E30 Zone

Now I realise it might be swearing to use the word Porsche on here, but I'm wondering what the opinions of those that know 80's classics are on the 944 S2? Does anyone know of someone who has / had one and what they thought.

Seems like they are very affordable as an alternative to an better E30, and I'm being drawn to them since my hope of a E30 purchase was dashed.

I think theyre a great car and very good value at the moment. Although Ive never owned an S2 I do have a 968 Club Sport which shares a lot of parts with the 944. Fettled right they are one of the best handling chassis around, only really comparable to the E30 M3 - I actually think the CS is a better car to drive to the M3 purely because it has more power as standard, much more torque and a 6 speed box that pulls from 30 without dropping down whereas the M3 needs its neck ringing. Granted an S2 wont be as fast as my CS but they are still pretty quick.
As with any old car rust is your enemy, have a good dig around jacking points, behind any pieces of trim that water may have got, also need to make sure its had a recent cam belt - other than that they are pretty solid and reliable.
Other than servicing and a dodgy passenger window regulator my car has been faultless in the last 3 years.

One of the main problems will be the price of parts, so you should buy the best.. or it will start to munch money!

I really like them

Almost bought one in 2008 before I bought my bronze e30 but got outbid.

IIRC as they are only 4 pot but large capacity they have a complicated balance shaft arrangement with belts/tensioners which needs periodic and expensive replacement.

Cant remember any other particular issues

When I was last looking at them all the S2's seemed to have space-shuttle mileage though

Rodderz wrote:One of the main problems will be the price of parts, so you should buy the best.. or it will start to munch money!

You'd be very surprised? Usual consumables are as cheap if not cheaper then some bread and butter cars.
The only part that I've found to be expensive is the dash clock - I need one and they're about £850,000,000 which is fucking typical!

capri_rob wrote:I really like them

Almost bought one in 2008 before I bought my bronze e30 but got outbid.

IIRC as they are only 4 pot but large capacity they have a complicated balance shaft arrangement with belts/tensioners which needs periodic and expensive replacement.

Cant remember any other particular issues

When I was last looking at them all the S2's seemed to have space-shuttle mileage though

With having a large capacity 4 cylinder they sound really lazy when turning over - I initially thought I had a lazy starter but it makes sense really.

The other negative is that they don't sound like the usual Porsche, mine sounds like an xr3i with a Peco.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's certainly an interesting motor. There are some high milers about, but others with what might be high in terms of pure number, but low in terms of miles per year. I guess it's like an E30 or any older car, if it's got genuine history then you will be ok.

Where about's in Yorkshire are you Falkster, I'm another Yorkie.

batleyrhino wrote:Thanks for the replies guys, it's certainly an interesting motor. There are some high milers about, but others with what might be high in terms of pure number, but low in terms of miles per year. I guess it's like an E30 or any older car, if it's got genuine history then you will be ok.

Where about's in Yorkshire are you Falkster, I'm another Yorkie.

I don't think miles really matter, my wifes Boxster S has just done 90k (we bought it with 30k on) but drives like new and has a shed load of invoices, as long as you get the same from a 944 then you're fine.
I'm live in Halifax mate.

So then down to the choice, 325 or 944 S2? Assuming same money / condition, which should I go for......

batleyrhino wrote:So then down to the choice, 325 or 944 S2? Assuming same money / condition, which should I go for......

Id have a 944 anyday! I love 325s but would have to be special to beat a 944 but saying that for the price of a reasonable S2 you'd be buying at the top end of what a 325 would be.