S2 right for me?

[Christophski]

Seriously petrol is going to kill you compared to a golf.

[Jamo]

Seriously petrol is going to kill you compared to a golf.

If town driving yes, motorway driving I wouldn't say so

[GazzaG60]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Le S2 Audi
Hi Andy,

And welcome to the Forum...

I have both a Stunning MK2 & A Beaut of an S2.

And like you can do "Some" work on the golf, changed suspension brakes etc... The Golf is a simple bolt together car which is very simple to work on...

The S2 is a completely different beast.... I hardly touch her.. she's a much more complicated and built to a much higher standard... I have to get my Mechanic to sort her out if anything goes wrong (not that much does as I only use it at weekends)...

That's the next issue.... Running costs; S2 ones are twice as much as a Mk2 Golf....

If you do go for an S2 you are in the right place to get all the help you could ever need.... And you don't get all the stupid questions you do on some of the Golf forums...

The only other issue that always comes up with an S2 is the cost of parts and sometimes the lack of them...

I love owning both cars, but for a day to day car my Golf wins hands down every time... But I want a blast out comes the Audi (and the wallet)....

I agree utterly with the above


Sorry i dont agree. the setup is essentially the same. its bits that bolt together. no need to fear the mechanics of an audi over a golf. the differences come in 4x4 and the more elaborate ecu setup. seak advice in any area you dont know but dont use mental block or new challenges to stop you. i had never built an audi before this one. i had never had 4x4. i had never had a turbo. i had some knowledge yes.

i have since done full chassis, engine build, many upgrades and mapped it. it was no first car attempt but was the first audi.

a potential welcome to the club.

parts can be more (supply-demand). my corrado was more to run than the S2. the biggest issue is audi. never a worse dealer/manufacturer for looking after what made them.

[andy10v]

I am 20, in my 3rd year of uni and run an s2 working part time. (bought a smashed one cheap and fixed it (still fixing cosmetics))

Mechanically the s2 is nice and simple, more bushes at the rear as its quattro, easy to work on, more electrics than my previous cars so more complex/more to go wrong that way. DIY and most repairs/maintenance are relatively affordable.

Re fuel driving about town/short cold engine trips just swallows fuel. Go any distance and cruise and I think the s2 is pretty good on fuel, can get over 30 mpg so as far as I am concerned

Is that 1k going to include brake pads, tyres (consumables) as well as bushes /random repairs? If so I would say you will be pushing it.

Nice fun car, would have thought its going to feel pretty heavy after a golf though.

[Acidburn]

Acidburn will have one for sale as well dunno when though

I need to get the urq finished before I get fed up and sell that so yes all my other cars/toys/spares/"insert other useless items" will be going. I've left the urq alone for far to long since it was sprayed. A good weekend would have the s2 sorted I reckon.

[s2driveruk]

if you need a hand then more than happy to help mate

[s2driveruk]

To be honest Gaz I agree...was the first car i ever lifted a spanner to, first car i ever changed brakes on, took an engine out of, replaced a diff, prop, bed brakes etc etc etc and lets face it, if i can do it then anyone can

[Acidburn]

if you need a hand then more than happy to help mate

red s2 = donor for urq

[macspring]

Imho,

Whether to buy one in your circumstances / life stage is a 50/50 decision, buying a decent ABY Avant for a £4K, (£4.5k to £4.9K would be more desirable) budget is a better idea than buying a cheap car to fix up. This cheaper car method will inevitable cost more than a car in good condition, plus the cheaper car will spend much more time off the road, which irrespective of the behaviour of many on here, (myself included ), is not the object of the exercise.

A cheap car will cause you too steep a learning curve as regards the stress and hassle of repairing it, not to mention the expense.

IMO, an ABY is preferable to a 3B, and an Avant means you won't have to sell the car in the future because it only has the 3 doors of a Coupe.

Read this forum regularly, understand / learn from everyone else's problems, because they may not be yours today, but one day they will, as these cars, because of their age can, depending on how lucky you are, require a fair bit maintenance, care and attention.

The other issues are that it is very hard not to be sucked into making one or two upgrades to an S2. A difficult situation when on a restricted budget. This is a dangerous offer, but if you want to know my own suggested upgrades in order of completion, let me know?


Also I'm no one to talk as my S2 Avant is used as a daily around a city, and while I wouldn't want change it for something small and lighter. Having said that if for some reason I had to I would want a Mk2 Golf Synchro with a 1.8T, or a Mk2 fwd with G60 8v or G6016v, (depending on budget - real world or fantasy).

