S2 buying advice and insurance

[pete]

I'm considering an Audi S2 Avant or Coupe as a practical-but-fast everyday car. Does anyone have any gems of wisdom, or places I should look for buying advice?

Specifically:

* Where to look for one? There are about 13 on Autotrader, which makes sense as I know they didn't make very many. Is there anywhere else other than PH and Autotrader worth keeping an eye on?

* Scary problems to look out for? As a 10+ year old car it's going to have serious mileage, which doesn't bother me; I've had a 76000 mile S3 which looked and felt brand new. Is there a point where major stuff needs replacing? e.g. typically how long before the turbo needs refurbishing? Cam belt replacement?

* Insurance. I've got a TVR Tuscan which is absorbing my 6 years' no claims discount. Is an S2 eligible for classic insurance? Has enyone managed to get their NCD mirrored from another car?

Thanks in advance,
Pete

[deanrufleg]

Good cars mate.

There is a good "what to look for" guide on www.s2central.net
Alternatively, if you have not come across the excellent www.s2forum.com then that is definately a site to be on.
Its a mine of information with great techncal help, and some of the cars for sale get discussed over too. It has its own classified section, with some cars for sale, just don't get carried away with all the mods

[Dan]

I was looking for an S2 Avant last year. I was specifically after a sub 100K car.

I think generally they are pretty bomb proof, here are a couple of sources I found for reference:

www.s2forum.com
www.s2central.net
www.audiclub.co.uk
www.audi-sport.net
www.rs246.com

In the end I didn't buy one. Why??

I got monked off arranging to see cars, only to find out that someone was willing to gazump me and buy the bloody things over the phone without even looking at them. This happened twice. Certainly the first one was a guy who thought he would try his luck and shift the car on ebay for a profit. To my satisfaction he ended up selling at a loss (though I still think it was a fair price for the car.

I probably should have carried on looking but due to other car issues I needed to get something reasonably quickly, so ended up with a VR6 Golf.

Anyhow, good luck with the hunt, aim for an ABY car if its a coupe, (I think all the avants were ABY).

Cheers Dan

[pete]

Thanks for all the advice folks. I'll just have to be patient!

[yertis]

Why not get a C4 style 100S4 S6? Much roomier but hardly bigger overall, sleeker lines, slower by about .5 of a second to 60, identical top speed, and usually cheaper. And MUCH better brakes.

[agent006]

yertis said:

Why not get a C4 style 100S4 S6? Much roomier but hardly bigger overall, sleeker lines, slower by about .5 of a second to 60, identical top speed, and usually cheaper. And MUCH better brakes.

SHHHHH!

Under no circumstances should you buy a 100S4, especially not that black avant that's on the 'trader at the moment. NO!

[yertis]

There are two. Which one are you going for? The one at Keighley looks like it has "badges" on the tailgate which arouse my suspicion...

[agent006]

yertis said:

There are two. Which one are you going for? The one at Keighley looks like it has "badges" on the tailgate which arouse my suspicion...

Not going for either yet, not got the cash for another few weeks (hence not wanting anyone to buy one!). The one i'm interested in is the one that's a private ad (£3250 i think (Link? ( although the front S4 badge is in the wrong place))). The other one looks a bit dodgy, the badges are all wrong (but then so are mine) as you say, and there's a centre cap missing from the left front wheel. And it's been on there for a good month so far too (but originally at £4K). Probably start looking seriously at the back end of june when i've got my final degree result back and know what i'm doing.

ph server said:

parenthesis overload

[Fat Audi 80]

I have had mine for a year and am absolutely over the moon with it. (1993 ABY 6 speed coupe).

Pros:

Fast (very fast with the 280 bhp chip)
Subtle
Bullet proof
confortable
well built and solid

Cons:

Thirsty - 22 - 26 mpg (or lower if it is a fun car like mine)
spares can be expensive


Mine is insured on a limited mileage basis and cost me £450 this year with a full NCB. (I am 32, it is garaged and I live in a decent postcode...)

Overall though they are fantastic cars and will keep pace with many a porsche etc without attracting unwanted attention.

They are also a bargain at the moment and a car that I paid nearly £8k for just over a year ago seem to be going for £4 - £6k.

My advice would be to look at as many as you can, as there are some abused examples out there. If you get signed up on S2Forum.com I am sure there will be a local member that would happily view a car with you and let you take a look at theirs. (That's how I found mine anyway...)

Good luck, you won't regret it!

Cheers,

Steve.