S2 Avant Running Costs

[Kinky]

Don't worry - this is not the same old subject raised again about running costs.

I've been through this forum and found it invaluable, and is certainly cementing me buying an S2 Avant.

But I do have 1 question which I can't figure out from the multitude of responses.

It's been generally discussed that £2k is the annual cost for maintaining an S2, over and above insurance and petrol.

What accounts for this £2k? I can understand if it's 2 main dealer services a year - although I would not take it to a MD for a service.

I'm guessing £500-£700 a year for a service, assuming no parts need replacing.

I can also understand the £2k to replace belts, pumps, etc, etc .... but this would not happen every year.

So, let's assume I have an S2 Avant - do 12k a year mostly motorway (up/down the M3 and A30). So petrol is an extra £512 a year, insurance - fully comp, for business use, mrs. kinky as named driver = £215 a year.

Over and above this would be a trip to Micheldever to do the tracking and balancing - maybe a new tyre or 2 = let's say £500. I would also upgrade the brakes (seems to be mod #1) = £400?

So let's say £1,500 to get it up to spec. Are we looking at an extra £2k on top of this each year?

If so, what would it be spent on?

I'd be grateful for any pointers.

K

[s2dude]

Don't worry - this is not the same old subject raised again about running costs.

I've been through this forum and found it invaluable, and is certainly cementing me buying an S2 Avant.

But I do have 1 question which I can't figure out from the multitude of responses.

It's been generally discussed that £2k is the annual cost for maintaining an S2, over and above insurance and petrol.

What accounts for this £2k? I can understand if it's 2 main dealer services a year - although I would not take it to a MD for a service.

I'm guessing £500-£700 a year for a service, assuming no parts need replacing.

I can also understand the £2k to replace belts, pumps, etc, etc .... but this would not happen every year.

So, let's assume I have an S2 Avant - do 12k a year mostly motorway (up/down the M3 and A30). So petrol is an extra £512 a year, insurance - fully comp, for business use, mrs. kinky as named driver = £215 a year.

Over and above this would be a trip to Micheldever to do the tracking and balancing - maybe a new tyre or 2 = let's say £500. I would also upgrade the brakes (seems to be mod #1) = £400?

So let's say £1,500 to get it up to spec. Are we looking at an extra £2k on top of this each year?

If so, what would it be spent on?

I'd be grateful for any pointers.

K

A lot of comes down to the quality of car that you buy initially
If you buy a very clean....LOW miles avant (say 80k or under) // low for these cars// and provided it has been maintained WELL preferably by an independant Audi specialist of known good repute.....I would think you would no way be spending 2k per year just for maintenance.........


On the flipside if you buy a higher miles car or one that is a "bargain" but needs a few "jobs" doing...then budget outlay is more of an unknown IMO............

The S2 I bought was a very cheap price at the time and the car is superb bodywork and structure wise (+ full VW SH) but I have put MANY hours (and a lot of ££) putting the car into to tip top condition (its not quite there yet!! ) due to things like "the bomb" needing replacing...wheel bearing (nitemare)..brake disks, calipers and pads....CV boot kits x2......OS ball joint....All boost hoses ...all new jubilee clips throughout the engine......and new temp sensors...thermostat...cam belt Im doing next.

now soem of these things didnt "have" to be done but it was a case of if Im in here I might as well.....all y own labour so just parts.......

If the previous owner of the car you buy has a book of reciepts and the car is mint and has higher miles......you should be A1 no problem as most of the common things have been replaced.........

If low miles and well looked after....they may need doing in the distant future but not for many '000s of miles......

If cheap and needs a "few jobs"// RUN A MILE

//I would say budget £750-£1k per year maintenance if you use good independant garage

[Ross]

The £2k covers you for sudden expensive occurances, like raditor's going or a clutch needing to get done... all these things can be very expensive!!

