One-Owner 28k-Mile 1988 Porsche 928 S4 5-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1988
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 928 S4
- VIN: WP0JB092XJS861646
- Mileage Shown: 28,056
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Cassis Red Metallic
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Novi, MI 48375
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0046581
Introduced in 1987, the Porsche 928 S4 marked the most significant evolution of Porsche's V8-powered grand tourer including more aerodynamic bodywork and a new 5.0-liter DOHC engine. This 1988 example is finished in the rare and attractive combination of Cassis Red Metallic over Burgundy leather upholstery and features a 5-speed manual transmission with an optional limited-slip differential. It is said to have been cared for by only one owner before the selling dealer’s acquisition and benefits from a timing belt service in late 2020. Showing just over 28k miles on the odometer, this remarkably configured 928 S4 is now being offered for auction out of Michigan.
The S4 model is distinguished from earlier 928 versions by its rounded aerodynamic nose with integrated fog lights, larger taillight assemblies, and a raised black polyurethane rear spoiler. This example is finished in the rare and highly sought-after color of Cassis Red Metallic (L80D) with optional body side moldings, an electric sunroof, and 16” forged alloy flat disc wheels dressed in new tires. Other equipment includes pop-up headlights, headlamp washers, power side mirrors, a power antenna, a rear window wiper, Porsche-branded brake calipers, and a black oval exhaust tip. The seller describes the paint as in excellent overall condition with fresh ceramic coating and indicates the driver’s side rear quarter panel was previously refinished. The seller adds that the car has no accident history, and the paintwork is believed to have been performed at the factory before initial delivery. Detailed images and paint meter readings are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin features Burgundy leather (LN) upholstery with matching carpets and optional supple leather seats. Accessories include power-adjustable front seats with optional driver’s lumbar support, power windows and door locks, automatic climate control, cruise control, a digital clock, an anti-theft device, and an original Blaupunkt Reno SQR 46 radio. All gauges and electronics are said to be fully functional.
Up to 316 HP and 317 lb.-ft of torque is sent to the rear wheels from a fuel-injected 5.0-liter DOHC V8 engine paired with a 5-speed manual transaxle and an optional limited-slip differential. The seller indicates a timing belt service was completed in late 2020 including a new water pump, drive belts, and rollers.
This sale will include owner’s manuals, a spare tire, a toolkit, an air pump, a battery charger, service records, two keys, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “One owner car! always stored properly! never tracked or abused! enthusiast owned! This car was bought new from Autohaus Porsche in Rochester NY. We have the original bill of sale! A very rare find! A true time machine! one owner car!”
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $41,928
- Auction End: Aug 01, 2024 07:57:10PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 26
Attachments
Comments (73)
Highest Offer Received $45,000.00
Bid in the amount of $41,928
Bid in the amount of $41,500
Has to be the coolest color combination.
Bid in the amount of $41,250
Bid in the amount of $41,000
Bid in the amount of $40,750
Bid in the amount of $40,500
Bid in the amount of $40,178
Bid in the amount of $39,928
Bid in the amount of $39,500
Detroit Mi. Area
Where are you, Sam?
Bid in the amount of $39,178
Bid in the amount of $38,928
Bid in the amount of $38,069
no, just the video going from 1 st to reverse!
Is there an actual driving video posted for this auction?
Bid in the amount of $37,250
Bid in the amount of $37,000
Bid in the amount of $36,178
I just got off the phone with Steinel's Autowerks (Porsche only repair in Twinsburg, Ohio) that has done excellent work on our Porsches. Eric, the co-owner, informed me that 928 racks are no longer available so either a facility that rebuilds them or buying one already rebuilt are the only options. So, IMO opinion, find a repair shop that is able to rebuild the original rack (as worf928 suggests). He also agreed that the motor mounts & pan reseal should be done with the steering rack repair. As per the transaxle leak, he said it should not be leaking, or seeping, but may not require a complete teardown; it could be a relatively minor stub axle seal or even a bad CV boot. As per value, his opinion is that these are niche cars, unlike the universal appeal of a 911. He thought it's a high $30s/$40k car FWIW. Hope this helps prospective buyers.... One other thought; anyone considering any 928 has to accept that these are expensive cars to repair and daily/frequent use as they age can be costly.
Whomever will pay the premium for this unicorn of color + miles + 5 speed should be willing to trailer the car to Greg Brown to do the work and to keep the car as OG as possible. I've brought 100K mile 928s back to life. Much pain. This path is easier and cheaper and better. And Cassis!!!
Bid in the amount of $35,928
I scanned through the pictures some more.
This one really is a time capsule.
I can't stress enough how rare it is to find an unrestored 928 in this condition. Cassius Red is a gorgeous color. Pictures don't do it proper justice.
