Driving an RS2 today...

[MattyB_]

RS2 has always been a major itch for me that needed scratching. I do like the Audi RS models, but the only one I've really desired is the RS2.

However a while back, EVO had one in an "iconic cars" group test and said (I'm paraphrasing here) that it is "nowhere near as good as contemporary road tests would have you believe", slating the gearbox, steering, understeer and huge turbo lag. Yet a Google search has it as being thoroughly praised by anyone who's ever owned one.

So how well do they drive today, now most have got over 100k under their belts? I had an Audi Coupe for a while, and it was a bloody tank. Felt huge, terribly over-assisted numb steering, lethargic soup-stirrer box. You didn't drive it, you 'pointed' it and accelerated. On the plus side, it felt like it could survive a nuclear holocaust.

So, still an anjoyable way to spend £12k?

[jeremyc]

Mine was the car used in the Evo group test, and again here on PH.

It's certainly no sports car, and you wouldn't buy one for the steering feel, but for me it defines a classic by making every journey an event.

Even by contemporary standards it is stupidly quick (sub 5 seconds for the 0-60 sprint), and the turbo lag only serves to add character (I call it the valet mode - below 3,500rpm it's as docile as can be). Couple that with five seater capacity, and the looks of a 15 year old estate car, and the RS2 almost defines the term "sleeper".

You should scratch that itch - it could be an experience that you will not be able to repeat in the future (heck, there were only ever 172 opportunities in the first place!).

I've had mine coming up eight years, and I still haven't found anything to replace it.

[MondeoMan1981]

Faster than the McLaren F1 to 30mph IIRC ?

[NotNormal]

MondeoMan1981 said:

Faster than the McLaren F1 to 30mph IIRC ?

That could be said of a lot of 4x4 sports cars i'm sure.....

[jeremyc]

NotNormal said:

MondeoMan1981 said:

Faster than the McLaren F1 to 30mph IIRC ?

That could be said of a lot of 4x4 sports cars i'm sure.....

Not many that were contemporaries of the F1.

[Pvapour]

jeremyc said:

NotNormal said:

MondeoMan1981 said:

Faster than the McLaren F1 to 30mph IIRC ?

That could be said of a lot of 4x4 sports cars i'm sure.....

Not many that were contemporaries of the F1.

Integrale? ur quatro?

[MattyB_]

This one:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1792901.htm

Caught my eye. Assuming they've still got it (its not on their website) I might pop down at the weekend...

[MondeoMan1981]

MattyB_ said:

This one:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1792901.htm

Caught my eye. Assuming they've still got it (its not on their website) I might pop down at the weekend...

Unless I win the lottery on Saturday night in which case they will be getting a call early Sunday morning with my card details for a deposit

That is a cracking machine.

Edited by MondeoMan1981 on Thursday 26th August 22:23

[HAB]

Pvapour said:

jeremyc said:

NotNormal said:

MondeoMan1981 said:

Faster than the McLaren F1 to 30mph IIRC ?

That could be said of a lot of 4x4 sports cars i'm sure.....

Not many that were contemporaries of the F1.

Integrale? ur quatro?

Neither has anywhere near the HP of the RS2, though.

I've driven one, and like jeremyc says, it ain't no sportscar but it is fun to drive, and feels pretty special, especially when you consider that its an Audi estate from the early 90's. Acceleration is still up there with lots of current quick stuff.

The one I drove has over 130k on it, and still felt tight. They seem to wear their miles very well from what I've seen. I'd love one, and if I ever need a depreciation proof estate, it'll be top of the list.

Edited by HAB on Thursday 26th August 22:32

[Stedman]

What about this one, owned by 'PH BLOKE GARLIC'?

[Pvapour]

HAB said:

Pvapour said:

jeremyc said:

NotNormal said:

MondeoMan1981 said:

Faster than the McLaren F1 to 30mph IIRC ?

That could be said of a lot of 4x4 sports cars i'm sure.....

Not many that were contemporaries of the F1.

