Mk1 Audi TT quattro 180

[wjb]

Well I sold my RX8 PZ

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

a couple months back and picked up an old E36 to smoke around in while I decided what to get next.

The Beemer obviously wasn't a patch on the PZ as a drivers car, but after running an RX8 I welcomed the simplicity of it. Start it, stop it wherever, whenever you want, 95 Ron fuel and no engine paranoia, you get the picture.

Anyway I'm going German again with this black Audi TT 180 quattro.

Plenty of receipts for recent work including a cambelt service (within last 20k) recon turbo & remap to 204hp.

I know these get a lot of hate, but ive always fancied one, they are a nice capable car imo, good value too.

I will give it a good going over and probably make some subtle improvements.

Quick pic after a snowy drive to work.

Edited by wjb on Wednesday 9th November 09:59

Edited by wjb on Thursday 8th December 22:56

[wjb]

Cheers for the replies.

Along with the RX8 i've also owned both an Impreza and an Evo in the past so I'll compare it to those too, once I've had some time in the TT.

[wjb]

Interesting comments on whether the TT will become a future classic or not, if the QS goes up in value, which I think it well, then nice coupes will go up too, but its future value doesn't interest me, the current value to me is £2k, which is what I paid 2 days ago

As the weather is awful, here are some pics from the advert.











The TT is sitting a little lower than standard, had a flick through the paperwork and found a receipt for a set of springs fitted in 2014. Also has an air filter and dv, which is thankfully quite quiet, to go along with the map.

The original airbox etc came with the car, as did a full size spare which now lives in the shed.

Edited by wjb on Wednesday 9th November 22:26

[wjb]

Thanks for all the contributions to the thread, I'm only on day 4 of ownership so far and used it just for commuting.

Things I like so far;

Looks - Even though the design is 18 years old I still think it looks very stylish in black, however I am considering a wheel change in the summer, staying with 18's but a different design. These can stay for now though.

Performance - In the world of "PH pointless willy waving" it isn't a fast/powerful/quick/rapid* (*delete as appropriate) car, but at the end of the day it has more than enough power for the road, 204hp if the graph is to be believed. I haven't felt like I've needed more power in any situation yet. And I've owned a car with double power the standard 180. I guess I'm growing up eh?

Handling - Sure-footed is how I'd describe it. I havent really pushed it, but so far so good. The tyres are not really premium mind, so that's something that can be improved upon.

Stereo - nice little Kenwood USB job.

Sound - it's obviously no TVR, but its quite nice.

Reliability - it hasn't threatened to kill me or leave me stranded yet.

Economy - not bad so far, but coming from an RX8 an unserviced space shuttle would be an improvement.

Things I don't like so far;

Comfort & Practically - it's fine when I'm in, but I've hit my head on entry a couple times!

Exhaust - there's only one!

All in all I'm really enjoying the TT so far and I can't believe that I've not bought one sooner.

Now is the time if you want one, some real bargains out there, plenty of unloved dogs too though, as I found out while searching.

Edited by wjb on Saturday 12th November 08:39

[wjb]

Getting accustomed with the overflow car park

[wjb]

Oil service, plugs and full check up done.

Mechanic said it was a good clean car, but he recommended removing the ram air filter for a smoother idle, not that it's particularly rough.

I was considering putting the original airbox back on anyway, but I'm not sure if this will negatively effect the car as it's been mapped

[wjb]

keith2.2 said:

Original box with a k&n or pipercross panel filter will probably benefit because your ram (I'm guessing) is taking air from the engine bay not outdid so it's warmer air and won't be flowing much more than a good quality panel.

Not much warm air around at the moment, but I see your point!

Gonna order a new panel filter and do the swap, I've been so busy lately that I've not even had a chance to wash it properly. Not missed a beat yet though.

Edited by wjb on Tuesday 29th November 22:54

[wjb]

Wanting a definitive answer on the minor idle issue, I ordered a code reader and it has registered a couple of faults that relate to the maf and coils.

So I've got a couple of extra things to get sorted now, along with the filter.

[wjb]

Well the TT has been fine, until I went to get some fuel one evening last week, and then it wouldn't restart!

It wouldn't turn over at all, all lights on the dash were ok, just nothing happened when I turned the key...

I was only a mile from home, called out recovery and took it to the local garage who looked at it the following day and said the starter motor had died.



Starter motor replaced, and I bought a new Yuasa HSB013 12V Silver Car Battery for good measure as the one fitted had seen better days.

So from alive, to dead and back to alive again in a few days!

