545IblupasdU

long story short I lost my car about 2 months ago..........Now Im in the process of getting another car. when I get a car I usually get what I want as long as it has 4 seats that's all that matters......if people have to squeeze Im really not concerned. What does concern me when I get a car is power and handling E60 with sport suspension, active steering is a great handling car but would you go for an older Porsche in place of it?? the 928 has a great engine 8 cylinder 288-300 hp and performance chip gives 30hp not sure of the handling? I would think it would be pretty good but would you say that the handling of an older Porsche can be comparable or better to a newer more advanced E60? is it possible for a car that's lets say 18 years older can have equal handling to a E60 sport? I haven't driven a 928 yet maybe some of you have........any opinions is cool!

Please don't start with the "they not in the same class" or "you cant compare a 4 door to a 2 door" nonsense because the e60 is a very good car and in my mind Im giving the e60 the advantage in handling and performance even though its the bigger car am I wrong for doing that?.......just a fun conversation on what you guys think

nine28

Hey - look at that - a question I am uniquely qualified to answer! I have an '07 550i Sport, an '87 928 S4 4spd Auto, and an '88 928S4 5spd.

As with all questions like this, it really boils down to what your intended use of the car is. I've had both Porsche's close to 10 years, and the e60 for about 5 years so I know them well. I've loved the 928 since I was a kid, and the S4 is my favorite body style and I prefer it to the earlier versions. Plenty of power - the 928 is about 1,200 pounds lighter than the e60 so they have a lot of go. Stock suspensions were OK - most enthusiasts have switched to more modern setups and it makes a significant difference in handling. Interior is simple and still modern looking in my opinion. While not as light or simple as a 911 or even 944 from the same era, the 928 is still a light, fast car and a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Plus, it looks damn cool and is pretty unique.

My e60 on the other hand is a completely different experience. Much bigger engine than the 928, but a lot heavier, but it handles so beautifully its hard to tell its such a heavy car. Its less of an engaging experience to drive the e60 than the 928, but no less fun to drive. I've taken it on sweeping corners and back roads, and I find it just as fun as the Porsches. Its nice to have all of the bells and whistles of a modern car too.

So which to get if you have to choose? Well, you say 18 years old - thats the minimum age since the 928 stopped production in 1995. And that was the GTS, a lot more powerful, but still very expensive - low mileage clean examples still run in the $80-90K range. If you go 20 years or later you are looking at S4s and possibly GTs, but low mileage examples of those still run in the $20-30K range. And a 20 year old car is exactly what you think - lots of maintenance. If you can do the work yourself you will save yourself a lot of money - I probably spend about $2k a year on maintenance for both cars, but parts are expensive. If you don't do the work yourself budget $4K as good 928 mechanics are scarce.

My e60 just went out of warranty in December so I can't give you a story on how easy it is to maintain. It only has 66K miles on it though so as the miles climb I'm sure that will change. It has been fantastically reliable though to this point.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what you want, how you use it, and how much you can spend. Both are great cars, but different driving experiences. My best way to describe it would be this: I drive down to the bay area a couple times a month, and I always take the e60. I'm confident it will never leave me stranded - I don't have that confidence in a 20 year old Porsche.

Hope that helps.

545IblupasdU

Very nice response, its gonna be a daily driver. I want something fun, cheap and light, something I can tinker with without all the electronics. And something that can be competent with some suspension/engine/exhaust upgrades. I like doing preventive repairs so I know I will be repairing. Id like to get a 928 that costs anywhere from $6000-$12000 and I know it will be an 85-88 my. hopefully with mileage around 50-90,000. I know the timing belt has to be changed at 60,000.Ive been looking and reading up on them for 2 weeks now.......Im not sure!

strobeyprobey

If you want a higher mileage 928 automatic and want to come to Minnesota, I have a really nice 84 for sale at $4800.

I just got an 2006 E60 manual 530xi a few months ago and it is tough to compare the two vehicles. The E60 is so modern and electronic compared to old super-car level of engineering. But realistically the engineering in the 928 really is amazing, the handling and comfort is supreme.

Both the Porsche and the E60 are not that hard to work on, in my opinion. There is an amazing wealth of information on the web about common issues and how to fix them for the 928.

545IblupasdU

hey thanks for the reponse.......can you send me pics?? Titan771@hotmail.com

strobeyprobey

Sure, message sent!

Ceenit

I hae a bit of experience w/older Porsches as well. I don't have a 928, but have had a few 968's in the stable. As a daily driver, the e60 will instill confidence. Any older Porsche will instill a great fun/head turning factor, but you'll always have that small question in the back of your mind before you take it on long trips.

I prefer to keep both ends happy by purchasing a quality e60 (go a few years older to save some $$), and then use that difference to buy a weekender Porsche. That gives you any lattitude needed to enjoy tinkering on the Porsche and not have to get it all buttoned back up for work the next day.

IMO the 928 is one of the nicest older body styles, and the big engine is very attractive, but because of the engine complexity and age, it also tends to take a bit more maintenance than other models of the same era.

If you love to do some of your own tinkering/wrenching, an old Porsche is lots of fun. If you are highly dependant on a mechanic for even an oil change, you may end up with a painful level of frustration if wanting it as a daily driver.