Integrale? ur quatro?

Neither has anywhere near the HP of the RS2, though.

I've driven one, and like jeremyc says, it ain't no sportscar but it is fun to drive, and feels pretty special, especially when you consider that its an Audi estate from the early 90's. Acceleration is still up there with lots of current quick stuff.

The one I drove has over 130k on it, and still felt tight. They seem to wear their miles very well from what I've seen. I'd love one, and if I ever need a depreciation proof estate, it'll be top of the list.

Edited by HAB on Thursday 26th August 22:32

was more to do with the 0-30 scenario v the F1, not as a car that competes with the RS2

[Garlick]

Stedman said:

What about this one, owned by 'PH BLOKE GARLIC'?

Who?

[Waugh-terfall]

I tried chasing one down some of North W.Sussex/SW.Surreys back lanes a few weeks back, after about two miles, he must have really put the hammer down, the way that thing shot off, Jesus! That and the way he threw it through the corners before I was left for dead with that creamy 5 pot wail off into the distance was beggars belief!

[B.J.W]

jeremyc said:

Mine was the car used in the Evo group test, and again here on PH.

It's certainly no sports car, and you wouldn't buy one for the steering feel, but for me it defines a classic by making every journey an event.

Even by contemporary standards it is stupidly quick (sub 5 seconds for the 0-60 sprint), and the turbo lag only serves to add character (I call it the valet mode - below 3,500rpm it's as docile as can be). Couple that with five seater capacity, and the looks of a 15 year old estate car, and the RS2 almost defines the term "sleeper".

You should scratch that itch - it could be an experience that you will not be able to repeat in the future (heck, there were only ever 172 opportunities in the first place!).

I've had mine coming up eight years, and I still haven't found anything to replace it.

Lovely motor, Jeremy.

Would an RS4/6 Avant not cover the bases (if not from an NA v Turbo standpoint)?

[carinaman]

'If you want a test drive, bring the full lincense'?

How much does it cost to keep an RS2 in scented candles?

[jeremyc]

B.J.W said:

Lovely motor, Jeremy.

Would an RS4/6 Avant not cover the bases (if not from an NA v Turbo standpoint)?

RS6 fails on having the wrong gearbox.

RS4 is a possibility (and I've driven to Monaco in one and loved it) providing I can find a way to fit a tow bar. The RS2 is used to drag the Caterham on a trailer around.

[jeremyc]

Waugh-terfall said:

I tried chasing one down some of North W.Sussex/SW.Surreys back lanes a few weeks back, after about two miles, he must have really put the hammer down, the way that thing shot off, Jesus! That and the way he threw it through the corners before I was left for dead with that creamy 5 pot wail off into the distance was beggars belief!

Was it blue and in the environs of Goodwood/Haslemere? If so, quite possibly me - the uberwagen has been on Goodwood run duty a couple of times lately.

[Pvapour]

jeremyc said:

B.J.W said:

Lovely motor, Jeremy.

Would an RS4/6 Avant not cover the bases (if not from an NA v Turbo standpoint)?

RS6 fails on having the wrong gearbox.

RS4 is a possibility (and I've driven to Monaco in one and loved it) providing I can find a way to fit a tow bar. The RS2 is used to drag the Caterham on a trailer around.

std A4 fits, but you have to DIY as the car is not homologated for it small underneath bumper cut out which cannot be seen unless lying on your back (the case with B6 S4 anyway)

[Waugh-terfall]

jeremyc said:

Waugh-terfall said:

I tried chasing one down some of North W.Sussex/SW.Surreys back lanes a few weeks back, after about two miles, he must have really put the hammer down, the way that thing shot off, Jesus! That and the way he threw it through the corners before I was left for dead with that creamy 5 pot wail off into the distance was beggars belief!

Was it blue and in the environs of Goodwood/Haslemere? If so, quite possibly me - the uberwagen has been on Goodwood run duty a couple of times lately.

Nooo, wasn't you, was the red one, TOC I think