porscheguy

as my name says, been a porsche guy since 1989.

but after now having 5 older porsches, started thinking of getting a late model 'something else for a change'.

in the process of selling my 85 911 targa and 84 928s. both cars in VG to EX condition. did extensive mechanical refresh on both. have had 911 since 1989 and the 928S for 6+ years.

sold a 87 944S to my BRO I resurrected for him, and he expects me to maintain it. just finished a build of an 86 944 Turbo, now in process of installing new SPEC stage 3 clutch and alum flywheel. then need to get back to resurrection/work on the 78 930.

started looking at a few cars to convince myself there is something out there I would enjoy enough to go forward with selling two of my Porsches. what I want is a daily driver, and have an '11 ecoboost F150 4X4 for when needed.

afraid I have fallen in love (lust) for an SL AMG 63. drove one recently, but hesitated too long and it sold.

been reading threads on these forums but really wonder if the suspension issues are as bad/prevalent as it appears. but then read threads where some of you just would not be without your AMG 63.

found an 09 with 64K miles. I am not afraid of doing work on the car over time. did all the suspension on the 928. dont know anything about the car yet, but intend to call for details.

and at that mileage would plan to do a full refresh of stuff that may be good preventative work.

so again, am I crazy?

Viper98912

Sounds like you're tired of dealing with cars that are 30 years old with minimal everything.

fxrs1955

The ABC can be a pain and expensive. That being said I've owned two R230's and only had one problem and that was minor. I always look at the ABC fluid, the way the car sits and make sure it goes up and down like it should. I always flush the system after I buy and replace the filter. This is no guarantee I won't have problems but it's worked so far.

sgaar

Read this thread : http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...29-r230-2.html. The general consensus is that as long as the ABC system is maintained, it will work flawlessly. The issue is that a lot of people has an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach to it.

The key is to find a car with a good history, do a through pre-purchase inspection and then maintain it. With the vintage you are looking at, you should be able to find one with low mileage and maybe even a CPO car.

If you are comfortable working on cars, then working on the R230 and the ABC in particular, is no different then other cars.

kittyandgary

I too have owned (and currently own) Porsche 928's. Six total in the past 16 years. Did about 12 years of track driving with them during that period and retired from that hobby last summer.

The SL55 I bought last summer is - in my opinion - what Porsche 'might' have built if they'd continued development of the 928 past about '89 (yes GTS's are different, but not really much further development went into them). The ride and handling are superb. I actually drove this car for 2 days at Watkins Glen after buying it, and my lap times with primarily partial throttle were similar to those in the '89 5 speed at mostly full throttle. The SL63 is even higher performance!! I've written several of the posts in the reference below regarding ABC system. Just maintain and care for the ABC and it is a marvelous suspension.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...d-changes.html

Here is THE link for info on ABC system:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r230...gence-etc.html

It has lots of further links for specific info.

Good luck and enjoy the ride if you buy it.

porscheguy

no, I love wrenching on these old porsches. but now have accumulated too many.

sell the two I have had the longest, and focus on my 951 DE/track car and the restoration of the 78 930.

really I love driving the old air cooled 911s, raw, visceral. and the 930 just takes that to a whole different level. hoping my experience in my 911 NA will keep it from killing me. but was told the engine mods brought it up to 400HP. and look forward to the getting the 951 on the track next year.

and reward myself with a late model 'something else'. so far leaning heavily toward an SL AMG 63. but once I am able to make a financial commitment, will reevaluate a few before buying. newer 911 CAB, boxster, Jaguar F type, Audi "S" or ???. that is why I decided to register on this forum. have been lurking for some time now.

porscheguy

sgaar and kittyandgary

missed your posts while creating my reply above.

glad to get your positive replies.

when I was considering a 928 and reading those BBs, all I kept seeing were horror stories. maybe I got a good one, but searched for some time before I bought it. and knew when buying it was ready for a full mechanical refresh. at the time, focused on an 83-84 for the 4sp auto MERCEDES trans and less complicated 16V, and budget.

so beginning to suspect the same here. but in this context, I can appreciate someone being frustrated/disappointed when a $100+ K car breaks down. and further suspect many who posted such disappointment just drive them and 'hope' the dealer will keep on top of issues.