@KipShewardMotorSports I completely agree. This low-mileage unmolested 5-speed S4 is very rare to find today. It doesn't appear to have any issues other than the 'standard' things that every 928 has or has had.
It is in very, very good shape - as far as I can see from the pictures - relative to its age and the average fleet condition. It's quite evident to me that it has been stored in doors and in a climate-controlled environment. Repairing the 'standard' things is far, far less expensive than repairing things that were "messed up" by previous work. And "messed up" is almost always the case with high-mileage 928s. It's far more difficult to deal *properly* with paint or interior in poor condition and this one's cosmetics appear to be in very good shape.
My extensive comments below were intended to provide a counter-point to some of the comments that seemed to denigrate this 928's condition and the expense involved in doing some of the repairs that may, or may not, be needed.
Hi Guys! Sounds like a lot of questions about futcher possible issues! still a 28000 mile one owner car that has a great history, all cars of this age soon our later will need service!good luck with the auction!
This is like having a date with the hottest sexiest stripper on the planet and finding out she has incurable STDs... aaaaargh!! Again, thanks worf928.
Thank you bring-a-trailer for removing my 'extra' newlines that broke my response into paragraphs. My comments are much easier to read as a single giant paragraph. And no ability to edit...
:(
@DrT the reason your rack didn't steer smoothly is because you allowed fluid to become low-enough that the pump or rack was damaged and set shrapnel though the rack. It was the shrapnel circulating in the rack that caused what you felt turning the wheel.
Motor mounts, pan gasket, and rack is on the order of 20 - 30 hours of labor. There are possible WYAIT items such as replacing the high-pressure power steering hose, blasting the rust from the engine carrier, recoating it, lots of cleaning etc. Assuming you use Porsche motor mounts and send your rack to "the" rebuilder parts will be on the order of $3500.
As far as the transaxle leak is concerned. I looked at the pictures. It appears "normal." All the 5-speed input shaft seals weap a bit of oil and did so within hours of leaving the factory. An actually leaking input seal will not be fixed by replacing it. Leave it be. Or, more precisely, clean the heck out of everything back there and then monitor the leak.
I would never 'take' a clients money for pulling the transaxle for the 'normal' oil seepage. By the book the clutch comes out, the rear suspension comes out as a unit and the transaxle/torque tube assembly comes out as a unit. That's a lot of work to replace $50 worth of seals. And there are thousands of dollars of other 36+ year-old wear-item parts on the floor. It's a waste of labor to replace just the seals.
@worf928: Thank you for your advice/input. BTW, when our S4's rack needed replaced, it lost fluid internally but after awhile would not steer smoothly when turning the steering wheel. In your opinion, would $15,000 cover a new rack, oil pan gaskets, motor mounts, and resealing the transaxle along with replacing its mount? This is obviously a nice car but unfortunately, it's not a GTS or even a GT so having over $50,000 in it is a push...
It is absolutely inevitable that a low-mileage untouched 928 of this age will have a leaking oil pan gasket, leaking steering rack, and dead motor mounts.
Rack can be done 'by itself' but must be removed to do oil pan gasket which requires removal of motor mounts. Best do all three at the same time.
Do not use factory cork gasket. Three modern alternatives exist.
DO NOT under ANY circumstances allow the existing steering rack to be part of a core exchange repair. If the shop working on this 928 wants to do a core exchange then go somewhere else. Make sure that this *low mileage* rack is rebuilt or you will end up with a 'resealed' rack with unknown (but probably well over 100k) mileage. There is one rebuilder (not me) that *actually* *rebuilds* the racks and has had exactly two warranty returns in 30 years. All other 'rebuilders' simply replace a few o-rings and spray paint the housing.
928 steering racks will not "hydraulic lock" due to leaking seals. The ATF in the system will be, initially, contained by the rack boots/bellows.) Eventually, they will be full-enough of fluid that it will 'squirt' out from the boots whenever they are flexed.
The condition of the engine bay suggests to me that the reported mileage is accurate.
Condition of plating and routing of various items that very, very few technicians know or care to get right are correct.
Look at the color and texture of the coating on the intake manifold. This is as close to the factory color as you will be able to witness without a time machine. Note that it is not brown, or tan, or gold. It is silver with a bare hint of a deeper color.
928s turn into POSs one fastener and one component at a time.
Find one of the handful (less than a double-handful) of people that work on 928s all the time. If they don't do two or three (or a lot more) timing belts on 928s every year, then walk away. Trailer it to a different state if required.
This one will only be in original, unmolested-by-ignorance condition once.
Oh...btw, when having the car mechanically examined, resealed, whatever; I strongly recommend having the rubber motor mounts & transmission mount changed. They get hard & crack from atmospheric ozone and age, not miles.