But mostly, this is to cover you for all the mods that are needed! I'd have a look at some of the break-downs people have given as to where they've spent the money. You'll find £2k easy to spend if you want to keep it looking and feeling as-new to drive.

Personally, in my first 8 months of ownership I spent about £500 on neccesary service items. I don't think that's any more than if I'd been driving any other car to be honest... in comparison to other family/friends/colleagues etc who seem to spend far more on expensive services and trips to the garage, my old Audi has been very reliable! Thing is, it's an older car, and there's alot more likely to need replacing. And when a major job does come up it ain't cheap.. I think you may run the car on £1k/yr for a few years, but then have a £3-4k year and it probably all balances out. Just be sure to get modified replacements and it's all justified

Ross

[Kinky]

Thanks guys - very useful info.

The car I'm considering is a 95 M, 123k on the clock, 3 owners from new and impeccable history - it has certainly been well looked after.

10 months MOT - and last 2 services were for £700 and £600.

Unfortunately I did not go through all the invoices in detail, as Kinky junior kept distracting me - so I'll go back on my own. So I can't say for sure exactly what has been done/replaced/uprated/etc.

I should add the petrol cost I quoted of £512, is the extra cost over and above what I spend at the moment (£1,600).

£1k a year is perfectly fine, with the odd major spanner thrown into the works.

I understand it's a performance car, and therefore performance costs - but if it's £2k a year every year - then I'll go back to the TiVs and get a Cerbera!.

Many thanks again,

K

[Bibby]

Check out my website, I've listed all my expenses on my S2 avant specifically as an indicator to running costs.

Link below.

[Kinky]

Bibby,

Sorry but I have to laugh ....

It's technically your car I'm talking about - as it's the one that the dealer used your picture for!

K

[Bibby]

I think initially (the first year at least) you may spend a few bob getting it how you want it. Cars of this age inevitably are reaching the point where things like suspension, cambelts, brakes, whatever need attention.

Once it's out of the way, then it can be similar to other cars in terms of running costs.

Just remember that the majority here are enthusiasts, and will spend money on their cars just for fun. Well, maybe fun is the wrong word, but it works for me.

[Fat Audi 80]

Here are mine!

I have kept a spreadsheet since I bought my coupe. I have bought lots of parts that are not required but you get the picture. I have done 30K miles in 2.5 years

Cheers,

Steve

Work Carried out Where Comments Date Cost Mileage?

New Rear Tyres Merityre Toyo 245/40/17 20.02.04 £220.00 129,000
New Clutch Autopool Audi Parts fitted 10.02.04 £1,056.00 132,000
New Battery DIY Bought from 03.05.04 £54.99 134,000
New Front Tyres Bracknell Tyres Toyo 245/40/17 10.05.04 £184.00 134,500
Premium Overmats DIY Autostyle 26.04.04 £95.00 134,800
New Lower trims DIY Bought from VAGparts.com 24.05.04 £100.00 135,000
New 6sp Gear knob DIY Bought from VAGparts.com 24.05.04 £23.00 135,000
New Rear Wiper blade DIY Bosch OEM 06.06.04 £9.99 135,000
PIAA side light bulbs DIY Super White Bulbs 06.06.04 £11.92 135,000
New Aux Radiator fitted Autopool Bought from VAGparts.com 18.08.04 £143.92 139,000
Cambelt change Autopool Audi Parts fitted 18.08.04 £0.00 139,000
20,000 mile Service Autopool Audi Parts fitted 18.08.04 £646.00 139,000
Oil cooler Autopool Bought from VAGparts.com 24.11.04 £167.95 143,000
New Rear Tyres Bracknell Tyres Toyo 245/40/17 18.09.04 £188.00 141,500
Oil Cooler Pipers Autopool Bought from VAGparts.com 06.11.04 £200.00 142,000
Front Disks Autopool Bought from VAGparts.com 25.11.04 £145.00 143,500
Front Pads Autopool Bought from VAGparts.com 25.11.04 £58.00 143,500
Rear Pads Autopool Bought from VAGparts.com 25.11.04 £36.00 143,500
Front Wishbone bushes Autopool Supplied by Autopool 25.11.04 £0.00 143,500
CV Boot OS front Autopool Supplied by Autopool 25.11.04 £0.00 143,500
Labour for above Autopool Labour 25.11.04 £414.00 143,500
Under Bonnet Courtesy light DIY Bought from VAGparts.com 16.11.04 £14.45 143,500


