Audi RS2 Total Underneath Refresh/Refurb
Discussion
Hi
Not sure if i have put this in the correct area on PH but i guess it will get coverage on here, I bought my Audi RS2 towards the end of 2015, it looked a very clean example and this iconic 1995 car drove very well, the paintwork was in pretty good condition, however it didnt look too great underneath. Like most 20-odd year old cars it had a lot of polishing done to it over the years but sadly like most the underneath was neglected, quite badly, as you will see in the pictures that i will upload. I love the car and needed to get oit done at some time, sooner rather than later and i as i work away from home there was not much chance of me doing it, or if i did then it will take years as im only back for a couple of weeks or so, so it was down to finding someone who could do it for me. Chatting things over with my son, he knew just the person who could help me out, this guy runs a vapour/water blasting company and does a lot of work on motor bikes, racing bikes, classic bikes and the odd few car parts but wanted to get into doing full on resorations such as mine.
So after agreeing things with Nick the owner of the blast company, i dropped the car off and he went to work, so the agreement was that he will strip everything off underneath, if its blastable and powder coatable he will do it, if its worn or broken, then i will buy new and he will refit it and thats basically how it has gone. I am buying a few parts to put on new anyway, such as:
New front discs and pads
New rear discs and pads
New suspension struts
New CV boots all round
New subframe bushes
New Wisbone bushes
New ARB bushes
New rear track control arm
New anti roll bar drop links
New wheel bearings
Mew bottom ball joints
New steering arms
New back disc dust shields
New brake hoses
New fuel lines
New brake caliper piston and dust seal kits
Everything else was down to nick to dismantle, blast and either powder coat or Epoxy paint, then refit.
I will upload the pictures in a kind of chonological order as that works better for everyone to see but you will see that im doing this refurb just at the right time or maybe a little bit after the right time but i seem to have caught it and hopefully will keep this car going for another 15 to 20 years.
Pictures are coming up soon, i wont write too much about each shot as im sure the picture with talk for them selves, if you have any questions then please fire away.
The engine is fine and really doesnt show the same aging that the underside does. Anyway here goes:
A couple of shots of the car in all its glory first.

url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/WrtRprjx[/url]















OK as you can see it was in a pretty shocking state and had not really had the love that it deserved, I will up load some more pictures in a while, let me know what you think of it so far.[
Not sure if i have put this in the correct area on PH but i guess it will get coverage on here, I bought my Audi RS2 towards the end of 2015, it looked a very clean example and this iconic 1995 car drove very well, the paintwork was in pretty good condition, however it didnt look too great underneath. Like most 20-odd year old cars it had a lot of polishing done to it over the years but sadly like most the underneath was neglected, quite badly, as you will see in the pictures that i will upload. I love the car and needed to get oit done at some time, sooner rather than later and i as i work away from home there was not much chance of me doing it, or if i did then it will take years as im only back for a couple of weeks or so, so it was down to finding someone who could do it for me. Chatting things over with my son, he knew just the person who could help me out, this guy runs a vapour/water blasting company and does a lot of work on motor bikes, racing bikes, classic bikes and the odd few car parts but wanted to get into doing full on resorations such as mine.
So after agreeing things with Nick the owner of the blast company, i dropped the car off and he went to work, so the agreement was that he will strip everything off underneath, if its blastable and powder coatable he will do it, if its worn or broken, then i will buy new and he will refit it and thats basically how it has gone. I am buying a few parts to put on new anyway, such as:
New front discs and pads
New rear discs and pads
New suspension struts
New CV boots all round
New subframe bushes
New Wisbone bushes
New ARB bushes
New rear track control arm
New anti roll bar drop links
New wheel bearings
Mew bottom ball joints
New steering arms
New back disc dust shields
New brake hoses
New fuel lines
New brake caliper piston and dust seal kits
Everything else was down to nick to dismantle, blast and either powder coat or Epoxy paint, then refit.
I will upload the pictures in a kind of chonological order as that works better for everyone to see but you will see that im doing this refurb just at the right time or maybe a little bit after the right time but i seem to have caught it and hopefully will keep this car going for another 15 to 20 years.
Pictures are coming up soon, i wont write too much about each shot as im sure the picture with talk for them selves, if you have any questions then please fire away.
The engine is fine and really doesnt show the same aging that the underside does. Anyway here goes:
A couple of shots of the car in all its glory first.