Edited by wjb on Saturday 7th January 16:09

[wjb]

Vitorio said:

I do like TTs, but somehow they are ridiculously expensive over here, €3K gets you a barried/ruined 185 with loads of miles, you need at least 5K to find something id consider buying

Well in the UK £2k can get you a nice example, high miles yes, but not "ruined or barried" at all

[wjb]

Emeye said:

Good choice OP - I really think the Mk1 TT is one of the best looking modern cars ever made - it looks like nothing else on the road.

Those satisfied to believe the hairdresser hype just help keep the prices down.

The ignition coils can be problematic, but if you get errors reporting coils, make sure you check the wiring loom back from the ignition coils under the cloth first, as the insulation can get worn causing similar missing issues - mine also had this - easily solved with electrical insulation tape to stop the arcing.

Check out TTforum.co.uk - very useful.

Cheers mate, I'm on ttforum, very informative on there.

It looks like someone's had a go at insulating the wiring on the ignition coil harness already, but the idle has totally cleared up now since it went into the garage for its starter motor replacement.

I rang Audi to see if I could get the coils replaced under the recall, but it has already been done in 2012 so I might go for some new coils & harness anyway as its done 35k since then and the error code is still there.

Mot next month, it's only travelled 3k in the past 11 months so shouldn't be too disastrous. I hope

[wjb]

Wash day!













I don't normally get my cars washed on such a gloomy day, but it was so dirty I couldn't put it off anymore!

[wjb]

0a said:

A modern classic design - as striking and pleasing today as when it was launched. I guess it's pretty cheap to run and repair being based on the golf of the day, so a suspension refresh shouldn't be too much?

Your car looks particularly good in black. Very nice indeed.

Thanks for the comments, not many cars designed in the 90's still look modern today.

Had it two months so far and apart from the minor starter motor issue, this has been a joy to own so far

[wjb]

steve-5snwi said:

Here's ours,

Very nice, what wheels are they?

[wjb]

steve-5snwi said:

They are Audi Votex wheels, quite rare. We have had them 5 years, when we got the TT it had brand new tyres, I then found the Votex on the TT forum with almost new tyres, so we picked them up and the TT tyres went on my Cupra, effectively making the wheels free ...

I like those, not seen them on a TT before. I'm after a new set, but I've been looking for a while and can't decide on what to go for.

Got MOT soon, once I get that done I can try and make a decision!

[wjb]

6cylGolf said:

I actually like the standard ones you have there Wez, just some spacers would suit the car, I only went with the compo's because my bbs reps were shagged and I didn't want to spend the going price for a decent straight set of originals. I'd say as you have them, keep them

I like the current 9 spokes, happy to stick with them for a bit as they suit the car, but I'm always up for a change.

Love BBS CH, had them on my Evo 8 and would have them again on my TT. Like you, at around 50% the cost of the car I couldnt justify the price of genuine set so decent reps may be an option.

Alternatively I'd like some Quattro Sport wheels, or maybe even some Porsche ones.

Edited by wjb on Sunday 22 January 13:46

[wjb]

MOT time!

It wasn't due till 10th Feb but I popped into my local garage today and they squeezed me in this afternoon.



Pleased to say it passed

I stayed and watched the test, had a look under the car while it was up on the ramp, the tester said it was in very good nick for a 15 year old car, which is always nice to hear.

Only one advisory, slight play in the o/s front track rod end ball joint. But i'll take that.

Will have to give it a wash over the weekend!

Edited by wjb on Saturday 28th January 10:04

[wjb]

Creeping towards 160k miles.




Running well and still looking good

Edited by wjb on Monday 13th February 19:43

[wjb]

benjeffrey said:

160k?! Cracking! Thinking of treating myself to a black 225, only ever owned black cars (No particular reason) so hoping to get something soon at 120k with cambelt/water pump already done... Even seen a couple for under £2k, stupid value for money.

I was actually after a lower mileage one, but even though it's 15 years old and had its fair share of owners it's still in great condition. Once I saw the paperwork for this one (new turbo, remap, cambelt/waterpump, recent discs/pads all round) I couldn't pass it up.

They really are brilliant, but might not be this money for long so go find a good one if you're tempted

[wjb]

Little update, I picked up a set of quattro sport 240 wheels today.

Now these are quite rare & sought after, they can go for silly money so when I saw a used set on the bay at a reasonable price I didn't hang about and hit the bin button

Picked them up from the seller and set about fitting them inside the TT. If you're gonna pick up a set of 18's in one of these, empty the boot and leave the passengers at home!



Yes they need a refurb and one is missing a center cap, but beggers can't be choosers when it comes to QS Rims!

Stamps all seem to check out as genuine.





Deal done and off to the tyre fitters to swap them over.



I quickly found a buyer for my old RS wheels at the asking price and met up with him on the way home for the handover so all in all a good day!