frequent/preventative maintenance is my middle name. I dont like to just 'fix when broke', but to the extent possible avoid fixing stuff before it breaks.

my hope is to get something that does not immediately require such a full level of refresh as the 928. but will then stay on top of anything I can do to prevent / avoid stuff breaking by surprise. not sure yet what my budget will be, a few financial variables are in play, and planning to retire in the next year or so.

but also know/understand no matter how much you try, as they age and mileage piles on, $#!+ can always happen. that is what I was telling a guy who called about my 911 yesterday. I will not be surprised if the new owner has several years and lots of miles before anything major need. but then it may break tomorrow despite all the extensive rebuilt/maintenance.

after the refresh on the 928, have been using it as my preferred DD for the past several years only requiring normal maintenance. but I am ready to pass along two of them and move into something else as my preferred DD. I have an '11 F150 4X4 when needed. I love driving my wife's A6 3.0T.

what I really like about the SL is the retractable hard top and how much it is like driving the 928. if I sell my 911 targa, would like another open top car but really not a fan of most convertibles. with top up, feel enclosed, clostraphobic, and most have terrible outward vis. but the SL is great top up or down.

and now for the pics.

kittyandgary

Nice pix. Thanks for sharing, both look great.

Where are you located? Big gathering of 928 owners in Sterling Va (DC suburb) this weekend. Usually one or more 'seekers' to buy a car attend. Usually close to 50 cars and 75 or so attendees. IF you are within 250 miles of DC, might be worth checking out http://928frenzy.org/ . Another great gathering in Anaheim in early October - Sharktoberfest at 928 International, and the third gathering is on the TX coast in early November - 3rd Coast: http://s287999742.e-shop.info/page/4 .

Gary - 928 Owners Club charter member and current Treasurer - www.928OC.org

porscheguy

I am in Cincinnati area. know about those gatherings, but have never been able to attend.

I have wanted to get to 3rd coast since I have bought so much stuff from Roger.

porscheguy

here are pics of the Porsches I plan to keep.

got the 944 turbo/951 as a project. PO got a rebuilt engine in chassis and lost interest. got everything in boxes and redid everything. during the engine break-in, the original clutch started making noise/shudder, so back no the lift for a SPEC stage III clutch and alum flywheel.

PS. 1983 Honda CB1100F in backgroud also for sale. frame up restoration.

the pic of the 930 is from the PO. got not running, but told it was running good until ...

the muffler case split and hot exhaust burned some wiring and a little damage to the spoiler. this one will take a bit of time to refresh/restore to the level I want.

if I can get rid of the other two, would LOVE to have an SL AMG63 as my DD.

Gene Gorman

Gene Gorman

You are not crazy. My SL 55 is my all time favorite car, and I currently have a new 911.

Quadcammer

I have an air cooled 911 and my father has an 07 sl55.

very very very different style of car. The sl weighs well over 4000lbs and you feel every ounce. The steering has very little feel, the nose is long, the feedback through the inputs is minimal, and its not much fun to go canyon carving with.

Its fast, I'll give it that, but beyond that, its not very enjoyable to drive.

I will add that for having 19" wheels, the ride is quite nice...but to say it handles well...not to me.

okbarnett

After driving my first SL55, I decided the SL was a HiTech , Ultramodern, 928. As far as Hi performance handeling, the 911 is the best there is. But for all around road use I like the SL best.

kittyandgary

As Hans Mezger - head of new engine development at Porsche Weissach and primary designer of the 911, 917, 'Mezger GT3", and other engines - once told me over lunch in the late '80's when I asked what used Porsche was best to buy: "it Depends". Summary of the follow on conversation was a 911 SC like he owned was best for short curvy drives for 'fun'. He also stated for longer drives at high speed a 928 like our fellow lunch companion owned was the best.

And, I agree with OKBarnett. After having owned six 928's over the past 16 years, the SL55 is a modernized Hi Tech version of the 928, but in convertible rather than hatchback design. It is a fabulous long distance cruiser, and it 'ain't bad' on a racetrack (I drove it for 2 days at Watkins Glen after purchase). My previous 10 years of driving at the Glen had been in my slightly modified '89 928. The SL was better!