1988 PORSCHE 928 S4 SPORT EQUIPMENT

This Porsche 928 S Series 4 with Sport Equipment (known as the ‘S4 SE’) is a remarkably rare special edition of the marque’s 1980s flagship performance car, presented in very good condition. It is one of just 42 cars delivered to the UK, powered by the 320bhp Weissach-built 5.0-litre V8 engine, which is paired with a short-shift five-speed manual transmission. These SE cars share the same mechanical specification as the coveted 928 Club Sport sold in mainland Europe. The odometer shows 104,570 miles from new.

Compared to the standard 928 S4, the Sport Equipment series features a modified engine and exhaust system, firmer front springs, a 17mm-wider rear track and a limited-slip differential. The majority of 928s were specified with automatic transmissions, so any car with a manual gearbox already stands out from the crowd. Its ‘dog leg’ shift pattern makes changes between second and third gear faster, and the short-shift setup in the SE makes it even slicker. The car could sprint from 0-62 mph sprint in just 5.6 seconds, and was priced just under £56,000 in the UK - on par with the 911 Turbo.

First registered in August 1988, the clear HPI report on file records just three previous registered keepers on the log book. It has been in the same family ownership for the last 26 years, covering some 80,000 miles in that time.

The bodywork presents in good order, with flush shut lines and even panel gaps. As with all Porsches of this era, the chassis and sub-frames were also galvanised. It is finished in the perennially popular hue of Guards Red - matching the 928 S4 SE press car of the era - and the paint is in great condition all around the car. There are only a few small blemishes, including stone chips to the front end, but the finish appears smooth and even across the panels.

All of the light lenses are in great shape, and the window and door rubbers are sound with no perishing or cracking. The seller does report a small scratch on the passenger window, but otherwise there is no damage to any of the glass. Being an SE model, it rides on lightweight 16-inch Fuchs forged alloy wheels. They have some small patches of crazing in the lacquer, and a few scrapes and chips around the rims, so would benefit from refurbishment in due course. Its exhaust setup is a special sports system fabricated from stainless steel.

Inside, the black leather and pinstripe cloth upholstery looks original, and is in excellent condition throughout. There is only some modest fading of the cloth centre panels, and scuffs on the driver’s side bolster, commensurate with the age and mileage. The seller notes that the red piping does have some cracking on the same bolster. There is some wear and marks on the central armrest between the two rear seats, and minor marks around the rest of the trim. The steering wheel has some discolouration and patina around the rim, but the stitching for the leather is in good order.

Factory-fitted equipment on the 928 S4 SE includes electric windows, electrically adjustable seats, automatic air-conditioning, and cruise control. A Blaupunkt Toronto SQR 46 radio cassette deck is also installed. The seller notes that the passenger door window sometimes fails to open correctly, and that the centre console clock does not function. The handbrake warning light currently stays on, even when the mechanism is released. It can be overridden by the master reset button, but requires a new switch in due course.

At the back of the car, there is a stain on the rear luggage cover, but otherwise the boot presents well. With folding rear seats, the 928 certainly makes for a practical GT car. The seller notes that the electronic release for the tailgate is inoperative, but the manual opening works fine. However, the two gas struts are weak and are in need of replacement.

Its last scheduled maintenance was in December 2019, carried out by performance car specialist R&D Automotive in Manchester. This consisted of a minor service, as well as repairs to the alarm system. During this service, there was a slight noise recorded from the rear wheel bearings, but it was not deemed bad enough to warrant replacement at the time.

In 2018, the radiator was replaced during another oil service, as well as the coolant. In 2013, the front discs and pads were renewed, along with the front wheel bearings. The car has covered only a few hundred miles in the last 10 years. The engine bay is particularly clean and tidy, with an untarnished intake manifold and detailed ancillary components.

The most recent MOT test was carried out on 29 October 2019 at 104,566 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with only two advisories. The tester noted that the bonnet struts were weak, and also that there was some slight corrosion on the front brake hose ferrules. The wheels are fitted with Avon ZZ1 tyres in size 225/50 ZR16 at the front and 245/45 ZR16 at the rear, which all have around 5mm of tread remaining. The seller does note that the offside front tyre loses air slowly when left.

Accompanying the car are the original books, including the stamped guarantee and maintenance record, and numerous old invoices and receipts for previous maintenance work. The purchase documentation from 1994, when it was transferred to the current family ownership, is also in the file. Two keys, the complete original tool set, space-saver spare wheel, and air compressor are all still present.

Writing in 911 & Porsche World in 2017, journalist Johnny Tipler compared the S4 SE to the 928 GT, concluding that the SE was “in a different league as far as handling is concerned: it’s precise, there’s no sense that it’s oversteering or understeering, its power delivery is spot-on”.

This Porsche 928 S Series 4 with Sport Equipment is a rare and collectable model from the marque’s back catalogue. Of the 42 cars delivered to the UK, as few as 15 are believed to be in good condition and still on the road. With its extra depth of talent over the standard S4, the SE is a truly exciting and engaging modern classic - a hard-to-find Porsche for the connoisseur, which would make a great addition to any collection.