WP0AB294XMN410197 – History

WP0

World manufacturer code

Porsche

AB2

US Vehicle Specification Code

These 3 digits are rendered ZZZ in RoW models. For my US specification car, it is decoded as follows:
Character 1: Body Type, A = Coupe
Character 2: Engine Type, B = 3.0 L engine
Character 3: Occupant Safety System, 0 = Safety Belts Only, 1 = Driver's Airbag, 2 = Driver & Passenger Airbags.

94*

Vehicle Type (part 1)

This number is combined with a 3^rd number indicated by an *
94 = 944
95 = 951 (i.e. 944 Turbo)

X

Test Code or Filling Character

N/A

M

Model Year

K = 1989, L = 1990, M = 1991

N

Manufacturing Location

N = Neckarsulm
S = Stuttgart

4*

Vehicle Type (part 2)

Combined with the first 2 digits above* to complete the vehicle type.
4 = 944
1 = 951

1

Serial Number (part 1)

0 = RoW Coupes
1 = US Coupes
3 = RoW Cabriolets
4 = US Cabriolets

0197

Serial Number (part 2)

This car was the 197^th of 510 US specification 944S2 coupes manufactured in 1991.

The following summarizes 944S2 production numbers for the year 1991:

1991 944S2 Coupe
- RoW 2,738
- US 510
1991 944S2 Cabriolet
- RoW 1,559
- US 562

454

Cruise Control

490

HiFi Sound System

494

Amplifier System or 2x speakers on the back shelf.
This one is a mystery as there was no additional amplifier in the car. The car did have an OEM Blaupunkt graphic equalizer which I removed and replaced with the stock shelf.

573

Air conditioning

650

Sun Roof

946

Leather Seats

Fixed Costs:

Depreciation (est. current value $8,000):

$4,000

Upgrades:

$892

Miscellaneous (dyno, detail, smog, etc):

$400

Insurance (est. $600/year):

$3,150

CA Registration Taxes (est. $120/year):

$630

Total Fixed Costs:

$9,072

($0.29/mile)

Variable Costs:

Service:

$6,550

Repairs:

$1,999

Tires, Alignement, Wheel Balancing:

$2,026

Gas (20 mpg, $2.99/gal):

$4,742

Total Variable Costs:

$15,316

($0.48/mile)

True Cost of Ownership:

$24,388

($0.77/mile)

Date

Mileage

Type

Cost

Notes

2006-08-08

130,978

Smog

$50.00

Passed in Sunnyvale, CA.

2006-06-05

129,920

Service

$2,065.66

Major service done by Modderman Service (650-967-3213). While performing the service, they found a front engine oil leak. The rate of oil consumption before taking the car in for a service was 1x quart every 5K miles. So while the leak was not causing excessive oil consumption, it needed to be taken care of because oil was dripping onto the belts. The cost break down was as follows:

Major Service ($669.43)

• Spark plugs, 4x $4.89

• Fuel filter (p/n 928-110-253-00), $41.98

• Carbon cleaner for cleaning the throttle plate, 1x $5.45

• Air filter (p/n 944-110-166-00), $30.48

• Valvoline 15W40 Turbo oil, 6x $3.16

• Drain plug gasket (p/n 900-031-011-30), 1x $0.75

• Oil filter (p/n 944-107-201-90), 1x $11.60

• Lubricant, 1x $10.00

• Sales tax, $11.45

• Oil and filter recycling fee, 1x $4.00

• Labor, 4x hours at $128.80/hour ($515.20 total labor)
  - Performed the service
  - Checked the compression (210, 190, 195, 200 – PSI)

Resealed front enginer, installed new belts/tensioners/rollers ($1,396.23)

• Front engine reseal kit (p/n 944-101-000-00), 1x $116.35

• Steel bushings (p/n 928-105-139-02), 3x $22.95

• Brake cleaner, 1x $5.95

• Timing belt (p/n 944-105-323-02), 1x $123.69

• Counter balance belt (p/n 944-102-219-02), 1x $68.01

• Tensioner roller (p/n 944-105-631-10), 1x $99.94

• Counter balance belt tensioner (p/n 944-102-025-06), 1x $43.48

• Counter balance belt roller (p/n 944-102-277-04), 1x $60.77

• Timing belt roller on the water pump (p/n 944-105-241-03), $48.37

• Labor, 5.5x hours at $128.80/hour ($708.40 total labor)
  - Replaced all 'O' ring seals and radial seals
  - Replaced seals on cam, crank and counter balance shaft
  - Installed new steel bushings
  - Replaced timing belt
  - Replaced counter balance belt
  - Replaced tensioners and rollers

2005-09-22

125,082

Tires

$601.59

Installed a new set of Avon Tech M500 tires (fronts: 205/50WR-17, rears: 255/40WR-17).

