Purchase Advice

[Spy Guy]

Hi Guys,

So I am a new forum user from South Africa.

I am looking at getting a S2 coupe but seeing as these cars are extremely rare around here, there aren't any tunning shop's that can assist with common faults to look out for when buying one of these beauts.

So please all advice welcome.

The car in question has a 6 speed gearbox, if this helps with identifying which model it is.

Thanking you guys in advnace.

[GazzaG60]

hi and welcome

in general 6 speed cars are ABY models. worth checking the following

1. battery under back seat
2. coilpacks and no dizzy.

if this is the case then it is most probalby an aBY. the best option IMO. engine in these cars is no rocket science. anybody who can do a 16v vw can do one of these.

[Spy Guy]

thanks will keep an eye out for those tell signs.

So are there any common problems that I should look out for, one's that could land in a heavy repair bill?

[Rusty]

At the age these cars are you're lookign at a rebuild really to get the best from it, they feel tired if they're all original and haven't had much love.

• Unless they've had most chassis components replaced then you'll need to do that as they'll be shagged
• Head gasket should be done if it's around or over 150k miles along with timing belt and a few things like the water pump
• Brake upgrade is a must if you want to stay out of trouble, if you can find one with it already done then you'll do well
• The brake presssure accumulators become weak, the dual circuit PAS pumps chatter (can be the belt) and the brake servos can leak pressure
• Bodywork is OK as long as it's not been poorly repaired after a crash, not so much of an issue in hotter climates, front wings rust at the bumper join but that's about it
• Rear diff and propshaft bearings whine a little but can be rebuilt and replaced
• Radiators are a weak point, the main rads crack whether they're metal or plastic and the front rads rot away to nothing, Nissens rads are toss and AC will kill it within a year or two at the base
• Turbo hoses should ideally be replaced with Samco items and the vacuum tubing too, old hoses can crack and leak
• The exhausts rot and sometimes sag so they rub a hole on the rear driveshaft or diff flange
• The filling in the cats can disintegrate and block the exhaust
• Coil boots can deteriorate on the ABY so that it misfires
• Oh, and it's almost a certainty that it'll have boost leaks galore so the overboost protection will kick in

Once that's all sorted, they're grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat

There's also a buying guid on S2Central.net

[Spy Guy]

Thanks allot Rusty, valuable information I must say.

The car in question has relatively low milage, 177 000 km's/110 000 miles.
Had all the belts replaced not too long ago.

I am interested about the comment regarding the braking system, what is the actual problem?

[Rusty]

Age is the problem, the seals in the pressure accumulator mean that it can't hold the required operating pressure and so the dash lights up with the 'brake' or (!) symbol. This can also be caused by a dirty PAS reservior cap tho, there's a test on s2central.net for the brake 'bomb' (pressure accumulator). If the bomb is tired then when you slam on the brakes the car can feel like it's not slowing down like it should. The seals in the servo can be an issue too, mine's intermittent a the mo. The PAS pump can sound like it's self-destructing but it can be the belt, a little WD40 on the belt can tell you if it's the belt of if it's the pump.

[GazzaG60]

i have never had any issues with my braking system however other than the under specified standard brakes.

my problems have been

1. weak n75 valve.
2. aux rad in bits but no leak.
3. cam sensor
4. clutch master cylinder.


not many really. rest have been small issue usually in the persuit of power.

one thing to look out for is rusty subframes that have rusted through or close to. a big job to put correct.

these cars (well mine) has been very good to me really.

[Spy Guy]

Thanks again, all this information will really help me make an informed decision.

It's not like we have many to choose from in any event as those that have them hardly ever sell them.

One last question, do the seats have the quattro signs on them?

[Rusty]

They do if they're cloth.

[GazzaG60]

i dont do cloth.

if theres not much choice then you gotta have what you can have.