3b or not 3b !?

[Gazmitchell]

Hi all

I'm on the verge of getting my 3rd s2 and wondered as I've had both, - abeit years ago - which would you buy if you had ther chance again 3B or the ABY and why ?

What are the pros and cons of both models and is there any real difference bar the obvious ?

Thanks for you comments

Gaz

[GazzaG60]

Id go only aby.

6 speed, coilpack as a stock car dual mass.

its a later car in general so hopefully better bodywork and potentially spec.

itll be so much easier to find a good aby also id expect.

[Gazmitchell]

thanks for the reply, ive had both - although was 18 odd years ago so not since theyve become a classic almost..!!

[sidrick]

As a 3B owner I wish I'd have went ABY.

Getting hold of the following has been a nightmare that wouldn't have been the case with a later car:
Window regulator
Rotor arm
Central locking pump
Alternator

[Cottis]

Doesn't matter, just make sure it is a good one with a fat accompanying wallet to put right anything that goes wrong.

I have a 3B but it took ages to find a really good one and I was starting to consider an ABY. For me, it was the original S2, a SM Flywheel and would possibly hold better value long term due to their numbers. I will no doubt be proven wrong but if you get a decent one, you wont care as you will be too busy smiling

[macspring]

ABY, no question.

Joined in 2005.

3,000 posts.

Hundreds of hours "wasted" on here.

No one who has an ABY wishes they'd bought a 3B.

[mcandmar]

ABY, no question.

Joined in 2005.

3,000 posts.

Hundreds of hours "wasted" on here.

No one who has an ABY wishes they'd bought a 3B.

Says the ABY owner with a 3B flywheel

[stocious]

one that been looked after by people that know how.. above all else in my opinion.

[irishs2]

Exactly:
A £6000 well looked after car, is cheaper than a £3000 one.

[Colesy]

The only time I ever wish I had a 3b is when it's MOT emissions test time!!

Otherwise it's ABY all the way.

[GazzaG60]

that's the one factor I suppose colesy. one of the reasons I got the h plate b3 saloon is no cat needed. I had issues on the aby with no cats from time to time.

[4WheelDrifter]

Talk about trying to start the "my type of S2 is better than yours" debate. At least you've ruled out an Avant, probably on the basis that they're ****.

Just have a go in both. They are very different in standard form.

Personally when I had the choice I couldn't live with the 6 speed 'box, dual mass flywheel, and unreliable coil packs.
But they both have pros and cons. It depends what suits you.

It also depends on what you want to do with the car in the long term. Keep it standard-ish, or modify the **** out of it.


@ sidrick. Yeah. It's a PITA when you have to treck all the way to the nearest large town to get these parts.

[stocious]

im glad someone put coil packs and unreliable in the same breath.. i thought it was just me .

no argument intended

[GazzaG60]

what id do to get rid of the dizzy on the 16v.

I never had a coil fail or any other part of the system for that matter. cam sensor yes, coils no.

it is an each to their own but I feel the point made about no aby owners want a 3b is bang on.

[Rocco]

Same state,same price ,always an Aby

If you want modifying and the 3 B is like 3000 EUR cheaper,then choose a 3b, and use the money

Abys are heavier and only worth to pay for his ecu, and gearbox

Pin swap,and tfsi coils and that's all

Gearboxes are easily conversionable ,but don't do it in the beginning.... Do it once you destroy the first

And after all, both sucks in factory spec so.... There's only one way to follow