Anyone using their RS2 as a daily driver?

[marineboy]

Hello Folks,

Hi guys another noob here, not new to Audi's but new to RS2's

I have to compliment everyone on the quality of the info. available on this forum, it's been a massive help to me in understanding what to look for and what I could be getting into.

Life has passed me by and it has slowly dawned on me I have not spent enough money on fast cars so I am trying to make amends especially now I am living in Northern Italy with epic roads on my door step.

Having got internal planning permission I am seriously considering buying my wife an RS2 to use as a daily driver for the school runs, shopping, coffeee morning etc.

I know a 14yr old car will require a bit more TLC to keep in tip top condition but I can't see anything else for the money that would excite me enough to want to nick the keys off her for weekend mountain road blasts. I cycle to work so the extra petrol, insurance costs don't really concern me.

How do you guys get on using yours as a practical family daily driver rather than a weekend toy (I already have a toy and won't get planning permission for another).

Please let me know your thoughts on anything you think will help make up my mind to take the plunge.

Thanks,

Stephen

[DickyC]

Hey Stephen,

Guilty as charged. The RS2 was an ambition for a long time - and is now a fulfilled ambition that I use every day as my regular car.

The RS2 is expensive to buy, expensive to run and expensive to maintain. On the other hand, it is a pussy cat to drive, it is supremely capable in all driving circumstances and is so worthy of its cult status.

On the costs side, I bought a nice car with a sound history and made it better. In addition to the £11,000 it cost, in the 20 months I've had it I've spent £8,000 on it.

And it has been worth every penny. If I had the money I'd keep it for ever.

DickyC

[AlWyn]

Another thumbs up here Stephen... go for it lifes too short... for the last fortnight the wifes been using our RS2 as a daily driver for the school run, gym, shopping etc and has enjoyed it immensely. Her only intial negatives were how low it was, being used to a big 4x4 and people carrier, and why she had to putting fuel in it. With the turbo not spooling up until the 3k mark it means she can potter about happily in it without worrying about unleashing its evil side. These are awesome cars and worth the expense and hassle of buying and running. Everytime i drive our RS2 i cant help but grin.

[alastairg]

Daily driver for me too. To give you some idea of costs I have just spent 3.5k on an annual service with all new OEM suspension bushes (cheaper to buy new suspension parts as replacing bushes is labour intensive). It makes the car handle as well as I can recall. With the brakes & tyres in top condition with an specialist 4 wheel alignment it is perfect now.
My advice is simple. Buy one from someone like me. An enthusiast who belongs to forums such as this or S2 forum and has spent money on it & can show you the evidence.

[simon44]

Hi, I use mine daily and it is a delight. Its a very flexible package as a commuter, sports car, luggage mover etc

The cost of the parts is another thing, and the lack of availability of parts than other than through a main dealer generally only adds to the cost of running it.

My advice is buy with the support of a specialist behind you that knows what to spot and what needs replacing. Forum members will have taken time to ensure that parts have been replaced.

Good luck with your search. I use Roger at www.andovercarservice.co.uk for servicing and support!

[DH79]

Hi,

Another daily user here. I'd agree with all the posts here, buy from an enthusiast, insist on piles of receipts and find a garage that knows what it's looking at and has experience.

I recently had some insurance work done and the engineer who assessed it's reaction to my preemptive parts quote (new front bumper, fogs and a headlight among others after my dad nudged a Transit from behind) was that it was a writeoff... I soon explained that this was not an 80 2.5 or even an S2 and promptly refused any of their chosen garages... They in return rejected my choice and it ended up being done at the Main Stealer. Their loss.

Still, back on topic - awesome fun, immensely practical bar the running cost. Don't be surprised to see an average mpg below 20 if its main use is short runs to school!

Good luck

[DickyC]

Ah, yes, Stephen, the mpg...

As DH79 says, an average of below 20 is likely. On the dash, I run either the average or instant mpg readout. It's sobering stuff. When you really boot it, the instant figure drops to 6mpg!!

On the plus side, when the Countess is with me, I can average 30. No, really.

[marineboy]

Thanks for friendly advice on living with one of these as a daily driver.

I have found a left hooker on Pistonheads and talked to the owner last night, he came a cross as being a enthusiastic German petrolhead rather than someone that has bought it on impulse and is trying to offload it due to the amount of expense needed to run one. It has FSH, lots of MOT's to back up the mileage but not many reciepts for work carried out.

From the sound of it the car is straight and in very good condition. It needs new disc/pads al round, the suspension bushes checked for play (no problems showed up during the MOT), a couple of new tyres and I would if I buy it also go for getting Bilsteins fitted all round and have a fresh service done. I am sure this work will be the thick end of £+4k but please correct me if I am wrong.

