Discussion
Going to sell my E46 M3 this year due to moving house and one of the only cars i havn't ticked off my ownership list is the 225 TT, has anyone got any good or bad experiance/advice with these ?
Looking to take some cash out of the car and also reduce fuel / insurance costs etc
Only really use the car for work when i can't use my bike so not really going to miss the fun part of it to much , thats what the bikes for .
Looking to take some cash out of the car and also reduce fuel / insurance costs etc
Only really use the car for work when i can't use my bike so not really going to miss the fun part of it to much , thats what the bikes for .
I had a test drive in a 2001 TT a few weeks ago. I have always liked the look of the mk1, it was a huge disappointment, the steering was numb, the interior was claustrophobic, and I couldn't find a comfortable driving position. It just felt clumsy and un-involving, possibly because my comparison is a morgan. Maybe in comparison to a more modern car the contrast would be less noticeable.
The same day I tested a Subaru forester, and ended up buying that, its a much nicer steer (imho), even though its a fair bit softer, theres a lot more communication going on.
The same day I tested a Subaru forester, and ended up buying that, its a much nicer steer (imho), even though its a fair bit softer, theres a lot more communication going on.
Nice place to sit, the TT. Don't believe the hype that they're reliable though, sure enough the engines are pretty much bullet-proof but you'll be sick and tired of shelling out money on fixing other stuff such as:
CV joints
ARB bushes
ARB's
in fact all the bloody bushes
Drop links
Suspension (so basically anything that moves which is connected to the chassis)
Hazard relays
Dashpods (massively expensive to repair)
Clutch pedals
Maf's.......
to name but a few. I've had a MKI TT 225 & 2 S3's (share the same chassis and drivetrain) and they're generally money pits when they get above 80k miles.
There are some great things about the TT though. That engine, although it has about as much character Nick Clegg it can be easily tuned and does survive big miles with ease. Also, the 'Audi understeer' can be reigned in somewhat by replacing various suspension pieces which makes then handle a whole lot better.
If you're seriously considering one check all of the suspension components for wear and if they look like they'll not last long walk away - I learnt the hard way and it cost me well over 2k to get mine sorted.
CV joints
ARB bushes
ARB's
in fact all the bloody bushes
Drop links
Suspension (so basically anything that moves which is connected to the chassis)
Hazard relays
Dashpods (massively expensive to repair)
Clutch pedals
Maf's.......
to name but a few. I've had a MKI TT 225 & 2 S3's (share the same chassis and drivetrain) and they're generally money pits when they get above 80k miles.
There are some great things about the TT though. That engine, although it has about as much character Nick Clegg it can be easily tuned and does survive big miles with ease. Also, the 'Audi understeer' can be reigned in somewhat by replacing various suspension pieces which makes then handle a whole lot better.
If you're seriously considering one check all of the suspension components for wear and if they look like they'll not last long walk away - I learnt the hard way and it cost me well over 2k to get mine sorted.
My Mother has the 225 TT and I've driven it on a couple of occasions. It certainly didn't set my world on fire and the MPG was terrible. The handling wasn't the best either. It does however look very nice, especially when spec'd with the red leather interior (with was the only reason she wanted them) but don't expect a real 'drivers car' as it wasn't really intended as that. More like a poser-mobile.
My Dad also mentioned once that he worked with a bloke who was given the job of working on a Supercharged 350Z (which was never followed up) for Nissan, and part of the research was test driving a TT to use as comparison. Nissan said that if they had made the TT it would never have passed their quality checks as the handling was (in their opinion) so bad.
My Dad also mentioned once that he worked with a bloke who was given the job of working on a Supercharged 350Z (which was never followed up) for Nissan, and part of the research was test driving a TT to use as comparison. Nissan said that if they had made the TT it would never have passed their quality checks as the handling was (in their opinion) so bad.
I will echo all of whats been said,i had a 2002 225 and it was without question the worst car i have ever had,
the steering oh my word shockingly bad,it was always chewing up coils, rattly interior, rubbish build quality everywhere,really poor mpg,the interior was so tight it made me feel qweesy in traffic and god forbid if you went over a pot hole or quickly look out for any traffic the side of your head would hit the large window frame inside.
Its gone thank the lord.
the steering oh my word shockingly bad,it was always chewing up coils, rattly interior, rubbish build quality everywhere,really poor mpg,the interior was so tight it made me feel qweesy in traffic and god forbid if you went over a pot hole or quickly look out for any traffic the side of your head would hit the large window frame inside.
Its gone thank the lord.
I had a new one in 2000, 225 version, MTM chip and exhaust. I'd not want to own one without a warranty, when they go wrong they cost a lot, headlight assembly was £700 each side, dash pod was over £1000 including some bits of loom and something else I've forgotten . . . had to have all the coils replaced, they feel numb to drive, brakes are wooden and don't work well at high speed. The engine is asthmatic and rough.
It looks great, the interior was nice and the build quality overall wasn't bad. I enjoyed it for a year, then second year was very bored with it.
It looks great, the interior was nice and the build quality overall wasn't bad. I enjoyed it for a year, then second year was very bored with it.
And for every bad report, there's a good one...
