potential RS2 purchase & also a performance question

[tonyd]

I am planning on moving to New Zealand, and dont seem to be able to take my RS2 with me due to no frontal impact tests done on the car.

I am surprised to see that you cannot bring your RS2 into NZ as NZ was one of only three or four countries where the RHD RS2 was sold..out of 200 total NZ got 14-15, SA 5-6 and am not sure where the one or two others went (that were not sold in the UK). The car was sold new in NZ, one of which I now own, so it is puzzling that it is now not deemed to be safe! I am currently working in Australia but will be back in NZ in a week and would be happy to do some investigation on your behalf if it would help. Possibly the age of the car and the small number that were sold have meant that the authorities have no record of the car.

[alastairg]

Think the other RHD went to channel isles as mine was classified as import thus not in UK RHD headcount

[AAH!]

I always thought that there were a total of 182 RHD RS2's made but maybe there where 182 RHD RS2's made availble for the UK market.

So if there were 14-15 for NZ, 5-6 for South Africa, a few for the Channel Islands and I have heard of at least two RHD RS2's in Malaysia and I think I heard of 1 in Thailand, I wonder if more than 200 were made or if some of these where UK exports?

Any one know the actual total production run of RHD RS2's for all markets?

Angus

[steveurq]

dodgyken...

Howling noise? What sort of noise, louder as revs increase?

with that sort of mileage when changing cambelt i would change tensioner idler, lower belt pulley, front crankseal, camshaft seal, water pump and ribbed belt

Lower belt pulleys fairly unreliable at high mileage as the locating key can break, disastrous as I am sure you can imagine. Also be very careful with camshaft pulley torque as the keys on these can break easily also. The locating key is just that, for location only and does not take any turning force, that is why torque is so important.

Lower crank pulley retaining bolt should also be replaced as a matter of course. Make sure you torque properly.

Throttle pots can wear out easily at high mileage, any hesitation/juddering at low-medium throttle openings caused by uneven wear of carbon track sends inaccurate throttle opening angle to ECU.

Many other things but they are all repairable! Just sold my RS Blue car with Garret T04 mod, highly recommended upgrade.

[dodgyken]

The noise is only apparent at low revs - where the engine note itself doesnt mask it. The owner said it was the turbo - I have never owned a turbo but have driven ones in the past but this sound was more wind in a wide corridor then a whistle - if that helps!!!

I have told the guy I am not interested in that one 213000km is just a bit too much for my nerves - there are others available which have covered 160K km and 170K km.

How much do you reckon they cost in maintenance each year - including servicing, tyres, things breaking - but NOT including insurance and petrol.

GF is totally unconvinced by Audis!!! And is not helping by saying it is too fast. She also has no concept of the cars position in motoring history.

[AAH!]

The owner said it was the turbo - I have never owned a turbo but have driven ones in the past but this sound was more wind in a wide corridor then a whistle - if that helps!!!.

Does the car hav the stock air box and filter? I have a K&N oiled cotton cone filter and you hear everything that is going on behind it from the sucking in of air, the whine/whistle of the turbo and then the woosh of air being dumped by the diverter valve and usually in that order. Just changing the filter panel in the stock airbox to a K&N one can louden things up a bit. Its been so long since my car has been stock that I can't remember what noises it originally made.

In terms of costs, it probably/definatley isn't the cheapest car to maintain. I have spent about £2500 on average per year over the past 6 years. I tend to do things when and sometimes before they need doing and until 6 months ago I used garages to do all the work some of which were in central London with central London prices. But please note that this does include quite alot of unecasary but nice "enhancements" to make it go faster.

If you do work your self you can keep costs down and there is this forum and the S2 forum to help and advise. These cars are 10 years old and thing will go wrong, rubber bits perish, pipes clog up, sensors stop sensing, pumps stop pumping. You will have boost leaks, low boost problems, overboost problems, no boost problems some of which are quick cheap fixes others are slow and labourious to find but still cheap to fix others are just plain expencive and usually it is down to the parts. Fortunately you don't have to go to Audi to buy you parts there are a few companies around that are anywhere from 10% to 50% cheaper for the same OEM parts. And of course you can also spend a lot of money just "enhancing" the car .

