RE: Audi TT (MkI): Catch It While You Can
Discussion
How does the performance and handling compare to a Golf GTi? If they're similar under the clothing are they similar to drive?
I always read that the Golf's a great hot hatch, all rounder, etc.. but the TT poor handler, soft, under steering etc...
I know they're in different markets but there must be a lot of pre conceived ideas by reviewers no?
I always read that the Golf's a great hot hatch, all rounder, etc.. but the TT poor handler, soft, under steering etc...
I know they're in different markets but there must be a lot of pre conceived ideas by reviewers no?
i was a passenger in one of these on a trackday, and it was the most understeering car i have ever been in, to the point it shredded the front tyres. (Elvington which is a rough surface).
I was car sick afterward from it rolling around, not a good advert, however also went in a later car (road driven) and was really impressed how hard it pulled, plus quality interior.
I was car sick afterward from it rolling around, not a good advert, however also went in a later car (road driven) and was really impressed how hard it pulled, plus quality interior.
Josh_Mk1TT said:
I only paid £2300 but have now spent over £4000 on it to get it how I want it (this includes a major service and haldex service)
An interesting first car for sure!Edited by Josh_Mk1TT on Thursday 2nd February 10:45
I have just read about what you've had done to it in your garage. How much of the £4000 was the maintenance and fixing up any faults with it?
I only ask as, for some reason, i see these potentially being money pits. A cheap Audi probably shouldn't be surprising but it's the only thing that puts me off. I do have a plethora of specialists near me though which does comfort me some-what.
culpz said:
Josh_Mk1TT said:
I only paid £2300 but have now spent over £4000 on it to get it how I want it (this includes a major service and haldex service)
An interesting first car for sure!Edited by Josh_Mk1TT on Thursday 2nd February 10:45
I have just read about what you've had done to it in your garage. How much of the £4000 was the maintenance and fixing up any faults with it?
I only ask as, for some reason, i see these potentially being money pits. A cheap Audi probably shouldn't be surprising but it's the only thing that puts me off. I do have a plethora of specialists near me though which does comfort me some-what.
I think these cars can easily be money pits and I know of a number of people who have had to spend thousands just to get their car to work. I would stress that of all the money I've spent, only circa £200 was necessary.
However, I have kept a list of all the costs... see below:
Front Grill replaced with standard (£60)
Thermostat replaced (£150)
Replaced a rear tail light and gearstick gaitor (£50)
Replaced the gearstick with a milled aluminium replacement (£50)
Quattro Sport valance (£105)
RSTT original wheels (£400)
V6 Spoiler lip (£80)
Adjustable Tie bars (180)
Full Service/Haldex Service/Fit adjustable tie bars/replace xenon leveller sensor (£575)
Hubcentric spacers 20mm/15mm (£75)
Fuel pipe replacement (£60)
culpz said:
I only ask as, for some reason, i see these potentially being money pits.
I actually got rid of mine just as I was sensing it was about to go off a cliff. Problems seemed to be mounting faster than I could get them fixed. I had dodged a bullet when the water pump disintegrated very close to home one day, but that was the start of a run of issues.
I ended up discreetly wiping the mayo off the filler cap just before I chopped it in at a well-known cash buyer. They didn't check under the bonnet at all, but did haggle me down based on stonechips and car park-related dings, so I called it a draw and walked away with £1600.
Josh_Mk1TT said:
I bought a mk1 225 two months ago as my first car (I'm 19) and it's the best decision I've ever made.
Great first car.Edited by Josh_Mk1TT on Thursday 2nd February 10:45
Rather jealous, I won't lie.
Josh_Mk1TT said:
Insurance is another matter...
Do tell! Edited by Josh_Mk1TT on Thursday 2nd February 10:45
I owned a 2004 V6 from 2009 to 2016 – the longest I’ve ever owned a car. I originally purchased as I wanted 6 cylinders and this was the cheapest way into 6 cylinder ownership for a sensible price and a decent badge.
Used to get the usual hairdresser comments, but for those that saw it (and those that didn’t know their cars) it always used to get a lot of positive comments. Lowered on Eibach springs (V6 rode higher due to sump clearance issues), spaced wheels, and a nice spec – Dolomite grey (rare) with the optioned BBS wheels, it really was a cracking looking car. I kept it pristine, had it revo remapped, paint was detailed and it looked as good as it did 12 years on and 70k odd miles on the clock.
