how reliable is your S2?

[Tomhorner]

I fancy going abroad in august in my S2, Germany see the factory then drop down in to south of france through the pyreneese, Andorra then back over 10 days.. (parents have a house to stay at in south of france) Ive done france a few times in other cars the house is 1110 miles door to door doing dover to calis, would love to go in my S2 but got my doubts about the reliability with everything that's happening lately.. Has anyone else been abroad in theres? Any thoughts?

[220bhp]

The S2 is very strong and reliable if looked after well. If you have a quiet'ish exhaust, it is not to bad to drive long distance. The only downside would be the fuel.

[anthonys2]

I went over in mine last year and it was fine but mine is looked after under the thinking whatever it needs it gets!! I had a problem with mine locking last year something to do with battery and the aftermarket alarm and immobliser I did over 2000 miles and on The Ring and everything was spot on. I am going over again this year the missus wouldnt allow 2 years in a row for the use of my S2 abroad so taking the A6 but I would have no qualms about taking your S2 as long as you maintain it to a very high level and worth getting it checked out before you go by your garage and take AA cover (peace of mind)

[Tomhorner]

I've got breakdown with Adrian flux and I've rebuilt practically everything on the car all suspension components, bushes, diffs and gearboxes been serviced and stripped by gbox specialist.. should be right fingers crossed

[Tonybolony]

(parents have a house to stay at in south of france)

Whereabouts, Tom??

I've got my own place in Argeles, south of Perpignan.

Just curious, Buddy.

[s2driveruk]

well over 2000 miles in a week including a few days at the ring and was spot on except the immobiliser which was playing up. Aside from that, was great and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[Tomhorner]

Thanks about all giving me some confidence to do it just hope it's okay with the heat down there in the summer... Tony is in between Carcassonne and Narbonne little village near olonzac

[Cottis]

Yeah it will be fine. Make sure the cooling system is spot on in every way, bang in some decent oil 500miles before you go and enjoy it. As long as the car is well maintained, I see no issues. They are great cruising cars in my opinion. I would have taken mine anywhere, more so than some of the newer cars I have owned.

[Rikki Kitto]

I've done 500 miles in a day in mine driving hard most of the way feels lovely, but still have RAC cover it is 20years old after all

[Tomhorner]

I always run mine on the platinum 10-40 just had a run on bad luck recently, should of just left well alone rather than deciding to rebuild every thing fingers crossed if I get her all sorted and few months of trouble free motoring I'll let her go abroad

[Fat Audi 80]

They are very reliable when looked after. However I would search for the Top Ten failures list which gives a great insight into spares and things to check....

HTH

Good luck and go for it!

[s2driveruk]

Take a load of bespoke bits to keep you moving as you won't find the parts locally. When I drove I took a jack, stands and all the usual spanners, torque wrench, jub clips, PS seals and a few lengths of hose to bodge something up, spark plugs, drop link, oil, coolant premixed, brake pads, retainer and pin, wire cutters and crimps, spades and a multimeter. I don't run a spare tyre so there was actually plenty of space in the boot for that lot and more I have probably forgotten. We only went 6 miles from Calais before the jack came out! So was worthwhile to lug it about

[anthonys2]

Take a load of bespoke bits to keep you moving as you won't find the parts locally. When I drove I took a jack, stands and all the usual spanners, torque wrench, jub clips, PS seals and a few lengths of hose to bodge something up, spark plugs, drop link, oil, coolant premixed, brake pads, retainer and pin, wire cutters and crimps, spades and a multimeter. I don't run a spare tyre so there was actually plenty of space in the boot for that lot and more I have probably forgotten. We only went 6 miles from Calais before the jack came out! So was worthwhile to lug it about

Surprised you had room for any luggage!!!

[S2 EDS]

Questions I'd ask are:

1. When did you have the timing belt and water pump last changed? If this has been done recently then you have a certain amount of peace of mind.

2. Has the car been serviced recently, discs, pads, plugs etc? If the car is currently running well and your last service interval was not particularly long then again you have a good level of assurance.

Be prepared:

As mentioned - take some spares, spanners, cordless drill, good jack, penetrating fluid, brake fluid, spare oil, windscreen wash, etc, plugs - check your spare wheel.

HSBC Advanced account includes full UK and Europe breakdown Cover - no car age limit - it covers you also if in a mates or someone else's car - £9.95 per month I pay - also includes personal insurance.

[GazzaG60]

same as any car it can break down. you see many a new car on the side of the road.


i bought a 99 vectra 1.8 for £1 2 years ago. i have never changed the oil or and filters. ive topped up 1 litre and a tad of water since then and changed the tyres. its never broke down.

the things id look at on the s2 is does it leak any fluids. if so try to fix them first. take spare jubilee clips with you. including big ones for boost hoses. change oil and filter and go for it. seems to me like we must have the wrong cars if we have to take a full garage of equipment with us for a journey. i know the saloon boot wont fit all that in it and i wouldn't take the car if i felt i needed all that either.