It can be a very rewarding experience and a lot of fun and in return you get a great car. But I would say don't jump at the very first RS2 you see read over the old threads on this forum and other forums and learn what to look out for and know what you are getting yourself into. Make sure the car has been looked after and not just thrashed. A bit of pateince can save you a lot of money in the long run. There always seems to be two or three LHD RS2's for sale somewhere, so one will turn up.


Now if you are looking for an imaculate low milage RHD RS2 there is a mint no expences spared one for sale with 20k on the clock for £25k. Have a look here: http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7903

Good luck

Angus

[dodgyken]

I walked away on the first one - definately a good idea after driving a 146000km example last night. It showed up the first ones problem - which the mechanic from last night would be the turbo looking to self destruct and take the engine with it!!!

Last nights car was a 94 model, dark metallic grey (a good colour on the car) with the carbon trim and black leather and light grey alcantara seats.

The car runs well, the body work is a bit scuffed - from parking by the looks of it. The door trims will be replaced and the paintwork tidied up. There were no nasty sounds, there was no smoke from the exhaust, the front CV gaiters look fresh, the timing chain was changed 5000km ago.

Cost is £9500 at the moment (21000CHF), my brain is hurting because I am thinking too hard about this car!!!

[MartynC]

Buy it man!

I've been lucky enough to have an S2, RS2, RS4 and now drive an RS6+. No, I wouldn't swop BUT the RS2 was the most fun and for that price, enjoy yourself.

Cheers All, MartynC

[alastairg]

I walked away on the first one - definately a good idea after driving a 146000km example last night. It showed up the first ones problem - which the mechanic from last night would be the turbo looking to self destruct and take the engine with it!!!

Last nights car was a 94 model, dark metallic grey (a good colour on the car) with the carbon trim and black leather and light grey alcantara seats.

The car runs well, the body work is a bit scuffed - from parking by the looks of it. The door trims will be replaced and the paintwork tidied up. There were no nasty sounds, there was no smoke from the exhaust, the front CV gaiters look fresh, the timing chain was changed 5000km ago.

Cost is £9500 at the moment (21000CHF), my brain is hurting because I am thinking too hard about this car!!!

Slow down and keep looking.
Usually cars are kept to a high standard and I would be concerned if the car was 'a bit scuffed'. Mine has no bodywork damage baring stonechips.

Have you checked out these RS2/S2 forums yet ? They may well lead you to a car that has been well looked after.

http://www.tots.ch/

http://www.audi-s2.ch/

Good luck

[dodgyken]

Thanks for all the help.

I came down to a bump earlier - agreed a price of 19000CHF (about £8500), speak to my bank, the one I work for, only to be told "We dont lease cars that are that old."

Looks like I will have to save up for the rest of the year and get it next year - OR check out one of the high mileage S4s that are up for the same price!!

[golfboy666gti]

I am planning on moving to New Zealand, and dont seem to be able to take my RS2 with me due to no frontal impact tests done on the car.

I am surprised to see that you cannot bring your RS2 into NZ as NZ was one of only three or four countries where the RHD RS2 was sold..out of 200 total NZ got 14-15, SA 5-6 and am not sure where the one or two others went (that were not sold in the UK). The car was sold new in NZ, one of which I now own, so it is puzzling that it is now not deemed to be safe! I am currently working in Australia but will be back in NZ in a week and would be happy to do some investigation on your behalf if it would help. Possibly the age of the car and the small number that were sold have meant that the authorities have no record of the car.

Hey Tony, another New Zealander on here, what RS2 do you have?
Im trying to put a list of all the NZ RS2s together.
Are you on www.vask.org.nz ?

As for importing used cars into NZ, basicly the car has to be newer than 1997 or be 20 years old.