RE: PH Carpool: Audi RS2 Avant

RE: PH Carpool: Audi RS2 Avant

Monday 5th November 2012

PH Carpool: Audi RS2 Avant

13 years ago our Carpooler saw an RS2 and thought 'wow that's cool' - now an owner he hasn't changed his mind!



Name:
Neal Anderson
Car:
Audi RS2 Avant
Owned since:
2007
Previously owned:
1956 VW Beetle (still own), 1972 VW Beetle (my first car that I've now owned for 23 years), 1972 VW Camper, 2 x VW 412s (weird thing - Google it!), 1976 Mk1 Ford Transit, MK2 VW Jetta GTI, E39 BMW 5 Series

In good company in the Beetle crowd
In good company in the Beetle crowd
Why I bought it:
In 1995 I was 22-year-old sitting on a wall outside a local shop in my hometown of Portstewart, Northern Ireland when this brand new blue Audi estate pulled up. The colour immediately struck me, and then I noticed the Porsche wheels, brakes and mirrors. I just thought "wow, that's cool", and immediately knew this car was something different and special. A few years later when I was in the fortunate position to get one, I started my search. I eventually found this well cared for example in Nogaro Blue with full history on PistonHeads.

What I wish I'd known:
With the history and service record, it was a great car to start with. I had it inspected by my local Audi specialist Fontain before I bought it. This picked up a few minor things that I was able to negotiate the price on. If you do want one, get the very best one you can find with service history from dealers and specialists, plus receipts etc.

Freshen up has returned the Audi to its best
Freshen up has returned the Audi to its best
Things I love:
For me, the RS2set the benchmark for a fantastic all round practical performance car that isn't actually a compromise. Reasonably economical around town, the four-wheel drive gives you real confidence with the added advantage of loads of space. Put the foot down, get it above 3,300rpm and WHHHOOOOSSSHHH, there's the turbo - warp speed Mr Sulu! I also like the fact that its one of only 180 RHD cars made, so has that exclusive feel and still turns heads. It's now 17 years old, but it certainly doesn't look it, plus my car has the full black leather interior, which helps - for me the blue Alcantara interiors look a little more dated.

Things I hate:
No cruise control is a bit of an arse, but there's not much else I'd fault. Well, apart from fuel economy at speed. Can be expensive if you get carried away, but then what isn't?

Costs:
Insurance isn't too bad - helps with a Cat 1 alarm/immobiliser. Service costs are reasonably OK. Main dealers won't have a clue on something this age, so stick with recognised Audi specialists like QST or MRC, alternatively someone you trust (like my friend Pete at Funkenblitz in Portsmouth). I soon discovered some parts that are unique to the car, so are only available from Audi and therefore very expensive - especially original brake discs. Plus, due to the limited production run (less than 3,000 were made), other parts are either very hard to find or NLA. Thankfully, after recently speaking to the very helpful head parts chap at Audi UK, I've heard that they are looking to reproduce some parts as there is still a strong demand from both RS2 owners and S2 owners looking to upgrade to RS2 spec. Some of the specialist forums, especially the S2forum and RS246, have been very helpful finding parts and getting invaluable advice from fellow owners. Quattro Corneris another good source for bits.

European roadtrip took in Reims pilgrimage
European roadtrip took in Reims pilgrimage
Where I've been:
To be honest, I love just driving it to the shops! The most memorable journeys I've done are home to Northern Ireland and back trailering my 12.6sec quarter mile 'Cal-Look' VW Beetle to be my sister's wedding car, then in late August this year I drove my new wife Emma 2,000 miles through France for our honeymoon. We went via Reims (including a trip to the old F1 circuit), Lyon, the Alps, Monaco, Antibes, Orleans, Versailles and Paris. The Alps roads were crazy (actually got a bit fed up with hairpins after a while), and it was a real highlight to drive around the Monaco circuit then over the amazing Milau Bridge on the way back. I certainly don't recommend driving through Paris though - not fun!

What next?
Just before the honeymoon trip, I completed a major refresh of the car. This included new shocks all round, repainted front and rear bumpers, wheels refurbished, four new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tyres and the 'big red' 993 Turbo brakes fully refurbished. Also took the opportunity to fit a few subtle extras like an optional rear spoiler and Porsche 993 front fog lights/air ducts. Next up a new exhaust, but other than that I'm really happy with it and plan on keeping it for some time.

 

Author
Discussion

rtz62

Original Poster:

3,333 posts

154 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Good, low-miles examples with full history are getting rarer, and in a few years I suggest they will be climbing in value (witness the low-miles red one for sale at £29k)....
Something that I would just love to have in my garage, hence my score of 10!!

PPPPPP

1,140 posts

230 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Audi & Porsche -great marriage. Do think a smaller turbo may have worked better.

rtz62

Original Poster:

3,333 posts

154 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
The red one is for sale at £29,995, with 32k on the clock (and rhd), but.... and its a big but.... its been for sale there forever, which suggests that the asking price is waaaaay more than the market will take (sorry to name names, but a bit like Oakfields, who's prices are pure fantasy-land imho)
Personally I'd see the red car at early £20k's, not £30k.....

sinbaddio

2,341 posts

175 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Love that car, looks fabulous, and an interesting collection alongside too!

moskvich427

227 posts

174 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Easily gets a place in my 'Top 10 garage' - particularly in that colour!

Prawnboy

1,326 posts

146 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
such a cool machine, still remember the advert in the papers at the time that read...
"my other cars a porsche but today i'm in a hurry"

Chicane-UK

3,861 posts

184 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Has to be one of the best cars of all time.. love it smile

PascalBuyens

2,868 posts

281 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
" The Alps roads were crazy (actually got a bit fed up with hairpins after a while), "

How on earth is that possible???? wink

Johnspex

4,325 posts

183 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
How can anyone not love this car? Fantastic.

LouD86

3,278 posts

152 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Wonderful car, nice collection of old Aircooled's too! I see the picture with the bug on was taken outside of Funkenblitz, im down on that estate more than I would like to think!

Changedmyname

12,543 posts

180 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Yes that's a keeper. Nice.

Nitro666

23 posts

145 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Epic car. Got the Autocar road test somewhere amongst my collection.

0 - 30 mph was faster than a Mclaren F1!

993RSGT3

84 posts

173 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Bumped into a guy in a Variant (VW 412) estate on the way back from Le Mans a couple of years ago. Had transplanted an RS spec 993 engine into it and reckoned it would do over 250 kph! Rather him than me!

trixyD

215 posts

138 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Fantastic motor! thumbup

Cock Womble 7

29,908 posts

229 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
The original and best.

garypotter

1,465 posts

149 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Great car, one of my all timem favourite Audi's, nice to see you enjoying the car.

Tom74TVR

169 posts

156 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
PascalBuyens said:
" The Alps roads were crazy (actually got a bit fed up with hairpins after a while), "

How on earth is that possible???? wink
he drives an Audi, not a TVR :-)

I love the RS2 though.

Numeric

1,389 posts

150 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
I can only tip my hat to someone who had a dream and made it happen... and with such a top motor as well!!!

LewisR

678 posts

214 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
A great car. I just preferred it's stable mate at the time, the Audi 100 based S4. Then Audi went odd and the S2 became the S4 when the 80 became the A4. All rather confusing!

BMWill

447 posts

178 months

Monday 5th November 2012
quotequote all
Nice write up and route through France.. I drove down the Alps in my old 3 series and then through Monaco and on to Barcelona driving back through France stopping off at Reims.

Here's a pic of mine outside the stands = )