Audi S2 - just how reliable are they?

[Buzz]

Hello guys! I signed up a little while ago, I spend a lot of time browsing (especially the classifieds!) and am potentially in the market for a well maintained and tastefully modified S2.

Question I have is this. How reliable are these cars? I have been driving for over 10 years now and have mostly had Hondas (Prelude VTEC), Nissans (200SX) and Toyotas (MR2).

The Toyota and HOnda were the most reliable cars. Despite being 15+ years old, all they ever really needed was a change of fluids, rubber, discs and pads in my ownership.

The only 'issues' I ever really had:

1. Ciggy lighter connection went dead in the MR2, so had to fix that
2. Sticky electric window in the 200SX
3. Hose popped off the intercooler on the 200SX

So in relation to all the above, I'd like to get an idea of just how reliable the S2s are? And how does this change when you begin to tune them up?

Thks,

B

[Christophski]

If you spend money on buying a good one then theyu can be reliable. If you get a cheap one you will be inheriting other peoples issues. Remember its a 20+ year old car so its not going to be like new mostly. Obviously you will have to keep on top of them. Put it this way they get boost leaks every now and then and the electrics can sometimes cause issues but that is just from use and wear and tear. Other than that if you treat them nicely and keep on top of servicing regularly then they are as reliable if not more so than a rice burner. Have had mine for 4 years and brought a nice one and its only been this year I have had major issues but I have solvd them fairly easily due to info on here and a mate who is tip top with cars! Most reliable car I have ever had apart from my old 16v coupe.

[gunman]

3 years as a daily with mine and it never let me down (well, not completely anyway).

[montez]

All I am going to do is Smile and laugh like a maniac, what I can say is be prepared to get your hands dirty. I think they prefer to be driven and start to go wrong when they are left standing. I know a few people who have no problems at all but most of us have been seen to chase an illusive boost leak and annoying niggles. Bear in mind these cars are getting on to being up to 22 years old so thing will be starting to wear out.

Generally the engines are strong and little goes wrong with them mechanically, the early 3B engines has a weakness of having a paper head gasket which is more prone to blowing than the newer ABY multi-layer metal version. The engine is good for roughly 280-300bhp with a remap and 300-400bhp with turbo/injector/manifold upgrade and a careful remap.

Just have a browse and I am sure you will see reoccurring themes,

BTW welcome to the forums!

[rynaqui]

to the forum!

The S2 is a fairly reliable car, and you will find it a totally different animal to it's Japanese counterparts.

The engine is very solid and durable, many of these engines have seen over 200k miles before needing a rebuild.

The two different engines types include the 3b which is a pre-93 model in at 220hp and about 310nm of torque, this came with 5 speed boxes and used a distributor. The later ABY engine model released in late 92?-early 93 uses spark plugs and coil packs with 6 speed boxes, 230hp vs 220hp on the 3b, 350nm of torque with a very strong 6 speed box.

A remap will normally take these cars up to around 280hp easily and still prove fairly reliable. If you wish to go further, many different options are available, mostly does not require too much work other than the usual, EM, IM, Intercooler, turbo, injectors, (Internals depending on the torque levels). For about 380-400hp you're looking at about £4-5k depending on what parts you use and if you do any of the work yourself.

They may require some attention now and again but for what the car provides in terms of good looks, performance and the amazing sound, it's a bargain

Also to add to the above, ABY is a bit more accessible and will require less effort if you decide to go 300hp+ on your future S2 .

[benntenn67]

Audi S2 - just how reliable are they?

Preventative maintenance is the key to a reliable S2 keep a keen eye & ear out - These are very strong cars but if things go wrong there is plenty of help & advice to be found on here
P.s ABY is the way to go

[rynaqui]

P.s ABY is the way to go

This

[Smiley]

Read this very good Post from UrS4:

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60547&highlight=things+fail

and you will know what you have to do in your preventative maintenance

[Error404]

Preventative maintenance is the key to a reliable S2 keep a keen eye & ear out - These are very strong cars but if things go wrong there is plenty of help & advice to be found on here
P.s ABY is the way to go

A well looked after car is very reliable - one that has been messed about with by someone who doesn't understand them will be a PITA.
Remember that they are mostly about 20 years old now and being far more complicated than what you are used to, in terms of engine electronics they make most jap stuff seem like tonka toys - some sensors are expensive to replace and getting on now and can cause gremlins i.e. MAF etc.
The build quality means they can be hard to work on and if you're not going to get your hands dirty you will be in for some big bills sooner or later, as most parts take a long time to get at. All of these things should not put your off though. Buy as good as you can afford and you will love it

[Buzz]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

In terms of doing stuff myself, I have only ever done oil and filter changes (air, fuel, oil filters) and the occasional break discs and pad change. I don't really have the knowledge to do much more than that myself.

I have done some basic research and understadn thet the ABY is the one to go for, thanks for the confirmation.

In terms of maintenance, what serviceable items are a pain in the butt to access? And is the ABY chain or cambelt driven?

[Error404]

All the 20vt engines are belt driven. Most stuff can be a PITA to access
There are a lot of very helpful folk on the forum who will go out of their way to help you out if ever you need it
Don't write off a 3B they are still great. Paulgo's pearl white one for sale at the moment is a really well maintained car and you will struggle to get as much value for money IMHO.
Where abouts are you located?

[Acidburn]

less to go wrong on a 3b, lighter so the engine ain't pulling as much stuff around as well.

[Donnie]

Coils will eventually fail on an aby, they seem to destroy strut top mounts and are a bit hard on bushes. Coils are an easy upgrade, strut tops well...... easy to fix but no real solution in as much as upgrades etc. Change the oil regularly, keep on top of the suspension and nip oil/ coolant/ boost/ electricity leaks in the bud then you will have a reliable wagon. Don't expect to sail through mot after mot like a honda though.
Excellent machines, surprisingly fast, bit numb handling wise in my opinion.

[rj scotty]

I'm going to curse my self now:

Mine has never let me down in the sense I have been stranded. The only time it's been off the road for longer than planned is when maintenance/upgrade work has over ran or uncovered other problems. But there lies the key to owning this sort of vehicle, you have to enjoy spanner time or have very deep pockets! a passion/way of life so to speak.

[kulster]

Oh crap, but luckily my wife's s2 avant I bought with 96k on the clock and almost 3 years later its only had one fault which was the auxiliary water pump and she uses it daily for the school runs etc, but its not very economical for these traffic runs