• Tires from Tirerack (including shipping) $482.02

• Mounting and balancing at Modderman $119.57

2005-08-25

124,737

Repair

$793.69

Repainted the front bumper. It was scraped after riding up onto a kerb in a parking lot. It was repainted by Da-Les Auto Body in Sunnyvale, CA (408-734-3100). The costs were:

Repaint Front Bumper ($793.69)

• Paint and other material, $113.80

• Sales tax, $9.39

• Hazardous Waste Disposal, $3.00

• Labor, $667.50

2005-07-17

124,323

Repairs
Upgrade

$191.00
$17.96

Repaired/replaced or upgraded the following items:

Fixed Cabin Heater Clip

• Cabin heater was blowing constant hot air. Diagnosed the problem as being caused by the infamous heater clip failure and repaired the problem using the Paragon Products procedure.

• The replacement clip was purchased from Parts Heaven for $7.00.

Replaced Interior Mats

• Replaced the worn interior front mats with a set of Lloyd Mats.

• Purchased the replacements from Paragon Products at a cost of $109.00.

Replaced Front Fog Light

• The front fog light on the passenger side was cracked.

• Replaced it with a used light, purchased from Parts Heaven for $75.00.

Installed Stongard Protective Film on the Foglights

• Installed a set of Stongard protective film on the fog lamps.

• The set was purchased from Paragon Products at a cost of $17.96 .

2005-07-01

124,021

Service
Repair

$135.89
$113.03

Minor service done by Modderman Service (650-967-3213). They also fixed a broken exhaust hanger which was located just in front of the exhaust-resonator. Cost breakdown:

Minor Service ($135.89)

• Valvoline 15W40 Turbo oil, 6x $3.16

• Drain plug gasket, 1x $0.75

• Oil filter, 1x $11.60

• Labor, $96.60 (at $110/hour)

Repair Exhaust Hanger ($113.03)

• Hanger Exhaust System – used, (p/n 944-111-211-00), 1x $21.69

• Muffler Hanger – used (p/n 944-111-142-01), 1x $23.23

• Labor, $64.40 (at $110/hour)

2004-10-16

120,076

Service

$2.00

Added engine-oil. Oil level was at 60%, added 1-pint of 20W50 Chevron Supreme to bring it to the 85-90% mark. That translates to an average oil-consumption rate of 1-qt every 5K to 6K miles.

2004-10-09

119,997

CA Smog

$60.00

Passed in Sunnyvale, CA.

2004-06-09

118,562

Service

$345.30

Modderman Service refilled the A/C:

A/C Refill ($345.30)

• 2.3-lbs of R-12 Freon, $200

• Sales Tax, $16.50

• Labor, $128.80 (at $110/hour)

2004-02-23

~116,800

Repair

$0

The car was rear-ended in a slow speed (~5 mph) incident. The rear bumper was repaired by Da-Les Auto Body in Sunnyvale, CA (408-734-3100). The cost was paid in full by the other person's insurance. Their costs were:

Rear Bumper Repair ($678.11)

• Left rear bumper end cap, $372.86

• Right rear bumper strip moulding, $119.29

• Paint, $14.00

• Sales tax, $41.76

• Labor, $130.20 (at $62/hour)

2004-01-28

116,302

Service
Tires
Repair

$846.88
$300.00
$56.59

Work done by Modderman Service (650-967-3213). I recommed these folks as they know 944 cars well (there's always a few at the shop).

Service: 7,500 mile service ($275.75)

• Spark plugs, 4x $3.45

• Valvoline 15W50 oil, 7x $3.16

• Drain plug gasket, 1x $0.75

• Oil filter, 1x $11.60

• Sales tax, $3.98

• Oil & filter recycling fee, $3.50

• Labor, $220 (at $110/hour)
  - Performed the service
  - Checked compression (all four cylinders read 205 PSI – excellent!!!)

