S2 or S4? Should I replace my S2 with an S4?

[tobodestroyer]

Hi,

I like my '94 ABY S2 Avant but I'm getting that horrid feeling when I just want to change my car for the hell of it. Is moving to an S4 (pre 2001) a sensible option or just plain silly. Is the V6 engine and the twin-turbo set-up a better option than the 5 pot?

I need this car to be fast, to pull a caravan (yes, honestly), to stop when towing the caravan, to have air-con and have plenty of head room.

So, S4 or S2 (Avants only).

Cheers.

[Fat Audi 80]

Read Dest's account of changing up.

The S4 is; more expensive to run, quicker but smoother, so less involving, worse fuel consumption and more expensive to maintain due to two turbos and lack of room in engine bay. Very easily tuned for big numbers though...

HTH

[Jamo]

You know I would counter the easily tuned for big numbers as you need double the parts to do it i.,e 2 x downpipe 2 x turbo 2 x manifolds

It really depends if your going to mod, a stock ABY with a homefry chip is going to be a very nice drive. The S4 I do like greatly even though they are "evil" are a pain when they go wrong

[gavs20v]

Im Biased. Keep the s2. How is the old girl?
On a serious note, there does seem to be a lot of people look at the s4 as the next step when changing from the s2 then regret it afterwards.
Hth
Gav

[tobodestroyer]

Hi Gav,

Yes, she's fine. In need of new rear calipers and new front discs. Can you remember what the front discs are? I know you got them from QR Sport. Is there a cheaper stock item to replace them with? I was wondering if A8 front discs or something fit instead of those beasts with separate disc-hubs and rotors.

If I do get an S4 then I'm after a bog standard one.

[Jamo]

Hi Gav,

Yes, she's fine. In need of new rear calipers and new front discs. Can you remember what the front discs are? I know you got them from QR Sport. Is there a cheaper stock item to replace them with? I was wondering if A8 front discs or something fit instead of those beasts with separate disc-hubs and rotors.

If I do get an S4 then I'm after a bog standard one.

Even so they suffer from cam and turbo wear, neither are cheap to repair.

Make sure you get a mint one else you'll be throwing money at it.

MRC health check would be essential

[dest]

Only the RS4 suffers cam wear. The S4 is an awesome car, but a lot more boring to drive than an S2 unless you atleast get it remapped, exhaust and better brakes. They waft you a long very quickly but it doesnt really feel like it. Handling is spot on, huge fun coming off roundabouts!
I wouldnt touch a standard one unless it has low miles, standard turbos die and are an expensive engine out job to change them.
Dont be put off though, they are very good! Mine averaged 18-20mpg standard power. Do your homework on RS246 and audisrs.
If i got another it would only be a forum users car and would want an mrc healthcheck before buying.

[andy e]

I've owned an ABY and have a Bi Turbo S4 avant at the moment, I personally wish I had kept the ABY or bought a RS2 instead. Don't get me wrong it's a great car but I felt more involved driving the S2.

Cheers Andy e

[Foeglass]

The S4 also has the cam issue. all the 2.7T engines can get this problem.

In my opinion the 2.2l is a much more reliable engine.

However parts for the S4 are way more available.

[Christophski]

Hey dude i got front discs for my avant from GSF for £40 through a friend but he says they list at £70. I also had a school mate who had an S4 avant and it was great fun to drive when i did but the S2 avant i have is more fun. Homefried it runs about the same power as a standard S4 but is alot cheaper to run than the S4 too! He had to sell it due to running costs and is now thinking of buying an S2

[tobodestroyer]

My car already has been homefried. Maybe I should just spend a little time and money getting the old girl back into tip-top condition. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

Things to sort:

Air con - find the leak
Front brakes - replace discs (I'm not sure what to buy as they aren't standard)s
Replace the front bumper (a pheasant ravaged the present one)
Fit side light bulbs that colour match my HID headlamps
Recondition the rear brake callipers.
Fit metal rear drop links (one of them is actually plastic - yuck!)
Change the Cam-belt. (General a good service is what she really needs)
New 17" wheels would be nice - (I have RS2 shocks and springs so I guess this would complete the RS2 set-up)
Cruise control - I think I need a new gearbox speed sensor.
Find a way of getting the front seats to go just an inch lower.
Oil cooler needs new air-ram (the original one has rotted away)

I know that if I get all these little niggles sorted that I'll keep the old girl for years. Thanks for the S4 advice - you've just confirmed my initial suspicions; keep the S2.

[Jamo]

Only the RS4 suffers cam wear. The S4 is an awesome car, but a lot more boring to drive than an S2 unless you atleast get it remapped, exhaust and better brakes. They waft you a long very quickly but it doesnt really feel like it. Handling is spot on, huge fun coming off roundabouts!
I wouldnt touch a standard one unless it has low miles, standard turbos die and are an expensive engine out job to change them.
Dont be put off though, they are very good! Mine averaged 18-20mpg standard power. Do your homework on RS246 and audisrs.
If i got another it would only be a forum users car and would want an mrc healthcheck before buying.

Think you'll find both have the cam wear issue squire

[dest]

It is a lot more common in the RS4 though.
Anyway, they are awesome cars, I would highly recommend having a go in one before writting off the idea.
I would LOVE another one, and will have one again in the future

[quattronutter]

a tweaked s4 is so much better than a standard one

[Jamo]

a tweaked s4 is so much better than a standard one

Lol but QuattroNutter you level of tweaked is warp factor 9