The longer journeys that you mention, an S2 will perform beautifully, the opposite example being trying a long journey in say an original style standard Mini.

The only reason I felt compelled to add in my tuppence to this thread is that when an S2 is going right, there are few cars to match it for the money, sound, grip etc. and all of the other good points.

I need to stop now as you're probably asleep at this stage.

Anyway, hope all or some of the above helps you to make the correct decision for your own situation.

You should definitely consider/buy one after you qualify and your budget increases and before other things such as house, partners/kids etc. become a pull on funds.

Kind regards.

[Chewit]

Thanks for all the advice. Been a lot of help!

I think im gonna sit tight and keep on the lookout for one with a few of the upgrades you meantioned already taken care of. Im in no real hurry but the golf isnt really built for 5 hours on the motorway... tho it is brilliant fun around town, i find myself quite regularly taking the long way home
I havnt really thought much about getting an avant instead, i do prefer the S2 in terms of looks, but theyre more expensive for what you get compared with an avant? Guess il just have to see what comes up for sale. If i dont find anything soon it could mean i wont have to sell the mk2 which would be nice i guess.

Just one last question. In terms of milage, if i want to keep the car for a good while, what is the max i should be thinking about buying or is it condition > milage all the way?

[Le S2 Audi]

Im in no real hurry but the golf isnt really built for 5 hours on the motorway... tho it is brilliant fun around town, i find myself quite regularly taking the long way home

I would happily do a 5 hour stint in my Golf...

Mind you I do have a set of Edition 1 Recaro's which were worth EVERY penny...

I also DON'T have coilovers which may also make a differance...

Just one last question. In terms of milage, if i want to keep the car for a good while, what is the max i should be thinking about buying or is it condition > milage all the way?

I would say it depends on the car and its history... Most say the std ABY is good for 200K +

[dest]

I havnt really thought much about getting an avant instead, i do prefer the S2 in terms of looks, but theyre more expensive for what you get compared with an avant?

Im a bit lost by that comment, you are aware the S2 Coupe is the same as the S2 Avant apart from the body?

[Acidburn]

Im a bit lost by that comment, you are aware the S2 Coupe is the same as the S2 Avant apart from the body?

unless he's talking about a 3b coupe.

[s2_wot]

Here's how I would calculate if the car was right fr you at the moment. If you run the following calc and have this much cash in your hand you can definitely afford to buy, maintain, run and enjoy your prospective purchase.

The purchase cost of the car multiplied by 2
+
The cost of tax, insurance and MOT,
+
The cost of a set of tyres.
+
The cost of fuel at 15MPG to cover the proposed annual mileage.
-
£€$500 what you're almost guaranteed to get for it no matter what happens.


When it comes to maintaining one of these cars yourself if you understand how to use a spanner and you have some patience there's nothing to be afraid of. This place is great, you will rarely see questions going unanswered. What you want to try to avoid is a number of related problems all acting up at the same time.

If you can get out and drive a few in the next while and try to buy a good one. Sub £2k I'd be a bit worried that it'd be a waste.

HTH, Shane

[macspring]

My second tuppence,

A point well made and reminded me of same.

About eight years ago I bought a second hand set of Recaros from a Mk2 Golf. I had them recovered with new foam by Andy of Snappy Gaiters fame and have used the same seats in two Mk1 Golfs, A Mk2 Jetta, an B4 V6 Cabrio, a B4 V6q Saloon, and two S2 Avants, and everytime I drive a car without them , it doesn't feel nice, once fitted the car is transformed, and again once taken out, it feels like such a retrograde step.

So what I am leading up to is look around for a set of Recaros for you Mk 2, which will make the long journeys seem shorter, and you enjoy the seat every second you are in teh car for 5 mins or 5 hours, again keep the oroignal seat and transfer your Recaro(s) to the next car, buying a suitable subframe if you change model of car.

Aftermarket seats are fine but there are so many, not all good and not all suitable for comfortable everyday driving.

Factory spec Recaros are comfortable, easy to get in and out of, easy to use a standard 3 point seatbelt on, don't look OTT.

Other Recaros to look at are A8 (lol), Speed, Pole Position, Sportster cs, etc. have a look at their web site. http://www.recaro.com/index.php?id=5569&L=2

Also look at this one. http://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/

Having said all that a set of A6 or newer Audi model seats would be a good upgrade from a breakers assuming they fit straight in. Other should be able to advise, S8s?

HTH