Service: Replace Brake Pads ($369.81)

• Front brake pads, 1x $81.30

• Rear brake pads, 1x $81.30

• DOT 3-4 brake fluid, 5x $4.95

• Sales tax, $15.46

• Fluid recycling fee, $2.00

• Labor, $165 (at $110/hour)

Service: Replace Engine Bay Fuel Lines ($201.32)

• Fuel line [p/n 944-356-029-12], 1x $62.80

• Fuel line [p/n 944-356-027-14], 1x $72.37

• Sales tax, $11.15

• Labor, $55 (at $110/hour)

Tires
As an experiment, I purchased a used set of Continental ContiSportContact N1 tires (205/50 ZR17, 255/40 ZR17) from a private party for $200. They were taken off a Boxster with 6K miles on them. The new-price for a set from Tirerack was $630+shipping at that time. Modderman Service installed and balanced them for $100. They ran true after installation and were noticeably quieter than the Bridgestone S02s that were replaced.

Repair: Fix Power Steering Belt Adjuster ($56.59)

• Spacer [p/n 944-347-441-02], 1x $5.00

• Strut [p/n 944-347-053-02], 1x $5.88

• 8-mm Bolt, 1x $0.75

• Sales tax, $0.96

• Labor, $44 (at $110/hour)

2003-07-04

113,578

Repair

$10

Replaced an intermittent passenger-side window-switch (p/n 951-613-133-00) with a used one from Parts Heaven.

2003-04-26

112,451

Repair

$35

Repaired the glove-box door supports with a kit supplied by Paragon Products.

2002-11-22

111,301

Service

$100

At this time, the car had been driven ~2,300 miles since the belts were done and so they were re-checked for tension. This is a recommended procedure. The work was carried out by Modderman Service (650-967-3213). They found that the balance shaft belt needed adjustment. That is not unexpected.

2002-10-06

110,533

Repair

$0

Replaced one of the two fan resistors (p/n 944-616-522-00) and repaired an electrical crimp to one of the resistors. See here for a description of the problem which was corrected by this repair. Trevor was a great help on the day and even provided the replacement part free of charge.

2002-09-07

~110,200

Dyno

$100

Dynoed the car at DSR in San Jose. I was very pleased with the results which came out as follows:

Actual SAE Corrected Rear-Wheel Figures

• 187 BHP

• 181 ft.lbs

Estimated Fly-Wheel (assuming 15% drive-train loss)

• 220 BHP

• 214 ft.lbs

Porsche's Specification for a 1991 944S2 Coupe

• 208 BHP / 155 kW @ 5,800 RPM

• 207 ft.lbs / 280 Nm @ 4,100 RPM

2002-08-17

110,041

Detail

$150

The car was professionally detailed at my house by Guy Smith (800-862-0639). I highly recommend him.

2002-08-12

110,031

CA Smog

$40

Passed in Sunnyvale, CA.

2002-08-09

~110,000

Repair

$200

Removed a palm-sized dent from the passenger door using a “paint-less” repair process. Work was carried out by Troy Treece from DentPro (408-370-9500). Excellent work.

2002-07-01

108,980

Service

$2,653.85

Major service carried out by Carrera Motors (650-342-9955).

There were two separate jobs as follows:

Job #1 - General Service $2,056.29 ($985.18 parts, $81.11 CA Sales Tax $990 labor @ $95/hour)

Belts

• Timing Belt [p/n 944-105-323-02], 1x $60.00

• Power Steering Belt [p/n 999-192-236-50], 1x $18.90

• Alternator and A/C Belt [p/n 999-192-299-50], 1x $12.50

• Balance Shaft Belt [p/n 944-102-219-04], 1x $80.00

Rollers ($241.50 total)

• Balance Shaft Belt Roller (toothed) [p/n 944-102-025-07]

• Balance Shaft Belt Roller (idle) [p/n 944-102-277-06]

• Timing Belt Roller (water pump) [p/n 944-105-241-03]

• Timing Belt Roller (toothed gear) [p/n 944-105-631-10]

• Timing Belt Roller (for 16v 944) [p/n 944-105-241-02]

