Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-13-2011, 09:40 AM
benhogan's Avatar
CPA/Greasemonkey
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,092
About to buy a 944. Wish me luck

1987 silver 944 NA for $3k.

I'm about to make the plunge. The 560sl I had was just too nice and too much of a gas guzzler. I think this 944 fits me better.

Wish me luck fellas.

Attached Thumbnails
About to buy a 944. Wish me luck-944.jpg  
__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-13-2011, 09:44 AM
teezer's Avatar
ex minutiae manager
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ohio
Posts: 159
the 2 killers on those are the timing belt/water pump(breaks = bent valves) and the clutch

i'd check for past info on those 2
__________________
1989 300ce smoke silver / brazil, in a constant state of flux ~~~
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-13-2011, 09:46 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Varies
Posts: 4,802
Have fun but make sure you know where the bottom of your pocket is.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-13-2011, 09:48 AM
Posting since Jan 2000
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,166
I've never been a fan of the 944 although the Turbo was indeed a kick to drive. They always seemed to be much more like a modern Volkswagen than a Porsche.
__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-13-2011, 09:50 AM
benhogan's Avatar
CPA/Greasemonkey
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,092
Quote:
Originally Posted by teezer View Post
the 2 killers on those are the timing belt/water pump and the clutch

i'd check for past info on those 2

he said the tbelt and pump were replaced less than 30k miles ago. probably 29.9k miles ago.

are these dealer-only jobs??
__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-13-2011, 09:59 AM
teezer's Avatar
ex minutiae manager
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ohio
Posts: 159
Quote:
Originally Posted by benhogan View Post
he said the tbelt and pump were replaced less than 30k miles ago. probably 29.9k miles ago.

are these dealer-only jobs??

back in the day the belts were recommended every 30k

not a dealer only job, but not for somebody that's never done one
__________________
1989 300ce smoke silver / brazil, in a constant state of flux ~~~
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:02 AM
Posting since Jan 2000
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,166
Quote:
Originally Posted by teezer View Post
back in the day the belts were recommended every 30k

not a dealer only job, but not for somebody that's never done one

Yes, that was one of the first cars with the dreaded timing BELT! I would think that using one of today's belts COULD possibly extend the change interval, but given the consequences, there's no way that I'd risk it.

As far as changing it yourself, it brings to mind what my Dad used to tell me: "You'll never learn any younger!" That was his way of encouraging a determined attitude.

If you're set on the car, you can learn to change the belt.

Good luck with it.
__________________
2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:06 AM
JollyRoger's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 48
I owned one. Everything that breaks on that car is expensive. The #1 thing to check is the steering rack, they cost a fortune and they go out over time.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:13 AM
benhogan's Avatar
CPA/Greasemonkey
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,092
thank you all for your responses. you talked me out of it. I'll save up for a 911 with a timing chaing and no power steering.

I foresee this if I bought the 944-
purchase price $3000
tbelt and wp $1500
clutch $1500
other crap $1000

total $7000

I might be better off with a Miata for $4000 without big money pits.

Thank you all. My knuckles thank you. This forum rocks.
__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:13 AM
engatwork's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
Posts: 13,667
I've heard parts are pretty pricey.
__________________
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:16 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 254
In terms of upkeep, the 944 is practically a Honda Accord as compared to the 928.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:18 AM
Zacharias's Avatar
Not so amused
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by benhogan View Post
thank you all for your responses. you talked me out of it.
So glad to hear that. They trap a lot of people because their purchase value seems so reasonable for what you get.

Had a buddy who worked at the Porsche dealer parts counter.

You would not believe. Uncle Merciless would weep in envy. Mercedes can't come close for ANYTHING on its cars of that era, based on what my friend told me.

EDIT: I forgot the SLS pump on TDs. CC servo gets honourable mention. 'Scuse me.

I love older 911s. Still pricey to fix but you have something that's worth something if kept up.

I always hate to talk people out of nice looking cars, but you made the correct call here 110 percent.
__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:22 AM
engatwork's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
Posts: 13,667
Quote:
I might be better off with a Miata for $4000 without big money pits.
I think there is a v8 kit out there for Miata's.
__________________
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:29 AM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
a few 911 thoughts.

The best place for getting a REALLY really good used 911 is from an internet forum member of this marque and model who is well respected and and well known, and has a good reason to reluctantly let go of his prized vehicle and wants it to go to a caring owner..

Those places have people that truly cherish their cars and keep them up beautifully and adore them but stil drive them all the time.. And other forum members may evaluate the cars for you ( have actually done it personally to assist would be purchasers that were sincere )

The knowledge is legendary on those places.

The old 911s, the air cooled ones, are so iconic. So timeless. I love hearig that throaty rasp of their engine.

You'll be buying into a lifestyle in a way.

They drive differently too.

I'd love to own a '66 one myself..

The old adage -- "Buy the very best condition one you can find, even if it costs more, -- the cheapest one always costs the most in the end" -- still adheres.

Good luck
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 12-13-2011, 10:32 AM
JollyRoger's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
I've heard parts are pretty pricey.
An alternator costs $700, installed it will run you a grand. A set of rear shocks, a grand. The steering rack, four grand. Everything seems to cost a grand. If the door handle breaks, it will probably cost a grand to fix it.

On the plus side, it is still considered one of the best handling Porsche ever produced, but you really have to have the turbo version to really appreciate it. They are a joy to drive on a mountain road. Otherwise, it is a rather anemic engine, essentially a 928 engine cut in half, and you get the half without the testicles. I did see one really nice V8 conversion, it cost the guy about 10 grand to do the swap, the thing was an animal. In total, not buying it is a smart move, unless it was a turbo, those are collector's items now, but I am assuming 944 NA means "normally aspirated", so, congratulations, they suck.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page