Wagon Week: 1993 and 1994 Audi S2 Avants

I recently wrote up a few quattro GmbH specials that didn’t come to the U.S.. While over the past few years Audi enthusiasts here have spent countless hours and dollars recreating one of those cars, the RS4, from U.S. spec S4 sedans and avants. But rewind a decade and it was this car that many were trying to reproduce – the Audi S2. As crashed or heavily used 200 20V and S4s came up for sale, the reality of creating a S2 on U.S. shores became a possibility. Most utilized the popular Coupe Quattro chassis; a few enterprising individuals built S2 sedans – rare even in Europe. But despite being one of the most popular wagons of all time, the S2 Avant was seldom chosen because the small wagon was never brought to the U.S., meaning you’d have to not only import the chassis but then convert it. Of course, an easier way would just be to buy a whole factory S2, a possibility now that prices have dropped though we’re still a few years from these being legal on our shores. Today I have two examples to dream about:

Year: 1994
Model: S2
Engine: 2.2 liter turbocharged inline-5
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 225,000 km (139,808 mi)
Price: E. 5,499 ($7,591.37 today)

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Audi S2 on eBay

Vehicle description:
Dual airbag model
Carbon inlays
No TUV
Missing front bumper
OK tires – they were replaced 3/2012 and can still be driven a season
Service book available
More information only via phone
E-mails will not be answered
Price firm
No trades
No payment by installments possible.
The vehicle will be completed in the next few days so the price will go up.

There’s a lot to like about this S2; Europa Blue Mica is one of the prettiest colors of this generation of Audi, the Avus alloys are perfectly suited to the design, and it has quattro-script cloth seats. Unfortunately, it’s missing the front bumper, but as many choose to pursue the RS2 look this isn’t something that can’t be easily overcome. Personally I’d go for the original bumper as I prefer the slightly more square look of the S2, and since they’re shared with a few models they can be had reasonably easily with some searching. At $7,500 it’s pretty appropriately priced and looks good – the seller indicates that if the car is fixed the price will go up, which would probably make it fall into line with this Black 1993:

If you’re not a fan of cloth or the Avus alloys, this black 1993 has the earlier 5 spoke Ronal alloys which look a bit more old-school than the Avus wheels. With grey leather, the same mileage as the blue car but no damage this car seems like a reasonable deal:

Year: 1993
Model: S2
Engine: 2.2 liter turbocharged inline-5
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 225,000km (139,808 mi)
Price: E. 6,800 ($9,387.40 today)

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Audi S2 Avant on eBay

Vehicle description:
Rare Audi S2 Avant ABY, all wheel drive, 230HP, 5 cylinder turbo engine, full leather interior, alloy wheels, automatic climate control, heated seats, fully original condition, power windows, power steering, fog lights, Full Service, no issues, more information on the phone, open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00, Saturdays from 9:00 to 12:00 or by appointment, inspection / test drive by appointment only

For the price, either of these cars is pretty reasonable. They fall into line with similar condition S6 Avants in the U.S., and anyone who has gone through the S2 conversion would agree that the entry price on these cars is probably well worth not going through the conversion headache and expense. In a few short years these cars will be prime for importation and likely initially be a touch cheaper, though I have a feeling that there will be a ripe market importing good examples for a premium. For some, there won’t be any replacing the original! I’d still choose a S6 plus Avant over these first, but these small wagons sure are neat!

-Carter