Audi TTRS

[spud989]

Bit of an introduction. I had a Z4MC for a couple of years which I traded in Sept 2013. The miles were getting quite high, but also I was doing more social miles, meaning I tried out a 123d. Had that for 12 months and did about 14/15k, including a 3k trip around Europe. But I realised that it would have been an even better trip had I been in something a bit more special. Add a promotion later and I decided to get myself a manual TTRS in Ibis White - faster than the Z4MC as standard, apparently monstrous when tuned, and pretty frugal considering its performance.

Here's my car after being washed late evening yesterday:



I've had it for about a month now. It's got a fairly meaty spec list:

- Sat nav
- Cruise
- Parking sensors
- Phone/BT
- 19" rotor alloys
- Flat-bottomed multi-function wheel
- Bose audio
- Leather bucket wing back seats
- Folding mirrors
- Magnetic ride
- Audi MMI for SD cards/iPhone 4 and 5
- Privacy glass


The only downside is 60k miles - but I bought on condition and spec and I'm very happy. It has a flawless history and has been well looked after. And I'll certainly be pampering it too!

The speed really is quite something, even when standard. Relentless shove even from right at the bottom of the range, building up into a crescendo of a turbo howl - I actually prefer the sound to the Z4M. Never quite had so much fun making 'bwaarrrpp!' noises. In the last couple of weeks I've added my plate (complete with PH logo! Subtle white sticker maybe to follow in rear window), stuck some nice rubber mats in and, of course, had it remapped to APR stage 1 .



Remapped this car is hilarious. I've never driven or been in anything quite like it. It's apparently making 410bhp, though I've not had that confirmed. The reliability of the APR map and service, according to many on various TT forums, also seems second to none. If you're not careful, and the tyres aren't fairly warm, it'll spin the wheels up in third and even fourth sometimes. But get some grip down and it re-adjusts what's quick, even if you've had some semi-quick cars in the past. My map was done by Ricci Concept in Hull - great service and Nick was very keen to chat about all aspects of it, which was good. Based in Hull too, so was the best choice for me living in Doncaster.

I know Audis get a lot of criticism for understeer and not being an involving drive, or whatever, but if you just like driving quickly, but not manically, and enjoying the performance of your car, then the TT RS has a lot to offer. To be honest, I think if you're noticing many problems with the steering then you're driving beyond the limit of what you should on public roads anyway. As a fast road car, it sounds great, has enormous tuning potential, but can pootle along quite nicely for you as well. Sticking cruise on when doing 70 makes you think you could be in a completely different car - the seats are comfortable, the cabin is a typically nice place to be and the proportions are pretty regular.

This is a car that is as close as I've come to 'all things for all people' in terms of a performance car that you can use day in, day out.

I plan to use it for commuting, but also some nice country drives throughout the UK, and take it abroad again in the summer of 2015 - currently looking at taking a ferry, maybe to Holland this time, then driving in Holland, northern Germany, Denmark and maybe 1/2 more, dependent upon funds. Really looking forward to that (might do a full trip report this time - should have done that with the 123d, to be honest) and also to getting to know the car much more in the mean time.

Oh, and when you put your foot down in third, ~400bhp will, every single time, make your face do something similar to this:



Loving every minute.

Edited by spud989 on Monday 15th December 12:24

[spud989]

Gibbo205 said:

Very under estimated cars, surprised it wheel spins though the all wheel drive system should prevent that.

Only when tyres are cold. Still, I'll be upgrading them when they're due for replacement, probably early next year, just to be sure.

[spud989]

Gibbo205 said:

Very under estimated cars, surprised it wheel spins though the all wheel drive system should prevent that.

Only when tyres are cold. Still, I'll be upgrading them when they're due for replacement, probably early next year, just to be sure.

[spud989]

Faxo said:

As an Audi tech, this is my favourite Audi!

Get a Miltek on it, you'll never stop smiling

Also, if it's spinning up at all, you might want to scan it to see if the Haldex pump is working - if they don't have the oil changed at 3 years, it goes jelly like, and knackers the pump. The only tell tale is front wheel drive only, and these generally don't spin at all!

It had an oil service at Audi as part of my deal with the independent dealership - would this sort of thing have been picked up on during that? Or should I get an indie to get check out? Thanks for the advice.

[spud989]

Minor update to this: I had a window regulator fail on my car a couple of weeks ago. Took it to Doncaster Audi who replaced it completely free of charge because the car had full Audi service history. Top stuff.

Only downside was that the service advisor gave me norovirus

[spud989]

I understand the steering comments. But like many people I've never been on track - and it's brilliant for road use. Complete confidence and control.

[spud989]

Slight updates:

- driver's side window regulator failed (common problem apparently) in late January. Replaced gratis at Doncaster Audi and all well with that since.

- intercooler/turbo hose decided to blow off at the front during my normal 25-mile commute. Rather than replacing it with stock, I ordered a full set of Forge silicon boost hoses which have now been on the car for around 6/7 weeks and all has been perfect since. They're apparently rated to ~500hp or something silly, which more than covers the ~410bhp that the current stage 1 mapping gives. Man maths definitely came into play when justifying the upgrade + 3 hour labour charge at a specialist to replace them when compared to just replacing the single hose with a stock item at the front. Apparently a couple of the others are quite difficult to access?



- currently plotting a summer drive between Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna, Prague and a couple of other places. Can't wait to show it some new roads on the Continent.

[spud989]

Just a few minor updates.

The tyres losing traction when putting my foot down has never happened since I replaced the tyres with Eagle F1s. Not once. Happy to have sorted that so simply and it gives you true confidence with the car.

I've also got myself a Forge intercooler to fit - it's an impressively sized thing. Currently sat in the garage, though.


Also took the car on a 3,000 mile drive of Europe this summer and it performed immaculately. Should really do a full write-up of that

[spud989]

Finally put the intercooler on and the car has had a major service. Also changed the rear discs and pads to Tarox - seem slightly better than OEM. Eagle F1s soon to go on the front too.

Car has done 20k with me in the last 15 months, including the Euro drive, and is performing very, very well (touch wood!). Very contented with it as an all-round package.

alangtt said:

You really should update this more often! Any pics of the road trip?

Finally getting around to putting some up! Though the car doesn't really feature.

PorkRind said:

Nice car youve got there. I've got the lesser sister car - tts. Are you able to fully disable the rather intrusive traction control in the RS? Have you amended the suspension/ arbs to get around the understeer or fitted a haldex controller?
Cheers.

Never fiddled around with the TC settings. I daren't. It's too scary

[spud989]

Still going really well with the RS. Just bought a little device which will prevent the depress clutch to start thing wearing away something in the engine. I don't really understand, but it was only 20 odd quid!

Thought about selling a lot recently. Now on 89k and has done 30k with me in 2 years. But I really can't see what I can replace it with. I still love driving it and I can't see anything that offers the same performance/economy in remotely the same price range