Costs were minimal – usual tyre wear and the odd consumable. The interior was top quality, much better than the plastics of the 2012 Evoque my other half had at the time.
I must admit I miss it. And I’m in two minds as to whether to buy it back off the person I sold it to. It wasn’t the most ‘feelsome’ drive. But I liked the all-weather traction, the V6 growl, and the fact it under steered was always predictable. My 535d is quicker in the dry, but for 4 months of the year I’m constantly fighting the traction control with too much power through the rear wheels.
Like with ex girlfriends they say you should never go back. But I do miss the TT. And I would like to own another. In QS and V6 guise with the deeper front spoiler, taller rear, and the black valance, I think they look wonderful. One of Audi’s top designs.
Here was mine…
Used to get the usual hairdresser comments, but for those that saw it (and those that didn’t know their cars) it always used to get a lot of positive comments. Lowered on Eibach springs (V6 rode higher due to sump clearance issues), spaced wheels, and a nice spec – Dolomite grey (rare) with the optioned BBS wheels, it really was a cracking looking car. I kept it pristine, had it revo remapped, paint was detailed and it looked as good as it did 12 years on and 70k odd miles on the clock.
Costs were minimal – usual tyre wear and the odd consumable. The interior was top quality, much better than the plastics of the 2012 Evoque my other half had at the time.
I must admit I miss it. And I’m in two minds as to whether to buy it back off the person I sold it to. It wasn’t the most ‘feelsome’ drive. But I liked the all-weather traction, the V6 growl, and the fact it under steered was always predictable. My 535d is quicker in the dry, but for 4 months of the year I’m constantly fighting the traction control with too much power through the rear wheels.
Like with ex girlfriends they say you should never go back. But I do miss the TT. And I would like to own another. In QS and V6 guise with the deeper front spoiler, taller rear, and the black valance, I think they look wonderful. One of Audi’s top designs.
Here was mine…
MehrunesDagon said:
Do tell!
To be honest... it's not too bad. I have 0NCB right now and am paying £150 a month. I took out my policy last august and got a deal where I get 2 years NCB when I renew... so roll on August! The Fuel bill adds up too though. It'll easily do 30's on the motorway but around the doors, 24 is the best I've seen. Worth it though!
Josh_Mk1TT said:
Hi culpz,
I think these cars can easily be money pits and I know of a number of people who have had to spend thousands just to get their car to work. I would stress that of all the money I've spent, only circa £200 was necessary.
However, I have kept a list of all the costs... see below:
Front Grill replaced with standard (£60)
Thermostat replaced (£150)
Replaced a rear tail light and gearstick gaitor (£50)
Replaced the gearstick with a milled aluminium replacement (£50)
Quattro Sport valance (£105)
RSTT original wheels (£400)
V6 Spoiler lip (£80)
Adjustable Tie bars (180)
Full Service/Haldex Service/Fit adjustable tie bars/replace xenon leveller sensor (£575)
Hubcentric spacers 20mm/15mm (£75)
Fuel pipe replacement (£60)
Belting stuff! I think these cars can easily be money pits and I know of a number of people who have had to spend thousands just to get their car to work. I would stress that of all the money I've spent, only circa £200 was necessary.
However, I have kept a list of all the costs... see below:
Front Grill replaced with standard (£60)
Thermostat replaced (£150)
Replaced a rear tail light and gearstick gaitor (£50)
Replaced the gearstick with a milled aluminium replacement (£50)
Quattro Sport valance (£105)
RSTT original wheels (£400)
V6 Spoiler lip (£80)
Adjustable Tie bars (180)
Full Service/Haldex Service/Fit adjustable tie bars/replace xenon leveller sensor (£575)
Hubcentric spacers 20mm/15mm (£75)
Fuel pipe replacement (£60)
It's sometimes hard to look past horror stories but it's obviously going to need some money spending on it to keep it top notch.
smaybury said:
I actually got rid of mine just as I was sensing it was about to go off a cliff. Problems seemed to be mounting faster than I could get them fixed.
I had dodged a bullet when the water pump disintegrated very close to home one day, but that was the start of a run of issues.
I ended up discreetly wiping the mayo off the filler cap just before I chopped it in at a well-known cash buyer. They didn't check under the bonnet at all, but did haggle me down based on stonechips and car park-related dings, so I called it a draw and walked away with £1600.