url]
















OK as you can see it was in a pretty shocking state and had not really had the love that it deserved, I will up load some more pictures in a while, let me know what you think of it so far.[
Edited by phumy on Sunday 28th July 09:41
Will be nice to see the "afters". Not a cheap project by look of it and knowing Audi part prices if you are using o.e or have to for some bits. Should clean up really nice. I've seen a Resto on a 993 using dry ice done in situ to clean muck/dirt but you've definitely gone at it right stripping it all back. The only issue then is you won't want to use it in the rain! :-)
200Plus Club said:
Will be nice to see the "afters". Not a cheap project by look of it and knowing Audi part prices if you are using o.e or have to for some bits. Should clean up really nice. I've seen a Resto on a 993 using dry ice dine in situ to clean muck/dirt but you've definitely gone at it right stripping it all back. The only issue then is you won't want to use it in the rain! :-)
Youre right, its not a cheap fix, esoecially on these old Audis and and old Rs at that, most of the parts are now NLA so you have to either search out parts that maybe cross referenced to other Audi/VW parts, or a decent after-market manufacturer such as Lemforder or Febi, or the secondhand market is also good too, especially in Germany/Europe.Edited to add: I will be putting a wax film over everthing underneath to keep the salt and unwanted rubbish off ot the car, such as this:
https://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-protection-an...
Edited by phumy on Sunday 28th July 09:03
I love an RS2 so it’ll be worth it. It certainly looks pretty crusty but I guess it’s the same for a lot of cars; the bits you see get a lot of love because it’s easy whereas those you don’t but get battered water, road salt etc get left.
Looking forward to seeing progress pics as bits get done.
Looking forward to seeing progress pics as bits get done.
phumy said:
Youre right, its not a cheap fix, esoecially on these old Audis and and old Rs at that, most of the parts are now NLA so you have to either search out parts that maybe cross referenced to other Audi/VW parts, or a decent after-market manufacturer such as Lemforder or Febi, or the secondhand market is also good too, especially in Germany/Europe.
Edited to add: I will be putting a wax film over everthing underneath to keep the salt and unwanted rubbish off ot the car, such as this:
https://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-protection-an...
My Alfa is completely covered where it needs to be in bilt hamber clear UC on top of POR rust proofing. If doing it yourself wear paper overalls, a beanie and safety specs, it's very sticky lol.Edited to add: I will be putting a wax film over everthing underneath to keep the salt and unwanted rubbish off ot the car, such as this:
https://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-protection-an...
Edited by phumy on Sunday 28th July 09:03
I LOVE stuff like this! I think I prefer underbody restoration to bodywork to be honest! I would love to do something similar to my Legacy, which at 15 years old, some of the components underneath are looking similarly crusty. Although when I pulled the arch liners the other week I was pleasantly surprised by the condition behind.




Court_S said:
I love an RS2 so it’ll be worth it. It certainly looks pretty crusty but I guess it’s the same for a lot of cars; the bits you see get a lot of love because it’s easy whereas those you don’t but get battered water, road salt etc get left.
Looking forward to seeing progress pics as bits get done.
+1Looking forward to seeing progress pics as bits get done.
Love the RS2...so remember the Autocar & Motor headlines at launch especially with regards to the 0-30 time.
For 24yrs that's in great shape and deserves the time, effort and cash your putting into that....keep up the good work fella...

Edited by 355spiderguy on Sunday 28th July 15:21
That's one heck of a job. Are you doing any suspension upgrades when it's put back together? My old one had Bilstein/Eibach combo but was really harsh, not helped by the crappy tyres the previous owner fitted, but still. I didn't keep it long enough to try and sort it. Not sure what's currently recommended, those dampers look a little past their best

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