15k to spend, help me decide please

[dest]

You have to pull the engine for almost anything...

Err, no you dont
Yet another misconception.
No point trying to explain cause you've already made your mind up!

The bottom line is, they are awesome capable cars, no more fragile than an RS2, infact probably less so thanks to the RS2's age and rarity of parts.

In the end there is no better one though. It all depends what you want, which is what I originally asked in this thread.
Having owned 2 S2's and 2 S4's, I know which Im happiest and most impressed with.
Dont get me wrong, I still love S2's, but give me the K04 S4/RS4 every time!

[Jamo]

For that money RS4

[madpugger]

RANGE ROVER!

Or my black S2 with RS2 looks, already has 420 brake, and would leave you a shedload left over...

[Jamo]

The value of the RS2 is in standard form you will get more money for a standard rs2 than a modded one in the UK because it's such a one off car.

If you don't want a straight RS4, If it was me I'd buy a K04 S4 saloon and have it widebodied by quatrronutter, 480-500 bhp and mean looks

Go to audisrs and look at the conversions

[dmacdou1]

I dont have experience with any of these cars(much to my regret), however personally with your budget I'd get an RS2 and keep it totally standard, too much of a rare/iconic motor to faff about with imvho.

Good luck whatever you get.

[Dan]

I'd have one of each if I had the money

The RS2 makes less sense as a practical purchase, but it's a true classic and something you buy out of love.

The B5 (R)S4 is an awesomely powerful car and more modern. If you're up for modding it anyway, then I'd be tempted to do what Jamo says and start from an S4 saloon.

The S2 is almost a halfway house here... if you were going to buy an RS2 for the extra power, you're better off buying an S2 and modding it.

I'm pretty sure we could argue back and forth all day on S2 vs B5 S4, so get a ride in both and make your own mind up.

One thing I'll tack on is that the S2 will probably be the cheapest to insure. I don't know what your premiums are like anyway, but just worth getting quotes for all your options - can't hurt to know the damage in advance!

[bikerjim]

UR quattro??

[S2central.net]

RS2 makes most sense from being able to get a bang tidy one for that sort of money and then lose little or nothing when reselling it...

They are quick from the factory - but a tickle on the ECU makes them truly fantastic and much more driveable with ~380bhp, 550Nm and more with an uprated clutch easily available... remember Porsche didnt want that old coffin carrier to embarrass too many 'sports cars' from Stuttgart so they held back on its ultimate potential.

A key thing to consider is whether you intend to enjoy the car for a while then resell it - or whether you would hold onto it.

For me - with 15k in my dreams - I'd go for a nice D2 S8 (5k), an S2 Avant running RS2 spec (8k) and spend the rest on a big plasma TV , surround sound and some beer

[T.Audi]

Just to add to the confusion and say some blasphemy...

What about an E46 M3?

I would keep this car for at least 5 years, but I have the mod bug...if you know what I mean...

[prj]

Just to add to the confusion and say some blasphemy...

What about an E46 M3?

I would keep this car for at least 5 years, but I have the mod bug...if you know what I mean...

If you want to mod, then you should get a factory turbocharged car.
There's not much to mod on an M3, it's brilliant as it is.

[QuattroFever]

S2 and mods will push you over the 15k mark. Ive prob. Poured 12k into mine over 6 years and spent 6k on it and its still not finished and i do all the work myself (prob why its not finished)
By the time you factor in all the little bits...wheels, head, studs, gaskets, zorst, bushes, suspension....beer!(again, prob why its not finished)

Depends what you want out of it. Are you more interested in the journey or the destination?

[dest]

Just to add to the confusion and say some blasphemy...

What about an E46 M3?

I would keep this car for at least 5 years, but I have the mod bug...if you know what I mean...

My S4 eats those for breakfast and goes back for 2nds

[S2central.net]

The 'journey or destination' comments sums this dilemma up perfectly.

As to M3 - WTF - The blasphemy... the shame... LOL - each to their own... for that sort of money I would also seriously consider a Maserati quattroporte - yumyum - or that Lancia Integrale already mentioned.

[dest]

Maserati quattroporte or Integralle

Both of those are no issue either

The thing is, are you after a weekend toy or an every day car that can be used all year round?

Where are you located? Ideally you need to sample these machines to help decide.
I looked at E46 M3's myself, but decided they would be too slow and have very little scope for adding a decent amount of power

[S2central.net]

There's more to this than pure straight line speed or showing off at the traffic lights innit.

I find the S4 2.7T to be rather bland - quick for sure but numb and dull to the senses for such a powerful machine - a car bereft of character IMHO - which is oddly why I think it started the transition of 'beemer' owners into the Audi marque... and it has been downhill ever since... more bland, bling-invested fast machines that have less and less appeal in my eyes. Clearly lots of people love them.

That Maserati and Integrale just ooze character and charm - so does the S8 and the S2/RS2 in a different way. When a quattroporte burbles past you just cannot take your eyes of it and the sound is pure lush... until it breaks down of course