Stories like these are the one that i hear of the most. I like the TT but i don't think i'd end up buying one. More because there are other cars out there that tickle my fancy more. I'm also wanting to stay away from VAG stuff for a bit too.I had dodged a bullet when the water pump disintegrated very close to home one day, but that was the start of a run of issues.
I ended up discreetly wiping the mayo off the filler cap just before I chopped it in at a well-known cash buyer. They didn't check under the bonnet at all, but did haggle me down based on stonechips and car park-related dings, so I called it a draw and walked away with £1600.
alorotom said:
Ive been seriously debating putting a QS away into storage for a few years but they are still dropping ... I think they have a little further to go before hitting rock bottom
plenty of shed money 180/225 TTs around as well and there has been for a while now
If you look at a certain NI dealers website, the QS ones he has in stock are over E46 M3 prices now!plenty of shed money 180/225 TTs around as well and there has been for a while now
smaybury said:
If you want some rear-end play, the defcon mod (google it, but basically restores the car to its pre-recall setup) is very highly thought of, but it was a step too far for me.
I found that mod to be subtle at best. Worth noting the MK4 R32 got the same dumbed down for idiots treatment as the TT, and retrofitting the pre-update parts had an equally mild effect on that car too.
The biggest problem with the MK4/TT1 platform is structural rigidty. Drive a MK5/TT2 back to back with the earlier cars and the difference is startling, especially at high speeds on B roads.
My mother has had 5 of these, and currently has a mk2.
I have always wanted one but I barely fit in it, literally a few mm between my left knee and the dashboard because of those silly struts. You can remove one but then it looks unsymettrical and daft.
I have been looking at this for a while though http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a... because DSG so don't require moving knee for clutch, however I really want a DSG 1.8t which they never produced.
The DSG I also believe is the original one which I had in an A3 and it was an old clunky thing, 1st generation DSG, not smooth like 2nd gen or higher.
If I lose weight I will probably end up with a 225 manual.
I have always wanted one but I barely fit in it, literally a few mm between my left knee and the dashboard because of those silly struts. You can remove one but then it looks unsymettrical and daft.
I have been looking at this for a while though http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a... because DSG so don't require moving knee for clutch, however I really want a DSG 1.8t which they never produced.
The DSG I also believe is the original one which I had in an A3 and it was an old clunky thing, 1st generation DSG, not smooth like 2nd gen or higher.
If I lose weight I will probably end up with a 225 manual.
Josh_Mk1TT said:
Hi culpz,
I think these cars can easily be money pits and I know of a number of people who have had to spend thousands just to get their car to work. I would stress that of all the money I've spent, only circa £200 was necessary.
However, I have kept a list of all the costs... see below:
Front Grill replaced with standard (£60)
Thermostat replaced (£150)
Replaced a rear tail light and gearstick gaitor (£50)
Replaced the gearstick with a milled aluminium replacement (£50)
Quattro Sport valance (£105)
RSTT original wheels (£400)
V6 Spoiler lip (£80)
Adjustable Tie bars (180)
Full Service/Haldex Service/Fit adjustable tie bars/replace xenon leveller sensor (£575)
Hubcentric spacers 20mm/15mm (£75)
Fuel pipe replacement (£60)
Pro tip - replace the centre silencer with straight pipe, but keep the OEM exhaust.... will sound lovely with no drone I think these cars can easily be money pits and I know of a number of people who have had to spend thousands just to get their car to work. I would stress that of all the money I've spent, only circa £200 was necessary.
However, I have kept a list of all the costs... see below:
Front Grill replaced with standard (£60)
Thermostat replaced (£150)
Replaced a rear tail light and gearstick gaitor (£50)
Replaced the gearstick with a milled aluminium replacement (£50)
Quattro Sport valance (£105)
RSTT original wheels (£400)
V6 Spoiler lip (£80)
Adjustable Tie bars (180)
Full Service/Haldex Service/Fit adjustable tie bars/replace xenon leveller sensor (£575)
Hubcentric spacers 20mm/15mm (£75)
Fuel pipe replacement (£60)
SuperchargedVR6 said:
The biggest problem with the MK4/TT1 platform is structural rigidty. Drive a MK5/TT2 back to back with the earlier cars and the difference is startling, especially at high speeds on B roads.
But that is what makes it feel good though. It feels like an older car and it feels like you are more in control of it rather than ecu's being in the way. TT2 feels like a limo in comparison.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff