DILEMA: What would you do

[macspring]

What would you do....? Options as I see it are:

1. Take the hit and find the money somehow to get it done
2. Decide that after 13years time for a change and sell or part it out
3. Find a bare shell and get that painted and transfer over
4. Find a URQ shell and port to that instead to scratch an itch which remains
5. Enjoy the car and stop worrying about cosmetics

Confused.com

Thoughts?

David

1. Take the hit and find the money somehow to get it done. - No, not bad enough. Avoids it being so perfect that you can't use it, as it will get scratched and you would be able to park it in Tesco for a start.

2. Decide that after 13 years time for a change and sell or part it out. - 13 years is not reason enough, as there is still plenty of positives about the car. The only issue is the paint. Too much effort to part it out, sell it as is to someone for the appropriate price, and no effort on your part, except the feeling of regret.

3. Find a bare shell and get that painted and transfer over. - Will cost a fortune in your money / your labour or more money / less of you labour. Definitely not a realistic option, IMHO. Unless you have recently retired and want to stay active for a number of years.

4. Find a URQ shell and port to that instead to scratch an itch which remains. - Buy one someone else has already done and enjoy it, or finish it off. Then sell the S2 as is.

5. Enjoy the car and stop worrying about cosmetics. - Best option, and spend some money with a decent garage to have the roof done sympathetically to match the rest of the paint.

All of the above is just my own opinion.

Good thread as these thoughts occur to all of us from time to time in some shape or form regardless of anyone's exact scenario.



Best wishes.

[bluequattro]

Paint it Matt black with rattle cans
Drive it hard and if/when you stuff it in a ditch then get a b4 80 and fit the bits to that!
I don't worry about the paint on my cq, can see filler marks, dents,scratches but it doesn't t make it any slower to just enjoy
If you have a really nice looking car you will never be happy where you leave it cos of dents etc on car parks/getting it nicked
ur would be a great idea but prices of good ones put it out of options- a cheap one will have knackered body n paint anyway

[4WDrifter]

Go with number5. Drive it and enjoy it and every month there'll be a bill for something but you'll have 3 grand to play with.

[europeanme]

I'm in the same boat matey...I've concentrated on the mechanics etc and neglected the bodywork.....if it doesn't leak does into the car?.....then

option 5 - use it and save up then get the it sprayed....

[audinut]

Hi , if you wanted to do the strip down and refit i could probably get the prep/paint done for you at a much better price , you can come and see mine to see the standard of paint if you want

[A1QSHIP]

I am in the same boat with both my S6 & the eS2. I vote #5.
Chris

[Ross]

Option 5, leading to 1 if and when.

Im in the same boat albeit less time enjoying the car. At the moment a respray is not an option but when i've cleaned up subframes and lower her a bit next year, i'll be getting ready for replacement front wings and a bit of paint. I'll be gutted about getting it marked, but it wont stop me driving it. I'll just keep it waxed and protected as much as I can.

[Rikki Kitto]

Option 5, leading to 1 if and when.

Im in the same boat albeit less time enjoying the car. At the moment a respray is not an option but when i've cleaned up subframes and lower her a bit next year, i'll be getting ready for replacement front wings and a bit of paint. I'll be gutted about getting it marked, but it wont stop me driving it. I'll just keep it waxed and protected as much as I can.

[s2driveruk]

yeah, not looking for a museum piece or a show-car, its there to be driven in that sense and I'd hate to be worried to take it out or park it (though I do usually park it away from anything else lol)

[anthonys2]

Option 5 keep it!! I've been in the same boat a few times like other members and wanting something perhaps a bit newer and faster I've been tempted with an RS6 on a number of occasions now but there bills are ridiculous and it's cheaper to run the S2 and the looks and comments you get off people make it worth while. I've had mine now for 13 years and paid 15k for mine and I think it's money we'll spent. Let me ask you one question bearing in mind the journey you and your S2 have been through: How would you feel about when cash has exchanged hands and you've sold your car and watching it being driven off in the sunset by a complete stranger?

[rj scotty]

Do some basic holding treatment on that body work. Nothing complex just some wet n dry paper and a touch up stick, you'll be suprrised at what you can achive.

Enjoy the car mate they are proper rare now and have always been special

Keep the faith

[Error404]

Keep the car mate - you can't sell it now, after 13 years it must be like the family pet!
What you need to do now is take off your front wings and sort that rust out youself before it gets any worse - wire brush, POR15, 3M underseal, touch up the pearl white.

I can't image not having a double garage now, I definately wouldn't be able to do as much work on the car myself.

Otherwise, save your pennies and wait till you have the space to do it - then strip the car back to a shell & get a full respray, take the opportunity to totally refresh everything wear & tear at the same time - it would be a nice 25th birthday present for your car in a few years - taking it back to like new again.

[re2500]

Im another #5 but then my car will always be a coupe quattro and not an s2 despite how it may pretend. Therefore my car will always be a breaker when i what to get rid or have a change. So if i soent money on the shell eventually it would be a waste of money. But it is nice knowing that i dont care if it gets hit or has a bump or a scratch. At the same time i cant help smiling when i drive it. It feels so solid to drive and i know any car i buy would not feel as nice... Good luck with your dilema.

[bartolomeus]

If you would have been in Romania you wouldn't have had this problem. Painting a car here, professionally is maximum 1000 GBP.
I'm shocked about the 3000 GBP price for a repaint of the car.
So here's another option, plan a vacation in Romania, for 2 weeks, spend 1000 GBP on the repaint, 1000 GBP on the vacation and you also save 1000 GBP

[sam80quattro]

arrggghhh its exactly the same scenario with my pearl white 90q. i'm considering stripping it down to nothing and painting door shuts and under bonnet etc myself and if i do a good enough job i may even try the exterior myself. 5 or 4