H744 TNV - 25k Mile Red S2

[sal_s2]

I agree, theres no way that level of wear to the seat and steering wheel/gearknob has happened in 25k of use. It would have been 15 years old before that 2006 mot record. Clocks most likely have been replaced.
I wonder if Aydi still have a record of servicing on file

Have a good look at the headlights and fog lights for stonechips etc

[K Simmonds]

It's actually an interesting pub style discussion, because knowing what I know now, if I was in the market for an S2, the first thing mechanically I'd look at is whether the suspension, bushes and subframes show regular maintenance ond replacement. Low mileage, original bushings etc, basically means it's all got to come off and be replaced.

Exactly what I was about chime in with, if the all the bushes and ball joints boots are original they'll be shot by now due to being 36 years old!

I'd say more like 125K town miles judging by that drivers seat, the one in my 180K mile 1990 3B looked better, likewise the gear knob.

As has been mentioned many S2's have had replacement speedometers so a 100% reliable service history going back to the start of the factory service book is required to back up a claim like this. Not only that it's extremely easy to clock these cars if you know how which I'm obviously not going to give anymore info on so it could have had 100K wiped off the odometer pre the MOT history to get a larger sum back when these cars were going for peanuts.

Also the wheels have been refurbished on a budget as opposed to being diamond cut again which makes me ask what else has been done on the cheap, not a deal breaker though it is a pet hate of mine. OE 3B rims should look stunning not like plain old five spokes.

[SteveH]

Looking at the first pics again, that drivers seat is badly worn. If I was asking strong money I'd at least get it cleaned. It's filthy.

[hashluck]

I have to agree with everyone else looking at the driver seat. I have 2 S2s, one with 130K and one with 180K, both mint (and certainly better than this example).

[hashluck]

I have now seen the original advert, Really lazy advertising with scant detail (possibly because there isn't any detail). I note that the LCD display is broken (bleeding), this is really exactly the sort of thing that should be fixed if selling at this price. It is not difficult if you care. I bet the locking diff does not work either if car has been stood (and equally bet they have not tested it). It probably has old tyres as well?

All cars of this age will have stuff you need to do on an ongoing basis. This car I fear will be the gift that keeps giving in that respect.

For comparison, I will be selling my 130K mile ABY example which has had all works done to the best of my and the previous owner's ability. Has working AC and sunroof (in fact everything works as it should). Price will also be £25K which represents my spend on the car (which can be seen with invoices, again unlike the example for sale here).

[martinjs]

I agree 100% with everything that’s been said, I would walk away.
Is this the first one you have looked at?

[JayCab]

Different observation:
The headlight range wheel switch is in the wrong location in the dash, which means it’s had the centre console out.
Odd because it does look like it has the original stereo.

The mileage has incremented with storage style/mothball use since 2006, by minute amounts consistent with storage. MOT gaps also consistent with long term storage and not unusual. The current speedo seems to be working.

I think the real mileage is at least triple figures based on wear, and the discrepancy/dash/clocking change is pre-2006.

It’s possible the current owner has no knowledge of this as well. I see an E36 BMW on the same site. Maybe check the history of that too…

Personally I would not buy that vehicle if I was looking for an S2. At that age / price I’d have to see serious maintenance in the restoration/overhaul category.

Even if it’s a genuine unmaintained mothball, with no overhaul/major works in 20 years, it’s another five figures and a list of projects to get it reliably and confidently drivable.

For the price of that plus the maintenance it needs you can start much further forwards with a much cleaner car with some restoration history…

[Fat Audi 80]

********. There is no way that car has done 25k miles.... Be very careful, it looks bang average to me from here!