Newbie

[agent_audi]

Hi all,

Ive been looking for a new car to replace the behemoth that is my v6 ford cougar for a while now and i recently came across the s2. Ive been doing a bit of research into them and am falling more and more in love with the prospect of getting one.

Basically im interested in hearing from anyone and everyone about what an s2 is like to own, pros and cons between the 3B and ABY, any reliability issues, things to look out for when buying, running costs and any other general shenanigans.

I have about 3k to spend, will i be able to find a decent condition s2 for this much? im also going to germany in august as i partake in formula student which is part of my uni degree, so would be making a stop off at the ring (rude not to stop off and blitz it really) has anyone done this journey in the s2?

look forward to hearing from you peeps.

[macspring]

Aby.

[Le S2 Audi]

ABY for me... 6 speed and more power!!

Nothing wrong with 3B's...

But if you have 3k a ABY is worth the extra...

[martinjs]

ABY for me... 6 speed and more power!!

..and heavier and slower.

Dont rule out a good 3B, but i agree, if i were to get another it would be an ABY.

[Le S2 Audi]

..and heavier and slower.

Dont rule out a good 3B, but i agree, if i were to get another it would be an ABY.

Heavier - Yes...

Slower - Not a chance.... Quicker ... http://www.s2central.net/specifications_main.html

[agent_audi]

Nice comparison link, pretty much showed me everything ive been trying to find out about the two engine types. Do both engines come with a lockable differential or is that just the 3B?

[Le S2 Audi]

ABY - has it... Too

[S2central.net]

Rear diff is lockable on both. Aby is the better engine but a tidy 3b is going to be plenty fun as well.

Your best thing is to test drive a few cars and get a feel for what is normal. Should find lots of other posts here on this subject if you do a search

[agent_audi]

Yea, when I get my cougar sold I shall be able to start seriously looking so should be able to hopefully test drive a few to see which tickles my fancy. Although the ABY engines seem to command a higher price, so could be just out of reach of my budget.

[S2central.net]

Running an S2 on a budget can be a bit stressful so choose wisely. You might find a car for 3k that needs 2k spending to bring up to scratch of something selling at 4k

Buying a well sorted 3b could work out lots cheaper than an ABY that has some big bills coming it's way. Some big ticket items to watch for....

Timing belt change
brake bomb
steering rack
fuel lines
master or slave clutch cylinders
clutch itslef is a big job
if running gear like bushes etc are old and tired the cost of renewing that lot can be significant money

big factor in running costs for an S2 are if you can do the work yourself. I simply couldn't afford to run mine if I was paying someone else for repairs and service

[agent_audi]

Im only buying on that initial budget, I wont be running on a budget for long as i finish uni in 3 weeks and will be starting a full time job so will have more cash to splash.

Fortunately I don't mind getting my hands dirty and have gained technical mastery of using a lump hammer, so self repair and maintenance shouldn't be too much of a problem.

with regards to those big things to look for, are they all things that i should be ensuring have been carried out before purchase?
Obviously timing belt is a biggie, take it has to be replaced every 60000 miles?
Brake bomb?
is there a specific mileage at which the clutch starts playing up? or is it mainly dependant upon how heavy footed the previous owners have been?

[Keeper of The Kitten]

Heavier - Yes...

Slower - Not a chance.... Quicker ... http://www.s2central.net/specifications_main.html

You'd make a good politician, choosing the statistics that suit your argument

(The stop and corner stuff benefits from reduced weight as well...)

Talking of stopping, welcome Mr Agent - you'll see a lot of talk about brake upgrades as well, the stock hardware is a bit overstretched.

[s2_wot]

There's great value now in these cars and for that reason if I was buying a car now I would go for one with the following in no particular order:
ABY engine for upgrade potential
Brake upgrade to minimum porsche 996 on the front axle
Suspension upgrade throughout to minimum bilstein sports on OEM springs
Home fried ECU
Front suspension top mounts upgrade to 034 motorsport / pro mount
Tight running gear with recent bustings etc
Samco (or comparable other) boost hoses
Original alloys in good nic

and best of all if you can get a "maintained irrespective of cost" car with all of the above already intact you'll be a happy owner. I would certainly drive a car with all of the above before buying an "original" as no matter how good it is you will eventually beging to consider most of the above.

read all of the project threads on here and the buyers guide on s2central.net

Shane

[Le S2 Audi]

You'd make a good politician, choosing the statistics that suit your argument

(The stop and corner stuff benefits from reduced weight as well...)

Talking of stopping, welcome Mr Agent - you'll see a lot of talk about brake upgrades as well, the stock hardware is a bit overstretched.

Don't know what you mean.... :mischeif:

The figures don't lie... and the few extra kilo's is overcome with the extra power surely?

The 3B is only quicker on 0-62 which I guess is just down to a gear change... Cos if I remember correctly Audi always played up the 3B over the UR on 0-62 and that was down to a gear ratio & change....

But I stand to be corrected on that... Will dig out my reviews tomorrow and have read..