words: Bill, photos: Sopt_Built via Cars & Bids
I’m a sucker for a Coupe quattro. I’m an even bigger sucker for a 2.2 turbo 5. Combine the two? Oh man. That’s what you see here. This 1991 Coupe quattro’s engine was swapped to the more desirable 2.2 turbo 5 plus it’s in that quintessential Audi 1990s color, Pearl White. Here’s the ad:
Doug’s Take
Here it is, folks: the first B3 Audi Coupe on Cars & Bids!!! It’s a cool one – it’s been swapped with a 2.2-liter turbo 5-cylinder engine, and it boasts Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive AND a 5-speed manual transmission. It’s essentially a clone of the S2, which was not officially sold in the United States, and it should be A LOT of fun to drive. It’s also rarer than many assume, Audi only sold these here for two model years. This car isn’t perfect, but the hard part of sourcing and installing the engine has already been done. It’s offered with a clean, accident-free Carfax report and the allure of no reserve.
Highlights
THIS… is a 1991 Audi Coupe Quattro, finished in Pearl White with a black interior.
- The attached Carfax history report lists no accidents in this car’s past.
- The seller states that this Coupe’s factory engine was replaced by a 2.2-liter “AAN” turbocharged 5-cylinder by a previous owner. Some of the other modifications reported by the seller include an intercooler from an “ABY” engine, an EFI Express coil-on-plug kit, H&R Special Springs lowering springs, Porsche-sourced Brembo front brake calipers, and headlights from an RS2 fitted with HID bulbs. More information about the aftermarket parts installed on this Coupe is provided below.
- Factory equipment includes a rear window wiper, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and split-folding rear seats with a ski bag.
- Audi released the “B3”-generation Coupe Quattro for 1990 as a replacement for the “B2” model. Based on the 80/90 platform, it closely followed the German firm’s upmarket shift by putting a bigger focus on comfort and luxury than on performance. Buyers in Europe could order the S2, which combined the 2.2-liter engine this car is powered by and Quattro all-wheel-drive, but Audi never sold it in the United States. American sales ended after 1991, though the Coupe remained available in Europe until 1997.
- Power comes from a 2.2-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder, rated at 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque when left stock. The modifications might increase those figures but a dyno sheet is not available. It spins the four wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Equipment
- Fog lights
- Rear window wiper
- Rear spoiler
- Sunroof
- Leather upholstery
- Heated and power-adjustable front seats
- Split-folding rear seats with ski bag
Modifications
Modifications reported by the seller include:
Drivetrain:
- 2.2-liter “AAN” turbocharged 5-cylinder engine
- Harness, intercooler, turbo outlet hose, air box, and crossmember from an “ABY” engine
- Intake system, charge pipe, heat shield, and fuel lines from a “3B” engine
- EFI Express coil-on-plug kit
- R8 coils
- Aftermarket diverter valve
- Stainless-steel 3-inch downpipe
- MagnaFlow catalytic converter
- Borla cat-back exhaust system
- “01A” 5-speed manual transmission
- South Bend Stage 2 Daily clutch
- Aluminum subframe bushings
- Aftermarket differential mounts
Wheels, brakes, and suspension:
- 16-inch wheels
- Porsche-sourced Brembo front brake calipers
- Audi A8 front brake rotors
- Delrin control arm bushings
- H&R Special Springs lowering springs
- Bilstein struts
Exterior:
- S2 front bumper
- RS2 headlights with HID bulbs
- Hood from a later Coupe
Interior:
- S2-style steering wheel
- Ebony-stained shift knob
- Black carpet
- Suede upholstery on the headliner
- Alpine CD player
Known Flaws
- This Coupe’s odometer doesn’t work. It currently displays about 168,700 miles, and the seller states that he has put about 2,000 miles on this car, but the total mileage is unknown.
- Rear differential leaks due to a chip in the housing; it also doesn’t lock
- Tires need to be replaced
- Leak in the exhaust system
- Exterior dings, dents, chips, and scratches (shown in the gallery)
- Headlights become foggy in humid weather
- Condensation in the driver-side front turn signal lens
- Front bumper cracked
- Faded clearcoat on the roof and on the spoiler
- Chip and pitting on the windshield
- Bubbles in the rear window’s tint
- Sunroof is disconnected because the motor overheats
- Sunroof seal twisted
- Some scratches on the wheels
- Creases and scratches in the leather upholstery
- Wear on some of the interior touch points
- Crack in the dashboard (shown in the gallery)
- Door seals leak when exposed to high-pressure water
- Power-adjustable front seats don’t move in every direction
- Trim missing from the front seat hinges
- Central locking system and rear speakers don’t work
- Air conditioning system doesn’t work because some of its components are missing
- Condensation in the trunk in cold temperatures
- Some rust on the doors, quarter panels, rocker panels, and on some of the underbody components
Recent Service History
- The seller states that the list of parts replaced within the last year includes the spark plugs, the rear main seal, the timing belt’s cog gear, the crankshaft damper, the fuel lines, the valve cover gasket, the radiator, the pilot and throw-out bearings, the power steering hoses, the subframe bushings, the differential mounts, the strut mounts, the control arm bushings, the dashboard, and the trunk seal. He adds that he installed a used transmission with about 100,000 miles, resurfaced the flywheel, and installed a rebuilt power steering rack, power steering pump, and brake accumulator. He states that he also rebuilt the front axles, the oil filter housing, and the front brake calipers, and fitted custom-made brackets in the engine bay. Some documentation and photos of the subframes out of the car are included in the gallery.
- Some service information appears on the attached Carfax history report.
Other Items Included in Sale
- One key
- Available service records
- Spare S2 rear bumper
- Spare interior parts
Ownership History
The seller purchased this Coupe in late 2020.
Seller Notes
- The seller states that this Coupe has previously been repainted.
- He adds that he performed a compression test on this Coupe. With the engine cold, the results were 145 psi on cylinder #1, 135 psi on cylinder #2, 125 psi on cylinder #3, 138 psi on cylinder #4, and 140 psi on cylinder #5. With the engine hot, these numbers increased to 148, 140, 135, 140, and 145, respectively.
So it’s not in perfect condition with a few bumps and bruises but the owner is very upfront and thorough in this car’s condition. There are hundreds of photos showing the good and the bad plus the video above. Right now, the bid is $9,400 and there are 4 days left. It’s the S2 coupe that we never got and it’s fantastic. You can find this Audi Coupe quattro turbo swapped S2 clone on Cars & Bids HERE.