I have also talked to a local specialist Volks Service to see how much thay know about these cars which they say they do, as I would never dream of buying one without getting a specilaist to give the once over. Anyone use Volks Service here?

The only battle going on in my head at the moment is can I live with the fuel consumption, probably yes as my other commuting machine only uses pedal power. What sort of annual servicing costs can I expect for normal wear and tear? I am also expecting an insurance quote and will be plesantly suprised if it's under£2k.

I have also just bought an 89 5-speed 930 Turbo that will require my attention and money at the same time.

So if the sums stack up then I have got to go for it as one day in the not too distant future these cars will only be allowed to play on tracks or be looked at in museums. So it's now or never!

[DickyC]

Or you could buy a RHD one for £12,000 that has had all the work done and save yourself £2,000.

[marineboy]

Sorry DickyC,

Thanks for the offer but your steering wheel maybe on the right side but it's the wrong side for where I live.

It's plenty exciting enough driving here when you can see to overtake and I don't think my wife would be much help as her eyes would be too tightly shut while hanging on to the side of the seat screaming at the top of her lungs.

Top tip if you ever come and drive in Italy, no matter how fast you think you are going on A-roads and mountain roads there will always be an old boy up your chuff trying to overtake you in his white Fiat Panda.

Stephen

[DickyC]

No, my apologies. I jumped to the wrong conclusion.

My abiding memory of driving in Italy is of negotiating the narrow roads around Lake Como in my wife's RHD SLK with her, having refused to drive, clinging on to me with as much gap as possible between herself and her door and the enthusiastic locals just millimetres beyond.

[alastairg]

Thanks for friendly advice on living with one of these as a daily driver.

I have found a left hooker on Pistonheads and talked to the owner last night, he came a cross as being a enthusiastic German petrolhead rather than someone that has bought it on impulse and is trying to offload it due to the amount of expense needed to run one. It has FSH, lots of MOT's to back up the mileage but not many reciepts for work carried out.

From the sound of it the car is straight and in very good condition. It needs new disc/pads al round, the suspension bushes checked for play (no problems showed up during the MOT), a couple of new tyres and I would if I buy it also go for getting Bilsteins fitted all round and have a fresh service done. I am sure this work will be the thick end of £+4k but please correct me if I am wrong.

I have also talked to a local specialist Volks Service to see how much thay know about these cars which they say they do, as I would never dream of buying one without getting a specilaist to give the once over. Anyone use Volks Service here?

The only battle going on in my head at the moment is can I live with the fuel consumption, probably yes as my other commuting machine only uses pedal power. What sort of annual servicing costs can I expect for normal wear and tear? I am also expecting an insurance quote and will be plesantly suprised if it's under£2k.

I have also just bought an 89 5-speed 930 Turbo that will require my attention and money at the same time.

So if the sums stack up then I have got to go for it as one day in the not too distant future these cars will only be allowed to play on tracks or be looked at in museums. So it's now or never!

This car would sound like exactly the car NOT to buy. Assuming you need the above mentioned doing you are looking at 5K. He is selling because he knows that.
Always buy an RS2 with fresh dampers & brakes (if the calipers are OEM then they may have galvanisation issues & new calipers needed or at least a refurb) & ideally suspension (bushes & balljoints)
BTW another issue is failing handbrakes which cost a lot to put right.

Oh & bushes seem to fuse as they fail rather than cause play. So the crude crowbar test on the suspension does not reveal the lack of compliance.

If you really want an RS2. Take your time & PM me if you want to plan a chat about the owning experience

[AlWyn]

Stephen ive just learnt today of a lhd RS2 that might well be coming up for sale... drop me a pm and i will give you the guys details. CheeRS Al

[Simoni]

I'm currently in the market to buy a LHD RS2 as a daily drive so this thread has been very helpfull, thanks!

Any advice on which to buy or not to buy is always welcome. I'm currently in touch with an owner of an RS2, everythings seems very good. If everything goes as planned I'll go and have a look during next week (the car is 650km's away )

[VaudiGR]

in general,an RS2 is a very good car but it may have been pushed quite a bit from previous owners.So i would suggest that you do a good bargain if the price is high,because the first service will definitelly be an expensive one...

Also the only thing that would worry me if the Kms are high is the cyl.head and the age cracks that might have.It is not hard to get/modify a 7A cyl head which are durable and can replace an aged RS2 head,but in any case that is something that you cannot see/find unless you decide to do a cambelt/head gasket job in first instance.