Filters

• Air Filter, 1x $24.00

• Oil Filter, 1x $10.00

• Fuel Filter, 1x $25.00

Fluids

• Engine Oil, Kendall 10W40, 6x $2.65

• Engine Coolant, 2x $8.50

• Transaxle Oil, 7x $2.95

• Brake Fluid, 1x $6.00

Seals

• Front Engine Reseal Kit, 1x $119.00

• Oil Cooler Reseal Kit, 1x $49.00

Miscellaneous

• Water Pump (refurbished), 1x $133.20

• Spark Plugs, 4x $6.00

• Ignition Rotor, 1x $44.00

• Distributor Cap, 1x $57.00

• Thermostat, 1x $9.78

• Gasket, 1x $3.75

• Coolant expansion tank cap, 1x $7.00

• Degreasers & cleaners, 1x $5.00

• Sublet Repair, $2.00

Job #2 - Timing Chain Pad Replacement $597.56 ($94.74 parts, $7.82 CA Sales Tax, $495 labor @ $95/hour)

• Camshaft Chain, 1x $32.00

• Camshaft End Plugs, 3x $3.95

• Valve Cover Gasket, 1x $12.70

• Spark Plug Oil Seals, 4x $2.36

• Rubber Grommet – V/C Bolt, 13x $1.30

• Retainer, 3x $3.95

• Camshaft Tensioner Rail/Pad from Zims. This part was supplied by the author and cost ~$25. Its cost was not counted in this bill.
  
  Failure of this part is considered to be the main weakness of the 16v models (944S, 944S2, and 968 which has two pads!).
  
  To see what can happen if this part fails, click here.

2002-05-04

107,142

Alignment

$148

Custom alignment done by Wheel Works of Sunnyvale (650-969-1700). The alignment was set to the following specification based on an article by Jim Pasha in Excellence.

Front

• -0.75° Camber

• 1/16” Toe-In

• 3° Caster

Rear

• -1.0° Camber

• 1/16” Toe-In

2002-04-28

106,911

Wheel Balance

$45

Wheels balanced at Wheel Works of San Mateo (650-347-6616)

2002-03-04

~104,000

Upgrade

$600

Purchased a used set of used 993 17” Cup Rims with Bridgestone S02 tires from a private party. Condition was good, not perfect. Wheel and tire sizes are:

Front

• Wheels - 7x17, 55mm offset

• Tires - 205/50 R17 (804rpm)

Rear

• Wheels - 9x17, 55mm offset

• Tires - 255/40 R17 (806rpm)

2001-07-03

100,437

Service
Repair

$400
$600

The engine temperature had suddenly started to operate in the 100°C-105°C range. The car was not driven until this was repaired. After the repair, the engine temperature range was in the 80°C-90°C range. The car was serviced at the same time as the repair.

Service ($400)

• Engine Oil

• Oil, air and fuel filters

• Sparkplugs

• Transaxle Oil

Repair ($600)

• Removed and flushed radiator with “Fast Flush”

• Replaced:
  - Auxiliary Fan Switch
  - Auxiliary Fan Relay
  - Radiator Switch
  - Thermostat
  - Coolant

2001-06-19

~100,000

Upgrade

$124

Purchased a Bra for the car from Carlsen Motor Cars (650-856-6300)

2001-05-14

~99,400

Upgrade

$150

Purchased a Car-Cover from Rector Motor Car Company (650-348-0111)

2001-05-12

~99,300

Tires

$931

Purchase a set of Bridgestone S-02 tires from Wheel Works of Sunnyvale (650-969-1700)

Front

• 205/55 R16 (811rpm)

Rear

• 225/50 R16 (811rpm)

2001-05-08

99,260

Purchase

$12K

Purchased the car from California Motorsports

At the time of purchase, the price-guides quoted the following for a '91 944S2 Coupe:

Kelly Blue Book : Trade-In $7,350 Retail $11,470

Bruce Anderson in Excellence : Poor $8,750 Good $10,000 Excellent $13,500

Date

Mileage

Type

Cost

Notes

2001-04-26

99,259

CA Smog

?

Passed in Sunnyvale, CA.

2001-04-25

~99,250

PPI

$100

Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) carried out by Tony Heyer of Heyer-Performance in Mountain View (650-962-0930) with the following results:

Drive-train

• The engine, clutch and transmission felt fine in a test drive.

• Oil pan shows evidence of a minor leak.

