1989 Porsche 928 S4

The first owner of this S4 Porsche 928 retained the car until 2018. Since then, it’s had a further three including the vendor, David Mann. “I purchased it on the 9th of February this year,” he explains. “It’s a very well-maintained example and has averaged 2500 miles per year from new. I bought it from the secretary of a Porsche Owners’ Club based down near Devon.”

David’s original intention was to hire the car out as part of a new venture that he’s setting up using his collection of cars. “This wasn’t expected to take place until 2023, so this year it would stay in the garage with the occasional drive out. However, during a discussion with a guy who used to hire out classic cars for 12 years, who’s also helping me set up my new company, he told me that I have the wrong Porsche in the fleet, and it wouldn’t rent out well. I need a 911 in its place.”

This strategic rethink means that this excellent example of Porsche’s big GT is now up for grabs. “The car is in excellent condition,” says David. “As confirmed by Strasse Porsche in Leeds; it commented that for the type of car and age, it was one of the best examples it’d seen for a long time, and also that it’d been well maintained throughout its life.”

That last statement is particularly important as many 928s experienced neglect as values fell and if there’s one thing that this model requires, it’s regular maintenance.

You’ll find many invoices in the car’s History File (see our Photo Gallery, below) from both previous owners and David. “I’ve recently had a new fuel pump fitted at a cost of £800 by Strasse Porsche. If I didn’t have my Audi e-Tron Sportback S as a daily driver and need to get my range of hire cars correct, then I’d have kept the 928.”

For sheer brutality of line and road presence there’s little comes close to a 928; its otherworldly looks engendered astonishment from passers-by in period and today it does the same and then some, because there’s very little on the road that comes close to it. That bulbous rear end, wide thickset stance and pop-up lights all combine to intimidate and visually berate in equal measure.

Panel fit on this example remains excellent, and the galvanized structure appears without issue. The long flanks are straight and true, and the paint finish (there’s little hiding room with Silver paint) is very smart with a pleasant deep lustre. “Bodywork I would say is in very good condition with only a few little areas that need some attention, but nothing major,” says David.

The bits that would benefit from a tidy up are relatively minor and include areas such as the offside rear edge of the spoiler, which is a little scraped and the nearside rear lower valance where a bit of the paint has chipped off (the same is also true of the front nearside valance, just above the chin spoiler).

The alloy wheels are clean and free from surface abrasions, and each is fitted with a matching Continental ContiSport Contact tyre. Rear light lens clusters are crack- and fade-free – you can tell this vehicle has been garaged and cossetted.

This 928 has a very well-preserved interior, but before we get to that let’s discuss electrics. Examples that see little use or that have sat for prolonged periods invariably suffer from electrical gremlins and just to put them right can quickly run into the thousands of pounds… and that’s before we bring engine machinations into play.

“All electrics and the heating are in good working order; that includes the sliding sunroof, electric seats and pop-up headlights”. Believe us, that’s a big plus point when considering a purchase. We did note that the boot release does not work currently, but when the boot is open there is a noise coming from the release mechanism when the internal release button is pulled.

Now back to that cabin; it’s very well preserved. The leather sports seats are in very good condition with next to no wear, even on the driver’s seat outer bolster. Carpets too are excellent, as are door cards and the headlining. This was Porsche’s flagship model and as such there’s an abundance of leather and a high level of finish.

Instrument dials remain clear, and the touch-heavy dashboard and centre column areas have survived the car’s circa 80k miles very well. Finally, the colour gives a very nice contrast to the exterior hue.

It’s a cabin you could quite happily inhabit while the big Porker devours a continent at will.

“I’ve only covered around 600 miles in the 928. It drives very well, and you feel very much in control. It always starts on the first turn of the key, even after being left in the garage undriven for several weeks. I drove it from Leeds to London and back recently with no issues; it’s very comfortable and pulls so well on kickdown. There are absolutely no suspension rattles or bangs, which considering its 33 years is impressive and testament to the care its owners have given it.”

Receipts in the history file indicate that the engine was rebuilt in 1999 by Charles Ivey (Specialist Cars) Ltd of London, with the car’s mileage at 75,047. The engine bay itself is very clean with the big V8, ancillaries and associated pipes and lines all looking to be in rude health.

“The underside of the car is in exceptional condition according to Strasse Porsche,” says David. Again, our Photo Gallery confirms that to be the case. It looks to be a picture of health, straight and with the factory undercarriage protection still in place and doing its intended job.

You’ll find the V5c document and current MOT test certificate both in the car’s history file – the latter runs until August 09, 2022, and has one indicated minor defect (a worn drive shaft velocity boot) and two advisories (slight corrosion to a couple of brake hoses).

The original 928 S4 Driver’s manual and Guarantee and Maintenance books are both present, as is the leather wallet that ensconces them. The service book has a decent number of stamps contained within, as well as an indicator that the cambelt was checked as recently as August 23rd, 2021, at 80,216 miles.

The invoices for the 1999 (that’s year, not cubic capacity, of course!) engine rebuild are present, as are other meaty ones showing that the car’s had significant outlay by owners when required.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a very good standard.

There is one key consideration when buying a Porsche 928 and that’s history. These are complex big beasts and as stated, neglect can leave them wanting in terms of condition; that’s why you should seek out one that’s seen regular preventative maintenance and that has been driven regularly and enjoyed by its previous owners, which is exactly what we have here.

In the world of the 928, examples with bargain basement asking prices will usually equate to serious fiscal pain in the long run. Buying the best that you can afford is key. Given this example’s good history, excellent condition, and first-class driving disposition we think it’ll sell for somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000. Anywhere within that price range should prove to be a wise investment and more importantly, provide instant access to driving a very sorted example of Porsche’s consummate V8-engined GT.

Next stop Le Mans Classic. Or Berlin. Or the south of France. Or… well, the choice would be yours, but surely the further away the better?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions.’