Seller: often when the steering rack needs rebuilt, they leak internally (that's how ours was) and not drip under the car. The fluid will go low because the o-rings fail and the fluid fills the wrong part of the rack, then will not go low again. If it was whining, and needed fluid, it sounds like the mechanic's diagnosis was correct. In time, the steering will bind from hydraulic lock and the rack must be replaced. At a minimum I would expect to replace the rack. As per the leak at the rear of the car, that's not a reflection; it's obviously transmission lube. You've got a great looking car but letting them sit unused for years is worse than using them. I'm surprised the engine's front & rear mains aren't leaking. In our classic car dealership we had to reseal more than a few lovely low-mile classics that had been stored awhile. I'd suggest that this car's next owner have the car gone through mechanically to prevent major damage if a seal blows out unnoticed; as when on a trip. BTW, I do not recommend the Porsche dealer for this; their $150-200 per hour labor charge would be prohibitive.
Yes! I will post that! The car only has 398 miles added sense the invoice! the date was 09/02/2020 again a car that is 36 years old! And no signs of leakage on the car,or the ground! Thanks!
sorry about that! Yes,36 years old!
@KipShewardMotorSports can you show a full picture of the invoice with the steering rack call out in full view. Picture 88. Seems to suggest the car needs a steering rack replacement?
@KipShewardMotorSports @KipShewardMotorSports: Not being contrary but 28? 2024 - 1988 = 36... Agree; they do always need something but some things are bigger than others.
Thanks for your comment on the power steering storie!There was no power steering rack replaced! At this time there is no whining,or leakage ! works fine! future problems with 28 year old car! sooner or later they all need something!
While looking at the maintenance records (pic 88) I saw the note to ck whining noise, the steering rack needed fluid, had a leak, and would need... (presumably replaced), followed by $$$$. I can attest to having the steering rack replaced in ours and it cost over $8000 ten years ago. A rebuilt rack at that time was available but with a limited warrantee and cost $5000. Do you know if this work was done? BTW, it's been our experience that low mile (40ish year old) cars that are driven infrequently often have seal issues/leaks. We owned a classic car dealership and can attest to seals drying & shrinking or that would often completely blow when put into service. (928s are built well but repairs are not for the faint of wallet.)
Bid in the amount of $35,250
Thank you! I love off colors! You just don't see them that much! And as a collector car, they tend to be more desirable because of lower build numbers!
@DrT I have a 930 Slantnose in Cassis...so you have my blessing! :D
Also, there is no recite or record of any repairs on the d/s rear quarter! The original owner has never had any paint work done of any kind! That makes me think it was done at port, or factory? No signs of any collision or body work?
I will post the book stamps shortly, and no oil drips on the ground,and I had the car on a hoist for the pics, and that might be from the flash? I did not see any issues in that area when we took the pics? hopefully that is helpful!
good morning! There is no steering issues' and all switches work properly!and no vibrations?
@TurboDXB: We had one with a transaxle leak awhile back; not insurmountable but did require removal, teardown, and seal replacement. Funny, ours was Cassis too; took a lot of flack for having a pink car...
Also, I can see signs of an oil leak in photo 83, can you please take more photos to understand the extent? Thank you.
@KipShewardMotorSports not sure if you received my message over the weekend, but can you please share photos of the service booklet, service stamps, and service invoices? Also, do you have more information or invoices related to the higher paint meter readings on the rear driver side fender? Thank you
Seller: having owned several S4s... any steering rack problems? electrical probs (inop power seats, switches, etc)? high speed vibration? Thanks.
Bid in the amount of $35,000
Bid in the amount of $21,928
Bid in the amount of $20,928
Bid in the amount of $20,000
@KipShewardMotorSports Likely the leather shrunk or the "tabs" keeping it locked down are broken. You can source another plastic plate to correct the popping up if the leather isn't the issue
Any idea if children seats will fit in the back?
Yes! If you go to reverse,it lifts the boot a little! Clips snap right back in! not a real issue!
Bid in the amount of $18,928
Looks like the shift boot is coming up in the video.
car was inspected when we got the car a month ago! Needs nothing, runs great and drives great! No vibrations!
Hi,
beautiful car. when was the car last inspected? and how does it drive? any vibrations?
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Yes! Customer has mutable cars,and not a daily driver! A toy car to him!
Any known reason why only driven 1800 miles since 2008 ?
Yes I will get paint meter readings up! And, yes that is correct mileage showing on the car! Thanks
Hi gang! Thanks for looking at our 928! I wanted to add,that some of the stitching on the steering wheel, is coming apart! Also I will get video of the a/c temp,and 1st to reverse video Thanks good luck!
Paint meter readings please. Thank you in advance.
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Are those "original" miles or "TMU/miles shown?"
Can you post a video of the car starting then shifting into 1st and Reverse?
and a picture of a heat gun on the AC blowing?
Bid in the amount of $5,250
Bid in the amount of $5,000