Total spend for 2004 £3,768.22

MOT MOT City Catalytic converters refitted 04.01.05 £320.00 144,000
Gear Lever Gaiter Changed DIY New from VAG Parts 20.03.05 £68.93 146,100
Oil and Filter Change DIY Castrol RS 10W60 02.04.05 £45.98 146,300
Rear Exhaust Mounts Changed DIY New Mounts from VAGparts 02.04.05 £8.86 146,300
Wheel wells degreased and siliconed DIY 04.04.05 £0.00 146,300
Wing Badges replaced DIY New Parts from VAGparts 05.05.05 £13.34 146,500
Aerial Whip replaced DIY New Parts from VAGparts 05.05.05 £12.57 146,500
Undertray Fixing kit DIY New Parts from VAGparts 05.05.05 £10.90 146,500
Full Engine Bay Valet DIY 20.04.05 £7.99 146,000
New Main Radiator DIY GSF Part # 17355 12.06.05 £100.00 148,000
Renew Coolant DIY Audi Genuine Antifreeze 12.06.05 £19.50 148,000
Set of four Tyres Bracknell Tyres Toyo TR1 245/40/VR17 13.06.05 £408.00 148,600
HID Kitted Bought and fitted DIY New from VAG Parts 15.07.05 £244.20 149,000
Front O/S Outer CV boot replaced MOT City 07.07.05 £73.82 149,488
New Rear Bumper DIY New from VAG Parts 14.10.05 £284.59 153,000
Rear Bumper Painted Ridgeway VW 14.10.05 £260.00 153,000


Total spend for 2005 £1,878.68


Oil and Filter Change DIY Silkolene Pro-S 10W50 20.05.06 £54.00 157,000
Lambda Probe Fitted DIY OEM 20.05.06 £30.00 157,00
Lower Front Ball Joints New from VAG Parts TBC £92.80
Total spend for 2006 £84.00

[BRY]

Fatty, where did you get a lambda for £30?

[Ross]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one that eats tyres like they're going out of style there Steve! But 7K outta the rears? That's rediculous

[s2dude]

Thanks guys - very useful info.

The car I'm considering is a 95 M, 123k on the clock, 3 owners from new and impeccable history - it has certainly been well looked after.

10 months MOT - and last 2 services were for £700 and £600.

Unfortunately I did not go through all the invoices in detail, as Kinky junior kept distracting me - so I'll go back on my own. So I can't say for sure exactly what has been done/replaced/uprated/etc.

I should add the petrol cost I quoted of £512, is the extra cost over and above what I spend at the moment (£1,600).

£1k a year is perfectly fine, with the odd major spanner thrown into the works.

I understand it's a performance car, and therefore performance costs - but if it's £2k a year every year - then I'll go back to the TiVs and get a Cerbera!.

Many thanks again,

K

A good idea would be to post a list of all receipts (with dates and price to verify)
Then the guys will tell you if the major wear items have been done leaving you home free

[Fat Audi 80]

Fatty, where did you get a lambda for £30?

A forum member that bought in error and had only used it for a few hundred miles...

[Fat Audi 80]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one that eats tyres like they're going out of style there Steve! But 7K outta the rears? That's rediculous

Yeah I know!

I think I am on about 10k miles with this set, they will probably only last another 2k, but that's better than 7k!

I think it must be my driving style.... :mischeif:

[BRY]

Have you tried polybushes?
The guy on Ebay swears they do a million miles with them fitted