine producing 320bhp; this option wasn’t available in North America but Competizione Group package allowed buyers to purchase similar cars with front spoilers, 16″ flat wheels and sports suspension features – limited to 42 cars total.
Interior
The 928 was an industry-defining car when it first debuted, being fast, comfortable and well equipped – reasons it stayed on production virtually unchanged for around 17 years.
If you are shopping for a used 928 S4, make sure that the interior is carefully examined. Check the color and condition of the leather seats, powered adjusters for driver seat adjustment are working properly, auxiliary controls such as power windows, central locking system and sunroof work properly, etc.
Regarding bodywork, it is crucial that wheel well areas for corrosion damage (typically salt damage) as well as where quarter rear windows meet the hatch. Aluminum-bodied 928s tend to rust in these places so it’s essential that these are thoroughly checked prior to purchase.
This 1987 Porsche S4 is currently up for sale on eBay with an excellent Carfax report, recent documented service history and some nice cosmetic enhancements. It looks to be in great shape; the burgundy interior makes this car even more alluring; plus, it comes equipped with beautiful wheels from a 911.
The Porsche 928 can be an expensive car to own, but it is one of the premier sports tourers available. While a good one might command a higher premium, keep in mind that their value depreciates over time and require costly maintenance expenses – so be sure to purchase one that best meets your budget and lifestyle while prioritizing condition over spec. A nice 928 can last decades while poor ones could quickly become money pits before leaving you high and dry!