• Head is not leaking

• The valve cover gasket is leaking. #3 spark plug had a small pool of oil around it and this would eventually cause a short.

• Compression was 188, 190, 200 and 185. The high value for #3 would have been caused by approximately a thimble full of oil leaking into the cylinder when the plug was removed (see valve cover gasket above). So in general, the compression seemed good.

• Battery was flat. It may need replacing.

• In general it needs a service. Besides the usual timing belt and stuff, Tony recommended changing the cam chain. He has seen them break after 100K miles. You would replace the valve cover gasket at the same time.

Body

• The whole car has been repainted.

• The front was hit but the frame horns looked straight. Probably not a hard hit. California Motorsports disclosed before the PPI that the previous owner said he'd hit a deer.

• The left rear fender was also hit. Evidence down in the left trunk well. However, not a huge hit. There doesn’t appear to be much bondo used.

• There were water stains in the trunk area which indicate minor hatch water leaks.

• Oddly the 2 right hand side jack points look a little torn up.

• All the rims are kerbed but they seem to be straight.

• Catalyst had minor dents but it looks fine.

Suspension

• Shocks are poor

• Tires need replacing

• Breaks are at 60-70% and in a test drive, they did not haul the car up as quickly as you would expect. However this could be pads, tires, etc.

• The ABS works.

Interior

• Sunroof micro-switch needs replacing.

• A/C is not working. Probably just needs a charge but that indicates a leak somewhere. You should use a dye for later diagnostics.

1999-08-21

?

CA DMV

?

CA DMV title issued to previous owner (name withheld from this website)

1999-08-07

88,865

Service

$162

Diagnose cruise control and check tune-up.

1999-08-07

88,860

CA Smog

?

Passed in Palo Alto, CA.

1998-09-15

82,994

Repair

$730

Repair to fuel system by Tony Heyer of Heyer-Performance in Mountain View (650-962-0930). Parts replaced:

• Idle Control Valve

• Fuel filter

• Pressure Regulator

• Fuel Dampner

• Fuel Pump Relay

1998-05-01

79,641

Service

$481

• Oil and filter change

• AC (recharge?)

• Check belt adjustment

• Repair radiator leak at the top nipple

1998-01-12

?

CA DMV

?

CA DMV transfer of ownership to previous owner (name withheld from this website)

1997-10-30

75,573

CA Smog

?

Passed in Santa Clara, CA.

1997-10-29

75,563

Inspection

$68

Inspection (PPI maybe?) carried out by Ken's Sportech in Cambell (408-377-8055) with the following results:

Compression

• #1 - 182

• #2 - 178

• #3 - 180

• #4 - 185

Problems Found

• AC needs a charge

• Sunroof micro-switch is not working

• Rear brake rotors have a big lip

• Oil pan gasket is leaking

• Power steering line is seaping at the cooler

• The cooling fans are cycling way too often

• Shocks are soft

1996-10-16

70,063

Service

$1,332

Carried out by Pacific Autoworks (408-280-7340)

• Inspection

• Water Pump

• Timing & balance shaft belts

• Roller

• Emergency brake work

• Oil change

• Oil filter

• Coolant

• Alternator belt

1996-08-16

68,300

CA DMV

?

CA DMV title issued. First lien reported.

1996-07-19

68,240

CA Smog

?

Passed in Los Altos, CA.

1996-06-28

68,187

Sale

?

Sold at auction in the “Eastern Region” (per CarFax report)

1996-04-08

68,085

Service

?

Oil change carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA.

1995-09-26

60,255

Service

?

60K service carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1995-05-15

55,325

Service

?

Camshaft belt checked by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1995-03-06

52,955

Service

?

2 years of operation service (seems to be 2 years late?) carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

• Oil change

• Brake fluid change

• Coolant change

1994-07-18

45,651

Service

?

45K service carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1993-09-28

31,259

Service

?

Oil change carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1993-04-28

26,645

Service

?

30K service carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1992-06-15

15,301

Service

?

15K service carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1991-12-28

9,874

Service

?

Oil change carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1991-07-22

2,238

Service

?

Oil change carried out by HBL Porsche, Vienna, VA

1991-06-17

179

In-Service

?

Sold by Manhattan Porsche, Rockville, MD to UB Vehicle Leasing Inc.