Newbie has questions

[GlynRS2]

I have had my RS2 for 2years now. When I got it was in pretty good order with just on 74K on the clock. It has now doen 84K and has been completely reliable. It had a main dealer service up til about 60K and then serviced by a specialist garage since. I have spent quite a bit on it, but this is largely because I am quite a fastidious owner and wanted back to as new.
Things I have done:

Replaced all belts, water pump & tensioner etc.
Replaced WGFV
Fitted Forge 007 DV
Replaced all boost hoses & vacuum hoses with Samco silicone hoses
Replaced auxillary radiator as coroded
Replaced air con condenser rad as leaking & pipe as desribed by Scilly Isles
Changed fuel filter
Replaced lambda probe
Tried K&N filter, but now reverted to paper element.
Tuned by Mihnea (S2 Tuner) - highly recommended.
Replaced all suspension bushes & dampers with new OE items.
4 wheel alignment following above - not everyone is able to do this for you, but worth getting it done properly.
Fitted Big Red brake upgrade kit & refurbed rear callipers
Replaced handbrake shoes & adjusted properly so can lock up rear wheels!

This has cost me a fair bit but the biggest expense was the brake upgrade & suspension work (which reflects Scilly Isles experience). Most of the above I is due to age and mileage, but now my RS is better than new, which is what the aim was.
What I have found is that the RS2 responds very well to regular new spark plugs (I have replaced each year and at 6K miles) and a regular diet of Optimax.
If you buy one of these cars remember that they are all now 10years old and may well need some rejuvenation. However, the performance per pound is awesome and impossible to beat.

[Shirish]

Some good infor there Glyn....sounds like some worthwhile preventative maintenance.

I managed to spend £7.7k in 2 yrs in a similar manner on my Porker, at least thats what I told myself!