On the Hunt for an S2

[agent_audi]

So, ive finally got rid of the cougar, or as it shall now be remembered, the American piece of lard.

I've been glued to the screen for the last week or so researching S2's and have pretty much committed myself to finding one, but it seems like there few and far between to find one. Im set on getting a coupe, and would like an ABY, but they are just out of my price range (£3500 max).

Was wondering if any peeps have other places i can start searching except the forum, ebay and pistonheads of course.

Also ive seen this on piston heads http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1665228.htm was wondering if anyone had prior knowledge/ownership of this car, ive tried to email the owner for more info but they haven't got back to me, i would phone apart from tmobile have suspended my service on account that i forgot to pay my bill... again.

[Big Lee M]

I would be asking a few question about the one you've pointed out on pistonheads. It's a 3b for a start with the 5 speed box. Never heard of a 3BY???? Lol. The wheels on it are Mk2 S8s or B6 S4 rims. If you keep a eye out you should see a ABY for £3500. Good luck with your search.

[dmacdou1]

I would be asking a few question about the one you've pointed out on pistonheads. It's a 3b for a start with the 5 speed box. Never heard of a 3BY???? Lol. The wheels on it are Mk2 S8s or B6 S4 rims. If you keep a eye out you should see a ABY for £3500. Good luck with your search.

I saw that one as well, i just assumed he meant 3B, he could be a noob like me. I'm not sure if i like the colour of the wheels or not, cant make my mind up.

[dest]

They are not Mk1 Avus either

[Rusty]

Stick to 3Bs with that budget, a cheap ABY 9/10 means it needs work and that costs £££. Keep an eye out on here, when they come up you can usually find the history of the car over at least the previous owner and also get a decent idea of what has been done to the car.

Don't shy away from modified ones, a brake upgrade is almost essential and things like uprated dampers and a remap will be on you list quicker than you can blink. Wheels are a matter of choice, as are lowering springs, coupes don't ride too well so even a stock car will feel crashy, upgraded ones are worse but it's worth it for the improved handling when driving a bit faster. Atmospheric dump valves are a no-no, as are bleed valves and big WG springs.

Subframes rust, suspension bushes turn to dust (finding a tight S2 is rare, even the mollycoddled ones don't stay tight for long ), radiators leak, brake hydraulic assist is a pain, on the 3B the servo tronic steering is a PITA too. There's loads more... it's all the worth the effort though, there's not much like an I5 quattro and its foibles.

[dest]

Lets not forget boost/vacuum leaks too

Why not consider an Avant? They are all ABY and would fit into you budget a bit better

[agent_audi]

I saw that one as well, i just assumed he meant 3B, he could be a noob like me. I'm not sure if i like the colour of the wheels or not, cant make my mind up.

Im not a big fan of the wheels either they would be the first thing to go if I got her, I can live with the colour, but my preference would be black.

[dest]

Id swap my wheels for them if you fancied it!

[agent_audi]

Stick to 3Bs with that budget, a cheap ABY 9/10 means it needs work and that costs £££. Keep an eye out on here, when they come up you can usually find the history of the car over at least the previous owner and also get a decent idea of what has been done to the car.

Don't shy away from modified ones, a brake upgrade is almost essential and things like uprated dampers and a remap will be on you list quicker than you can blink. Wheels are a matter of choice, as are lowering springs, coupes don't ride too well so even a stock car will feel crashy, upgraded ones are worse but it's worth it for the improved handling when driving a bit faster. Atmospheric dump valves are a no-no, as are bleed valves and big WG springs.

Subframes rust, suspension bushes turn to dust (finding a tight S2 is rare, even the mollycoddled ones don't stay tight for long ), radiators leak, brake hydraulic assist is a pain, on the 3B the servo tronic steering is a PITA too. There's loads more... it's all the worth the effort though, there's not much like an I5 quattro and its foibles.

Id like to get a forum car, as ive found with previous ownership's that they tend to be looked after, and theres always someone that has some previous knowledge about the car so can point out any niggles or problems that a regular seller might forget to mention.

Ive got a formula student event im attending at hockenheim in august so am planning to spend some more of my cash on upgrading the brakes and some possible coil-overs.

Do the subframes rust in specific areas? and also how effective are the poly brush upgrades on the suspension? (i think ive read a few people use polybush's or i could be just been a complte noob and on about something else)

I have also heard that s2's need a constant cash trickle to keep them tip top, a sacrifice im willing to make instead of getting a piece of jap scrap, or following the norm and gettin something everyone else has.

[agent_audi]

Id swap my wheels for them if you fancied it!

Hold your horse's i haven't even been to look yet already trying to poach things from the noob!

[GazzaG60]

S2's are no more a cash cow than any other perfromance car.

id say they are less costly than an evo, more than a subaru, less than a VW corrado.

its been well under 1k ive spent fixing things in 4 years. under 500 even. lots of proactive fixes though

subframes rust like all subframes do.

id do poly bushes fro the arms, solid alloy ones for the subframe. its very important i feel to remove all the movement from the subframes, the part that everythnig else attaches to.

top mounts are very important too. id go promount. you do get what you pay for.

[agent_audi]

S2's are no more a cash cow than any other perfromance car.

id say they are less costly than an evo, more than a subaru, less than a VW corrado.

its been well under 1k ive spent fixing things in 4 years. under 500 even. lots of proactive fixes though

subframes rust like all subframes do.

id do poly bushes fro the arms, solid alloy ones for the subframe. its very important i feel to remove all the movement from the subframes, the part that everythnig else attaches to.

top mounts are very important too. id go promount. you do get what you pay for.

I meant there wasn't any specific subrframe areas that suffer severe localised rust and fail?

Thats not an unreasonable ammount at all, i was expecting much more than that. Suppose it will depend on the condition of the s2, if i buy a dog of an s2 then it will probably be no end of problems

[GazzaG60]

i bought a n plate 4 years ago. less than 100k. had been looked after i feel.

biggest issues with older cars come from the electrics i think. the S2 has a reasonable body so lasts. the coupe suffers from leaky windows, seals and lights. check for a factory screen. check the boot for damp. also rear carpets.

engine issues can be fixed for low cost if you are mechanical. its labour that costs.

the subframes in general take a beating from the weather. only removing them reveals the true state. soem look solid but are ready to rust through.

if you buy a shitter of any car expect issues.

[s2spike]

on the rear subframe check where the rear diff mount bracket is my old one had rotted through on the top side, it looked not bad as it was packed with solid with grime until I had it blasted, and the rear tie rod mounts had gone too, have a good poke at it on the sides and around the seams

[GazzaG60]

also i would not entertain a 3b.

cant see the point. these are old enough already and the newest and best model is the only one worth it for me.