S2 / RS2 Avant
Discussion
OK, so time to consider "retiring" the Chimaera because 20k a year is getting a bit tiresome...mainly the trips to the dealer on a regular basis and the inconvenience when it is off the road with some random obscure problem.
I like Audi's, in a they-get-you-from-A-to-B-quickly-even-in-the-wet-without-fuss kind of way. Very tempted by an S2 or RS2 - however they are getting a bit long in the tooth now and most have well over 100k on them...I'd only be putting 10k or so a year on it, keeping the TVR for weekends/summer.
Am I mad? Would I be better off spending more an an S4 Avant? Would it be cheaper to run? Is it a better car?
If I spend £6k-ish on a 150k ish S2 am I to expect a load of problems?
I like Audi's, in a they-get-you-from-A-to-B-quickly-even-in-the-wet-without-fuss kind of way. Very tempted by an S2 or RS2 - however they are getting a bit long in the tooth now and most have well over 100k on them...I'd only be putting 10k or so a year on it, keeping the TVR for weekends/summer.
Am I mad? Would I be better off spending more an an S4 Avant? Would it be cheaper to run? Is it a better car?
If I spend £6k-ish on a 150k ish S2 am I to expect a load of problems?
My dad has a 134k mile Audi S2 that has been very reliable for the last 50k, but like anything of that age it will start needing maintenance. The power steering pump went last week (800 quid from Audi, Eurocarparts sorted it with a recon one for 170!) plus the radiators will need oing soon. What a car tho'. Took it out last night and still quick, handles really quite well for an estate and build is so fantastic mileage is shrugged off. Maybe not as alive as nimbler sportscars but still impressive.
For a real high mileage shocker, my friend and mechanic Andy took me out in his 120k Audi S4 with AmD 440bhp conversion - about 10ks worth. Oh my gawd! No exaggeration to say it felt as quick as Derestrictor's 490 bhp Porsche Turbo 4, Tony's Diablo and Guy's Ultima. And it looks such a Q car... The thing is mental. 0-120 in about 12 secs by my reckoning.
For a real high mileage shocker, my friend and mechanic Andy took me out in his 120k Audi S4 with AmD 440bhp conversion - about 10ks worth. Oh my gawd! No exaggeration to say it felt as quick as Derestrictor's 490 bhp Porsche Turbo 4, Tony's Diablo and Guy's Ultima. And it looks such a Q car... The thing is mental. 0-120 in about 12 secs by my reckoning.
JonRB said:
I must admit, I'm very tempted by a 2.7 twin-turbo S4 Avant to replace my ageing Corrado VR6.
It's just a question of timing. And money, of course.
I had considered a Corrado VR6 as well actually. But I've seen you refer to yours as 'tired' more than once now, so I won't be making you an offer
UpTheIron said:
I had considered a Corrado VR6 as well actually. But I've seen you refer to yours as 'tired' more than once now, so I won't be making you an offer
"Tired" is a very subjective term. Yes, it does have some dings, dents and scratches, but they are no more than you would expect for a car of its age that has been used as a daily driver and family transport. I'm sure if I put the time and effort into getting it all touched up by a body shop then it would look like a minter. And mechanically it is very sound indeed and has been extremely reliable as you'll see from my profile. Also at 93k miles on a 1996N it is my no means over mileage or worn out. In fact it has plenty of life left in it.
I guess I should be more thoughtful about how I refer to it in future.
I guess I should also be more honest with myself and confront the fact that my referring to it as "tired" is me trying to emotionally let go of it enough to bear to sell it.
Well as somebody who owns both an S2 avant and a Corrado VR6, I can recommend both. The S2 was bought for practicality, a large boot and four wheel drive, and to keep the miles down on the Corrado. As to which is better, well the Corrado is a much more involving drive, and actually more comfortable on long journeys, simply due to better seats.
The Audi is certainly faster, at least in a straight line, and with light power steering and effortless power it is very easy to drive.
Tuning is easier on the turbocharged S2 (circa 280BHP with a chip change) and the build quality is superb. As Domster mentioned power steering pumps and radiators (it has 2) are the weak points, along with the barely adequate brakes, but with a little shopping around can be got for reasonable non-stealership prices. The engines are pretty bomb proof if well maintained, ditto the transmition although some early coupes suffered from 1st gear weakness, solved on the later ABY models. For more info go to www.s2forum.com/ for the Audi and www.corradoclub.co.uk/ for Corrados
Steve
The Audi is certainly faster, at least in a straight line, and with light power steering and effortless power it is very easy to drive.
Tuning is easier on the turbocharged S2 (circa 280BHP with a chip change) and the build quality is superb. As Domster mentioned power steering pumps and radiators (it has 2) are the weak points, along with the barely adequate brakes, but with a little shopping around can be got for reasonable non-stealership prices. The engines are pretty bomb proof if well maintained, ditto the transmition although some early coupes suffered from 1st gear weakness, solved on the later ABY models. For more info go to www.s2forum.com/ for the Audi and www.corradoclub.co.uk/ for Corrados
Steve
Well, space and pace is the name of the game with an Audi, particularly an Avant.
