Press "Enter" to skip to content

Month: July 2015

This site contains Ebay partner affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

Tuner Tuesday Ersatz S2: 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro S2 Replica

Tuner Tuesday Ersatz S2: 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro S2 Replica

Published July 7, 2015 by Carter

For some time, if you wanted to go fast in a two-door Audi in the U.S., you had to make your own car from pieces of others. Even if you selected the much praised Quattro, you had a fairly heavy car to start with that was coupled to a rather measly 160 horsepower. Unless it’s snowing, a bone stock Ford Fiesta ST will pretty thoroughly stomp all over the legendary boxflared wonder in just about every situation. So people began modifying the turbocharged cars to produce more boost and bring them into line with their European counterparts. Of course, when it came to the replacement for the Quattro, those that waited longingly from 1985 until 1989 for the next turbocharged coupe were greatly disappointed. Sure, the new 90-based B3 Coupe Quattro had 20 valves under the hood – but no turbo came here. Europeans enjoyed several iterations of the turbocharged B3 and B4, including the Porsche tuned RS2, but in North America only the normally aspirated, slightly portly 2-door hatch came here. Again, it was no surprise that as soon as they were outside of warranty, people began to tinker; in this case, making their own S2s out of pieces from their bigger brother 200/S4s. Installing the 20V Turbo into the engine bay instantly transformed the Coupe Quattro from competent cruiser to sleeper assassin:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro on eBay

Read Our PostTuner Tuesday Ersatz S2: 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro S2 Replica
Comments closed
Feature Listing: 2012 BMW 335is

Feature Listing: 2012 BMW 335is

Published July 6, 2015 by Carter

Like this past weekend’s 135i, a potential alternative to the M3 that I’ve considered quite a few times is the 335i. Upping the ante a notch, in 2011 BMW introduced the 335is; ostensibly, the spiritual successor to the ZHP package that the E46 had in the 330i. As they had with the 1M, BMW kept the N54 twin-turbo motor in the 335is instead of the usual N55 single turbo that was in the 135i and 335i. Tuned up to a reported 320 horsepower and 332 lb.ft of torque, the N54-equipped 335is also enjoyed a revised short-shift 6-speed gearbox and M-Sport styling outside, bringing it closer visually to the M3 – along with unique split 5-spoke wheels. While the 335is wasn’t much of a match for the high-revving V8 of the M3, in real world conditions it wasn’t much slower – and notably, with a healthy bump in torque over the S54, the 335is matched or bettered the reported E46 M3 acceleration numbers. Having just driven an E46 M3 this past weekend, the soundtrack is great but there’s a notable lack of grunt under 3,000 RPM – certainly to be expected, but when I get into even my considerably less powerful Passat, the fun of the turbo engagement at lower revolutions to provide a healthy kick in the pants – even at partial throttle – is something it’s hard to get out of a normally aspirated car without huge displacement. On top of a bit of extra grunt and some go-faster body kit, this particular 335is was optioned in one of the better blues BMW has offered in recent generations; LeMans Blue Metallic:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2012 BMW 335i on eBay

Read Our PostFeature Listing: 2012 BMW 335is
Comments closed
Motorsports Monday: Reliving the Glory Days – A4 STW v. 320i Supertouring

Motorsports Monday: Reliving the Glory Days – A4 STW v. 320i Supertouring

Published July 6, 2015 by Carter

While Touring Car fans are widespread (after all, we can interpret NASCAR as a form of Touring Cars, right? crickets chirp in the distance), it seems that every fan has their favorite era. For some, it’s the wild wings and gold BBS wheels from the 1970s that defined production-based racers. For others, the winged warriors from the 1980s and early 1990s are the best era; after all, we get the M3 and 190E 2.5-16 Evolution from those generations. I have to admit that my personal favorite touring car has to be the V8 quattro that was won the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft in 1990 and 1991 is my favorite because Audi just did things differently. They took their largest car, kept some luxury details like the wood trim, and stomped on both BMW and Mercedes-Benz with their lightened luxury liner. But although there was some stellar racing from some superstars of the 1980s in the DTM around then, it’s not personally my favorite period. For that, I’d have to move up towards the mid-1990s, when even more companies like Nissan, Opel and Renault joined Audi and BMW at the front of race series like the British Touring Car Championship. I watched in awe as pilots like championship-winning Frank Biela rubbed doorhandles with the Alain Menu, Matt Neil and John Cleland. And who could forget Rickard Rydell, the Super Swede piloting the 850 wagon replete with inflatable dog in the back? It gave the series more character; you genuinely weren’t sure who would win any day the flag fell, and that made for some great watching. Today, two stars from that period are for sale and allow us the rare opportunity to get into a touring car – if you have the means:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Audi A4 Super Touring on Racecarsdirect

Read Our PostMotorsports Monday: Reliving the Glory Days – A4 STW v. 320i Supertouring
Comments closed
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

Published July 6, 2015 by Rob

I will finish off my look back at the early Carreras by turning my attention to the original; the first 911 to don the Carrera name: the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS. Porsche first introduced the Carrera as part of the 356 lineup with a 4-cam engine dubbed the 356 Carrera GT. These served Porsche well and lead to quite a bit of racing success for the 356 in a wide variety of venues ranging from long-dstance road races to rallying. When Porsche sought to produce a homologation model for its 911 racing program they reached back to resurrect the Carrera name. While almost all 911s since 1984 have been dubbed Carrera, in these early years it was only for the truly special editions that the name was used. The first one also happens to be the most significant. The Carrera RS we see here no longer sits in its original form, but remains true to the model. Around twenty years into its life this Carrera RS Touring was sent to Ruf Automobiles for a full restoration and at that time was converted to a RS Lightweight. Since that time it has covered fewer than 5K miles and looks excellent in its contrasting Light Yellow over Green paint.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS on Art & Revs

Read Our Post1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS
1 Comment
Motorsports Monday: 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup – REVISIT

Motorsports Monday: 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup – REVISIT

Published July 6, 2015 by Paul

The 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup we featured back in May is on offer again, with a price reduction of a little over $10,000. It’s still not pocket change, but with air-cooled prices on the move, this rare, competition focused 964 is sure to be a top prize in the vintage Porsche portfolio years on.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup on eBay

The below post originally appeared on our site May 11, 2015:

Read Our PostMotorsports Monday: 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup – REVISIT
1 Comment