Bought a 76k mile TT 225 for the Mrs in May last year. After much pestering (I wanted to get her a 330ci), I reluctantly went to look at a black/black TT with all the trimings and bought it within half an hour. It was incredibly well built, the interior was lovely (albeit tight for space) and the handling was far better than expected. OK it's no sports car and the steering is typically VAG numb, but on the whole I thought it was a great little motor for getting about in. She absolutely adores it too of course.
I wouldn't necessarily get up at 05:00 in the morning just to drive it, but it's not a bad car to punt hard when you do and with 225bhp, there's enough poke to get a move on. Accepting it's mkiv Golf underpinnings, I'd say it makes a decent fist at covering ground quickly and frankly, it's exceeded expectations in that regard given the Golf GTI we had before.
Oh and this winter it's been a godsend. The Haldex 4WD is utterly fantastic in the snow and even with Toyo T1Rs the thing's been unstoppable in the white stuff. The heated seats and Bose stereo are also some of the best I've experienced in a car.
It doesn't do a huge mileage - only a couple of thousand in the last six months - but it's been utterly relaible; the only casualties being a temperamental fuel level sender and some dodgy dash pixels.
It won't set your world on fire but they're decent enough cars.
ETA: And this is indescribable b
ks:
Bought a 76k mile TT 225 for the Mrs in May last year. After much pestering (I wanted to get her a 330ci), I reluctantly went to look at a black/black TT with all the trimings and bought it within half an hour. It was incredibly well built, the interior was lovely (albeit tight for space) and the handling was far better than expected. OK it's no sports car and the steering is typically VAG numb, but on the whole I thought it was a great little motor for getting about in. She absolutely adores it too of course.
I wouldn't necessarily get up at 05:00 in the morning just to drive it, but it's not a bad car to punt hard when you do and with 225bhp, there's enough poke to get a move on. Accepting it's mkiv Golf underpinnings, I'd say it makes a decent fist at covering ground quickly and frankly, it's exceeded expectations in that regard given the Golf GTI we had before.
Oh and this winter it's been a godsend. The Haldex 4WD is utterly fantastic in the snow and even with Toyo T1Rs the thing's been unstoppable in the white stuff. The heated seats and Bose stereo are also some of the best I've experienced in a car.
It doesn't do a huge mileage - only a couple of thousand in the last six months - but it's been utterly relaible; the only casualties being a temperamental fuel level sender and some dodgy dash pixels.
It won't set your world on fire but they're decent enough cars.
ETA: And this is indescribable b
ks:p4cks said:
My Dad also mentioned once that he worked with a bloke who was given the job of working on a Supercharged 350Z (which was never followed up) for Nissan, and part of the research was test driving a TT to use as comparison. Nissan said that if they had made the TT it would never have passed their quality checks as the handling was (in their opinion) so bad.
Edited by Great Pretender on Wednesday 5th January 20:26
If you can get by with 2 seats, get a 350Z. There is a reason you see 40+ year old women in TT's, and its not because of the handling, steering, brakes or noise (unless you get a 3.2 TT), its because they liked the interior and the Audi felt "safe".
A 350Z is a lot more satisfying in every way and if you get a later model with 313 bhp, less of a performance gap from your M3.
There is only one model of TT I would consider and that is the special edition that they brought out before the Mk2. The one with the black roof and BBS style alloys.
A 350Z is a lot more satisfying in every way and if you get a later model with 313 bhp, less of a performance gap from your M3.
There is only one model of TT I would consider and that is the special edition that they brought out before the Mk2. The one with the black roof and BBS style alloys.
Interesting feedback.
I drove one through England, Paris, Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium and a few laps of the Nurburgring.
No, it's not the best drivers car in the world, obviously.
Handled well around the ring, had a little bit of work done (stage 2 remap) which has actually increased MPG and is now running at 265hp. Huge increase in torque and pulls even in 6th.
The only downside with remapping is the higher octane fuel required. I digress.
Small cabin, back seats are an excuse for seats, surprisingly big boot, 4wd is a wonderful thing.
Not the most reliable car in the world, though the only issues with this one (and it's been in the family since new (2003)) are 100% wear and tear, all of which you would expect from any car (new master/slave cylinder being the only 'issue' I've known of)
Feels far more planted than my E46, and cheaper to run.
If you can overcome the 'hairdresser' comments, go for it. If you want the engine, look at the Seat Leon 1.8 Turbo. Same car, but cheaper.
I drove one through England, Paris, Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium and a few laps of the Nurburgring.
No, it's not the best drivers car in the world, obviously.
Handled well around the ring, had a little bit of work done (stage 2 remap) which has actually increased MPG and is now running at 265hp. Huge increase in torque and pulls even in 6th.
The only downside with remapping is the higher octane fuel required. I digress.
Small cabin, back seats are an excuse for seats, surprisingly big boot, 4wd is a wonderful thing.
Not the most reliable car in the world, though the only issues with this one (and it's been in the family since new (2003)) are 100% wear and tear, all of which you would expect from any car (new master/slave cylinder being the only 'issue' I've known of)
Feels far more planted than my E46, and cheaper to run.
If you can overcome the 'hairdresser' comments, go for it. If you want the engine, look at the Seat Leon 1.8 Turbo. Same car, but cheaper.
Edited by I Love Lamp on Thursday 6th January 01:43
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