To be honest, there are only 3 things wrong with the Corrado
1) Age. It's getting on a bit - come April mine will be 8 years old and I'll have owned it 7.5 years. It has also done 93k miles now.
2) Comfort. It is no longer comfortable enough, but that's my fault for having aftermarket suspension on it and I plan to rectify that by reverting to stock
3) Space. My son is outgrowing it for legroom in the back, and we can't tour in it as we can only get one suitcase and a couple of squashy bags in the boot.
An S4 Avant seems the way forward, although if funds can be stretched then an RS4 would be the ideal.
I realise I'm going to be giving a bit away on driver involvement, but c'est la vie and I do have the Chimaera.
I will be extremely sad to see the Corrado go, but at least I can console myself that an S4 will be faster in a straight line / overtake.
>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 8th February 20:04
To be honest, there are only 3 things wrong with the Corrado
1) Age. It's getting on a bit - come April mine will be 8 years old and I'll have owned it 7.5 years. It has also done 93k miles now.
2) Comfort. It is no longer comfortable enough, but that's my fault for having aftermarket suspension on it and I plan to rectify that by reverting to stock
3) Space. My son is outgrowing it for legroom in the back, and we can't tour in it as we can only get one suitcase and a couple of squashy bags in the boot.
An S4 Avant seems the way forward, although if funds can be stretched then an RS4 would be the ideal.
I realise I'm going to be giving a bit away on driver involvement, but c'est la vie and I do have the Chimaera.
I will be extremely sad to see the Corrado go, but at least I can console myself that an S4 will be faster in a straight line / overtake.
>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 8th February 20:04
JonRB said:
Well, space and pace is the name of the game with an Audi, particularly an Avant.
To be honest, there are only 3 things wrong with the Corrado
1) Age. It's getting on a bit - come April mine will be 8 years old and I'll have owned it 7.5 years. It has also done 93k miles now.
2) Comfort. It is no longer comfortable enough, but that's my fault for having aftermarket suspension on it and I plan to rectify that by reverting to stock
3) Space. My son is outgrowing it for legroom in the back, and we can't tour in it as we can only get one suitcase and a couple of squashy bags in the boot.
An S4 Avant seems the way forward, although if funds can be stretched then an RS4 would be the ideal.
I realise I'm going to be giving a bit away on driver involvement, but c'est la vie and I do have the Chimaera.
I will be extremely sad to see the Corrado go, but at least I can console myself that an S4 will be faster in a straight line / overtake.
>> Edited by JonRB on Sunday 8th February 20:04
Jon,
93k? That's young, not old and tired. I just hope I find an S2/RS2/S4 before you put your VR6 on the market
Paul
Sold my lhd RS2 back in september and to be honest I do not think it felt 'long in the tooth', it had amazing build quality and mine was modified to 370 brake so it out paced most things in real comfort and safety in all weather conditions, reason I got rid was heavy thirst for fuel (15 mpg on a blat at best) and because my journey to work was not doing it justice (most i get up to is 40mph doh), however if i could have afforded my tiv and the rs2 then i would have been a happy bunny.
Oh and by the way, the S2 is quick but not a patch on the RS!!
Oh and by the way, the S2 is quick but not a patch on the RS!!
Err, I did it the other way round, going from an S2 to a Chim but thats another story 
Know what you mean about Audis. I rate them highly.
Anyway, Cant comment on the S4 ownership but I was delighted with the S2. I sold my mint 95 car with 66K for £10450 which is still cheaper than an S4. However S4 prices have dropped significantly in the last 12
months so you can get a newer car for not much more than a decent S2.
The best S2 deals are for higher mileage cars. They will do the mileage well. A friend of mine took his Avant to 165K with no major bills. I had no problems of any sort with mine at an admittedly lower mileage.
Never had the bottle to go for an RS2
The running costs are potentially higher but most owners Ive spoken to have been really happy with theirs.
Id say below 10K get an S2. 13-16K S4, decent RS2s above 16K. Depends on the pennies.
Know what you mean about Audis. I rate them highly.
Anyway, Cant comment on the S4 ownership but I was delighted with the S2. I sold my mint 95 car with 66K for £10450 which is still cheaper than an S4. However S4 prices have dropped significantly in the last 12
months so you can get a newer car for not much more than a decent S2.
The best S2 deals are for higher mileage cars. They will do the mileage well. A friend of mine took his Avant to 165K with no major bills. I had no problems of any sort with mine at an admittedly lower mileage.
Never had the bottle to go for an RS2
The running costs are potentially higher but most owners Ive spoken to have been really happy with theirs.
Id say below 10K get an S2. 13-16K S4, decent RS2s above 16K. Depends on the pennies.
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff